Xuanqing Guard

June 20th.

The midday sun was blazing, and Fengri City’s summer had begun to reveal its true fierceness. Of course, compared to August or September, it was still gentle, but just one trip under the sun would leave your back drenched in sweat.

Shen Hao came back in the morning, took a shower at home, changed into fresh clothes, and threw himself right back into the Public Office.

Even though the higher-ups had put a lid on the case, Jiang Cheng had said the work needed to be done properly and not half-assed. At the very least, every lead from Xu Hong’s side had to be straightened out and understood, and then recorded in the files; only then would the case be considered closed.

Shen Hao didn’t like leaving things hanging. He wanted to finish quickly, so he wouldn’t have it gnawing at him.

Wang Yiming was back too, still sporting a pair of black eye bags. People said this guy hadn’t slept properly for almost three days. He’d been tense since before the operation, and was still wound up now.

No talking him out of it—Shen Hao could feel the excitement buzzing off Wang Yiming. Seems this big case had really lit a fire under him.

Shen Hao himself hadn’t really rested either, but luckily his Cultivation was enough to sustain his mental drain for now. Still, after today’s work, he’d have to collapse and get a real sleep.

All the confiscated documents, accounts, and letters had been brought back by Wang Yiming, all originals. These would be preserved as evidence for the records. According to Jiang Cheng’s earlier instructions, this case file would be stored in the Black Banner Battalion’s Records Room in Fengri City, not the Governor’s Office—though copies still needed to be sent up.

Shen Hao assigned the analysis to the "Four Divisions" under Wang Jian. Now Wang Yiming knew Wang Jian also handled a secret informant network, but he didn’t ask, nor did he argue.

"Half of what the Governor’s Office allocated this time goes to the Black Banner Battalion’s public accounts. The rest, you divvy up and hand out as task subsidies for the brothers who went on this mission, according to the old rules." As Shen Hao handled the other backed-up office work, he told Wang Yiming how to deal with this "haul."

"Yes, sir," Wang Yiming replied, but added, "Master, what about those criminals in the cells? Should we just hold them all and wait for orders from above?"

Wang Yiming was talking about the thirty-seven prime suspects captured in the roundup operation, plus others who’d been implicated through them, as well as their direct family members. The number was already over a thousand. Now, they were split up and held in various Black Banner Battalion jails under Fengri City, and some were guarded by local Xuanqing Guards where they’d been arrested.

"Keep them for now. Don’t overdo the collective punishment. If you can avoid arresting someone, leave them be. Most of these people are from the Three Barbarian Races, but we can’t just wipe them all out. Just pick up the major players, that’s enough—got it?"

"Alright, understood."

Last night, when talking with Jiang Cheng on the Jingxi Governor’s parade ground, Shen Hao had asked about handling the prisoners. Judging from Jiang Cheng’s tone, the case wouldn’t be made public and would most likely be settled by secret judgment—probably to avoid adding further trouble to the Dynasty’s current tense situation.

As for the military, secret judgment also gave them some dignity.

Wang Yiming accepted the task and left. Shen Hao picked up his fan in one hand and a brush in the other, starting to draft the final version of the case file. From the first discovery of large-scale material outflow, every detail had to be clear and concise, with solid evidence for every crucial node—like confessions, witnesses, and so on.

He stayed hunched over the table and wrote straight through till dusk. It was only when Doorman Liu reminded him that Shen Hao finally put down his brush. He shook out his wrist—pretty pleased with himself. Halfway through already.

"Master, you should take a break. I’ll go to the canteen and get you something to eat?"

"No need. Those bastards in the canteen won’t have anything good at this hour anyway. I’ll just eat at home. Liu, you go home and rest early too."

"Alright, Master, I’ll check all the doors are locked before I go."

Shen Hao stood up, tidied his desk, and left the Public Office. At the entrance to the Thousand Households Station, he saw he still had the same number of guards trailing him. He thought maybe it wasn’t necessary, but these guys refused to leave no matter what.

All the way home—as soon as he stepped in, Xia Nu, that clumsy slave, came bouncing up with the two kids in tow, eager and attentive.

There’s nothing quite like home!

All Shen Hao had to do was flop into the lounge chair, didn’t even have to move—a grownup and two kids took care of washing his face and changing his clothes in a flash. Once he sat up, a little table was already set, piled with a big bowl of sour soup noodles, drenched in savory bits on top. Just looking at it made his mouth water, and right now, Shen Hao was genuinely starving.

Hu Tian was standing off to the side and used the meal as a chance to briefly report on things at home.

"Master Shen, these last few days while you were gone, there were Xuanqing Guard soldiers stationed around the house every day. They’d even tail us when we went out. Said it was Lord Tang who arranged it, and that we need to be on alert for thieves lately. I was wondering—do you think we should hire a couple of Nursing Home guards for the house?"

"Nursing Home guards?" Shen Hao paused mid-slurp, swallowed his noodles, and then asked, "Got someone in mind?"

"Heh, not yet, but if you say the word I’ll ask Wang Xiaoqi for help. I’d never let someone shady in the house, don’t worry."

"Have Wang Jian help you screen people. If we really need to hire, just get two for now—one to go out with you, one to safeguard the house. Best if they’re cultivators." Shen Hao thought about it; the family did need some self-protection. He’d overlooked that before.

Hu Tian nodded to show he’d noted it down, then continued, "And Master Liu from Hengshun Carriage and Horse Company came by himself with an invitation, wants to treat you to a meal—whenever you have time... Miss Lian Xiang from Hong’en Hall also sent word, says she’s composed a new song and would like you to come listen... Oh, and yesterday Lord Zhang Qian came by, left a letter when he didn’t see you and went off."

Hu Tian finished and hurriedly dug out a sealed letter from his chest to hand Shen Hao.

Shen Hao glanced at the envelope, set it aside, finished his noodles, then took a long gulp of tea. Only then did he pick up the letter again. As he opened it, he said to Hu Tian, "Reply to Liu Hengyi tomorrow—tell him I’m free in three days, have him pick the spot, and I’ll meet him. As for Lian Xiang... Just ignore it."

Liu Hengyi still had to be met—with business at the Carriage and Horse Shop picking up, there was huge potential ahead. If handled well, it could be as useful as the Black Market intelligence network. He just didn’t know what Liu Hengyi wanted now.

As for Lian Xiang, just thinking about that woman made Shen Hao feel hot and restless. He’d been too busy lately, but when things let up he’d go visit that fairy for sure.

As the thought passed, Shen Hao opened the letter on the table. Just seeing the first lines, his face was full of surprise.

It was a "farewell letter" left in a hurry, unsigned in person, with Zhang Qian and Gan Lin listed at the end. These two had been transferred to Hai Xia yesterday afternoon...