Xuanqing Guard

Watching as the Black Banner Battalion’s soldiers dragged Xie Kai, who was locked in board locks, into the interrogation room with sinister smiles, Inspector Hundred Households Officer Zhang Ye felt uneasy in his heart.

"Chen Zongqi, I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but Xie Kai is a well-known figure in Tanshi Village, and he has strong connections everywhere. You’re likely to run into trouble for arresting him..."

Chen Tianwen waved his hand with a smile and said, "Strong connections? Heh, that’s just as well. Lord Zhang, there’s no need to worry. If anyone comes to you asking for him, just push it onto me. But please, Lord Zhang, make a note of those who come fishing for him—I want to see who dares to throw themselves onto the blade so eagerly."

As he spoke, Chen Tianwen gave Zhang Ye a few deep looks, reminding, "Lord Zhang, I’ll just remind you as a colleague, you absolutely mustn’t try to take sides on this issue, or you won’t be able to bear the consequences—your life could just be forfeit before you know it."

On hearing this, Zhang Ye quivered inwardly and silently cursed himself for being rash earlier. The other side came on a top-secret mission, and even had an authorization document from the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War—why would he fear the so-called connections of a mere captain?

"Heh, many thanks for your thoughtfulness, Chen Zongqi. I was rambling just now, please don’t take it to heart."

"Hahaha, Lord Zhang, don’t mind it. I’m a blunt man, but even I can tell your words just now were out of good will—how could I blame you? I still need you to assist us with this task."

"Please just give your orders, Chen Zongqi."

Chen Tianwen was already an old hand—he knew not to put on airs, so with Zhang Ye lowering his stance, Chen Tianwen would never look down on him or wave the order around like it was a command arrow. He waved it away and smiled, "Lord Zhang, you’re too polite. I wouldn’t dare give orders. I just need you to lend me about ten men, and then help me block anyone who comes fishing for that man. That’s all you need to do, nothing else."

"Alright."

Chen Tianwen quickly reached an agreement with Zhang Ye. His subordinates had already begun the surprise interrogation of Xie Kai in the interrogation room according to the previously prepared lines of questioning.

Chen Tianwen didn’t preside over the interrogation himself. Instead, he led the rest of his men, plus the ten or so inspectors borrowed from Zhang Ye, and went back out again, still led by Chen Hao.

"Chen—Chen Zongqi, I—I haven’t done anything wrong. How about—how about you let me go back?"

"Heh, Captain Chen, you and I are from the same family—haven’t I always been straight with you? None of this directly concerns you. Just show us the way, act as a witness. Come on, how much further to Assistant General Zhou’s residence?"

"Once we’re past that fort ahead, you’ll be able to see it," Chen Hao replied, but inside, he wished he could just turn around and run. He felt as if his luck had been cursed for eight generations to get caught up in this. "Acting as a witness," they said? He’d probably be labeled a "guide traitor" by others! They’d all leave when this was over—how could he stay in the military after this?

Chen Hao saw it all clearly, but was helpless. He’d only interacted with this Chen Tianwen, the Zongqi, for an hour or so, but the man’s ruthlessness left his back cold. Now he’d been unwittingly dragged onto this boat, unable to get off.

By the look of things, after dealing with Xie Kai, they were actually going straight for Assistant General Zhou next?! That’s a big shot in the Tanshi Garrison. Could it be...

It wasn’t too far. In fact, they hardly needed Chen Hao to lead the way—among the ten-plus inspectors with them, everyone knew where Assistant General Zhou’s residence was.

Though called a "residence," it was really just a modest-looking small fort—Tanshi had many of these, all serving semi-military, semi-civilian purposes.

Elsewhere, a personal residence might have at most two stone beasts out front, but in Tanshi, the Assistant General’s residence was a military nerve center, equipped with sentries and strict guard.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"Xuanqing Guard Black Banner Battalion Hundred Households Officer Chen Tianwen, here on official duty with documents from the Xuanqing Guard Commander’s Office and the Ministry of War, requesting an audience with Assistant General Zhou!" Chen Tianwen still wore his usual smiling face, raising his waist token high to clearly show his identity.

This scene made Chen Hao, at the rear, shiver instinctively.

Soon, the main gate opened. Chen Tianwen and his group were invited inside, where they met Assistant General Zhou Qing in the courtyard, fully armored.

He was a square-faced middle-aged man, nearly seven feet tall, with a burly frame—his arms were as thick as Chen Tianwen’s thigh, the lines of meat on his face giving him an even fiercer look; the aura about him was like a humanoid fierce beast.

Chen Tianwen was an experienced cultivator who knew plenty at a glance. This Assistant General Zhou was clearly a cultivator who specialized in body techniques—otherwise, no mere mortal body could exude such oppressive force. Moreover, his eyes flashed with a rare ferocity,

This was not a man who could be reasoned with.

"Chen Zongqi, I’ve already heard from below, you just took away one of my captains. Now you show up here—what for?"

"Assistant General Zhou, here’s the thing: our informant picked up some intelligence related to a case. We may need you to come and have a word with us."

"You want to take me? Heh, and you say nothing about what’s going on—so you’re just going to take me away? Is that it?"

"No, no, Assistant General Zhou, you misunderstand. We simply want to ask about a few things, nothing more."

"You can ask me here in my residence. If you’re worried about security, use my secret cultivation chamber. Why must it be your place? I have serious responsibilities here with the garrison, and during this lockdown, I’m not free to leave my post. Your Xuanqing Guard and I have no affiliation; and even if you have the Ministry of War’s authorization, you don’t get to order me about. If you have something to discuss, say it here; otherwise, see yourselves out!"

With that, Zhou Qing handed back the two documents to Chen Tianwen, snuffing out his attempt to invite him with only a few words.

Chen Tianwen didn’t panic, but said, "Lord Zhou, the Commander’s Office authorization plus the Vice Minister of War’s signature requires you to fully assist our mission—yet you’re evading. Duties can be temporarily handed over, you’ll be right back, it’s not a major thing. But if Assistant General Zhou insists on refusing, is it disobedience?"

"Disobey? Hahaha. Disobey whom? Out here, I answer to the Chief Officer of Southern Army, Grand Marshal Zuo; above that, to Minister of War Lord Yang. You think I’ll take orders just because you brought a Vice Minister’s signature? You really think I’m that easy to fool?"

As Zhou Qing spoke, he walked toward Chen Tianwen, his aura pressing harder. His cultivation was at Gathering Spirit Realm Ninth Layer, and he specialized in body technique cultivation—his physical strength, combined with True Qi, created a force that could bend another’s will, similar to a soul-manipulating skill. His intent was to embarrass this lesser Flag Officer whose cultivation was far below his, so he’d retreat in fear—buying Zhou Qing some time to plan his next move.

Zhou Qing was no simpleton like Xie Kai. Tonight’s events had made him wary—this was no ordinary matter.

Under that pressure, Chen Tianwen couldn’t help but step back, his face pale. In the end, his Xuanqing Guard men had to rally to his side to withstand Zhou Qing’s oppressive might—but his face had already been cast to the ground.

"So then, Assistant General Zhou, are you choosing disobedience?"

"An unlawful order—I’ll disobey. What of it?"

Chen Tianwen didn’t waste words. He summoned an inspector and barked, "Take this document and immediately report to the Chief Officer of Tanshi—request a squad to come assist us, now!"

Before the man could go out, Zhou Qing waved his arm, and the soldiers in the courtyard moved to block all ways out.

"I now suspect you of disorderly orders and plotting to disrupt military morale! Seize them first—we’ll sort out what’s what afterwards! Do it! Take them all down!"

On hearing this, Chen Tianwen was shocked—he hadn’t thought Zhou Qing would have the nerve to go this far...