Xuanqing Guard

Although Wang Jian was anxious, he could still barely keep his composure.

That trip to the Imperial City this morning didn’t achieve its original goal, but at least it wasn’t fruitless.

Now, after returning, he went to the Xuanqing Guard Thousand Households Station to find Shen Hao, reporting the situation while also waiting for instructions on the next move. Meanwhile, the Four Divisions were still analyzing and discussing their side of things, but there’s no word yet.

He stood with his hands bound, not daring to sit even when offered. Since things hadn’t been handled well, he felt guilty inside. Lord Shen in front of him leaned on the back of his chair, frowning, remaining silent for a long time.

This made Wang Jian even more afraid to make a sound.

The main problem was the time was tight—just today and tomorrow. By tomorrow afternoon, the window the Emperor bought them would be gone. Once those high officials returned, not to mention the Ministry of War causing an uproar, even the civil officials in the Temple Hall probably wouldn’t just stand by. It’s entirely possible that they’d make secret moves.

So now it was a race against time. Wang Jian was aware he hadn’t been of much use so far.

"So, logically speaking, our deduction is that ’the Wind Howling Battalion is the link among these ten people,’ and that Vice Minister Xu Hong of the Ministry of War is their superior? That’s not wrong, right?" Shen Hao finally spoke, but there was no blame in his tone toward Wang Jian. Investigating cases was full of uncertainties—if everything went smoothly, that would be abnormal.

"Yes, my Lord. That’s what we’ve gathered so far. The Wind Howling Battalion and Xu Hong, as well as those ten hard-headed bastards, are definitely closely connected—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them direct subordinates.

So far, from the interrogations of others, all the clues dead-end with these ten. If they won’t talk, we can’t proceed. Even knowing Xu Hong is highly likely involved, we still can’t find direct evidence." Wang Jian finished speaking, not daring to look up. He really had no strategy left.

Shen Hao gave a slight nod, continuing, "Being confident in our deductions is already something—it means our investigation is heading in the right direction. And if I’m not mistaken, these ten must be the first line of defense set up purposely. Hmph, they’ve judged these ten correctly. Each one withstood all our interrogation methods and not a single one confessed."

Mentioning it made Shen Hao grit his teeth. After all his years in the Xuanqing Guard, this was the first time he’d seen so many endure the Guard’s torture. All of them hard, like stones in a latrine—both stubborn and foul.

"What about that Feather Guard Hundred Households from the Ministry of War? Didn’t you say you took his family? Did threatening them have any effect?" Shen Hao massaged his brow, shifting the topic.

"No. That bastard Zeng Wenhe still didn’t say a word. Even when I threatened to cut off his daughter’s nose, he just stared wide-eyed at me, completely unmoved, like he was possessed. My Lord, should we really do it and let him see we mean business?"

"No. Torturing the suspect is permitted, but truly harming his family crosses a line." Shen Hao knew what Wang Jian meant, but he refused. It hadn’t come to that, and he wouldn’t violate his bottom line.

"But these people are doomed, it’s definitely Three Barbarian Races for them. If we act now..."

Shen Hao cut him off again, "No. Three Barbarian Races comes later—if we touch their families now, do you realize how bad the backlash would be? Think our Xuanqing Guard’s reputation isn’t black enough? I’m warning you: don’t cause trouble by taking matters into your own hands!"

"I wouldn’t dare." Wang Jian dropped the subject, silently deciding to release Zeng Wenhe’s family soon—seems they’re no longer of use.

In truth, Shen Hao was in the same boat—temporarily out of options. But unlike Wang Jian, he still had one idea, though he was waiting for a reply.

"Urge the people from the Impermanence Department again. It’s been a whole hour, why isn’t there any news?"

"Yes, my Lord." Wang Jian had actually just urged the Impermanence people via Thousand-Mile Sound half an hour ago, but seeing his lord anxious, he could only comply. Still, he wondered: does he really have a plan, is that message that important?

As luck would have it, Wang Jian had just taken out the matching Thousand-Mile Sound charm when, before he could transmit, it vibrated. A message had arrived first from the other side.

Wang Jian glanced at the seated Shen Hao before opening the Thousand-Mile Sound to receive the incoming information.

"My Lord, there’s news! The Impermanence Department found the Government Office’s Population Department in Xinliang City and checked the census registry—Xu Hong’s mother, Mrs. Zhou of the Xu Family, is actually the same person as Zhou Qing’s grand-aunt, Zhou Yueyu!"

"So Xu Hong and Zhou Qing are actually cousins!" Shen Hao stood up from his chair, a rare smile on his face.

"Yes, my Lord. Xu Hong is considered Zhou Qing’s grandfather’s generation. No wonder that bastard gritted his teeth and wouldn’t confess—so there’s this extra layer of kinship."

Actually, relationships like that between Zhou Qing and Xu Hong were common in the military. As the saying goes, ’Father and son soldiers fight side by side,’ meaning the closer you are, the less likely you’re left isolated on the battlefield. It’s just that this kinship wasn’t written in Zhou Qing’s case files—obviously hidden deliberately.

"Good. Have that page of the census registry stamped and brought back, and get a witness as supporting evidence—it must be reliable."

"Understood, my Lord. I’ve already given those instructions. Right now, the Impermanence Department is acting as the Xuanqing Guard and using official letters from the Commander’s Office to request the Government Office in Xinliang City allow us to copy the census registry. There shouldn’t be an issue."

Shen Hao nodded, unconsciously pacing the room with obvious delight on his face.

"My Lord, have you thought of a plan?"

"Didn’t you just mention the plan yourself?"

"Eh? My Lord, I don’t follow."

"Didn’t you just say anyway Zeng Wenhe has already been convicted of a major crime and will be punished with Three Barbarian Races? How did you forget?"

Wang Jian certainly remembered, but... "I still don’t understand, my Lord."

"Zeng Wenhe’s existing crimes are easily enough for a charge of treason. Not just Three Barbarian Races—Nine Barbarian Races wouldn’t be impossible. And although Zhou Qing’s actions don’t look as severe as Zeng Wenhe’s, he can still be charged with ’colluding with external enemies with ill intent’—that crime alone warrants Three Barbarian Races, right?"

"That’s certainly enough."

"Then work out, who exactly are Zhou Qing’s Three Barbarian Races?"

"His father’s clan, mother’s clan, and wife’s clan... Wait, you’re saying to include Xu Hong in Zhou Qing’s Three Barbarian Races?!" Wang Jian finally caught on—besides being amazed, he couldn’t help but admire his lord’s quick thinking, making this connection. By the rules, Xu Hong did technically fall under Zhou Qing’s paternal clan.

But Wang Jian still harbored doubt: although Zhou Qing’s Three Barbarian Races could theoretically include Xu Hong, how could it be enforced? Normally, the punishment isn’t carried out to the letter—they mainly deal with the most crucial family members. The kinship between Xu Hong and Zhou Qing is distant, and Xu Hong’s status makes it unlikely that this can be used as a pretext to trouble him, right?