Xuanqing Guard

Wang Jian also knew that Wu Kai’s case was a bit bland, probably couldn’t catch Lord Shen’s eye, but he still had confidence in the new intelligence work started over at the Border Army side, because that situation over there was far messier and dirtier than previously anticipated. Fishing in troubled waters was Wang Jian’s favorite setting.

"Sir, Liu Qi is currently stationed at the West Gate Slope, with two and a half mixed battalions of garrison troops stationed there, all Garrison Army. Liu Qi got the job as Deputy Captain of the Supply Battalion because he’s a relative of Captain Xie Kai. This guy’s got a terrible reputation, always scheming, slippery, and his hands aren’t clean. Back when it was regular garrison duty he constantly clashed with colleagues, couldn’t win any fights but always had his captain cousin to back him up—most people are annoyed with him.

Plus, Liu Qi loves gambling, shameless but skilled, rarely loses and often wins, one of the few who seems truly lucky at gambling, boasts about it and even nicknamed himself ’Grandpa Qian.’

Heh, gambling’s so easy to set people up and screw them over. Set a trap and Liu Qi walked right into it—first it was money, then switched for military maps, then for copied paperwork from his cousin. By the time he realized, he was already deep in, and nobody dared speak a word about it, because if the stuff we hold gets out, not even his captain cousin could save his life."

"So, Liu Qi is all obedient now?" Shen Hao didn’t ask about the details. For a gambling second-tier loser to escape the web spun by the Four Divisions is basically impossible.

"Very obedient. Do whatever we say. The Judicial Department even gave Liu Qi some medicine—his life and death are no longer his to decide."

"Mind your limits. Don’t expose yourself just for the sake of trapping people."

"Rest assured, sir. I always vet the Four Divisions’ schemes. Their plans are airtight, but just... a bit vicious."

"Vicious? That’s an issue. After this is done, you’ll slowly discipline them. Continue."

"According to Liu Qi, using the Beach Stone Transmission Array for private schemes isn’t exactly rare; sometimes people impersonate the Ministry of War or some official business to use the array, even for shipping goods. But last year at the end of November, three lightly equipped Ministry of War personnel passed through, paperwork and waist tokens all in order. When we asked, Liu Qi had no idea any of them were imposters."

"He didn’t know?"

"He didn’t know. But Liu Qi says the Ministry of War guys who come to the Border Army are mostly familiar faces—he’s guarded the array for years and knows them all, or at least recognizes the names. Yet that day, those three had unfamiliar names, so he remembers them well. His captain cousin was there in person, no real interaction but Liu Qi could tell his cousin reacted strangely."

"How strange?"

"Liu Qi’s captain cousin, Xie Kai, full of schemes, always embezzling military supplies until his garrison soldiers don’t even have a Summoning Talisman to their name. He’s cozy with his superiors but rarely cares about what’s below him. In fact, Liu Qi doesn’t recall the last time Xie Kai visited the Transmission Array; usually he’s wandering in the Military Garrison Office or simply missing."

"You mean Xie Kai showed up specifically to escort Ma San’s group?"

"Yes, sir. Highly likely Xie Kai knew full well where Ma San’s crew came from."

Shen Hao nodded instinctively at these words—progress, though still far from a ’breakthrough.’ After a moment’s silence, he tapped the table forcefully and said, "If you use the same methods as you did with Liu Qi to infiltrate Xie Kai, what are your odds?"

"...I have no confidence, sir. Xie Kai isn’t like Liu Qi; his rank as captain alone puts him out of reach for ordinary methods. Acting rashly would likely be detected, and we could just shoot ourselves in the foot."

"So we still have to rely on Wu Kai?"

"As it stands, there’s no other way."

Shen Hao remembered Jiang Cheng’s warning: Wu Kai has huge ambitions—if you can’t control him thoroughly, extreme caution is required. Shen had hoped to dig up dirt on Wu Kai for leverage, but that plan has collapsed. Yet trusting Wu Kai further feels uneasy.

But the matter can’t just hang in limbo.

Have to go step by step now.

"Contact Wu Kai, have him act when the time is right and see if he can approach Xie Kai. Also, tell him, he’ll get the next Great Nourishing Pill only after getting something useful from Xie Kai."

No way to hold Wu Kai by blackmail, so have to tie his interests—though this trick can’t be used too often, or it backfires. ’Interest’ is crucial but not fatal.

"Understood, sir. I’ll get ready right away after I return. Anything else?"

"Those people you placed in the Imperial City—are you keeping them or have you dealt with them?" Shen Hao suddenly remembered a private matter.

"Reporting, sir. All those stationed in the Imperial City are lying low right now. Until the Xu Family Sisters return or there are new orders, I won’t activate them. Do you need something?"

"Shadow a Le Family woman named Binding Princess. She’s famous in the Imperial City—your people can easily find her home and main hangouts. No need to tail her to death, just get her activity patterns and daily habits. Be careful; she’s likely a highly cultivated and obscure Cultivator."

"Obscure Cultivator?"

"Sound Cultivator—have you heard of it?"

"What?" Wang Jian, like Shen Hao before, had never heard of this cultivation category.

"A special Cultivator using various sounds as magical methods for Skills. Have your people treat her as if she’s a Primordial Pill Realm, Fourth or Fifth Layer. Be careful." Actually, Shen Hao figured Binding Princess’s cultivation likely rivaled or surpassed Nie Yun’s. Ning Ziye was a Primordial Pill Realm Cultivator; her master, even if weak, would be stronger than her.

Even though Shen Hao understated it, Wang Jian was still startled.

Primordial Pill Realm, Fourth or Fifth Layer?!

Wang Jian gulped unconsciously, feeling the pressure. But he didn’t shirk—when it came to combat, his Four Divisions had nothing against a Primordial Pill Realm, Fourth or Fifth Layer Cultivator. But for surveillance, especially in the densely populated Imperial City, the ’Little Ghosts’—those unnoticed vagrants and beggars—were perfect for the job.

"You should arrange this as soon as possible, and report back to me every half month."

"Understood, sir. And about this case..."

"This isn’t a case, just do as I say. Don’t file it, don’t leave any records, understand?"