Three punches shattered the demonic soul, young hero, I'm an honest man!

The morning light is slightly dew.

A sliver of sunlight pierced through the window, dispelling the lingering warmth and allure of the bedroom.

A faint scent of perfume lingered in the air.

Pei Yun awoke amidst the subtle fragrance.

Opening his eyes, he saw a beautiful woman still fast asleep beside him, her tired expression a testament to her indulgence the previous night.

The brocade quilt slipped off, revealing the woman's delicate, fair shoulders.

Pei Yun pulled the blanket over the other person and gently covered them up.

Without a doubt, this beautiful woman is a wonderful woman in every way.

But this was not his woman, but...

At that moment, chaotic footsteps came from outside the courtyard, along with someone's suppressed hoarse roar.

"Where are you?! Get out here!"

Pei Yun pursed her lips: "You came at just the right time."

Although he was cornered in the room, Pei Yun showed no sign of panic.

They heard the courtyard gate being kicked open with a "bang," and footsteps rushing straight into the bedroom.

Pei Yun slowly got up, picked up the flying fish robes scattered on the ground, and put them on neatly one by one.

The waist tag and the sword were hung up one by one.

He walked to the bronze mirror, carefully straightened his collar, and made sure there wasn't a single wrinkle.

Pei Yun glanced at the sleeping figure on the bed and a cryptic smile appeared on his lips.

The mornings in Beijing are always so dull, yet they always hold some "surprises".

"Squeak—"

Pei Yun pulled the door open from the inside, forcing the person outside to retreat.

The man who appeared before Pei Yun was a middle-aged man with a livid face.

It was Zhao Zheng, an assistant director of the Ministry of Revenue in the capital.

Behind Zhao Zheng were seven or eight servants and guards wielding sticks, each one looking fierce and menacing.

But after seeing Pei Yun clearly, she subconsciously stopped in her tracks.

"Shhh."

Pei Yun held up a finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture.

"Lord Zhao, please keep your voice down."

His tone was relaxed, with a touch of the nonchalance typical of young people.

He tilted his head to the side, indicating the direction of the bedroom.

"Madam is still sound asleep, having worked hard last night. Please do not disturb her peaceful slumber."

This seemingly casual remark was more scathing than a direct slap in the face, instantly igniting all of Zhao Zheng's rationality.

Zhao Zheng was so angry that he trembled when he saw Pei Yun's appearance.

He pointed at Pei Yun, his lips trembling.

"You...you..."

His anger was almost overwhelming his reason.

But when Zhao Zheng's gaze fell on Pei Yun's conspicuous flying fish outfit, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Embroidered Uniform Guard!

These three words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing part of Zhao Zheng's anger.

The Empress's henchmen and elite guards were dispatched everywhere.

Wherever the imperial guards went, the Empress herself would be present!

Acting on behalf of Heaven, executing first and reporting later!

Who in the capital doesn't know that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is His Majesty's henchman, a sharp blade hanging over the heads of all officials?

But how could I swallow this insult!

Thinking of the persistent greenery above his head, and of his wife still lying in the bedroom.

Zhao Zheng's face turned from red to green, and then from green to white.

The image finally freezes on a distorted form, a mixture of anger and fear.

"Excellent! Well done, Imperial Guards!"

Zhao Zheng roared, spitting as he spoke.

"Let me tell you, although I am only a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue, I am not someone to be trifled with in the capital!"

"I know the Vice Minister of War, and I've even dined with the Minister of Rites!"

"I'd like to see if your Embroidered Uniform Guard can truly control everything right under the Emperor's nose!"

Zhao Zheng roared, attempting to threaten Pei Yun with his personal connections.

Pei Yun, however, still wore that faint smile on his face, ignoring Zhao Zheng's threats.

He even turned his head to look at the osmanthus trees in the yard with great interest.

He looked relaxed, as if he were taking a stroll in his own backyard, or as if he were waiting for something.

This arrogant and condescending attitude thoroughly enraged Zhao Zheng.

He turned to the cowering servants behind him and gave a stern order:

"Get him! Seize this madman! I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!"

The servants looked at each other, their grips on the sticks tightening and loosening repeatedly.

Are you bragging? If you can handle the responsibility, then you should.

To take action against the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Who dares?

That's a violent institution directly under Her Majesty the Empress, yet they dared to lay a hand on a mere member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Putting aside the question of whether he could win the fight, this crime alone is far more serious than assaulting an official of the imperial court.

"A bunch of useless trash!"

Seeing this, Zhao Zheng was so angry he almost fainted.

"Lord Zhao."

Pei Yun finally withdrew her gaze from the osmanthus tree, chuckled, and interrupted Zhao Zheng's roar.

"Why make things difficult for these servants who only earn a pittance?"

Pei Yun's voice remained calm, yet carried a chilling undertone.

"In the Celestial Dynasty, you, sir, having navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for so many years, should understand better than anyone the consequences of taking action against the Embroidered Uniform Guard, shouldn't you?"

Zhao Zheng froze.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, acting on behalf of the Emperor, would execute first and report later.

Don't tell me it was just about sleeping with his woman.

Even if they kill him on the spot, they can easily find a pretext afterward that he "intends to rebel" or "colludes with the demonic path".

Even so, no one might dare to investigate further.

His limited connections were utterly insignificant compared to the behemoth that was the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

Just then, a series of neat and powerful footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

The armor plates rubbed together, and the scabbards clinked lightly.

A chilling, murderous aura instantly filled the entire front yard.

Zhao Zheng felt a chill and turned to look.

A group of more than ten Imperial Guards officers, dressed in flying fish robes and with their hands on embroidered spring knives, came into view.

They entered the Zhao residence, escorted by a tall, stern-faced captain.

Zhao Zheng recognized the captain at the head of the group!

It's Zhang Quan, the commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Zhao Zheng was overjoyed, as if he had grasped a lifeline.

"Brother Zhang, you've come at the perfect time!"

"Quickly! Capture this beast!"

"This scoundrel has trespassed into my home, defiled my wife, and shown utter disregard for the law! You must avenge me!"

Zhao Zheng practically tumbled and crawled over, pointing at Pei Yun with tears streaming down his face.

He had met Zhang Quan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a few times.

We've been drinking and partying together a few times, and I've given you some favors, so we have a certain "friendship."

Upon seeing a "familiar face," Zhao Zheng was so excited that he even forgot to think:

Why would Zhang Quan bring so many Imperial Guards and appear at his doorstep at this exact moment?

However, Zhang Quan's gaze did not linger on Zhao Zheng for even a moment.

He led the captain behind him and walked straight up to Pei Yun.

With synchronized movements, they suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped their hands in a salute.

"This humble servant, Zhang Quan, greets Your Excellency, Commander!"

"Greetings, Lord Centurion!"

The voices of more than ten Imperial Guard captains merged together, deep and powerful, so strong that even the fallen leaves in the courtyard seemed to tremble.

Hundred households... sir?

The ecstasy on Zhao Zheng's face froze instantly, the color drained from his face, and he turned as pale as paper.

He stared incredulously at the incredibly handsome young man before him, the one he had just been pointing his finger at and cursing.

Pei Yun… Commander Pei?!

The youngest centurion in the Imperial Guards of the capital, the ruthless Centurion Pei!?

A chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and Zhao Zheng felt dizzy.

His legs gave way, and with a "thud," he collapsed to the ground, unable to get up again.

Pei Yun didn't even glance at Zhao Zheng on the ground, his gaze fixed on Zhang Quan, his tone still lazy and nonchalant:

"Zhang Quan, you're half an hour late."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Quan's expression changed drastically, and a fine layer of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead. He lowered his head even further.

"This humble servant deserves to die! There was a slight delay on the road, please forgive me, Commander!"

Pei Yun waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned: "Never mind, it was just a casual remark."

But it was just a casual remark.

The invisible pressure made all the Imperial Guards present feel a chill down their spines, and they dared not even breathe.

This young centurion is unpredictable and his power grows daily.

No one dared to take it seriously as a casual remark.

Pei Yun coughed lightly and cleared his throat.

Pei Yun then turned his gaze to Zhao Zheng, who lay on the ground looking utterly dejected.

The faint smile still lingered on his lips, but his eyes turned cold.

"Lord Zhao..." Pei Yun's voice was calm.

"Do you know why our Imperial Guards are at your doorstep?"

Zhao Zheng trembled and raised his head blankly.

"We, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, are usually very busy, tracking down the traces of the demonic path and protecting the safety of the capital."

"We have no interest in or concern ourselves with the usual power struggles in officialdom and the trivialities of family life."

Pei Yun took two steps and stopped in front of Zhao Zheng, looking down at him.

"The Celestial Dynasty has its own rules, ironclad laws set by His Majesty."

"As long as you honestly follow the rules and behave yourself, even if you have some shady little hobbies, it's fine."

Pei Yun spoke with a pointed tone.

"We can also turn a blind eye."

"But you shouldn't have, absolutely shouldn't have, broken the rules!"

"If the rules are broken, then there's nothing more to say."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng seemed to have grasped at a straw and forced himself to continue his defense.

"I have always been law-abiding and dutiful; have I ever broken any rules?"

"Lord Centurion, there must be some misunderstanding! Could it be something that happened last night? That could also be a misunderstanding!"

Hearing Zhao Zheng say this, Pei Yun looked puzzled:

"Lord Zhao, what misunderstanding could possibly arise between me and your woman lying in the same bed?"

Other things might be misunderstandings, but this is really not true.

Pei Yun was asleep.

Sleeping soundly and peacefully.

Zhao Zheng's face instantly turned a deep liver color.

Humiliation, anger, and fear intertwined, making him almost unable to stand.

Pei Yun stopped teasing Zhao Zheng, his voice suddenly turning sharp, carrying an undeniable determination:

"Zhao Zheng, an assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, secretly colluded with the heretical 'Joyful Zen Sect' and leaked the secrets of our Great Ying Immortal Dynasty's finances and grain transport in exchange for evil martial arts techniques and personal gain."

"The evidence is conclusive. Arrest them immediately and confiscate their property."

"All family members and servants are to be taken to the imperial prison to await interrogation!"

Zhao Zheng suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

He then realized that the Embroidered Uniform Guard hadn't come because he'd caught someone cheating, but... specifically to catch him!

"No! Impossible! You're making baseless accusations!"

Zhao Zheng roared with all his might.

"Where's the evidence? What evidence do you have?!"

He struggled to get up, stammering incoherently as he tried to explain:

"I am an official appointed by the imperial court! A fifth-rank assistant minister!"

"Without the verification from the Ministry of Personnel and without a joint trial by the three judicial departments, your Embroidered Uniform Guard has no right to arrest me directly!"

Pei Yun smiled upon hearing this.

His smile was handsome, yet it carried a playful, cat-and-mouse-like quality.

"Lord Zhao, it seems your information network is not very good."

"A few days ago, some ignorant brats from the Demonic Sect overstepped their bounds and tried to meddle in the forbidden areas of the capital, thus angering our Empress."

Pei Yun lowered his voice, which carried a hint of inexplicable coldness.

"His Majesty's decree: thoroughly investigate the capital and all those involved with the demonic path, regardless of their official rank, and punish them severely without exception."

"The current Embroidered Uniform Guard is 'granted by imperial authority'."

He stepped forward, bent down, and gently patted Zhao Zheng's pale cheek with his fingers.

Their actions were intimate, but their eyes were cold.

"Don't even mention someone as lowly as you, a mere fifth-rank official; even a prince or nobleman..."

"As long as they're even remotely involved, our Embroidered Uniform Guard can just arrest them and send them to that imperial prison for a chat."

"As for the evidence..."

Pei Yun's smile widened even more.

"Rest assured, Lord Zhao, once you're in the imperial prison, you can get whatever evidence you want."

"Our rules as Imperial Guards have always been—"

"Go to the imperial prison first, then we'll have more evidence."

He straightened up, ignoring Zhao Zheng who was completely paralyzed and had a vacant look in his eyes, and waved to Zhang Quan.

"Confiscating property."

"yes!"

Zhang Quan stood up, waved his hand, and the fierce-looking Imperial Guard captains immediately scattered and rushed to various parts of the mansion.

Cries, pleas for mercy, and the sounds of breaking objects quickly filled the air.

Pei Yun walked to the gate of the mansion, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked at the sky outside the gate as it gradually brightened.

He seemed to remember something, and turned to look at Zhao Zheng, who was being held up by two captains and lying like a dead dog.

He slowly opened his mouth and answered the other person's previous question:

"Lord Zhao, you asked if the Embroidered Uniform Guard can control everything in the capital?"

Pei Yun's gaze turned towards the direction of the palace, his eyes carrying an indescribable meaning.

It seemed to convey a sense of awe, a sense of mockery, and a sense of entitlement.

"There is only one Heaven in the Great Ying Immortal Dynasty, and that is Her Majesty the current Empress."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guards are loyal only to His Majesty."

"Right now--"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard, may they live as long as Heaven!"

"Do you understand?"