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

Xifengkou, on the outskirts of Beijing.

The setting sun, like blood, cast long shadows on the withered yellow grass.

Liu Mang kicked a stubborn rock at his feet, sending it bouncing and rolling far away.

"Oh shit!"

He spat, his face full of displeasure.

"What kind of mess is this?!"

Liu Mang held a bronze compass about the size of a palm in his hand.

The dial was covered with intricate runes, with a slender, dark iron pointer in the center.

At this moment, the pointer remained motionless, like an octogenarian.

Astrological chart.

The treasures brought out by the Imperial Observatory.

It is said that it is keenly sensitive to the power of stars, and can find the star-guiding sand by following its aura as long as it is still within the capital region.

"Move around a bit!"

Liu Mang stared at the almost motionless pointer, veins bulging on his forehead.

He personally took the star-finding compass and activated it according to the incantation given by the Imperial Observatory.

My inner energy is almost completely depleted, but this broken plate is as if it's dead.

Well, it's not that there was absolutely no reaction.

Occasionally, the pointer would spin wildly and erratically for a few moments without warning, then fall silent again, or point in a completely unrelated direction.

"What a piece of junk!"

Liu Mang was so angry he almost smashed the broken plate.

A flag bearer, his face covered in dust, approached and spoke cautiously.

"Boss, could it be that the thief has already smuggled the goods out of the capital?"

"fart!"

Liu Mang's eyes widened.

"The nine gates of the capital are heavily guarded. How could they possibly smuggle such conspicuous items out in such a short time?"

"But this astrolabe..."

"Those guys at the Imperial Observatory don't know anything!"

Liu Mang spat.

"Maybe this thing is already broken; they're just trying to fool our Imperial Guards!"

He was cursing and swearing, but his heart was sinking deeper and deeper.

This astrolabe is definitely not a problem, but we can't count on it.

He and his men searched almost every possible hiding place in the western part of the capital, but they couldn't find a single trace of him.

"After three days of tracking, we haven't found a single hair!"

Liu Mang paced back and forth in frustration.

"Is this thief like an eel? So slippery!"

He got angrier the more he thought about it.

They had hoped to use this case to put Pei Yun in his place, but who knew they'd run into such a tough nut to crack.

"Fall back! Head back!"

With a wave of his hand, Liu Mang, filled with anger and exhaustion, led his equally disheveled subordinates back to the capital in a huff.

……

The atmosphere inside the Northern Garrison Command's office has been somewhat oppressive these past few days.

The theft of the star-inducing sand weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

The fact that the Imperial Observatory's belongings were lost, especially since they were stolen in the heart of the capital region, is a slap in the face to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Unfortunately, the clues were scarce, and the opponent was as cunning as a fox.

The other officers in charge of assisting in the investigation were equally at a loss.

They searched almost the entire capital, inside and out, but came up empty-handed.

The thief seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Time passed, day by day.

Three days.

For three whole days, the Northern Garrison Command invested a great deal of manpower and resources, but the result was nothing.

There has been no substantial progress regarding the whereabouts of the star-attracting sand.

Rumors began to circulate within the Northern Garrison Command.

In the tea room, several familiar captains huddled together, discussing in hushed tones.

"Have you heard? Commander Liu's attempt also failed; even the astrolabe didn't work."

"Sigh, what's the use now? If you ask me, this case is a dead end. The thieves are too clever; the stuff is definitely gone by now."

"I think this case is doomed."

"Whoever takes this case is doomed; it's a hot potato."

An older captain stroked his sparse beard and said in a low voice:

"Didn't Commander Pei accept the assignment? How is that gentleman doing now?"

Upon hearing this, a meaningful expression appeared on the faces of the group.

"What else could he be doing? I heard that these past few days he's either been drinking tea at the Hundred Household Office or listening to music with courtesans in the White Emperor Tower. I haven't seen him go out to investigate cases at all."

"They probably know this case is a dead end, so they've simply given up."

"Just wait and see. Once the ten-day deadline is up, the Imperial Observatory will definitely make trouble. Let's see how they handle that!"

His words were tinged with schadenfreude.

Although Pei Yun held the title of centurion, it was a fact that he had lost all his cultivation.

In a place like the Embroidered Uniform Guard where strength speaks volumes, it naturally attracted a lot of jealousy and criticism.

Especially since he's taken on such a tricky case this time, many people are waiting to see him fail.

Liu Mang sat in his seat, listening to the discussions around him, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

Pei Yun!

Let you be arrogant, you little brat!

I still remember the slap I received last time!

Let's see how you die this time!

Even with all his cultivation gone, he still dares to steal the limelight and take on such a big case?

Do you really think Lord Luo can protect you forever?

Once the deadline arrives, the Imperial Observatory will hold him accountable, and Lord Luo will lose face. At that time... Hmph!

Just as people inside the government office were in turmoil, with all sorts of speculations and rumors flying around.

Inside Zhou Mingxuan's study.

Zhou Mingxuan's expression was also not very good.

Zhou Mingxuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, looking at the various summaries of information that had just been delivered to him.

His brows furrowed slightly.

no progress.

All leads have gone cold.

It's like punching cotton; you have the strength but nowhere to use it.

"Knock knock knock".

A knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Pei Yun pushed open the door and entered, still looking the same, with a faint smile on his lips.

It was as if the rumors and the imminent pressure outside had nothing to do with him.

"Lord Commander, you were looking for me?"

Zhou Mingxuan looked up at Pei Yun, a gentle smile on his face as usual.

"Brother Pei, please have a seat."

He pointed to the chair next to him.

"You've had a tough time these past few days."

Pei Yun didn't stand on ceremony and sat down casually.

"It's not hard work at all. I just drink tea, look at case files, and have a very leisurely life."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingxuan's smile faltered slightly.

This kid is really something...

He cleared his throat and got to the point:

"Brother Pei, how's the case of the Star Sand?"

Pei Yun shrugged: "No progress."

The answer was crisp and clear, without any attempt to conceal anything.

Zhou Mingxuan frowned even more deeply.

"The Imperial Observatory is pressing us very hard."

He sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"That Yunwei Star Official came again today, and in his words, he expressed some dissatisfaction with the efficiency of our Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"even……"

Zhou Mingxuan paused, observing Pei Yun's reaction.

"She privately suggested to me that since the Embroidered Uniform Guard's pursuit was thwarted, why didn't their Imperial Observatory use secret techniques to take the lead in the investigation, while we Embroidered Uniform Guard... just provide assistance from the sidelines."

These words carry considerable weight.

It's practically pointing fingers and calling the Embroidered Uniform Guard incompetent!

Zhou Mingxuan felt a burning sensation on his cheeks.

If it really comes to that, not only will Pei Yun, the centurion in charge, lose face, but even he, the chiliarch, will lose face.

The entire Northern Garrison Command will become a laughing stock in the capital.

When has he, a dignified commander of the Northern Garrison, ever suffered such humiliation?

But it just can't take effect yet.

Why did the people under my command fail to produce any results?

Zhou Mingxuan stared intently at Pei Yun, trying to discern even the slightest hint of anxiety or impatience from his face.

However, no.

Pei Yun's face remained calm and composed.

He even picked up the teacup on the table and took a small sip.

"Is the Imperial Observatory going to get involved personally?"

Pei Yun raised her eyelids.

"That would be great!"

"It saves us Imperial Guards from doing unnecessary work."

A mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"However, Lord Zhou."

"Let's be clear from the start."

"What if the Imperial Observatory fails to uncover the truth themselves, or only investigates halfway through, and then we, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, have to clean up the mess..."

"Then the price will have to be calculated separately."

Looking at Pei Yun's unyielding attitude, Zhou Mingxuan was genuinely unsure of the kid's true nature.

What's this kid up to?

Are they truly confident, or have they completely given up?

"Brother Pei."

Zhou Mingxuan lowered his voice.

"The Imperial Observatory is not someone you can easily deal with."

"That Yunwei Star Official is said to be a powerful figure within the Imperial Observatory, with a considerable background."

"If we really let them interfere and take the lead, what will become of the reputation of our Embroidered Uniform Guard..."

"face?"

Pei Yun interrupted him, her tone tinged with mockery.

"Lord Zhou, when did our Embroidered Uniform Guard start relying on our looks for a living?"

"Arresting people, investigating cases, and confiscating property—that's our duty."

"Saving face is something you earn yourself, not something given to you by others."

"The Imperial Observatory wants to steal the credit? Let them steal it."

"The premise is that they have to have that ability."

Pei Yun stood up.

"Alright, Lord Zhou, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Zhou Mingxuan watched his departing figure, his brows furrowed into a knot.

This kid...

Just as Pei Yun was about to reach the door, there was a knock on the study door.

"Come in."

Zhou Mingxuan said in a deep voice.

The door was pushed open, and Zhang Quan strode in, carrying a thick stack of files and account books.

He first bowed to Zhou Mingxuan, then turned to Pei Yun, his expression filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"My lord! I have brought back everything you requested!"

Pei Yun stopped in her tracks, turned around, and the lazy smile on her face finally faded a bit.

"Oh? So fast?"

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Zhou Mingxuan: "Then, Commander, I shall take my leave now."

After saying that, without waiting for Zhou Mingxuan's response, he took Zhang Quan and left the study directly.

As Zhou Mingxuan watched the two figures leave, especially the barely concealed excitement on Zhang Quan's face, his doubts deepened.

Could there really be some clue?