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

The case of Yinxingsha has been settled.

At least that's how Zhou Mingxuan, the commander of the Northern Garrison, saw it.

Files are archived, criminals are imprisoned, and lost items are returned intact.

Although the process at the Imperial Observatory was somewhat bumpy, the outcome was ultimately good, and they managed to save face.

As for whether there are any shady dealings or unclear matters hidden within that case—

For example, why did the wicked monk Miaole of the Joyful Zen sect specifically target the star-attracting sand of the Imperial Observatory?

Who is so capable of "getting rid of" a Foundation Establishment Realm Star Guardian?

Zhou Mingxuan didn't want to delve into it further.

The people at the Imperial Observatory were all arrogant and had many rules, making them very troublesome to deal with.

What's more important right now is the Candle Shadow Sect, which Lord Luo himself mentioned.

That would be an immense achievement, a stepping stone for Zhou Mingxuan to advance further within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In contrast, a theft case that has already been closed is not worth the effort.

However, Pei Yun did not think so.

Since that transformative experience in the courtyard, he has solidified his eighth-grade innate realm.

Feel the unprecedented abundance of power within my body, and that flawless foundation.

Your state of mind will also change accordingly.

Some clues, though seemingly broken, may actually lead to something much bigger.

If you don't stir up some muddy waters, how will you know how many dragons are lurking beneath?

"Zhang Quan".

Pei Yun's voice remained in that lazy tone, revealing little emotion.

"Your humble servant is here."

Zhang Quan appeared behind Pei Yun, clasped his hands and bowed.

"Come with me to the imperial prison."

"Yes, sir."

The Northern Garrison Prison.

There aren't many places in the capital that can stop a child from crying, but this is definitely one of them.

It was cold, damp, and permeated with a lingering smell of blood and mildew.

The torches crackled on the stone wall, casting dim light that distorted and eerily long shadows.

Pei Yun strolled in.

His brand-new flying fish suit looked completely out of place in this gloomy place.

Zhang Quan followed behind expressionlessly, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

This place was originally the territory of their Imperial Guards.

Before long, the two arrived at a private cell.

"Bring the person out," Pei Yun ordered.

The jailer dared not delay and quickly unlocked the heavy iron lock.

Before long, a young monk dressed in prison clothes, looking emaciated and with a hint of fear on his face, was pushed out.

It was none other than the wicked monk of the Joyful Zen sect, Myo-ra.

A few days in prison had long since eroded any remaining hope in him, leaving only fear of the unknown.

"Take him to the interrogation room."

The interrogation room was small.

In the center is a heavy wooden table and several chairs.

Various instruments of torture hung on the wall, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen.

Miao Le was forced to sit on a chair, her hands and feet locked in shackles.

Pei Yun sat down in the main seat with an air of nonchalance, while Zhang Quan stood behind him like an iron tower.

A clerk from the Imperial Guard responsible for recording unfolded paper and pen, preparing to record the confession.

"Master Miaole".

Pei Yun picked up the hot tea that the jailer had just brought, blew on it gently, and spoke in a gentle tone as if chatting with a neighbor.

"Shall we chat?"

Miao Le swallowed hard, her eyes darting around as she tried to remain calm.

"Lord Pei... I have said everything I needed to say... It was that scoundrel Jia Zhengchu who coveted the Star Sand. I was just momentarily confused and misled by him..."

He is also trying to shift the main responsibility to Jia Zhengchu, who has also become a prisoner.

"Oh?" Pei Yun raised an eyebrow.

"You? And that good-for-nothing Jia Zhengchu?"

Miaole stiffened his neck: "Although this humble monk is not talented, I believe I have some reputation within the Joyful Zen School..."

"Alright, stop talking nonsense," Pei Yun interrupted him.

"I'll give you a chance. Confess honestly, and I'll let you die more comfortably in the imperial prison."

Miao Le's expression changed, as if she was weighing her options.

Pei Yun didn't urge him, but simply tapped the table lightly and glanced at the captain beside him.

The Imperial Guard captain in charge of recording immediately understood and licked his chapped lips.

"Lord Pei, I'm a little thirsty and would like to go out for a drink of water..."

Pei Yun didn't even lift his eyelids.

"Go."

The captain lowered his head and quickly slipped out, closing the interrogation room door behind him.

The moment the door closed, all the color drained from Miaole's face, and she trembled violently.

He's not stupid; he's all too familiar with this process!

"No, no! Lord Pei! Let's talk this out, let's talk this out!"

Miaole panicked.

Pei Yun smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Zhang Quan stood up, cracked his wrists, and his knuckles made a series of crisp sounds.

He walked up to Miaole, grinned, and revealed his gleaming white teeth.

"Master, please forgive me."

then.

state!

The first punch was swift and accurate, landing directly on Miao Le's open mouth.

Miao Le's pleas for mercy instantly turned into a muffled groan, her teeth chattering, and blood immediately appeared at the corner of her mouth.

This punch was meant to prevent him from begging for mercy.

They were afraid that the noise would disturb Lord Pei's peace and quiet.

Miaole was sobbing, still not quite understanding what was happening.

state!

The second punch is to prevent escape.

Although the person is now locked up and can't run away, this is an old habit of Zhang Quan's during interrogations.

First, cripple his leg, then he'll get used to the fighting style.

Miao Le's calves twitched, and she almost knelt down, the chains rattling loudly.

state!

The third punch landed on Miaole's temple, silencing her.

The force was controlled so well that it made his vision go black and his head buzz.

While temporarily losing the ability to think, it does not cause serious injury.

After all, it would be difficult to explain to the higher-ups if someone were killed.

Zhang Quan stopped what he was doing, stepped aside, and took out a handkerchief to wipe his fist.

In the Imperial Guard prison, there were few places to reason, but many places to resort to force.

Law enforcement should be humane.

When you throw a punch, you need to put force into it.

Three punches to shatter your demonic soul!

A simple combo that will leave you bewildered but won't break your brain.

After those three punches, Miao Le was completely stunned.

My mouth was swollen, my legs were trembling with pain, and my mind was blank.

That once handsome face is now swollen like a pig's head, filled only with fear.

Tears and snot streamed down his face uncontrollably.

"Stop hitting me! I won't fall for it! I'll confess! I'll confess everything!"

"I'll tell you whatever you want to know!"

He cried out in a thick accent.

"I used to be... I used to be a monk at the Zhongzhou Dabei Zen Temple."

"There were no women in the Zen monastery, and I felt restless, so I broke the precept against lust and was expelled from the monastery. That's why I... that's why I joined the Joyful Zen sect..."

Pei Yun then looked up at Miao Le.

"continue."

"Stealing the stardust wasn't my idea!"

Miaole had a long face.

"There was someone who approached me, saying he wanted to make a deal with me!"

"He said he could provide me with an absolutely safe channel to sell stolen goods, and even give me back the lost Joyful Zen practice!"

"He also said that he had a way to deal with the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Imperial Observatory who was escorting the Star-Guiding Sand, so I could proceed with my work without worry!"

"Finally, they even gave me some Drunken Dragon Incense, saying it could mask the scent of Stardust..."

"I was momentarily blinded by greed and agreed!"

Miaole spilled everything she knew, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube.

"We only communicate through a single contact person; I don't know who he is or what he looks like!"

Have you met the person responsible for 'dealing with' the Star Guardian?

Miao Le shook her head repeatedly: "No, no! I don't even know how he did it!"

"When I led my men to the agreed location, all the guards from the Imperial Observatory were dead, and the star-monitor was nowhere to be found, leaving only star-attracting sand!"

Pei Yun frowned almost imperceptibly.

How could someone silently eliminate a Foundation Establishment cultivator and take him alive?

This method is quite extraordinary.

"Is that all?"

Miao Le avoided eye contact.

"Lord Pei...Lord Pei, if I provide some more clues, could you spare my life?"

"If all else fails, at least let me have a more comfortable time in this prison."

Pei Yun looked at him and suddenly smiled.

That smile, still handsome, carried a hint of coldness.