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

"Master Miaole, it seems you still haven't figured out your situation."

"Do you think that once you're in this imperial prison, you still have the right to bargain with me?"

Pei Yun's words froze the smile on Miao Le's face.

Zhang Quan stepped forward again and clenched his fist.

"Master, it seems you're not entirely satisfied with the force I used just now?"

"Shall I loosen up your muscles a bit more?"

"No, no, no!"

Miao Le was so frightened that she almost jumped out of her skin and hurriedly waved her hands.

"I'll say it! I'll say it again! There's more! There really is more!"

Zhang Quan ignored him and delivered three more punches with a series of "bang bang bang".

Miaole became completely obedient this time and cried even louder.

"I really have a clue! I'll draw it for you!"

"When I first met him, I kept an eye out and secretly noticed a symbol on his name tag! I made a note of it!"

With trembling hands, Miao Le picked up the pen again and began to draw on the paper.

It was a symbol with an ancient and simple design, its lines intertwined in a unique way, exuding a sense of antiquity and vicissitude.

"I later had someone secretly investigate, but we couldn't find anything."

"All I know is that this symbol is probably quite old..."

Miaole explained as she drew.

"That person was well hidden; I only caught a glimpse of him."

After finishing her painting, Miaole slumped in her chair, panting heavily, like a fish out of water.

Pei Yun picked up the paper and examined the strange symbol carefully.

The lines are archaic and simple, resembling both birds and seal script, subtly conveying a wild and desolate atmosphere.

Like ancient trees with intertwined branches!

This is by no means a common rune used by the Great Ying Immortal Dynasty or even the surrounding countries.

It's more like some long-lost ancient tradition, or a unique mark of some secret organization.

Pei Yun ran his fingertips over the strange runes, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

interesting.

The water in the capital city is indeed much muddier than it looks.

The Candle Shadow Sect?

Or are they other demonic cultivators trying to take advantage of the chaos?

"Take him away and keep a close watch on him."

Pei Yun put the papers away and stood up to give instructions.

"Yes, sir!"

……

The chilling atmosphere of the imperial prison seemed to still linger on the hem of the flying fish robe.

Pei Yun walked slowly along the corridor of the Northern Garrison Command, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the piece of paper with strange symbols drawn on it in his sleeve.

Miao Le's swollen face and the secret she revealed with a sob lingered in his mind.

A person who can silently eliminate a Foundation Establishment Realm Star Guardian and accurately provide channels for selling stolen goods and Drunken Dragon Incense...

She is definitely not the kind of person like Miaole who is all bark and no bite.

What does that symbol represent?

The Candle Shadow Sect?

Or is it someone else?

Beneath the surface of this capital city, there are truly undercurrents surging.

Pei Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, his mind absorbed in his thoughts, and he didn't even notice the person coming from in front of him.

It's that familiar corner again.

It was that same gaze, filled with resentment and jealousy.

Liu Mang had just returned from outside, and he was furious with nowhere to vent his anger.

He was busy with the case of Yinxingsha, but after several days of investigation, he found nothing.

In the end, all the credit was easily taken by Pei Yun, that "useless person"!

I'm so upset!

These days, rumors are circulating in the government office that Liu Mang is incompetent, which only highlights Pei Yun's exceptional wisdom and resourcefulness.

He couldn't swallow this insult!

Seeing Pei Yun approaching with his head down in thought, seemingly without any warning, Liu Mang's lips curled into a sinister smile.

Last time, this kid was lucky to be caught by Commander Zhou.

this time……

Liu Mang quickened his pace and, "inadvertently," bumped into Pei Yun's shoulder!

He had calculated it correctly: Pei Yun was a good-for-nothing with no cultivation and a weak body.

This will definitely knock him off balance and make him look ridiculous in public!

Get revenge for that slap!

however--

The scene of Pei Yun staggering and falling to the ground, which was expected, did not occur.

Pei Yun remained standing still, without even frowning.

She kept her head down, looking at the paper in her hand, as if she had only been touched by a gentle breeze.

On the contrary, it was Liu Mang.

It was like hitting an invisible iron wall!

A powerful and irresistible force rebounded and surged directly into his body.

Liu Mang felt a surge of blood and qi in his chest, a sweet taste in his throat, and stars flashing before his eyes.

He lost his balance and stumbled back several steps.

Finally, with a "plop," he sat down on the ground.

He fell hard.

My butt hurts so much from being slammed in the ground!

The surroundings fell silent instantly.

Several imperial guards who were passing by, who had been hurrying along with their heads down, stopped and stared wide-eyed at the scene before them.

The one who fell down was none other than Liu Mang, the centurion!

Pei Yun, the centurion who was hit, remained standing firmly in place, without even his clothes getting ruffled.

Pei Yun then snapped out of her reverie.

He looked down at Liu Mang, who was sitting on the ground, his face filled with shock and pain.

A familiar smile slowly crept onto his lips.

"Oh my, isn't this Lord Liu?"

Pei Yun's voice was not loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the entire corridor.

How could you be so careless?

He feigned surprise and leaned down slightly, leisurely sizing up the disheveled Liu Mang.

"Were the floor tiles in the Northern Garrison just waxed last night? They're so slippery!"

Or perhaps...

Pei Yun paused, a hint of mockery creeping into his smile.

"Lord Liu has been so busy with official duties lately, his health has deteriorated to this extent?"

"Pfft!"

Finally, one of the Imperial Guards couldn't help but burst out laughing.

One person took the lead, and the others joined in with quiet chuckles.

Everyone could see that Liu Mang had deliberately bumped into Pei Yun, but ended up falling flat on his face.

This is a huge loss of face.

Liu Mang's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, filled with shame and anger. He pointed at Pei Yun, his lips trembling.

What happened?

How could this piece of junk not move at all?

That recoil force... something's not right!

There was a surge of true energy emanating from him!

Though faint, it is by no means that of an ordinary person!

Liu Mang suddenly looked up and stared intently at Pei Yun.

"You...your cultivation level..."

Pei Yun smiled without saying a word, a smile that Liu Mang found full of mockery.

Just then, Zhou Mingxuan appeared at the end of the corridor.

He came out for some fresh air, but ended up witnessing this whole scene.

His gaze immediately fell on Pei Yun, who remained as steady as a mountain.

Others may only see Liu Mang making a fool of himself, but as a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard with a sixth-rank cultivation level, his eyesight is incredibly sharp!

Just now, when Liu Mang bumped into Pei Yun, he clearly felt a pure and restrained fluctuation of true energy flash by from Pei Yun's body!

Although he tried to conceal it, he couldn't hide it from him!

That is something no ordinary warrior could possess!

This kid's foundation has been restored?!

Zhou Mingxuan was deeply shaken, as if a raging storm had been unleashed.

He instantly recalled how highly the Garrison Commander Luo Qingyi regarded Pei Yun, and the clearly biased annotations by Luo Qingyi in the Astronomical Bureau case...

Could it be Lord Luo?

Did they use some kind of extraordinary resource to forcibly save Pei Yun's crippled body?!

The moment this thought crossed Zhou Mingxuan's mind, the way he looked at Pei Yun completely changed.

Previously, I just thought this kid was a bit clever and had won Lord Luo's favor.

Now it seems that it was more than just a matter of favor!

This is practically my most trusted confidant, someone I'd support at any cost!

This kid's relationship with Lord Luo is probably deeper than I imagined!

Liu Mang, who was on the ground, belatedly realized what was happening.

Considering Luo Qingyi's protectiveness towards Pei Yun...

Liu Mang felt a chill rise from his tailbone.

He's not stupid; he knows who he can mess with and who he can't.

He can't afford to mess with Pei Yun now!

Liu Mang gritted his teeth, suppressing his humiliation and resentment.

Struggling to get up from the ground, he didn't even bother to brush off the dust.

He kept his head down, not uttering a word, and didn't even dare to look at Pei Yun again.

They practically fled, slinking away in a hurry.

That figure looked utterly disheveled.

Zhou Mingxuan saw everything and understood.

He walked forward slowly, a gentle smile on his face, as if nothing had happened.

"Commander Pei, what's wrong?"

Pei Yun shrugged, his smile remaining nonchalant.

"It's nothing, just a bit windy and it blew down a not-so-sturdy tree."

Zhou Mingxuan's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

He gave Pei Yun a deep look and smiled, "It's good that you're alright."

"By the way, if you need any information about the Candle Shadow Sect that Lord Luo provided, feel free to come and find me."

These words already carried a hint of goodwill.

"Then I'll have to trouble Commander Zhou to take care of it."

Pei Yun cupped his hands in greeting, his attitude remaining indifferent.