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

The night was as dark as ink, not yet fully penetrating the capital.

Pei Yun neither returned to the Northern Garrison Office nor went to the fragrant and luxurious Baidi Tower.

He chose a quiet teahouse, a private room by the window, with an ordinary alleyway outside.

Occasionally, the distant sound of a night watchman's clapper could be heard, carrying a touch of everyday life.

The steam from the Biluochun tea leaves rises gently from the small purple clay teapot.

Five days later, the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Elixir will be ready.

Yan Xiu, that old-fashioned fellow, probably thinks that pill is his own junior's possession.

Pei Yun had a faint smile on her lips.

The gamble had begun, and naturally he wouldn't let Luo Qingyi lose half of the intelligence resources.

The intelligence was vague, but it did pinpoint the general location.

Crossing the River of Oblivion.

The underground black market in the capital is a place where all sorts of people mingle and where filth and depravity reside.

Ordinary people who try to enter are like clay oxen sinking into the sea.

Even the Imperial Guards had to proceed with extreme caution and tread carefully when entering.

But Pei Yun is different.

He was so familiar with the dark corners of the capital that he felt like he was in his own backyard.

"Zhang Quan".

He called out softly.

The door opened silently, and Zhang Quan appeared in the doorway, bowing respectfully.

"grown ups."

Pei Yun picked up a piece of paper that had been prepared beforehand on the table.

The few strokes above outline several locations.

"Go check."

Pei Yun spoke in a flat tone, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"The third pawnshop at the south entrance, the manager's surname is Qian."

"Check his finances over the past two weeks, paying particular attention to when he enters the tent at night."

"The owner of the Qizhen Pavilion in the West Market is known as the 'Jade-Faced Fox'."

"Investigate all the unfamiliar faces she has recently come into contact with, especially those who are generous but have unknown origins."

"And also, there's Zhao the Blind Fortune Teller who sets up a stall at Dongfangkou."

"He's the 'ears' of the ferry crossing. Invite him for tea and ask if there have been any unusual new faces or strange deals lately."

Zhang Quan took the paper, glanced at it, and felt a slight chill in his heart.

These instructions are frighteningly precise.

There was no large-scale investigation, no casting a wide net; the investigation went straight to the heart of the matter.

It was as if Pei Yun already knew everything and only needed to follow the clues.

"Remember, use your identity as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but don't alert them."

"Be quick and accurate!"

"Yes, sir!"

Zhang Quan agreed in a deep voice, then turned and disappeared into the night outside.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, this sharp blade hanging over the heads of the people under the Empress's command, began to silently cut through the shadows of the capital.

Flying fish robe, embroidered spring knife.

They are travelers in the darkness, ruthless enforcers of order.

Orders were passed down through clandestine channels.

The Imperial Guards of the Northern Garrison, like an invisible net, quietly covered the area around the Forgotten River Ferry.

They didn't make a move that would alert the enemy; they simply observed and recorded quietly.

Every suspicious figure and every unusual transaction was taken into account.

Once the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard are unleashed, they carry an undeniable ruthlessness and chilling intent.

In the shadows of the River of Oblivion, the wind howls and cranes cry.

Those local bullies who usually prided themselves on being well-informed also sensed danger at this moment.

They all withdrew their claws and hid in hiding.

Within the capital, no one dared to accompany the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Meanwhile, several Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) under Yan Xiu's command were also ordered to investigate.

They proceeded methodically, using vague clues as they circled the outskirts of the Wangchuan Ferry, questioning vendors and checking passersby.

Progress is slow, like an old ox pulling a cart.

"Boss, this Forgotten River Ferry is like an iron barrel. We've asked around for ages, but haven't gotten a single thing out of them!"

A young Imperial Guard wiped his sweat and complained in a low voice.

The old guard leader frowned.

"What's the rush? Lord Yan said that caution is the best policy."

"If we investigate slowly, we'll eventually find some clues."

Even so, he wasn't entirely sure.

The water here is too deep.

……

Qinyuan Tea House.

The private room on the second floor is by the window.

Pei Yun remained seated.

The sky outside the window changed from pitch black to pale white, and then gradually took on a golden hue.

Throughout this time, officers of the Imperial Guard, dressed in ordinary clothes, hurried past downstairs.

He would occasionally glance up at the second-floor window, then go straight upstairs and give a brief report in a low voice.

He left behind the thin note and quickly left.

Intelligence was pouring in like snowflakes.

"East Third Street, Red Sleeve Pavilion, no irregularities found in the accounts."

"But the madam mentioned that half a month ago a wealthy customer with a foreign accent spent a lot of money, and his appearance did not match."

"At the Jubao Pen gambling den in Nankou, slush funds were uncovered, involving huge sums of money, but most of the money belonged to local wealthy and powerful people, and no suspicious persons were found."

"The owner of the Treasure Shop on West Street is a shrewd old fox; you can't get anything out of him, and his accounts are meticulously kept."

This is a message sent back by Yan Xiu's men; the efficiency is low and the results are meager.

Pei Yun didn't even glance at the notes.

What he was concerned about was what Zhang Quan had sent.

Thin sheets of paper and thick volumes of documents were piled up beside Pei Yun.

The person in charge of liaison was a squad leader surnamed Wang, sent by Yan Xiu.

Looking at the ever-growing pile of notes in front of Pei Yun, and then at Pei Yun's excessively leisurely demeanor, Wang Zongqi couldn't help but feel uneasy.

With so much chaotic and disorganized information, he would have been completely overwhelmed long ago.

But is this Commander Pei really investigating a case?

They watched Pei Yun with wide eyes.

He casually picked up a file, glanced at it briefly, and then tossed it aside.

He picked up another piece of paper, tapped it lightly with his fingertip, and placed it in another pile.

The entire process was smooth and seamless, without the slightest stagnation.

His eyes were calm and unwavering.

It was as if those intricate and dangerous intelligence reports were nothing more than boring word games in his eyes.

fast!

too fast!

The speed and precision with which they processed intelligence were breathtaking!

Commander Wang and his men watched, their eyelids twitching and sweat beading on their foreheads.

They asked themselves if they were faced with these problems, they probably wouldn't be able to figure them out even after three days and three nights.

Wang Zongqi could no longer hold back.

"Lord Pei, there are so many clues, don't you...don't you need to sort them out carefully?"

Pei Yun picked up his teacup, blew on it to cool it down, and said nothing.

Zhang Quan had quietly returned sometime earlier and stood to one side, lowering his voice:

"Chief Wang, you'll get used to it."

"Lord Pei has a keen eye for detail when it comes to judging things."

"..."

Knowing what's going on? Is that what you call knowing what's going on?

This is simply...

Even General Wang didn't know what words to use to describe it.

Looking at Wang Zongqi's current appearance, Zhang Quan's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

These guys are making a fuss over nothing.

They were already used to this kind of behavior from adults.

The waters of this capital city are unfathomably deep.

But in the eyes of adults, it may just be a shallow pool, crystal clear.

at last.

Pei Yun suddenly stopped when he saw a certain file.

The private room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Commander Wang and his men held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.

They knew the results were coming out.

Pei Yun's gaze fell on the window.

The morning sunlight streamed through the carved wooden window, casting dappled shadows.

The old locust tree at the alley entrance remained motionless, and even the summer cicadas seemed to have disappeared.

"Wangchuan Ferry, Section C, the seventh shop."

Pei Yun casually tossed the dossier in front of everyone.

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

"Moyunzhai".

"On the surface, they sell old paper and antique inkstones from previous dynasties, but in reality, it's a meeting point for them."

He paused, then added.

"Not just the connectors..."

"Some 'things' are also traded there."

"Some old items with special markings, and some secret medicines that can temporarily enhance one's skills or suppress injuries."

Pei Yun looked at Zhang Quan.

"Are there any records showing that members of the Candle Shadow Sect have been frequently visiting that place recently?"

Zhang Quan immediately bowed and replied, "Yes, sir!"

"According to intelligence, three days ago, a guy we had been watching, suspected to be a 'guide' of the Candle Yin Sect, lingered in the Ink Rhyme Studio for an hour."

Wang Zongqi was dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning.

How long has it been?

Overnight!

From having no clues at all, to pinpointing the specific location, the details of the transaction, and even finding preliminary evidence of a connection with the Zhuyin Sect!

What... what kind of unfathomable and mysterious method is this?!

The way they looked at Pei Yun had completely changed.

Gone was the previous disdain and doubt; only deep awe and a trace of indescribable fear remained.

This seemingly harmless, even somewhat lazy, young centurion.

His meticulousness and ruthlessness are simply unbelievable!

Pei Yun put down his teacup, the bottom of which collided with the table, making a crisp, soft sound.

"alright."

Pei Yun stood up and stretched.

The joints made a cracking sound.

"We've found the bait. Let's go see if we can catch any big fish."

Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.

But the people in the private room felt a chill rise up their spines.

The situation in the capital is about to change.

Meanwhile, the hand that stirred up the storm is now leisurely enjoying itself.

It was as if the place they were about to go was not a den of dragons and tigers, but their own backyard garden.

"Some truths are hidden in the dim light."

Pei Yun chuckled softly and stepped out of the private room.