If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

Zhao Lei and Sun Feng exchanged a glance and let out a long sigh.

This new boss seems quite easy to talk to.

As long as you don't hold grudges, it's fine.

"Alright, stop standing there."

Zhou Yang tucked the case file into his coat.

"Let's go and meet that Wang Fugui."

"Finish your work early so you can come home and sleep early."

The three turned and walked out of the tent.

Watching Zhou Yang's departing figure, Song Baihu let out a cold snort.

"You can't make a good impression."

"Commander Qin, are you really planning to bring this kind of street thug to the Haicheng auction?"

Qin Shuang ignored him and took a sip of her tea.

Having been rebuffed, Commander Song turned and left.

Only Liu Baihu and Qin Shuang remained inside the tent.

Liu Baihu stroked his beard.

"Qin girl, you've taken a risky step."

"You took him to Haicheng to escape from that person, didn't you?"

Qin Shuang put down her teacup.

"Old Liu noticed it."

"That commander has been pressing harder and harder lately."

"If I don't find a shield, he might go directly to the commander to propose marriage."

Liu Baihu sighed.

"That commander has a powerful background. He's been resentful for a long time because you've rejected him so many times."

"You're using Zhou Yang as a shield? Aren't you afraid of getting this kid killed?"

Qin Shuang stood up.

"He took my money and my martial arts techniques."

"It's only right that you take a few hits from both the open and the hidden."

"Besides, I think he's very lucky; he won't die so easily."

Liu Baihu shook his head.

"That kid's cunning; be careful he doesn't turn on you."

"If he knew you were using him as a pawn, he might have offered even more money."

Qin Shuang's mind conjured up Zhou Yang's greedy, money-grubbing face.

"If he dares to ask, I dare to give it to him."

"As long as he can handle this well."

"I'm afraid he doesn't have the ability to take it."

……

West of Jianghuai City.

The night was deep, and the streets were deserted.

A sprawling mansion stands on the street corner, with two large red lanterns hanging in front of the gate, illuminating the two characters "Wangfu" (Prince's Mansion) on the plaque.

Zhou Yang, along with Zhao Lei and Sun Feng, squatted in the alley opposite the Prince's Mansion.

"Sir, Wang Fugui is quite vigilant."

Zhao Lei peeked out.

"There are four guards standing at the gate, all of them at the Body Refinement Realm."

"There are also people patrolling the courtyard wall."

Sun Feng continued.

"I heard that Wang Fugui spent a lot of money to hire two martial arts masters at the Hundred Battles Realm to oversee things."

"There are only three of us; if we force our way in, we'll likely suffer losses."

Zhou Yang touched his chin.

"Force my way in? Who said I was going to force my way in?"

"We are the Embroidered Uniform Guard, we are officials."

"Can you call it forcing your way in when officials are handling affairs?"

He stood up and dusted off his bottom.

"Come on, let's go knock on the door."

Zhao Lei and Sun Feng looked at each other in bewilderment.

Coming to ransack a house in the middle of the night, and they even knock on the door?

Zhou Yang swaggered to the front of the Prince's Mansion.

The four guards immediately became alert, their hands on the hilts of their swords.

"stop!"

"Who is it?"

Zhou Yang pointed to the flying fish robe he was wearing.

"You're all blind."

"Didn't you see this outfit?"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is handling this case; make Wang Fugui come out and greet them!"

By the light of the lanterns, the four guards were able to see Zhou Yang's clothes clearly.

The lead guard sneered.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"Coming to our palace in the middle of the night to cause trouble? What do you think this place is?!"

"Our master said he's not seeing any guests today!"

"Get lost if you know what's good for you, or I'll break your legs!"

Wang Fugui, relying on his distant relatives in Beijing as his backers, was used to being arrogant.

Even now that the Niu family has fallen, he still doesn't take a few low-ranking Imperial Guards seriously.

Zhou Yang sighed.

"It's true what they say, you can't reason with a damned devil."

He turned to look at Zhao Lei and Sun Feng.

"You two, keep an eye on the door."

"Don't let one escape."

Zhao Lei and Sun Feng hadn't reacted yet.

Zhou Yang has already made a move.

He raised his right leg and, with a whooshing sound, slammed it heavily against the door.

boom!

The two heavy solid wood doors flew straight out.

The two guards behind the door were also knocked away and lay on the ground, their fate unknown.

The remaining two guards were terrified.

This is a gate covered with sheet metal!

He was kicked away like that?

Zhou Yang patted his trouser leg.

"Now, the door is open."

He stepped into the palace.

The loud noise woke up the entire house.

The sound of gongs filled the air.

"There's an assassin!"

"Help! Someone come quick!"

A large number of guards carrying torches rushed in from all directions and surrounded Zhou Yang.

A portly middle-aged man emerged, surrounded by several martial arts instructors.

It was Wang Fugui, the grain merchant.

He was wearing a bathrobe, and his face was ashen.

"Where did this stray dog ​​come from, daring to demolish the gates of my Prince's mansion!"

Wang Fugui pointed at Zhou Yang and started cursing.

Zhou Yang took out the incriminating evidence and waved it in his hand.

"Wang Fugui, you have colluded with mountain bandits and robbed government grain."

"Something happened."

"Come with me obediently."

Wang Fugui's eyelids twitched when he saw the flying fish robe Zhou Yang was wearing.

He tried to remain calm.

"Nonsense!"

"I, Wang, am an honest businessman. How could I possibly be colluding with bandits!"

"You, a mere Imperial Guard, dare to frame me!"

"Believe it or not, I'll go to the county government and file a complaint against you tomorrow!"

Zhou Yang put away the evidence of his crimes.

"Sue me?"

"You probably won't have a tomorrow."

Wang Fugui took a step back and hid behind the martial arts master.

"Get them!"

"Take this kid down!"

"Dead or alive, it doesn't matter!"

Two martial arts masters at the Hundred Battles Realm stepped forward from the crowd.

They attacked from both the left and right, forming a pincer movement.

The martial artist on the left is holding a nine-ringed broadsword, while the martial artist on the right is wearing a steel brass knuckle duster.

"Kid, watch your eyes next time."

The martial artist with the knife grinned maliciously.

The broadsword, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, came crashing down.

Zhou Yang neither dodged nor avoided.

He raised his right hand, his five fingers spread.

Grass fibers confuse the horse's paw!

A subtle and eerie palm strike met the blade.

The broadsword struck the palm wind, but was tightly bound by the force and could not be pulled out at all.

The martial arts master with the knife was terrified.

He tried to pull the knife out, but it wouldn't budge.

Zhou Yang makes a fist with his left hand.

Mighty Bull Demon Fist!

The powerful punch landed directly on the martial artist's chest.

Click!

The crisp sound of bones breaking echoed throughout the stadium.

The martial artist wielding the knife coughed up blood and flew backward, smashing through a group of guards.

The martial arts instructor wearing brass knuckles was terrified when he saw this.

He didn't dare go any further and turned to run away.

Zhou Yang's footwork was constantly changing.

Chaotic Sky Step!

He transformed into a blur and caught up with the fleeing martial artist.

Point with your index finger.

Soul-Severing Finger!

The fingertip touched the martial artist's back.

The martial artist's body stiffened, and he fell straight to the ground, lifeless.

The audience was silent.

Two experts at the Hundred Battles Realm, in just one exchange, one was dead and the other wounded.

The remaining guards were so frightened that their legs went weak, and they dropped their weapons on the ground.

Wang Fugui turned pale and sat down heavily on the ground.

Zhou Yang walked up to Wang Fugui and looked down at him.

"Now, can we have a proper talk?"

Wang Fugui was trembling all over, and cold sweat was pouring down his face.

"M-Sir, please spare me!"

"I'm willing to pay!"

"I'll hand over all my assets!"

Zhou Yang shook his head.

"It's too late."

"All of your property was originally intended to be confiscated."

"I won't get a single point."

Wang Fugui became anxious.

"My lord, I also have a private treasury outside the city!"

"There are 50,000 taels of silver hidden inside!"

"If you spare my life, all that money is yours!"

Zhou Yang's eyes lit up.

Fifty thousand taels!

This fat guy is quite chubby.

"Where is the private vault?"

Wang Fugui swallowed.

"In...in a cave at the foot of Black Wind Mountain."

"I can bring adults!"

Zhou Yang patted his chubby face.

"You're smart to know what's good for you."

"Go and put your clothes on, then lead the way."

Wang Fugui scrambled back into the house to change his clothes.

Zhao Lei and Sun Feng walked over, their expressions full of admiration as they looked at Zhou Yang.

"Sir, can we trust this fat man's words?"

Zhao Lei asked in a low voice.

Who cares?

Zhou Yang stretched.

"A fool wouldn't make money if he could."

"If he dares to play any tricks, I'll find the other half of his assets as well."

A short while later, Wang Fugui came out dressed neatly.

"Sir, let's go now."

Zhou Yang nodded.

"Zhao Lei, Sun Feng, you two take some men and seal off this place."

Not a single fly is allowed to escape.

"Wait until I get back to decide what to do."

"Yes, sir!"

Zhou Yang escorted Wang Fugui and left Jianghuai City overnight.

The two rode their fast horses straight to Black Wind Mountain.