My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Young Master Jiang, are you alright?"

Old Xin turned around, looked at Jiang Xiaobai, and asked.

"It's nothing, thank you very much, Elder Xin!"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai temporarily put aside his thoughts and glanced at the two people on the ground.

Yes, if it weren't for Elder Xin and this young man appearing in time, he would probably be the one lying on the ground right now.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai felt a cold sweat break out on his back.

When Elder Xin heard that Jiang Xiaobai was alright, he nodded slightly.

Then, Old Xin looked at the two assassins who had been knocked to the ground.

The two men's long swords were broken, and their breathing was disordered, indicating that they were seriously injured.

The two of them gritted their teeth and remained silent, which was quite tough of them.

"Young Master Jiang, since this gentleman is here, I will take my leave now!"

Old Xin first glanced at the young man beside him, then his gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai and said, "By the way, interrogate them about their backgrounds."

"Look who dares to commit such an act against Prince Jiang in the street!"

"good!"

Jiang Xiaobai immediately nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Elder Xin!"

Compared to handing them over directly to the government, bringing them back to the Prime Minister's residence for trial is undoubtedly more appropriate.

After nodding, Old Xin didn't waste any more words. He stepped forward and grabbed it.

The two assassins didn't even have a chance to resist before Old Xin grabbed them by the shoulders, one on each side.

The next moment, Elder Xin moved and rushed out with the two of them.

They moved so fast that they disappeared into the crowd in just a few breaths.

The people who had initially been frightened away then gathered around from a distance.

They all craned their necks, whispering amongst themselves.

Jiang Xiaobai's gaze then fell back on the young man.

The young man in front of me looked to be only about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

He was tall and straight, with a cold and stern expression.

That neat robe was clearly not the attire of an ordinary martial arts practitioner.

Especially the black token hanging from his waist, which looked quite extraordinary.

Judging from Mr. Xin's statement, "Since this person is here," Mr. Xin must know this person.

"Hehe, thank you for saving me."

Jiang Xiaobai politely asked, "May I ask... who you are?"

"oh."

The young man glanced at Jiang Xiaobai and said in a cold voice, "Scholar Jiang, you don't need to be so polite."

"My name is Lin Che, a patrol officer in the Zhenying Division, primarily responsible for apprehending criminal officials!"

As he spoke, Lin Che's voice grew even colder: "I have over a hundred corrupt officials under my command, and I have apprehended over a thousand criminals!"

"What I, Lin Che, despise most in my life are those who abuse their power to exploit the people and climb the social ladder through shady means!"

"..."

Jiang Xiaobai was speechless upon hearing this.

No, that's one thing, but why is Lin Che staring at him so intently?

They're treating him like a criminal?!

He's now a Kipchak!

However, speaking of the Zhenying Division... he also heard about it in the court today.

The three martial arts candidates will either join the Imperial Guard for training or join this Zhenying Division.

Jiang Xiaobai quickly learned about the specific information regarding this Town Shadow Division through his predecessor's memories.

The Zhenying Division is directly under His Majesty the Emperor.

Its power is immense.

Patrols, arrests, tracking, and undercover investigations are all within his authority.

Even... when necessary, they can mobilize the Imperial Guards by order.

Within the Zhenying Division, a centurion could lead a hundred imperial guards, while those above him were centurions and ten-thousand-household commanders.

Above that are the Shadow Envoys and a mysterious Chief Commander.

In the capital, the Zhenying Division was far more intimidating than any ordinary government office.

After all, when ordinary government officials arrest people, they at least follow a procedure.

But the Zhenying Division only cares about results!

"So it's Commander Lin! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Jiang Xiaobai cupped his hands and said, "I wonder why Commander Lin..."

"Lord Pei Shen of the Dali Temple has instructed me to protect you in secret."

Lin Che's expression remained calm: "To prevent you from making a mistake before you even begin investigating the Ministry of Rites."

Pei Shen?

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes flickered slightly.

Today in the imperial court, His Majesty personally appointed Pei Shen, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to assist the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate in investigating the examination scandal.

In other words, Pei Shen is one of the people who will assist him in investigating the case.

However, Jiang Xiaobai had not yet met Pei Shen.

Unexpectedly, the other party had already made arrangements in advance, with the people of the Zhenying Division secretly protecting him.

It seems that Pei Shen is quite thoughtful.

Regardless of whether the other party genuinely wanted to protect him or to ensure the smooth investigation of the examination scandal, it's all in the question.

At least... that move just now did save his life.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai's eyes flickered slightly as he said, "What Lin Baihu means is that those two people just now might be from the Ministry of Rites..."

"I didn't say that."

Before Jiang Xiaobai could finish speaking, Lin Che coldly interrupted him, saying, "Scholar Jiang is currently riding high, and many people want you dead."

"The specifics still need to be thoroughly investigated. Those two people have already been taken away by the people from the Prime Minister's residence."

"I believe the Prime Minister's residence will uncover some information through their investigation. Of course... if necessary, our Zhenying Division will also intervene."

"All right!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded slightly.

Then, Jiang Xiaobai glanced around.

Just a moment ago, I felt the streets were bustling and full of life.

Looking back now, I feel like nowhere is safe.

A lot of people?

What good are a lot of people!

Those who need to draw their swords will do so anyway.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai coughed lightly and looked at Lin Che, saying, "Commander Lin, I'm going back to the Marquis's residence now."

"Could you...?"

"Feel sorry."

Lin Che stated directly, "I do not want to accept any of your orders."

"..."

Jiang Xiaobai's lips twitched instantly.

No.

He hadn't even finished speaking, wasn't this rejection a bit too hasty?

"Lord Pei instructed me to protect you in secret."

Lin Che's expression remained indifferent: "I didn't ask you to be my bodyguard."

After saying that, Lin Che lightly touched the ground with his feet and instantly leaped onto the roof of the nearby building.

The next moment, the figure flashed and disappeared from Jiang Xiaobai's sight.

Jiang Xiaobai stood there, speechless.

No, this person is... way too impolite!

At least he is now the newly crowned top scorer.

Moreover, it was personally selected by His Majesty to investigate the imperial examination cases.

As a result, Lin Che didn't give him the slightest bit of face.

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head helplessly, looked in the direction Lin Che disappeared in, then looked in the direction Elder Xin left in, and immediately quickened his pace, heading towards the Zhenbei Marquis's residence.

Jiang Xiaobai proceeded with extreme caution throughout the journey.

Fortunately, the journey was uneventful, and when Jiang Xiaobai returned to the gate of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, his heart finally settled down.

The tension in my body also relaxed.

But the next moment, his expression hardened.

Yes, this can't go on.

He can't expect someone else to save him every time.

Today, thanks to the timely arrival of Elder Xin and Lin Che.

What about tomorrow?

What about the day after tomorrow?

What if...they're a step too slow someday?

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai looked down at his small frame, his face turning even uglier.

He can refute people with his words.

Words can cause trouble.

But this body really can't withstand a knife!

"Looks like I need to find a way to protect myself!"