Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

Fang Zheng responded, and it turned out that Constable Chen was bringing in breakfast. A bowl of hot porridge, a dish of pickles, and two pancakes were neatly arranged.

During this period, the supervisory office was short-staffed, so reliable constables were transferred from various government offices.

Fang Zheng then went along with it and recommended Constable Chen, with whom he had previously worked, to Lü Zhengfeng.

Although this constable is shrewd and worldly-wise, he is upright and honest. After this hard work, he may have the opportunity to rise from a clerk to an official in the future.

Therefore, Officer Chen took great care of Fang Zheng.

Officer Chen helped Fang Zheng lift the lid of the bowl. "Lord Fang, you've been writing all night. Have something to eat before you rest."

Fang Zheng picked up the bowl of porridge, took a sip, and felt the warm porridge slide down his throat, which calmed him down a bit.

Officer Chen stepped aside and stood respectfully, not in a hurry to leave.

After arriving at the supervisory office these past few days and witnessing firsthand the tragic fate of the entire Zhu and Cao families being arrested and imprisoned, Constable Chen felt even greater awe for Fang Zheng.

He also brought other news with him on this trip.

I heard that Lu Qingyun had a special talk with Lü Zhengfeng, wanting to transfer Fang Zheng to the Sima Mansion.

They even offered him a position as an eighth-rank criminal official, saying the conditions were up to Lü Zhengfeng.

As a result, the two officials argued in the room for more than an hour. Finally, Lu Qingyun came out with a flick of his sleeve, looking rather unpleasant.

From then on, everyone in the supervisory office knew that Fangzheng's position was now as solid as a rock.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, once the state government issues its verdict and Fang Zheng has accumulated sufficient merit, further advancement is a foregone conclusion.

However, while others only saw Fang Zheng's future prospects, Officer Chen was in awe of Fang Zheng's methods.

He had been secretly observing Fang Zheng's investigation process.

It can be said that without Fang Zheng, neither Lu Qingyun nor Lü Zhengfeng would have been able to uncover the truth.

In this matter, methods, strategies, and luck are all indispensable, and Fangzheng happens to possess all of them.

Faced with Constable Chen's deliberate flattery, Fang Zheng did not respond, but simply finished his porridge and put down his bowl.

He got up and walked towards the main hall, holding the completed dossier in his hand.

Lu Zhengfeng took the book and flipped through a few pages, but before reading the contents, he looked up at Fang Zheng.

"Lu Qingyun came to see me, wanting to transfer you to the Sima Mansion, and promised you an eighth-rank criminal officer position."

I didn't agree, and she almost turned on me.

What do you think? Are you upset that I'm blocking your way?

Fang Zheng shook his head and smiled, "I am grateful for your consideration, sir, and I would never blame you."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Going to the Sima Mansion to become a criminal officer seems like a promotion, but once you enter that office, it will be very difficult to escape the confines of criminal law."

"My ambitions lie elsewhere, therefore I must never go to the Sima residence."

Lu Zhengfeng smiled: "If you can see this far, then my efforts to protect you haven't been in vain."

The path of criminal law is too specialized and too narrow, making it difficult to get promoted.

They cannot compare to us supervisors, who can govern a region or oversee the entire world.

I have higher expectations for you and do not want you to be trapped and die in the Sima Mansion, which would be like a pearl being tarnished.

Besides, you've only been in officialdom for a few months, and such a rapid promotion will inevitably draw criticism.

Take your time, the road ahead is long.

Fang Zheng nodded in agreement.

Lu Zhengfeng looked down at the case file, then waved his hand and said, "Go out."

.........

After the case was closed and the report was submitted, the state government responded quickly, requiring the two chief officials of the supervisory commission and the case investigation team to jointly escort the suspects to the state government for joint trial by various departments. They were to depart in three days.

That very night, a prison guard suddenly came to deliver a message: Granny Gui wanted to see Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng was a little curious. Apart from exposing Wu Gui's scheme, he had no other interaction with this old servant.

I wonder what she wants from me?

Fang Zheng put down the book in his hand and went to the prison cell.

The iron gate creaked open.

Fang Zheng stood at the door and saw Granny Gui sitting on a straw mat with her back to him, facing the wall, motionless.

He stepped inside, but Granny Gui neither turned around nor moved.

"I didn't expect you to actually come."

Fang Zheng stood a few steps behind her and said bluntly, "As the saying goes, a dying man's words are good."

This parting will likely result in you being sentenced to immediate execution, your soul returning to the underworld, never to be seen again.

In this situation, it wouldn't hurt to see you.

Granny Gui remained silent for a moment, then finally moved, turning her upper body slightly to the side, and said, "In my whole life, I have hated many people and deceived many people."

Now that it's all over, I want to leave something behind.

She paused for a moment, then said, "Please sit down."

Fang Zheng did not refuse and sat down cross-legged on the ground.

Granny Gui said, "Do you know why I was able to reach the eighth rank of the Artifact Control Realm when I was over fifty years old?"

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow, already guessing what Granny Gui wanted to say, but said aloud, "I think it's because you are exceptionally talented."

Secondly, in order to seek revenge, you devoted all your energy to cultivation.

That's why we've achieved such success.

Grandma Gui shook her head, smiled, and her voice was as hoarse as an old owl's.

"Wrong. Without opportunity, hatred alone cannot get you to this point."

I am of average talent. In my youth, I was just a village woman who farmed the land and had never even been able to read.

If it weren't for revenge, I wouldn't even know what a Daoist cultivator is.

But hatred alone is not enough; I had a fortuitous encounter.

She finally turned her head and stared intently at the expression on Fang Zheng's face.

"Ten years ago, I found the entrance to the secret realm of Wu Baopu, the master painter, in a valley called Qinghe in the north of Yongqing County."

It was then that I learned that Wu Baopu was an ancestor of my Wu family.

Of course, I am not skilled in painting and have not learned the true lineage. I have only touched upon some superficial aspects, which have evolved into my illusionary arts.

That secret place only opens once every ten years, on the third day of the third lunar month.

There's an ancient painting hidden in the floorboards under my bed; it's a token for entering the secret realm.

Her voice lowered, "Now, Chu Tiankuo is dead. Although he didn't die at my hands, all the grudges and affections between us have been wiped clean."

In my life, I have avenged my grudges and let go of my hatred.

In Yongqing County, there are too many heartless and treacherous officials. You, a young man of integrity and learning, are an exception.

If my son hadn't been wrongfully killed back then, he would be about your age and have your bearing by now.

This is my last gift to you.

I hope you will always be a good official.

After she finished speaking, she turned her face back to the wall, closed her eyes, and remained silent.

Fang Zheng cupped his hands in greeting to her, said nothing more, and turned to leave the cell.

During the conversation just now, Fang Zheng subtly activated his "Mirror of Clarity" talent.

Grandma Gui spoke with a steady breath and her eyes did not wander.

Judging from the aura of good and evil, she was telling the truth and had no intention of harming him.

Unexpectedly, capturing Granny Gui would bring such a reward.

Fang Zheng was overjoyed, but he didn't show it on his face.

Soon, he found the ancient painting at Granny Gui's residence.

The scroll was wrapped in coarse cloth. When the cloth was lifted, a yellowed landscape painting was revealed inside.

The ink has faded, but the brushstrokes remain strong and graceful. A small, blurry seal is affixed at the end, and the character "吴" can be vaguely discerned.