If you don't bring disaster to the world, what kind of henchman are you to be?

The Chu King's Palace.

Zhu Qing felt a chill run down her spine.

Now, everyone in the court knows that the Prince of Chu and Grand Secretary Tang are at odds, and that Wang Wenzhi is the Prince of Chu's man.

It is thus clear that the Song Qinghe case, which appears to be a case of investigating and confiscating embezzled funds, was in fact a targeted action by the King of Chu against the Tang faction.

Originally, if Song Qinghe had been sent to the Zhaoyu prison, the Northern Garrison Commander would have been terrified by his interrogation methods, and this spineless coward would have surely revealed a lot of secrets.

For the King of Chu, this was definitely a victory. Even if it didn't involve the Tang family, it could still eliminate some of the Tang faction's henchmen.

But the Tang faction took direct action, forcefully turning what should have been a settled case back into a new one.

However, there was one problem that Zhu Qing couldn't figure out.

My elder brother Zhang Sanshi is only a centurion in terms of official rank and his cultivation level is only at the mid-stage of the Flesh Refining realm. Why would the King of Chu summon him?

In this struggle, they should all be insignificant figures.

"No, sometimes even ordinary people can be useful."

As Zhu Qing pondered this seriously, she suddenly felt a sense of impending crisis, and the situation was becoming increasingly dire.

"Go ahead."

He waved his hand, and Qian Wei respectfully withdrew.

With nothing happening at the garrison, Zhu Qing took advantage of the lingering effects of the Tiger Bone Powder to continue practicing the Zhengyang Fierce Tiger Fist.

"Hey, Xiao Qi, practicing martial arts while on duty? So diligent, are you thinking about that centurion position?"

Before long, Guo Zhendong arrived, but his laughter preceded his arrival.

Zhu Qing looked in the direction of the sound and saw him walking over carrying a roast goose and a pot of wine, with a broad smile on his face.

"Third Brother is joking. I have nothing to do right now, so practicing my boxing skills can help pass the time. As for being a deputy centurion, it's not something I can just decide to do," Zhu Qing replied.

Guo Zhendong walked over, patted him on the chest, and said with a smile, "You're still young, you'll have another chance next time."

Is there a hidden meaning in what you're saying?

Zhu Qing narrowed her eyes slightly: "Could it be Third Brother...?"

"Hahaha! I was lucky yesterday. My blood and qi permeated my flesh, and I've reached the level of flesh refinement." Guo Zhendong's words were tinged with Versailles arrogance.

Zhu Qing returned the greeting with a cupped fist and a smile: "Congratulations, Third Brother, that's wonderful news... Oh no, from now on you should call me Lord Guo."

"Sigh!! Even our own brothers are acting like outsiders."

"Furthermore, while my cultivation level has reached the required level, my achievements are still lacking, so the position of deputy centurion is not yet available to me."

Although Guo Zhendong said this, his beaming smile proved that he was being hypocritical.

"Come on, let's have a drink, you two!"

He then put his arm around Zhu Qing's shoulder and led her into the inner room.

"Third Brother, you can't drink while on duty."

"Rules are for those below you. Who in this courtyard can control the two of us brothers?"

"drink!"

……

After several rounds of drinks, a whistle suddenly sounded to signal assembly.

Zhu Qing and his companion quickly slung their swords over their shoulders and went out. A moment later, nearly a hundred people from the Right Guard Station gathered.

On the steps, a middle-aged man dressed in a silver-white flying fish robe stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd.

It was Yang Ting, the commander of the Right Guard.

"Gentlemen, this is a report from the Six Doors regarding a case."

He cleared his throat and announced loudly, "The case of the attack on Wang Shaocheng of the Dali Temple last night has been investigated and found to be the work of the White Lotus Sect."

"The city is currently under high alert, and the White Lotus Sect heretics are trapped inside. My Right Guard has been ordered to investigate the southern district."

"Everyone, form groups of small flags and conduct a thorough investigation to root out the White Lotus Cult's heretics!"

White Lotus Sect?

Zhu Qing found it amusing upon hearing this.

He's always been the scapegoat.

In the original owner's memory, almost every case that was inconvenient to handle was pushed onto the White Lotus Sect or a martial arts sect, and in the end, it was left unresolved.

This is just the same old trick again.

Before he could react, most of the officers and commanders around him were beaming with joy and eager to get started.

"Another chance to make some money!"

"We haven't been paid for three months, at least we can finally have some food to eat this time."

"Nobody can take that Drunken Immortal Pavilion in the South City from me!"

……

Whispers rang out, and Guo Zhendong, standing nearby, was visibly excited.

"Commander Yang truly lives up to his reputation as a favorite of the Directorate of Ceremonial; he managed to snag such a lucrative post for us!"

"Xiao Qi, don't you think so?"

Zhu Qing remained silent, only nodding slightly.

The group then took their orders and went to the street, with Zhu Qing personally leading the flag bearer Qian Wei and six strongmen captains.

The fact that the Imperial Guards had come out in full force was exactly what the people in the city feared most.

As soon as Zhu Qing rode his horse into the street, he saw that the pedestrians along the way were as if they had been infected with a plague, and most of them avoided him at all costs.

These men, each with a knife at their side, are like ruthless lackeys who would be terrified of anyone who saw them.

"My lord, why do you think these White Lotus Sect heretics wanted to kill Song Qinghe?"

Qian Wei, standing beside the horse, looked up and asked.

"What do you think?" Zhu Qing said calmly.

"This humble servant will analyze it!"

Qian Wei gently tapped his head, analyzing with an air of seriousness: "The White Lotus Sect has become increasingly rampant lately, and it must be the corrupt official Song Qinghe supporting it behind the scenes."

"He used the money he embezzled to support the White Lotus Sect, letting them harm the people, and then forced the imperial court to allocate funds to suppress them, so that he could make a fortune in return."

"Now that their scheme has been exposed, they're trying to silence us to protect their base in the city!"

Zhu Qing: ...

The analysis is very good.

No more analysis next time.

"You are very smart."

He gave a perfunctory reply and then pulled on the reins to stop.

We've arrived.

Zhu Qing turned his head and looked at the brothel next to him with the sign "Yuexianglou" hanging on it. This was the first battle in their investigation.

It was afternoon, and there weren't many customers in the brothel. A few pimps and servants were cleaning the hall.

The light in the doorway was instantly disrupted by shadows and a cold glint.

One of them instinctively looked up, and then his pupils suddenly contracted.

"S-Sir!"

Looking at these Imperial Guards with swords at their sides, he could barely speak, and the people next to him were also trembling with fear.

Zhu Qing looked around and said coldly, "Search!"

"yes!"

Qian Wei and the others immediately scattered to the left and right, rushed upstairs, kicked open the door, and started smashing things.

"ah!!"

"Sir! I... I just came to learn the Hu language!"

"We are all law-abiding citizens!"

……

Although it wasn't night yet, some romantic scholars were already out there seeking pleasure. The fact that the Imperial Guards had forcibly broken in was enough to terrify them.

The commotion suddenly became extremely loud.

Zhu Qing stood downstairs, tall and straight, with a long sword at his side, causing the pimps and servants to stand still and not dare to move.

"Sir! Sir!"

At that moment, a lean, goatee-bearded man dressed in silk strode over, forcing a smile on his face.

"I am Wang Degui, the owner of Yuexianglou. May I ask what wrong my humble shop has committed?"

Zhu Qing took out his waist token and said in a deep voice, "The Northern Garrison is investigating a case. The entire city is being searched for the White Lotus Sect heretics."

"If you are innocent, just wait quietly."

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of relief flashed in Wang Degui's eyes, followed by a grin.

"Rest assured, sir! My little shop runs a perfectly legitimate business, and it's all registered with the Ministry of Revenue. I would never harbor any White Lotus Sect heretics!"

"Whether there are any sorcerers or not, we'll decide after the investigation is complete."

"That's right, that's right!"

Wang Degui glanced at the chaotic scene upstairs, his lips twitching. He then gestured to a pimp next to him.

The latter immediately understood and ran to the kitchen to bring out a food box.

Wang Degui took it and then handed it to Zhu Qing with a smile: "Hehe, Your Excellency works tirelessly day and night for the people. I am willing to do something of my humble opinion for the peace of Great Yu."

"These are our shop's special Yuanxiao (sweet rice balls), each one is made from the tender thighs of our young ladies. Please take them back and try them, sir. If you like them, I'll have them make more."

Zhu Qing glanced sideways: "The Lantern Festival is already over, and you're only now sending me Lantern Festival dumplings?"

"Isn't it just today that I have the honor of meeting you, sir!"

Wang Degui respectfully handed it over: "It's filled with lentil paste. Even if you don't eat it, you can still take a look."