Ten Directions Sword Master

"A tyrannical captain, abducting women... Could it be He Zheng...? That guy, staying in the military camp, never imagined such a calamity would befall him!"

Tang Lie knew immediately from the description that it was referring to He Zheng.

In fact, the people of Bingzhou had a lot of complaints about this arrogant military officer in charge of agricultural settlements.

However, since they do not belong to the same system, there is nothing that can be done.

The existence of that rebel army was largely due to the tacit approval of the three major families.

Otherwise, how could the rebels have opened teahouses in the prefectural city to purchase various supplies through normal channels?

The three families need it to gather the disaster victims, prevent them from wandering around, and do things that are inconvenient to do in public.

"With only a token and no sealed box with sealing wax from the Imperial City Guard, how can we deal with a military colonel appointed by the imperial court?"

Shen Hehong couldn't find any words to refute his identity, or rather, he had already erased the idea of ​​using brutal means from his mind.

Even if he could find a hundred suspicious points, his status as the Deputy Commissioner of the Imperial City Guard would keep all the suspicious points in place.

Let alone him, would even the Eagle Terrace Commandant dare to offend the son of the Bai Tongzhi Envoy?

Even losing a single hair would be more costly than sacrificing the entire Shen family.

"What secret order? It's me who wants him dead, not our patriarch!"

Lu Li entered a meditative state, waving his arm and tapping twice in the air.

"The Yuanlong Assembly is a top priority for the imperial court. To disgrace the invited grandmasters is to slap the imperial court in the face... I'll just go find the young master of the Yang family and have him submit a letter of dismissal."

This arrogant attitude left Shen Hehong speechless, unsure of where to begin his rebuttal.

"Chief Liu, remember to deliver the grain I ordered to the warehouse within two days, no delays allowed... Also, please pass on a message to Zhao Sanqin for me: tell him that I greatly admire him, and this batch of grain is a gift to him. Within half a month, behead that Captain He and recommend him for a position as a junior official!"

Lu Li picked up the book and stopped talking.

Liu Zhang looked pitifully to the left and right, hoping that the two officials could give him an explanation.

What kind of capital city is this, what kind of imperial city command? It's none of the small Grey Wolf Gang's business.

Shen Hehong's expression was conflicted. He flicked his sleeves and left with mixed feelings.

Upon hearing the words "Chengshilang," Tang Lie's heart stirred, and he deliberately slowed his pace: "Liu Zhang, since this is a normal transaction, you should expedite it and not delay Commandant Bai's important business."

He then cupped his hands in a slightly clumsy attempt to ingratiate himself with Lu Li, saying, "If Commander Bai has any orders, send someone to the patrol office. I, Tang, will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life."

As the others left and the door closed, Lu Li slowly let out a breath, his back soaked with sweat.

"This kind of risky behavior is like dancing on the edge of a cliff; one wrong step and you're shattered to pieces... I only regret that I don't have the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment, otherwise I could have stormed the military camp alone with my sword, lured him out, and killed him."

The vast difference between Qi Refining and Foundation Building over many years led him to abandon the idea of ​​completing the mission through personal strength and he could only rely on external forces.

"As long as the man surnamed Shen is temporarily intimidated and doesn't interfere with me, I'll leave as soon as he gets the results from his investigation in the county town... That Tang Lie, however, seems somewhat interested. I wonder what his abilities are; it would be best if he could provide an extra layer of protection against He Zheng."

As long as these people believe in the identity Lu Li is posing, then a casual remark from him carries a different weight.

Without actually producing anything, a mere promise can make someone risk their life.

"Only twenty-five days left, I need to hurry..."

Lu Li closed his eyes, immersing himself in the role of Young Master Bai, and adjusted his tone of voice.

I picture various characters in my mind, imagine them meeting and interacting, and then consider how to have a more appropriate and fitting conversation.

Then he recalled the events that were happening in the Northern Wei Dynasty during this period, wondering if there was anything he could take advantage of to seek greater benefits.

……

"Third Master, what do you mean? Should I go back with you to report the situation to Uncle Mao?"

Tang Lie caught up, speaking rapidly.

"He Zheng has been stationed in Bingzhou for nearly ten years, and his influence is deep. Some relationships require Mao Bo's intervention to resolve them quickly and decisively!"

"You've already decided he's a military officer, and you're so eager to curry favor that you're treating a court official like a prisoner?"

Shen Hehong suddenly stopped, his sickly body staring at him like a sick tiger, his imposing presence terrifying.

"Third Master, I'm just a patrol inspector, how would I know about the factions within your Imperial City Guard... You said that person had a captain's token, but we checked it today and couldn't find any flaws. Do you expect me to jump out and play the villain?"

Tang Lie's expression changed, and he spoke frankly.

Even though he has reached his current position, he still cares a lot about his background. No one dares to mention to him that the old master of the Tang family once served as a bodyguard for the Shen family.

He managed to take over half the city's patrol force and several hundred men by virtue of his mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation and skillful tactics.

They are still far from being able to shake the prestigious Shen family, but they are no longer in a dependent relationship where they can be ordered around at will.

"What do you mean there are no flaws? You're used to interrogating thieves, can't you hear the suspicious points in every word! The grandson of Chief Bai coming to Bingzhou to deal with a military officer in charge of agricultural settlements? It's utterly ridiculous!"

Shen Hehong's face flushed red, and his hands trembled slightly.

"Once he's thrown in jail, I guarantee he'll spill the truth after an incense stick has burned!"

"If that's the case, why doesn't Third Master take action? How could a mere mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator possibly escape your Thousand-Mile Hawk Movement Technique?"

Tang Lie's expression was strange, and he spoke in a sinister tone.

"Not yet, not yet..."

Shen Hehong fell silent. Putting aside the doubts, it all seemed too real.

It was a genuine Captain's token, a system even he, a mere Imperial Guard Captain, barely understood. He only learned about the Yuanlong Assembly a few days ago from a letter from a colleague...

Each and every case proved to him that the man was indeed a member of the Inner Surveillance Department.

One of the most renowned masters in the land, the second most important figure in the Imperial City Guard, the infamous Judge Zhoubai...

The sheer number of identities weighed heavily on him, making it harder to breathe than when he was ambushed by the barbarians of the grasslands.

He waved his hand weakly, not wanting to say more, only wanting to quickly compile the matter into a booklet and send it to his old superior: "You can discuss it with your father yourself, I won't get involved."

"Sir, where to next?"

This personal guard was Tang Lie's nephew, whom he had raised and trained since childhood.

"A mere Chengshilang, what a Chengshilang... I've worked diligently for over twenty years, risking my life, just to get this eighth-rank Chengshilang position from the Shen family. What is Zhao Sanqin? He recruited a bunch of vagrants, did a private job for some big shot, and suddenly he's a Chengshilang, a full eighth-rank position?"

Tang Lie gritted his teeth, his muscles and bones stretched out, cracking like bells.

"He's clearly scared. Otherwise, would Master Shen, with his temperament, swallow his anger like this after being humiliated? In my opinion, it's just some conflict between the Internal Investigation Division and the External Patrol Division... The inn's top-quality tea was so bad that the young master wouldn't even touch it without complaining it was dirty. And that kind of arrogance that emanates from his very bones can't be faked!"

Tang Lie was able to gather his own power in Bingzhou, where the aristocratic families had already divided up the spoils. He was clearly not as simple as he appeared; he was shrewd beneath his rough exterior.

"We're all dogs anyway, so why don't I be a dog for some big shot from the capital and try to make a name for myself!"