The screams drew the guards outside, but what they saw was Liu Kuan, trembling as he conjured a pillar of fire, using burning to stop the bleeding for someone. This...

"Upon receiving an anonymous report, Zhao Tianyang is suspected of using his position to engage in illegal trading of elixirs and magical artifacts. The evidence is conclusive; he was to be immediately arrested and investigated, but he resisted, so martial force was employed to subdue and apprehend him."

Shen Hao sheathed his blade and sat down, picking up the teacup for a sip.

Five Warriors from Li City were fitting Zhao Tianyang with the Spirit Suppressing Talisman and Board Lock. By this time, Zhao Tianyang had already slipped into unconsciousness from massive arterial bleeding, compounded by the brutal cauterization treatment.

Chen Tianwen loudly announced Zhao Tianyang’s "crimes," taking out a case file for the pale-faced Xu Zhe and the bewildered Liu Kuan to read through.

The case file was dated over half a month ago, and by yesterday, it had already gathered a large number of witness testimonies and ledger records—even the steward of Zhao Tianyang’s household had been taken into custody and had confessed to everything.

They were all front-line Xuanqing Guards handling cases; how could they not see these were all actually "minor issues"? Normally there were loose ends, but no one paid attention, because before, no one had the authority to investigate the Xuanqing Guard themselves. So no one cared about these "minor issues"—who would have thought they would now become deadly ropes tightening around their necks.

How could Shen Hao possibly have played dead and done nothing for the past month? Though things seemed calm, Shen Hao had actually been busy moving in secret.

First, Flying Dragon, with the help of the Li City Black Banner Battalion, rapidly seized the black market in Pingshun City and, following the clues, dug up all the "small matters" involving the Pingshun City Guard Station. These became the footing for the case files and investigations.

At the same time, Shen Hao admonished everyone in the Li City Black Banner Battalion to thoroughly clean up all previous loose ends—tidying up others, they shouldn’t forget to tidy up themselves.

That was why it took a full month from start to finish.

Everyone had thought Shen Hao was pretending to be dead, but now they realized: how could anyone who had climbed to such a position be incompetent? His stillness was not out of fear but waiting for a lethal strike.

Zhao Tianyang was done for. His right leg severed at the root, and now, after being cauterized with fire skill, all hope of treatment was gone. But it looked like he would never be seen again anyway.

"Chen Tianwen, Zhao Tianyang’s case will be handled by your unit in another jurisdiction; the man will be held by your arrangement as well. I grant you temporary authority of jurisdiction. Submit the case file as usual."

"Yes, sir!"

He then ordered five Warriors to escort the now-detained Zhao Tianyang directly back to the Li City Black Banner Battalion for custody.

Shen Hao did not bother hiding this entire series of actions from those present.

Liu Kuan was stunned, Xu Zhe was petrified.

And Wang Yiming, who rushed over, wore a face full of gloom. He realized Shen Hao had no trust whatsoever in anyone from the Fengri City Black Banner Battalion. They didn’t even qualify as tools.

The unconscious Zhao Tianyang was taken away, and the council hall returned to its usual order. Shen Hao’s work was not yet done. But compared to before, the atmosphere had completely changed—cold and biting, the air still thick with the acrid stench of blood.

"Earlier things were delayed, so I didn’t get to speak with you all sooner. But now, it seems it’s not too late, is it?"

No one dared to answer. All wore grave expressions, backs straight, hands on their knees, eyes fixed dead ahead.

Liu Kuan’s heart was pounding out of his chest, inwardly giving thanks for his luck. Today, he had been planning to defect to Zhao Tianyang’s side if Shen Hao was ridiculed, and stop being an inside collaborator for Shen Hao. Who could have guessed, in a blink, Zhao Tianyang was crippled and hauled off. Defect? Liu Kuan wouldn’t dare think such things again, not for his life.

As for Xu Zhe, he gripped his soles tight, his only thought being: is the next moment when it’s his turn to have a leg chopped off?

"In light of Zhao Tianyang’s case, I think it’s time we conduct an internal self-inspection. Especially to correct some chronic bad habits—let’s use this opportunity to root them out. If there’s a cancer, dig it out as well.

The position of Black Banner Camp Commander in Pingshun City, where Zhao Tianyang served, will be left vacant for now. Chen Tianwen, you organize your team to thoroughly investigate that side in Pingshun City. Wang Yiming, you take a team from the Thousand Households Station Black Banner Battalion to Li City to check out Chen Tianwen’s operations."

The two called by name quickly rose and accepted the orders.

"Here in Tu Kui City, Xu Zongqi will take responsibility. How about it?" Shen Hao said with a smile.

"Yes, sir!" Xu Zhe quickly stood and answered, a weight off his mind. In his view, if he was sent to Tu Kui City, then that meant General Flag Liu Kuan would naturally head over to Tan City, where Xu was stationed. Liu Kuan was his own man—no need to worry about anything being found out.

Sure enough, Shen Hao continued, "Tan City will be Liu Zongqi’s responsibility, then."

"Yes." Liu Kuan felt chills in his heart; he had just caught that meaningful glint in Shen Hao’s eyes, realizing he was probably being set up as a knife this time.

Shen Hao nodded in satisfaction, rose, and said, "That’s settled for now. Go and make preparations—you set off tomorrow. In three days, I want your firsthand case files. Oh, Chen Tianwen, don’t go easy or slow on Zhao Tianyang’s case—be thorough, understand?"

With that, Shen Hao left the council hall without looking back.

After that, Chen Tianwen and Wang Yiming also got up to leave, stepping outside together as if to discuss their upcoming handover. Both seemed at ease. Chen Tianwen had been fully prepared from the start, leaving no loose ends for others to investigate, and Wang Yiming was well aware that Chen’s Li City was Shen Hao’s stronghold—there was nothing to uncover, it was all for show.

The real turbulence was left with Liu Kuan and Xu Zhe, who remained in the council hall.

"Whew, Liu Zongqi, brother, I’m counting on you this time! We’ll help each other—just get through this hurdle first. That bastard Shen is ruthless; we can’t just let this go..."

Liu Kuan responded on the surface but inwardly was plotting his next move.

As Liu Kuan and Xu Zhe, each with their own thoughts, hurried back to their respective Garrison, the Fengri City Thousand Households Station was already in an uproar.

For more than half a month, the Black Banner Hundred Households Officer, Shen Hao—who had been the butt of everyone’s jokes—suddenly struck hard in the council hall, chopping off a General Flag’s leg on the spot, jailing him, and immediately launching an internal audit, with teams cross-investigating each other. The methods were sharp and brutal, instantly erasing the "soft persimmon" reputation the Black Banner Battalion had gained over the past month.

At least for now, no one dared underestimate the new Black Banner Hundred Households Officer.

...

After Liu Kuan rushed back, he stayed busy till midnight before leaving the Public Office. As soon as he reached his doorstep, he saw a familiar figure standing under the lantern.

"You?"

"At your service, Liu Zongqi."

"Something you need?"

"This is a letter Lord Shen asked me to deliver to you. It’s quite urgent, so I had to trouble you by coming so late." He spoke as he handed over an unsigned envelope.