After Shen Hao left, Jiang Cheng pushed back all subsequent meetings with guests; he needed to sort out his thoughts and had no desire to deal with various chores for the time being.

Back when he was Households Officer in Fengri City, Jiang Cheng already sensed from every official report that the Xuanqing Guard’s upper echelons were spontaneously reshuffling their internal organization, which was evident from the establishment of the Black Banner Battalion.

So Jiang Cheng originally prepared to probe the higher-ups’ attitude toward the Black Banner Battalion from a "radical" standpoint. That’s why, right after the Li City Black Banner Battalion made a name for themselves, he immediately threw his full support behind Shen Hao, that rootless, drifting nobody.

Jiang Cheng would sometimes laugh at his own luck—his command produced such an odd talent as Shen Hao. Strength aside, the key was his trickster mind and heaven-defying luck; he hardly needed a hint, always landing precisely on the right spot, matching every move the Xuanqing Guard made in secret.

Where there’s luck, there’s fortune. Such people can accomplish great things. So when Shen Hao later sought to become his disciple, Jiang Cheng barely hesitated before accepting, and reality proved how right that choice was. The only risk he took was causing more rifts with Chen Yiyun, that stubborn hardliner at the time. Now, it’s worth every ounce.

Later, Jiang Cheng managed to push aside Liao Chengfeng and become Jingxi Governor, and at least thirty percent of that credit could be attributed to Shen Hao.

Now Shen Hao’s vision for the Black Banner Battalion surpassed even Jiang Cheng’s most extreme imagination; he’s still astonished at Shen Hao’s audacity. Yet he’s decided to gamble one more time alongside him.

His confidence came from what he surmised about Commander Pang Ban.

How to put it—after these months of interaction, Pang Ban gave Jiang Cheng the impression of a reined-in fierce beast. Within those gentle eyes lurked a terrifying brutality. One look at the Xuanqing Guard’s executioner’s blade, stained with blood using the Wen Family and Jingbei Army’s illicit weapon case as pretext, and you glimpse the true nature beneath.

A man like this is never one to be slaughtered at will.

Now, the winds on court grow ever fiercer, Your Majesty turns a blind eye, the Civil Servant Group gets increasingly arrogant, parties struggle and exclude rivals—a common sight now. Not only have they reached into the ranks once reserved for royal power, but set up Military Supervisors and now wickedly set their sights on the Xuanqing Guard.

They speak of Xuanqing Guard overseeing the realm—but who, then, oversees the Xuanqing Guard?

Anyone who says such a thing is harboring ten parts of malicious intent. Why? The Xuanqing Guard is the Personal Guard of Your Majesty, closer to the throne than even the Four-direction Army. The supervisory role has always been under Your Majesty’s command—when did it become anyone else’s place to interfere?

So Jiang Cheng reckoned, even without Your Majesty’s backing now, Pang Ban would absolutely sever all hands reaching from the Civil Servant Group—and strike back with force.

That’s Pang Ban’s consistent approach.

Of course, there’s a significant element of risk in Jiang Cheng’s wager; in this regard, he felt Shen Hao and himself were much alike. As long as there’s a fifty percent chance, he’ll dare to fight for it.

That’s why he indulged Shen Hao in experimenting with the first and second steps of the plan within Fengri City’s jurisdiction.

The risk was enormous; Jiang Cheng was well aware of the consequences, but he did it anyway, and even urged on Shen Hao’s progress toward the second phase, sensing keenly that the second step might hit Pang Ban’s most urgent need.

Once his thoughts were sorted out, Jiang Cheng didn’t remain in the Public Office any longer. He went straight to the Commander’s Office, believing now was the time to directly test his "results" before Pang Ban.

...

Situated on the western side of Junhou Street, close to the Imperial City, stood the Xuanqing Guard’s supreme command facility—the Commander’s Office.

Compared to the Four Directions Governor’s Office, this place seemed almost deserted.

The main affairs were handled by the Four Directions Governor, and key issues were explained at the monthly routine briefing, so the matters delivered to the Commander’s Office were focused and lacked trivial details. Hence, it wasn’t bustling or noisy with visitors.

There was a waiting tea room here too, similar to those in the Governor’s Office, except the tea served was of higher grade, and there were attendants ready for orders.

After about half an hour, Pang Ban found the time and summoned Jiang Cheng inside.

When Jiang Cheng saw Pang Ban, the highest commander of Xuanqing Guard, he noticed the latter wasn’t even wearing the iconic black brocade robe of the Xuanqing Guard; instead, he wore ordinary attire, looking quite casual and comfortable.

"What? I can’t dress comfortably in my own Public Office?" Pang Ban smiled and gestured for Jiang Cheng to sit, noticing Jiang Cheng’s fleeting glance, he made a lighthearted joke.

"Your subordinate wouldn’t dare."

"Heh, what wouldn’t you dare? You must have something to discuss, right? Hurry up; I have matters to attend to after this." Pang Ban’s tone, as usual, was gentle, his smile warm, always making for pleasant conversations that eased any tension in the other’s heart.

Jiang Cheng kept his head lowered, respectful in attitude. He began, "Your subordinate initiated a plan in Fengri City, temporarily named ’Black Water.’ The main strategy and execution are managed by Li City Black Banner Battalion Hundred Households Shen Hao; I adjust from the center. As for now..."

Jiang Cheng spoke as thoroughly as possible, laying out Shen Hao’s report in clear detail. Though he said he sought Pang Ban’s correction, it was really a bold test—perhaps Pang Ban would strike him dead on the spot the next second; it wasn’t impossible.

An invisible pressure suddenly appeared. Jiang Cheng instinctively dropped to one knee, his head nearly touching the ground, feeling eyes like spears and halberds stabbing relentlessly at him.

After a long time, Jiang Cheng dared not rise, just knelt there on one knee.

"Now that affairs in court grow ever more perilous, the secret strife among the Princes has begun evolving into open conflict. We Xuanqing Guard stand by royal power’s edge—a position far too sensitive. Remain neutral, and all will see us as an instability, rising up against us; pick a side, and loyalty to royal power is sacrificed—caught on all sides, the only choice is to follow one’s own heart.

So I have always kept distance from everyone. Xuanqing Guard can only be loyal to Your Majesty, and must be so.

Now, hyenas circle me, eager to tear and bite yet too timid to pounce. That case you led—using the Wen Family and Jingbei Army—was good. Took that chance to give them a harsh slap.

But... it’s still not enough.

Yet none of this is reason for you to act so recklessly.

Punishment is due!"

The moment the words dropped, Jiang Cheng felt cold, sinister True Qi raining down upon him like arrows, making every meridian itch and hurt as though chewed by myriad ants; even his Sea of Consciousness wasn’t spared.

What’s worse, his entire body’s True Qi was sealed at once, leaving him utterly unable to resist.

This was Pang Ban, Mr. Pang, and his strength? Jiang Cheng, a Primordial Pill Realm expert, was like a newborn before him—tossed about at will?!

Jiang Cheng fell to the ground, mouth agape but making no sound. From the corner of his eye, he saw Pang Ban sitting in the chair, expression ice-cold.