That very night, the leading figures of the Li City Local Government Office came straight to Tang Qingyuan to sound out for news, speaking bluntly: Release him quickly. You can’t lock up a worthy person of the Dynasty in prison just because of a few trivialities.

That was still putting it mildly; some even pointed at Tang Qingyuan’s nose and directly questioned if he was trying to frame the loyal and upright.

Normally these local officials were always cautious around the Xuanqing Guard, so why such an air of righteousness this time?

"What other reason could there be? Wen Family’s backing is all they’re relying on," Tang Qingyuan saw through it all, holding his teacup, sipping lightly, looking calm and composed, not the least annoyed after receiving five or six officials pleading for Wen Renhai just this morning.

Shen Hao was also holding his teacup, sitting directly across from Tang Qingyuan.

"Sir, I’ve troubled you this time." Shen Hao spoke with genuine sincerity; he’d detained Wen Renhai out of personal revenge, most of the talk of impartial justice was just a cover. But he hadn’t expected Tang Qingyuan to go along so fully. After all, there wasn’t any benefit in this for Tang Qingyuan.

"No trouble at all. But are you really planning to keep Wen Renhai locked up and push this to the end?"

"To be honest, my intention is to convict Wen Renhai by the law. With what he’s done, he could easily rot away for thirty years. Who ever lasts thirty years in the Black Prison? I’ve never seen anyone that tough, unless Wen Family folks are just built different."

Tang Qingyuan found Shen Hao a bit hot-blooded this time, but in his view, that was how a young man should act. In fact, it was Shen Hao’s usual composure and restraint that made him seem odd.

"Do you know why it’s been two whole days since you reported Wen Renhai’s case to Fengri City, but there’s been no reply?"

Shen Hao shook his head. That was exactly his own question. Normally, with someone like Chen Yiyun—reserved, smooth, and cautious—he’d at least say a few words about any Wen Family affair, or tell Shen Hao to ’handle it at his discretion’ and avoid taking responsibility himself. But not a single word—there was something strange in that.

"Sir, do you have any news?"

"Heh, see for yourself." Tang Qingyuan just smiled and said nothing more, pulled an official bulletin out from his drawer and tossed it to Shen Hao.

On the cover, there was a red seal stamped "Confidential", with a small line underneath: For circulation among Xuanqing Guard Hundred Households (Senior Sixth Grade) only, one per location, no private copies allowed.

Almost every day, the Xuanqing Guard received these official reports, issued by the Commander’s Office, most about policy guidance, sometimes reporting big cases or important events. Depending on the level of confidentiality, only certain ranks could read each one.

Shen Hao glanced at the cover but didn’t dare open it up right away, since he held only a Junior Sixth Grade rank, below the clearance level marked on the report.

Tang Qingyuan either didn’t notice, or ignored his questioning look, standing up and moving over to the window, fussing with a lush green potted plant on the sill.

Read it or not? Tang Qingyuan’s stance was obvious—Shen Hao had to decide for himself.

Shen Hao didn’t hesitate, reached out, and flipped open the first page. The headline read: "The Xuanqing Guard is both Shield and Spear, but even more, it is the Tweezers that pluck out the Parasite!"

Thousands of words flowed through, giving Shen Hao a very clear impression: the upper leadership of Xuanqing Guard was intent on using the newly formed Black Banner Battalion to extend its reach into every corner of the Dynasty. Even more interesting, the article repeatedly referenced the recent two major cases investigated by "Li City Black Banner Battalion"—the Li Family’s Rebellion Case and the Series of Missing Cases—as exemplary cases.

"We must dare to unsheath our blade against stubborn disease, and above all hold in our hearts the common people and remember the boundless Imperial Grace!"

That one sentence made Shen Hao’s eyelid twitch—he thought this piece read more like a declaration of war!

So what is a ’stubborn disease’? In terms of people, it means illnesses that are hard to cure; for the state, it means those people or things harming the country.

In the Jingjiu Dynasty, who counts as being of no benefit to the regime? Easy—the undisciplined nobles, or the Cultivation Race who ignore the laws of the Dynasty. Digging deeper, do the sects established within the Dynasty count as ’stubborn disease’ too?

What’s more, ’stubborn disease’ could even mean some of the Dynasty’s old institutions—mainly referring to the Local Government Office and the military. No way could the Xuanqing Guard itself be included, since that organization was rigidly transparent, up and down completely exposed.

Shen Hao was shaken by the article, lost for words. He wondered what could have happened in the Commander’s Office for them to dare print something so openly provocative—even subversive—in the bulletin. Weren’t they afraid of getting burned?

Tang Qingyuan laughed at this point, "Finished? What do you think? Surprised?"

Shen Hao nodded; he really had been startled.

"Me too. Even though we’re far from the Temple Hall, you can feel from this document how fierce the infighting up there has become—must be close to drawing blades. The wording may not be precise enough, but it’s clear what they want people below to infer—and that’s exactly what makes it tricky."

Shen Hao understood what Tang Qingyuan meant by "imprecise wording", and felt the same way. The article sounded like a war-cry, but didn’t name any "enemies"—it was highly suggestive.

Tang Qingyuan went on, "So, at such a sensitive moment, with you submitting a case up the chain, how could Chen Yiyun dare give you an answer lightly? Not without turning the matter over and over in his mind would he dare make a move."

Indeed, if the "stubborn disease" mentioned includes the Cultivation Race, then Chen Yiyun himself already counts as one, not to mention that thanks to the Li City Black Banner Battalion’s "effectiveness", he’s right in the thick of it all. How could he afford to act recklessly?

What’s more, the very case Shen Hao submitted happened to target the Cultivation Race—far too sensitive. It’s likely that Chen Yiyun could’ve throttled Shen Hao with his bare hands right now.

Tang Qingyuan, in contrast to Chen Yiyun’s foreseeable frustration, was in much better spirits. His own experiences gave him no fondness for cultivators or sects, and he’d be happy to see those privileged groups take a fall.

Having figured out why there’d been no reply after two days from Fengri City, Shen Hao felt relieved.

Right now, it was probably firefighting everywhere inside the Xuanqing Guard. Tang Qingyuan could play dumb, but would Chen Yiyun dare risk favoring the Wen Family?

"By the way, kid, I heard you actually broke through while on rest days? Must have reached Gathering Spirit, right? How is it your talent was only rated below average at entry back then?"

"Haha, yes sir. I had a lot of insight lately so my Cultivation went up fast—just broke through to Gathering Spirit Realm First Layer, currently working to stabilize the gains."

"Making it to the Gathering Spirit Realm at your age is truly outstanding. You’ll have a real shot at breaking through to Primordial Pill Realm someday! Enviable, truly." Tang Qingyuan couldn’t help but marvel. Though he was already at Gathering Spirit Realm Eighth Layer, his own hopes for reaching Primordial Pill were slim.

"Thank you for the praise, sir."

"Now that you’ve reached Gathering Spirit, you should stock up on Elixirs during this period of consolidation. When you get a chance, go to Fengri City, see if you can swap for a better Cultivation Technique. The ones they distribute at the garrison aren’t even worth mentioning."

...

PS: Posting today’s second Chapter in advance. By the way, lemme ramble a bit.

Just finished lunch and was running a Combat Skill duel, made it to 9th Rank with minimum reward, grinning. The moment I turned around, got word from my editor that the book’s going on sale tomorrow at noon. My immediate reaction: Wang Defa?!

Frankly, the book isn’t doing all that well. The editor gave me several promotions, but nothing took off. Can’t really blame anyone, though—I’m enjoying writing, so I’m not about to drop it. (People keep cursing me as a big ’eunuch’ in the comments, but screw it, I’m not quitting!)

As for the launch announcement, no separate Chapter, no empty speeches—just hoping those who still like the book will keep dropping in every day. Paid reading is your support, and my reason to keep going. After all, we all have to eat; those who write for love alone starved a long time ago.

Finally, it’s Teacher’s Day—wishing all teachers everywhere bless me with a good batch of first sales tomorrow.

Last but not least, paid Chapters begin after noon tomorrow at 12.