The inner courtyard of the Zhao Residence was a bloody sight. Other than Su Chen and Captain Xing, no one dared linger there.
The two casually moved over a pair of chairs, sat facing each other in the courtyard, and began to chat.
"I remember you were stationed at Longmen Pass. What brought you to the Hengyang area?" Su Chen asked.
Captain Xing smiled. "Isn't it thanks to you?"
"When we hunted down Zhao Huai'an beyond the pass last time, I earned a bit of merit. My superiors took notice of me, promoting me from General Banner to Captain and transferring me from that godforsaken place to Hengyang."
Part of the reason Captain Xing treated Su Chen so warmly, even with a hint of flattery, was precisely because of this.
Su Chen listened and nodded, understanding the full story.
At that moment, however, a trace of hesitation appeared on Captain Xing's face.
He seemed to have something he wanted to say to Su Chen, yet did not know how to begin.
Noticing his reluctance to speak, Su Chen said, "If you have something to say, say it. We're old acquaintances, after all. If I can help, I certainly will."
"Su..." Captain Xing could not help feeling moved.
But just then, Su Chen added, "Of course, you'll have to pay."
Captain Xing's mouth twitched. Sure enough, a money-grubber would always be a money-grubber.
After silently grumbling for a moment, Captain Xing composed himself and began explaining. "Su, it's like this. Isn't Liu Zhengfeng of Mount Heng holding the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony tomorrow?"
"He previously spent money to buy himself the honorary post of Brigadier General, so he can be considered a man of the court now."
"Our superiors fear something might happen to him tomorrow, so they ordered us to keep an eye on him."
At this point, Captain Xing's expression turned troubled.
"Su, you know my martial arts are mediocre. The people going to Liu Zhengfeng's home tomorrow will surely all be formidable martial artists from the jianghu..."
"I was just worrying over what to do when you showed up. So, could I ask you to lend a hand tomorrow?"
Having said that, Captain Xing looked at Su Chen expectantly.
Su Chen's face remained calm as an ancient well, but inwardly, he was already overjoyed.
He had come here for Liu Zhengfeng's affair in the first place.
Now, Captain Xing was asking him for help as well.
Su Chen secretly rejoiced and did not answer at once.
Captain Xing misunderstood. He hurriedly said, "Su, I'll definitely pay. The higher-ups approved three thousand taels of funding for this operation. I won't keep a single tael—I'll give it all to you."
"Three thousand taels." Su Chen could not help feeling pleased.
Three thousand taels was not an enormous sum, but it was extra money falling into his lap. Why would he refuse it?
After a moment's thought, Su Chen decided to agree to Captain Xing's request.
Still, agreeing was one thing; he had to maintain his leverage.
"Three thousand taels?" Su Chen pondered aloud, forcing a troubled look onto his face. "If it were someone else, I certainly wouldn't agree to do this for three thousand taels. But for your sake, Old Xing, I'll take the job."
Hearing Su Chen say this, Captain Xing felt deeply honored.
Back when they had hunted down Zhao Huai'an and his group at the border outside Longmen Pass—
Ji Xueyong, the Third Chief of the Western Depot, had wanted Su Chen to kill Ling Yanqiu, Feng Lidao, and the others without additional payment.
Su Chen had refused him without mercy.
In the end, Ji Xueyong had obediently paid up before Su Chen was willing to act.
Now that Su Chen was willing to give him such consideration, Captain Xing felt quite moved.
So I held such an important place in Su's heart.
Captain Xing was so touched that he immediately rose to his feet and patted his chest. "Su, you treat me like a brother, so I can't let you down. If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word. Even if it costs me my life, I'll help you."
Su Chen smiled in reply. "I don't need your life. Just remember me whenever the Factory Guards have profitable work in the future."
The two chatted for a while longer, then each went to rest and conserve their strength as they waited for Tian Boguang to arrive.
The night grew deeper. Su Chen and Captain Xing had already waited in the courtyard for two hours.
Yet there was still no sign of Tian Boguang.
Faced with this situation, Su Chen could not help frowning.
"Could Tian Boguang be not coming tonight?"
He still had to go to Hengyang tomorrow for Liu Zhengfeng's affair. That was the real big-money job, and he could not remain in Hengnan County for long.
If he could not deal with Tian Boguang tonight, he would not get the Zhao family's ten thousand taels.
Su Chen naturally could not accept watching money that was practically in his hands fly away.
"If Tian Boguang won't come, I'll go find him."
With that thought, Su Chen said to Captain Xing beside him, "Old Xing, do me a favor."
Captain Xing was already drowsy. Hearing Su Chen's voice, he jolted awake.
He raised a hand to wipe the drool from the corner of his mouth and mumbled, "Su, what are your orders?"
"You're the local power in Hengnan County. Your intelligence network should be fairly strong. Help me find Tian Boguang."
"Don't worry, Su. I can't speak for other places, but in this tiny Hengnan County, I can find even a fly for you. Give me half an hour."
With that, Captain Xing hurried away with his Imperial Guardsmen to search Hengnan County for Tian Boguang's whereabouts.
On the streets, Captain Xing was leading a group of Imperial Guardsmen in the search.
"Chief, what's Su Chen's background? I think you're treating him a little too well, aren't you?" one Imperial Guardsman asked in confusion.
As soon as he said this, the other Imperial Guardsmen also turned to look at Captain Xing.
Facing the curious gazes of his brothers, Captain Xing said quietly, "Don't ask about things you shouldn't. I'll tell you just one thing: Su Chen has a Red Card."
The moment the words "Red Card" were spoken, the expressions of the dozen or so Imperial Guardsmen present changed. None of them dared ask another question.
As the official intelligence agency of the Great Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Guards monitored civil and military officials internally, while also bearing the responsibility of intimidating the jianghu externally.
Therefore, in order to deal with those jianghu people accustomed to using martial prowess to defy the law, the Imperial Guards would also spend money to hire Wandering Knights to handle jianghu matters.
To make distinctions easier, they used tokens of different colors.
There were three colors in total: red, black, and blue. Red was the highest. Those holding Red Cards stood on nearly equal footing with the chiefs of the Factory Guards.
Only then did the Imperial Guardsmen finally understand why Captain Xing had said at the Zhao Residence that even the Factory Guards' chiefs would show Su Chen some respect.
After learning how formidable Su Chen was, the Imperial Guardsmen worked even harder. In less than half an hour, they found Tian Boguang's trail.
After locating Tian Boguang, Captain Xing hurried back to the Zhao Residence.
"Su, we found Tian Boguang. He's in a brothel right now."
"However, it seems there's also a nun and a Mount Hua disciple with him."
Hearing this, Su Chen immediately understood.
That nun should be little Master Yi Lin of the Mount Hengshan Sect.
As for that Mount Hua disciple, aside from Linghu Chong, there should be no one else.
Without wasting any time, Su Chen grabbed the Ring-Pommel Saber from the table and strode outside. "Come on. Let's go kill Tian Boguang."
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