I Don't Have It, I Don't Have It

It was the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).

Shen Qing and the scholar took a few people and returned to Luoshui City first.

White Cherry Villa was no longer a problem. Shen Qing had killed two of the three leaders, and the remaining one was in prison. Nearly two hundred of the Japanese pirates under them had also been killed by Shen Qing.

There might be a few more Japanese pirates who escaped, but they wouldn't be a problem.

What they would face later was the encirclement and suppression by hundreds of Imperial Guards.

It was a truly desperate situation.

Shen Qing put the diary and the Centurion token in his arms into the scholar's embrace.

"Take the diary and go to the Pacification Bureau."

"Explain the situation to them, and then come back to the Hundred Households Office. I'll take you to dinner."

After a day of rushing around, Shen Qing was starving.

However, at the moment, Shen Qing was in a hurry to get back to the Hundred Households Office to take a bath. He had gotten quite a bit of blood on himself during this fight.

Although autumn had arrived, Yongning Commandery was still in the southern part of the Wu Dynasty, and the weather was still very hot, especially after a recent light rain.

Shen Qing felt like he was starting to stink.

Upon returning to the Hundred Households Office, Shen Qing didn't bother to see the prisoners or the interrogation results. He directly ordered someone to heat water and took a nice, hot bath.

A bath after strenuous exercise was always so pleasant, as if all the fatigue was washed away.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and a Colonel gently knocked.

"My Lord, are you resting?"

"Speak."

"Lord Zhang Shoutian from the Shennong Institute is here to see you."

"Alright, I know. Please arrange for Lord Zhang to wait in the main hall. I'll be there shortly."

Had it only been a short while since he returned to the Hundred Households Office? How had the news spread so quickly?

It seemed these Agricultural Officials truly cared about the common people. He guessed Zhang Shoutian had probably been waiting outside the Hundred Households Office the entire time, waiting for his return.

Shen Qing quickly washed up and changed into his own clothes before heading to the main hall.

As soon as he entered, Zhang Shoutian eagerly walked towards Shen Qing, grabbed his arm, his eyes full of hope.

"Centurion, the original seeds! Did you find the original seeds?"

Shen Qing nodded, "Don't worry, I've burned all the original seeds, and I killed the two hundred Japanese pirates guarding them. The Japanese pirates won't be able to harm the common people for a while."

Zhang Shoutian breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, that's good."

Jiao Yu quickly stepped forward and supported Zhang Shoutian, "Master, look, didn't I tell you? Lord Shen would definitely find the original seeds."

"You're being so rude like this."

Shen Qing waved his hand and took out a cloth bundle from his arms. "It's nothing. Oh, right, while I was burning the original seeds, I also took a look around. See if any of these are useful. If not, I'll burn them all together."

Zhang Shoutian, who had just sat down, stood up again, his eyes fixed on the cloth bundle. Shen Qing extended his hand, and Zhang Shoutian immediately snatched the bundle, then strode out of the Hundred Households Office without a word, muttering constantly.

"I need to quickly decipher these original seeds..."

Jiao Yu quickly explained, "Lord Shen, please don't be offended. The matter of the original seeds is too serious. If we can decipher these seeds, then we can decipher the method the Japanese pirates used to cultivate this batch of seeds."

"It's fine, Jiao Yu. I have one more thing to instruct you on."

"Please speak, my Lord."

"Although the Japanese pirates have been eliminated and the original seeds destroyed, I fear some seeds might still have made their way into the populace. You need to compile some identification methods and then send people to inspect places like Luoshui City."

"Do you have enough manpower?"

Jiao Yu nodded secretly. As expected of an Imperial Guard Centurion, his considerations were thorough.

"Reporting, my Lord. Including me and my master, there are twelve people from our Shennong Institute stationed in Ningzhou."

Shen Qing shook his head, "That's not enough. Twelve people might not be able to finish inspecting Luoshui City in a few days. After the Autumn Harvest Festival, the farmers will start sowing."

"Going through the proper channels will be too late. Take my Centurion token and directly find the local yamen. Tell them to cooperate. If anyone doesn't cooperate or slacks off, you can directly execute them. If you can't handle it, come to me, and I'll execute them."

Jiao Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead. Wasn't this too brutal? He was just a farmer, how had he ever seen such a scene?

"My Lord, those yamen runners have no basic knowledge, how could they possibly distinguish them?" Jiao Yu pondered for a moment and said.

"How about I ask my junior disciples from their sect to help? Their sect has the largest medicinal garden in Ningzhou, and many disciples understand pharmacology."

"Ah, junior disciple, why are you standing so far away? Come here quickly."

Shen Qing only then noticed Su Jiudie from the Red Cloud Sect standing far away in the corner of the room.

When Su Jiudie saw Shen Qing looking over, she quickly bowed, "This humble woman, Su Jiudie, greets my benefactor."

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Shen Qing frowned. The Red Cloud Sect? After dealing with the two troublesome sects, Six Sword Villa and White Cherry Villa, Shen Qing had become extremely distrustful of sects.

The Innate Six Senses activated, beginning to probe Su Jiudie.

But soon, Shen Qing's furrowed brow relaxed, a hint of astonishment appearing in his eyes.

He didn't feel even a shred of malice from Su Jiudie; all he sensed was pure, burning gratitude and worship.

Su Jiudie looked up, her face flushed.

Jiao Yu looked at Su Jiudie in confusion, "Why are you blushing like a teapot?"

Shen Qing looked at Jiao Yu, "Your grand-disciple?"

Jiao Yu nodded, "Yes, Su Jiudie's father was also my master's disciple. By seniority, Jiudie is my grand-disciple."

Shen Qing waved his hand, "Alright, this matter is in your hands now."

Just then, the Scholar ran in from outside and whispered to Shen Qing, "Boss, the diary has been delivered to the Pacification Bureau. They've already sent word via carrier pigeon to all regions."

"Also, I just met the proprietor of Luoshui Pavilion on the way. He said the Mysterious Jade Green Lotus has been found and will be delivered to the Hundred Households Office within two days."

The Mysterious Jade Green Lotus, a treasure that could accelerate the completion of the fifth level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill. It seemed his strength would increase again.

Shen Qing nodded and rubbed his stomach, "Well done. Come on, change your clothes, and I'll take you to eat."

"You got it!"

Shen Qing turned back and looked at Jiao Yu and Su Jiudie, "What about you two? Want to join?"

Jiao Yu cupped his hands, "I won't be going. The soybeans are too important."

Su Jiudie looked at Shen Qing, then at Jiao Yu.

"This junior will go with Uncle-Master."

Shen Qing didn't say much. After all, they had only met once or twice. At most, they were compatible, but not yet friends. Shen Qing was just being polite; if they came, he'd add a pair of chopsticks, and if not, it didn't matter.

"Benefactor, wait a moment." Su Jiudie ran towards Shen Qing.

"Benefactor, a few days ago, you saved my life and that of Senior Brother Zong. I've wanted to visit and express my gratitude, but I could never figure out what kind of gift to prepare. Giving money is too cliché, and any precious medicine I could find would hardly catch Benefactor's eye."

"After much thought, I've decided to give this to you, my lord."

Su Jiudie took out a red token carved with clouds from her bosom.

"This is the Sect Master's token of our Red Cloud Sect. With this token, you can command the disciples of the Red Cloud Sect!"

Shen Qing took the token and examined it for a moment.

This was the Sect Master's token; its significance was entirely different.

Shen Qing smiled, "Are you sure?"

Su Jiudie's face flushed as she nodded, "Yes! Please, Benefactor, you must accept it!"

Shen Qing put the token away, "Alright, I accept."

With that, Shen Qing walked out of the courtyard.

Jiao Yu then stepped forward, "Grand-disciple, that was a bold move. Have you thought it through?"

Su Jiudie watched Shen Qing's retreating figure disappear, the blush on her face slowly fading, "I've thought it through."

"In recent years, some sects in the martial arts world have been breaking the rules too much."

"There are more and more tumors like the Black Water Gang, and now with the incident at White Cherry Villa, I have a feeling the court is going to make a move against the martial arts world."

"Rather than wait for death, it's better to pledge allegiance early. Moreover, this is such a good opportunity."

"Especially since Lord Shen is such a good person."

That last sentence is the truth in your heart, Jiao Yu muttered inwardly, then smiled at Su Jiudie.

"It's good that you've thought it through. I thought you were just acting on impulse."

Su Jiudie turned back, "Uncle-Martial Jiao, what do you mean by acting on impulse?"

Jiao Yu said with a half-smile, "I think you've taken a liking to Lord Shen. Your heart is fluttering, isn't it?"

Su Jiudie's face instantly turned red, this time even more intensely. She stomped her foot lightly.

"Oh, no, I didn't. I didn't. I didn't."

"Hmph, no, no."