At the Divine Constable Gate headquarters in Xiangzhou, within a spacious, brightly lit room, a wisp of green smoke curled upward, transforming into a fragrant aroma that filled the sealed space.
Xiang Yang held a teacup in one hand, gently rocking it. His close-fitting black robes were restrained yet imposing, while the smile on his face gave him the air of a leisurely recluse.
Su Baobao, seated opposite Xiang Yang, was red-faced and dripping with sweat. The features on his plump face seemed to shrivel as he swallowed against his burning throat, clutching the dossier in his hands in utter bewilderment.
"Lord Xiang, this dossier records thirty-two organizations of varying size, with more than twenty leaders renowned throughout Xiangzhou. None of them are ordinary in status or standing.
"If we truly follow your proposal and wipe them all out in one sweep, I fear it will throw the prefectures and counties into turmoil, with consequences impossible to contain.
"And Fengxi has been maintained and repaired by stewards dispatched from the Imperial Household Department every year since Empress Xuanhui moved in more than a century ago. Reports are submitted to the capital annually. If we try to seal it off, I'm afraid that would violate the rules, and the trouble to come may be more than even you can bear."
Su Baobao cursed Xiang Yang madly in his heart—lunatic, idiot, psychopath—but constrained by the Heavenly Saber's strength and status, he did not dare act rashly. He could only vent in his mind while lowering his posture and discussing matters with Xiang Yang.
Early that morning, Su Baobao had just finished breakfast and was preparing to take a stroll to aid digestion when a young constable sent by Xiang Yang invited him to this room.
He had originally thought Xiang Yang was