You're treating my words like farts!

"Wei Qing has passed the assessment mission; the proper formal treatment must not be lacking."

"Since we've decided to let him remain in Qingcheng, the Heavenly Realm Division cannot fail to show its support."

"What do you all think?"

Having said this, Nangong Yu looked at the others.

"Beyond the standard treatment for a full Warden, let him select one Profound Tier martial art from the Library Pavilion. If he can break through to the Sixth Rank within three years by this means, it would be a good thing."

Xie Yun answered directly.

The other three voiced no opinion.

Nangong Yu nodded and looked at Zhou Cang: "At tomorrow's morning court, I will report the matter of Qingcheng to His Majesty."

"I imagine the new magistrate won't arrive so soon. Let Wei Qing act as interim for now, as long as the people of Qingcheng remain safe."

"From this moment on, Wei Qing enjoys the treatment of a full Warden. He may select one cultivation method from the Library Pavilion and one bottle of Qi Gathering Pills. All items are to be delivered to Qingcheng together."

"Secret order: The Heavenly Realm Division in Jizhou is to dispatch one Sixth Rank Profound Rank Warden to Qingcheng."

A secret order was a non-documentary command from the Heavenly Realm Division.

Apart from the one who conveyed and executed the order, there would be no record of it.

"This subordinate obeys the order!"

Zhou Cang respectfully accepted the command.

He felt happy for Wei Qing in his heart.

Though it was called a secret order, it was essentially assigning a Sixth Rank protector to Wei Qing.

The supervising envoy Song Kai, who was responsible for assessing Wei Qing, was also at the Sixth Rank in strength.

But because of an old injury, he could only exert eighty to ninety percent of his power.

Moreover, in the message Zhou Kai had sent back, he mentioned that demon which had suddenly appeared and then vanished.

It might appear again.

To prevent any mishaps, He had been planning to report this.

Yet before he could speak, Nangong Yu had already arranged everything!

This showed that Wei Qing had already entered the sight of the Heavenly Realm Division's upper echelons, being evaluated as a reserve talent.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

During this day, Wei Qing took a simple stroll around Qingcheng.

News of Fang Xiang colluding with demons, the sealing of Fang Manor, and Fang Youting's imprisonment spread like wildfire.

After all, what had happened at Fang Manor yesterday was witnessed by many commoners.

It was already too late to suppress the news.

By now, every citizen in the city knew.

For a time, Fang Manor became a rat crossing the street, cursed by ten thousand people.

The families of the victims had not held back, throwing dead rats, feces, and other things at Fang Manor's gate.

Thus venting their rage.

Faced with a group of foul-smelling yamen colleagues every day, Zhu Huan had no choice but to step forward and warn those families, and only then did the retaliation gradually subside.

Before Fang Manor's gate.

"My lord."

"Greetings, Lord Wei."

Zhu Huan and the yamen runners on guard duty saw Wei Qing arrive and all bowed in salute.

"Mm." Wei Qing nodded slightly. "Has anything happened these past few days?"

"Some servants from Fang Manor tried to flee, but we drove them back."

"Before the Imperial Court's verdict comes down, we dare not use lethal force. As a result, more and more servants are charging at the yamen runners, and we're a bit short-handed."

No sooner had the words fallen than Fang Manor's tightly shut gate suddenly swung open.

Over twenty servants wielding wooden clubs rushed out.

Instantly, the yamen runners on duty reflexively drew their blades and barked:

"All of you, get back inside! Until the Imperial Court's decree arrives, no one is allowed to leave Fang Manor."

"Otherwise, don't blame my blade for showing no mercy..."

"We're not part of the Fang family—why can't we leave?"

"Exactly. Why should we be buried with that monster Fang Xiang? We never colluded with any demons."

More than twenty household servants stared at the yamen runners blocking their way, not a trace of fear in their eyes.

The first time they charged, outnumbered, they were driven back.

The second time, they realized the runners were all bark and no bite, too scared to actually kill. But since the servants were still fewer, they were violently shoved back again.

Now they'd gathered every last servant, ready to make one more push.

No one was a fool. If they waited for the Imperial Court's decree, it'd be too late to slip away.

Zhu Huan watched the two martial guards who were stirring up the most trouble and snapped coldly, "All of you shut the hell up. Until the Imperial Court's decree comes down, you stay put and behave."

The Head of Guards spoke up: "Lord Zhu, let's not play dumb. Everyone knows what happens to those who collude with demons, right?"

"That's right."

The rest of the servants answered in unison.

"We're just hired help for the Fang family. If you want to judge them, fine. But today, we're leaving whether you like it or not."

"Exactly."

Seeing this, Wei Qing stepped forward, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd of servants before settling on the Head of Guards. "I made it very clear yesterday. Until the Imperial Court's decree arrives, no one leaves this manor."

"Looks like you all took my words for a fart!"

"Gre—"

Before the Head of Guards could finish, a flash of cold light streaked past. His head flew into the air, blood gushing in torrents. Everyone was frozen in shock by Wei Qing's ruthless efficiency.

[Ding! Slain Ninth Rank Intermediate Warrior]

[Mental Power +10, Strength +11, Constitution +13, Breath Concealing Pill x1]

"He... he killed someone..."

Someone shouted. The servants snapped out of their daze, and when they looked at Wei Qing again, it was like seeing a demon. Their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

"I'll count to three..."

"Anyone still standing here... dies."

Wei Qing's voice rang in the servants' ears like a summons from hell.

If they waited for the Imperial Court's decree, they might not die.

But if they lingered even a moment longer, they'd die right now!

The servants didn't dare say another word. They scrambled back into Fang Manor as if fleeing for their lives, terrified of becoming another corpse under Wei Qing's blade.

Wei Qing sheathed his blade and turned to Zhu Huan. "This is the first time. I don't want there to be a next time."

"Yes."

Cold sweat dripped down Zhu Huan's cheek.

He understood the implication in Wei Qing's words. It was a warning.

A servant who couldn't firmly carry out his master's orders—what use was he?

This was his first mistake.

And it would be his last!

Wei Qing lifted his gaze to the other yamen runners. "The order was mine. The kill was mine. If anything goes wrong, I'll take the fall."

"From now on, until the Imperial Court's decree arrives, if even a dog tries to leave Fang Manor—kill it."

"Yes."

The runners around him shouted back at the top of their lungs.

At this moment, they felt genuine admiration for Lord Wei, this man from the Heavenly Realm Division.

Powerful. Ruthless.

This was the Heavenly Realm Division.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from behind.

Wei Qing turned. A'Fu ran up to him. "My lord, our manager says there's progress on the matter you assigned. He invites you to the inn for a talk."

"Let's go."

"Yes."