Jizhou Prefecture, Qingcheng
Upon learning the location of his assessment mission, Wei Qing did not delay in the slightest. He immediately spurred his horse onward and rode straight for Qingcheng.
For this mission, he traveled alone.
This was an ironclad rule of the Heavenly Realm Division.
During the assessment period, if the Inspection Department determined that he had cheated, his status as a Guardian Envoy would be stripped at once, with no room for recourse.
The Heavenly Realm Division had four major branches: Prison Suppression, Guardian, Inspection, and Night Owl.
The Prison Suppression Department specialized in suppressing and imprisoning demons, monsters, and unorthodox martial artists within the great prison;
The Guardian Department bore the duty of slaying demons and exterminating evil, apprehending vicious criminals, and safeguarding peace in one region;
The Night Owl Department excelled at gathering and relaying intelligence, with eyes and ears spread across the realm;
As for the Inspection Department, it held authority over assessments at every level, resource allocation, and inspections of the various branches.
Inspection Envoys were known for their iron faces and impartiality.
Before them, even Guardian Envoys had to show three parts courtesy.
Once one violated the rules, the lighter punishment was removal of one's status; the heavier, the crippling of one's cultivation—or even execution on the spot!
Four days later.
Wei Qing finally arrived in Qingcheng.
Unlike the prosperity of the imperial capital, Qingcheng was considerably more desolate.
However, such matters were the local Magistrate's concern.
His mission here had only one purpose—slay the demons and monsters plaguing this place.
Everything else had nothing to do with him.
After presenting his Identity Token,
Wei Qing walked straight through the gates of the county yamen.
Upon receiving word, Qingcheng's Magistrate immediately hurried over to welcome him.
"This official is Fang Youting. May I ask who you are?"
"Wei Qing, Intern Warden of the Heavenly Realm Division."
Wei Qing clasped his fists in return, his gaze discreetly appraising the Magistrate before him.
Before coming here, he had already committed all of Qingcheng's intelligence to memory.
Fang Youting had passed the imperial examination in Great Zhou, Jin Kang Year 3 and once served as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
Later, for speaking bluntly in remonstrance and angering Emperor Jin Kang, he had been demoted to this remote Qingcheng.
After taking office, he had worked diligently to govern, personally leading the people in reclaiming wasteland and building irrigation works. In only a few short years, he had breathed life back into this small frontier city.
What was even more remarkable was—
During his fifteen-year term, Fang Youting had twice declined Emperor Ming Xing's edicts of promotion, willingly remaining in this barren land.
When ordinary people received imperial favor, who would not swarm toward it like ducks to a pond?
Those able to withstand such temptation were likely few and far between under heaven.
While Wei Qing was sizing up Fang Youting, Fang Youting was also sizing up Wei Qing.
After only a moment, Fang Youting withdrew his gaze, a warm smile appearing on his face.
"So you are Lord Wei of the Heavenly Realm Division! You have traveled through wind and dust all the way here; you must be exhausted." Fang Youting cupped his hands in salute, then immediately turned and ordered, "Someone, quickly make preparations..."
"There is no need." Wei Qing raised a hand to interrupt him. His voice was light, yet brooked no question. "I already ate dry provisions on the road. Tell me about the demons and monsters first."
At those words, the warmth on Fang Youting's face deepened. "Lord Wei cares so deeply for the people. You are truly a model for the rest of us."
"This official shall arrange for someone to explain the case to you in detail."
As he spoke, he turned toward the doorway and called, "Someone."
"My lord, what are your instructions?"
The yamen runner standing guard at the entrance stepped forward, clasped his fists, and bowed.
"Go summon Captain Zhu."
"Yes."
The yamen runner accepted the order and withdrew.
As he left, Fang Youting raised a hand. "Lord Wei, please follow me to the inner hall and wait."
Inside the yamen's inner hall.
While the maidservant was serving tea.
A sturdy-boned middle-aged man dressed in a constable's uniform, a long saber hanging at his waist, entered the inner hall.
"Lord Fang."
"Captain Zhu, sit."
Fang Youting raised a hand and pointed at Wei Qing as he introduced him:
"This is Lord Wei Qing from the Heavenly Realm Division. Zhu Huan is the head of Qingcheng's constables. He has served as Captain for seven years and, aside from myself, has been in the yamen longer than anyone else."
"Lord Wei, during your time in Qingcheng, you may ask Captain Zhu about any matter."
While Fang Youting made the introductions, Wei Qing was already observing Zhu Huan.
Or rather, the instant the other man entered the inner hall, he had sensed the vigorous vitality and blood energy radiating from Zhu Huan.
At the peak of Ninth-Rank Martial Artist—he was even half a step stronger than Chen Dong. In less than two months, he would likely break through to the Eighth Rank.
Wei Qing clasped his fists. "Greetings, Captain Zhu. I will have to trouble you greatly for some time to come."
"Lord Wei, you are too courteous." Zhu Huan was somewhat flattered and overwhelmed. He hurriedly returned the salute. "So long as it is something this subordinate knows or can do, I will certainly tell you everything I know and give my full cooperation."
No matter where one was,
People from the Heavenly Realm Division held immense status.
Even the Magistrate had to treat him politely, let alone a mere Captain like himself.
More importantly—
He could not sense the slightest fluctuation of cultivation from Wei Qing.
As a Guardian Envoy of the Heavenly Realm Division, the first threshold was martial cultivation. Those who were not martial artists did not even qualify to participate in the assessment.
Given the current situation, there was only one explanation: Lord Wei Qing's cultivation far surpassed his own.
Thinking of this,
Zhu Huan became even more afraid of showing any disrespect.
Wei Qing lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. "The Heavenly Realm Division received a report that demons and monsters have been causing trouble within Qingcheng's territory recently. Captain Zhu, please explain the specific circumstances in detail."
Zhu Huan took a deep breath and answered with clasped fists, "Reporting to you, my lord, this began ten days ago. A woman from Dragon Cave Village in Fuyun Town reported that her husband had died suddenly for no apparent reason. The strange thing was that the deceased's expression was peaceful, and there was even a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth."
"Over the following days, Linxi Village, Yang Village, Zhou Family Village, and seven or eight other villages reported cases one after another. Every deceased person had died with the same smile on their face."
"This subordinate personally led men to investigate. The coroner examined the bodies time and again, yet there were neither external injuries nor signs of poisoning."
"Our first thought was that demons and monsters were at work."
"Even more terrifyingly, the number of deaths increased by the day. It has now spread to more than ten surrounding villages."
Inside the inner hall.
Wei Qing sat there and, after listening to Zhu Huan's account, compared it against the information in the Black Scroll. There was almost no discrepancy.
"After those victims died, did anything else unusual happen?"
"Yes." Zhu Huan's Adam's apple bobbed as he said with difficulty, "Eighteen... eighteen corpses... vanished into thin air."
His voice carried a trace of nervousness. "At the time, we arranged four shifts of yamen runners to guard the Mortuary day and night. Yet the strange thing was—no one saw any trace of a corpse thief, nor did anyone hear the slightest sound."
"Because of this, three yamen runners have already been unable to bear it. They would rather lose their positions than continue standing night watch."
A sharp gleam flashed through Wei Qing's eyes, as though he had realized something.
He turned to Fang Youting. "Lord Fang, please have someone bring me the birth dates and hours of all the deceased."
"This subordinate will see to it at once." Fang Youting accepted with clasped fists.
Before long, a yamen runner hurried in carrying a thick register.
Wei Qing took it and opened it. Written neatly inside were:
Li Daniu, resident of Dragon Cave Village, born in Jin Kang Year 1—fifth day of the fifth month—fourth quarter of the hour of the horse.
Chen Feng, resident of Yang Village, born in Kai Yuan Year 19—Summer Solstice—third quarter of the hour of the snake.
Chen Fan, resident of Yan Family Village, born in Jin Kang Year 2—the fifteenth day of the seventh month—seventh quarter of the hour of the horse.
Zhao Dabao...
Wei Qing's fingertips paused, and he murmured under his breath, "Just as I thought..."
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