Strength Increased, Grandmaster Realm Fourth Layer!

Su Fei's aura surged explosively.

He could clearly feel the Nine Yang True Essence within him swell by a great deal, rushing through his body like a surging river.

His martial realm had risen two layers, reaching the Grandmaster Realm Fourth Layer!

The Nine Yang Divine Art had also reached the seventh layer!

Su Fei clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him, and a smile curled across his lips.

With this strength, even if he encountered martial artists at the Grandmaster Realm Seventh or Eighth Layer, he was confident he could fight them!

Su Fei could not help opening his status panel.

Host: Su Fei

Talent: God-tier Insight Technique

Realm: Grandmaster Realm Fourth Layer

Martial Arts: Nine Yang Divine Art—Seventh Layer, God of Slaughter's Blade Slash—Perfection, Finger Flicking Divine Ability—Perfection, Fleeting Light Shadow—Perfection, Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms—Perfection, Thunderous Saber Art—Perfection, Dragon Catching Skill—Perfection

Current Cultivation: None

So many Perfection Martial Arts—awesome!

Time to sleep.

The next day, Su Fei rose refreshed and invigorated.

The moment Su Fei entered the Thousand Households Office, he saw Commander Feng seated in the duty room, his brows tightly furrowed. A document lay spread across his desk, and the atmosphere was far more solemn than usual.

"You're here."

Commander Feng looked up, pointed to the chair opposite him, and sighed.

"Sit down."

As soon as Su Fei sat down, Commander Feng said in a deep voice.

"That White Lotus Sect true disciple from yesterday was a weakling. After a few rounds of interrogation, he confessed everything."

"Oh? What did he confess?"

"That brat grew up at the White Lotus Sect headquarters. They said he was raised as a core disciple, but in truth, he didn't know a thing."

Commander Feng picked up the confession from the desk, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

"Other than cultivation, he cared about nothing. He didn't even know where the headquarters was. Every time he entered or left it, he was blindfolded."

"After growing up, he was sent to Qingzhou to assist Qin Wushang in expanding his forces."

Su Fei flipped through the confession. Just as Commander Feng had said, apart from some insignificant rules within the White Lotus Sect, there was almost nothing of value.

"Still, he gave me one pleasant surprise. He confessed something important."

Commander Feng suddenly drew out a list from his robes and handed it over.

"This is what he revealed—the Qingzhou officials who have colluded with the White Lotus Sect."

Su Fei accepted the list, his gaze falling on the topmost name.

"Ling Dingfan, Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture, fifth rank."

Su Fei was somewhat shocked.

"Ling Dingfan, the third-ranking figure in Qingzhou Prefecture, is involved with the White Lotus Sect too?"

Commander Feng gave a cold snort.

"Involved? It goes far beyond that."

"That true disciple confessed that Qin Wushang had remained hidden in Qingzhou for so long without discovery entirely because Ling Dingfan shielded him in secret. Ling Dingfan secretly passed the movements of the prefectural office and troop deployments to the White Lotus Sect."

"As compensation, the White Lotus Sect gave Ling Dingfan a great deal of money."

He pointed to the names beneath it.

"These seven or eight below are all sixth- and seventh-rank officials of Qingzhou Prefecture. Some oversee household registration, some are in charge of courier stations, and two are Dian Shi at county offices. Every one of them bears the title of imperial official, yet behind the scenes they engage in treasonous dealings with the enemy. They are truly worms gnawing at the nation!"

"These people used their authority to provide the White Lotus Sect with conveniences. The Ling Family Village stronghold managed to exist for so long—no doubt they played no small part."

"I've already dispatched men to seize the others separately."

"But this Ling Dingfan at the top is a fifth-rank civil official. His status is special, and he has operated in Qingzhou for many years, with deep roots. After turning it over in my mind, you are still the most suitable person for the job."

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He looked at Su Fei.

"Not only are you to arrest him, you are to confiscate his household as well."

"Understood."

Su Fei nodded, folded the list, and put it away.

"When do we move?"

"Right now." Commander Feng rose to his feet.

"As Tongzhi, Ling Dingfan is off duty today. Take a squad of Imperial Guards directly to his residence. Move fast."

"Understood."

Su Fei rose, took his leave, and walked out of the duty room.

He gathered Wang Meng and the rest of his subordinates.

"Come with me to the Ling residence. Arrest Ling Dingfan and confiscate his household!"

The group hurried out of the Thousand Households Office, mounted their horses, and galloped toward the residence of Ling Dingfan, Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture.

Hooves hammered against the bluestone road in a rapid clatter, startling the townsfolk along the street into scattering aside. Judging by the spectacle, a major case was clearly underway.

"The Imperial Guard is handling a case. Who are they going to arrest? Come on, let's follow and take a look."

By the time Su Fei led his men to the entrance of the Ling residence,

the vermilion-lacquered gates of the Ling residence were tightly shut. Su Fei reined in his horse, glanced at the closed doors, and said to the Imperial Guards behind him.

"Knock."

An Imperial Guard stepped forward and pounded hard on the door knocker several times.

"The Imperial Guard is conducting official business! Open the door!"

An impatient voice from the gatekeeper came from inside.

"Who is it? Don't you know Lord Ling is off duty today? Get lost!"

Su Fei's eyes turned cold. They dared obstruct the Imperial Guard even while it was conducting official business.

He dismounted and drew the embroidered spring saber from his waist.

Blade light flashed.

With a thunderous crash, the heavy vermilion-lacquered gate was cleaved open by a single slash, sending splinters flying everywhere.

"Break in!"

The Imperial Guards surged in like wolves and tigers. The servants within the residence screamed in fright and scattered in every direction.

In the small garden of the Ling residence, a refined man in his fifties dressed in brocade was admiring flowers with a young concubine. The man had a fair face and a short beard beneath his chin. He was none other than Ling Dingfan, Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture.

The concubine was not yet twenty. Beautifully adorned, she smiled sweetly.

Several servants stood gathered nearby.

Ling Dingfan directed the servants as they trimmed the branches and leaves.

"Keep your eyes open. The branches on the same plant must all be cut to the same length."

At that moment, Ling Dingfan heard the sound of footsteps. He turned and saw a group clad in Flying Fish Robes entering his garden. His expression changed slightly, but he still forced himself to remain calm and shouted at Su Fei.

"Who are you people? How dare you trespass into this official's residence!"

Su Fei walked up before him, his gaze sweeping over the garden's precious flowers.

Among them were several rare Drunken Immortal Beauties, each supposedly worth hundreds of taels of silver.

He was definitely a corrupt official.

"Imperial Guard Hundred Households Officer Su Fei. By order, I am here to arrest Ling Dingfan, Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture."

Su Fei displayed his Imperial Guard token.

"You have colluded with the White Lotus Sect. Your crime is equivalent to Collusion with the enemy, and the evidence is conclusive. Come with us."

Ling Dingfan's face changed drastically, but he immediately hardened his tone.

"Outrageous! I am the fifth-rank Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture, an imperial official. You are merely a petty Imperial Guard Hundred Households Officer, and you dare lay hands on me? Who gave you such nerve?"

He tried to put on the imposing authority he wielded in officialdom, his finger nearly poking Su Fei in the face.

"I think you are tired of living. Withdraw at once, and do not disturb this official's mood for admiring flowers."