Strength Improvement, Grandmaster Realm Fourth Layer!

Su Fei's aura surged.

He could clearly feel a surge in the Nine Yang True Essence within him, flowing like a raging river.

His martial arts realm had advanced by two layers, reaching the Grandmaster Realm Fourth Layer!

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

Su Fei clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

With this strength, he was confident he could fight even against Martial Artists at the Grandmaster Realm Seventh or Eighth Layer!

Su Fei couldn't help but open 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, this feels great!

Time to sleep.

The next day, Su Fei woke up feeling refreshed.

As soon as Su Fei walked into the Thousand Households Office, he saw Commander Feng sitting in the duty room, his brow furrowed. A document lay open on his desk, and the atmosphere was much more tense than usual.

"You're here."

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

"Sit down and let's talk."

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

"That White Lotus Sect true disciple from yesterday was quite the softie. After a few rounds of interrogation, he spilled everything."

"Oh? What did he confess?"

"The kid grew up in the White Lotus Sect's headquarters since he was young. They said he was being groomed as a core disciple, but in reality, he didn't know anything."

Commander Feng picked up the confession from his desk, his tone laced with mockery.

"Besides cultivation, they didn't care about anything else. He didn't even know the location of the headquarters. They blindfolded him every time he entered or left."

"After he grew up, he was sent to Qingzhou to help Qin Wushang develop his influence."

Su Fei flipped through the confession. Just as Commander Feng had said, apart from some trivial rules of the White Lotus Sect, there was almost no valuable information.

"However, he did give me a little surprise. He confessed to something important."

Commander Feng suddenly took out a list from his embrace and handed it over.

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

Su Fei took the list and his gaze fell on the name at the very top.

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

Su Fei was a little shocked.

"Ling Dingfan, the third highest-ranking official in Qingzhou Prefecture, is also involved with the White Lotus Sect?"

Commander Feng snorted coldly.

"More than just involved."

"That true disciple confessed that Qin Wushang was able to hide in Qingzhou for so long without being discovered entirely thanks to Ling Dingfan's covert protection. Ling Dingfan would secretly pass on information about the Prefecture Office's movements and troop deployments to the White Lotus Sect."

"In return, the White Lotus Sect gave Ling Dingfan a considerable amount of money."

He pointed to the names below on the list.

"These seven or eight names below are all sixth and seventh-rank officials in Qingzhou Prefecture. Some are in charge of household registration, some are responsible for the post stations, and two are Dian Shi from the county yamen. Each of them holds the title of a court-appointed official, yet they are secretly engaged in treasonous activities. Truly vermin of the nation!"

"These people used their positions to provide convenience for the White Lotus Sect. The Ling Family Village stronghold was able to exist for so long, and it's likely not without their contributions."

"I've already dispatched people to apprehend the others separately."

"As for the first name, Ling Dingfan, a fifth-rank civil official, his status is special, and he has been operating in Qingzhou for many years with deep roots. After much consideration, you are the most suitable person for this task."

He looked at Su Fei.

"Not only do you need to apprehend him and bring him to justice, but you also need to confiscate his property."

"Understood."

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

"When do we move?"

"Right now." Commander Feng stood up.

"Ling Dingfan is the Tongzhi, and today is his day off. Take a squad of Imperial Guards and go directly to his residence. Move quickly."

"Understood."

Su Fei got up, bid farewell, and turned to leave the duty room.

He summoned his subordinates, including Wang Meng.

"Follow me to the Ling residence to arrest Ling Dingfan and search his home!"

The group quickly exited the Thousand Households Office, mounted their horses, and galloped towards the residence of Ling Dingfan, the Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture.

The horses' hooves pounded on the bluestone road, creating a hurried sound that startled the citizens along the street, causing them to scatter. Judging by the formation, it was clear a major case was being handled.

"This is the Imperial Guard handling a case. Who are they going to arrest? Come on, let's follow and see."

By the time Su Fei and his team arrived at the entrance of the Ling residence.

The vermilion gate of the Ling residence was tightly shut. Su Fei reined in his horse, glanced at the closed door, and said to the Imperial Guards behind him.

"Knock on the door."

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

"Imperial Guard business, open the door!"

A disgruntled voice came from inside the house.

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

Su Fei's eyes turned cold. How dare someone obstruct the Imperial Guard on official business.

He dismounted, drew the Spring Embroidered Saber from his waist.

A flash of light.

With a loud clang, the heavy vermilion gate was split open by his saber, sending wood chips flying.

"Break in!"

The Imperial Guards surged in like wolves and tigers. The servants inside screamed and scattered in terror.

In a small garden within the Ling residence, a clean-shaven scholar in his fifties, wearing Imperial Guard attire, was admiring flowers with a young concubine. The scholar had a fair complexion and a short goatee, and he was none other than Ling Dingfan, the Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture.

The concubine was less than twenty years old, dressed beautifully, and wore a pleasant smile.

Several servants surrounded them.

Ling Dingfan was directing the servants to prune branches.

"Keep your eyes sharp. Trim the branches on the same plant to equal lengths."

Just then, Ling Dingfan heard footsteps and turned to look. He saw a group of people in Flying Fish Robes entering his garden. His expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm and shouted at Su Fei.

"Who are you people? How dare you trespass into my official residence!"

Su Fei walked up to him, his gaze sweeping over the valuable flowers filling the garden.

Among them were several rare "Drunk Immortal's Blush," each said to be worth hundreds of taels of silver.

He must be a corrupt official.

"Imperial Guard Hundred Households Officer Su Fei, ordered to apprehend Ling Dingfan, the Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture."

Su Fei displayed his Imperial Guard token.

"You colluded with the White Lotus Sect, committing treason. The evidence is conclusive. You must come with us."

Ling Dingfan's face changed drastically, then he spoke with a tough tone.

"Presumptuous! I am the fifth-rank Tongzhi of Qingzhou Prefecture, an official appointed by the court. How dare a mere Imperial Guard Hundred Households Officer like you lay hands on me? Who gave you the courage?"

He attempted to assert his authority within the officialdom, his finger almost poking Su Fei's face.

"I think you people are tired of living. Retreat quickly and don't disturb my flower-viewing mood."