"Is that Earl Xingyi aboard the Creation Treasure Ship?"
Liang Qu surfaced from the water. The two Ice Jade Toads at his sides blinked as they gazed into the distance.
A small boat sped toward them. A man in black stood aboard, his robes snapping in the wind. No one rowed, yet the boat flew across the water. A distinctive waist token at his belt glowed with vivid purple light. From more than two hundred zhang away, he cupped his hands in greeting without rashly approaching.
"He's finally here!"
The Ice Jade Toad Clan had been eating and drinking in their territory for over half a month, all to wait for the court's force sent to uproot the Great Snow Mountain's Hidden Stakes! Liang Qu knew they had that ability, especially while he remained still.
The River Conservancy Office governed waters and marshes, while the Demon Subduing Division hunted Demon Beasts that brought calamity upon the land.
Throughout the realm, however, criminal cases and personnel matters were all led by the Three Laws Department.
Among them, the Tiqi served as the hawks and hounds, the claws and fangs of the state. Thus, they were also called the Cloud Hawk Embroidered Uniform Guard. They specialized in investigations and arrests, divided into several ranks. The lowest were probationary Tiqi, who did not even count as a proper rank and possessed no credentials whatsoever.
The true entry rank was Bronze Medal Tiqi. They could serve as the chief crime-solvers and head constables in a county. Above them were Silver Medal and Gold Medal Tiqi, who made their mark within prefectures, provinces, and Provincial Roads.
Back when the three families of Xihe Prefecture had sought a chance for their younger generation to exchange pointers, they had no choice but to fulfill Liang Qu's demands.