Jiangping Prefecture

The Li Family's massacre had not caused a single ripple.

In other words, it seemed no one knew what had actually happened.

Ye Kang only figured it out two days later.

That day, a red-maned steed stopped outside the Ye Family Wine Shop.

Following the sound, Ye Kang saw that the visitor was Zhang Gong, another Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Department.

"Why has Lord Zhang come? Are you here to buy wine too?"

Ye Kang asked with a smile.

Zhang Gong smiled broadly as well. "We can talk about wine later. Commander Ye, the Commander has ordered you to return to headquarters swiftly."

Hearing This, Ye Kang knew Lord Leng's assignment had arrived.

He nodded. Since he had agreed, naturally he had to go.

"Many thanks, Lord Zhang. Please accept this jar of Peach Blossom Drunk, and have some side dishes with it."

Ye Kang tossed over a jar of Peach Blossom Drunk, which the other man caught easily.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Oh, Commander Ye, you owe me a favor."

After saying that, Zhang Gong mounted his horse and left.

Ye Kang immediately understood.

Zhang Gong must have stepped in to wipe up the mess with the Li Family matter.

Though he did not know why Zhang Gong had helped him, it had saved him a great deal of trouble. He would have to remember this favor.

After informing the Old Man, Ye Kang changed into his uniform and rushed Non-stop toward the Imperial City Department headquarters.

Upon seeing Lord Leng, the latter directly tossed him a case file.

"A Grand Thief has appeared in Jiangping Prefecture. He robbed the ten Luminous Pearls that Consort Jing sent to the Prefect of Jiangping, and even left behind a note to show his contempt for the imperial court. This matter is yours to handle."

"Me? Lord Leng, I'm a Jailer."

"Jailers are also part of the Imperial City Department, and must obey the Commander's orders. You only need to lead a team to investigate. If anything goes wrong, send word back and request reinforcements. If you handle this well, Consort Jing will not treat you poorly."

After saying this, Lord Leng sent Ye Kang out, his tone allowing no refusal.

Ye Kang had no choice but to agree.

He then went to the Garrison Armory and selected a Fine Saber and a Swift Horse.

The moment he stepped out of headquarters, twenty Imperial City Department elites were already waiting outside.

The leader stepped forward and said with Cupped Hands, "Commander Ye, I am He Zhi. For this mission, we will cooperate with Commander Ye and await your orders."

Ye Kang gave them a glance.

These twenty men were all elites of the Imperial City Department. On average, they were Third-rate experts, while He Zhi himself was a Second-rate expert.

After greeting the Crowd, Ye Kang rode out of the city with them, heading straight for Jiangping Prefecture.

On the road, Ye Kang chatted with He Zhi.

"Lord He, how much do you know about this mission?"

He Zhi shook his head.

"I have never been to Jiangping Prefecture either. I only heard that the Prefect of Jiangping is Consort Jing's relative by marriage. Now that the Luminous Pearls have been stolen, Consort Jing must be furious."

He Zhi did not put on any airs.

In the world of Martial Artists, strength was king.

They all believed Ye Kang was a top-tier First-class expert, so they treated him with great respect.

Along the way, Ye Kang read through the case file while growing familiar with the others.

Several days later, the group entered Jiangping Prefecture's territory.

The moment they arrived, they saw an enormous Wanted Poster plastered on the city gate.

"Capture the Grand Thief, and receive a reward of three thousand taels of silver."

"Looks like the Prefect of Jiangping has truly gone all out. Those ten Luminous Pearls aren't even worth three thousand taels, are they?" Ye Kang joked.

He Zhi beside him could not help laughing.

"After all, those Luminous Pearls represent Consort Jing. If they were stolen in Jiangping Prefecture, it would no longer be a matter of silver. It seems the Prefect is burning with anxiety."

The group revealed their identities and entered the city.

Before long, the Prefect of Jiangping, having received word, sent someone to welcome them.

The Approacher was a Maiden in the bloom of youth, fair-skinned and beautiful, with lively eyes. Yet a gorgeous longsword hung at her waist.

When she saw Ye Kang and the others wearing Imperial City Department uniforms, she hurried over.

"Are you gentlemen the ones sent by the Imperial City Department to investigate the case?"

"That's right. And you are, Miss?"

"My name is Zhou Ying. My Father is Prefect Zhou. He is at the Sword Discussion Platform watching people spar. I've come to take you to the Prefect's Mansion."

Hearing This, Ye Kang frowned.

"The Prefect still has the leisure to watch people fight? It seems this matter is not so urgent after all."

"Please do not blame him, my lord. My Father is also powerless in this matter. Today's sword discussion was organized by the Jianghu Sects. As an Imperial Official, he could hardly refuse to attend."

A bitter look appeared in Zhou Ying's eyes as she hurriedly explained.

"Jiangping Prefecture's martial arts are flourishing. There are more than ten small sects and three major sects. The three major sects are the Iron Sword Sect, the Purple Haze Sect, and the Giant Wolf Gang."

He Zhi added from the side.

Ye Kang nodded to show his understanding.

That was how this world worked. Chivalry violated the law through martial strength; the great Jianghu sects controlled martial artist resources and possessed formidable power. They simply did not give a damn about the court's local officials.

Upon arriving at the Prefect's Mansion, Ye Kang dismounted.

He then took a splendid Brocade Box from his horse and declared loudly, "This is a Birthday Gift Consort Jing ordered me to bring in secret. Inside is a Thousand-Year Ginseng. Remember, no one must be allowed to know about it."

Zhou Ying was instantly dumbfounded.

Eldest Brother, if it's supposed to be secret, why are you saying it at the entrance?

Zhou Ying looked around. The Pedestrians on the nearby streets all acted as though they had heard nothing, and everything remained as usual.

She hurriedly put away the Brocade Box and swiftly ran toward home.

He Zhi gave a Bitter Smile from the side. "My lord, this Sting Operation of yours is... rather crude."

Ye Kang burst into laughter.

"It doesn't matter. It was just a casual attempt. What if it works?"

"If that Grand Thief falls for this, his fellow thieves will probably laugh at him for the rest of his life."

"The ginseng is only a smokescreen. Lord He, tonight, take the brothers and commit theft Three Times throughout the city. I heard that after the Grand Thief stole the Luminous Pearls, he left behind a note. Imitate his methods and leave notes as well."

He Zhi froze upon hearing this. "My lord, we are imperial spies, not thieves."

Ye Kang laughed heartily. "The fact that the Grand Thief left a note proves he is extremely conceited and thoroughly enjoys the thrill of committing major crimes. Someone like that must care greatly about his reputation. So we will ruin his reputation and force him to show himself."

It was not until nightfall that Prefect Zhou finally returned.

When he heard Ye Kang's plan, he did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"Lord Little Ye, your method is underhanded, certainly, but why does it feel like there's something unreliable about it?"

Zhou Ying, standing behind the Prefect, spoke up. "Father, we cannot catch him anyway. Might As Well let Lord Ye give it a try."

The Prefect could only nod. "Very well. But my lord, do not go too far. If this reaches the imperial capital, it will be difficult to explain."

Ye Kang nodded as well.

"Rest assured, Prefect. I know my limits. To be honest, this is my first mission. I still need to learn more from the Prefect."

Ye Kang's words were deeply flattering, and Prefect Zhou found them very pleasing.

After all, he had spent the entire day as a guest at the Sword Discussion Platform. Those Martial Artists had all been proud and arrogant, and none of them had taken him seriously.

Now that an Expert like Ye Kang was elevating him, his mood immediately improved considerably.

With a Big Hand Wave, he shouted, "Approacher! Bring the wine! Host a welcoming feast for the distinguished gentlemen of the Imperial City Department!"

Overjoyed, the Prefect immediately brought out his household's private Dance Troupe.

For a time, the Prefect's Mansion was filled with singing and dancing.