Return to the Imperial City

"But how should I collect this true meaning of red dust? Do I have to learn from the founder of this martial arts technique and become a scumbag? Forget it, let nature take its course."

Ye Kang didn't force it either, after all, the Hundred Flowers Sword Finger was enough for him at the moment.

What needed to be improved next was the Imperial Heaven-Reaching Skill.

He had already witnessed the power of this martial arts technique; it was absolutely top-tier, even capable of suppressing the inherited martial arts of these so-called major sects.

As expected of the secret inheritance of the previous dynasty's royal family, it was already this awesome when he had only practiced the first level. What would happen when he reached the Great Perfection?

Ye Kang clicked on the upgrade panel for the Imperial Heaven-Reaching Skill. To go from the first level to the second level actually required 10,000 Comprehension.

The road ahead was long.

Ye Kang restrained his aura and walked out of the room again. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Jin Baobei rushing towards him in a panic.

"Senior, I can't go back to the God of Wealth Inn, and I don't dare to stay in Mengzhou anymore. Please take me back to the Imperial City, senior. I believe I have some skills in intelligence gathering and can definitely help you!"

Jin Baobei had figured it out. Rather than staying in Mengzhou and waiting to be retaliated against by those sects, it was better to leave.

Ye Kang thought about it. In any case, Princess Jinxi had already promised him that he would be promoted to Deputy Commander upon their return, and it was indeed necessary to have a few trusted experts under him.

Jin Baobei was both an intelligence talent and a super-class expert, no less than Zhu Cong and Zhang Gong. She was perfect to bolster his strength.

He nodded: "That would be good. You will follow me back to the Imperial City Department and be my personal attendant."

"Ah? I'm going to the Imperial City Department?" Jin Baobei was flustered. She just wanted to latch onto a powerful figure, she never thought of becoming a dog for the Imperial Court.

Ye Kang saw through her thoughts and said earnestly: "You'll understand later. All this talk of chivalrous heroes and experts is illusory. Having a stable position, earning a government salary, and receiving a pension is the most secure destination."

Jin Baobei's eyes blinked upon hearing this, and a strange feeling arose in her heart.

Such a master with no ambition?

The matter in Mengzhou was concluded.

Ye Kang and Jin Baobei joined Princess Jinxi's entourage and set off majestically for the Imperial City.

Before their departure, Lin Hanzhi changed into a clean cyan long dress and stood on the city wall, gazing at the princess's procession.

Amidst the crowd, a tall figure was astride a Red-maned steed, his hair tied up like ink, wearing black shirt and boots. He gave her a gentle smile.

With that smile, Lin Hanzhi's heart raced, and her fingers clenched tightly.

It was this man who had saved her, and saved Mengzhou.

If possible, she also wanted to go to the Imperial City with him.

But as the daughter of a prefectural official, she couldn't be so willful. She could only watch as his figure gradually receded, merging into the horizon.

She didn't know that in her heart, a faint wisp of pink aura had already begun to form.

Half a month later, the entourage finally returned to the Imperial City.

Because the princess had brought a large group of people with her, they had to travel slowly like ordinary people. If Ye Kang had been alone, he could have returned to the Imperial City from Mengzhou in a few days.

Also, because there were many experts in the entourage, they encountered no danger along the way and the journey was extremely smooth.

As soon as they entered the Imperial City, gongs and drums sounded, and a group of eunuchs from the palace shouted loudly: "Her Highness the Ninth Princess has returned!"

Under a wave of escort, the entourage entered the Imperial Palace. Ye Kang's mission was concluded here. Since he was sent out by Consort Jing, he did not need to enter the palace to meet the Emperor. He directly took Jin Baobei back to the Imperial City Department.

As soon as he saw Leng Ruyi, Ye Kang cupped his hands and smiled: "I have not failed my mission. Lord Leng, how did my task go?"

Leng Ruyi maintained his usual indifferent attitude, but when he saw Ye Kang's aura, he was still startled.

His progress was so rapid; he must be a genius among geniuses.

No wonder he was accepted as a disciple by those old monsters; he was indeed extraordinary.

He nodded: "Well done. You have assisted the Ninth Princess in suppressing the martial arts world of Mengzhou and exterminating the rebel faction of the White Lotus Sect, achieving great merit. Consort Jing has requested the Emperor to promote you to the third Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Department, with the rank of Tongzhi Lang, a sixth-rank official."

"Thank you, Lord!"

"Don't thank me. If nothing unexpected happens, the Emperor will summon you to the palace in the next few days. For now, you will temporarily fulfill your duties as Warden. Go back and check on the Death Prison."

Ye Kang felt a little embarrassed. Since he was promoted, he hadn't visited the Death Prison much and had been somewhat negligent.

He nodded, then pointed at Jin Baobei and said: "Lord Leng, this is someone I met in Mengzhou..."

"No need to say more, I already know. Since you recommend her, she will be granted a position in the Imperial City Department as your personal attendant. You can arrange it yourself."

Leng Ruyi waved his hand, and a position was given to Jin Baobei, even though the latter was not very willing.

But Ye Kang was very happy. His obsession with obtaining a position made him even envy Jin Baobei.

It's so good. I couldn't get a position even after trying eleven times in my previous life, and this guy didn't do anything and got one right away, allowing him to slack off.

Wait a minute!

Ye Kang suddenly realized.

I can slack off too!

"Lord Ye, there are a few unruly prisoners in the Death Prison, and there's also a pile of tasks waiting for you outside. You shouldn't be lingering here."

Leng Ruyi spoke indifferently.

Ye Kang snapped out of his daydream. Fine, he couldn't slack off yet.

He, along with Jin Baobei, received their waist tokens and sabers, changed into their uniforms, and headed for the Death Prison.

The jailer guarding the Death Prison saw Ye Kang and quickly bowed.

Ye Kang nodded slightly and went straight to the Warden's office.

"Jin Baobei, this office will be yours from now on. I can't manage the Death Prison, so I'm handing it all over to you."

Ye Kang gave a sly smile. He was good at saving himself trouble.

Jin Baobei was speechless. "Lord, I actually prefer working in intelligence..."

"That's where you're wrong. You can guard the Death Prison and work on intelligence at the same time. Since you're my personal attendant, you have my waist token, and you can access the Imperial City Department's intelligence division freely."

Jin Baobei didn't have much else to say upon hearing this and could only agree.

Ye Kang didn't bother with her. Since he was already at the Death Prison, it was a good opportunity to visit an old friend.

Profound Tier Cell Number 007.

Dai Huanhuan had been living here for some time.

There was no torture or coercion as she had imagined. The jailers only delivered food daily and had no other interaction with her.

This greatly troubled the righteous Female Thief.

They want to bore me to death!

Truly a corrupt official, utterly ruthless!

She was sulking when Ye Kang walked over, hands behind his back.

"Yo, Heroine Dai, long time no see. How have these past few days been?"

Upon seeing Ye Kang, Dai Huanhuan's anger flared. She let out a cold snort and ignored him.

Ye Kang smiled and said softly, "Why be so distant? I'm not a bad person. You committed a crime, and being locked up isn't my fault."

"Nonsense!" Dai Huanhuan roared.

"I didn't commit any crime! I was acting on behalf of justice. My master said the Imperial Court is full of corrupt officials, and stealing from the Imperial Court isn't breaking the law; it's acting on behalf of Heaven!"

Ye Kang shook his head helplessly.

"Truly incorrigible. The Imperial Court hasn't done anything, so why do you harbor such great resentment?"

As soon as he said this, Dai Huanhuan's eyes instantly turned cold.

"As one of the Imperial Court's Dogs, you'd naturally defend the Imperial Court. How could you possibly understand what I've been through?"

Seeing the murderous intent in Dai Huanhuan's eyes, Ye Kang became serious.

This one has a story.

Excellent, a story means a breakthrough, and a breakthrough means I can get her supreme lightness skill.

Ye Kang coughed and said in a very righteous tone, "Miss Dai, perhaps I can help you?"