Lord's Divine Plan

In the early morning, a heavy mist hung in the air.

Ye Kang walked leisurely to the riverbank outside the city.

On the Jiayang River, burnt ships and floating corpses were everywhere. Civilians were actively salvaging bodies and clearing the battlefield. To prevent an epidemic, these corpses were to be cremated.

It seemed the river pirates had been repelled, but he didn't know the extent of the casualties within the city.

Ye Kang returned to the inn discreetly. As soon as he entered, he found the lobby filled with familiar faces.

The two members of the Azure Scale Guard sat in the center. The large man was heavily bandaged, clearly injured, while the young woman looked well, still maintaining her innocent, smiling demeanor.

Jin Baobei and He Zhi sat on the other side. Both looked unwell, but their expressions relaxed upon seeing Ye Kang.

"Lord Ye, you're finally back! We were so worried. Madam Jin said you went after that Flower Thief, and we searched the entire city but couldn't find you!"

He Zhi approached, his face filled with relief.

Jin Baobei wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. "You said you'd arrest anyone seen entering. When we rushed in, everyone was down, except for a beautiful concubine. If not for her, we wouldn't have known what happened."

Ye Kang felt a sense of helplessness. There was nothing he could do; his subordinates' strength was insufficient to keep up with the pursuit of thieves.

These two were concerned about Ye Kang's safety. The young woman from the Azure Scale Guard, however, stared at the blood-stained cloth bag in Ye Kang's hand, her expression filled with surprise.

"Congratulations, Lord Ye, for eliminating a great scourge for Jiayang City. Another great achievement."

Ye Kang placed the head on the table and casually took a cup of tea.

"You two weren't here specifically to see if I caught the person, were you?"

The young woman nodded. "Lord Ye is wise. I was thinking if Lord Ye failed, I would claim the credit as well. It seems I underestimated you. We shall take our leave now."

Her expression showed little disappointment, but rather more pleasant surprise.

Ye Kang didn't stop them and watched the two depart.

Jin Baobei then asked cautiously, "Lord... this bag?"

"The Flower Thief's head. Take it back to report."

"Lord is mighty!"

All the subordinates immediately cupped their hands, their faces filled with admiration.

Afterward, Ye Kang learned about the previous night's events from them.

It was said that during last night's attack, the river pirates had come out in full force, prepared. There were as many as four leaders at the Innate realm.

These individuals were determined to conquer Jiayang City, their assault fierce.

Zheng Hailong arrived in time and fought with all his might against the four, but he was outnumbered and repeatedly coughed up blood.

Fortunately, at this moment, the Azure Scale Guard intervened.

A young woman and a large man, just two people, displayed strength no weaker than Zheng Hailong's.

Under their combined efforts, the four Innate leaders were quickly slain. The remaining river pirates were naturally no match. They were slaughtered all night by the four, with less than a tenth or two escaping.

It was said that the Azure Scale Guard also had reinforcements who secretly went to the river pirates' main camp, captured their stronghold, and took many prisoners.

The river pirate menace on the Jiayang River was thus resolved.

Speaking of which, He Zhi sighed, "This time, I've finally witnessed the strength of the Azure Scale Guard. No wonder the Commander always said we can only do odd jobs. He wasn't wrong."

The subordinates also nodded in agreement.

"Fortunately, Lord Ye was wise and decisively changed the mission. Otherwise, we would have had to face those four Innate experts."

"In that case, Lord Ye is our savior!"

"Lord truly has divine strategy! We are in awe!"

The subordinates, speaking one after another, automatically constructed a complete narrative, turning Ye Kang's private mission change into a good deed.

What else could he say? He could only calmly accept his subordinates' adoration.

With the matter settled, the subordinates began to prepare and pack, ready to return to the Imperial City to report.

During this time, two palanquins suddenly arrived outside the inn.

Zheng Hailong, the City Lord of Jiayang City, still bandaged, emerged from one of the palanquins.

His beautiful concubine sat in the other.

As the concubine stepped out of the palanquin, onlookers couldn't help but turn their heads. Ye Kang's subordinates also cast glances.

Only such beauty could have made Fan Shanyue pine for so long.

Ye Kang watched the two approach, sighing inwardly.

Zheng Hailong entered the inn and cupped his hands. "Lord Ye, I was rude the other day."

"City Lord is too kind. It was a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."

"Then let's not speak of it. Lord Ye protected my woman last night. Although I have a foul temper, I repay kindness. I have already ordered the city's largest restaurant to prepare a banquet. I implore you to grace us with your presence along with your men."

Ye Kang shook his head.

"No, thank you. It was merely my duty. If I were to attend a banquet, it would inevitably lead to gossip. City Lord, please forgive me."

"That's true, then I won't force it."

Zheng Hailong was also a straightforward person. Seeing that the feast was not happening, he immediately ordered his subordinate to retrieve a brocade box from the sedan chair.

He took the brocade box, but his eyes were fixed on the head on the table.

"Could this be?"

"Precisely."

"Is it true?"

"True."

"Thank you, Lord Ye, for eliminating this scoundrel!"

Zheng Hailong immediately cupped his hands again and bowed along with his concubine.

After speaking, he quietly approached Ye Kang and presented the brocade box.

"Lord Ye, from now on, if you have business in Jiayang City, just come directly to me."

He didn't say much more, pulling his concubine, he left.

Ye Kang opened the brocade box and saw a full stack of silver notes and gold bars, which were very dazzling.

This City Lord Zheng was truly a man who distinguished between gratitude and resentment. Unfortunately, gold and silver were no longer very attractive to Ye Kang; he still had quite a lot stored in his Ink Jade Ancient Treasure.

He only accepted the gold bars and handed all the silver notes to Jin Baobei.

"Everyone has worked hard. I feel bad that the mission to eliminate the water bandits wasn't completed, so you all can split this. But don't say a word about it."

Everyone was overjoyed.

"Don't worry, Lord! Whoever dares to speak will have their head chopped off by me first!"

He Zhi was beaming with joy.

It was great following Lord Ye; they could always eat and drink well every time. This was truly their good leader!

After distributing the silver notes, everyone seemed like a changed person, exuding an extraordinary aura, walking with a swagger.

The group didn't linger and returned directly.

Traveling at full speed, several more days passed.

Ye Kang returned to the Imperial City Department and submitted the case documents along with Fan Shanyue's head.

Although the mission to eliminate the water bandits had been snatched away, it was already a rare occurrence for the Imperial City Department to gain merit in Jiayang City.

Moreover, the Flower Thief case was also significant, so Leng Ruyi didn't say much.

After concluding the case, Ye Kang was to have a few days of leave.

But before that, he planned to return to Death Prison first.