Qianjin Pavilion, Zhou Ming's Challenge

After Jiang Long and Luo Ma brought Zhu Ting back to Six Doors, the progress of the matter was not smooth at all.

Zhu Ting specifically requested that Lu Xiaofeng handle the case and clear his name.

Other than that, he wouldn't say a single word to anyone else!

This was clearly a lack of trust in the imperial court.

But Jiang Long and Luo Ma were helpless.

Zhu Ting had a high reputation and extensive connections, and now with Zhou Ming's backing, it was truly not advisable to treat him poorly.

The two turned to investigate from other directions, but found no clues whatsoever.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the fourteenth day of the first lunar month.

Emerging from the imperial prison once more, Jiang Long sighed and said, "Luo Ma, in my opinion, we should just go find that Lu Xiaofeng."

Luo Ma quickly vetoed, "That won't do. We are Gold-Clad Constables of Six Doors. If we can't solve a case, seeking help from the martial arts world would be a disgrace to Six Doors! If he solves it, he'll be stepping on our reputations to advance further!"

Jiang Long said helplessly, "What time is it now? Are we still concerned about this? Bushi has given the order for us to solve the case within seven days. Three days have already passed, and if we don't find any clues, we'll have our uniforms stripped off. What face or reputation are we still concerned about?"

Seeing this, Luo Ma sighed and said, "Alright, but where is this Lu Xiaofeng... now?"

Pei Manor.

"Qianjin Pavilion..."

Lu Xiaofeng looked at the name on the pavilion and said, "Old Zhou, isn't your naming too tacky?"

Zhou Ming flicked his fishing rod and said, "Tacky? It's you who thinks too tacky. My name has a profound meaning and carries my dream!"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaofeng looked around and then his gaze fixed on the fishing rod in Zhou Ming's hand, "No way? You mean you want to catch a thousand catties of fish here?"

"Yes, what's wrong with that?"

"Hahahaha... If I may be so bold, there's a difference between a dream and a foolish delusion!"

"Hmph! Even if I only catch one catty of fish a day, it will only take me three years to complete my goal. What foolish delusion?"

"Oh, so you meant accumulating it. I thought you meant all at once... But even with accumulation, catching one catty a day would be difficult, three years... thirty years would be more like it!"

"Are you saying I can only catch tiny fish, less than an ounce a day?"

"Actually, it might not even be an ounce... I remember coming to find you a few times last year, and it seems I never saw you catch anything, only saw you scattering fish food..."

Zhou Ming clenched his fist, gritting his teeth.

Good for you, Lu Xiaofeng. This time I intended to simply and directly compete with you in solving cases, and winning once through plot understanding would have been enough.

But now it seems this is far from enough to resolve the hatred in my heart!

This time, I must teach this guy a lesson he'll never forget!

Zhou Ming secretly made up his mind.

On the surface, however, he said, "So what? As long as I improve daily, I will eventually complete my goal. Let alone thirty years, even sixty years is fine – a person's dream is endless!"

"..."

Lu Xiaofeng was silent for a moment, "Old Zhou, you say that so seriously, I really shouldn't... but for this to be applied to fishing, and coming from you, whose fishing skills are so terrible... I really... can't help but laugh! Hahahaha..."

"Brother Lu, what is it that makes you laugh so heartily?"

A gentle scholar in white walked over slowly and asked curiously.

"Oh, Old Hua, you're here too... Listen, just now..."

Lu Xiaofeng waved hello and recounted what had happened.

After listening, Hua Manlou couldn't help but chuckle.

"Heh heh..."

"Damn it!"

Zhou Ming dropped his fishing rod, "Old Hua, you just laughed, didn't you?"

"This... I just remembered something happy..."

Wine and food were served in Qianjin Pavilion.

Zhou Ming said, "Old Hua and I called you here this time not to celebrate the Lantern Festival together, but because something major has happened recently."

He then briefly explained the case of the counterfeit banknotes.

Lu Xiaofeng listened while devouring the food.

Before this, he had another nickname, Lu Sandan.

These three 'dan' referred to 'bastard', 'idiot', and 'pauper'.

This nickname was given to Lu Xiaofeng by his good friend, the master thief Sikong Zhaixing. The word 'idiot' wasn't quite fitting, but the other two were accurate.

Lu Xiaofeng wasn't poor, but he was even more extravagant in his spending, thus he was often a pauper.

Since he was a pauper, one could imagine his daily meals.

Zhou Ming's table was personally prepared by his four attending maids. Compared to before, the preparation conditions were better, and naturally, the taste was also superior.

More than half of the wine and meat on this table found its way into Lu Xiaofeng's stomach.

"I understand. You and Old Hua want me to help investigate this counterfeit silver note case? Alright, for the sake of today's meal, I agree."

Lu Xiaofeng was very straightforward. After all, the case was significant and involved Hua Manlou and Zhu Ting. No matter how unreliable he usually was, at a time like this, he knew what was important.

Zhou Ming said, "This is only the first objective. The second is that I want to use this matter to have a competition with you, to see who can catch the mastermind behind this case first. Old Hua can serve as the witness."

Lu Xiaofeng laughed, "You want to compete with me in solving cases? Hahahaha, Old Zhou, no offense, but do you really think you've gotten smarter just because you've read a few more case files?"

"So, will you compete?"

"If it's a competition, there must be a winner and a loser. What happens if I win, and what happens if I lose?"

Zhou Ming said, "I fish every day and need earthworms as bait. If I win, you have to dig up nine hundred and ninety-nine earthworms for me!"

Lu Xiaofeng asked, "And if I win?"

"If you win, we'll call it even regarding past matters."

"Past matters? What matters?"

"Hmm?"

Zhou Ming glared, "At Xingyun Manor, you pretended to be drunk to get information from me, and you cursed me out. Have you forgotten about this? When we parted last time, I said I'd make you pay!"

"Just this matter?"

Lu Xiaofeng was speechless. "It's one thing that you've held onto something like this for so long, but why do you insist on competing with me over it? Aren't you afraid people will say you're petty if this gets out?"

Zhou Ming replied, "Indeed, I think so too. But if I don't get revenge for this, I can't quell the anger in my heart. After much thought, this is the outcome. If you win, I'll naturally be convinced. But if you lose... don't blame me for getting back at you with interest!"

"Since that's the case..."

Lu Xiaofeng took a large gulp of wine and said, "I won't compete! If I win, nothing happens to you, but if I lose, I'll suffer a great loss. Why should I agree to such a competition? Don't worry, I'll help solve the case, but the competition is off."

"You can't decide that!"

Zhou Ming said, "Why don't you take a look at your arm!"

"Hmm?"

Lu Xiaofeng pulled up his sleeve and saw that a patch of red had appeared on his arm, spreading up to his upper arm.

"You... you poisoned me?!"

"That's right!"

Zhou Ming admitted frankly, "In this very meal."

Lu Xiaofeng looked at Hua Manlou in disbelief, "Old Hua, you're in cahoots with him to set me up?!"