Broad South Prefecture.
Prefectural yamen.
The night was deep.
Yet Prefect Liu Yong had not retired. Instead, he worked by lamplight, reviewing official document after official document.
As a prefect of Great Xuan, he had truly given his all to the court, serving until death.
"Alas... recently, because of the celestial phenomena, people's hearts have been thrown into turmoil. This is no blessing for the realm."
After a long while, Liu Yong set down his brush and sighed.
The world was troubled these days.
Still, he had faith in Great Xuan—especially in His Majesty.
After all, with extraordinary people and extraordinary arts at the court's disposal, chaos could not take hold!
"My lord."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Liu Yong raised a brow. "Come in."
A sallow-faced middle-aged man entered. He carried himself with considerable force, yet also bore a hint of the wildness of the jianghu.
Upon seeing Liu Yong, he immediately dropped to one knee. "Huang Laohu pays his respects to Lord Prefect..."
"Mm, rise."
Liu Yong waved a hand and smiled. "Bai Huasheng thinks I intend to use you to probe his secrets, not knowing that I learned his secrets long ago. Hmph... if I did not still need to investigate that rebel roster, I would have long since mustered troops and wiped out the Bai Family to the last man!"
After a pause, he asked, "What brings you here this time?"
"Reporting to you, my lord..."
Huang Laohu kowtowed. "The latest news is that Bai Huasheng's son—Bai Zhu—returned today."
"That son of his who has been away from home all this time?" Rather than being alarmed, Liu Yong was delighted. "Good. We can catch them all in one net!"
"Then this subordinate..."
Huang Laohu raised his head, a trace of yearning in his