Lu Xiaofeng was an old mountain goat bone, harder than anything alive. Yin Quanyin was at the height of his fame. After the second round, he had become the most prominent young official in the Life Preservation Platform and was due for promotion any day. Yet Lu Xiaofeng still refused to give him face. He rolled his eyes and snapped, "I act according to the law. Even if Zheng Daoguang came, I'd arrest him just the same!"
"Zheng Daoguang?" Yin Quanyin and Du Lengning frowned. Luo Qian did not want to reveal his identity before everyone, so he called out, "Lu Xiaofeng, are we going or not?" He turned to Yin Quanyin. "Brother Yin, don't worry about me. I'll be back within three days."
At the imposing entrance to the Left Military Hall, Zheng Daoguang got out of his carriage early, lifted his official robes, and hurried up the white-jade steps. He was now the Deputy Platform Minister most valued by the Hall Steward and handled nearly all the work of the Secret Investigation Bureau. He had all but sidelined the Platform Minister, who had fallen from favor. But because Zheng had not been with the bureau long, the Hall Steward feared the others would resent his promotion and had held it back.
The Immortal Apprehension Office fell under the Realm Security Court, which in turn fell under the Imperial Constabulary. The Immortal Realm's offices were divided into four levels: halls, platforms, courts, and offices. By that reckoning, Lu Xiaofeng ranked a full three levels below Zheng Daoguang.
Ordinarily, Zheng Daoguang was admitted quickly when he asked to see the Deputy Hall Steward. This time, he waited in the entrance hall for two full hours without being received. Zheng was frantic. Lu Xiaofeng had taken Luo Qian away three hours