There were few people at the Punishments Department.
Compared with the bustling Personnel Department, this place was far more gloomy and sinister.
The air was deathly still, and from time to time, wails could be heard rising from deep underground.
In such surroundings, with passersby giving even the sentries at the entrance a wide berth and never approaching of their own accord, the area around the Punishments Department seemed darker still.
It was under these circumstances that Lin Ke and his party suddenly appeared at the main entrance.
Wang Lin had a frighteningly high level of access in Capital City.
Normally, direct teleportation to the front entrance of a residence was forbidden, since that was where pedestrian traffic was heaviest.
Moreover, apart from ministers, most people could only fly or ride mounts. Even Qi Tianxia had flown with Lin Ke back then.
But Wang Lin could invoke Capital City's spatial access permissions and arrive directly at the entrance.
A whole group suddenly appearing here was a rare sight in the Punishments Department's history, leaving the two bailiffs at the gate dumbfounded.
Still, as bailiffs of the Punishments Department, they had to possess some discernment. Otherwise, they would have been sent down to a lower post long ago, just like Constable Xing.
"My lords and ladies, may I ask what brings you..."
A tall, thin constable stepped forward and respectfully inquired.
"It's nothing. Just keep standing guard." Wang Lin patted the constable's shoulder. "I have business with your superior."
"Let's go!"
Wang Lin waved to Lin Ke and the others, then led the way inside.
"Well... the Punishments Department is a restricted Imperial Court office... my lords and ladies, I must announce you before you enter." The constable looked troubled.
Although every one of these people looked more dangerous to cross