Prince Rong's Reward

"Hmph, it's their honor to be favored by this Lord Buddha. I'll even save their entire families after I'm done. They should be thanking me, not you, you dog official, for meddling."

The only response was the Blood Demon Blade's dragon-like roar. Where the blade passed, the blue bricks cracked like a spiderweb, and the lanterns on both walls exploded.

The Eight-Faced Buddha's chain wrapped around the blade, but it cracked inch by inch the moment it touched the Avici Path's malevolent energy.

"This strike is for the thirty-seven infants outside Jinling City." Li Chen Zhou's blade technique suddenly shifted, and the wails of countless wronged souls condensed into a blood-red crescent moon.

The Eight-Faced Buddha's protective aura shattered like thin paper, his left arm was severed at the root, and the gushing blood painted Manjusaka on the wall.

He fell heavily to the ground, unconscious.

This was Li Chen Zhou deliberately holding back. Some people shouldn't be allowed to die so easily.

Like a dead dog, Li Chen Zhou dragged him towards the Northern Investigation Bureau, leaving a long blood trail on the ground.

Upon returning to the Northern Investigation Bureau, Li Chen Zhou tossed the man into the Imperial Prison.

"Whether he talks or not is irrelevant. Just don't let him die easily. Only his daily screams will be worthy of those wronged souls."

Hearing this, the person in charge of the Imperial Prison became excited. "Don't worry, I'll personally take care of him."

With that, he dragged the Eight-Faced Buddha, who looked like a dead dog, into the Imperial Prison. The unfinished bloodstains on the bronze door knocker splattered as the prison gate closed.

"Ding... Congratulations to the Host for completing the mission of apprehending the culprit, the Eight-Faced Buddha. Reward obtained: 10 years of internal cultivation."

Just as Li Chen Zhou was contemplating whether to go to the Chen Residence, Prince Rong's shouts echoed from outside the Northern Investigation Bureau's main gate.

"I am a prince of the royal family, who dares to stop me!"

"I want to see Wei Wuji!"

"Wei Wuji, release my son quickly, or I will report you to His Majesty, and you will all pay!"

While Prince Rong was causing a scene.

In the Commander's office, Wei Wuji sat in his chair, his fingers tapping incessantly on the table.

"This kid is something else. So fast, he's already going after Prince Rong on his first day?"

The Brocade Guard Commander's Assistant beside him also looked helpless. "What should we do now? We can't just let him keep causing trouble outside, can we?"

The Commander picked up his tea and took a sip, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Let him make a fuss. Issue an order: all officials above the rank of Captain are to disappear. Someone will deal with him. If he goes too far, I'll report him to His Majesty." He looked like a cunning schemer.

The Commander's Assistant seemed to understand and clapped his hands with a smile. "That's the plan."

He turned and went to relay the order.

Prince Rong's python robe and jade belt shimmered with a deep blue in the morning light, and the Chilong jade pendant on his waist swayed with his rage.

As he was about to push forward and cause more trouble, Li Chen Zhou blocked his path.

"Greetings, Prince Rong."

Upon seeing Li Chen Zhou, Prince Rong arrogantly said, "So it's the Li family's young man. Coincidentally, I have business with Wei Wuji, lead the way for me."

Li Chen Zhou politely continued, "What business does Prince Rong have? Perhaps you could tell me."

Prince Rong waved his hand dismissively. "This is not something you can handle. I don't know which imbecile arrested my Heir and brought him to the Brocade Guard. I need to question Wei Wuji about this."

Li Chen Zhou quickly chimed in, "I happen to know about this matter."

Prince Rong looked suspicious yet curious. "Oh? You know? Tell me."

Li Chen Zhou puffed out his chest. "I arrested him."

"What? I was wondering who dared to disrespect my Prince Rong's mansion. So it was you, kid! You, quickly release him!" Prince Rong pointed at Li Chen Zhou, furious.

"I cannot release him." Li Chen Zhou showed no fear.

Prince Rong, filled with confusion and anger, asked, "Why can't you release him?"

Li Chen Zhou replied, "He is guilty."

Prince Rong scoffed, "What crime? Even if he committed a crime, it's the Imperial Clan Court's business. You, a mere Brocade Guard, have no right to interfere."

Li Chen Zhou retorted, "That won't do. He assaulted a member of the Brocade Guard. Even if it's under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Clan Court, he should still compensate for the medical expenses."

Prince Rong said indifferently, "Name your price. I'm not lacking a few trinkets for you."

Li Chen Zhou replied, "Indeed, Your Highness is generous. Then, please provide 30,000 taels of silver notes as medical expenses."

"What? Thirty thousand taels? Are you robbing me!" Prince Rong exclaimed in shock.

"Your Highness, the Heir assaulted my Brocade Guard, the Emperor's personal army. Furthermore, it was for obstructing official duties, a crime punishable by public execution. For that, 30,000 taels is justifiable, even in front of His Majesty," Li Chen Zhou said, refusing to back down.

"That's still too much! I'll go find His Majesty right now." Prince Rong turned to leave.

Li Chen Zhou tapped his fingers. "Your Highness, safe travels. I just don't know if the Heir is comfortable in the Imperial Prison, or how long he can last."

Prince Rong froze mid-stride and turned back, shouting angrily, "You insolent brat, you've gone too far!"

Li Chen Zhou didn't respond, merely cupped his hands. "I wish Your Highness well." He then turned to leave.

"Wait." Prince Rong called out to stop Li Chen Zhou.

Li Chen Zhou turned back. "Does Your Highness have any other matters?"

Prince Rong calmed his inner rage. "Thirty thousand taels it is. Release the Heir first, and I will send someone to deliver the money back."

Li Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Your Highness is joking, I presume? You want to take him away with just your word?"

Prince Rong suppressed his anger. "What do you want? Do you think I would go back on my word?"

Li Chen Zhou replied, "Words are not proof. It's better to have a written agreement. Bookworm."

The bookworm beside him quickly took out a pre-prepared document and handed over a brush. "Your Highness, you just need to sign here."

Prince Rong angrily waved his large brush. "Is this acceptable? Let the person go."

The bookworm produced an ink pad again. "Your Highness, just press your fingerprint here."

This old fox, who had managed the Imperial Clan Court for twenty years, felt his eye wrinkles twitching. "You..."

With no other choice, he pressed his finger down again. "Let the person go."

Li Chen Zhou immediately shouted, "Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness. Bring out the Heir."

A moment later, Zhao Yun Chuan, with clear handprints on his face, was brought out.

"Your Highness, we won't see you out," Li Chen Zhou said, turning to leave.

Prince Rong looked at his son, feeling utterly humiliated. Seeing Li Chen Zhou about to leave, he quickly called out, "Wait, there's one more person?"

Li Chen Zhou turned back. "What does Your Highness mean? One more person? Could it be an illegitimate child?"

Prince Rong said angrily, "Li Chen Zhou, don't play dumb. Hand over Chen Chen as well."

Li Chen Zhou replied, "Chen Chen is involved in a murder case, and he is not a royal descendant, nor does he fall under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Clan Court."

Prince Rong could no longer tolerate it. "Li Chen Zhou, do you truly intend to make an enemy of my Prince Rong's manor?"

Li Chen Zhou's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, be careful with your words. I am acting according to the law. How can that be considered making an enemy of you? If there's nothing else, I won't see you out."

Prince Rong said nothing more. He had his men escort Zhao Yun Chuan away.

At this moment, Li Chen Zhou added, "Bookworm, each of you three keep a thousand taels. The rest, distribute it among the brothers at the bureau. Tell them it's a reward from His Highness."

Prince Rong was so enraged he almost spat blood. As soon as he left, he turned and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

Just then, the person in charge of the Imperial Prison came out, holding a confession with bloodstains still wet on his hands. "This is the confession from the procuress and that young master."

Li Chen Zhou took it and looked. "Oh, the owner behind the Hundred Flowers Brothel is Prince Rong's manor."