Jade Faced Fox (1)

Li Chen Zhou returned to the Pacification Office and immediately dispatched people to investigate the missing disaster relief funds.

He sat at his desk, lightly tapping his fingers on the surface, and said to the bookworm beside him, "Let Gu Wen go when you get back."

The bookworm, upon hearing this, put down the file in his hand, appearing slightly hesitant, "Sir, shouldn't we interrogate him further?"

Li Chen Zhou sneered, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes, "No need. We need to play the long game to catch the big fish. This time, I will nail the Heavenly Desire Palace to the position of a demonic sect, never to rise again."

His fingers slowly tightened, his knuckles turning white, as if he were already strangling his enemy's throat.

Li Chen Zhou deeply loathed such profiteering from disasters.

Thinking of this, Li Chen Zhou asked in a deep voice, "When does the disaster relief team depart?" He needed to make deployments based on the actual situation.

The white cat behind him immediately stepped forward and reported, cupping his fist, "Reporting to sir, the drought in Qing Province is just beginning to show, and the disaster won't fully erupt for at least another month. According to my deduction, the imperial court will definitely take action within half a month."

"Time is pressing." Li Chen Zhou narrowed his eyes, the tapping of his fingers abruptly stopping, "Send two clever brothers to keep a close watch on Nangong Manor. Report back immediately if there's any sign of trouble."

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

A Brocade Guard quickly entered, kneeling on one knee, and cupping his fist, "Sir, urgent news!"

"Banner Officer Li, Captain wants you to make a trip to the Wang Family in the Capital City."

"The Wang Family?" Li Chen Zhou's hand, which was wiping the Blood Demon Blade, paused slightly, the blade reflecting his stern eyebrows.

Seeing the displeasure on his face, the Brocade Guard who brought the message quickly explained, "It's the family of the Vice Minister of War. Captain specifically instructed that you handle it personally."

"Oh, the Vice Minister of War's niece is being targeted by a Flower Plucking Thief?" Li Chen Zhou sneered, the blood-colored blade reflecting a dangerous light, "Since when has the family affairs of court officials required the Brocade Guard's attention?"

"Reporting to sir, it is said that this Flower Plucking Thief is quite formidable, and has already..."

Ding—Detected that a member of an official's family is being threatened by a martial arts expert—Triggering quest.

Quest Progress 1: Capture the Flower Plucking Thief, Jade Faced Fox.

Reward: Ten years of internal energy cultivation.

A gleam flashed in Li Chen Zhou's eyes, it seemed he wouldn't be idle: "Bookworm, gather a team of men and come with me."

When the Brocade Guards arrived, the entire mansion was surrounded by the city garrison. Yang Kun, the Governor of the Capital City, was pacing anxiously, seeing Li Chen Zhou as if he had seen a savior:

"Lord Li! You've finally arrived!"

This ominous figure who sent Prince Rong to prison was now infamous in the Capital City's officialdom.

"Tell me the situation." Li Chen Zhou went straight to the point.

"It's the Flower Plucking Thief, Jade Faced Fox." Yang Kun wiped his cold sweat, "This time, he actually dared to target the Vice Minister of War's niece, Miss Wang..."

"Interesting." Li Chen Zhou played with the scabbard, "A petty thief that even Six Doors can't handle?"

Yang Kun looked embarrassed, "To be honest, this thief has committed many crimes, but the previous victims were all daughters of merchants... Each family handled it privately to protect their reputation. Now he dares to target the family of a court official, this official is really..."

Li Chen Zhou suddenly stepped closer, "Lord Yang, you wouldn't be trying to use the Brocade Guard as your blade to clean up your mess, would you?"

"This official wouldn't dare!" Cold sweat dripped from Yang Kun's forehead, "It's just that this thief is skilled in lightness techniques, and the Four Great Divine Arresters of Six Doors are all away..."

"Alright." Li Chen Zhou waved his hand, "I'll personally keep watch tonight, your men can withdraw."

"This... should I leave some men..." Yang Kun asked tentatively, afraid of offending Li Chen Zhou.

"What?" Li Chen Zhou smiled noncommittally, "Does Lord Yang think that my Brocade Guard can't handle a mere Flower Plucking Thief?"

The Blood Demon Blade let out a hum at the opportune moment, and Yang Kun immediately fell silent, "Everything is up to Lord Li!"

There was no other way, if you wanted someone to do something for you, you had to act like you were asking for a favor. In the Capital City, the most important thing was to be polite.

"Mm." Li Chen Zhou nodded lightly, watching Yang Kun leave with his men. Li Chen Zhou began to think about how to set up the layout.

The Vice Minister of War's younger brother, Wang Ying, hurried out, panicking when he saw Six Doors withdraw, "Lord Yang, why are they all leaving? That thief is coming tonight!"

Yang Kun lowered his voice, "Don't worry, Brother Wang, this Lord Li is the one who sent Prince Rong to prison. Having him here is more useful than ten Six Doors."

Looking at the young man before him, he was slightly puzzled, "Lord Li?" Wang Ying was stunned, seeing the Flying Fish Uniform on him, he quickly stepped forward and cupped his fist, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Li!"

Li Chen Zhou didn't bother with pleasantries, going straight to the point.

His gaze was like a blade, sweeping over Wang Ying, "Where is your daughter? I want to see her personally."

Wang Ying looked embarrassed, "This..."

"Inconvenient?" Li Chen Zhou lightly stroked the Blood Demon Blade, the blade radiating a scarlet blood mist, condensing into a ferocious ghost face in the twilight.

Cold sweat dripped from Wang Ying's forehead, "N-No... Lord Li, please follow me."

Arriving outside Miss Wang's boudoir, two maids stood quietly in front of the door.

Ding—Please pay attention, Host.

Detected traces of "Thousand Faces Disguise Technique."

Suspicious target: Left maid (abnormal heart rate).

Wang Ying was about to speak when Li Chen Zhou suddenly grabbed his shoulder, "I'll do it."

"Ah?" Before Wang Ying could react, he saw Li Chen Zhou's blood blade shake, saying grimly, "Lord Wang, do you know that some rats love to crawl into the lamp oil?"

The blade pointed, and the maid on the left suddenly jumped up! Three poisoned silver needles shot through the air. Li Chen Zhou flicked his wrist, and the blood mist turned into a Rakshasa form, the poisoned needles melting into molten iron before they could even get close.

"Jade Faced Fox, how long are you going to keep pretending?"

The thief disguised as a maid tore off the human skin mask, revealing a handsome face that was almost evil—beneath sword-like eyebrows that slanted into his temples, a pair of amorous phoenix eyes swirled with dangerous light, and thin lips curved into a cynical arc. He casually brushed the falling black hair behind his ear, a movement that should have been charming, but he did it with a bit of sharp elegance.

"I've long heard that the Young Duke of Duke Zhen's Estate has keen eyes," the man's voice was as deep and mellow as aged wine, his fingers lightly caressing the jade flute at his waist, "I just wonder... can those eyes be faster than my 'Soul Chasing Eighteen Flutes'?"