The ninth day of the first lunar month.
Dengzhou Hundred-Household Commander Guard Station.
Jia Huan leaned back in a grand armchair, his brows furrowed in thought.
Days had passed without a single discovery.
If nothing else worked, he could only return to the Capital and investigate the Prince of Eastern Peace's Mansion directly.
Now that he had begun, he would never stop halfway!
Just then, an Embroidered Uniform Guard pushed open the door and said respectfully:
"My lord, the General Banner from Jinan Prefecture requests an audience."
"Send him in."
A moment later, a man of thirty-five or thirty-six entered the office. He had a tiger's back and a bear's waist, a broad face, and thick brows.
He cupped his fist in salute:
"Greetings, Lord Thousand-Household Commander!"
Jia Huan studied the General Banner.
"Speak plainly."
The General Banner answered without hesitation:
"Word of your investigation into the Prince of Dongping's Mu Family has caused quite a stir, Lord Jia. I came from Jinan Prefecture specifically to offer a lead."
Jia Huan rose to pour some tea and handed him a steaming cup.
"May I ask your name?"
Overwhelmed by the honor, the General Banner replied respectfully:
"My nickname is Needle in Cotton. I ranked one hundred and eighty-seventh on the last Dragon-Tiger Ranking."
"No wonder." Jia Huan smiled. "Needle in Cotton? Do you specialize in hidden weapons?"
His inner qi fluctuations were those of the seventh layer of the Innate Realm. His strength was considerable.
Needle in Cotton nodded. After a long hesitation, he gathered his courage and said:
"I wish to join the Qian'an Household Thousand-Household Commander Garrison. Please take me in, my lord. I would gladly accept a demotion to Strongman!"
This was an opportunity that came once in a thousand years. No matter how shameless he had