Half an hour later, Wang Wu, Jia Liu, and Liu Zhengfeng were all at Lin Lang's new home.
After arranging the dishes from Jia Liu's food basket on the table and preparing the wine, Xiao He walked out with a resentful look.
She had finally gotten Lin Lang back, only for him to invite people home for drinks first? How she wished he would fill her emptiness before anything else.
Still, at least he had not taken them drinking at a brothel. That would have left her even more miserable.
After a few cups of wine and some food, Lin Lang set down his chopsticks. "Tell me what happened. Why were all three of you sent to guard the city gates?"
Who had ever heard of Jinyiwei Chief Banner Officers being sent to watch the gates?
The three exchanged glances before Wang Wu spoke. "Sir, after you were promoted to Deputy Thousand-household of Pingyang Prefecture, didn't you transfer all three of us to the Thousand-household Office as Chief Banner Officers?"
"At first, things were fine. We weren't given any lucrative assignments, but there wasn't much work either. Just as you instructed, we focused on practicing martial arts and improving our strength."
"But that day, we heard the bounty for killing Tian Boguang had arrived. We wanted to collect it for you and bring it to your home, only to hear that the credit for killing him had gone to Thousand-household Zhao."
"We argued with him a little, and Thousand-household Zhao gave us a vicious tongue-lashing. If he hadn't been wary of Brother Liu's strength, we would have been whipped."
"And just like that, all three of us were sent to guard the city gates. He said we were to catch wandering outlaws sneaking into Pingyang Prefecture."
Lin Lang slammed the table with a bang. "Come on. We're going to see Thousand-household Zhao."
He had always been the one taking other people's silver. Someone actually dared to take his?
He had already wanted to find trouble with this newly arrived Thousand-household Zhao, so he could deploy the Thousand-household Office's men to investigate the movements of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, and the others. Now he had his excuse.
"Sir, there's no need to clash with Thousand-household Zhao over us. Just transfer us back to serve under you."
Wang Wu simply wanted to stop guarding the gates. He did not want his own problems to cause a conflict between Sir Lin and the head of the Thousand-household Office.
Jia Liu added, "Yes, sir. All the brothers know you killed Tian Boguang and avenged Hundred-household Li. It's no great loss to let Thousand-household Zhao have the credit. He's just been transferred here and needs an achievement to bolster his standing."
Lin Lang wagged a finger at the three of them, his face full of righteous indignation. "You three are my men. How could I stand by while you're wronged?"
"Liu Zhengfeng, you've only just begun serving under me. I'll teach you right now how we do things."
"Bring your weapons and follow me!"
Wang Wu and Jia Liu were thrilled. They had known they could never go wrong following Sir Lin.
The Thousand-household's residence.
Thousand-household Zhao was leisurely feeding a hwamei.
He had never imagined he would be so lucky. A Thousand-household position had suddenly opened up, and after spending a hefty sum of silver, he had secured the post as head of this Thousand-household Office.
Better still, the three Chief Banner Officers arriving from Bailing County had actually brought the head of Tian Boguang, a criminal wanted by the imperial court.
He had heard that Commandery Princess Yunluo, His Majesty's most beloved princess, loathed Tian Boguang. If he could win her favor, another promotion would be well within reach.
So he had taken the opportunity to report that he had sent his men to kill Tian Boguang. Sure enough, his superiors had rewarded him.
The reward money had also replenished his purse.
"Thousand-household, sir, I hear Deputy Thousand-household Lin has returned," a Small Banner under him reported with a bow.
Thousand-household Zhao tossed the bird feed into the cage and dusted off his hands. "Then he's returned. Am I supposed to go out and welcome him?"
No matter how quickly Lin Lang rose through the ranks, he was still Zhao's subordinate and had to salute him first whenever they met.
So what if he had pocketed Lin Lang's credit and reward? He was the Thousand-household. He was entitled to the lion's share of every achievement under the Thousand-household Office. He could give Lin Lang a few thousand taels afterward.
He could also show Lin Lang some consideration by transferring those three Chief Banner Officers back.
First a show of force, then a sweet date. That was how power was wielded.
As he spoke, the door to his study was suddenly shoved open with a heavy thud.
Thousand-household Zhao flew into a rage. Who dared run wild in his residence?!
"Deputy Thousand-household Lin, don't you know to have yourself announced before entering?" Thousand-household Zhao frowned slightly when he saw it was Lin Lang.
Lin Lang grabbed the saber Thousand-household Zhao had left beside the door and strode toward him.
Thousand-household Zhao watched him warily. "Deputy Thousand-household Lin, what are you doing? Rising against your superior is a grave crime."
Lin Lang casually tossed him the saber. "I heard Thousand-household Zhao killed Tian Boguang, an expert in the master realm. You must be a top-tier expert yourself, then?"
"I'd like to spar with you and see just what enabled you to kill Tian Boguang."
"With so many brothers watching, surely you won't refuse out of fear?"
Thousand-household Zhao realized Lin Lang was speaking very loudly and had already drawn a crowd.
He knew Lin Lang specialized in the Golden Body Child Skill, but his own specialty was movement techniques. Among the Jinyiwei, if he claimed second place in movement techniques, no one would dare claim first.
"Very well. I'll give you some pointers."
Thousand-household Zhao walked into the courtyard. "Deputy Thousand-household Lin, what weapon will you use?"
Lin Lang clasped his hands behind his back. "My fists will do. If I use a weapon and fail to hold back, I might injure you."
Thousand-household Zhao was furious. This time, he would teach Lin Lang a harsh lesson.
That would show everyone he truly possessed the strength to kill Tian Boguang, while also teaching Lin Lang who really headed the Thousand-household Office.
He suddenly unleashed his movement technique, lunging at Lin Lang with tremendous speed, intending to put his saber to Lin Lang's throat.
He would not need to break through Lin Lang's Golden Body Child Skill for everyone to consider him the winner.
Even Liu Zhengfeng's eyes lit up at this move. "What an impressive movement technique."
It was a notch above his own and should rank among the best in the Martial Arts Master realm.
The other Jinyiwei watching cried out in amazement. Surely Deputy Thousand-household Lin would not last even three moves against Thousand-household Zhao?
But then they suddenly saw Lin Lang vanish.
Bam!
Thousand-household Zhao went flying.
Lin Lang's figure vanished again, and they saw Thousand-household Zhao fly back the other way.
He crashed into the courtyard and clutched his chest, unable to speak for a long while.
At that moment, they could have heard a pin drop.
They had not even seen Lin Lang strike before Thousand-household Zhao was defeated.
Only Liu Zhengfeng had seen clearly. With incredible speed, Lin Lang had first punched Thousand-household Zhao in the chest, then swiftly caught up to him and kicked him in the back.
Throughout it all, Thousand-household Zhao had been like a wooden dummy, taking both of Lin Lang's attacks head-on.
His ribs were undoubtedly broken now. He would be bedridden for at least three to five months.
"Thousand-household Zhao, are you all right? Shall I call a physician for you?" Lin Lang asked loudly, standing beside him.
He slowly lowered himself into a half crouch. "If you don't have the strength, don't be so greedy. Governor Cao of the Eastern Depot promoted me repeatedly. Why do you think that was? Return what you took from me. Your authority can't stop my fists."
Thousand-household Zhao's eyes widened. He truly saw murderous intent in Lin Lang's gaze.
He felt bitterly aggrieved. If you'd said earlier that you were Governor Cao's man, how would I have dared steal your credit or make life difficult for your men?
He had thought he could use his movement technique to teach Lin Lang a lesson and intimidate everyone else. He had never imagined he would fail to withstand even a single move.
Lin Lang stood up. "Men! Thousand-household Zhao is injured. Carry him back to his room."
"Oh, and fetch the best physician in the city. I'll cover the medical expenses!"
Before you continue