"One thousand three hundred high-grade spirit stones. *** I've managed the Minister of Justice Prefecture's treasury for decades, and I've rarely seen an expenditure this large. Most were for collective operations. For one person to spend this much, heh."
Judge Wan did not put brush to paper immediately, but instead gave him a meaningful look.
What did that "heh" mean? Hou Du did not know, but he knew Judge Wan was nicknamed Judge Wan the One-Strike Blade. When it came to reimbursing expenses, he cut straight through, skin and flesh together, without a shred of mercy. The four Golden Core cultivators before him had each slashed two hundred spirit stones from his claim. As the official in charge, Judge Wan's blade would be far sharper than theirs.
"The underground factions in Jianyou knew I was in a hurry, so they opened their lion's mouths wide. You know the going rate too-that was money for risking their lives. Everyone knows what happened afterward. Neither of them got away: one died, and the other was crippled.
"The prefecture gave me too little time and wouldn't let me contact other covert operatives. What do you think?"
Judge Wan smiled faintly, then unexpectedly changed the subject. "Hou Du, I know something of your circumstances too. You did splendidly on the Lizhi Sea, standing alone against the cultivators of the southeast, including several of their genuine core disciples. That ability was truly remarkable. So, what thoughts do you have about your future?"
Hou Du did not quite understand why this judge had suddenly begun taking an interest in him.
He could only offer lofty generalities. "As a member of the Minister of Justice Prefecture, of course my foremost duty is to serve Quanzhen and my superiors, strive to complete every assignment, stand united with my