Trust between people

"You've arrived quite early," Governor Zhang said with a smile, before leaving with Jiang Luzhong.

Xu Qi'an did not follow, but instead summoned three white-robed Warlock who disliked dining at the same table as martial artists and therefore ate breakfast in their rooms.

"Young Master Xu has arrived."

The three white-robed Warlock hurriedly rose and respectfully invited Xu Qi'an to take a seat.

"I have something to ask you all." Xu Qi'an considered for a moment and said, "Besides the three of you, who else from our Bureau of Astronomy came to Yunzhou with us?"

To gain more acceptance, he specifically said, "Our Bureau of Astronomy."

The three men in white looked at each other in bewilderment. "No, it's just the three of us."

Xu Qi'an's face darkened. "You look down on me, don't you?"

"Young Master Xu, you're too kind. It really is just the three of us," the white-robed Warlock explained.

"I wonder if using the Qi-Watching Technique to examine Warlock will be effective. Let's fight fire with fire," Xu Qi'an nodded, "Understood."

He figured his three younger brothers wouldn't lie to him. Besides, Warlock must have ways to shield themselves from their fate; after all, they were professionals.

"An official is currently visiting Governor Zhang. The three of you stay upstairs and keep an eye on things, observe their fortunes, and then report back to me."

After giving his instructions, Xu Qi'an, along with three men in white, hid themselves at the corner of the stairs on the second floor.

In the hall, Governor Zhang received officials of all ranks from Baidi City; basically, all those of sufficient rank in the city had gathered there.

With such a commotion last night, it's impossible for anyone who isn't blind or deaf not to know. Especially not for the city officials who are keeping a close eye on the governor's every move.

After some pleasantries, the provincial governor, Song, dressed in a scarlet robe, got straight to the point. "This morning, I heard from the soldiers that the governor went straight to the military command last night and arrested Lord Yang?"

With his slightly high cheekbones and eyes that squint when he smiles, Governor Song now stared intently at Governor Zhang, his eyes wide open.

The same applies to other officials.

Governor Zhang nodded and said in a deep voice, "Qi's faction colluded with the Witchcraft Cult to supply military provisions. I have arrested him and brought him back to the post station, where he is currently being interrogated."

The officials' expressions changed slightly.

Provincial Governor Song frowned, lowered his voice, and said earnestly, "Your Excellency, please be cautious, very cautious."

He paused, leaned closer to Governor Zhang, and continued, "Lord Yang is the Commander-in-Chief. Does Your Excellency possess conclusive evidence? Otherwise, I fear it will be difficult to convince the public."

Even with the governor's authority, to take action against a second-rank military commander, one needs solid evidence. Without evidence, arresting someone would be taboo.

First, the officials in Yunzhou would not agree; second, the garrisons under the jurisdiction of the Regional Military Commission would not agree.

The former is alright, at most they just talk, but the latter are a bunch of scoundrels (Author's note: soldiers and scoundrels cannot be put together).

Evidence definitely needs to be presented; otherwise, trouble will ensue. But Governor Zhang didn't rush to show the evidence, and smiled:

"Gentlemen, you have served as officials in Yunzhou for many years. What are your thoughts on Commander Yang Chuannan?"

Upon hearing this question, the officials displayed various expressions and offered their own opinions.

At the corner of the stairs, Xu Qi'an whispered, "Look, look carefully."

A moment later, he asked again, "Who lied? The shifty-eyed one on the left, I don't think he's reliable. The second one in the back row, he looks like a bad guy."

After speaking, he noticed three white-robed Warlock staring at him silently. Annoyed, Xu Qi'an said, "What are you looking at me for? Speak."

The white-robed Warlock hesitated for a moment, then said, "None of them are telling the truth."

Xu Qi'an opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word for a moment. This was too damn real; this was the officialdom!

The phrase "not a single word of truth" refers to the fact that what the officials present said was completely different from what they thought.

But this doesn't mean they are "werewolfs," because there's so much hypocrisy in officialdom. If they say ten things, and one of them is a lie, then in the Qi-Watching Technique of the Bureau of Astronomy, it's considered a lie.

The Qi-Watching Technique also has limitations; it cannot measure time precisely to the second, like a water clock.

Next, Governor Zhang discussed the account books with the officials, but he did not reveal them publicly.

The officials exchanged knowing glances. How long had the governor's entourage been in Yunzhou? Less than half a month. Three of those days were spent inspecting other areas.

Even so, they still managed to uncover evidence of Yang Chuannan's crimes within just a few days.

A chill ran through the officials. "A clean prefect earns ten thousand taels of silver in three years"—who dared say they were without fault?

If Governor Zhang were to target them, none of those present would escape.

An official swallowed hard and asked, "Your Excellency has many talented people under your command. May I ask which esteemed official has made such a great contribution?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the Nightwatchers around him.

The other officials silently scrutinized the Nightwatchers, all speculating.

The Provincial Governor's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled, "I recall that the gong-wielding official, who is well-versed in farming, did not accompany the Governor on his inspection that day."

These words served as a reminder to everyone, and the officials, who were of considerable rank, immediately began to search for Xu Qi'an with a specific purpose.

Some looked towards Governor Zhang.

"Yes, that's him!" Governor Zhang nodded.

In fact, given the wisdom of the officials present, even without Governor Zhang's confirmation, they could mostly have guessed it. There weren't many Nightwatchers left at the post station, but there was that one with the gong, whose position wasn't high, yet he was allowed to sit next to the governor.

Recalling the unique swords worn by the other Nightwatchers, it's not hard to guess that the gong-wielding man named Xu Qi'an was highly skilled and one of the key figures in the governor's entourage.

"Cough cough!"

Xu Qi'an appeared at the opportune moment, coughed once, and stood silently behind Governor Zhang.

I could tell he was different from others back then. I never expected that a dignified commander would be defeated by a mere gong player.

Many officials' eyes showed both vigilance and awe.

On the second-floor corridor, Li Miaozhen gripped the railing with both hands, looking down at the crowd below. She heard Su Su beside her purse her lips and say, "Always showing off."

From their angle, they could see Xu Qi'an and the white-robed Warlock hiding.

Just now, after Governor Song subtly revealed Zhang's contribution to solving the case, and Governor Zhang acknowledged it, that stinky man hurriedly tidied his appearance and made a grand entrance.

Su Su didn't know the word "pretentious," otherwise she would have been able to accurately grasp the adjective.

"Men all care about their reputation; it's only human nature."

Li Miaozhen's opinion of Xu Qi'an is gradually changing. She thinks that apart from his lechery, he is impeccable in every other way. He is upright, speaks pleasantly, is good at solving cases, and has outstanding abilities.

"You seem to have a strong prejudice against him, but not a genuine aversion." Li Miaozhen glanced sideways at the female ghost and frowned.

"You used to look down on men, but now you feel like you've become his nemesis."

Su Su denied it, quickly explaining, "I was just angry. But Master, you seem to have a good impression of him."

Li Miaozhen readily admitted, "Xu Qi'an is indeed a pretty good person."

Su Su said, "He promised me last night that he would help me rebuild my physical body, but he made one condition."

What are the conditions?

"Be his concubine for a few years."

"Xu Qi'an is indeed a wicked man, beyond redemption."

After the talks concluded, the officials accompanied Governor Zhang to the Military Commandery to audit the accounts and verify their authenticity.

Xu Qi'an was a novice when it came to auditing accounts, so he didn't join in the fun. Instead, he was assigned to the post station to guard Yang Chuannan along with the other Nightwatchers.

After everyone had left, Xu Qi'an stood in the hall, looked up at the two beauties on the second floor, and smiled:

"When are you two leaving? Are you planning to kidnap Yang Chuannan while Jiang Jinluo is away?"

Su Su gave a snort, "My master is the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, the Flying Swallow Heroine, and is most trustworthy in keeping her promises."

Xu Qi'an shrugged. "Trust between people is actually very fragile, like paper, it tears easily."

Su Su argued back loudly.

"Come down if you don't believe me, I'll prove it to you." Xu Qi'an beckoned.

Su Su pushed off the railing and floated lightly into the hall, standing in front of Xu Qi'an.

Pfft. Xu Qi'an poked her chest with a finger, as if piercing a piece of paper.

"You, you filthy man, I'm going to kill you!" Su Su was furious.

"See, I told you so."

Su Su unleashed a torrent of Yin Qi at Xu Qi'an, but once a martial artist becomes wary, close-quarters combat far surpasses other systems. Therefore, she skillfully dodged every breath of Yin Qi, and instead, she herself sustained numerous holes—in her chest, lower back, and abdomen.

This body was quickly ruined.

Li Miaozhen had no choice but to take out another paper figure as the object through which Su Su possessed. Ghosts have no physical form, and if exposed to the scorching sun during the day, they will either suffer severe damage to their vital energy or be completely destroyed.

The paper figure is decorated with Daoist School talismans, which can nurture ghosts and seal away Yin Qi.

"Huh, General Li carries paper figures with him? Where did you hide them?" Xu Qi'an feigned confusion.

"I have my own methods," Li Miaozhen said.

"What kind of method? The legendary 'capturing a mustard seed in an instant'?" Xu Qi'an stared wide-eyed, like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world.

What is "a mustard seed in a moment"? Li Miaozhen was taken aback at first, but then felt a sense of satisfaction at being admired by Xu Qi'an, so she nodded and said:

"It's a similar Law Technique, I suppose."

"General Li truly lives up to her reputation as the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect," Xu Qi'an exclaimed in admiration.

Li Miaozhen gave a reserved "hmm".

"Keep pretending. It's just a fragment of the Earth Book. The more you pretend now, the more thoroughly you'll be ruined in the future. "Xu Qi'an smiled sincerely.

At noon, Xu Qi'an served the two beauties their meal, estimating that Governor Zhang would be returning soon.

Instead of the governor, a soldier guarding the city rode in at top speed, shouting, "This humble servant has urgent business to discuss with the governor!"

The Tiger Guards stopped him and shouted, "You are not allowed to trespass into the post station!"

The soldiers guarding the city were in a great hurry and shouted, "Your Excellency, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you!"

The commotion in the courtyard alerted the Nightwatchers with a silver gong and two bronze gongs came out, frowning, and said, "The governor is not here. You have something to say to me."

The city guard swallowed hard and said urgently, "The garrison troops are gathering outside the south gate, threatening to enter the city if the governor doesn't come out to see them."