Chapter 3: Who doesn't know that Jiang Xian is my lackey?

In the evening.

"Brothers, let's raise a toast to the boss."

At Shusheng's call, in the junior officer's courtyard, all the Embroidered Uniform Guard stood up and drank their wine in one gulp.

Ransacking homes is after all the Embroidered Uniform Guard's greatest amusement; even if those big shots can't move, an afternoon is enough.

These strongmen and colonels also scraped some gray-colored wealth from the corpses.

Shen Qing gave a faint nod, and only then did all the Embroidered Uniform Guard sit down with excited faces, beginning to chatter.

Meanwhile, Shen Qing's table was much quieter, with Hei Gou, Lao Li, and Shusheng all seated there.

They just exchanged occasional remarks.

Shusheng suddenly spoke up.

"Boss, we might still have some trouble with this today."

Lao Li spoke in a deep, muffled voice.

"It's just a small gang; what trouble could there be?"

Shusheng rolled his eyes and snapped.

"Are you really that honest?"

"This Sishui Gang might be connected to some junior officer."

Lao Li swallowed a bite of chicken.

"What's wrong with the junior officer? Even if he kicks up a fuss, we're in the right."

Just as luck would have it, at that moment someone came from outside.

It was another junior officer of the White Cloud County Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lin Zikai.

Lin Zikai's face was unusually grim as he strode into the courtyard with his men, shouting loudly.

"Shen Qing! Aren't you going too far, moving against my people without even saying hello?"

Shen Qing set down his wine cup, lifted his head, and gave Lin Zikai a faint glance.

"How so? Is the Sishui Gang yours?"

Lin Zikai's foot suddenly halted, leaving him suspended in midair, a bead of cold sweat forming on his forehead as if a blade were pressed to his throat.

Just now, when Shen Qing glanced at him, he felt as if he were about to die.

This is the effect of the red trait, Innate Sword Immortal.

Under the trait's influence, Shen Qing needs not draw his blade; merely sitting there, his whole person is like a divine edge that can cleave heaven and earth.

Lin Zikai swallowed a mouthful of saliva, thinking of his lackeys behind him, and forced himself to speak.

"Who in White Cloud County doesn't know that Jiang Xian is my lackey?"

Shen Qing leaned back in his chair.

"Shusheng, is the afternoon's inventory of property finished?"

Shusheng immediately rose to stand ramrod straight, pulling out a booklet from his lapel.

"The Sishui Gang yielded a total of 816 taels of raw silver, five 100-tael silver notes, various jewelry, and converted silver worth about 300 taels."

"Altogether, 1,616 taels."

That number left Lin Zikai dumbfounded, and he muttered a curse under his breath.

"Damn Jiang Xian, he swallowed all that?"

Shen Qing calmly picked up a piece of pork and spoke softly.

"Lao Li, enter it in the Register of Impermanence."

Lao Li immediately understood, took out the Register of Impermanence from his lapel, and, using the wine, wrote it down.

He then read it aloud.

"The Sishui Gang has committed countless evils, slaughtering civilians, plundering the people's fat and ointment, totaling 1,616 taels; Junior Officer Lin Zikai says the Sishui Gang is his lackey."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zikai instantly panicked, wondering if they could be recorded together; instinctively he lunged to seize the Register of Impermanence, but upon seeing Shen Qing seated to the side, he froze, not daring to move an inch.

Shen Qing took the Register of Impermanence, glanced at it, then flicked a glance at Old Li beside him, who was as honest-looking as ever.

What an Old Li—looking as honest as ever, yet full of wicked schemes.

If recorded separately, these are two matters; recorded together, they become something else.

"Old Li, I'm not blaming you, but this entry of yours isn't destroying Junior Officer Lin's career, is it?"

Lin Zikai wanted to cry but had no tears, wishing he could slap himself a few times—why did he even come today?

"Junior Officer Shen, oh, no, wait—Officer Shen is right."

"I cannot share the sky with evil; I can't have it recorded like this—better to tear out this page."

Shen Qing closed the Register of Impermanence: "That's against the rules—can you just say you'll tear out what's recorded in it?"

Lin Zikai took a deep breath, as if making a decision, waved his hand: "All of you, get out."

His men, hearing that, looked at one another and all withdrew from the courtyard.

Afterward, Lin Zikai glared fiercely at Hei Gou and the others, but Hei Gou wouldn't have any of it, pretending not to notice.

Lin Zikai had no recourse, only able to look at Shen Qing with a pleading gaze.

Only then did Shen Qing wave his hand; Hei Gou immediately let out a low growl: "Follow me."

Upon those words, the remaining people rose and left the courtyard.

Shen Qing also looked at Lin Zikai with interest, wondering what trick he could pull.

Who would have thought Lin Zikai would look left and right, then suddenly kneel straight before Shen Qing?

"Officer Shen, there were just too many people earlier; I'm kneeling to you now."

Shen Qing gave a light chuckle.

What? Your kneeling is worth that much? You just kneel and want me to rip up the Register of Impermanence?

Put politely, it's called the Register of Impermanence; put bluntly, this page of the Register is Lin Zikai's life.

Lin Zikai hurriedly said, "Sir Shen, I haven't offended you before."

Shen Qing simply drank alcohol and ate meat by himself.

Lin Zikai again said, "Sir Shen, out of consideration for our fellow colleagues, give me a chance to live."

Shen Qing chuckled lightly, "You should be grateful that you and I are colleagues; otherwise your head would already be on the ground."

Lin Zikai's Adam's apple twitched slightly as he felt the wild aura emanating from Shen Qing, and he realized Shen Qing was telling the truth.

If it were anyone else, they'd really be dead by now.

After a moment of silence, Lin Zikai gritted his teeth.

"Sir Shen, can I buy my life with a piece of information?"

"Sir, didn't you lose several carts of silver when you left the city last night? I might know some clues."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zikai felt a gust of wind surge up, and Shen Qing arrived before him almost at the speed of wind.

"Are you telling the truth?"

Lin Zikai stiffly nodded, "Sir, my life is in your hands."

"I went on a business trip a few days ago to Dong'ao Township, and today I returned at the Yin hour, passing by the Eight Li Slope east of the city."

"There, my brothers and I saw an acquaintance, Huang Zikun of the Huang family west of the city; although he didn't speak, I could see blood on his spear."

Shen Qing's gaze hardened, and a substantial killing intent burst forth.

"The Eight Li Slope is only about three or four li from where I was ambushed; the location matches."

"And among those who ambushed me last night, there was indeed a skilled spearman; now that I think about it, there really is a hint of the Huang family's spear technique."

A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth; it looks like tonight is destined to be lively.

"Sir Shen, look, are you satisfied with this information?"

Shen Qing grabbed Lin Zikai's collar and lifted him up.

"Very satisfied, you did well."

Lin Zikai's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly said, "Then, sir, the Register of Impermanence?"

Shen Qing laughed heartily and gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"Don't rush; first come with me to the Huang family, then we'll talk later."

Lin Zikai was stunned.

In the Bai Yun County garrison, among the five junior flag officers, he is the one without any background, having climbed up entirely on his own.

He relied on being careful and cautious.

After seeing Huang Zikun in the early morning and later hearing in the city that the silver had been robbed, he immediately realized that Shen Qing had been set up.

His coming to Shen Qing to demand an explanation wasn't really about seeking an explanation.

He just wanted to discuss how to split the silver from the Sishui Gang; his original plan was for Shen Qing to take seven parts and him three.

Incidentally, he wanted to use that Sishui Gang silver to grease the palms of Sergeant Sun Zongqi on Shen Qing's behalf.

That way, he could give Sergeant Sun Zongqi a small favor, and also earn a debt of gratitude from Shen Qing.

Who the hell knew Shen Qing would be so volatile, not even giving him a chance to speak before blowing up?

He, Lin Zikai, is wronged!

He, Lin Zikai, is terrified!

He, Lin Zikai, doesn't want to board this pirate ship!