Chapter 46: Lord Chu, What Great Official Authority!

Shangguan Yunfei’s mouth twitched. "Lord Chen, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Chen Mo shrugged. "Jingcheng is so vast; without clues, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. Rather than running around like a headless fly, it’s better to drink some wine, listen to some tunes, and touch some thighs..."

"..."

These words sounded somewhat familiar...

At this moment, Lin Jingzhu said in a deep voice, "Lord Chen, isn't that going too far?"

Shangguan Yunfei’s eyes lit up. Could it be that Head Constable Lin had been provoked and was now preparing to handle the case properly?

With Lin Jingzhu’s ability, if she could settle her mind and investigate the case with full effort, while coordinating with the Demon Suppression Division to track the demonic aura, perhaps she could actually complete the task before the deadline!

"I am a woman; how am I supposed to go to the Music Academy?" Lin Jingzhu looked dissatisfied.

Chen Mo pinched his chin. "That was my oversight. Then let’s just drink here... The misty rain, a little tipsy from a small drink—it’s actually quite interesting."

"Then you must first punish yourself with three cups," Lin Jingzhu said.

"That is only right." Chen Mo complied readily.

?

Shangguan Yunfei’s forehead was covered in question marks.

How could these two be more unreliable than the other?

The time limit was only half a month; every second should count right now, yet they were actually in the mood to drink?

Especially Chen Mo—he was the one leading the case, and now even the Empress was paying attention to it. If he messed it up, he would have to bear the primary responsibility!

"Wait, could it be that Lord Chen already has a lead?"

"It must be. If he weren't confident, how could he be so calm?"

"The reason he isn't telling us is because this is our first time working together, and we haven't established trust yet..."

Shangguan Yunfei looked at Chen Mo. He saw him sipping his drink slowly, leisurely and carefree, as if he didn't care about anything, but the sharp light flashing in his eyes suggested he had his own plans!

With thunder in his heart but a face like a calm lake, Lord Chen was truly unfathomable!

Shangguan Yunfei’s internal monologue went wild, unaware that Chen Mo was purely slacking off.

Solve the case?

There were no witnesses and no clear motive; even if he brought in Di Renjie, it would be useless.

Rather than wasting time in vain, it would be better to finish the task the Empress had entrusted him with... though in the end, he would certainly be unable to avoid being punished by the Empress...

"Life is like a thong: one step forward and you're covered in filth, one step back and you're neck-deep in shit... Surviving in the cracks—how is that easy?"

Lord Chen sighed in his heart and used wine to drown his sorrows.

The rain grew heavier, and raindrops the size of soybeans pelted the window lattice, making a crisp "patter" sound.

Lin Jingzhu sat by the window, her back against the curtain of rain. The alcohol rose, brewing a flush on her cheeks like fine rouge.

She glanced at Chen Mo and raised her glass to drain it in one gulp.

She had drunk a bit too much today.

It was mainly Chen Mo’s fault; his face was so pleasing to the eye that just looking at it made the wine go down easier...

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the window.

Clatter, clatter, clatter—

She turned her head to look and saw four riders breaking through the curtain of rain, galloping toward them. One of them was the burly man who had been beaten just a moment ago.

Of the remaining three, two were dressed in purple brocade and looked strong and powerful. There was also an old man with white hair and a white beard; the rain evaporated before it could even touch him, and the air around him was even slightly distorted.

Following in the distance was a black carriage pulled by two horses. There were no emblems on the carriage, and the curtains were tightly drawn, making it impossible to see inside.

"Beat the small one, and the old one comes. Looks like there’s more work to do."

Lin Jingzhu’s expression was indifferent; she was already accustomed to this.

The four arrived nearby and reined in their horses. The white-haired old man asked, "Is this where you were beaten?"

The burly man nodded. "It was here. The person might have run off, but I remember her face..."

He scanned his surroundings and suddenly saw a woman on the second floor of the Drunken Moon Pavilion, smiling and raising her glass toward him.

"That's her!"

The burly man gritted his teeth, his bloodshot eyes filled with hatred.

"Go."

The group dismounted and walked into the tavern.

The waiter hurried up to greet them. "What would you gentlemen like to drink..."

"Get lost!"

Bang!

The burly man kicked the waiter, sending him flying. The waiter spat out blood and crashed into the tables and chairs nearby.

Seeing his arrogance and ferocity, the surrounding diners lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound for fear of inviting trouble.

Thump, thump, thump—

The four walked quickly upstairs.

The manager snuck out and dragged the unconscious waiter behind the counter.

Having opened a tavern in Jingcheng, his judgment was naturally sharp. These people clearly had a powerful background and were not someone he could get involved with. At most, they would break some furniture, which was better than losing his life.

Upon reaching the second floor, the burly man took the lead into the private room, but the moment he stepped inside, he was sent flying straight back out!

The white-haired old man’s brows furrowed as he reached out to steady the man.

A clear voice came from the private room: "Provoking trouble and injuring others with objects—according to the Great Yuan Code, this warrants eighty strokes of the cane... Did you forget the pain before the scars even healed?"

The man couldn't help but shiver.

Those fifty strokes from earlier had left him with significant psychological trauma.

If he hadn't taken a 'Foundation-Solidifying Pill', he would have trouble even walking right now...

The white-haired old man sneered, "Young and ignorant, you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

He strode into the room and saw two men and one woman sitting inside.

One man in black had his back to him, drinking by himself; another middle-aged man was holding the bridge of his nose, seemingly contemplating the philosophy of life; and the spirited woman directly opposite was sitting with her legs crossed, leaning on a pitch-black staff.

"Are you the one who injured my son?" The white-haired old man looked at the woman and said in a deep voice.

Lin Jingzhu nodded. "If that was your son just now, then yes, I was the one who hit him."

The white-haired old man’s eyes narrowed. "Since you know the Great Yuan Code so well, you should know that attacking an imperial official is a grave crime, right?"

Lin Jingzhu nodded. "I know."

"Good, then come with me."

The white-haired old man flashed his badge and said sternly, "I am Chu Zhuo, a Battalion Commander of the Heavenly Qilin Guard! You have committed violence in the street with irrefutable evidence; I am now taking you into custody to await sentencing!"

Battalion Commander Chu was also filled with pent-up anger.

Everything had been going wrong for him lately. Of his two Platoon Leaders, one had been thrown into the Imperial Prison and the other had been 'turned'; he had soldiers but no officers, and he was already at the bottom of the ten divisions.

And Chen Mo had been promoted to Battalion Commander, which truly threatened his status!

Thinking of what Chen Mo had said that day about 'a widow sleeping alone, with no one above her', Chu Zhuo found it deeply resonant and decided to find a powerful backer for himself.

It just so happened that the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue had offered him an olive branch.

Chu Zhuo was overjoyed!

The Ministry of Revenue managed taxes and salaries—it was the imperial court's money bag!

If he could latch onto this thick thigh, he would have endless wealth and glory in the future!

He had arranged to meet Young Master Zhou at a teahouse today, and he had even specifically called his son, who served in the Imperial Guard, to show his face in front of Young Master Zhou.

After all, at Chu Zhuo’s age, his potential was capped, but if Chu Chen could be promoted, he would have a bright future!

As a result, this unfilial son had almost been beaten to death on the way here!

"Making me lose face in front of Young Master Zhou—this is not over!"

"There are too many eyes here; acting directly might give people something to talk about. Once I get you back to the division office, I'll make you wish you were dead!"

Chu Zhuo stared at Lin Jingzhu with cold eyes, already thinking about how to torture her.

However, upon hearing his identity, Lin Jingzhu showed no fear at all; instead, she looked at the man in black with a strange expression.

"Lord Chen, is this your colleague?"

"Hmm?"

Chu Zhuo’s brows furrowed. He looked closely, and that back seemed somewhat familiar...

"Lord Chu, what great official authority you have," the man in black said faintly.

"Ch-Chen Mo?!"

Chu Zhuo’s scalp tightened!