Chapter 177: Presenting Gifts

The soldiers' cheers were deafening, but Jiang Xiaomu felt the sound like a dagger, stabbing his eardrums over and over.

He waved his hand perfunctorily, as a response to their enthusiasm.

Zhang Yu's uniform was well made—smooth fabric, comfortable to the touch—but wearing it felt like being wrapped in a layer of wet fish skin, making it hard for him to breathe.

At that moment, a group approached slowly, the leader wearing constable attire with a knife at his waist, looking imposing and formidable.

It was the Constable Captain of the Xian Ya, Pei Dongyong, followed by two yamen runners, and he was carrying several baskets of gifts.

"Sir Jiang, congratulations on your promotion!"

Pei Dongyong bowed with clasped hands from afar and smiled.

"Constable Captain Pei, you're too kind—shared joy, shared joy."

"Please convey my thanks to Sir Li."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jiang Xiaomu asked casually:

"Constable Captain Pei, any progress on Sir Zhao's case?"

Pei Dongyong's smile froze instantly; he rubbed his hands and said:

"It… is still under investigation; for now… there are no leads."

"Oh? It's been so many days already, and still no leads?"

Sweat beaded on Pei Dongyong's forehead; he lowered his voice and said:

"Sir Jiang, this case… is hard to investigate! Sir Li is also troubled."

"How exactly is it hard to investigate?"

Jiang Xiaomu pressed step by step.

Pei Dongyong sighed, leaned close to Jiang Xiaomu's ear, and spoke mysteriously:

"I've heard… Sir Zhao offended someone he shouldn't have…"

"Someone he shouldn't have offended?" Jiang Xiaomu raised an eyebrow.

"Who?"

Pei Dongyong shook his head: "I… dare not speak recklessly. In short, Sir Jiang, you'd better stay out of it."

"I understand."

After Pei Dongyong left, Jiang Xiaomu said to Xiong Kuohai beside him:

"Keep training; don't let them slack off."

Xiong Kuohai grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth.

"Boss, don't worry—I'll make them obey completely!"

Jiang Xiaomu nodded, turned, and returned to his own tent.

The new Prefect is about to take office; he needs to sound out Zhang Yu to see what background this new Prefect has.

Zhang Yu was sitting behind the desk, flipping through something.

"Sir Jiang, you've come."

"How is it? Is everything going smoothly at the barracks?"

"Very well, everything is proceeding smoothly."

Jiang Xiaomu didn't waste words and went straight to the point.

"I heard the new Prefect is coming?"

Zhang Yu nodded.

"Yes, the imperial edict has already been issued; it should happen in the next two days."

"I don't know where this new Prefect comes from."

Jiang Xiaomu asked seemingly casually.

"This new Prefect is a spoiled rich kid, relying on his family's wealth to throw his weight around everywhere."

"Oh! So that's how it is!"

"In a month it will be the Empress's birthday; I must hurry back to Jingcheng to celebrate her birthday, so the matter of the new Prefect taking office is left to you."

"The Empress's birthday?"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred—this was a rare opportunity!

"Yes, Jingcheng will surely be bustling then, with officials from all over coming to congratulate."

Zhang Yu said this, his face showing longing.

Jiang Xiaomu's eyes shifted as a plan formed.

"Sir Zhang, I also want to go to Jingcheng to see the sights; may I join you?"

Zhang Yu hesitated slightly.

"This… probably isn't convenient, after all you just took office and have many matters at hand…"

Jiang Xiaomu watched Zhang Yu rub his fingers and silently cursed 'old fox'.

This is clearly outright bribery.

But having to bow under someone else's roof, he could only press Zhang Yu's hand without changing expression, smiling falsely:

"Sir Zhang, rest assured; before you depart, I will certainly satisfy you."

Zhang Yu understood implicitly and nodded.

"Then it will be trouble for Sir Jiang."

Jiang Xiaomu returned home, and his consciousness immediately entered the system.

The world before his eyes suddenly changed, becoming a space full of technological sense.

Countless goods were displayed on virtual shelves, below each marked with its function and the required 'Heavenly Fate Points'.

Jiang Xiaomu had accumulated quite a few Heavenly Fate Points before, but seeing those priceless treasures that often cost millions of Heavenly Fate Points still gave him a pang of pain.

This time entering the system, he was looking for a suitable gift that would please Zhang Yu without revealing his own secret.

He browsed aimlessly, his gaze sweeping over various rare treasures:

Immortal pills that could raise the dead, divine weapons that could cut iron like mud, and even devices that could traverse time and space… the sight left him dazzled.

Suddenly, a pearl emitting a faint green light caught his attention.

【Longevity Pearl: Consumption can prolong life and slow aging.】

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred. This thing is great!

He checked the price; it required fifty thousand Heavenly Fate Points. He gritted his teeth, but it was still bearable.

"Exchange!"

At Jiang Xiaomu's command, the Longevity Pearl appeared in his hand.

The pearl felt warm and smooth to the touch, emitting a faint fragrance.

Jiang Xiaomu found an exquisite wooden box, lined it with red silk inside, and carefully placed the Longevity Pearl within.

As night fell, Jiang Xiaomu brought the gift box to Zhang Yu's mansion.

Just as he entered the door, lascivious music reached his ears, accompanied by bursts of laughter.

Jiang Xiaomu passed through the corridor and arrived at Zhang Yu's study, only to see Zhang Yu embracing left and right, with two gauze-clad dancing girls stroking and posing as they rubbed against him.

"Sir Zhang, what a delightful mood."

Zhang Yu, with drunken, hazy eyes, glanced at him and waved his hand, signaling the dancing girls to retreat.

"Sir Jiang? It's so late—what brings you here?"

Jiang Xiaomu didn't waste words, presenting the gift box.

"I happened to obtain a treasure and came specially to present it to Sir Zhang."

Zhang Yu took the gift box, opened it, and saw a pearl emitting a faint green light lying quietly inside.

He picked up the pearl; its feel sent a shock through his body, and a warm current surged throughout him.

"What… what kind of treasure is this?"

Zhang Yu's eyes were full of greed.

"This is the Longevity Pearl; after consumption, it prolongs life and keeps youth everlasting."

"Moreover, it is said to enhance a man's sexual prowess!"

Jiang Xiaomu said this with a solemn expression.

Although Zhang Yu was half‑believing, half‑doubting, the feel of the pearl in his hand was indeed extraordinary.

He couldn't put it down, playing with it constantly.

"Does it really have such miraculous effects?"

Jiang Xiaomu pretended to be profound and nodded.

"Absolutely true. However, the method of consumption is quite particular; one must……"

Jiang Xiaomu deliberately paused, whetting Zhang Yu's appetite.

"How must one do it?"

Zhang Yu asked eagerly.

Jiang Xiaomu leaned close to Zhang Yu's ear and whispered a few sentences in a low voice.

Zhang Yu nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of excitement.

"Sir Jiang, you are indeed well‑informed and experienced; I truly admire you!"

"By the way, you previously said you wanted to go to Jingcheng to broaden your horizons—this matter……"

"Then thank you, Sir Zhang!"

Jiang Xiaomu didn't wait for Zhang Yu to finish, immediately interrupting him for fear he might change his mind.

Although Zhang Yu showed a reluctant expression, to save face he could only laugh loudly and wave his hand.

"It's a small matter, a small matter! When the time comes, just follow me."