Chapter 36

On the way back to the Azure-Support Bureau.

Lu Yuan rode a horse, following several Azure-Support Guards ahead; the big bald head had his hands tied with rope, being pulled by an Azure-Support Guard ahead, like walking a dog.

People passing by saw this scene and chatted excitedly.

Some who understood had already thrown rotten vegetable leaves at the big bald head.

This spy was caught by Lu Yuan, so naturally he had to go to the Azure-Support Bureau to make a record or something.

I heard there's also a commendation.

Lu Yuan didn't know if there was a red flag, but from the Azure-Support Guard's tone, there was definitely a bonus.

Lu Yuan looked at the few Azure-Support Guards riding tall, fine steeds ahead, and couldn't help but sigh, 'Hey, they're really handsome.'

Look at their splendid azure unicorn-patterned blue ceremonial robes, plus that white stand-up collar—really handsome.

Speaking of which, what exactly do the Azure-Support Guards do?

Simply put, they just play with birds.

Hmm... that's too simple...

Simply put, they actually specialize in catching spies inside Huangcheng.

Azure-Support, what is Azure-Support?

It's about holding a hawk in hand, as the saying goes: 'Left Azure-Support, right leading yellow'.

What does Azure-Support do? Just catch birds.

How do spies inside Huangcheng transmit messages?

Some pass information by person, while others just release pigeons to transmit.

These Azure-Support Guards each have a sparrowhawk; upon seeing an unknown bird in the sky, they directly release the hawk to catch it.

In detail, the Azure-Support Guard is simply an intelligence department.

How to put it? It's like the Ming Dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard—very formidable.

Actually, these people are of the same rank as Wang Ping's government office clerks; they are not officials, and their cuffs wouldn't have any blue or white.

However, the Azure-Support Guard does not belong to any of the six ministries of the Imperial Court; it is a special department directly under a high official of the Imperial Court.

So, these ordinary Azure-Support Guards are actually more formidable than the government office clerks, that is, the county magistrate and such.

When government office clerks see these Azure-Support Guards, they all have to show respect.

After all, when the Azure-Support Guard investigates spies, they might suddenly uncover someone's embezzlement and bribery, and handle it on the side.

So, the Azure-Support Guard is actually like an Earthly procuratorate, anti-corruption and such.

Soon Lu Yuan followed the Azure-Support Guard to the Azure-Support Bureau.

The Azure-Support Bureau's small courtyard is very exquisite.

Because the Azure-Support Bureau actually doesn't have many people, the Huangcheng headquarters here has only about a hundred or so.

Like government office clerks, there would be four or five hundred.

Although the Azure-Support Bureau's premises aren't as large as a government office, they are quite upscale—for example, the flowers and plants in the flowerbeds are not easily seen outside.

Moreover, the floor tiles are all marble, unlike the bluestone tiles of the government office.

After Lu Yuan arrived at the Azure-Support Bureau, he was taken to the conference room.

As for that big bald head, he was directly taken away for interrogation.

It's clear the Azure-Support Guard is being quite courteous to Lu Yuan—after all, he just showed off a skill.

After Lu Yuan sat down, the captain of the Azure-Support Guard who had just been with him curiously looked at him and said:

"Little brother, your martial arts are impressive."

Lu Yuan was startled, then repeatedly waved his hands and laughed:

"Just a coincidence."

Lu Yuan was being modest, and the captain of the Azure-Support Guard also noticed.

Just as he was about to say something, the door suddenly swung open, and someone hurriedly said:

"Captain, Director Liu has arrived!"

Upon hearing that, the captain hurriedly stood up, straightened his appearance, and quickly walked out, while saying to Lu Yuan:

"Little brother, wait here a moment."

Having said that, he left directly.

And Lu Yuan's wait lasted a full two hours, until 2:30 p. m.

This left Lu Yuan somewhat speechless.

What's the deal? I just came to make a record—a couple of sentences' worth of work—and after finishing I could go back to sleep!

Lu Yuan glanced out the window; there was nobody there.

He actually saw his own horse eating fine fodder in the stable.

It's fine; his horse is from an ordinary horse market—though he picked the best one, it can't compare to these tall, big horses in the Heaven-supporting Bureau.

His horse usually just gets some ordinary feed, but here the horses are fed fine fodder plus raw eggs at every meal.

It's also a way of squeezing a bit of profit from the Imperial Court—well worth the trip.

As long as you have food and clothing, you won't be poor; only if you miscalculate will you end up poor~

While Lu Yuan waited, bored, the door opened.

He saw a group of people, their faces lit with excitement and joy, stride in.

The leader, a man in a white shirt with his hands behind his back and a big pompadour, was at least fifty.

He, his face glowing with excitement, kept nodding at the few people beside him and said:

"Great, great, you've really rendered great merit this time!!"

Among the people nearby, one was the captain of the Heaven-Supporting Guard who had just spoken with Lu Yuan.

When this group entered, they all saw Lu Yuan sitting by the window, and the captain quickly said:

"Director, we managed to catch this big fish this time, all thanks to this young brother's superb martial skill."

What's going on?

Lu Yuan was a bit dazed.

Is that big bald guy the big fish?

If that's the case... then could I possibly get a bigger reward?

Director Liu looked at Lu Yuan with eyes full of praise, came up beside him, patted his shoulder, and exclaimed:

"Truly, heroes emerge from youth! We've been searching for three years for that spy, Liu Ye, and it was actually caught by such a young fellow!"

"Young man, is your martial skill a family tradition?"

"Are you interested in joining the Heaven-Supporting Guard?"

Director Liu greatly admired Lu Yuan.

That spy Liu Ye is incredibly skilled, appearing and disappearing without a trace.

Before, we had only heard his name but never seen him.

We've had several capture attempts, but all we ever saw was a shadow—we never even got a look at what he looks like.

Director Liu suffered several setbacks because of Liu Ye, and was even reprimanded by his superiors.

Such a major spy was actually caught by this young person.

Then this young person must certainly be highly skilled; with such ability, not joining the Heaven-Supporting Guard would be a real pity.

Lu Yuan, meanwhile, wore a look of confusion, "What the heck??"

"I just came out of the Forging Bureau, and now you want me to go to the Heaven-Supporting Bureau??"

How is that possible?!!

The next second, Lu Yuan began coughing wildly:

"Boss, cough cough cough, I don't know any martial arts; it was just a coincidence back then, cough cough cough... besides, I have a stomach ailment, I just returned home from the Forging Bureau to recuperate, cough cough cough..."

Lu Yuan's bout of coughing left those two people stunned.

These two aren't the easily fooled white-sleeved leader from the Forging Bureau; they deal with spies every day.

Besides, if your stomach hurts, shouldn't you be holding your belly?

Why cover your mouth when you cough?

Seeing the two didn't believe him, Lu Yuan immediately pulled out the slip issued today by the Forging Bureau from his pocket.

Upon seeing the slip, even if they thought Lu Yuan seemed unlikely, they had no choice but to believe him.

After all, it comes with hospital proof; moreover, if this young fellow weren't ill, he couldn't possibly have withdrawn from the Forging Bureau.

The Forging Bureau is a great job—countless people rack their brains trying to get in.

Moreover... the Heaven-Supporting Bureau is a place many people aspire to join!

Although the Heaven-Supporting Guard offers benefits and ranks, and is equivalent to government clerks, they are not considered true officials in the proper sense.

But the Heaven-Supporting Guard is such that even the county magistrate treats them with courtesy.

If Lu Yuan knew martial arts and wasn't ill, how could he possibly not want to join?

Director Liu felt a bit regretful and wanted to say something, but the captain of the Heaven-Supporting Guard standing beside him sensed something was off.

How could a sick person have jumped that high back then?

That's definitely not right.

The next second, the captain furrowed his brows and threw a probing punch at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan, possessing a perfect physique, at the instant the fist reached his face, made a rear sway and dodged the punch outright.

He then instinctively reached out and grabbed the captain's head from behind.

Then... bang!!

With a loud bang, Lu Yuan pressed the captain directly onto the nearby desk.

The desk made of red wood was instantly smashed to pieces.

Everyone: "????"

"And you still claim you don't know martial arts?!!"

(End of chapter)