[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday":3,"chapter-the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-128":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Imperial Hound on an Eight-Hour Shift",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2225186,4113,"Chapter 128: Years ago","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-128",128,"\u003Cp>Xingchi had only the time of one last stick of incense remaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time was too short. He had many things he wanted to say, yet could not finish them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, he would not say them at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The third matter: after the monk enters Nirvana, Yongjie shall succeed as the Abbot of Shaolin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Xingchi nodded at Li Miao. Li Miao understood; he placed one hand on Yongjie’s back and the other on Xingchi’s pulse, immediately beginning the transfer of internal energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingchi felt the Qi that sustained his life flowing away, and he closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely a dull-witted monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he could not recite sutras, he went to practice Wu Gong; because he could not sit still on a meditation cushion, he left the mountain to wander the Jianghu; because he could not understand the interests and rules of this Jianghu, he stubbornly followed what the Buddha had taught him and did so his entire life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his eyes, scanning the Jianghu people around him—some tearful, some in pain, some wailing, some panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like hungry ghosts, like vengeful spirits, like sinners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To most people, this Jianghu was, from the very beginning, a hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy transfer ended. Li Miao removed his hand from Yongjie’s back and said to Xingchi:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, you have fifty breaths of time remaining.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingchi nodded, looked at the crowd, and smiled at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, stumbling and trembling, he sat cross-legged on the ground, released the hand Li Miao had used to sustain his life, and began to recite the very first sutra he had ever learned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also the sutra he had upheld his entire life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For all sentient beings who have not yet attained liberation, their nature and consciousness are unfixed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Evil habits lead to karmic retribution; good habits lead to good results. Whether doing good or evil, it arises according to the circumstances.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Revolving through the five paths, there is no rest; moving through kalpas of dust, confused by obstacles and difficulties. Like a fish swimming in a net, it will be a long flow; escaping briefly, only to be caught in the net again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For such beings, I shall worry and care...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao, standing to the side, heard the sutra Xingchi was reciting and shook his head with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Fundamental Vow Sutra.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This passage was what the Buddha said after Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva made his great vow to save all beings burdened by karmic retribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao understood Xingchi’s intent—he clearly viewed this Jianghu as hell, and then, imitating Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, he had cast himself into it without hesitation. He had taken the sutra as truth, and then truly lived his whole life according to what was written in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, thinking of this, Li Miao sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said, 'If hell is not empty, I vow not to become a Buddha.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, reciting this passage before death, can you still depart in peace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, as Xingchi recited, he reached a certain point, and his speed grew slower and slower. His tone carried a trace of hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you have fulfilled these past vows, repeated your great oaths over kalpas, and widely saved the sinful beings, what more do I have to worry about...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What more... to worry about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What more... to worry about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingchi murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Buddha, can you truly let go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was no longer clear; he seemed to see the Buddha revealing a golden body amidst the clouds, smiling while holding a flower. It was as if the Buddha were affirming that he had finally attained the fruit of enlightenment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not like that smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that smile was too clean—it was not stained with blood, not dyed with dust, not gaunt or sallow, and bore no scars or wounds. The Buddha sitting on the lotus throne was neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing; he could not experience the suffering of the world, nor could he save the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Buddha could say, \"What more do I have to worry about,\" but he could not say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he still could not let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xingchi stopped reciting and lowered his hands, which had been pressed together in prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his head, looked at the crowd, and spoke the final words of his life, yet they had nothing to do with the Buddha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The monk is leaving; the Jianghu is entrusted to you all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not close his eyes, but instead struggled to look at this Jianghu he could not let go of, until his vision dimmed and he lost all breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Li Miao’s arms, Xingchi collapsed like a deflated ball, leaving only a pile of bones as light as a goose feather, covered in cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were left by Ji Tianrui, others were left from saving people over these seventy-plus years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twenty-third year of Jiajing, the third day of the twelfth lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaolin Abbot, \"Holy Monk\" Xingchi, entered Nirvana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That afternoon, Li Miao avoided others and walked out of the Shaolin side gate with Yin Minjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongjie saw them to the gate and bowed to Li Miao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Li, many thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao waved his hand: \"Go back, Master; you still have plenty to be busy with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongjie nodded and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, right, Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want to take revenge?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongjie turned abruptly and looked at Li Miao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao said unhurriedly: \"I intend to slaughter Ji Tianrui and wipe out those brats of the Ming Cult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you interested in lending a hand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongjie pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Li insisted on following me; was this the plan all along?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At first, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no intention of hiding it; Li Miao had followed Yongjie from the start precisely to drag Shaolin into the water, making them an aid in his dealings with the Ming Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s just that, now I don’t really need Shaolin’s help anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Xingchi was my friend, and you are also my friend. I am asking you now: do you want to avenge your master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yongjie hesitate, Li Miao said faintly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't think too much; with me here, you won't die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't need to abandon Shaolin and come with me. Once I have a count, I will send word to you, and you can just come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongjie looked at Li Miao and nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, I shall await Lord Li’s news.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, he turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Li Miao smile, loosen his shoulders, and turn to look at Yin Minjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Yin, I had intended to talk with you tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But that old monk Xingchi was truly willful; I had to perfect the second path of the Heaven-Man Realm just to accompany him through such a scene.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the worry on Yin Minjun’s face, Li Miao waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have my own ways to avoid the Five Decays of Heaven and Man. The price is that in two hours, I will be drowsy; there is no danger, but I likely won't be able to wake up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, the matters between us must wait until the day after tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Minjun gasped, her hands clutching her sleeves, her face pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought this was Li Miao’s excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Li Miao had already implicitly rejected her once before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yin Minjun’s anxious state, Li Miao couldn't help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, took Yin Minjun’s hand, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her lightly on the forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, leaning close to her ear, he whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reason I am delaying is because you are the first woman to express her heart to me since I began wandering the Jianghu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am afraid that you are only momentarily confused and haven't considered it clearly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am a wanderer, yet I do not wish to ruin a good girl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Minjun’s heart softened completely; leaning in Li Miao’s arms, she whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li... Li Lang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I study the sword; I also know the method of cleansing the heart with the sword. How could I be confused?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I only fear that you have no feelings for me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao chuckled and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, are you willing to wait for me for a period of time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is Li Lang going to do? How long will it take?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Minjun raised her head from Li Miao’s arms and looked into his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What else can the Embroidered Uniform Guard do? Nothing more than killing, burning, and grinding bones to dust.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao’s mouth curled up, but there was no smile in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slaughter Ji Tianrui, wipe out these animals of the Ming Cult, and sever the Miao people’s witchcraft inheritance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send them down to see Master Xingchi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today is the third day of the twelfth lunar month; there are twenty-five days left until the New Year. I am a person who does not like to carry tasks into the New Year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It just so happens that it is inconvenient for me to return to Shuntian Prefecture now, and I have nowhere to spend the New Year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On New Year's Eve, wait for me at the Hengshan Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After I finish killing, I will come to find you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Minjun gave a soft \"mm,\" then pushed Li Miao away and mounted her horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Lang, I will prepare fine wine to cleanse your sword’s edge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will wait for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, she spurred her horse and galloped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao smiled and stretched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person emerged from the woods nearby, walked quickly to Li Miao, bowed, and handed over a stack of papers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander, these are the letters sent by the Chief Commander, along with their locations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the map, marked with the Ming Cult hideouts we have scouted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao reached out to take them, scanned them up and down, and gave a cold, chilling laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yo, quite a few.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get me two sets of clothes, and prepare some soap for me as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are too many people to kill; human fat and brains sticking to my clothes are hard to wash off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1711,"2026-06-17T21:41:15.265Z","2026-06-18T03:13:38.468Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","ade69e222848a8e004fc3de41b8199d5426f9e026993a5c4f8f860176ec6d401","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-129","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-127",647,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-imperial-hound-on-an-eight-hour-shift-cover.jpg"]