[{"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-62":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},2225120,4113,"Chapter 62: The Letter","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-62",62,"\u003Cp>Wang Hai was finally caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had almost bled dry and had no strength left to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only lean on the long saber he had scavenged from a corpse, gasping for air in great, ragged gulps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All around him, the disciples of the Bright Cult had closed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Mingxu did not step forward, instead looking Wang Hai up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see that Wang Hai was at the end of his rope, yet he still dared not approach. The bandaged wound on his own chest served as a reminder never to underestimate this young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manic, ruthless ferocity Wang Hai had displayed that night—nearly taking Zhou Mingxu down with him in a suicide-like assault—had left a deep impression on a man as accustomed to life and death as Zhou Mingxu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, if he couldn't step forward, so be it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Mingxu slowly pulled a gold coin dart from his robes and looked at Wang Hai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A dog of the Great Shu, and quite a vicious one at that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let this single coin be the price for your dog's life!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he flicked his wrist, and the dart whistled toward Wang Hai’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hai closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly had not a shred of strength left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Battalion Commander... Xiaosi...\" he murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was closing his eyes to await death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, in that instant, he heard a soft chuckle by his ear: \"What is this, Hai'er? Am I ranked before Xiaosi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll cut your bride-price in half.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hai’s eyes snapped open in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Ding!*—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gold coin dart flew back, piercing straight through Zhou Mingxu’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who!?\" Zhou Mingxu clutched his wound, shouting in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao stood before Wang Hai, his tall frame casting a shadow that enveloped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hai finally let out a breath, slumped backward onto the ground, and couldn't help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao turned to glance at Wang Hai, confirming his injuries would not be an immediate problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with a flick of his hand, he tossed an object before Zhou Mingxu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Mingxu fixed his gaze on it, his face instantly turning pale as he shrieked: \"Left... Left Envoy!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The object Li Miao had carried the entire way and now threw at Zhou Mingxu’s feet was none other than the head of Lan Lechuan, eyes wide open!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Ji Tianrui’s death fifteen years ago, the Bright Cult had always been led by Lan Lechuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having inherited Ji Tianrui’s internal energy and ascended to the realm of the Peerless, he was the anchor of the Bright Cult’s hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he have died so silently, his head tossed onto the ground like trash?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's over...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Mingxu’s mind raced; his shoulders slumped, and he let out a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he looked up again, all he saw was Li Miao’s fist, expanding infinitely in his vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Battalion Commander, your subordinate has failed you, and even caused you to abandon your duties at the Mount Wudang Sect to save me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hai said softly, sitting on horseback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After killing the Bright Cult members, Li Miao had returned to treat Wang Hai’s wounds. Now, the two had bought horses from passing merchants and were heading toward the town where Wang Hai had escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn't matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao pondered: \"This mission, while ostensibly about the Five Mountains Sword Sects, is actually aimed at the Bright Cult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Killing Lan Lechuan is more important than killing ten Zuo Lishans. If, as you said, there is another high-ranking Bright Cult member in this town who can interact casually with Zhou Mingxu, the Commander will likely be happy enough to give me a year's leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, there is one thing Lan Lechuan did that was suspicious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hai turned to look at Li Miao: \"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao rubbed his fingers and said slowly: \"I originally went to kill Zuo Lishan; Lan Lechuan was just a chance encounter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I struck at Zuo Lishan, Lan Lechuan did not move to save him, clearly not valuing Zuo Lishan's life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao frowned: \"I was in a rush to save you, thinking that in the time it took for an incense stick to burn, I would kill whoever I could.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But later, when the two were fleeing for their lives, Lan Lechuan acted as if possessed, crazily entangling me, which allowed Zuo Lishan to escape with heavy injuries.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His actions were inconsistent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao mused: \"Zuo Lishan is nothing special; trading Lan Lechuan’s life for his is a losing deal...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I had to say, it might be because of the Gu insects in his body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the cultivation technique Ji Tianrui created back then isn't as simple as turning a Peerless expert into a short-lived half-Peerless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two galloped on horseback, and the small town came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the Bright Cult to set up a branch altar so close to the Mount Wudang Sect, and to leave two high-ranking officials of at least Flag Master rank here, they must have other plans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two entered the town, looking around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hai gave a soft exclamation: \"Battalion Commander, there are fewer people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wang Hai came to scout a few days ago, it was daytime, and while the town wasn't crowded, there were still pedestrians on the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, half the people in town seemed to have vanished into thin air; the streets were empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few local residents were peering out from their doorways, clearly confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked to the small courtyard where Wang Hai had escaped that night, and Wang Hai crouched down to examine the traces on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the tracks, the two arrived at the gate of a large local residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*BOOM!!!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao kicked the gate open, walked into the courtyard, and looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard was a mess, filled with discarded items, broken weapons, and torn clothing piled in the corners, clearly indicating that a large number of people had lived here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, however, it was deathly silent; they had clearly been gone for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao walked into the main room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like a woman's study, clean and tidy, faintly smelling of ink and powder. On the table lay a piece of paper with some words written on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao stepped forward to examine it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be opened by Lord Li Miao:\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When the Left Envoy sent word that you were at the Mount Wudang Sect, I knew he would die by your hand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I saw Young Master Wang's face that night, I recognized him. Knowing you care for your subordinates and would surely come to save him, I fled in a panic overnight, not daring to let my lowly self soil your eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Flag Master Zhou’s life is a gift from me to you, a small token of my heart; I hope you do not despise it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since our parting fifteen years ago, I have long missed your heroic bearing, Lord Li. At the Five Mountains Alliance, there will be another generous gift for you; I pray you do not refuse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Respectfully, Right Envoy of the Manichaean Cult, Yun Zelin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao smiled, put down the paper, and turned to walk out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hai'er, no need to search; they’ve all left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are returning to the Mount Wudang Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Hai walked up to Li Miao, thought for a moment, and asked: \"Battalion Commander, did the people here go to the Mount Wudang Sect?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Miao said: \"Likely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They say they aren't hiding anymore and want to have a fair fight with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just as well; I was planning to go find trouble with the Bright Cult after finishing this mission. This is a meeting of minds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go. Let's see what they’ve hidden that was worth trading Lan Lechuan’s life for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two said no more, mounted their horses, and headed toward the Mount Wudang Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the distance and the horses' stamina, they should arrive just in time for the Five Mountains Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>",1344,"2026-06-17T21:41:15.265Z","2026-06-18T03:13:38.468Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","41981c9fd66f9cec750fa23db93491ddcba07e02e932d3da066369c71e479626","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-63","the-imperial-enforcer-with-an-eight-hour-workday-chapter-61",647,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-imperial-hound-on-an-eight-hour-shift-cover.jpg"]