The Local Government Office of Fengri City has already submitted a formal complaint, not only delivering it to the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office but also sending a memorial to the Ministry of the Secretariat within the Temple Hall. The language is sharp; every word accuses, and Shen Hao’s name is explicitly written. They even added, ’If this continues, there will be many who imitate it; when it becomes a major calamity, remorse will come too late.’

Perhaps, from the outset, the Fengri City side only wished to teach Shen Hao a lesson, to make him pay dearly. But once the complaint was submitted, its content was revised by those above with careful rhetoric.

Such a perfect excuse—how could it be wasted? It was just right to be wielded as a weapon against Xuanqing Guard: if it doesn’t kill, it must at least vex them. So long as it forces them to give ground, it’s a win; repeated clashes wear even iron down to a needle.

Yet, with the matter relating to the Black Water Plan, Pang Ban was clear-headed. Upon hearing of these complaints, he conducted inquiries. Though the response from below was excessive, all actions followed regulations and were not inappropriate. Thus, when facing the Civil Servant Group’s verbal onslaught, Pang Ban’s heart was calm as water.

After all, this is top-secret within Xuanqing Guard; no matter how much you clamor, nothing will be revealed. Moreover, Pang Ban recently noticed something interesting: though His Majesty has lately ignored Xuanqing Guard’s affairs—deliberately distancing himself and showing contempt for this claw—yet, on the other hand, no matter how the Civil Servant Group attacks or files complaints about Xuanqing Guard, His Majesty always gives the same response: "Oh, noted."

Neither helps nor hinders, letting both sides fend for themselves?

Or perhaps this is some kind of trial? A silent observation?

Pang Ban, after years of wallowing in the filth of the Temple Hall, has honed an acute instinct. He senses, behind the storm, the shadow of His Majesty’s connivance.

Perceiving this, Pang Ban’s heart is firmly settled; he would no longer feel the restless anxiety he once had.

"Let them make a fuss—soon, the uproar will subside." Pang Ban eyed those civil servants in Temple Hall, nearly leaping forward to point and curse him, but he merely observed with calm indifference, as if in deep meditation, unmoved.

In fact, the civil servants secretly enjoyed interrogating Pang Ban, who never retaliated. To have such a profound cultivator—whose cultivation is unfathomable—forced to keep silent under their questioning? The sense of achievement was overwhelming.

When the court session ended and the bell sounded, His Majesty withdrew, and the high-ranking officials of the Temple Hall began to depart. Though the civil servants had just lambasted Pang Ban harshly, after court, none dared approach the Commander of Xuanqing Guard, for fear Pang Ban might find some pretext to slap them into utter ruin—not amusing at all.

Pang Ban still wore a gentle smile, his presence warm and pleasant as spring breeze. Along the way, he nodded and greeted those of the military faction, leaving the Imperial City in no rush.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Commander’s Office, he saw Jiang Cheng waiting outside, not yet entered.

"Sir."

"Mm, let’s talk inside."

Pang Ban smiled and patted Jiang Cheng’s shoulder, then led the way into the Public Office. Outside, a Hundred Households officer followed in, bringing hot tea and even a basin of cool water for Pang Ban to wash up.

Jiang Cheng stood quietly in a corner of the Public Office as Pang Ban freshened up.

"Do you know why today in Temple Hall I was pointed at and cursed for nearly half an hour?"

"This... I believe it must be because Shen Hao, Hundred Households of the Black Banner Battalion in Fengri City, seized the Local Government Office’s Deputy and the third master of the Song Family?" Jiang Cheng had come today partly for this matter, so when Pang Ban mentioned it, he immediately guessed the civil servants would have used it as fodder for a fierce attack.

"So you know. As a disciple, your actions are still a bit too aggressive; the excuse you used was rather cursory too." Pang Ban was well aware that the two unfortunates from the Song Family and Fengri City Local Government Office were dealt with under borrowed pretexts. He wasn’t angry, but that didn’t mean his subordinates could always act recklessly—thus, his words had a distinct admonishing tone.

"Yes, Sir. Shen Hao can be reckless at times; I will see that he is strictly managed." Jiang Cheng stepped forward to shoulder the responsibility for Shen Hao—after all, Shen Hao was his disciple.

"Mm, but don’t be overly harsh. He’s a promising seedling, and I hear his cultivation talent is notable. Train him well—he could become a pillar in the future."

"Yes, I will make sure to cultivate him carefully."

"You’ve come because you have business to discuss?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Sir, the Black Water Plan has begun operations, and some anomalies have been discovered. Fengri City was followed up on, and through that, a major issue was uncovered."

"A major issue?"

"Yes." Jiang Cheng handed over the dossier. Not only did it include Shen Hao’s initial personal report, but also comparative data—cross-checked official records and the actual number of smuggling ships on Bai River. The results were shocking.

This was Jiang Cheng’s main reason for visiting today.

Pang Ban took the dossier and quickly flipped through it. His smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, sinister expression. The entire Public Office seemed to become an icehouse, chilling even the soul. Jiang Cheng, standing opposite, felt the cold pierce into his bones.

"Every one of them should die!" The words squeezed out from between Pang Ban’s teeth. He, like Jiang Cheng, knew corruption and embezzlement were rampant everywhere—even Xuanqing Guard was no exception—but hadn’t expected it to have reached such extremes. This wasn’t just corruption; more aptly, it amounted to aiding the enemy.

"Sir, based on Shen Hao’s investigation, during the period from early June to the twentieth day of July, all Government Offices across Jingxi Territory issued a total of one hundred and sixty-seven waterway transport permits. On the military side, another fifty-eight permits were issued. Yet, in just ten days on Baijiang Waterway, the number of ship movements has already reached one hundred and fifty-one..."

Major trading has always been strictly controlled by the Dynasty, but now, government decrees are mere empty words. Every road checkpoint and water gate has become tools for personal profit; as long as the silver notes are paid, goods can circulate freely without a permit. These problems, even in Jingxi alone, have become a wildfire—what then of the whole realm?

Jiang Cheng had been startled by the data returned; he knew numbers don’t lie, and smuggling in Jingxi had become critical. If the Barbarian Race stirred in the future, all those involved in Jingxi would be implicated. Better to mend the pen now than regret later.

"What are your thoughts?" Pang Ban took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. Since the problem was found, it could be corrected. Besides, isn’t this the perfect knife master?

"I believe this matter could serve as the Black Banner Battalion’s first joint action—a complete crackdown on smuggling across Jingxi Territory."

Pang Ban pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Prepare a strategy as soon as possible, consider all angles carefully. Once I review it, we’ll decide."

"I will promptly prepare a detailed plan for your approval."

...