Fei Qing sat in the slightly swaying carriage.

The world’s situation is worsening. The northwest is in a complete mess. The army’s expeditions have failed several times, Fei Qing thought to himself. The emperor is ruthless to his subordinates, but he’s becoming weaker and weaker to the five kings who have massive armies. He keeps compromising!

Ever since the emperor ascended the throne, I left the imperial capital and took charge of the empire’s eastern Blood Rain Guard. I haven’t been by the emperor’s side for a long time, so he no longer trusts me that much.

Fei Qing let out a sigh.

He worked hard to manage the empire’s eastern region and nurture a sufficiently strong Blood Rain Guard army. He also maintained the basic stability of the entire eastern region, unlike the western and northern regions.

The stronger my Blood Rain Guard army, the more the emperor fears me. Fei Qing felt drained. But if I don’t put in the effort, the empire’s eastern region will probably turn into a mess and lose control.

I’ve been back in the imperial capital for more than a month, but the emperor still hasn’t released me after I turned in my report.

Cheng Yanran’s actions were ruthless; he slaughtered a Blood Rain Guard team and even implicated their family members. His actions were brutal. I only wanted to punish him, but the emperor rejected me. I’m no longer treated the same way as before.

In the eyes of outsiders, Fei Qing was still the emperor’s right-hand man. However, Fei Qing knew…

The danger he was facing now…

With Dean Ming backing me, nobody will dare touch my sister and father even if I fall. Fei Qing thought for a moment before sighing inwardly. Your Majesty, you should keep the good ministers close and stay away from the vile. But Your Majesty, can you tell who’s a good minister and who’s vile? To even doubt me, who do you trust?

The carriage arrived at the Fei residence.

Fei Qing got off the carriage and entered the residence.

“Lord, Jingming is here. He requests an audience,” said the silver-haired elder, Lu Shao.

“Oh?” Fei Qing nodded slightly.

With the emperor’s trust in him reduced, Fei Qing wouldn’t just be at his mercy. He naturally had to manage the forces loyal to him. For example, Jingming—who had the potential to become a super expert—was Fei Qing’s backup.

…

“Your Excellency.” Xu Jingming bowed respectfully.

“I’m aware of your team.” Fei Qing sat there.

“Your Excellency, it was directed by Cheng Yanran, am I right?” Xu Jingming asked.

Fei Qing glanced at Xu Jingming in surprise.

Xu Jingming had bought detailed information on Cheng Yanran from the virtual world’s Internet, so he knew about the relationship between Yellow Springs Sect and King of Yan’s Estate! Coupled with the fact that Cheng Yanran had sent someone to assassinate him the night before, it was easy to deduce the truth.

“Your Excellency, you said that Cheng Yanran wouldn’t give up,” Xu Jingming said. “Besides, I’ve also found out from the Blood Rain Guard that Yellow Springs Sect is based in the empire’s north. It definitely has something to do with King of Yan’s Estate, so I’m guessing that it was Cheng Yanran’s doing.”

“Yes.” Fei Qing nodded slightly. “I agree with your guess.”

“Killing a Blood Rain Guard team and implicating their family is a capital offense,” Xu Jingming stated. He wanted to borrow the power of the officials; after all, Cheng Yanran was too difficult to deal with.

“There’s nothing you can do without evidence.” Fei Qing looked at Xu Jingming. “It’s actually useless even if you have evidence.”

“It’s useless even with evidence?” Xu Jingming stared at Fei Qing.

“Arresting a prince needs His Majesty’s agreement,” Fei Qing answered.

“Your Excellency, Cheng Yanran attacked Luo Baichuan and me because of Miss Fei. He then continued attacking my team. Are you going to indulge him?” Xu Jingming asked.

“This is the capital.” Fei Qing gazed at him. “It’s not up to me.”

Xu Jingming was stunned.

“You will understand if you stay in the capital longer.” Fei Qing got up and left.

Xu Jingming watched this scene and thought to himself, It looks like I can’t rely on the officials. I can only rely on myself.

…

Xu Jingming returned to the B South Principales Office. Dozens of their colleagues had died, so there was a flurry of discussion.

“Poor Brother Qu and the others.”

“Yellow Spring Sect’s means are too ruthless. They even implicated their families.” The Blood Rain Guards chatted, but they only cursed a little.

When Xu Jingming saw this, he could sense the numbness in the Blood Rain Guards’ hearts. I can sense that they don’t plan on taking revenge for their colleagues. Dozens of their colleagues and their families are dead. Why are they still so numb toward such a tragic outcome?

Suddenly, an angry shout came from ahead.

“Centurion Zhao, you only have three teams under you! Now, one team has almost been wiped out, and even their families were implicated. I’m begging you to send someone to investigate, yet you want a bribe?” Zhang Ke’s deranged voice sounded.

Zhang Ke walked out and even turned around to curse. “I’ve finally seen what it means to be a money-grubber! Are you worthy of being a Blood Rain Guard centurion?”

“Zhang Ke!” Zhao Defang walked out, his beard trembling as he spoke angrily. “Don’t you dare slander me! When did I ask for a bribe? If the Yellow Springs Sect is to be investigated, orders will be given. It’s not up to me to deploy personnel! On account of how your entire family was wiped out by the Yellow Springs Sect, I won’t pursue the matter of you slandering me. However, you have to be careful. Not everything can be said.”

“Hahaha…” Zhang Ke started laughing maniacally.

The other Blood Rain Guards sighed inwardly when they saw this. “Deputy Captain Zhang Ke sure is pitiful.”

“How unlucky to have offended the Yellow Spring Sect.”

“Don’t you know who you can’t offend in the imperial capital?” These Blood Rain Guards muttered to themselves. They were supercilious to ordinary people, but they were careful when facing truly mighty factions, afraid of having trouble befall them.

Xu Jingming also took in everything.