Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

“Old Zhou, I was only sent by the city lord to assist you in solving the case of the murder of Guan Wan, not to help you eliminate dissidents, nor am I a tool in your hands. Only now have I realized that you have been using me.”

Inside the main hall tea room of the Five Plum Blossom Division, Xiao Hongyun and Zhou Qingfeng were having a frank and open conversation. After all, they were old friends who had been through a lot together, and their bond of shared interests and friendship remained strong.

Zhou Qingfeng poured Xiao Hongyun a cup of tea and said with a smile, "It's not a matter of using him."

"If you manage to uncover the traitor and find out who's behind this, then you'll have done a great service."

"Besides, I haven't asked you for anything, have I? I haven't asked you to frame anyone or eliminate anyone for me. I've only ever asked one thing of you: to handle this officially and investigate thoroughly."

Upon hearing such righteous and awe-inspiring words, Xiao Hongyun immediately looked helpless.

He knew that investigating the traitors and uncovering the mastermind would be a great achievement, and he would definitely be able to show off his face in front of the city lord. However, the potential dangers it would bring were too great.

None of these high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the five departments are simple; their relationships are intricate and complex.

It can be said that one move affects the whole body.

If it's just about investigating internal traitors, he can pretend to be oblivious to many illegal and disorderly things that officials do in private. Even if he finds evidence, he can do them a favor and pretend he doesn't know. He can also use this opportunity to make good friends and build connections, and avoid offending people and getting into big trouble.

But now Zhou Qingfeng is demanding that he handle this matter officially and investigate it thoroughly, which has made things very complicated.

Because in the process of investigating internal traitors, evidence of illegal and disorderly conduct by certain officials will inevitably be found.

If things are handled strictly according to the law and a thorough investigation is conducted, he will instantly gain a large number of enemies. It's obvious that targeted retaliation will follow, and the risk of him dying "accidentally" while on field missions will be very high in the future.

He desperately wanted to leave, but he couldn't refuse because of their past relationship. After all, Zhou Qingfeng had never mistreated him in the slightest over the years and always thought of him when there were benefits. He really couldn't bring himself to betray him now.

Putting aside their deep brotherhood from the past, he, Zhou Qingfeng, and Ye Tingxiu are also strategic allies. When one of them is in trouble, the others will lend a helping hand. This is an unspoken understanding.

Seeing that Xiao Hongyun remained silent, Zhou Qingfeng knew that he had not yet made a decision, so he earnestly tried to appeal to his emotions: "Old Xiao, we've finished the formalities, so let's have a heart-to-heart talk and say something from the heart."

"To be honest, don't be fooled by my current glory and power; it's all just an illusion."

"You have seen the current situation of the Fifth Division today. For me, it is not optimistic. I am the deputy commander in charge of the Fifth Division, but in reality, I only have the title and no real power. The real power positions are all controlled by the Luo family gang. I am really hampered at every turn in the Fifth Division and cannot make any progress."

“We’ve been brothers for over ten years, how can you bear to let your brother be bullied by these people?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hongyun was finally persuaded. People are all made of flesh and blood, and the two had accumulated a brotherly bond over many years. Now that his brother had asked him for help, he had no choice but to step up despite the pressure.

Moreover, as Zhou Qingfeng, this strategic ally, becomes stronger, he will inevitably benefit from it in the future.

Therefore, whether from the perspective of stance, interests, or personal feelings, he is inclined to help.

Even if it offends a lot of people, he has to stand firmly in Zhou Qingfeng's camp.

Xiao Hongyun made a decision in his heart and said helplessly, "It's definitely not okay to bully you. For the sake of morality, reason, public and private, I have to deal with him. After all, we're on the same side. I can tell the difference between brothers and enemies."

Zhou Qingfeng laughed and patted Xiao Hongyun's arm: "I knew you would agree."

Xiao Hongyun shook his head, took a sip of tea, stood up and said, "I'll get to work. Don't worry, I'll handle things impartially, investigate thoroughly, and be a truly upright and incorruptible official."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled and said, "You're so proactive, how do you plan to start the investigation?"

Xiao Hongyun crossed his arms and smiled slightly: "I've often been on field missions these past few years, so my magical power is definitely not as profound as yours, but I have quite a bit of experience in tracking and combat. Just wait for my good news."

"Wait a moment, I'll write you a warrant so you can use it for your investigation." Zhou Qingfeng gestured for Xiao Hongyun to hold on, then turned and walked to the study. He picked up a brush and wrote a document for assistance in the investigation, then stamped and signed it.

Zhou Qingfeng then handed the document for assistance to Xiao Hongyun and said with a smile, "With this document, we can act with a clear conscience. Anyone who does not cooperate can be arrested and tried in order to obstruct official business."

"If you need anything else, you can ask Jin Wei and Zhi Qi for help. If they can't solve it, come to me."

"Thank you, but no need for help, I can manage on my own." Xiao Hongyun took the document for assistance, nodded slightly, put it into his storage ring, then clasped his hands in a salute, turned around and strode away from the main hall.

Soon after, Jin Wei and Zhi Qi entered the main office hall, bowed and clasped their hands, saying, "Your humble servant greets the Commander."

Zhou Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, looking at them: "What do you have to report?"

Jin Wei clasped his hands in response: "The matter you entrusted to us has now yielded some initial results."

Zhou Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, quite surprised. He was also curious about how far the efforts to win over lower-level officials had progressed, but it was clearly not appropriate to discuss such a secret topic in the Fifth Division.

After a moment's thought, he walked to the outside of the main office hall, looked up at the sky, and Jin Wei and Zhi Qi followed closely behind, standing three steps behind to await his orders.

Zhou Qingfeng said calmly, "It's noon, time for lunch."

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei understood immediately and clasped his hands in response: "This humble servant knows a good place to dine. If the Commander does not mind the trouble, may this humble servant take you there to experience it?"

Zhou Qingfeng smiled faintly and nodded: "Then let's give it a try."

In the blink of an eye, the three of them had arrived at the Two and a Half River. The pleasure boats were slowly sailing on the river in the city. Inside the cabin, in a VIP box, four carefully selected geishas were performing.

There were only three people in the audience seats. Zhou Qingfeng sat in the head seat, while Jin Wei and Zhiqi sat to his left and right. There weren't many dishes on the table, but they were all carefully prepared from the finest ingredients, making them delicious and nutritious.

True Immortal Brew is a superior wine made primarily from True Immortal ingredients. It is very suitable for cultivators in the Food Demon Realm to drink, as it not only allows them to enjoy delicious food but also helps them increase their cultivation. One pot costs 20,000 magic coins.

The Glutton Platter uses the Fiend-level Glutton as its main ingredient. The essence of the Glutton is taken and roasted, steamed, stewed, stir-fried, and smoked by Fiend Realm cultivators who have studied the art of cooking. The finished meat is plattered together, which can be described as a way to eat meat in multiple ways.

Nine-Tailed Fox Heart Soup uses a fierce-level fox demon as its main ingredient. It is made by simmering slices of nine different nine-tailed foxes, adding Kunlun Divine Wood, Immortal Grass, Hibiscus Fruit, and Spider Lily, and finally sprinkling nine different spices and seasonings. One sip offers nine different flavors. The only downside is the price.

The Eye of the Candle Dragon uses the Fiend-level Candle Dragon as the main ingredient, surrounded by the eyes of twelve Flood Dragons, and finally garnished with Fiend-level Purgatory Lava, making the entire plate glow with Purgatory Flames.

Finally, and most importantly, is the Sun-Extinguishing Hot Pot. A extinguished sun is taken, refined, and placed at the bottom of the hot pot as firewood. It is used to cook certain evil-level ingredients, such as the flesh of evil-level demons, and eaten fresh.

The menu wasn't extensive, but the dishes on the table were all top-tier, making it a truly luxurious affair.

Jin Wei poured True Immortal Wine beside him and said, "Young Master, this pleasure boat is one of your properties. It is absolutely safe and private to discuss matters here. The cabin is equipped with a level-evil soundproof array. We are also constantly moving on the river. There are already sentries on the deck. Outsiders will be discovered before they even get close to the boat."

“These geishas, ​​thugs, and madams are all our own people, absolutely reliable, and they won’t talk nonsense.”

Zhou Qingfeng watched the four beautiful geishas playing music and said with a smile, "Not bad, this place is indeed suitable for secret gatherings to discuss some unspeakable secrets. Alright, you may leave now."

The four stunningly beautiful geishas suddenly paused, looking somewhat bewildered. They had been working as geishas on the pleasure boat for several years and had long heard that the mastermind behind them was very mysterious, but they had never seen the mastermind appear. They only knew that the mastermind was a top figure in the Sword Tower, but they were all very curious about who he was.

Upon learning that the master was coming today, the madam carefully selected four women to serve him, hoping to please him so that he would take a liking to one of them and bring her back to his mansion as a concubine. That would be like a crow flying up a branch to become a phoenix, enjoying endless wealth and honor from then on.

However, not long after they started performing, their employer suddenly stopped them, leaving them feeling lost and unsure of what to do. They even began to doubt their own skills.

Jin Wei turned his head and glanced at them, then casually waved his hand: "The young master has important matters to discuss with us. It is inconvenient for you to be here. It has nothing to do with whether your skills are good or not. Just leave in peace."

Upon hearing this, the four exquisite geishas lined up, bowed, and filed out in a single file, closing the door behind them. Seeing this, Jin Wei turned to Jin Wei and asked, "Young Master, do you like it? Would you like it delivered to your residence tonight?"

Zhou Qingfeng calmly took a sip of the True Immortal Wine. As his magical power increased, the wine's effects also permeated his body, making him feel a little lightheaded: "Not interested. Tell me about your gains."

Jin Wei took out a roster and handed it to Zhou Qingfeng: "The names recorded on the roster are all officials who have secretly joined us. Among them are one chief clerk, one deputy clerk, two clerks, and fifteen Plum Blossom Guards who are not part of the official staff."

Seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng took the roster and looked down to flip through it one by one.

Jin Wei clasped his hands and continued his report: "The Plum Blossom Guards are easy to deal with. These people are all non-official staff who have not had the opportunity to be promoted for many years. As long as we allow them to be promoted to minor officials, they are willing to abandon the darkness and join us."

"However, apart from these fifteen Plum Blossom Guards, most of them are related to the Luo Family Gang. We did not make contact with them rashly, for fear of arousing the Luo Family Gang's suspicion."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded: "Well done. Being cautious is the right thing to do. The Luo family gang is no ordinary group. Almost every one of them is very difficult to deal with. If they really discover something, our plan will probably fall apart."

Jin Wei said, "Based on reliable intelligence obtained from these fifteen Plum Blossom Guards, we have been trying to win over higher-level officials and have successively won over two clerks and one clerk."

"The biggest gain was winning over Bi Muge, a key official in charge."

As Zhou Qingfeng listened, he glanced through the roster, then closed it and set it aside. He calmly asked, "Bi Muge, one of Luo Bingyi's students, is actually willing to join us? I just can't believe it. Have you ever suspected that he might be a spy sent by the Luo family to infiltrate our ranks?"

Jin Wei clasped his hands in response and said, "Bi Muge was the first to discover that we were secretly trying to win over lower-level officials, but he did not reveal anything to the Luo family gang. He even took the initiative to come to me and Zhiqi and expressed his desire to join your cause."

Zhou Qingfeng calmed himself down, closed his eyes slightly, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "Continue."

Jin Wei said, "At first, we suspected that Bi Muge was playing some kind of trick. Later, we conducted an in-depth investigation into Bi Muge's past experiences, especially the information that was not recorded in documents. We verified this information from multiple people."

“We have discovered something from a very long time ago that is related to Bi Muge, Che Yuxuan and Luo Bingyi. Back then, there was a vacancy for the deputy director of the Fifth Division of the Plum Blossom Bureau, and there were two of the most likely candidates.”

"One is Bi Muge, and the other is Che Yuxuan."

“Bi Muge has the most seniority and the most merits. Whether it is based on seniority or personal achievements, Bi Muge is well-deserved to be the deputy director, while Che Yuxuan is not as senior or meritorious as Bi Muge.”

"At that time, many people in the Fifth Division had already congratulated Bi Muge on his promotion to deputy supervisor. Most people had already changed their titles. Even Bi Muge himself thought that the promotion was a foregone conclusion."

"But the final result was unexpected. Bi Muge was not selected, and Che Yuxuan was promoted."

Zhou Qingfeng raised an eyebrow: "Oh ho, let me guess, did Che Yuxuan's uncle, Deputy Commander Mao, make a private conversation with Luo Bingyi, allowing Che Yuxuan to successfully oust Bi Muge from the position of deputy director?"

Jin Wei looked admiring and flattered, "Young Master is wise. Indeed, official positions are always one person per position. It's not easy for the position of deputy director to become vacant. Deputy Commander Mao made a deal with Luo Bingyi in private so that his nephew could be promoted, but the details of the deal are not clear. All we know is that Che Yuxuan was promoted to deputy director as a result."

"Because of his defeat, Bi Muge lost face and could hardly stay in the Fifth Division. Later, he went to Luo Bingyi to demand justice, but Luo Bingyi just comforted him, saying that both of them were his flesh and blood, and that Che Yuxuan had connections. He told him to be patient and that he would definitely let him take the position next time."

“Bi Muge had a big fight with Luo Bingyi at that time, and the teacher-student relationship became very strained for a period of time. Later, since the matter was already settled, Bi Muge still planned to stay in the Fifth Division, so he had to swallow his pride and apologize to Luo Bingyi. He was willing to obey the arrangements.”

"But over the years, Bi Muge and Che Yuxuan have been outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds, and have been secretly working against each other. Che Yuxuan, relying on his high official position, has been bullying him for many years, which has made him very resentful."

Zhou Qingfeng stroked his chin thoughtfully: "In that case, it does have some credibility."