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

Zhou Qingfeng stood there, lost in thought.

I had indeed considered the possibilities that Ye Tingxiu mentioned.

The Complete Guide to the Fundamentals of Eating Impure Qi states that population is everything.

Because humans are a great source of nourishment, and also the source of impurities.

Whether it's refined into human pills for consumption or used to forge weapons and imbue them with souls, the effects can be greatly enhanced. In fact, half of the turbid energy consumed by cultivators is generated by humans, so it can be said that the entire cultivator community is built upon the population.

It is highly likely that Mu Zili was kidnapped and used as material for alchemy and weapon crafting, or that she was sold into slavery.

However, deciding the direction of the investigation based solely on guesswork is too frivolous, like playing house.

Now that Jin Wei has found a clue, all we need to do is wait for news and there is no need to take any further action.

"Ye Tingxiu, this guy is interesting." Zhou Qingfeng chuckled, feeling that things were getting interesting.

If everyone was in a competitive relationship before, Ye Tingxiu's personal stance became somewhat ambiguous after his arrival, and he was no longer a pure competitor in Zhou Qingfeng's mind.

In the city of Sword Tower, at a mutton noodle stall.

Jin Wei slurped up his steaming noodles, watching the peddlers and laborers carrying their wares on their shoulders as they passed by on the street. When he saw a milk tea vendor walking by, he immediately reached out and called out, "Hey, you milk tea vendor, come here, come here."

"Sir, would you like some milk tea? My milk tea is carefully brewed with goat milk, tea leaves, and white sugar, and I've also added ice. It's sweet but not cloying, and extremely refreshing." The peddler smiled as he lifted the cloth covering the tea.

Jin Wei picked up the bamboo tube containing the milk tea, then casually grabbed a bamboo straw, took a sip, and immediately felt all the accumulated pressure disappear: "Mmm~~~ That feels good. The tea-making skills are excellent. How much is a cup?"

"Two legal tender coins."

"Here, take this." Jin Wei took out his money pouch, took out two coins, and tossed them to the peddler.

"Thank you, sir." The peddler took the money, picked up his goods, and went back to hawking: "Milk tea, milk tea, sweet but not greasy milk tea, if you don't like it, you don't have to pay!"

Jin Wei, a junior officer in the Night Patrol Division, had enough status to get rid of all the peddlers and small shops on the street, eating and drinking for free while others thanked him. However, Jin Wei was not the kind of person who would take advantage of others.

Even if he was greedy, he targeted large merchants and wealthy landowners, taking thousands or tens of thousands of dollars at a time.

At this moment, a strongman in black ran over, sat down in the chair next to Jin Wei, and said, "Brother Wei, we've found the person."

Jin Wei, focused on eating his noodles, casually asked, "What's it called? Where is it?"

The black-clad strongman said, "This man's nickname is Black Face. His real name has not yet been determined. He is currently at the Sure Victory Casino."

Jin Wei took a sip of soup and said calmly, "Just arrest them directly, and the commander-in-chief will personally interrogate them."

Upon hearing this, the black-clad strongman reminded him, "Brother Wei, rumors say there's someone behind the gambling den; we can't afford to offend them."

Jin Wei said calmly, "Does he have as much background as Commander Zhou? He was sent down from the City Lord's Mansion, and the City Lord is behind him. We act on his orders. If anything happens, Commander Zhou will take the blame. Even if the sky falls, it won't hit us."

The black-clad strongman hesitated and said, "That's true, but should we report to Commander Zhou first?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei couldn't help but shudder at the thought of General Zhou's cold and stern gaze: "No need. Arresting a suspect is a piece of cake. I can lead the team myself. The gambling den will give me some face."

An hour later, in the afternoon, the intense sunlight made people feel lazy.

Zhou Qingfeng sat at the stone table in the courtyard, drinking tea and reading "Unofficial History and Anecdotes". The biographical accounts and strange tales recorded in this book were very interesting. He could take it out to read during his breaks and broaden his knowledge.

At this moment, Jin Wei strode over, stood three steps away, bowed and clasped his hands: "Commander Zhou."

Zhou Qingfeng, holding his book, didn't even look at him: "This operation was quite fast, but where are the people?"

Jin Wei looked grim, but still forced himself to speak: "He's at the Bisheng Casino, we didn't catch him."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng's expression turned cold and stern as he looked up at Jin Wei.

Seeing this, Jin Wei lowered his head in alarm, clasped his hands in a fist and said urgently, "Commander, I have something to say."

"Rumor has it that the gambling den is backed by a powerful figure. I personally led a team to arrest him, but the gambling den wouldn't let us in. I said I was acting on your orders, but they became even more arrogant and beat me up."

"The other party's arrogant behavior must mean they have powerful backers."

"I dare not act rashly, for fear of bringing you a terrible disaster, so I have come to report to the commander."

Zhou Qingfeng got up and walked closer, and sure enough, he saw a handprint on Jin Wei's cheek. His heart sank.

Jin Wei was, after all, a minor officer in the Night Patrol Division, a man of status. Not only was the other party not afraid at all, but when it came to the fact that he was acting on Jin Wei's orders, he still dared to beat Jin Wei. This was simply slapping himself in the face.

Damn it, the little brother I just took in was doing me a favor, and he got beaten up as soon as he left. If I don't get revenge for him, what will everyone in the Night Watch Division think of me? If I can't even protect my own little brother, what kind of person am I?

In this way, one's position becomes unstable, and those below will likely no longer respect or obey one another.

Thinking of this, Zhou Qingfeng's face revealed murderous intent: "Jin Wei, go and call people. All the squad leaders and strongmen in the division will follow me to see what kind of background this gambling den has, daring to openly defy the Night Patrol Division."

"I want to see if he's stubborn or if my blade is tougher. Remember to tell all the brothers in advance that anyone from the Victory Casino who dares to resist or refuse to cooperate will be killed on the spot!"

Zhou Qingfeng is truly daring when it comes to murder; he's done it before, after all.

I spent a month fleeing the famine in the wild, and the terrifying things I experienced went far beyond cannibalism.

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei immediately perked up: "Yes, Commander Zhou, I will take care of it immediately."

Soon, the main force assembled in front of the Sifu Mansion.

Apart from Ye Tingxiu leading a team to maintain order and patrol the streets, four junior flag officers and four teams of strongmen had all arrived. The four junior flag officers each rode a horse, while the four teams of strongmen walked.

Ah Gou brought over a horse, but Zhou Qingfeng waved it away. How could an ordinary horse compare to his own divine steed? They couldn't possibly be as in sync as he wanted to command.

Zhou Qingfeng formed a hand seal with one hand, instantly releasing his magical power to summon the Spirit Horse. He leaped onto the horse and said, "Jin Wei, lead the way. The rest of you follow. Don't fall behind!"

Upon hearing this, Jin Wei bowed in acceptance and spurred his horse forward.

With a thought, Zhou Qingfeng's horse followed closely behind, followed by three junior flag officers on horseback, and then four teams of black-clad warriors galloping swiftly to keep up with the procession.

He galloped away on horseback, his subordinates surrounding him like stars around the moon, while passersby gave him a wide berth.

Many people drinking tea and eating in restaurants and teahouses glanced at him sideways: "What a dashing young man in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse! Who is this person!"

"I know him. He's Zhou Qingfeng, the newly appointed captain of the Night Patrol Division. He's in charge of investigating cases and apprehending criminals. I heard that on his first day in office, he assigned a strongman to a job. He's incredibly ruthless and decisive."

"Zhou Qingfeng? I know him. He's just a servant of the first family. In the end, he's nothing but a lowly slave. How dare he ride his horse through the streets so arrogantly! He really doesn't know what's good for him!"

"I think you're just envious and jealous, and you just hate that you're not the one who's living the good life."

"..."