Catching Monsters

Chapter 365 Years of Forbearance
In a lavishly decorated room at Fumanlou, Chang Zhixing sat with a livid face.

The table was already laden with a sumptuous meal, and Chang Zhixing even asked the owner of Fumanlou to bring out a 40-year-old vintage wine.

But to everyone's surprise, even though it was almost past 7 PM, no one had come.

boom.

Chang Zhixing slammed his hand hard on the table, instantly overturning the large dining table.

Various expensive wines and dishes were scattered all over the floor.

Chang Zhixing's face was grim. It seemed that these guys from the Eastern Garrison Command were going to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.

Just wait for me.

Chang Zhixing snorted coldly, waved his hand, and left quickly. The next morning, early in the morning, Chang Zhixing rushed to the Eastern Garrison.

Upon arriving at the Eastern Garrison, Chang Zhixing forced a smile. Just as he was about to enter, he was stopped by the lazy Imperial Guards at the door.

"What?"

Chang Zhixing was slightly taken aback and looked down at his official robes.

Are these two Imperial Guards blind to see such obvious official robes of a garrison commander?

Today was also his first day in office, so he couldn't afford to get angry. He just forced a smile and said, "I am the newly arrived Chang Zhixing, the garrison commander of the Eastern Garrison."

"This is a very important place, the Eastern Garrison Command. Since you claim to be the newly arrived Garrison Commander, you should at least show some documents," the Imperial Guard at the gate replied with a smile.

Chang Zhixing was taken aback and touched his body.

At yesterday's meeting, I was appointed, but no official document has been presented yet.

This requires going through procedures. Zhang Yuhu needs to go before His Majesty and get His Majesty's approval before the official appointment can be made.

Of course, Zhang Yuhu has just been assigned to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His Majesty will definitely approve of him appointing his confidants as commanders, so there's no need to worry.

"The official approval hasn't come through yet," Chang Zhixing replied with a smile.

"According to regulations, this is a restricted area for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter. Sir, let's wait for the official approval before proceeding," the Embroidered Uniform Guard said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Chang Zhixing became somewhat annoyed.

Just then, inside the Eastern Garrison Command, Qi Da, a centurion, came out while eating breakfast: "Hey, isn't this Lord Chang, the newcomer of our Eastern Garrison Command? What are you two doing? Who told you to stop us?"

These two Imperial Guards are Zidane's subordinates...

Zidane knew perfectly well who sent him to stop them.

"These two are idiots, they have no sense of propriety at all." Qi Da said with a smile, "Lord Chang, please come in quickly."

"It's alright, he's just doing his job." Chang Zhixing took a deep breath. Although he knew these guys were making trouble for him, he couldn't retaliate.

We have no choice but to endure it.

Soon, Zidane led Chang Zhixing to the study that had been arranged for him.

"Lord Chang, please work here."

Pushing open the door, Qi Da gestured for him to enter and went inside. Chang Zhixing looked at the thick stack of files piled on the desk.

"What is this?" Chang Zhixing looked at the file in front of him, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"These are many cases left over from our Eastern Garrison Command in recent years, which we specially sent to Lord Chang for his perusal."

Then, Zidane took out a note, placed it on the table, and said politely, "In addition, my father is not feeling well. I am a well-known filial son, so I would like to ask Lord Chang to grant me half a month's leave so that I can go back to accompany my father and fulfill my filial duty."

Qi Da's attitude was quite good, and moreover, the State of Zhou was founded on propriety and respected filial piety, so Chang Zhixing had no reason to refuse.

Soon, he wrote his name on the approval slip.

Qi Da took the approval slip, turned around and left. Before Chang Zhixing could even sit down, another centurion rushed over, claiming that he had an urgent matter at home and had come to get leave.

Although Chang Zhixing's expression was somewhat unpleasant, he still gritted his teeth and approved the leave.

But soon, one centurion after another arrived.

Chang Zhixing was also somewhat annoyed. These guys refused to come to his banquet yesterday, and now that he had taken office, they were trying to sabotage him.

Do you really think you have such a good temper?
Thinking of this, Chang Zhixing snorted coldly. So you just want to rest, fine!
All approved.

Without you centurions, we have the squad leaders below.

They still don't believe it themselves, that the Eastern Garrison Command can't function without you?

……

Inside the Sanqing Temple, in the early morning, Jiang Yun was sitting cross-legged in front of the statue of the Three Pure Ones, meditating and cultivating.

It was rare for Wen Chen to see his master cultivating peacefully in the temple.

He was carrying a wooden bucket and wiping the statue of the patriarch, and couldn't help but ask, "Master, I heard from the centurion who came to our temple for dinner yesterday that you have been suspended from your post?"

Jiang Yun opened her eyes at this moment, smiled and nodded: "What's wrong? Is it because Master Yuan hasn't arranged for you to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard yet, and it's been stopped?"

"No, no, no." Upon hearing this, Wen Chen's expression changed, and he quickly shook his head, saying, "I should say it's fortunate that I haven't joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard yet, otherwise Master, you would have been suspended and left the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"If I stay behind alone, won't I be vulnerable to being bullied by those people?"

After saying that, Wen Chen added, "Actually, staying in the temple is quite good. Every day, you can clean up some dust and grime, and then you can focus on your cultivation..."

This was an extra sentence added so that the master wouldn't misunderstand.

In fact, his father had asked many times when he could be assigned to the Embroidered Uniform Guard...

Wen Chen knew that his cultivation was not yet sufficient, and he was too embarrassed to urge his master on this matter.

Just then, Wen Chen suddenly saw a figure outside the room. He whispered to Jiang Yun, "Master, your mistress is here. You two talk."

After saying that, he picked up the wooden bucket and quickly left the main hall.

Xu Suwen stormed into the main hall and asked, "Zhang Yuhu dismissed you? Why are you being dragged into his feud with my father?"

"Besides, my father is already dead. If he's so capable, he can try doing this while my father is still alive."

“My father would beat him to a pulp.”

To ordinary people, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is naturally a high-ranking and important figure.

But for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, it really wasn't worth getting so worked up over this.

Xu Suwen was angry because Jiang Yun was dismissed from his post because of her family's involvement.

Moreover, no matter what, this position was earned by Jiang Yun through hard work and meritorious service, and he was promoted step by step.

"Miss, I'm not in a hurry at all, why are you so anxious?" Jiang Yun comforted her with a smile, "Isn't it good that I was dismissed from my post? I'll have more time to go shopping with you."

Hearing Jiang Yun's words of comfort, Xu Suwen took a deep breath and said, "Come on, I'll go with you to confront Zhang Yuhu." Seeing this, Jiang Yun quickly replied, "It's alright, I know what I'm doing."

After saying that, Jiang Yun closed his eyes and continued to meditate.

In fact, Jiang Yun initially joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard simply to use their identity for protection.

But now that his strength and cultivation have reached the third rank, he no longer needs this identity.

He didn't have a strong desire for official positions and power.

But the key point is that, no matter what, he earned his position as a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard step by step by risking his life and making meritorious contributions.

I can resign and give up this official position.

But it can't be that someone dismisses or kicks you out in this way.

"Just wait, they'll come looking for me soon," Jiang Yun said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Xu Suwen knew Jiang Yun's temperament very well. Don't be fooled by his seemingly nonchalant demeanor; he was anything but happy inside.

Curious, she squatted down beside Jiang Yun, lowered her voice, and whispered, "What's your plan?"

……

"Reporting to Your Excellency, news has come from the Jingzhao Prefecture that a guest at the Blue Lake Inn in the east of the city has mysteriously died in his room. We need to send someone from the Eastern Garrison to investigate."

"Furthermore, to the east of the city, there is a river where a water ghost is suspected to be causing trouble. Two merchants who were passing through that section of the road have already encountered misfortune."

"..."

Three cases were reported in just one morning.

Upon seeing this, Chang Zhixing picked up the files and looked them over. He then asked the Imperial Guard who had come to report, "Three cases in just one morning?"

“That’s considered a small number,” the Imperial Guard replied. “Normally, our Eastern Garrison receives seven or eight similar cases, sometimes even more than a dozen.”

"Of course, not all of it was caused by evil spirits; much of it was just embellishment by the common people..."

In such a large city as the capital, with a population of over two million, the number of cases involving demons and monsters is truly considerable.

Chang Zhixing nodded and said, "Go and find the three captains and have them bring their men over."

The Imperial Guard frowned and said, "Our commanders have all gone out on patrol."

"Where's Xiaoqi?"

"He went out on patrol too."

Chang Zhixing was somewhat annoyed and said, "Go and inform them that whoever solves these three cases will be promoted to centurion!"

"Oh," the messenger replied casually, then turned and left.

To Chang Zhixing's surprise, the people of the Eastern Garrison were so united. In the afternoon, the Embroidered Uniform Guard delivered four more case files.

None of the captains came.

This time, the Imperial Guard who delivered the message put down the file and was about to leave when Chang Zhixing raised his hand to stop him, frowning as he said, "Young man, I see you're quite young. Do you really want to take on this messenger job?"

"Alright, I'll promote you to a small flag first..."

"Lord Chang, you mustn't!" Upon hearing this, the messenger's face changed instantly, and he hurriedly said, "Please don't get me into trouble. What will my brothers think of me if they find out I got promoted under your patronage?"

The Eastern Garrison Command was originally divided, with many internal conflicts.

In particular, Zhou Yi and Yang Liunian, two commanders, were sworn enemies vying for the position of garrison commander.

But now, Zhang Yuhu has offended both Zhou Yi's old subordinates and Yang Liunian's old subordinates.

The Imperial Guard who delivered the message was also secretly groaning inwardly.

Who doesn't want to get promoted and make a fortune?
He naturally wanted to as well, but if he got promoted now, he could forget about staying in the Eastern Garrison Command in the future.

Chang Zhixing quickly took out ten taels of silver and handed it over: "Young brother, let me ask you what exactly happened..."

"Jiang Yun..." The imperial guard who delivered the message accepted ten taels of silver, left only these two words, and then turned and left.

After listening, Chang Zhixing narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with anger.

After thinking it over carefully, he hurriedly set off for the Northern Garrison Command to see Zhang Yuhu.

In his office, Zhang Yuhu listened to Chang Zhixing recount his experiences at the Eastern Garrison Command, and his expression darkened.

He slowly said, "So, all of this was orchestrated by Jiang Yun behind the scenes?"

“I’ve ordered an internal investigation,” Zhang Yuhu said calmly. “If the Southern Garrison Command wants to investigate, they can always find out about Jiang Yun’s problems.”

Upon hearing this, Chang Zhixing's eyelids twitched, and he whispered, "Lord Zhang, are you trying to kill Jiang Yun?"

He hadn't expected Zhang Yuhu to kill Jiang Yun.

Initially, he believed that Zhang Yuhu was suppressing Jiang Yun simply to retaliate against the hatred he had harbored against the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

But it's all in the past, and if we make a fuss about it now, it could lead to a life-or-death struggle.

Chang Zhixing advised in a low voice, "Sir, if you do this, you might completely break ties with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. At that time..."

"Touching Jiang Yun is just the first step. Jiang Yun is just a nobody. What I really want to destroy is the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!" Zhang Yuhu picked up a cup of tea beside him: "Besides, haven't I already broken ties with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion a long time ago?"

“In earlier years, Xu Dingwu was still alive, and I was serving in the Tianqi Army. I had no chance to take revenge, so I could only endure it for many years.”

"Now that Xu Dingwu is dead, the new Duke of Zhenguo, Xu Xiaogang, is all bark and no bite. He's just a greenhorn who can't amount to anything."

"And I took over as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"I have a hundred ways to destroy the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!"

At this point, Zhang Yuhu touched the scar on his face. Although he often talked about it to everyone he met, he said that it was a scar he had left when he fought bravely against the Hu army on the front lines.

In reality, it was Xu Dingwu who disfigured her when she was young, during a fight with him.

how many years.

He dreamed of burning down the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

After years of forbearance, I never expected that I would finally have an opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Chang Zhixing remained silent for a long while: "Lord Zhang, as far as I know, Jiang Yun's cultivation level has reached the third-grade Celestial Master realm. If he becomes desperate, it may be difficult to deal with him."

“So we need to find his weakness in advance.” Zhang Yuhu paused and slowly said, “I saw in the records of the Embroidered Uniform Guard that the two monks from Bailong Temple and Changxin Temple are related to him, and their relationship is not shallow.”

"Yes."

"Send men to arrest these two monks first, interrogate them on charges of treason, and torture them thoroughly. I don't believe they won't confess. Make them admit that Jiang Yun is the mastermind behind it all."

(End of this chapter)