Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

Breakfast was already prepared in the side hall.

As soon as Xia Jin sat down, two palace maids immediately placed some of his favorite dishes into his bowl.

He glanced at Eunuch Wei standing beside him, then pointed to the chair next to him: "Sit down, let's have some together."

Eunuch Wei responded and naturally sat down to the side, but instead of using his chopsticks, he leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Sir, guess where I ended up last night when I followed that rat?"

Xia Jin put down his bowl and waved for everyone to leave. Once only Eunuch Wei and he remained in the hall, Xia Jin spoke, "Stop beating around the bush, just say it."

Eunuch Wei lowered his voice: "The Duke of Jingguo's Mansion."

Xia Jin's relaxed expression vanished instantly, and her brows furrowed slightly: "The Duke of Jingguo's mansion? How could they be involved with the remnants of the Demonic Sect?"

Eunuch Wei shook his head, a hint of confusion on his face: "Sir, the figure last night was quite skilled in lightness techniques and was very familiar with the streets and alleys of the capital. I followed him and found that he eventually climbed over the wall into the study of the young master of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion."

"I kept watch all night, but the man didn't come out. However, at dawn, I saw the young master push open the door of his study and come out by himself."

"After he left, I sneaked in and searched around, and that's when I found this."

As he spoke, Eunuch Wei took out a piece of cloth from his sleeve and handed it to Xia Jin.

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be a corner of the black-clad clothes that the rat I was tracking was accidentally scratched by."

Xia Jin twirled the piece of cloth between her fingers, her eyes gradually turning cold.

"Regardless, the Duke of Jingguo's mansion must be connected to those remnants of the Demonic Sect! Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free. Emperor Xia Yu of the Great Xia Dynasty may not be able to take action against these old ministers, but I have no such reservations!"

"Go and inform Qin Hu to secretly monitor the Duke of Jingguo's residence. He is not allowed to take any action without my order. Later, I will personally visit the Duke of Jingguo's residence."

"Yes, Your Highness." Eunuch Wei nodded.

Xia Jin continued, "In addition, have Qin Hu review all the records of personnel and financial transactions in the Jingguo Duke's Mansion in recent years, especially the sections related to that young master. Check carefully to see if there are any abnormalities."

"Yes." Eunuch Wei was about to stand up when he suddenly remembered something. "Sir, I heard that His Majesty's most favored concubine seems to be the second young lady of the Duke of Jing's mansion. If we are to take action against the Duke of Jing's mansion, should we inform His Majesty in advance?"

Xia Jin merely sneered, his gaze already as cold as ice: "What Imperial Concubine? Just an outsider. If she has no connection with the remnants of the Demonic Sect, I might spare her life; if she does…" He looked up at Eunuch Wei, "then kill her. Do you really think that Xia Yu, the Emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, would care about a woman who might bring disaster to the Great Xia Dynasty?"

After speaking, Xia Jin waved her hand, and Eunuch Wei bowed and withdrew, disappearing outside the side hall in the blink of an eye.

"While there's still some time, I need to find some suitable throwing knives so that I can unleash the full power of the Little Li Flying Dagger technique!" Xia Jin leisurely finished her breakfast, stretched her arms, and lazily stretched her back.

Then, he casually picked up the purple clay teapot on the table with his left hand and walked out of the hall.

Soon, Xia Jin arrived at a royal treasury.

Upon seeing the newcomer, the guards on both sides immediately drew their swords and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Xia Jin nodded slightly and pointed to the door: "Open it."

A young guard on the right hesitated, then stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, this treasury requires His Majesty's verbal order..."

Before he could finish speaking, the older guard next to him suddenly kicked him, sending him staggering to the side. He then bowed and said urgently, "Your Highness, please forgive me! This lad is new here and doesn't know the rules! I'll open the gate for him!" As he spoke, he took out his key and deftly stepped forward to unlock the door.

"This lad is quite clever!" Xia Jin glanced at the guard with a hint of surprise, then casually handed him the teapot. The guard accepted it with both hands, holding it respectfully.

"You're quite sensible." Xia Jin's lips curled slightly. "What's your name?"

An excitement welled up on the guard's face, and he lowered his voice, unable to hide his thrill: "Your Highness, my name is Mu Qing!"

Xia Jin nodded: "Mu Qing? Hmm, I'll remember that. If you want to change jobs in the future, you can go to Xiao Wei Zi and just say that I said so."

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!" Mu Qing quickly knelt down and kowtowed several times respectfully.

Xia Jin shook her head and went straight inside.

This royal treasury contained many rare and precious treasures, but Xia Jin was somewhat disappointed after browsing around inside.

"It seems that there are few people who use concealed weapons to begin with, and even fewer who use throwing knives. This entire royal treasury doesn't even contain a single throwing knife!"

"Forget it, I'll just go and forge a few throwing knives myself; I probably won't find any here."

Xia Jin frowned and was about to turn and leave when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a few inconspicuous bronze lights flashing on a wooden shelf in the corner.

"Huh? What's that?"

Xia Jin approached with some curiosity and discovered that they were three palm-sized metal fragments, casually stacked on a shelf and covered with a thin layer of dust. Xia Jin picked up one and casually ran her hand across the stone brick wall beside her.

With a very faint "hiss" sound, the fragment cut a shallow, smooth, and even mark, leaving a small, flat cut on the hard wall, as if slicing tofu, with stone dust falling silently.

"Such sharpness!" Xia Jin was also somewhat surprised. He hadn't used any of his internal energy; it was just a casual slash with his bare body.

Soon, a smile gradually appeared in his eyes.

It is it.

Xia Jin put the three metal fragments into her pocket, then turned and left the storeroom without lingering.

Mu Qing was still standing respectfully outside the door. When he saw him come out, he quickly presented the warm teapot with both hands.

"Alright, take it back to my residence later. I have other matters to attend to!" Xia Jin did not take it, but turned and walked directly out of the palace.

At this time,

A teahouse on the second floor, not far from the main gate of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion.

Qin Hu sat by the window, glancing occasionally at the gate of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, while Eunuch Wei continued to leisurely fiddle with the teacup in front of him.

The area around the Duke of Jingguo's mansion appeared normal, but in reality, Qin Hu had already laid a trap. Hundreds of Imperial Guards, disguised as various overt and covert agents, kept a close watch on everyone entering and leaving the mansion.

"Eunuch Wei," Qin Hu lowered his voice, "when do you think the Prince will arrive?"

Eunuch Wei shook his head and took a small sip of the freshly brewed tea: "Lord Qin, what's the rush? With you personally keeping an eye on things, do you think the people from the Duke of Jing's mansion will escape?"

"That's true!" Qin Hu chuckled.

However, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes at this moment: "This Duke of Jingguo's mansion, relying on their ancestral privilege and that person in the palace, has been looking down on everyone this year, and sometimes they even don't take him, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, seriously."

"If His Majesty's new favorite concubine weren't the second young lady of his household, I would have already found an excuse to expose them based on all the shady dealings they've done over the years! This is perfect, let that man take action, and it would be best if he could kill them."

Just as his anger was still rising, a voice reached their ears.

"Get down and come inside with me!"