The Imperial Guards, like Yama, slaughtered until the Empress cried out for help.

Two footsteps sounded; it was Black Dog returning, accompanied by a clerk from the county government.

"Boss, someone's looking for us at the gate, it's someone from the yamen."

The clerk hurriedly bowed his head and greeted Shen Qing: "This humble official greets Lord Shen."

Shen Qing sat on a stone bench to the side and poured herself a cup of tea.

"Is there a case? Did you bring the case file?"

There is such a thing as fortune in this world; people have fortune, and so do dynasties.

Personal fortune is something that depends on oneself and is elusive.

The fate of a dynasty is simpler to determine: it depends on its territory, its people, and its stability.

Therefore, in order to stabilize the dynasty's fortune, the first emperor of the Wu Dynasty established the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which was spread throughout the country. It was used to suppress the martial arts world, suppress evil, solve major cases, and stabilize the dynasty's fortune. Cases that the government offices could not solve would also be transferred to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The clerk quickly took out the scroll from his sleeve: "This humble official has prepared it."

Shen Qing took the file.

[On September 13th, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM), in Changbie Alley, the entire Li family of four, all known as the Tofu Family, were found dead. All the victims died from stab wounds, and both women showed signs of sexual assault. The suspect has been identified as Jiang Hao, the young leader of the Sishui Gang.]

It's like someone bringing you a pillow when you're sleepy.

I was just thinking of finding someone to kill and test my cheat codes.

"Get your gear ready, let's go!"

In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, a group of fully armed Imperial Guards rode out of the courtyard.

This time the efficiency was exceptionally fast.

There is no other reason.

Shen Qing was too frightening today; they dared not provoke him.

Shen Qing rode a brown Hequ horse and took out a blue porcelain bottle from his bosom.

Inside is the Acupoint Opening Pill, used to open the acupoints in the Body Tempering Realm.

This is the most effective distribution method used by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Shen Qing threw three directly into her mouth.

With the blessing of a clear and enlightened mind, it's not difficult to gain enlightenment while riding a horse.

Shen Qing activated the Overbearing Body Tempering Technique and began to locate the next acupoint.

In just two breaths, Shen Qing located the next acupoint, and then a large amount of medicinal power surged into the acupoint.

Shen Qing only remembered that when he broke through a single acupoint, he would ponder for a long time, afraid of making a mistake and causing his meridians to become disordered.

But today, all those doubts seem to have disappeared, and the path to enlightenment has never been so clear.

In just three breaths, the third acupoint of the sixth level of the Body Tempering Realm was opened.

Shen Qing blinked.

Try again if you're unsure.

Ten breaths later, the fourth acupoint was opened.

In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, one reaches the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, one reaches the eighth level of the Body Tempering Realm.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he reached the peak of the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm.

In less than the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, he broke through three realms in succession.

If an ordinary person were to try to unlock the secrets, they would usually proceed with extreme caution, thinking carefully before acting, as if walking on thin ice.

Shen Qing, on the other hand, was like the archer shooting a halberd at the gate, seemingly domineering and boundless, but in fact, every step he took was meticulously planned and flawless.

Feeling the immense power surging within him, Shen Qing felt a sense of clarity and liberation.

The scholar on horseback following behind Shen Qing quickly rode forward.

"My lord, Sishui has been of great help."

Shen Qing looked up and saw a grand courtyard built along the Sishui River.

This is the Sishui Gang, which controls all the businesses, big and small, along the Sishui River. All the laborers and porters have to make a living from them.

They've made a fortune over the years.

Shen Qing glanced at Old Li: "Go knock on the door and say that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has come to offer some warmth."

Shen Qing waved his hand, and the Imperial Guard behind him immediately understood, taking out a fist-sized, dark, round ball from the cloth bag at his waist.

This is the Thunderclap Bomb developed by Wu Chaotian's workshop.

Once subjected to a violent impact, it would erupt with a tremendous sound and light, and was specially equipped for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to capture criminals.

Old Li was stunned for a moment, but he immediately reacted, jogged forward, and slapped the door panel with his palm, making a loud thud.

"All members of the Sishui Gang, come out! The Embroidered Uniform Guard has come to offer their assistance."

This roar completely bewildered the members of the Sishui Gang inside the house. The Embroidered Uniform Guard? Sending warmth?

They can understand these words individually, but why can't they understand them when they're put together?

Huang Feng, the deputy leader of the Sishui Gang, looked at Jiang Xian, the gang leader, who was standing to the side.

"Boss, this..."

Jiang Xian's face darkened: "What good intentions can a weasel have when it offers New Year's greetings to a chicken?"

"They're obviously here to arrest Hao'er. We can't open this door."

Huang Feng hesitated, "But, brother, the Imperial Guards are outside."

Jiang Xian spat out: "What Embroidered Uniform Guard? I don't know anything about them. Pack your things and take some silver notes to prepare to escape through the back door."

Outside the courtyard, Old Li ran back to Shen Qing's side, looking at the still courtyard with some dissatisfaction.

"Sir, the Sishui Gang is ungrateful. If they don't open the door, what will happen to 'Warmth'?"

Shen Qing's lips curled up slightly.

"They're lying, we'll deliver even if they don't open the door!"

"Throw it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the Imperial Guards swung their arms wide, and more than a dozen thunderbolts rained down on the Sishui Gang's compound.

Huang Feng looked up: "Something's come in..."

The two watched as more than a dozen thunderbolts crashed to the ground, suddenly erupting with a violent sound and light.

All the gang members in the courtyard were shaken and twisted, while the ordinary people without cultivation were directly knocked unconscious.

Jiang Xian was also dizzy and his face was very pale: "Prepare to lead the brothers to fight our way out. Hao'er must not fall into their hands."

But before he could finish speaking, the door panel was kicked away.

Shen Qing slowly walked in, holding a goose-feather saber.

"Since the Embroidered Uniform Guard is handling this case, you all had better surrender obediently."

Jiang Xian saw a hint of anger on Shen Qing's face, but now was not the time to curse.

"Quickly, split up and run!"

Shen Qing touched his chin.

"Splitting up is an unreasonable request."

"However, I have decided to grant your request!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qing's figure disappeared from the spot, followed by a gust of wind.

Before Jiang Xian could run two steps after turning his head, a round object flew high into the air—it was Jiang Xian's head.

Congratulations on successfully stealing the entry: Beginner in the Path of the Blade (Green)

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow; the drop rate for this keyword was quite high.

Without any hesitation, the newbie gift pack rewards three chances to upgrade attributes, plus one free chance to claim each day, for a total of four chances.

Go all in.

Consume four entry upgrade opportunities.

From beginner in the way of the sword (green) to master swordsmanship (blue).

Sword Master (Blue) upgrades to Sword Grandmaster (Purple)

Sword Master (purple) upgrades to: Man and Sword as One (gold)

The fusion of man and sword (gold) upgrades to: Innate Sword Immortal (red).

[The Primordial Sword Immortal: His understanding of the sword path is like that of a reincarnated sword immortal]

Shen Qing felt a cleansing sensation deep within his soul, and the knife in his hand felt closer, as if it were an extension of his own arm.

With a thought, and aided by his Daoist enlightenment and the innate sword immortality, the Wind-Rubbing Sword Technique was no different from anything in a kindergarten textbook.

It happened almost instantly.

His proficiency in the Knife Technique improved from the initial stage to the peak stage.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he swung his sword, seemingly capable of crushing the wind itself.

Huang Feng was terrified at the sight, wishing his parents had given him two more legs.

Shen Qing took a step and his figure disappeared from the spot again. The light of the blade flashed in the air. With four consecutive cuts, Huang Feng's four limbs were severed from the roots, and the cuts were perfectly clean.

In just two exchanges, the leader and deputy leader of the Sishui Gang were killed.

"Confiscating property."

Shen Qing flicked his goose-feather saber, and blood slowly flowed down the blade, creating a vibrant flower pattern on the ground.

Upon hearing Shen Qing's instructions, Black Dog and Old Li charged straight into the crowd, with the scholar following closely behind.

For the next short while, screams echoed continuously from inside the courtyard.

These members of the Sishui Gang had long been terrified of Shen Qing, and now facing the Embroidered Uniform Guard was basically a one-sided massacre.

Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, there was no one standing in the courtyard except for the Imperial Guards, not even a chicken.

Old Li grabbed a young man and threw him to the ground.

"Boss, Jiang Hao has been caught."

Seeing the corpses scattered all over the ground, Jiang Hao's face turned pale, and his crotch became visibly wet. He crawled on his knees toward Shen Qing.

"My lord... my lord, I know I was wrong. Please spare my life. I'm willing to pay money to save it."

Shen Qing glanced at Jiang Hao.

"You don't know you're wrong, you just know you're going to die."

With a swift motion, the goose-feather saber unleashed three consecutive slashes, instantly cleaving Jiang Hao into several pieces.

"Boss! Boss! Come quick!"

The scholar's shouts echoed from the backyard.

Shen Qing arrived at a house in the backyard. It seemed that this should be Huang Feng's or Jiang Xian's house.

The scholar was standing excitedly in front of a hidden door, working on his abacus with his fingers tapping away.

Shen Qing also stood at the door and glanced inside. There were several boxes: one box of silver, one small box of silver notes, and another box full of silver notes.

The scholar's face grew increasingly excited: "Boss, I've done a rough calculation, and these banknotes and silver together are at least a thousand taels."

"This doesn't even include the jewelry and ornaments, nor does it include what was found by other gang members."

"You've struck it rich!"