The villainous bosses from their past lives have all been reborn.

The Northern Kingdom and the Great Zhou Dynasty were constantly at war. Whenever the Northern Kingdom suffered famine, the barbarians would launch large-scale southward invasions to plunder resources along the border.

In war, water resources are a key target for contention.

Therefore, although Jinzhou was remote, its water resources were under strict control, either by the imperial court or by the martial arts world. For example, the Fu family's Tianquan Manor was named after the Tianchi (Heavenly Pool) on Tianquan Mountain, where the manor was located.

Liangshuipu was famous for its sweet spring water, so the imperial court built a large post station there.

Starting from here, one can go west to Jinzhou City, northeast to Tianquan Villa, and south into Yanzhou.

When Yuan Xiu arrived at the location, he learned that at the time of the incident, the governor of Jinzhou was inspecting the summer grain harvest in southern Jinzhou and was staying at Liangshuipu. That very night, he was assassinated, and his death was extremely gruesome.

The only suspect is Yuan Cai.

Afterwards, the guards of the governor's mansion also found the murder weapon in Yuan Cai's room—a bone scraper!

The source of the murder weapon was quite simple; it was lost from the post station.

"Sixth Brother, I also find this matter strange. Third Brother has no grudge against the governor and was ordered by Commander Yuan to go to Tianquan Manor to support Master Fu. Why would he kill the governor? But the situation is complicated now, and I can't just let Third Brother off the hook."

The speaker was a burly man with a full beard, named Natsumi!

When the Great Zhou Emperor established the imperial power, he appointed six powerful commanders in the six northern prefectures to reward meritorious officials. These positions were hereditary, held by fathers, sons, and brothers. The Xia family, to which Xia Jin belonged, was one of these families, and they had been stationed in Jinzhou for generations.

Xia Jin was about the same age as Yuan Cai, but he looked much more mature. In addition, his cultivation was much stronger than Yuan Cai's, having already reached the seventh rank.

Moreover, Xia Jin's breakthrough wasn't achieved through drug use like Yuan Cai's; it was a genuine breakthrough.

At his age, if he continues on this path, it's hard to say whether he'll reach the Grandmaster level, but he'll definitely be able to reach the Ninth Rank.

After examining the crime scene, Yuan Xiu found the case to be quite simple—

Someone sneaked into the room while the governor of Jinzhou was asleep and brutally murdered him with a bone-scraping knife. It seems there was a deep-seated grudge involved.

"Are you sure no outsiders broke in at the time of the incident?"

Xia Jin shook his head, quite certain of it.

"As the governor's bodyguard on this trip, I led troops to guard outside the post station that night. I am quite certain that no one entered the post station after nightfall."

"What about the people at the post station?"

"The couriers all lived in a large communal room on the left side of the first floor. The room had only one entrance and exit, and they can all corroborate that no one went out that night. The postmaster and my two shift-changing lieutenants were drinking in the lobby on the first floor; they can also corroborate that!"

Yuan Xiu glanced at Xia Jin. He was patrolling outside, yet he let his men drink in the main hall. There were only two possibilities: either the military discipline was extremely strict, with no exceptions for anyone above or below, or he was a complete idiot who couldn't control his men.

However, judging from the respectful manner of his soldiers and officers towards him along the way, it is most likely the former.

"What about the people around the governor of Jinzhou?"

"The governor of Jinzhou was honest and frugal, and he only brought his daughter with him to take care of his daily life."

Where is his daughter?

"They have now returned to Jinzhou City and are holding a funeral for the governor."

Yuan Xiu glanced at Xia Jin, then changed the subject, saying:

"Do you know Sanlang's current cultivation level?"

"I know, he's at the seventh rank. He bragged about it quite a bit when he saw me."

"Do you know how he reached the seventh rank?"

Xia Jin shook his head, but then saw Yuan Xiu take out a bottle from his sleeve and take out a pill.

"It's all thanks to me refining this elixir."

"real?"

"Try it if you don't believe me!"

Seeing Xia Jin accept the pill and swallow it without hesitation, Yuan Xiu waited for a long time before beaming with joy.

"This pill worked so well; I feel much better now."

Seeing this, Yuan Xiu was certain that Xia Jin was telling the truth. After all, how much malice could you expect from someone who would so readily accept something from a stranger?

"You can ask me for it later if you want it!"

"How could I possibly accept that! Don't worry, Sixth Brother, I will definitely keep this matter in mind and help Third Brother clear his name as soon as possible."

Night had fallen, and that night, Yuan Xiu stayed at the post station in the room where Yuan Cai had been staying. Next door was the scene of the crime.

"You all be careful, Yuan the Sixth Son, do not be negligent!"

Outside, the innkeeper's voice rang out.

Soon after, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

The postmaster, accompanied by two postmen, brought fine wine and food, as well as new quilt covers and pillowcases, and entered the room.

After the courier had changed all the bedding, including the sheets and pillowcases, the postmaster gave the following instructions:

"You all go down first!"

The moment the courier closed the door, the postmaster quickly bowed.

"Sixth Brother, I was ordered by the head of the family to infiltrate Liangshuipu Post Station. At the time of the incident, I was drinking with two centurions from the Xia family, so I was unable to keep an eye on things in time, which allowed Third Brother to fall into the trap."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiu asked:

Was there anything unusual at the time of the incident?

The postmaster shook his head and said:

"It's strange, really. Around the time the bone-scraping knife was lost, only Sanlang and the governor's daughter were seen entering the kitchen. And that bone-scraping knife was heavy; a woman couldn't possibly use it. So, the only person left to suspect was Sanlang. To this day, I still don't know who killed the governor of Jinzhou?"

"I'm asking if Saburo has shown any unusual behavior?"

The postmaster was taken aback, then replied:

"Sanlang kept insisting that he wasn't the murderer and that nothing seemed amiss."

"I know Saburo; it seems he's the murderer!"

Upon hearing this, the postmaster's eyes widened even further, and he said:

"But didn't Sixth Brother come here to clear Third Brother's name?"

Yuan Xiu smiled, stood up, patted the postmaster on the shoulder, and said with a smile:

"You don't understand the ins and outs of this grand mansion; it's incredibly complex! With Sanlang now captured, I'll be the future head of the Yuan family."

"..."

"Now that the case is closed, I can finally report back to my uncle."

"In that case, congratulations, Sixth Brother. When you inherit the position of head of the family in the future, Sixth Brother, please do not forget me."

"That's natural!"

Yuan Xiu patted the postmaster on the shoulder and asked:

"But I have one more question."

"Sixth Brother, please speak!"

"Where has the real postmaster gone?"

Upon hearing Yuan Xiu's words, the postmaster's expression changed drastically. He looked up and saw a smile on Yuan Xiu's face.

"If you were truly a spy planted by my uncle, knowing I was deceiving my master, why would you have spoken to me like that!"

The postmaster stopped pretending, straightened up, and said:

"Old Yuan, how did you see through my disguise?"

"The post station welcomes and sees off people constantly. The postmaster must be a skilled in flattery to have worked here for so many years. I could tell the moment you walked in that you're not exactly a servant!"

The fake postmaster laughed upon hearing this.

"As expected of Yuan Liulang, his mind is so meticulous. However, is it unwise to point this out now?"

"How should I put it?"

"To be honest, Liu Lang, I'm quite a fighter even within the Holy Sect!"

"Is that so?"

……

With a thud, a figure flew backward and landed in the lobby on the first floor, smashing many tables and chairs.

Xia Jin and his group, having heard the commotion, gathered around. They saw Yuan Xiu slowly emerge from the second-floor corridor, stand before the dilapidated railing, and say:

"This man is a traitor of the Demonic Sect, seize him!"

……