What imperial henchmen? Please call me Your Majesty!

The constables and runners in the yamen had no choice but to leave, but they all subconsciously glanced at them, feeling inexplicably envious.

Su Mu and Zhao Xian stood there, looking at each other, until Shen Qingqiu turned and walked away.

Zhao Xian nudged Su Mu with his arm:

"Brother Su, did you manage to get in touch with this important figure last night?"

Su Mu shook his head directly.

I almost lost my life last night.

And they even have connections?

Old Zhao, Old Zhao, don't let this woman fool you.

Hopefully things aren't that bad.

Helpless explanation:

"It would be great if we could get in touch."

Zhao Xian didn't quite believe it.

They're from Beijing, how could we possibly specifically ask for them?

There must be something fishy going on.

So I smiled:

"But that's fine too. If you really find any clues, giving them to her might be better than giving them to your superiors. If they're willing to give you some introductions, getting promoted and making a fortune won't be a dream."

He stepped forward and followed.

Su Mu felt helpless, but he could only follow.

Even if you get promoted and make a fortune, you still need to be alive to enjoy it.

Don't end up losing both your wife and your army.

As Shen Qingqiu entered the room arranged for her by the yamen, she turned to look at the two people who had entered.

"Zhao Xian, go and organize the recent case files and bring them to me."

Zhao Xian paused for a moment, glanced at Su Mu, and then respectfully bowed with his hands clasped in greeting:

"Yes."

As he turned to leave, Su Mu looked at him, and he blinked.

It seems to be saying, "Brother Su, I have high hopes for you."

Su Mu, having grasped Old Zhao's meaning, couldn't help but mentally complain.

Old Zhao.

It's not what you think.

This woman is dangerous.

After Zhao Xian left, Shen Qingqiu slowly walked up to Su Mu and looked at him without saying a word or making any extra movements.

Su Mu exchanged a glance with her, but dared not look any further. He immediately looked down at the ground and at the tips of her shoes.

Shen Qingqiu remained calm. Seeing his evasive behavior, she asked in a level voice:

"Did you encounter a killer last night?"

"No, sir. I returned home early last night."

Su Mu offered a pretext.

Seeing his attempt to evade the issue, Shen Qingqiu began to persuade him with reason and evidence:

"Actually, I only arrived this morning, but I was surprised to find someone dead. When I got to the yamen, I learned that this person was the murderer of the wealthy merchant. After a little investigation, guess what I found?"

"Wh...what?"

Su Mu slowly raised his head, met her gaze, and then lowered it again.

"Struggle marks on the ground, a broken sword specially made by the yamen, and some bloodstains on the ground..."

Shen Qingqiu slowed her speech, trying to gauge his expression, but unfortunately, he had his head down, making it difficult to judge.

I had no choice but to try psychological suppression.

Hearing this, he knew that the woman was indeed doubting him, so he simply replied:

"Alright, I did run into him last night. I fought him for a while, but when I realized I was no match for him, I ran away. My knife broke, and I was also injured. How I died after that is unknown."

"Yeah?"

Shen Qingqiu was skeptical, because the killer's methods were far from ordinary; encountering him would almost certainly mean death. Yet this lowly constable had only suffered minor injuries and had even managed to escape.

As someone who possesses unconventional methods of killing.

How could we let it get away so easily?

However, continue to suppress psychological pressure:

"Are you sure you didn't kill him?"

"no."

He dared not admit to killing someone.

Shen Qingqiu glanced to the side, feigning nonchalance:

"That's strange. The deceased was wounded by a knife, with his skull split five inches open. Your broken knife was found at the scene, and judging from the wound, he was killed by that broken knife. Are you really sure you didn't kill him?"

Su Mu was completely numb. No wonder he was an official from the capital, but he couldn't admit it.

"I only know a little bit of kung fu. Catching thieves in Qingzhou is no problem, but killing this person is a matter of luck. I'd be lucky to escape alive."

However, Shen Qingqiu wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for her. If she didn't want to admit it, then there must be some secret behind it.

It would be better to turn the tables on them.

I refuse to believe they won't slip up.

"Just kidding, don't take it seriously. Actually, I came here to investigate another case. And since cases keep happening here, I'm a bit suspicious. I've investigated you; you've lived here for a long time, so you must be quite familiar with the area."

Su Mu glanced at her and nodded.

"So from today onwards, you will follow me. You are familiar with this place, and I need your guidance on some things. There are some things I can tell you, but if you dare to divulge even a single word, I will take your head back with me, understand?"

Shen Qingqiu spoke with an unquestionable tone.

Su Mu was just a lowly clerk; how could he disobey? He could only nod, but still spoke:

"However, I am but a lowly clerk. If I am involved in any cases, I am afraid I am not capable of handling them. I would be truly sorry if I delay your business."

Let me help you.

It would be foolish not to take some benefits.

Shen Qingqiu understood that this was an attempt to solicit benefits.

It's not that I'm afraid of people asking for favors; it's that I'm afraid of people who don't ask for anything but still go out of their way to help you. Those people are truly cunning and their motives are hard to guess.

"I will speak with the prefect and arrange for you to be the head constable. You will also have the authority to transfer some personnel within the yamen. Is that feasible?"

However, Su Mu was no saint either. Since there were such benefits, he laughed and said:

"What about the compensation?"

Shen Qingqiu hadn't expected him to be so greedy.

"Reward? If you're truly capable of solving these cases for me, you'll naturally be rewarded. But if you fail, I'll offer your head as a sacrifice to the heavens! Understand?"

Su Mu shuddered and took two steps back. Seeing her calm and composed demeanor, he realized that he had gone too far in asking for benefits.

Since that's the case, we can only discuss it another day.

Clenched fists:

"Yes, I will never let you down."

Seeing that he wasn't that bold, Shen Qingqiu got back to the main topic:

"Are you familiar with the black market in Qingzhou?"

"Yes, I know a little."

"Okay, I'll come find you tonight."

……

Su Mu, who should have been going to the night market for a drink after work, was now holed up in his room waiting.

He had no idea what case this woman was handling that led her to this place, but he was certain it wasn't anything good.

The power granted by the Rat Talisman made him more perceptive, and he noticed a hurried footstep approaching from the rooftop not far away.

As they drew nearer, a moment of silence followed by two soft thuds on the ground, and then a sound came from outside the door:

"Aren't you coming out yet!"

Upon seeing this, Su Mu quickly opened the door and saw Shen Qingqiu dressed in a loose white robe.

He stepped forward with a puzzled look on his face.

"Is this all you're dressed for?"

Seeing that his clothes hadn't changed, Shen Qingqiu subconsciously asked.

"My lord, do you think I'm rolling in money? I'm lucky if I even have clothes to wear."

He was dressed simply and plainly.

It's definitely not acceptable to wear the official uniform of the government office.

"oh."

Shen Qingqiu nodded.

"Sir, what are you planning to do at the black market?"

"It's inconvenient to tell you during the day, but I can tell you a thing or two now. This trip to Qingzhou is due to an extremely strange case. Have you ever heard of the Shadow Murder?"

"Shadow? Murder?"

Su Mu frowned. If he hadn't known about the existence of the talisman, he might have found it a bit strange, but now that he knew, it wasn't surprising at all.

This might be another talisman.

But he pretended not to know and looked at her.

Seeing that he was unaware, Shen Qingqiu continued:

"This case involves multiple incidents, almost all of which occurred in broad daylight. Many people witnessed the shadow killing their masters and then running away. These included small merchants, wealthy young masters, and sons of noble families..."

"Sir, perhaps it really is a case of the shadow killing?"

"No, I don't believe in ghosts or gods."

Shen Qingqiu vehemently denied it, looking at him:

"I followed the clues all the way here, and that person is very likely in Qingzhou right now."

Su Mu looked at her, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded emphatically:

"Sir is right. We should hurry and catch the murderer. It would be a loss if he got away."

"lead the way."

Shen Qingqiu didn't mince words, and she had no interest in chatting with him.

Su Mu could only lead the way.

The black market in Qingzhou is quite unique; it's also located on the street in South Alley, but it's very secluded to get in.

If Old Zhao hadn't taken him there once, he might not have known about the black market.

In the dead of night, the two walked through the darkness, passing through several alleys, until they arrived at the South Alley.

The streets were brightly lit with lanterns, and pedestrians came and went below, creating a lively night market scene.

Upon arriving here, one can see the secret entrance to the black market not far away.

Su Mu looked at Shen Qingqiu:

"Sir, are you sure you want to go directly there?"