"Thousand Households? Whose subordinate are you, Xu Zhengdong or Zhang Yuqiao?"

Glaring at Wang Xin, the leader from Prince Yu's Mansion asked darkly.

"Surprised? I know you've already greased the palms of Licheng's Judgment Department Garrison Envoy beforehand. Unfortunately... I came directly from the Capital City and am not under those two lords' command."

With a sneer forming between his lips, Wang Xin replied disdainfully, "Of course, I am just a mere Thousand Households. Feel free to try, see if you can silence me by murder!"

"..."

Having his intentions exposed, the leader was furious but had no choice but to swallow his anger.

There was no way out, for there were too many people around now!

Besides these Forbidden Army soldiers, there were also many people in the tavern. Involving the Judgment Department, unless they could kill everyone to cover it up, killing just Wang Xin alone would be pointless.

By now, Wang Junze had naturally understood as well.

Under Prince Yu, there weren't fools; as soon as Wang Junze entered the tavern, someone had already guessed his intentions. Thus, the experts under Prince Yu had immediately found Licheng's Judgment Department Garrison Envoy and stalled him.

So, no matter how much commotion Wang Junze caused here, the Judgment Department wouldn't show up for a while.

After all, the Judgment Department's role was always about maintaining order, and nobody could blame that Garrison Envoy afterward.

As long as the Judgment Department doesn't show up, they could easily kill Wang Junze and then brush it off as killing a demon cultivator.

But unfortunately, none had anticipated Wang Xin showing up with people from the Judgment Department, thoroughly disrupting Prince Yu's Mansion's plans.

"A misunderstanding!"

After a few dozen heartbeats in silence, the opponent forced a smile, "We merely acted on information about demon cultivators infiltrating Licheng. It seems... we've caught the wrong person!"

With the Judgment Department verifying Wang Junze's identity as Inspector, even Prince Yu's Mansion couldn't confront them head-on, for executing an Inspector in the street could provoke the Judgment Department Director's wrath, a weight Prince Yu couldn't bear.

"Withdraw!"

Practically grinding out the word between clenched teeth, the opposition quickly evacuated the tavern with his followers.

Letting out a rueful smile, the Forbidden Army Leader clasped his hands toward Wang Junze in salute, led his men to drag away the corpses, and retreated.

"Brother!"

Only after everyone had left did Wang Xin throw herself into Wang Junze's embrace.

"Silly girl, why cry!"

Reaching out his hand to pat his sister's head, Wang Junze showed a doting smile, "Didn't brother come out fine? Thanks to you, if not for your help, this battle wouldn't have ended so easily today."

"Brother, this isn't a safe place to talk; we should head to the Capital immediately!"

As if remembering something, Wang Xin struggled out from Wang Junze's arms and said in a low voice, "Licheng's Judgment Department Garrison Envoy, Xu Zhengdong, can't be trusted! We can only be safe after entering the Capital."

"It's not that simple!"

Shaking his head, Wang Junze replied softly, "Prince Yu's men won't give up so easily. Now that you've brought Judgment Department people here, they won't risk making a move in the city. But as soon as we leave the city... members of Prince Yu's Mansion will surely intercept us halfway; we won't reach the Capital."

Unable to act openly, they could resort to assassination. With so many experts under Prince Yu, they could easily send unfamiliar faces to attack Wang Junze. Without acknowledging Prince Yu's identity, they could even dare to kill Wang Xin and her Judgment Department officials!

In essence, Wang Xin's identity and strength were too weak; if everyone were killed, nobody would know who did it. Even if the Judgment Department suspected Prince Yu's Mansion, without evidence, they couldn't act against Prince Yu.

"What should we do then?"

Wang Xin asked anxiously.

As a mere Thousand Households in the Judgment Department, she had guessed Wang Junze might enter the Capital soon. Thus, she had taken the risk, found an excuse to stay in Licheng under the pretense of conducting inspections, but without any direct orders to take Wang Junze in, there were no experts by her side.

"Take me to see that Garrison Envoy!"

Raising his head, determination shone in Wang Junze's eyes as he spoke gravely, "I don't believe this Licheng's Judgment Department Garrison Envoy really dares to collude with Prince Yu!"

In Wang Junze's original plan, he intended to escalate the matter to the point of involving the Judgment Department, then leveraging their power to reach the Capital.

It never occurred to him that even Licheng's Judgment Department could be bought by Prince Yu!

However, Wang Junze was confident that such bribery would have its limits; the opponent couldn't possibly follow Prince Yu's commands entirely.

The Garrison Envoy of the Judgment Department held significant power already. Would such a person dare to conspire with a prince? What could they possibly intend? Rebellion?!

Not to mention whether the Judgment Department Director would tolerate such a subordinate; even His Majesty would never allow such a situation to occur.

Even without Wang Xin, if Wang Junze managed to cause enough trouble, the Garrison Envoy wouldn't likely dare to delay for too long. Although, this would be far riskier than the current situation.

"Alright!"

Wang Xin didn't question further and fully trusted Wang Junze's judgment.

From a very young age, Wang Xin completely trusted, and even idolized, her brother. After surviving numerous life-and-death trials in the Northern Domain, she'd never doubt any of Wang Junze's decisions.

To Wang Xin, her brother Wang Junze was her only family in this world and the only person she could utterly trust.

"Ru'er, let's go!"

Signaling with a wave of his hand, Wang Junze instructed softly.

"Yes, Young Master!"

It was only at this moment that Wang Xin seemed to notice Peng Ru, casting a curious glance at her as she walked out, asking, "Brother, who is she? Can she be trusted?"

"Her name is Peng Ru, she's..."

Wang Junze instinctively began explaining, but halfway, he found himself at a loss—how should he explain Peng Ru?

A disciple of the Profound Moon Sword Sect? A friend? Neither seemed quite right.

"Miss, I am the Young Master's maid, ready to die for the Young Master at any moment!"

Peng Ru explained earnestly.

"... This story is long; I'll explain it to you later. In short, she's trustworthy, and there's no need to hide anything from her." Smiling wryly, Wang Junze had to respond vaguely.

"Got it!"

Wang Xin didn't press further; she only needed to know Peng Ru was trustworthy.

As for what kind of relationship existed between Wang Junze and Peng Ru, it didn't matter. As a sister, she wasn't going to get jealous, right?

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