Volume One, Chapter 16: The Night Watch Commander

“Can a true man go a day without power?”

Yang Fengqing sneered, “Be clear-headed! What you’re enjoying now is an immense privilege! If you want more authority, then you must prove yourself!”

As he spoke, he snapped his fingers and flicked the blood pill on the table directly toward Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng was startled. You crude warrior, that’s my treasure—be careful!

His greatest fear was that the little flame in his mind would suddenly emerge and swallow the blood pill right in front of Yang Fengqing.

In a flash, he swiftly grabbed the silk scroll bearing the imperial edict from the Secretariat, adopting a reverent posture to receive the treasure. Carefully, he wrapped the blood pill in layers and tucked it into his sleeve.

Feeling the little flame in his mind still sending him hunger signals but not bursting out of his body, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Qin Zheng offered an awkward smile to Yang Fengqing. “Your servant understands and highly values Your Excellency’s reward!”

“The court nurtures its officials; rewards given are substantial and never empty promises.”

Yang Fengqing, pleased with Qin Zheng’s manner of receiving the blood pill, relaxed his expression slightly. “As a Night Watch Commander, I enforce strict rules—rewards and punishments are clear. As long as you achieve merit, I will personally grant you further honors!”

Then his face grew serious. “Now, tell me—where do you think this case should begin?”

Qin Zheng pondered before carefully responding, “Your Excellency, could you first tell me about that young monk from the Bhikkhu Hermitage?”

His main concern was how much Yang Fengqing knew about the peculiar little nun and whether, through communication with Xie Qingluan, he had learned that both the nun and Qin Zheng could instill fear in ‘Mahua,’ thus arousing his interest and potentially uncovering his secret.

Thankfully, after hearing Yang Fengqing’s account, Qin Zheng found it matched what Ziwei had told him, and he relaxed somewhat.

This meant the ‘Mahua’ devoured by his little flame could be fully attributed to the junior sister’s magical artifact.

Recomposing himself, Qin Zheng asked calmly, “I have another question—why is it forbidden to suspect… that person?”

Yang Fengqing suddenly smacked his forehead, massaging his temple, then pointed skyward and lowered his voice. “You mean that… Tower Master?”

Tower Master?

Oh, the Master of the Star-Picking Tower—the Chief Supervisor!

Qin Zheng glanced at Yang Fengqing’s pointing finger and chuckled silently.

You’re a blunt warrior with a strikingly simple mind, and yet you can come up with such a title—that’s quite something.

Maintaining his composure, Qin Zheng nodded lightly. “Indeed, the Tower Master? Why can’t he be suspected?”

“You’re new to officialdom and don’t understand the intricacies!” Yang Fengqing patiently raised one finger. “First, one must never gaze directly upon a deity, disturb a deity, or speak rashly of a deity; otherwise, they will sense it. The Tower Master is essentially a divine presence!”

He raised two fingers. “Second, if the Tower Master were behind this, he wouldn’t need to hide. Even if he acted openly and committed murder in the capital, we couldn’t stop him!”

He raised three fingers. “Third, the Tower Master controls the fate of our human race. His own fortune is tightly bound to ours. He is the one who most wishes to preserve peace in Da Ning—perhaps even more than the Emperor himself!”

Qin Zheng nodded solemnly. “I understand! The Tower Master would not ruin his own foundation; we have no reason to suspect him. Moreover, even if he did, we couldn’t prevent it, so suspicion is pointless!”

“Exactly!” Yang Fengqing smiled with satisfaction, then casually remarked, “You need not be as cautious as I am—calling him by name is fine! Even if the Tower Master senses you, there’s no real danger!”

Qin Zheng paused. That near-divine being would regard me differently?

I, Qin Kenan, am indeed talented and wise beyond compare, with boundless potential—worthy of his early investment!

“You’re grinning like an idiot!” Yang Fengqing couldn’t help but laugh at Qin Zheng’s foolish smile. “Imagine a fierce tiger dozing when it overhears an ant badmouthing it. Would the tiger keep napping or wake up just to crush the ant?”

Qin Zheng rubbed his chin, resigned. So, in the Tower Master’s eyes, we’re mere ants—utterly insignificant.

He glanced at Yang Fengqing hesitantly. “Then, Your Excellency… why such caution?”

Yang Fengqing stretched lazily and sighed. “I am not like you—I am no ant!”

Qin Zheng was momentarily speechless.

Gathering his thoughts, since suspicion of the Chief Supervisor was off the table, this grand conspiracy demanded much consideration.

This was a plan laid by hidden hands over many years; the ‘Mahua’ case was but the tip of the iceberg.

During the investigation, they must beware the scheming of the unseen enemy and proceed step by step, avoiding reckless moves.

They also had to consider the little nun, ensuring she wasn’t implicated because of him.

After a moment’s deliberation, Qin Zheng raised a finger. “First, Your Excellency should investigate who within the court has the capability to carry out this matter.”

Such a dangerous affair should be entrusted to you first.

Yang Fengqing nodded without interruption.

Qin Zheng raised a second finger. “Second, I require the complete case files of the thirteen family annihilation incidents, including details after the monsters were slain.”

Yang Fengqing nodded again.

Qin Zheng raised a third finger. “Third, among the twenty-four secret corridors, thirteen have been destroyed by monsters. I need to know the locations corresponding to the other eleven.”

Yang Fengqing nodded in blank acknowledgment.

Qin Zheng raised a fourth finger. “Fourth, I need the Observatory’s assistance to uncover what transpired to the one hundred fifty-six women in the Pleasure Quarter during the five days they were abducted by monsters.”

Yang Fengqing still nodded.

Qin Zheng raised a fifth finger. “Fifth, I will secretly investigate the peculiar little nun in the Pleasure Quarter. Your Excellency need not intervene to avoid unnecessary complications.”

Yang Fengqing grunted and nodded.

Qin Zheng looked at his hands, then reluctantly raised a sixth finger. “Sixth, I require one hundred Night Watchmen to be on standby within the Pleasure Quarter, under my command.”

Yang Fengqing was taken aback, shaking his head with a cold smile. “You still want power? A hundred Night Watchmen on standby? Why not just say outright you want to be my Night Watch Captain!”

“Your Excellency, this is my helpless choice!”

Qin Zheng spoke earnestly. “You’ve heard my plan—so many details. If I had to investigate personally, how long would it take?”

Yang Fengqing frowned deeply, feeling trapped by this young man’s stratagem, but the reasoning was sound.

He crossed his arms, resting his chin thoughtfully, unmoved. “Of course, I can authorize a hundred Night Watchmen for you. I can even, with the approval of Duke Lu Tongbing, promote you directly to Night Watch Captain!”

He shifted tone. “But have you considered that once these hundred enter the Pleasure Quarter, your undercover identity will be completely exposed?”

Qin Zheng was unfazed, nodding. Dog Egg’s covert status!

“You still haven’t grasped the key danger!” Yang Fengqing rubbed his brow, his expression grave. “If your identity is uncovered, I can only shield you from open threats. The backstabbing from the true mastermind—that I cannot stop!”

Qin Zheng replied expressionlessly, “The child eats beans, the brave swallow bulls—I understand the risks!”

“Yet those who wear purple robes and gold belts must bear their burdens accordingly.”

“Before, I hesitated to get involved in this case.”

“Now that I have accepted the reward and am entangled in this mess, I must give it my all!”

“Moreover, my undercover status will inevitably be revealed as the investigation progresses—Your Excellency cannot conceal it!”

“The mastermind behind this case, who freely unleashes monsters to slaughter thousands, acts on suspicion rather than evidence. The moment he suspects me, he will strike!”

Finally, Qin Zheng exhaled heavily and said solemnly, “If I cannot avoid exposure, then why hide any longer?”

Yang Fengqing, moved by Qin Zheng’s resolve, slammed his palm on the table and declared decisively, “Very well, I agree! From now on, you are my Night Watch Captain!”

With that, he drew a copper whistle from his sleeve and tossed it to Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng caught the whistle, his heart brightening, yet his expression remained calm.

As long as I investigate step by step without provoking the core of the case, there’s little danger for now.

But as Night Watch Captain, I won’t be able to leave home without a retinue!

If anyone annoys me, I can rough them up; if a beauty catches my eye, I can snatch her away—bah!

Above the Captain are the Thousand Household Commander, the Town Pacifier, the Deputy Commander, the Commandant, and the Grand Commander.

I must strive to rise to Deputy Commander before Duke Lu Yanwang’s final moments, to better take command of the Night Watch!

Just then, Yang Fengqing interrupted Qin Zheng’s daydream with a reminder: “A messenger is coming, someone you know. You’re quick to settle scores—don’t start any conflicts…”

“Your Excellency, what do you take me for!” Qin Zheng replied sternly. “Since childhood, I have been well-read and courteous. Aside from the prison guard who kicked my chicken leg, with whom have I ever quarreled?”