Luo Jing whispered, "Light the incense, bow three times, place the incense, and then walk backward past the Blood Gold Thread. You are not a believer, so you cannot kneel on the prayer mat. Once you cross the Blood Gold Thread, do not speak."
Li Qingxian nodded, glanced at the long, blood-gold thread not far from the offering table, took nine foot-long incense sticks from Han Anbo, lit them in the Nine Cranes Cloud Pattern Bronze Firebowl, shook them to extinguish the flames, and walked toward the nearest offering table.
Han Anbo, Yu Ping, and Hong Cheng hurriedly followed, holding their breath and remaining silent, their heads bowed.
After crossing the long, blood-gold thread, Li Qingxian’s heart began to race. He walked to the front of the black prayer mat, held the incense with both hands, bent at the waist, and bowed three times.
He straightened up, walked around the prayer mat, placed the incense in the censer, then bent his waist slightly and slowly walked backward.
Once they were back across the Blood Gold Thread, all four of them breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Follow me to the records office. The Ministry of Revenue is full of gossips; wait until you’re in my room to speak."
With the rites complete, Luo Jing led the four of them back across Ministry of Revenue Street, re-entering the South Courtyard through a side door and continuing onward.
Whenever they encountered a High-Grade Official, the group would stop and wait for them to pass before continuing on.
They passed through corridors and doorways, crossed bridges and paths, walking for quite some time before entering a large courtyard. A black wooden sign with red characters hung there, reading "Internal Affairs Department." After a series of twists and turns, they arrived at the Ding Science Institute and entered an office building with white walls and black-tiled roofs.
"Duan Heng, go make some tea. Qingxian, have a seat." Luo Jing moved a chair and placed it in front of the desk, then sat down in the chair behind it himself.
Hong Cheng, who was observing covertly, felt his heart skip a beat. ’Where’s the sense in an Eighth-Grade Official personally moving a chair for a Tenth-Grade Official?’
Li Qingxian remained standing, surveying the room. The desk faced the main entrance. The side room to the left was filled with bookshelves, lined with case files.
On the other side were four narrow wooden tables, on which were placed the Four Treasures of the Study and stacks of official documents.
Li Qingxian mused internally, ’It’s more desolate than I imagined. And it’s the Ding Division, ranked fourth. Just as Pang Mingjing guessed, Luo Jing doesn’t have much real power.’
Li Qingxian didn’t mind, however, and sat down with a smile.
Han Anbo and Yu Ping stood on either side of Li Qingxian, their hands resting on their Night Sabers.
Hong Cheng, meanwhile, stood by the door with his hand on his saber hilt, the toe of his left foot pointed toward the exit.
"Whatever it is, out with it." Luo Jing rested his forearms on the desk.
Li Qingxian looked at Luo Jing. He had a round nose and a mole near the corner of his mouth that curled up slightly. His face was already somewhat fierce, and sitting behind the desk gave him an even greater air of authority.
"No rush. Let’s have some tea first."
Luo Jing smiled. "Alright."
"Since we’re just waiting around, why not tell me if there’s any big news in the Imperial Court lately? Your sources should be better than mine," Li Qingxian said lazily.
Luo Jing thought for a moment and said, "The biggest thing right now is that the Emperor is preparing to reinstate some of the old ministers. The implications are far-reaching, and it’s caused a great deal of discussion throughout the court. Many suspect it’s the beginning of a major reshuffle."
"It can’t be that serious, can it?" Li Qingxian asked.
"It’s not. The Emperor ascended the throne in a jiazi year, taking the reign title Taining. It’s been almost sixteen years now. It’s time for some people and some places to be shaken up," Luo Jing said.
"I see," Li Qingxian said. He had a vague idea of what was going on but didn’t know the key details. "What’s the situation with the demon infestation? Today, people from the Finance Department even wanted our Street Patrol Room to go out and exterminate demons."
Luo Jing said, "I haven’t heard any news on that front, but it’s standard practice for the Night Guard to go out and exterminate demons. Back when the demon infestation was severe, every department of the Night Guard had a ’Demon Extermination Team.’ You’re still young, so you might not know, but during the Tiankang Year, there was no Night Guard. Instead, there was the Dragon Guard, which not only had a Demon Extermination Bureau but also bureaus for Demon Suppression, Exorcism, and Puppet Slaying, among others. It was only later, when the major powers entered the Imperial Court, that these organizations were broken up, with most of their members joining the Night Guard."
"I know about that. A few days ago, I overheard some people chatting and heard that the Cabinet Elders want to streamline the Night Guard, making it give up its duty of monitoring all the officials to focus solely on dealing with Cultivators. Have you heard anything?"
"It’s the general trend of things," Luo Jing said.
"I see," Li Qingxian said.
"The hot water is here." Just then, Duan Heng walked in carrying a steaming kettle. He then brewed the tea, poured the water, and distributed the cups.
For a burly man, he worked with meticulous speed.
"This is Wuyi Tea, a specialty of our South Star Sect. Have a taste," Luo Jing said.
"You mean the kind from the great tea trees where Wingless Birds build their nests under the roots?"
"That’s right."
Li Qingxian took a light sip and savored it. He couldn’t taste anything special, but he said aloud, "Excellent tea. It’s certainly better than the common varieties."
Luo Jing smiled and lowered his head to drink.
After finishing his cup of tea, Li Qingxian said, "Let’s get down to business."
Luo Jing nodded.
Li Qingxian sat up straight and said, "Lord Luo, if someone were to enter the Ministry of Revenue, disregard the rules, and blaspheme a Divine Spirit, what should be done?"
"For a minor offense, a fine of silver coins. For a serious one, they would be thrown into the Divine Prison for interrogation."
Li Qingxian pointed at Hong Cheng and said, "Lord Luo, in your opinion, is there anything about this deputy captain of mine that doesn’t follow the rules?"
"You really are trying to harm me!" Hong Cheng cried out, taking a step over the threshold and glaring furiously at Li Qingxian.
Li Qingxian smiled faintly. "You misunderstand. It’s not me who wants to harm you, it’s the Ministry of Revenue that must act according to the rules. Isn’t that right, Lord Luo?"
Luo Jing pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at Hong Cheng. His pupils contracted and turned red, the tiny red dots within them darting left and right before returning to normal in the blink of an eye.
A strange, cool breeze swept through.
Hong Cheng’s whole body went numb. He clearly wanted to flee, but for some reason, his legs felt powerless.
He strained to bend his neck and saw several red dots on his shadow, pinning it down like nails.
"You..." Hong Cheng stared at Luo Jing in terror.
Luo Jing stood up and began to walk as he spoke. "It’s a good thing Qingxian reminded me, or I might have truly been deceived by this blasphemer. Let me ask you, why didn’t you offer incense when you entered the Temple?"
Hong Cheng hurriedly said, "I came with Captain Li! He already offered incense on my behalf."
"Qingxian, did you offer incense for him?"
Li Qingxian said in surprise, "Brother Han bought the incense, and I offered it. What does that have to do with you, Hong Cheng?"
"You framed me!" Hong Cheng shouted in anger.
Li Qingxian sighed. "Committing an offense and then causing a ruckus? That just adds to the crime."
Luo Jing chuckled and clapped his hands lightly. "Guards, seize this blasphemer, throw him into the Divine Prison, and interrogate him at once!"
Hong Cheng’s face changed drastically. As a member of the Night Guard, he knew better than anyone what "interrogation" in the Divine Prison entailed: they used Evil Skills to invade one’s mind and drive them insane. By then, even if Wei Yong and the people behind him intervened to save him, all they would rescue was a madman.
"You..." He was forced to lower his voice. "You can’t do this to me! If Lord Wei Yong finds out, he won’t let you off!"
Just then, Duan Heng walked over, his expression impassive. "Interrogate immediately?" he asked.
"Interrogate immediately," Luo Jing said.
"Men!" At Duan Heng’s command, a squad of people rushed in.
"You can’t—MMMPH..." Hong Cheng couldn’t get his words out. A Tenth-Grade disciple from the Evil Sect flicked his right hand, and several long, blood-red needles flew out as if they had eyes. They pierced through Hong Cheng’s upper and lower lips, stringing them together. Blood trickled down the needles, weaving into a crimson web that sealed his mouth.
"Wait," Li Qingxian said.
Everyone turned to look at Li Qingxian. An indescribable light burst from Hong Cheng’s eyes, and he nodded vigorously, as if expressing his gratitude.
Li Qingxian stood up and asked as he walked, "Brother Jingg, do we still have to pay the incense money and tea money for today?"
A look of difficulty appeared on Luo Jing’s face. "According to the rules, you still have to pay."
"Not even after I’ve achieved Entering Grade?"
"You need to be at least Senior Ninth Grade to be completely exempt from payment," Luo Jing said.
Li Qingxian nodded. "Duan Heng, go through this man’s leather pouch and give everything to Brother Jingg."
Hong Cheng stared at Li Qingxian in disbelief.
Duan Heng took Hong Cheng’s leather pouch, removed the broken silver and copper coins, and weighed them in his hand.
Luo Jing said, "That’s enough."
Li Qingxian walked up to Hong Cheng and smiled faintly. "If you had fought me openly and honorably, I would have, at most, kicked you out of the Street Patrol Room. But of all the things you shouldn’t have done, you never should have bullied Brother Han."
Hong Cheng struggled violently, muffled cries escaping his lips as tears streamed from his eyes.
"I am Li Qingxian. I don’t tolerate this kind of filth." With that said, Li Qingxian turned and walked back to his seat.
"Mmmph... Mmmph..."
Duan Heng and his men dragged Hong Cheng away.