Chapter 125 - 100: Major Clue Inside Prince Qi’s Mansion!

Chapter 125: Chapter 100: Major Clue Inside Prince Qi’s Mansion!

Zeng Anmin exited the gates of the Imperial College. After bidding farewell to the Crown Prince, he silently led his horse and walked forward.

"The Imperial City Department is moving too slowly," Zeng Anmin said, narrowing his eyes with a slight frown.

He wondered if he should consider sneaking into Prince Qi’s Mansion to investigate. As soon as the thought surfaced, he suppressed it. It was too risky. Besides, he had promised his old man that no matter what situation he encountered, his own safety must come first.

However, today wasn’t entirely without gains. His gaze fell upon the Golden Finger interface.

[Preparation Space: Acquired three spatial grids. Can store three different items.]

He had roughly inspected these three spaces. The Golden Finger didn’t give him any loopholes to exploit; each grid was a space of about ten cubic meters. In one of the grids quietly lay a longbow. It was the very Black Gold Longbow he had obtained from Sai Chuxue at the Profound Array Department.

In a good mood, he planned to make a trip to the Imperial City Department to ask about the situation. Then, he saw a figure walking toward him.

The man looked to be around thirty years old, with a steady expression. He wore the standard uniform of the Imperial City Department. The ranks within the Imperial City Department could be discerned from their uniforms. Zeng Anmin glanced over and figured the man was likely a Rider.

The uniformed man bowed upon seeing him. "May I ask if there is a student here named Zeng Anmin?"

"I am he," Zeng Anmin said, his heart stirring. He nodded and looked at the man.

The man obviously hadn’t expected it to be such a coincidence to run directly into the person he was looking for. He looked slightly taken aback but reacted quickly, bowing again. "I am Huang Shi. Director Bai invites you to come over."

"Oh?" Zeng Anmin’s eyes lit up. He wondered if the raid on the estate had begun. "All right."

Shortly after, at the Imperial City Department.

"Ziqing." Entering Bai Ziqing’s office, Zeng Anmin saw him writing and drawing over a pile of documents on his desk. He glanced over. It was something about Lou Tong, the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, being poisoned...

"You’re here?" Bai Ziqing looked up, revealing a rather haggard face. Even the yellowish tint in his hair seemed faded. Evidently, he hadn’t been doing well these past few days.

"What happened to you..." Zeng Anmin hesitated, looking at the dark circles under Bai Ziqing’s eyes.

"It’s nothing, just a minor case," Bai Ziqing said, pushing the documents aside and feigning a relaxed tone. "Tonight at the hour of Yin, we head to Prince Qi’s Mansion to confiscate the estate.

"This task has been assigned to me and that fellow Chi Bufan."

When mentioning Chi Bufan’s name, Bai Ziqing’s eyes flickered with disdain.

The Imperial City Department had one Director in charge of all critical operations. Below the Director were four Commanders of the East, West, South, and North. Below them were ten Directors. And Bai Ziqing was known as the head of the Ten Great Directors. This was because he had broken through to the High Grade Martial Artist Realm seven years ago. That man named Chi Bufan was also a Director, a Martial Artist in the Fifth Grade.

"Oh." Zeng Anmin looked around, a touch of solemnity appearing on his face.

If that was the case, it would probably be disadvantageous for his investigation of Prince Qi’s Mansion. Judging by Bai Ziqing’s expression, it was obvious he didn’t get along with Chi Bufan.

He frowned and asked, "How are the duties divided for this raid?"

"He’s in charge of the outer courtyard, and I’m taking the inner courtyard." Bai Ziqing glanced at the sky outside the window, then stood up and said, "It’s almost time. Let’s head out."

Upon hearing the words "inner courtyard," Zeng Anmin’s eyes calmed. The inner courtyard sounded exactly like the kind of place where Emperor Xi’s Map would be hidden.

"Okay." He didn’t say much else and followed Bai Ziqing out of the office.

"Assemble!" Bai Ziqing’s voice carried a hint of coldness. His gaze shifted to the man who had just fetched Zeng Anmin.

Huang Shi respectfully took the order and went to gather the men. Before long, a squad of about thirty men marched over. Whether in their attire, their pacing, or their posture, the men were perfectly uniform. The squad exuded the imposing aura of a massive army. The sense of oppression was incredibly strong, and everyone wore a solemn expression.

In the Imperial City Department, even the lowest-ranking Riders had to be at least Eighth Grade Martial Artists! This was the true foundation of the imperial family!

"Greetings, Director Bai!" Everyone shouted in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized. A wave of fierce martial intent washed over the area.

Bai Ziqing remained expressionless, merely uttering a single word: "Move."

"Yes, sir!"

The thirty men turned back in perfect unison and, led by Huang Shi, marched toward the street. As the gates of the Imperial City Department opened, the squad stepped out into the street.

Huang Shi shouted at the top of his lungs, "Imperial City Department on official business! Clear the way!"

WHOOSH!

The commoners who saw them instantly scattered like frightened birds and beasts. Avoiding them like the plague, the street was completely cleared in an instant. The Imperial City Department’s vicious reputation was already deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people.

Bai Ziqing and Zeng Anmin each rode a horse, following the squad as they advanced.

"Aren’t we waiting for what’s-his-name?" Zeng Anmin asked, glancing curiously at Bai Ziqing.

"We handle our own tasks. We don’t interfere with each other," Bai Ziqing replied with a smile. He looked forward, and his voice drifted into Zeng Anmin’s ears. "When we get there, just stick by my side. If anyone asks, say you’re my recording clerk."

Bai Ziqing thought for a moment, his face turning serious as he added, "After we enter the inner courtyard of Prince Qi’s Mansion, I can give you half an hour. Whatever you want to do, I’ll pretend I didn’t see it. But once the half hour is up, you must return to my side."

"You got it!" Zeng Anmin nodded with a bright smile, feeling quite moved in his heart.