"Lu Zhenghai, shut up!" Centurion Song almost cursed.
Are you, Lu Zhenghai, an idiot?
Thousand-Household Lord has already shown mercy, and you're still pushing your luck?
Are you crazy? If you anger Thousand-Household Lord, you might suffer an even greater punishment.
Centurion Wang, on the other hand, was excited. Those who are arrogant always invite disaster. This little bastard even dared to contradict Commander Lin, hahahaha... just wait for Commander Lin to punish him!
Commander Lin narrowed his eyes slightly, sizing up Lu Zhenghai. His deep gaze held surprise, appreciation, and a hint of irritation.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the Thousand-Household office was exceptionally silent.
After a long while.
Commander Lin said with a half-smile, "Lu Zhenghai, do you mean that without you, our Embroidered Uniform Guard can't investigate cases?"
Centurion Song frantically winked at Lu Zhenghai.
Lu Zhenghai, however, pretended not to see it and said seriously, "Not necessarily, but I heard that His Majesty gave half a month for the escort agency case. Now eight or nine days have passed without any progress. There are only five or six days left, time is pressing. If I join..."
Commander Lin's voice suddenly rose, "If you join, can you clarify it within the remaining five or six days? Are you making a military pledge?"
"Thousand-Household Lord..." Centurion Song finally couldn't hold back and tried to say something.
"I didn't ask you to speak." Commander Lin didn't give Centurion Song a chance to speak. He stared deeply at Lu Zhenghai: "Lu Zhenghai, are you making a military pledge?"
"Yes!" Lu Zhenghai nodded heavily without a moment's thought.
Commander Lin burst out laughing:
"Young people are indeed full of drive and confidence."
"Then, as you said, these fifty blows will be postponed."
"If you can fulfill the military pledge, the fifty blows can be waived entirely, and you will even receive further commendations."
"If the military pledge is not fulfilled, then it will not be fifty blows, but one hundred blows, and you will be demoted back to Squad Leader. Can you accept that?"
...Lu Zhenghai nodded without hesitation: "I accept!"
Lu Zhenghai thought: I haven't even taken the exam yet, and I already have the answer. The Human Flesh Inn is the answer. I'm directly in an unbeatable position! It's pure dimensionality reduction combat, otherwise, how could I be so arrogant?
"You scoundrel, you're absolutely insane!" Centurion Song was so angry he was trembling. He felt that Lu Zhenghai had completely gotten carried away.
Centurion Wang, seeing the situation before him, should have been happy.
After all, Lu Zhenghai's arrogant demeanor looked like he was bound to stumble.
However, he clenched his hands, feeling an inexplicable sense of oppression in his heart.
He felt that Lu Zhenghai might actually have a talent for investigating cases.
Since Lu Zhenghai wasn't punished directly today, it was possible that he could rely on solving the escort agency case to earn merit and escape punishment in the future.
If this continued, Lu Zhenghai's strength would soar day by day, and one day he would be stronger than Wang Shanhe.
After all, every meritorious deed was accompanied by coveted points.
A thought suddenly flashed through Centurion Wang's mind: To hell with the escort agency case, to hell with the postponed punishment, I want you to die immediately!
Centurion Wang decided that he would assassinate Lu Zhenghai tonight, no longer giving Lu Zhenghai a chance to develop stealthily.
At this moment, Commander Lin smiled and said, "Tonight, a distinguished lord has invited me to a grand feast. It just so happens I can bring a few people. Centurion Song, Centurion Wang, and Chief Lu, you three should also come along and see the world at Luoshui Tower!"
"Luoshui Tower?"
Centurion Song and Centurion Wang's expressions changed slightly.
Anyone from the imperial city who hasn't heard of the legend of Luoshui Tower? This Luoshui Tower is not a place where ordinary people can dine.
"Hahahaha... Tonight is my first time going to Luoshui Tower too. I never had the Opportunity before."
Commander Lin felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Centurion Song and Centurion Wang's expressions.
Lu Zhenghai, however, felt nothing.
Although he hadn't been to Luoshui Tower either.
But he felt that it was just a broken restaurant, made out to be some incredible place. Wasn't it just hunger marketing?
However, if someone was treating him to a grand feast, there was no reason not to go.
"Centurion Wang, arrange for someone to give Chief Banner Officer Lü's body a proper burial. Additionally, apply for a sum of silver as compensation for Chief Banner Officer Lü's family. As for Chief Banner Officer Lü's cause of death, he died of a sudden illness within the Garrison." Commander Lin added.
"Yes!" Centurion Wang did not object in the slightest.
Since he had already decided to kill Lu Zhenghai tonight, he felt a sense of relief and wouldn't quibble over other things.
Soon.
Commander Lin led the way, followed by Centurion Song, Centurion Wang, and Lu Zhenghai, leaving the Garrison.
At the Garrison gate, carriages were already prepared.
As the four arrived outside the Garrison, it was already getting dark.
Just as the four were about to board the carriage, "Young Master Lu..." a clear, light voice came hurrying from not far away.
A beautiful woman in a purple dress was seen walking quickly.
Lu Zhenghai stopped to look.
Commander Lin and Centurion Song also looked at the woman with interest, then glanced at Lu Zhenghai, with a hint of wanting to watch a show.
As for Centurion Wang, his Face was expressionless.
"You are?" Lu Zhenghai didn't recognize her at all.
Zi Ling: "I am the personal Maidservant of my Young Miss Pei Muwan."
At these words, even Commander Lin's expression changed somewhat. The name Pei Muwan was too famous in the imperial city.
Centurion Wang was equally shocked, and jealous.
Centurion Song, however, looked somewhat smug and proud.
Zi Ling solemnly handed the invitation in her hand to Lu Zhenghai: "Young Master Lu, my Young Miss has already reserved a private room at Luoshui Tower tonight to invite you to dinner. This is the invitation."
Lu Zhenghai was a little shocked.
Luoshui Tower again?
Apparently, the important figure Commander Lin mentioned was not Pei Muwan.
How coincidental, two dinner invitations? Both at Luoshui Tower?
If he had to choose one, he would definitely choose Pei Muwan's invitation, as it was specifically for him, while with Thousand-Household Lord's dinner, he was just an accompanying accessory.
"Young Master Lu, it's already dark, please hurry to Luoshui Tower!"
As if afraid Lu Zhenghai would refuse, Zi Ling handed the invitation to Lu Zhenghai, gave a quick instruction, and then turned to leave.
Watching Zi Ling's retreating figure, Commander Lin turned to look at Lu Zhenghai, his gaze fixed, as if trying to see through him: "As far as I know, Pei Muwan has never dined alone with an outside man!"
"Changqing, what exactly is going on?" Centurion Song was also excited, his Face even a little flushed.
That was Pei Muwan, inviting Lu Zhenghai to dinner alone, and at Luoshui Tower.
If word of this got out, it would be incredibly impressive, something to boast about for many years.
"I'm not sure either."
Lu Zhenghai knew it was probably because of "immortal by the river," but he certainly wouldn't say it aloud.
Beside him, Centurion Wang's breathing grew hot with jealousy.
He had already decided to assassinate Lu Zhenghai tonight.
Now, that idea was even more firm.
Damn it, if I don't kill him now, I really won't be able to.
Lu Zhenghai is truly rising; look, he can even get involved with Pei Muwan.
What level of existence is Pei Muwan? A goddess! The Grand Tutor's direct descendant! One of the twin beauties of the imperial city!
Too terrifying.
"Hahahahaha, get in the carriage, let's go to Luoshui Tower." Commander Lin patted Lu Zhenghai's shoulder.
Commander Lin suddenly remembered that the important figure who invited him to dinner tonight, it seemed... it seemed there had always been rumors that he was infatuated with Pei Muwan!
And then, Pei Muwan was inviting Lu Zhenghai to dinner alone at Luoshui Tower tonight.
They wouldn't run into each other, would they?
If they did, that important figure might end up hating Lu Zhenghai.
Should he tell Lu Zhenghai to stand Pei Muwan up? No, wouldn't that offend Pei Muwan? Offending Pei Muwan would have even more serious consequences.
Moreover, if Lu Zhenghai could befriend Pei Muwan, it would be a very, very good thing for the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard. This was a great Opportunity, and it couldn't be easily ruined.
Commander Lin sighed inwardly: Pray they don't run into each other!
If they really did, at worst, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would firmly protect Lu Zhenghai.
Presumably, that important figure, seeing the Face of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Pei Muwan, wouldn't dare to go too far, right?
In that case, he would have to introduce Lu Zhenghai to the two Deputy Commanders and the Commander as soon as possible.
He himself was just a Thousand-Household, unable to represent the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard, and could not forcibly protect Lu Zhenghai against that important figure.
But the Deputy Commanders and Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could probably do it... Under the night sky.
On the beautiful Luoshui River bank, stood the nine-story Luoshui Tower.
Ordinarily, Luoshui Tower was very quiet, as those who could enter and exit Luoshui Tower were all people of status, often seeking peace and discretion.
But tonight, the windows of all nine floors of Luoshui Tower were vaguely crowded with people.
These people, all of different statuses, shared one commonality: they were all of considerable background.
They were all casting their gazes upon the woman standing in front of Luoshui Tower.
That was Pei Muwan!!!
Everyone was shocked and perplexed.
The famously aloof goddess, the fairy-like Pei Muwan, would actually come to Luoshui Tower?
She seemingly never dined at Luoshui Tower, right? This should be the first time.
What was even more incomprehensible was that Pei Muwan seemed to be waiting for someone.
Who would require Pei Muwan to lower herself to wait at the entrance?
Even a prince wouldn't receive such treatment!
"Young Miss, you are already so, so beautiful, but tonight, to invite Young Master Lu to dinner, you even put on such exquisite makeup. Fortunately, it's late at night, and visibility isn't that good, otherwise, if Young Miss stood here, all the young talents in the city would probably gather." Bai Zhi whispered, with a hint of pride, smugness, and exaggerated expression.
"Nonsense." Pei Muwan said faintly.
Zi Ling was a little worried: "Young Miss, many people upstairs at Luoshui Tower are curiously watching. Your greeting Young Master Lu like this is too high-profile. I'm afraid Young Master Lu will be resented!"
It was well-known that within the imperial city, almost every man admired their Young Miss and Princess Mingzhu. The most dazzling twin beauties of the imperial city was not just a saying.
"It's fine!" A rare hint of assertiveness appeared on Pei Muwan's exquisite Face: "Whoever dares to harm Young Master Lu is an enemy of my Grand Tutors Residence!"