# 165. An Opportunity to Turn the Tides
Xu Qian imdiately stepped forward, pushing the guard over, kicking aside his blade, and lay into him with slap after slap: Will you go or not? Will you go or not
The other guard was frozen in shock, not knowing whether or not to stop him.
No no more The first guard on the floor hugged his head, pleading desperately: Please, Im just a lowly guard, youre putting in a difficult situation here, do you want Wei Yuan to punish ?
Xu Qian was Wei Yuans favourite, and so he didnt dare fight back. As long as the forr did not try to barge into the Tower of Noble Spirit, the guards would not choose to attack.
I understand, we all have our troubles. Seeing that he had successfully beaten the stubbornness out of the guard, Xu Qian drew back his hand, satisfied, and pulled out a tael of silver from his wallet:
I hope this chunk of silver will be sufficient for you to take the risk. Otherwise Ill find soone else.
Yes yes yes, the guard took the silver, picked up his sabre, and slipped into the Tower of Noble Spirit.
After ten or so minutes, Xu Qian saw candlelight flare up on the seventh floor, and a mont later, the guard ca down: Duke Wei invites you up. As for this madam
An Arcanist from the Sitianjian, shes one of us. Xu Qian led Chu Caiwei inside.
In the day, there were clerks at their posts in the Tower of Noble Spirit, and it was still rather lively, but at night there was not a sound, and the building gave off an aura of loneliness.
*Wei Yuan lives here all year round, does he not get lonely?*
As he wondered to himself, he walked up to the seventh floor tea room. It wasnt warm inside, no coals were in the fireplace, and not a single servant was in the room.
Wei Yuan was sat by the table in his azure robe, with his black hair hanging loose, playing with an oil lamp in his hand. Seeing Xu Qian had arrived, he imdiately ordered: Make a fire, boil water, and light all the other candles.
*He seems a bit cold heh, even though Wei Yuan is an old master scher, he seems not to have the talent for martial arts haha, heaven is fair after all* Xu Qian obeyed his commands, lighting the candles one by one, putting the brazier by Wei Yuans side, and placing a kettle of water on it.
Today, I ordered Qianrou to tell you to hide, yet he searched the constabulary up and down, and could not find you. When he went to the Xu House, you had not returned. When he went to the Jiaofangsi, you werent there.
At this ti of night, I gather it is not about the corruption case? Wei Yuan laughed, turning his gaze to Chu Caiwei, and asking:
Is this small Bronze Gong Miss Caiweis sweetheart?
Chu Caiweis face went red: No!
However she was not mature enough, and the blush ca and went just like that. Her eyes fell on the tea table, and saw nothing edible present.
This room suddenly beca very boring.
Duke Wei, Ive discovered a troubling case. Xu Qian sat cross-legged by the table, facing Wei Yuan, Today I applied for leave to go look at properties, and I found an abandoned haunted house. I went with Miss Caiwei to deal with it, and I ended up channelling with the spirit
Xu Qian recounted what he saw during the channelling. At the start, Wei Yuan did not seem too interested, but when he heard that that house was a brothel for trafficked won, his face darkened slightly. When he heard about Minister of Industry eting with soone seemingly from the Church of the Warlock God, to smuggle weapons, cannons, and furthermore with relations to Yunzhou, the great eunuchs face beca as dark as the depths of the ocean.
The Qi Clique really has ties to the bandits in Yunzhou. Very good, this information is very important. Wei Yuan looked at Xu Qian, kindliness and appreciation in his eyes, You are very able at providing pleasant surprises.
*Then adopt as your son* Xu Qians heart said.
Freeloader Xu was soone who had pride, though, and so those words could not ever see the light of day.
Duke Wei, Zhu Yangs betrayal is all because of . Xu Qian said in sha.
Without him, there would still be other incidents. This ti, it is the Qi clique making enemies with . Of course, there are other parties aiding and abetting behind the scenes. Wei Yuan did not explain why the Qi clique would make enemies with him.
*The ones behind this corruption case is the Qi clique?*
From the earth book, he discovered from One that Zhu Yang had betrayed the constabulary. However, One did not ntion that the ones behind the scenes was the Qi clique, Xu Qian was under the impression that the Wang clique were really behind it.
*This is too coincidental today the corruption case arose in the constabulary, pulling into it, and imdiately I discover sothing this big.*
*Is this due to a change in fortune, because Im nearly in Refining Spirit? Otherwise itd be unexplainable.*
How interesting, the Wang clique cosying up with the Yao, the Qi clique making buddies with the Warlocks, what kind of people are running the country? Chu Caiwei lampooned, Has His Majestys daoist cultivation turned his brain a bit funny?
Xu Qian quickly elbowed the filterless young woman.
His Majesty does not care for the affairs of court. Even though he still has ultimate authority, it is difficult to prevent so demons and evildoers from appearing. However his control of power is still very strong, and the many dukes of court are not idiots. Wei Yuan did not care much for Chu Caiweis *Lse-majest*; after all the Sitianjians Arcanists were all like this.
That Yang Qianhuan, in his rather comical style still turns his back even to His Majesty. And His Majesty would not be angered, as to those who were able and useful, yet devoid of political power, he was always kind and generous.
Is not the Confucianists dragon-killing technique specifically for killing this dragon. Xu Qian smirked.
As soon as he finished, he felt Chu Caiweis vengeance-filled elbow stick into his side.
Emperor Yuanjing controlled the court, and the officials all acted for him. When an emperor only cared about his own power, and not about the nation and its people, then the reasoning behind appointnts will change, from those of talent to those obedient, and unlikely to rebel.
As to their abilities and moral conduct, that was priority number two, except for unparalleled savants like Wei Yuan.
*Rotten to the core Wei Yuan, is this why you want to clear the court of its rot* Xu Qian rembered sothing Wei Yuan had said to him once, about how he wanted to purge the court of its miasma, and rein back the decline of the country. But before this, he must be like the dust, and permit those under him to make error.
After all, he was a lone official, if he didnt have people under him who were able, then how could he hope to fight against the weight of the entire court?
Wei Yuan took out paper and brush, planning to write a letter. Xu Qian obediently poured so water, and began to grind ink[^1]. He watched as daddy Wei drafted his letter, and pressed on his seal.
Take this letter to Zhang Kaitai, the current Gold Gong on duty. He will take people to root out this trafficking ring. Wei Yuan said.
*I know a scholar called Chen Tai, I wonder what this Zhang Kaitai ans* Xu Qian nodded, Yes sir.
He lead Chu Caiwei out of the Tower of Noble Spirit, and asked after the whereabouts of Zhang Kaitais office. He was directed to the Divine Sword Hall, and when he arrived he realised that he had t this sword-wielding Gold Gong a few tis before.
The Gold Gong that was wrapped in bandages was exactly him.
Zhang Kaitai was like a proud and lonely knight; when he felt silent, it was as if he was a thousand li from everyone.
*If he were to be alive in the modern day, then he would be a* Simon the Snow Blower[^2] *type professional* Xu Qian thought.
What is it. Zhang Kaitais eyes fell on the letter in Xu Qians hand.
Xu Qian handed it over, as well as recounting his conversation with Wei Yuan.
After he was finished, Zhang Kaitais usually calm and cool face broke into laughter and delight like ice lting in spring, Good, good! This will make the Qi Clique face the consequences!
If our brothers can overco this hardship, then youll have been the most help.
Zhang Kaitais opinion of Xu Qian was alright, but he did not understand why Yang Yan and Jiang Lyuzhong would move spear and sword because of him, and even less so why Wei Yuan would look so favourably upon him.
Yes, he was quite brave, and was an excellent detective, talent was talent sure, but with Wei Yuans status? Why would he nonetheless be so partial to a Bronze Gong?
After the Sangpo Case though, he admitted that Xu Qian was a talent worth nurturing.
And at this very mont, the delighted Zhang Kaitai started to appreciate this very ordinary Bronze Gong. He could always deliver pleasant suprises.
Fifteen minutes later, after gathering n and horses, he assembled forty bailiffs, over twenty Bronze Gongs, six Silver Gongs, and equipped them with muskets, crossbows, ropes and so on, a full military platoon.
Torches in hand, the whole squad ran after Xu Qian, their pace scarily quick. Under the flickering of torchlight, they arrived at their target in only half an hour.
There was no sign on the door of the manor, and the red lacquered door was shut tight. Zhang Kaitai waved his hand, his face cold, and tersely gave his command: Surround it.
The bailiffs with their torches in hand, scattered around.
A Silver Gong stepped forwards, pulling out his sabre, and with a big shout slashed at the door, and under a flash of white light the red door exploded. The Nightwatchers rushed in, and a group of ard rcenaries ca to et them with angry shouts, yet as soon as they got there they were flattened by the Nightwatchers, pushed underfoot alive or dead.
Within ca faintly the sound of a flute, yet that quickly stopped, as if its player had heard the commotion in the front courtyard. A mont later, the entire mansion arose in uproar.
Xu Qian, blade in hand, lead the vanguard, cutting down any rcenary guard he saw in his way. As he cut, the mories of the deceased woman flashed through his mind.
Images of those humiliated, abused, and mutilated won.
In one breath they ca to the central courtyard, and saw ten or so guests and won gathered in the the warm and cosy main hall. Their clothes were askew, and their faces frightened.
Nightwatchers? the guests where aghast.
Xu Qian swished his black-gold sabre, leaving a line of blood on the floor. Pointing his blade at them, he said Arrest them all, those who resist, kill without rcy.
He then left the main hall, taking a few Bronze Gongs to barge down door after door, and pull off the bed the sleeping guests who had just satiated their cravings. They were also brought to the main courtyard.
Youre not getting clothes, place your hands on your head and kneel down!
He was well used to the process of raiding hotels. What was different though was that in the previous life, he would make fun of the guests caught with their pants down, asking: You married?
Now though, he was filled with anger, and a desire to kill.
Compared to the *qinglou* brothels, these type of private establishnts were far more secretive, and so one could relax and talk proper business.
Further more, the fucking was good, the won were plenty, and you can abuse them however you wanted. Even if you killed one there were people to deal with the problem for you. Moreover, these were won of good upbringing; you certainly couldnt abuse the Jiaofangsis won like this.
The sudden raid ended as quick as it started. Gold Gong Zhang took Xu Qians suggestion, and stripped the guests of their clothes, forcing them to kneel in the yard with their hands on their heads, suffering in the cold January breeze.
At first, so yelled out Scholars can be killed but never humiliated!, yet when Zhang Kaitai lopped off his head, the others quietened down.
In their actions, the Nightwatchers had the authority to cut first and ask questions later.
Mister Cao, its you yo, Mister Wang is here too Mister Tang is certainly short and plucky a Silver Gong laughed coldly as he talked to familiar officials.
In the warm main hall was gathered over twenty beautiful won, all very young of age. Amongst them were also a few eleven to twelve year old boys.
The Great Feng cracked down heavily on privately keeping young boys, but the number of businessn and officials with that perversion were not insignificant, and so many places would have so around to serve these particular guests.
It makes one want to vomit. A Silver Gong spat.
Zhang Kaitai was in the middle of interrogating the owner of the manor. He was a wealthily dressed middle-aged man, and he was vigorously kowtowing to the Gold Gong, saying: This lowly man is guilty, this lowly man deserves death.
Zhang Kaitai asked darkly: Who do you have behind this?
No one, sir, this lowly man only wanted to make friends with so important people in court.
Zhang Kaitai did not ask further, rely reminding his Silver Gongs to watch him closely, and not let him commit suicide. Inside the Nightwatchers dungeon, even a stone statue would talk.
Xu Qian said: There is a well in the back courtyard, especially used to dispose of bodies.
Zhang Kaitai looked deeply at the middle-aged man.
Xu Qian, Chu Caiwei, and Zhang Kaitai went together to the back courtyard, and found the well. Holding their torches over the opening, they saw murky black water, as a light stench of rot floated up from it.
*When flesh rots away, the bones will sink down we might have to go in and fetch them* the corner of Xu Qians mouth twitched.
Suddenly, Chu Caiwei let out an eh?. She looked left and right, before jumping onto the rooftop, surveying the whole courtyard.
What is it?
Theres a sealing formation in the back yard, the resentful energy of the well was sealed up. Chu Caiwei said.
*Sealing formation? So this is why the Nightwatchers never discovered this place* Xu Qian nodded in realisation, as his expression suddenly beca strange:
Are formations not the work of you Arcanists?
At the sa ti, a doubt welled up in his mind: given that they had the ability to set a formation and seal the resentful energy, then why didnt they get rid of it outright?
It must be said, even a seventh-rank Chu Caiwei could do as much. Put a yang-aura formation in the yard, and your troubles would be gone.
Then well there must be wandering arcanists. Chu Caiwei pursed her lips, Didnt the tax silver case have signs of an arcanist behind it?
*I dont have any rebuttal!* Xu Qian moved his gaze back to the well entrance, and saw Zhang Kaitai looking at the well wall, deep in thought. Following his gaze, Xu Qian finally saw that within the well was carved many complicated and strange runes.
This is the work of the Warlock Church, it should be so sort of curse. As to what exactly, I dont know. Get soone to make an ink rubbing, well look at it later. Zhang Kaitai explained.
Mn, from what I saw of the resentful spirits mories, this place indeed has sothing to do with the Church of the Warlock God. Xu Qian said, as internally he lampooned:
*I cant rember how many tis Ive been fucked by that Tamraha, if I can find him, Ill make him know what a large one really is.*
Just then, commotion ca from the front hall, along with the screams of won and boys.
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[^1]: Traditionally Chinese inks ca in dry sticks, which can be ground in water against an ink stone to release the pignt.
[^2]: , the Saint of Sword, a character in Gu Longs wuxia novel *Legend of Lu Xiaofeng*
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