Chapter Fifty-Nine: Wish

The next day, Qin Yi reported to the office.

Outside the precinct.

“Chief, Qin Feng’s leave has ended, I’m here to report.”

“Come in!” came He Xiongjian’s voice from within.

When Qin Yi entered, he saw He Xiongjian poring over a stack of official documents.

“Greetings, Chief,” Qin Yi saluted.

“Hmm, now you’re the only one left in Team Twelve. We’re currently recruiting new members, but in the past few days, only five have joined. For now, you’ll lead these newcomers and temporarily follow Team Eleven in carrying out tasks. When we have more staff, we’ll restore the previous team structure,” He Xiongjian said carelessly.

“Yes, Chief,” Qin Yi nodded.

“Team Twelve recently discovered heavy armor at the Four Seas Trading Company. You deserve credit for that. I’ll apply for you to become team leader. For now, you’ll act as team leader. That’s all, you may go.”

“Thank you for your guidance,” Qin Yi replied, bowing.

“Hmm, go on.”

“Yes!”

...

Next door, in Team Eleven’s precinct courtyard.

“Captain Liu, Chief asked me to temporarily work with you. Please take care of me these days,” Qin Yi said, clasping his fists towards the scruffy man before him.

“Captain Qin, you’re too polite. Actually, I should congratulate you in advance—you’re about to become Team Twelve’s captain,” Captain Liu said, his face full of envy.

Qin Feng had only just joined the team, yet he kept earning merit. Now, Team Twelve had dwindled to just him, and with Chief He recommending him as captain, his promotion was virtually guaranteed.

“I haven’t been officially approved yet, so nothing’s certain,” Qin Yi replied modestly.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qin Yi asked, “Captain Liu, I’ve been recovering from my injuries these days. Have those people from the Martial Prohibition Hall left yet?”

“Left? Not a chance! We’ve been helping them search for some damned Daoist painting, who knows what trouble’s coming next,” Captain Liu grumbled.

A few days ago, during the hunt for a wanted criminal, Team Eleven lost nearly twenty men; even two vice-captains perished.

If Old Liu hadn’t been lucky, his wife might have remarried by now!

“Indeed. One word from above, and we run ourselves ragged. Sometimes, our lives aren’t even safe,” Qin Yi agreed.

“That’s right.”

Captain Liu glanced at the sky and said, “Captain Qin, it’s getting late. Today’s task is to search every household in the southern part of the city for that Daoist painting.”

“What does the painting look like?” Qin Yi asked.

“The people from Martial Prohibition Hall said it’s a picture of an old Daoist in green robes. Anyway, any painting with a Daoist or anything related to Daoists must be confiscated and delivered to the Hall.”

“Oh~”

That morning, Qin Yi led five newcomers with Team Eleven to search house by house in the southern city. In the afternoon, they inspected several antique and art shops, confiscating over a dozen paintings depicting Daoists.

By evening, back at the office.

Inside the precinct.

“Finally done for the day,” Captain Liu stretched.

“Xiao Liu, take these paintings to the people at Martial Prohibition Hall.”

“Captain Liu, where are the Hall’s people staying now?” Qin Yi asked curiously.

“They’re lodging at the separate courtyard by the office.”

“Oh…”

On the way back, Qin Yi dwelled on the day Tang Mingwu tried to kill him. He hadn’t forgotten that grudge.

He definitely wanted revenge.

But Tang Mingwu was said to have the strength of the ninth stage!

When leaving that day, Qin Yi distinctly saw Tang Mingwu’s right flank injured—likely the result of Elder Zhang Daoxuan’s final counterattack.

But an injured ninth-stage fighter was still formidable.

“I wonder how much strength he has left after being wounded!” Qin Yi hesitated.

If the man still possessed most of his power, attempting an assassination might end with Qin Yi himself falling.

“Forget it. Revenge can wait ten years. I’ll bide my time, grow stronger, and crush him when the moment comes.”

...

Night.

Office.

In the separate courtyard.

A room was thick with the scent of herbal medicine and blood.

Tang Mingwu’s right flank was wrapped with layer upon layer of gauze. Blood stains were faintly visible on the bandages over his wound. Zhang Daoxuan’s sword had pierced his right flank—not a severe injury at first, but in his last moment, Zhang Daoxuan twisted the short sword, causing a second wound and directly injuring Tang Mingwu’s internal organs!

“Rip!”

Tang Mingwu tore apart the last Daoist painting submitted, his face dark and sullen.

“Where did Zhang Daoxuan hide that Daoist painting?”

Had it been hidden before entering Jiangning County, or was it concealed somewhere within the city?

If it was in Jiangning, searching would be easier. If it was out in the wild, finding it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack!

He had already discussed with Guo Hu today. Tomorrow, Guo Hu would lead a team to retrace Zhang Daoxuan’s escape route, searching for clues.

Tang Mingwu himself would stay in the city to continue the hunt.

Whoosh!

A sharp arrow suddenly flew from the darkness, striking the gate of the courtyard.

“Who’s there!”

Guo Hu in the neighboring room was the first to rush out, only to find no one in the night outside.

Tang Mingwu quickly followed.

When they saw an arrow sticking in the courtyard gate, tied with a letter, the two exchanged glances.

“Go open it and see what it is,” Guo Hu ordered one of the Martial Prohibition Guards.

“Yes, sir.”

Soon, Guo Hu and Tang Mingwu read the letter’s contents: “If you want the Daoist painting, meet at Farewell Pavilion, three miles outside the city!”

“The painting has fallen into someone else’s hands. Is it real?” Tang Mingwu frowned.

“Real or trap, we have to go. If we fail to find the painting, the punishment will be severe,” Guo Hu said grimly.

“If they dare to toy with us, I’ll make them regret it!” Guo Hu said confidently.

“Will you come with me?” Guo Hu looked at Tang Mingwu.

“You go. I’m still recovering,” Tang Mingwu shook his head.

“Alright.” Guo Hu didn’t insist, knowing the other’s injuries were serious.

“Be careful!” Tang Mingwu said.

“Don’t worry. Not everyone can match Zhang Daoxuan’s frightening speed!”

Soon, Guo Hu led the remaining eight Martial Prohibition Guards out of the city.

Far away, on the rooftop of a tall building, a figure lay motionless, eyes fixed on the distant courtyard.

“Only Guo Hu has left the city. It seems Tang Mingwu’s injuries are severe,” Qin Yi thought to himself.

He had only meant to test things casually, but unexpectedly, he’d obtained exactly the result he wanted.