Pei Xi Jun, like a startled kitten, murmured:
"This Ghost Market is really dangerous."
"It's alright, I was too focused on the surroundings and neglected you. I'll hold you up."
Zheng Qing extended his hand, allowing Pei Xi Jun to hold onto his arm.
Pei Xi Jun was taken aback.
"If you think it's inappropriate, you can grab my clothes," Zheng Qing added, assuming Xi Jun considered the action too intimate.
Xi Jun quickly shook her head, reaching forward and grabbing his arm:
"It's okay, thank you."
【Pei Xi Jun's favorability increased by 300.】
Finally starting to accumulate some favorability, huh? This is really not easy.
The two strolled through the Ghost Market, Xi Jun clearly visiting for the first time, showing great curiosity towards those making a living around them.
When they encountered a beggar blocking their path, she even tried to offer alms several times.
However, Zheng Qing stopped her.
"There are many beggars in the Ghost Market. Begging is their profession. If you give them money for no reason, they will cling to you. Furthermore, if you're noticed by someone with ill intentions, it might bring you a lot of trouble."
Xi Jun nodded, seeming to understand.
The two continued walking ahead, but an uproar reached them from the front.
Teams of people dressed in fine silks were swaggering ahead, with others making way for them.
"The Jin Wu Guards are raiding Chang'an Red Tea! Unrelated individuals, back off!"
Shouts of commands rang out.
"What's happening ahead?"
Zheng Qing speculated: "They are raiding Chang'an Red Tea. The leader is probably Lu Ling Feng, the Zhong Lang Jiang of the Jin Wu Guards."
When he mentioned the name, Zheng Qing distinctly felt the hand gripping his robe tighten slightly.
"Let's go see what's happening. You're wearing a veil, they won't recognize you," Zheng Qing suggested.
Pei Xi Jun nodded, and the two walked side by side. As they reached a small alley, they found Lu Ling Feng interrogating a defiant tea vendor.
"The Ghost Market's earnings are not subject to taxes. Lu Ling Feng, you're overstepping your authority by investigating me here!"
Lu Ling Feng sneered:
"Oh? But the Chang'an Red Tea you sell has driven countless people into poverty. Shouldn't you feel guilty for that?"
"So what? The red tea I bought was all paid for with real gold and silver! What right do you have to investigate me? If you have the guts, investigate Eleven Niang!" the tea vendor remained defiant.
Whoosh!
An arrow flew in, and two figures appeared on the eaves, they were archers!
Lu Ling Feng slashed the incoming arrow with his sword.
But the two figures shot arrows together, and the soldiers surrounding them retaliated.
As he dodged an arrow, it flew towards the tea vendor behind him!
Whizz!
A tile flew in, intercepting the arrow mid-air.
Seeing this, the two archers immediately vanished towards another direction.
"Don't let the culprits escape!"
Lu Ling Feng roared, leaving Xiao Wu to guard the tea vendor, and then took Guo Zhuang to apprehend the culprits.
But they returned shortly after, disheartened.
With expressions that clearly said "we lost them."
Lu Ling Feng recognized Zheng Qing, since he wasn't wearing a veil. He didn't recognize Xi Jun, who was masked.
"Zheng Qing? Why are you here?"
Zheng Qing replied casually:
"Shouldn't I be asking you that, General Lu? Even though you two aren't wearing armor, the tea vendors here have already memorized your faces. You're still trying to arrest someone. Don't you worry about someone filing a complaint against you?
If that happens, it won't be just you, the entire Chang'an County's catchers will suffer for it."
Lu Ling Feng coldly retorted:
"Afraid? What's there to be afraid of! Wait... where's that tea vendor?"
His eyes suddenly turned sharp, fixed on Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu didn't dare to retort:
"He... He was released by Imperial Censor Zheng."
"Released? Zheng Qing! You have a lot of nerve! You dare to obstruct my investigation!" Lu Ling Feng was furious.
Zheng Qing clearly felt Xi Jun's grip on his arm tightening.
"Lu Ling Feng, what are you shouting about? You want the whole Ghost Market to know that you're investigating? Do you believe that if you really put that tea vendor in the Jin Wu Jail tonight, tomorrow morning, impeachment memorials will be piled up before the Emperor?!"
Zheng Qing's voice suddenly turned deep.
Lu Ling Feng's face turned ashen, his fierce expression almost like he wanted to eat someone.
"You..."
Xiao Wu stepped in to mediate:
"Zhong Lang Jiang, if Imperial Censor Zheng hadn't intervened, that tea vendor would have been shot by the criminals!"
Lu Ling Feng angrily retorted:
"Whose side are you on?"
Zheng Qing calmly stated:
"General Lu, you can continue arguing with me now, but if you lose this Eleven Niang lead, how much time are you prepared to spend making up for it?"
"Imperial Censor Zheng, His Highness the Crown Prince ordered me to investigate Chang'an Red Tea with the Tea Guild. It doesn't seem to be any of your business, does it? You're butting in, is this really appropriate?"
Lu Ling Feng's tone was neither warm nor cold.
He was actually quite resentful towards Zheng Qing.
Zheng Qing calmly replied:
"Alright, then let's act separately."
Watching the two depart together, Guo Zhuang asked curiously:
"Zhong Lang Jiang, who is that person beside Imperial Censor Zheng? They're wrapped up so tightly, they must be no ordinary individual. But judging by their figure, it seems like a woman."
"Enough, let's follow them. I want to see what kind of skills this Zheng Qing actually possesses!" Lu Ling Feng sneered, determined to witness Zheng Qing's downfall.
He didn't know Zheng Qing's martial arts skills, and simply categorized him as someone with a few tricks up their sleeve.
They soon arrived at Eleven Niang's location in the Ghost Market.
Strangely, they had caused quite a commotion during their previous investigation, but now it was a scene of lively singing and dancing, peaceful and tranquil.
Zheng Qing wanted to go in, but Old Jia and the others stopped him.
"Imperial Censor Zheng, you can't go in. It's very strange there. Let us go in first and scout the way for you."
Just then, Lu Ling Feng appeared with several Jin Wu Guards, hearing this clearly.
"No need. I may not be skilled with swords and spears, but I'm certainly not someone they can handle."
Lu Ling Feng coldly stated:
"You stay here and enjoy your private meeting with your beautiful lady! If you die here, someone will again impeach this General for being negligent!"
Xi Jun was angry, and wanted to retort, but Zheng Qing pressed her down.
Her body was trembling slightly, clearly not at peace.
"Then I'll wait here for Zhong Lang Jiang's good news."
Buzz!
Not long after they entered, the guests around scattered, and two of the You Li Four appeared!
Even Yuan Lai, who was impersonating a Daoist, appeared there!
The several of them engaged in a fight, and those who came from Chang'an County retreated one after another.
Zheng Qing noticed that the fight was extremely rushed this time, and Lu Ling Feng didn't even find the weakness of those two strange people in a short period of time!
As the few of them were about to retreat, a large cage descended from the sky, trapping Lu Ling Feng inside.
"Guo Zhuang, leave this place quickly, report to the County Magistrate, and have him bring troops to break into the Ghost Market!"
Guo Zhuang looked hesitant:
"Zhong Lang Jiang, but you..."
"Go!"
Guo Zhuang retreated.
...
Fourth update delivered!
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