Chapter 11: Deep-Rooted Beliefs
Wang Lu followed the road all the way to its end before turning left. He glanced back at the Thousand-house Office and sneered coldly.
Ling Yun Kai was the epitome of a stereotypical villain—utterly devoid of any spark of humanity, a figure nothing short of detestable.
His equal in contempt was Yin Cheng, the junior flag officer under Shen Lian. These two were cut from the same cloth.
In the case of Guo Zhen’s murder the following night, Yin Cheng not only investigated while drunk but also blurted reckless arrogance, fabricating that Wei Zhongxian’s downfall was imminent. Ling Yun Kai recorded this all, intending to send him to the Zhaoyi Prison.
Even though his superior Shen Lian was right there—Ling Yun Kai merely a commanding flag officer, while Shen Lian, though not arrogant, was at least a captain—Yin Cheng fled on foot.
When Shen Lian caught up with him, Yin Cheng chose to take his own life rather than endure the brutal tortures of Zhaoyi Prison.
This incident implicated another friend of Yin Cheng from the Southern Town Pacification Office, Pei Lun. To uncover the truth behind Yin Cheng’s death, Pei Lun targeted Shen Lian. If not for Lu Wenzhao’s efforts to keep the matter hidden and his friendship with Shen Lian, Shen Lian would surely have faced legal trouble.
Later, when Pei Lun attempted to cover for Lu Wenzhao but was stabbed in the kidney by him, Shen Lian saved Pei Lun and explained the truth behind Yin Cheng’s suicide.
Pei Lun mockingly remarked, “If Lord Shen considers Yin Cheng a friend, why wouldn’t Yin Cheng have introduced me to you?”
The Northern Town Pacification Office handled external affairs, while the Southern Town focused mainly on internal corruption and crimes within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
In essence, it was a system of discipline and administration. Yet, despite Yin Cheng having such a connection, he never introduced Shen Lian.
Wang Lu could not fathom how Yin Cheng had the nerve to expect Shen Lian to let him off so easily.
That was why Wang Lu believed these two were nothing more than scoundrels of the same breed.
If Yin Cheng were under his command, once Wang Lu inherited Pei Lun’s connection, he would have found a way to ruin such an untrustworthy teammate outright.
From start to finish, Wang Lu never saw any value in Yin Cheng.
Continuing down the street after an afternoon of drinking, Wang Lu staggered slightly with each step.
Still, he bit his tongue lightly and managed to clear his head somewhat.
Passing by an inn in Xuannan Lane, he suddenly stopped and approached an old man selling sugar figurines by the roadside.
About twenty paces away, a woman paused in front of a street performer breaking stones on his chest, watching with interest.
“Heh,” Wang Lu chuckled softly.
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“Lu Wenzhao, oh Lu Wenzhao, why did you choose someone to tail me so poorly? Sending your junior sister to follow me—aren’t you just throwing meat to the dogs…”
Wang Lu faltered slightly. “How did I end up insulting myself?”
Unable to find a better description, Wang Lu took out ten copper coins and lined them up on the old man’s counter, then reached for a tiger-shaped sugar figurine.
Just as Wang Lu turned to leave, a fearful voice came from behind.
“Sir, you’ve overwhelmed this old man; please take the sugar figurine as a gift. Kindly keep your coins.”
The old man, puffing his cheeks like a frog as he blew the sugar art, hadn’t noticed Wang Lu until the coins were placed on the counter.
Seeing Wang Lu’s embroidered flying fish uniform, the old man first froze, then showed fear.
The flying fish uniform was roughly equivalent to an administrative jacket in later times, even more authoritative than an ID card.
The old man hurriedly grabbed the money with both hands, offering it back respectfully.
Noticing the old man's uneasy gaze and trembling posture, Wang Lu frowned slightly. “Don’t you pay when you buy things?”
Hunching his body, the old man tried to appear submissive. “Others pay for goods, but sir, you are Embroidered Uniform Guard. This old man dares not accept your money. Please consider the sugar figurine my humble tribute.”
Wang Lu knew what was going on.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard’s reputation was notorious.
Rest assured, it was all ill repute, more like a child's tantrum; to the common folk, they were even more terrifying than the Eastern Depot.
But Wang Lu disliked this. He wanted to live only for himself, yet standing before this old man, who looked at him with awe and fear, Wang Lu felt uneasy.
“Why? Do you think my money is dirty?” Wang Lu asked sharply.
Over the years, Wang Lu had learned how to make common folk accept his money.
Reasoning with them was futile, for they wouldn’t believe an Embroidered Uniform Guard could be good, just as ordinary people couldn’t believe an official wouldn’t embezzle.
Wang Lu’s tone made the old man tremble as he replied, “No, no, this old man dares not; sir’s money is the cleanest under heaven. It’s just that this old man is unworthy to accept it.”
“What’s the use of all that talk? If you don’t think it’s dirty, then keep it,” Wang Lu said.
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Plop!
To Wang Lu’s surprise, the old man dropped to his knees, holding the money with both hands. “This old man thanks you, sir!”
Wang Lu turned away wearily, refusing to help the old man up; such gestures would be pointless and only waste breath.
Deep-rooted thoughts are not changed in a moment.
Wang Lu also didn't want to influence the old man to develop even a slight fondness for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, lest a few days later the old man encountered a “normal” guard and ended up ruined.
Only a few breaths after Wang Lu’s retreating back disappeared from view, the woman in white who had been watching the stone-breaking performance approached.
The old man, frail in health, struggled to rise, supporting himself with trembling hands. Just then, a strong hand steadied his arm.
“Thank you, miss,” the old man said, turning to see a beautiful woman helping him up.
Ding Baiying’s eyes radiated a cold light as she asked, “Did that lackey just now bully you?”
Frightened, the old man quickly tried to cover Ding Baiying’s mouth, but she just leaned back, evading his dark hand.
Unable to silence her, the old man anxiously said, “Miss, please don’t speak recklessly. This is the capital city—if the Embroidered Uniform Guard heard, both you and I would be doomed!”
A sneer curled Ding Baiying’s lips, her eyes full of disdain. “They’re powerless against me. Now, tell me, did that—Embroidered Uniform Guard bully you?”
“No, no,” the old man said, nearly wetting himself when she almost said “lackey” again, grateful she stopped herself.
He sighed and opened his palm, showing the ten copper coins. “That lord is different from the others. He insisted on paying; I wanted to return the money, hence the disagreement. You misunderstood, miss, but please don’t do anything rash.”
Ding Baiying’s expression remained unchanged, though curiosity flickered within. She asked, “Isn’t it proper for him to pay? Then why did you kneel before him?”
“Ah...”