Guardians of the Dafeng – Dylan Wang, Tian Xiwei

At the company team-building event, Xu Qi'an arrived late due to meeting with a client. He originally thought it was just a dinner gathering, but to his surprise, the boss announced on the spot that Xu Qi'an would be promoted to Regional Manager of the North District to assist General Manager Zhu. Although the boss described it as "assisting," General Manager Zhu, who was still in a deputy role, had been scheming to secure the top position for years.

He never imagined he would lose to a young newcomer like Xu Qi'an. Manager Zhu was dissatisfied and made sarcastic remarks, implying that Xu Qi'an lacked experience and was merely a sycophant. He made these comments publicly in front of many colleagues, which was hard for anyone to bear. Xu Qi'an remained silent, walked over to grab a bottle of beer, and everyone stared, thinking he might smash it over Manager Zhu’s head.

To their surprise, Xu Qi'an instead respectfully raised the bottle, toasted Manager Zhu, and apologized. To ease the tension, Chu Caiwei quickly suggested they all play a murder mystery game after dinner. The group cheered, breaking the awkward atmosphere. After a few rounds of drinks, Manager Zhu collapsed onto the floor, drunk like a pile of mud. Xu Qi'an led the group in the game and drew the role of a "night watchman.

" As he read the script, he grew puzzled by its intricate plot and the characters' intertwined fates. Little did he expect that when he awoke, he would find himself in a dark, sunless prison cell. A jailer brought a bowl of food and addressed him as "Xu Qi'an. " Xu Qi'an stood up, bewildered, and asked the jailer why he was there, what crime he had committed, or even what time period it was.

He also questioned why they were all wearing costumes. The jailer glared at him, thinking he was being insolent, and dumped the food out for the dogs. Xu Qi'an began recalling the plot of the murder mystery game. Just then, a refined young man came to visit him, introducing himself as Xu Xinnian. Xu Qi'an vaguely remembered this was his second cousin, "Second Young Master Xu.

" According to Xu Xinnian, their father had once lost a shipment of tax silver, leading to the entire Xu family being implicated. Xu Qi'an himself was imprisoned and would soon be exiled to a remote wasteland, while their father was scheduled for execution in five days. Since there was still time, Xu Qi'an immediately begged Xu Xinnian to find the case files by any means possible.

Although Xu Xinnian didn’t know what Xu Qi'an planned to do, he agreed to try, as long as there was a sliver of hope. Soon, Xu Xinnian obtained the case files and hurriedly delivered them to Xu Qi'an. After thoroughly examining the records, Xu Qi'an concluded that a demonic creature might be involved. At the site where the tax silver went missing, the emperor had already dispatched numerous investigators to search the area.

Xu Qi'an was also ordered to use the Wind-Watching Technique to detect any trace of demons nearby. Xu Qi'an repeatedly analyzed the files, reminding himself not to be misled by the conclusions presented. He believed the missing tax silver wasn’t caused by demons but by human actions. According to the records, an explosion occurred on the water surface when the silver disappeared, which suggested another layer of mystery. Fifteen thousand taels of silver couldn’t vanish into thin air.

After re-enacting the entire process, Xu Qi'an suddenly shouted from his cell that he had discovered the truth behind the missing silver. The jailer, who had been focused on gnawing a chicken leg, quickly perked up upon hearing someone had cracked the case. He rushed to report it to the officials in charge.

Kneeling before the officials, Xu Qi'an explained that the 15,000 taels of silver had been swapped during transport with a metal that closely resembled silver in color and texture—sodium. This metal would explode upon contact with water. The officials were skeptical, and Chu Caiwei kindly suggested Xu Qi'an demonstrate with the metal. Xu Qi'an hesitated but explained that sodium required high heat to refine, which was difficult to achieve without electricity in Great Feng.

To everyone’s surprise, Chu Caiwei used her magic to generate the necessary heat and, with some guidance, successfully refined sodium. True to Xu Qi'an’s explanation, the metal resembled silver in both texture and color. When it was dropped into water, it exploded with a "bang," proving his theory. The mystery was finally solved, and it became clear that Xu Pingzhi wasn’t at fault. The officials hurriedly reported the findings to the emperor to claim credit.

Not long after, the jailer received orders to release Xu Pingzhi and his family. Xu Pingzhi, who had been lamenting his fate and tearfully bidding farewell to his wife, was stunned when the jailer opened his cell door. He thought he was doomed, as losing 15,000 taels of tribute silver was a grave crime. Overwhelmed with relief, he asked what had happened. The jailer explained that a family member had uncovered the truth.

Initially, Xu Pingzhi thought it was his capable son, Xu Xinnian, but to his surprise, it was his nephew, Xu Qi'an. Since Xu Qi'an had saved the entire family, Xu Pingzhi insisted his wife agree to let Xu Qi'an dine at the family table from now on.

Xu Pingzhi returned home with his family and opened the door, only to see his son, Xu Xinnian, attempting to hang himself. Startled, everyone rushed to untie him. Xu Xinnian had earned scholarly honors and worked at an academy, but his bookish nature made him appear somewhat pedantic. Now, being demoted to a lower status, he felt humiliated and impulsively tried to take his own life.

Fortunately, his family arrived in time to save him; otherwise, he would have met a tragic end. That evening, the family enjoyed a lavish dinner, followed by sitting under the moonlight as Xu Qi'an recounted how he uncovered the truth of the case. When Xu Qi'an described refining the metal sodium, Xu Pingzhi surprisingly showed no shock and remarked that he almost figured it out himself. For several days, Xu Qi'an stayed at home, eating and sleeping well.

He began to suspect that he might never return to his original world. Resigned to adapting to his new life, he decided to calm his mind and plan for the future. Over time, Xu Qi'an got to know each family member better. Xu Pingzhi was a straightforward and honest martial man, with no trace of scheming in him. His aunt, on the other hand, was shrewd and calculative, frequently scouring Xu Pingzhi’s hard-earned savings.

The two younger sisters were pure and innocent. The elder one, lively and romantic, enjoyed reading “forbidden books,” while the younger one, about five or six years old, was a little glutton with an insatiable appetite. Thanks to his contributions to solving the case, Xu Qi'an smoothly became a junior constable. Initially, he had no intention of joining the government and only wanted to make money—preferably lots of it.

However, lacking the resources to start a business and with his aunt refusing to support idle people, she coaxed him into leaving. With no other options, Xu Qi'an reluctantly donned the constable uniform and slowly made his way to the yamen to report for duty. On his first day, Xu Qi'an heard about a case. Captain Wang was under immense pressure from his superiors, who demanded the case be resolved quickly, even though there were no clear leads.

At first, Captain Wang didn’t think much of the newly appointed scholar. He simply explained the case details and handed Xu Qi'an the file. Xu Qi'an immediately deduced a rough outline of the case: Zhang Yourui, a prominent local wealthy man, had married a concubine 20 years younger than him. One night, Zhang Yourui was mysteriously killed. There were no signs of trampled grass or footprints at the scene.

The victim had been struck with a blunt weapon, falling face-up, but the fatal blow was to the back of his head. The incident occurred in the courtyard of the concubine’s residence. At the time, the concubine claimed she saw someone climbing over the wall to escape, but the wall bore no traces. Xu Qi'an speculated that Zhang Yourui’s son, Zhang Xian, might have had an affair with the concubine.

Fearing exposure after being caught by Zhang Yourui, he decided to silence his father permanently. Observing the concubine’s troubled expression, Xu Qi'an, who had read some psychology books, questioned her persistently. Unable to resist his probing, the concubine spilled the truth like beans from a bamboo tube. The case concluded with the concubine being imprisoned while Zhang Xian was released shortly after.

Chu Caiwei expressed doubts about the outcome, but Captain Wang dismissed her concerns, stating that he personally saw the legal clerk deliver the case closure documents to the Hall of Righteousness. From that point on, it was no longer their responsibility.

Xu Qi'an was still puzzled about what the Hall of Righteousness was. Coincidentally, he encountered a group of people attempting a prison break there. Xu Qi'an tried his best to stop them, but the group successfully freed the prisoner and was about to turn on him. Xu Qi'an secretly panicked, thinking his life might end here. At this critical moment, Song Tingfeng and Li Yuchun appeared.

The two of them, like rain in a drought, not only saved Xu Qi'an's life but also recaptured the escaped criminal. Brimming with pride, Xu Qi'an and his colleagues escorted the criminal back to the office. For the first time in his life, Xu Qi'an felt that being a constable could actually be quite impressive.

In the Great Feng, constables were not merely tasked with night patrols and announcing the time; they were responsible for inspecting officials, punishing evildoers, and protecting the common people. The role sounded appealing, and Xu Qi'an decided to fully utilize his talents in this world, regaining his sense of purpose. However, his uncle, Xu Pingzhi, sighed deeply, warning him not to think too highly of the future.

Xu Pingzhi himself had once been full of passion but was later "betrayed" and disillusioned. After a small success on a case, Xu Qi'an earned a bit of respect from Captain Wang. The next time he entered the yamen, Captain Wang respectfully invited him to the archives, locked the door behind him, and claimed it was to provide a quiet and comfortable workspace. The locked doors and windows, Captain Wang said, were to ensure he wouldn’t be disturbed.

After several days of confinement in the yamen, Xu Qi'an was finally allowed to go home. No sooner had he finished eating than Captain Wang arrived with a group of constables, bringing crates of unresolved case files that had accumulated over the years. They claimed it was to save Xu Qi'an the trouble of commuting to the yamen, and leadership had generously approved him working from home.

Xu Pingzhi, having spent years in officialdom, was wary of the implications of letting his nephew handle cases at home. After exchanging a knowing glance with Captain Wang, Xu Pingzhi understood the arrangement and even nailed the windows shut himself to ensure Xu Qi'an couldn’t escape. Xu Qi'an was locked in at home daily, unable to take a single step outside.

His uncle promised Captain Wang that during this period when officials were secretly inspecting the area, he would not let Xu Qi'an cause trouble. Xu Pingzhi personally guarded the door day and night. After several failed escape attempts, Xu Qi'an realized he had no way out. Deep in thought, he concluded that his best option was to curry favor with Captain Wang. As long as Captain Wang was happy, everyone’s lives would improve.

The next time Captain Wang came to check on Xu Qi'an, Xu Qi'an eagerly knelt, clutching the captain’s legs, apologizing for his earlier "insubordination. " Pleased with Xu Qi'an’s change of attitude, Captain Wang began integrating him into social circles. He took Xu Qi'an to entertainment venues and invited him several times to brothels to listen to music. Xu Qi'an understood what Captain Wang wanted and decided to adapt.

To gain his freedom, he played along, drinking, dancing, and blending in with the group. Xu Qi'an’s efforts paid off, as Captain Wang became increasingly satisfied and gradually allowed him more freedom. One day, Xu Pingzhi chatted with Xu Qi'an about how he was of marriageable age and promised to find him a good match.

Xu Qi'an was puzzled by this rare display of affection from his uncle until he discovered that Xu Pingzhi, short on private funds due to recent socializing, wanted Xu Qi'an to help cover some expenses. Xu Qi'an took his two younger sisters out shopping. While buying candied hawthorn, his sister was harassed by the son of a Ministry of Revenue official. Naturally, Xu Qi'an wouldn’t let his sister be wronged and pushed the arrogant young man aside.

This, however, led to trouble. The official’s son, furious, ordered his men to cripple Xu Qi'an’s hands and feet. Xu Qi'an refused to give in and tried to reason with him, but the man pulled out a dagger. His sister quickly ran to the yamen to seek help. Thankfully, Xu Qi'an was a constable, and Captain Wang brought reinforcements to the scene.

Initially, the captain was ready to arrest the perpetrator with great zeal, but upon realizing the offender was the son of a Ministry of Revenue official, his courage deflated like a punctured balloon. Surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, Captain Wang had no choice but to order his men to take everyone involved in the disturbance back to the yamen.

The son of the Ministry of Revenue’s Assistant Minister, Zhou Li, had already called for reinforcements. Xu Qi'an, now imprisoned, sensed that his chances of survival were slim. Desperate, he bribed Captain Wang to deliver a message to Chu Caiwei at the Directorate of Celestials, stating that he was in trouble and asking him to send this book along.

Xu Qi’an was confident that Chu Caiwei would not only come to his aid but would also offer substantial benefits in return. Tempted by the money, Captain Wang rushed to the Directorate of Celestials. There, he handed over the book, requesting to see Chu Caiwei. The guard on duty delivered the book to Song Qing. Song Qing, who was busy with his experiments as usual, had already endured thousands of failures.

His face, bruised and battered from explosions, lit up with excitement upon seeing the chemistry-filled booklet. However, just as he reached the most crucial part, he found the content missing. Upon inquiring about the book’s origin, Song Qing understood Xu Qi'an’s intention. Xu Pingzhi, upon hearing that his nephew was in trouble, immediately stood in the way of the escorting guards. However, outnumbered, he too was quickly detained and sent to prison.

Before being taken away, Xu Pingzhi urgently instructed his wife to go to Yunlu Academy and find their son, Xu Xinnian. Having become a student of two renowned scholars, Xu Xinnian might be able to save Xu Qi’an. Xu Xinnian, upon receiving the urgent letter from his mother, immediately reported the matter to his teachers.

Hearing that the imprisoned person was the author of the widely acclaimed poem, the two great scholars promptly went to find the local Minister of Personnel in charge. Song Qing and the two great scholars arrived at the Minister’s residence almost simultaneously. All three held prominent positions and were highly regarded by the Emperor, making it impossible for the Minister to offend them. Upon hearing the name of the person they wanted to rescue, the Minister immediately questioned his subordinates.

Since Xu Qi'an had been crying out for justice from the beginning, the officials in charge of the case, unable to withstand the Minister’s stern gaze, spilled the entire story. In the end, Xu Qi’an was acquitted and released. Before leaving, Xu Qi’an vented his anger by punching Zhou Li a few times. That evening, everyone celebrated the happy resolution with a reunion meal. As night fell, there was a knock on the door—Chu Caiwei had come to visit.

Having heard about Xu Qi'an’s predicament, she came to check on him and shared some critical information. There had been new developments in the tax silver case. The culprits behind the embezzlement were Zheng Xinhe and Lu Changzhi, and their backer was none other than Zhou Xianping, Zhou Li’s father. Xu Qi’an’s recent imprisonment, on the surface, appeared to be due to Zhou Li’s misconduct.

However, it was actually a retaliation by the Zhou family after Xu Qi’an uncovered the embezzlement. It was now clear that the Xu family’s fate was intertwined with the tax silver case. While they were operating in the open, Zhou Xianping, the sly Assistant Minister, was lurking in the shadows. Without taking Zhou Xianping down, the Xu family could not safely extricate themselves. Chu Caiwei asked Xu Qi’an if he had any plans.

They had already gathered evidence, but Zhou Xianping, being a wily official with numerous allies in the court, couldn’t be apprehended recklessly. Any rash actions might destabilize the court, so the Emperor had tasked Chu Caiwei with finding a way to bring him to justice discreetly. Chu Caiwei sought Xu Qi’an’s advice. Xu Qi’an believed that confronting a prominent fourth-rank official head-on was unwise.

Since the capital was under inspection, Zhou Xianping would likely be desperate to cover the financial shortfall. The key was to find Zhou Xianping’s weakness and ignite the fuse that would expose the truth about the tax silver case. Xu Qi’an assigned his uncle and Xu Xinnian to investigate Zhou Xianping’s vulnerabilities while he went to the Directorate of Celestials to help Song Qing with his chemical experiments.

As a modern man, completing one or two experiments was a breeze for Xu Qi’an. Under Song Qing’s admiring gaze, Xu Qi’an successfully assisted him in completing the experiments and was rewarded by the Directorate of Celestials with a precious sword.

After receiving the sword and expressing his thanks, Xu Qi'an murmured to himself on his way back. He couldn’t understand why the Supervisor gave him such a sword. Just earlier, the Supervisor had claimed that alchemy was priceless, yet he readily accepted his teacher’s gift. Xu Qi'an felt this was somewhat hypocritical and lamented that he was, after all, just an ordinary man.

When he muttered a disrespectful comment about his teacher, the sword in his hand seemed to understand him and flew toward him aggressively. Terrified, Xu Qi'an hastily apologized, narrowly escaping a fatal accident. At that moment, two people approached from the opposite direction, exuding an imposing aura that made Xu Qi'an instinctively step aside in respect. One of them was Wei Yuan, the leader of the Nightwatchers, and the other was Nangong Qianrou, a female Nightwatcher.

Both left a deep impression on Xu Qi'an, and he concluded that they must be influential figures. Princess Huai Qing once overheard the students of Yunlu Academy reciting a famous poem, “Have no worries about the road ahead; there are friends everywhere in the world. ” Finding the poem extraordinary, she specifically asked the academy’s headmaster, Zhao Shou, about its author. Zhao Shou truthfully replied that it was written by none other than a humble martial artist.

On the way to Yunlu Academy, Xu Qi'an and Xu Xinnian were riding horses, hurrying along. After learning that they had offended Zhou Xianping, Xu Qi'an was anxious to secure a safety net for his family. With two underage sisters at home, Xu Qi'an sought to persuade Yunlu Academy’s teachers to take his sisters in as students to ensure their safety. The academy’s two renowned scholars, Zhang Shen and Li Mubai, were known for their love of talent.

Upon hearing that Xu Qi'an had arrived, they warmly welcomed him. Xu Qi'an explained his intentions, but the two scholars pretended that it would be a challenging matter. They mentioned that they were currently compiling a collection of poems titled “On the Pursuit of Learning” and suggested that if Xu Qi'an could make a contribution, they would do their utmost to help his sisters enroll in the academy. Hearing that twenty poems were needed, Xu Qi'an racked his brains.

Determined to secure a safe refuge for his sisters, he gave it his all but could only come up with half-lines of twenty poems. He presented the incomplete poems to Li Mubai, who was somewhat disappointed. However, Xu Qi'an slyly hinted that once he was less occupied, he would complete the poems and ensure they would not disappoint his teacher. This reassurance delighted Li Mubai, who smiled and cheerfully saw Xu Qi'an off, reminding him to return soon.

Xu Qi'an and Xu Xinnian began their journey home. Along the way, Xu Xinnian marveled at Xu Qi'an’s meticulous planning, convinced that their sisters and mother would be safe at the academy and out of Zhou Li’s reach. When they arrived home, they noticed they were being followed. They alerted Xu Pingzhi, advising him to be more vigilant in the future. As a martial artist, Xu Pingzhi immediately instructed his subordinates to strengthen their defenses.

That evening, Xu Qi'an, Xu Xinnian, and Xu Pingzhi gathered to review the clues they had collected over the past few days. According to Xu Pingzhi, Zhou Li was known to frequent private residences and brothels and was particularly infatuated with Fu Xiang, a courtesan from the Imperial Entertainment Bureau. Xu Qi'an suspected that Fu Xiang might hold some critical secrets. To get close to her, they brainstormed strategies.

Since Xu Xinnian was a Yunlu Academy scholar, visiting such places would damage his reputation, leaving Xu Qi'an, the little constable, to take on the task. Hearing that Fu Xiang had a fondness for scholars, Xu Qi'an prepared an elegant outfit for himself, dressing up handsomely. On his first visit to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, he discovered that there was a queue and that securing a spot required a hefty fee.

With his wallet nearly empty, Xu Qi'an went to the street to figure out a solution. Spotting a game of pitch-pot with wagers involved, Xu Qi'an took his last bit of silver and used his exceptional pitch-pot skills to win a magical jade mirror. He then helped a nobleman win a string of prayer beads, earning a reward of six hundred silver taels.

With the money in hand, Xu Qi'an hurried back to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, only to unexpectedly encounter Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian there. Seeing everyone greeting Xu Pingzhi warmly, Xu Qi'an immediately realized that his uncle was a regular visitor.

The three Xu family men—Xu Qi'an, Xu Xinnian, and Xu Pingzhi—unexpectedly encountered one another at the Jiaofang Division, leading to an awkward situation. Since they were already there, they decided to make the best of it and sat together at a table, exchanging meaningful glances that hinted at their unspoken thoughts. Each felt a little self-conscious, but soon the atmosphere shifted as Fu Xiang, the famous courtesan, began evaluating everyone’s poetry.

Xu Qi'an, with his exceptional memory, immediately thought of a verse inspired by Fu Xiang's name: "Sparse shadows cast slantwise over the clear shallow water; faint fragrances float at dusk beneath the pale moon. " The verse captivated Fu Xiang, paving the way for their meeting. During their conversation, Xu Qi'an deliberately asked Fu Xiang why she hadn't accepted the "buyout" offers from influential officials and nobles to become a concubine—a path that seemed like a good choice.

Fu Xiang, however, dismissed the idea, stating that she despised the frivolous and spoiled temperament of wealthy young men. She then provided Xu Qi'an with a crucial piece of information about Zhou Li. Zhou Li, known for his debauched lifestyle, had offended Zhang Yunyin, the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Weiwu, during last year's Lantern Festival after pursuing a girl. Since then, the two had been secretly competing against each other. Xu Qi'an had finally identified Zhou Li's nemesis.

The Marquis of Weiwu held a prestigious position, on par with the Vice Minister of Revenue. Xu Qi'an devised a plan using a jade mirror he possessed, which could absorb anything, including people. Through personal experimentation, he discovered that those absorbed into the mirror would experience temporary amnesia. With the help of Xu Xinnian and Xu Pingzhi, they quietly captured Zhang Yunyin. Zhang Yunyin was confined to a woodshed, while Xu Qi'an and Xu Xinnian stood outside discussing loudly.

They pretended to be henchmen of the Vice Minister of Revenue, threatening to sever Zhang Yunyin’s tendons. Hearing this from within, Zhang Yunyin quickly concluded that his captors were indeed from the Vice Minister’s faction. Desperate, Zhang Yunyin managed to climb over the wall and escape. He immediately reported his ordeal to his father. The Marquis of Weiwu, who had long been overshadowed by the Vice Minister of Revenue, seized this opportunity.

Wearing his armor, he stormed into court and petitioned the civil and military officials to impeach the Vice Minister. As a result, Zhou Li was sent to the Dali Court and the Discipline Office, where he endured some minor punishments. Zhou Li initially believed this was all a misunderstanding that would soon be clarified, but he underestimated Xu Qi'an's cunning. To deliver the final blow, Xu Qi'an visited the Directorate of Celestial Monitoring to seek his senior brother’s assistance.

Although his senior brother usually avoided political matters, Xu Qi'an offered a rare alchemical formula that he desperately wanted. Compelled by this offer, the senior brother personally visited the prison and used his secret techniques on Zhou Li. Under the influence of these techniques, Zhou Li confessed and signed a statement admitting his guilt. Shortly afterward, the court issued an announcement: Zhou Xianping was dismissed from his position and exiled due to mishandling tax silver and failing to discipline his son.

Zhou Li was also exiled for kidnapping Zhang Yunyin. With this, the Vice Minister of Revenue’s influence was entirely eradicated. Wary of the Vice Minister's potential allies and having already been imprisoned twice, Xu Qi'an decided to leave to avoid implicating his family. After bidding farewell to his younger brother, Xu Xinnian, he visited the Directorate of Celestial Monitoring one last time to say goodbye to friends who had helped him.

Using his chemistry booklet, he managed to earn one final windfall. With Chu Caiwei's assistance, they devised a fundraising scheme similar to modern live streaming, attracting numerous contributions for alchemical research and quickly accumulating several silver notes. As Xu Qi'an left the Directorate of Celestial Monitoring, he happened to encounter the Second Princess, Lin An. A brief glance revealed her extraordinary beauty, as stunning as fish sinking and geese falling from the sky.

Her elegance and composure left a deep impression on him, despite his vast experience meeting countless people. Lin An, who was also deeply interested in chemistry, had been conducting experiments in the Directorate. Although she had failed several times in a row, she remained determined and unyielding.

The Second Princess, Lin An, nearly caused an explosion at the Directorate of Celestial Monitoring while attempting to refine the tax silver. Despite the hardships and dangers, Lin An was overjoyed by the results. When she returned to the palace and saw her mother, Consort Chen, she was all smiles. However, Consort Chen, bound by traditional thinking, disapproved of women engaging in laboratory work, believing they could never surpass the Crown Prince. This favoritism deeply saddened Lin An.

Meanwhile, Xu Qi'an was preparing to flee when he was unexpectedly intercepted by two watchmen. These two were clearly prepared and escorted Xu Qi'an into a carriage. Feeling uneasy, Xu Qi'an reflected on how he had taken down Zhou Li and concluded that he had left no loose ends. Believing money could solve anything, he quickly handed over a silver note as a bribe to one of the watchmen.

The watchman merely gave him a warning: "Say nothing that shouldn't be said. "The two watchmen brought Xu Qi'an directly to Master Yang. Nangong Qianrou was also present. It turned out that the watchmen had been observing Xu Qi'an's entire scheme from the shadows. They recognized his potential as a watchman and decided to recruit him. Xu Qi'an was given a choice to take Master Yang or Nangong Qianrou as his mentor.

Nangong Qianrou, eager to take him as a disciple, deliberately got close to him, using both persuasion and intimidation. However, Xu Qi'an wasn’t easily swayed. Remembering how Yang Yan had once helped him escape prison, Xu Qi'an chose to apprentice under Yang Yan as a gesture of gratitude. To officially become a watchman, Xu Qi'an had to pass several assessments. The two senior watchmen tested his aptitude in areas like intelligence and inner resolve.

Xu Qi'an, nonchalant and playful, didn’t take the test questions seriously. Nevertheless, he solved the first question in just three breaths. The observing senior disciples were secretly amazed. Many considered nine breaths an impressive time, yet Xu Qi'an had shortened it by two-thirds. He then ascended three floors without performing any formal kowtow.

Upon hearing that Wei Yuan had decreed anyone reaching the fourth floor without bowing would face the punishment of lingchi (death by a thousand cuts), Xu Qi'an was startled and immediately prostrated himself. However, the heart-reflecting mirror still showed that Xu Qi'an was standing, indicating his bow lacked true humility. Confused, Xu Qi'an wondered why the mirror treated people differently. Wei Yuan asked for a report on Xu Qi'an’s assessment.

Hearing that he had solved the question in three breaths and only bowed at the fourth floor, Wei Yuan was quietly impressed. A quick answer indicated intelligence and resourcefulness, while a lack of fear showed boldness and independence. Wei Yuan saw great potential in Xu Qi'an as a future leader if properly trained. Xu Qi'an eventually reached the sixth floor, where the test involved interpreting one of Wei Yuan’s poems.

After reading it once, Xu Qi'an discerned Wei Yuan's deep desire for power. As someone from modern times, Xu Qi'an didn’t care for such matters. However, to become a watchman, he had to give the test his all and carefully analyze the examiner’s intent. Meticulously breaking down the poem, Xu Qi'an crafted an exquisite answer and earned a top grade of "Jia Shang.

"Nangong Qianrou admired Xu Qi'an’s talent and tried to trade two silver ingots to have him as a disciple. However, Yang Yan, determined to secure Xu Qi'an for his team, refused to give him up. Upon learning that Xu Qi'an had gone to the Marrow-Cleansing Pool, Yang Yan personally called his brother-in-law, Li Yuchun, to provide guidance to the newcomer. Initially, Li Yuchun had a poor impression of Xu Qi'an.

Out of respect for Yang Yan, he reluctantly agreed to join him in observing Xu Qi'an's progress. To their astonishment, Xu Qi'an completed a process that typically took an entire day to reach the Qi Refinement Stage in less than an hour!

Xu Qi'an had just completed his training at the Marrow-Cleansing Pool. As he jumped out, the water splashed directly onto Li Yuchun. Yang Yan immediately introduced him, explaining that this was Li Yuchun, the Silver Gong captain, and Xu Qi'an’s new teacher. Xu Qi'an silently lamented his luck, realizing he hadn’t left a great first impression. Hearing that her elder sister Huai Qing had recommended a watchman, Huai An, who was often disregarded by their mother, felt smug.

She herself had just recommended a candidate who earned a "Yi Shang" rating and was looking forward to showing off. However, she was quickly deflated when she learned her sister’s recommendation had earned the top "Jia Shang" rating. Once again, Huai Qing overshadowed her, leaving Huai An embarrassed. Now officially a watchman, Xu Qi'an was elated. He decided to visit his uncle’s house to catch up.

Outside the house, he found Xu Xinnian sitting idly and gave him a gift, prompting Xu Xinnian to warmly invite him inside. Inside, Xu Qi'an’s uncle and aunt were trying to sell part of their house. Ever since Xu Qi'an left, they had decided to sell the side wing, but due to its poor location, they hadn’t been able to find a buyer. It turned out his uncle was eager to sell off his old home.

When Xu Qi'an found out, he unceremoniously questioned his uncle about it. However, the two got along well and didn’t take it to heart. Upon hearing that Xu Qi'an had become a watchman, Xu Pingzhi praised him and even asked him for introductions to help his own prospects. Wanting to keep the benefits in the family, Xu Qi'an shared the types of test questions he had encountered during his assessments.

To his surprise, his uncle couldn’t even grasp the intent behind the questions. It was clear he wasn’t cut out to be a watchman. Huai An decided to attend a poetry gathering organized by the Empress. When the Crown Prince heard about it, he remembered how clueless Huai An usually was and didn’t want her to embarrass herself. To dissuade her, he brought her pastries and advised against attending, warning her not to set herself up for failure.

However, Huai An was not one to give up easily. To fully concentrate on preparing for the poetry gathering, she moved out of the royal mansion. On his first day as a watchman, Xu Qi'an meticulously dressed himself, repeatedly checking his appearance in the mirror until he was satisfied. Full of excitement, he set off, imagining himself commanding respect and admiration.

However, upon reporting for duty, he found himself locked in a room to review case files, with even the windows nailed shut. This scene felt eerily familiar—previously, Xu Qi'an had been ostracized after offending Zhou Li, and now, despite becoming a watchman, he was subjected to the same "test. "By sunset, Xu Qi'an wanted to head home, but his senior colleagues delivered a pile of case files to his house, making him work from home.

Though the other watchmen were puzzled, they couldn’t say much since Li Yuchun had already spoken on the matter. Huai An, preparing for the poetry gathering, decided to recruit a talented team. She instructed her maid to seek out extraordinary poets. After a long search, they overheard a stunning half-line of poetry at a brothel. This poem was one that Xu Qi'an had written long ago to capture the attention of the courtesan Fu Xiang.

Unexpectedly, it had become a popular tune in the brothel. Meanwhile, strange occurrences were reported in Taikang County, where a mysterious creature was coming ashore and devouring people. The watchmen received the mission and mobilized immediately. Li Yuchun called Xu Qi'an out of the pile of case files and sent him to investigate. To support the watchmen, the Emperor dispatched the sorceress Chu Caiwei. Since Xu Qi'an already knew Caiwei, she eagerly invited him to ride in her carriage.

When Xu Qi'an and the other watchmen arrived at the scene, they found a desolate landscape, devoid of any vegetation. A deep earthen kiln loomed ominously. Holding a torch, Xu Qi'an ventured forward. Suddenly, he heard a voice ask him where he was. Startled, Xu Qi'an realized he was the only one who could hear it. What on earth was going on?

Xu Qi'an and Chu Caiwei discovered saltpeter used for making explosives in the underground kiln. They also encountered a powerful demon beast ranked among the top ten in combat strength. Upon seeing its form, Chu Caiwei identified it as a Mei Beast. The creature was ferocious, covered in impenetrable scales. Fortunately, the investigators were all Silver Gong-level experts. Working together, they managed to subdue the beast with one decisive strike.

Just as they thought they had killed it, the beast feigned death and escaped when they let their guard down. Fearing the beast would seek reinforcements, Xu Qi'an and his companions hurried after it. To their surprise, the Mei Beast hadn’t gone far before it suddenly dropped dead. Their first mission together was a success, and everyone was overjoyed. Chu Caiwei noticed Xu Qi'an was injured and generously gave him a healing and energy-replenishing pill that she had personally crafted.

Xu Qi'an shared the pill with his fellow companions. Xu Qi'an finally identified the source of the mysterious voice he had heard in the kiln. It came from a small jade mirror he carried. Uncertain about the mirror’s origins or purpose, he handed the peculiar item over to Chu Caiwei for safekeeping. The group brought the slain demon beast back, where Wei Yuan sought the opinions of Yang Yan and Li Yuchun.

After Li Yuchun reported the situation, he added that Xu Qi'an had specifically pointed out a concern: The Mei Clan had been running rampant and had taken refuge in the local kilns, severely affecting the lives of the villagers. However, sealing off the village without thought would cut off the villagers’ livelihoods, leaving them unable to survive.

Xu Qi'an had even urged Li Yuchun to advocate for the villagers before Wei Yuan and suggest that the Emperor reduce some of the harsh taxes and levies. Though Li Yuchun usually had a negative view of Xu Qi'an, Wei Yuan appreciated his remarks. He saw Xu Qi'an as someone with a broad perspective and genuine concern for the people, advising Li Yuchun to set aside his prejudice.

In retaliation for Xu Qi'an’s outspokenness, Li Yuchun punished him by making him and the other Silver Gong-level watchmen clean latrines. After completing the unpleasant task together, Xu Qi'an, grateful for the camaraderie, invited his companions out for some relaxation. Upon hearing that they wanted to visit the Jiaofang Department to listen to music, Xu Qi'an generously offered to accompany them. At the Jiaofang Department, Xu Qi'an’s past reputation preceded him.

After crafting a memorable line of poetry there previously, many were enamored with a mysterious "Yang Ling," though few knew his identity. Fu Xiang’s maid recognized Xu Qi'an and quickly informed her mistress. Fu Xiang, who hadn’t entertained guests for days, appeared elegantly dressed and walked straight toward Xu Qi'an. Upon hearing her call his name, the crowd grew even more admiring and surrounded Xu Qi'an.

Feeling flattered by the attention, Xu Qi'an, often known for his combat prowess, decided to humor the crowd by standing on the Jiaofang Department’s stage and improvising poetry. While performing, he noticed someone in the back watching him intently—it appeared to be the maid of the Eldest Princess. Xu Qi'an, believing that the Eldest Princess had recommended him for the watchman role, wanted to express his gratitude.

To honor her, he recited a classic piece, On Loving the Lotus, as a gesture of thanks. However, Xu Qi'an had mistaken the maid’s identity. She was actually the Second Princess Huai An’s servant, not the Eldest Princess’s. Misinterpreting his performance as an offering to the wrong person, the maid angrily spat at him and left in a huff. Xu Qi'an returned home, puzzled about what he had done wrong.

The Second Princess Huai An summoned Xu Qi'an to meet her and asked if he was willing to become one of her retainers. Xu Qi'an, unaware that the person behind the screen was Huai An, was eager to meet the Eldest Princess instead. Trying to be mysterious, he played coy and even rejected the gold Huai An offered, angering her. Frustrated, Huai An stepped out from behind the screen to confront him directly.

Huai Qing was eager to recruit talented individuals, but Xu Qi'an repeatedly declared his loyalty to "swear allegiance to Huai Qing," which made Huai An feel uncomfortable. She ordered her maid to give Xu Qi'an a fright with some harsh punishment, merely to test his resolve. However, Xu Qi'an, having spent time with the Nightwatchers and seen all sorts of torture devices, was unfazed. Despite all her attempts, Xu Qi'an remained adamant about his loyalty to the Eldest Princess.

With no other options, Huai An reluctantly ordered her maid to release him. After being let go, Xu Qi'an felt indignant about being tormented all night without even catching a glimpse of the Eldest Princess. Determined, he made a scene at Huai An’s doorstep, insisting on seeing the Eldest Princess before leaving. Ultimately, he sat down outside in protest, resolved to stay until his demand was met. Hearing of Xu Qi'an’s antics, Huai An found him amusing.

This young man was unruly and fearless, completely unlike the people in the palace. Amused, she decided to grant his wish and came out to meet him. The moment Xu Qi'an saw her, his heart raced like a startled deer, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He thought to himself, "Such beauty exists in the world—seeing her today has made it all worthwhile.

"Xu Qi'an immediately knelt and expressed his gratitude for the Eldest Princess's recognition, vowing to serve her loyally. When Huai An heard him call her "Eldest Princess," she realized he didn’t even know what the real Eldest Princess looked like. For the sake of her poetry competition victory, Huai An decided to go along with the misunderstanding and impersonate her sister.

Back at the Nightwatcher headquarters, Li Yuchun did not confine Xu Qi'an to the office to review case files as usual. Instead, he ordered him to patrol the streets with his colleagues, which mostly involved playing mahjong. Xu Qi'an was puzzled by Li Yuchun’s sudden leniency and suspected it might be the Eldest Princess pulling strings behind the scenes. To confirm his suspicion, Xu Qi'an went to see the Eldest Princess.

Huai An, who had just come up with half a line of poetry and wanted to win his loyalty, falsely admitted that she had indeed instructed Wei Yuan to treat him favorably. Hearing this, Xu Qi'an was overjoyed and wholeheartedly believed it, feeling that his future success was now assured by aligning himself with the Eldest Princess. Returning to Chunfeng Hall, Xu Qi'an was scolded by Li Yuchun for being late and shirking his duties.

Li Yuchun even summoned two Silver Gong officers to punish him. Alarmed, Xu Qi'an, who wasn’t built to withstand physical punishment, remembered his "Eldest Princess" trump card. He brazenly confronted Li Yuchun, pointing out flaws in the Nightwatcher’s protocols and declaring that he would expose these issues. He then instructed a colleague to fetch a "white paper" from his room. The document listed several real shortcomings in the Nightwatcher system.

Li Yuchun, seeing the validity of Xu Qi'an’s points, deflated like a punctured balloon. He personally handed the "white paper" to Wei Yuan, who, upon reading it, found the suggestions insightful and even noticed a redesigned Nightwatcher uniform. Wei Yuan was so impressed that he claimed credit for the ideas on the spot. To focus on composing poetry for the Eldest Princess, Xu Qi'an requested a few days off. At home, he poured all his knowledge and effort into writing.

Not only did he need to craft poetry for the princess, but he also had to help his cousin, Xu Xinnian, with his tasks, leaving him feeling overwhelmed. His uncle, Xu Pingzhi, upon hearing that Xu Qi'an had established a connection with the princess, eagerly asked if he could introduce him so he could serve her as well. Seeing his uncle, already in his fifties, harbor such naive ambitions, Xu Qi'an could only shake his head in exasperation.

Meanwhile, Huai An, still pretending to be her elder sister, began studying poetry diligently at home to provide Xu Qi'an with refined critiques and appear erudite. One day, she heard that Xu Qi'an had gone to the Directorate of Celestials. Alarmed, she realized her elder sister was also there that day. If they crossed paths, her ruse would be exposed!