Lu Zhenghai: "Elder Hong, you flatter me."
"However, the Great Yu Dynasty is ultimately a world of martial arts. Any special talent or ability is not as important as martial arts strength."
"Among the Jinyiwei Commanders throughout history, some were skilled at solving cases, and some were not, but every single one of them was strong enough."
"Being strong enough is the hard requirement to survive and thrive in this world."
...Hong Qingtian's aged voice remained calm.
As he spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Lu Zhenghai and Centurion Song.
"Lad Lu wholeheartedly agrees with Elder Hong's words."
"Hahaha, I thought you were rising through the ranks by solving cases, so you'd surely refute me. You're quite interesting."
Hong Qingtian burst into laughter. He could tell whether Lu Zhenghai genuinely agreed with his viewpoint.
After laughing, Hong Qingtian continued, "My Lifespan is nearing its end, and I won't be able to look after you for much longer. In fact, if you get too close to me, you might offend some people. Are you afraid?"
Lu Zhenghai didn't even think, shaking his head: "No!"
Centurion Song, however, grew anxious: "Elder Hong, your health..."
"Cough, cough, cough... My Lifespan is almost over; it's fate."
Hong Qingtian coughed heavily, actually spitting out bright red blood.
"I'll go get a physician." Centurion Song anxiously tried to stand up.
"No need." Hong Qingtian stopped him. Then, a trace of regret and tenderness flashed across his old and terrifying face: "Everyone has their dying day. It's a pity that before I die, I can't see my beloved daughter one last time!"
Centurion Song wanted to say something to comfort Hong Qingtian, but he didn't know how to begin.
In fact, with Elder Hong's strength and connections, plus the existence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, how could they still not find out where Elder Hong's daughter was?
Centurion Song felt that, most likely, Elder Hong's daughter was not lost back then, but killed by Elder Hong's enemies.
Of course, he dared not say this aloud.
After a moment of silence, Hong Qingtian said softly, "Lad Lu, because of Qianfan's martial arts talent, he will probably remain at the Centurion position his entire life and won't be able to advance. But you, you're a bit special, going from Houtian Realm to Innate Realm in a short time. It's said that you can now kill most Centurions..."
So, Lu Zhenghai had a secret.
But in this world, how many people don't have secrets? Secrets or not, it's not important.
Hong Qingtian continued, "Lad Lu, since Qianfan has come to me for help, I naturally must give you a hand."
As he spoke, he took out a black, grimy token from his Huai.
The token looked quite old.
He handed the token to Lu Zhenghai: "After I die, take this token to Yan Zhong. Seeing the token, he will look after you. With him around, Duke Nings Residence won't dare to touch you."
Lu Zhenghai was fine, but Centurion Song's face changed drastically: "Eunuch Yan, the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial?"
This was a truly great figure, the undisputed leader among the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty's eunuchs.
Even more terrifying, Eunuch Yan was a Celestial Realm Seventh Layer existence, considered one of the strongest publicly known figures in the entire Great Yu Dynasty.
Eunuch Yan had also assisted three emperors and was now over 400 years old.
Grandmaster Realm has a Lifespan of 180 years, Great Grandmaster 300 years, Heavenly Human Realm 500 years, and Human Immortal Realm 1000 years.
Lu Zhenghai quickly took the token, extremely grateful: "Lad Lu thanks you for your kindness!"
"Alright, I'm tired... Go!" Hong Qingtian urged them to leave.
Centurion Song stood up to leave.
But Lu Zhenghai seemed to hesitate, not getting up.
"Lu Zhenghai, aren't you leaving?" Centurion Song glared at Lu Zhenghai.
Centurion Song was genuinely afraid that Lu Zhenghai would act recklessly or say something shocking in front of Elder Hong.
Others might not do such a thing, but this kid had a record.
He gave Lu Zhenghai's trouble-making ability an S+ rating.
"Speak!" Hong Qingtian looked at Lu Zhenghai, saying faintly.
"Elder Hong, you just said that you had a daughter who went missing years ago." Lu Zhenghai took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Could you tell me more about it? I want to do my part."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Instantly, the entire room became silent and icy.
Even though Lu Zhenghai was prepared, he was still a little nervous.
But he still forcefully controlled his emotions, staring at Hong Qingtian seriously and firmly.
Centurion Song, on the other hand, was pale, staring at Lu Zhenghai with wide eyes, as if he had seen a ghost.
His daughter was Elder Hong's taboo!
Elder Hong himself brought it up, but how dare you bring it up?
Are you crazy?!
A figure like Elder Hong, plus the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard, had searched for many years without a single clue.
How dare you just open your mouth and offer to do your part?
This feeling was even more outrageous than Bo'er Ben trying to solo Sun Wukong.
Centurion Song wished he could curse out countless obscenities.
The bone-chilling atmosphere lasted for dozens of breaths. Finally, Hong Qingtian spoke: "Young man, you are very bold."
"Elder Hong, you have been kind to me, and I want to repay you. You said your Lifespan is nearing its end, and you regret your daughter's disappearance years ago. Lad Lu is now recognized as a brilliant detective throughout the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I want to investigate. What if I can create a miracle?"
Lu Zhenghai became more confident as he spoke.
How could he not be confident? He already had the answer.
Moreover, he had to propose helping Hong Qingtian find his daughter right now.
Otherwise, if he found Hong Qingtian's daughter a few days later without any prior mention, it would be too strange and illogical.
It had to be that he first said, "I want to investigate," and then "after considerable effort," he found her. That would be perfect.
"Hahaha, what a Jinyiwei General Banner Commander Lu Zhenghai, bold enough and confident enough! Then listen to me tell you about my daughter!"
Hong Qingtian suddenly burst into laughter, and even the coldness in his words seemed to gain a bit of warmth.
Centurion Song breathed a sigh of relief, his legs feeling a bit weak. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and sat back down.
Lu Zhenghai also sat down.
For the next half an hour, Hong Qingtian slowly narrated his daughter's story... Lu Zhenghai listened attentively, occasionally asking a question or two.
Half an hour later, Hong Qingtian said, "I've told you everything. Lad Lu, I'm very grateful that you have this intention!"
As for Lu Zhenghai actually achieving it? He didn't dare to imagine.
If Lu Zhenghai could truly create a miracle, he would, before his death, give all his valuable possessions, including but not limited to his entire True Essence, the weapons, Cultivation Techniques, and Martial Skills he had collected throughout his life, and the silver he had accumulated, all to Lu Zhenghai!
"Elder Hong, if I may ask presumptuously, how much Lifespan do you have left?" Lu Zhenghai hesitated for a moment, then asked again.
"Two or three months, perhaps."
Lu Zhenghai breathed a sigh of relief. There was enough time.
Leaving the Hong Residence's old house and getting into the carriage, Centurion Song's face began to flush red: "Lu Zhenghai, I really don't want to deal with you anymore. Are you out of your mind? Do you really want to investigate Elder Hong's missing daughter?"
"I'll give it a try."
"You... if you can find out, I'll kowtow to you, damn it!" Centurion Song was so angry his mouth was twitching.
"Hehe, Centurion Sir, you shouldn't say that."
...Half an hour later.
The carriage stopped in front of the Jinyiwei Garrison.
As soon as the two got out of the carriage, Zhou Hu, who had been waiting at the Garrison entrance, rushed over.
Zhou Hu's face was full of excitement and urgency: "Boss, Miss Pei is here. She's waiting for you in your office."
Lu Zhenghai was a little confused.
What was Mu Wan doing at the Jinyiwei Garrison? Was there something urgent?
"Amazing!"
Centurion Song was a bit stunned. He looked at Lu Zhenghai several times as if he were looking at a god or demon.
The Grand Tutors Residence, a prominent noble family at the head of civil officials, generally, 100% looked down on the court's "eagle dogs" and the emperor's "claws" from the bottom of their hearts.
Not only had Pei Muwan become close with Lu Zhenghai, but she had also condescended to visit the Jinyiwei Garrison... This was beyond ridiculous.
Let's put it this way: Centurion Song's own wife, unless there was an extremely, extremely urgent matter, would not casually come to the Jinyiwei Garrison.
What made Centurion Song even more envious was... if he remembered correctly, it was because of Nanny Yi's death case that Lu Zhenghai met Pei Muwan, right?
How many days had it been? Pei Muwan was already madly in love... Lu Zhenghai quickly walked towards the inside of the Garrison.
Along the way, the Embroidered Uniform Guards in the Garrison all looked at Lu Zhenghai as if they were seeing an idol.
Their eyes seemed to say: "Father Changqing, please teach us how you do it?"
That's Pei Muwan!
She's the goddess and white moonlight in the hearts of tens of millions of men in the entire Imperial City!
How did you win over Pei Muwan and make her so devoted to you? Father Changqing, please give us some pointers.
Lu Zhenghai arrived in front of his office and saw Commander Lin guarding the door.
"You kid, hurry up and persuade Miss Pei to come to the Jinyiwei Garrison less often in the future."
Commander Lin stepped forward and patted Lu Zhenghai's shoulder.
With someone like Pei Muwan coming to the Jinyiwei Garrison, he, a Commander, was under a lot of pressure.
Indeed, he personally acted as a guard, standing at the door of Lu Zhenghai's office.
He was afraid that some Embroidered Uniform Guard, not knowing their place, would disturb Pei Muwan.
Commander Lin glared at Lu Zhenghai.
Damn it, I, a dignified Commander, am actually guarding the door of my subordinate's office one day.
How embarrassing.
"Hehe, Commander Lin, you've worked hard."
After Commander Lin left, Lu Zhenghai walked into his office and saw Pei Muwan sitting in the chair at his desk.
Pei Muwan wore a white veil, like a Fairy's graceful figure.
A beauty capable of toppling nations, whether sitting or standing, was beautiful to the extreme.
Zi Ling and Bai Zhi stood behind her.
Additionally, Lu Zhenghai vaguely sensed another hidden person in the office.
The other party should be Mu Wan's new Guardian Wet Nurse.
With this new Guardian Wet Nurse present, he felt more at ease no matter where Mu Wan went.
"Changqing, you didn't receive Xu Tan's challenge letter, did you?"
Seeing Lu Zhenghai walk into the office, Pei Muwan immediately stood up. Her soft, pleasant voice held urgency as she stepped forward.
"No, what happened? Speak slowly."
Lu Zhenghai took a few steps forward, coming before Pei Muwan.
One hand grasped her soft, boneless small hand, while the other wrapped around her slender waist.