[Constables came and went in great numbers.]
[Even though you had been quite busy and hadn't extensively explored the many areas of Lin'an.]
[You had still heard quite a bit. In Lin'an City, fights among Jianghu figures resulting in injuries and even deaths were practically everyday occurrences.]
[Setting everything else aside, shortly after you first arrived in Lin'an, didn't you also fight with—and even kill—a nameless nobody who tried to snatch your position as a boatman for the Golden Dragon Society?]
[Nowadays, the Six Doors had practically become the scavengers wiping the asses of everyone inside and outside Lin'an City.]
[Of course, the Six Doors still had to take action themselves in certain special situations.]
[Your arrival also attracted the attention and stares of quite a few people.]
[However, perhaps because orders had been given in advance, or perhaps because Yan Jinghong stuck close behind you, not leaving your side for a single step, no one came to interfere with your arrival.]
[Watching these figures bustling about while covertly sizing you up, you suddenly seemed to think of something...]
[You looked at Yan Jinghong beside you, seemingly having suddenly remembered someone, and subconsciously asked:]
["Sister Jinghong, speaking of which, where is that guy I brought along last time who found the whereabouts of the Changle Palace? Why isn't he at the Yamen today?"]
[You didn't know why you suddenly thought of this person at this moment. Perhaps it was because, like you, he was also a similar sort?]
[However, upon hearing your words, Yan Jinghong blanked slightly. She also subconsciously glanced around at the people coming and going in the Yamen, looking somewhat bewildered:]
["Strange. Given Little Li's rank, he normally shouldn't have the qualifications to go out and handle cases independently. Most of the time, he just organizes files in the Yamen..."]
[She grabbed a Wind-Chasing Constable passing by:]
["Hey, you, where is Little Li today? Have you seen him?"]
[The constable he grabbed first cupped his hands in a salute, then hurriedly shook his head: "Reporting to Constable Yan, I haven't seen Constable Li at all since early this morning..."]
[Yan Jinghong blinked, nodded, and finally turned her head to look at you:]
["It seems he really isn't here. Siming, did you need him for something?"]
[You shook your head: "It's nothing. I just haven't seen him in a few days and suddenly thought of him."]
[You indeed didn't ask any further, even though your slightly furrowed brow suggested you had thought of something.] (Comprehension ≥ 6 points check passed)
[However, at this moment, you really didn't have much time to think deeply.]
[The reason was simple: at this moment, after you stepped through the main gates of the Six Doors Yamen, you clearly saw a figure who had already stood on the steps at some unknown time, smiling as he waited for you.]
[No change could be seen on Cui Jianxing's face. His mouth carried that smile you were once incredibly familiar with.]
[Perhaps, for Cui Jianxing, the fact that you were able to arrive here at this time and voluntarily come into the Yamen alongside Yan Jinghong was enough to prove that you had a clear conscience.]
[You clenched your fists, tucking your thumbs into your palms, and then bowed toward the figure not far ahead:]
["Greetings, Lord Cui!"]
[Cui Jianxing nodded: "Calling you over in such a hurry, I've troubled you."]
[Faced with his words, you decide to...]
[You shake your head: "It was this student who was negligent. The effects of the alcohol from last night truly hadn't faded, and fearing I would be disrespectful before Lord Cui, I ask for Lord Cui's forgiveness."]
[Cui Jianxing looked at you calmly and smiled: "It's fine, it was only half a day. As long as you're here, it's good. Let's go, Eunuch Chen is also waiting for you."]
[Faced with his calmness, you decide to...]
[Without the slightest hesitation, you step forward and enter the hall.] (Option 2)
[Compared to the sunlit Yamen courtyard outside at this moment, the interior of the room with its doors closed appeared much dimmer.]
[The scent of various case files and books felt familiar to you.]
[However, even the heat burning from the brazier couldn't suppress the sense of damp coldness, making you feel that the sunlight outside was still much more comfortable.]
[Fortunately, you knew you didn't have much room for choice either.]
[Chen Wujiu sat behind the desk, looking at you with a smile just like that. He didn't move an inch. Only after you entered the room and the doors closed behind you did he finally speak:]
["Young Master Chen, we meet again!"]
[Looking at the eunuch before you, you decide to...]
[You also flash a brilliant smile, seemingly paying absolutely no mind to the chilling and grim atmosphere, and nod along:] (Option 1)
["Indeed! In just two days, Eunuch Chen and I have already met three times. From this, it seems we truly share quite the karmic affinity!"]
[Chen Wujiu seemed able to hear the insincerity in your words and glanced at Cui Jianxing beside him.]
[Cui Jianxing kept his eyes focused on his nose, and his nose focused on his heart. He didn't speak, merely calmly followed and sat down behind the desk.]
["Siming, don't worry, it's nothing major. Eunuch Chen has merely come to cooperate and assist me in investigating some matters regarding the Changle Palace. Aside from that, there absolutely won't be any excessive questioning."]
[Cui Jianxing looked at you calmly, and you could see the seriousness on his face.]
[However, faced with his statement, you decide to...]
[The smile on your lips remains unchanged. Looking at the two figures sitting on the left and right at the front of the hall, you finally speak:]
["Lord Cui, are you suspecting that I'm colluding with the Changle Palace?"]
[Neither of them spoke, but their silence itself was proof of their attitude.]
[And right at this moment, the sound of footsteps and a steady, authoritative voice came from the inner hall:]
["Young Master Chen, according to our Six Doors' investigation, your relationship with the Changle Palace is indeed far from shallow. Therefore, we asked Lord Cui to invite you over."]
[Your gaze followed the voice. Sure enough, a figure with thick eyebrows and large eyes walked out from the inner hall. You knew who this was; Yan Jinghong had told you more than once. This was the Chief Constable of Jiangdong Circuit, Sun Huang!]
[You smiled faintly, casting a somewhat speechless glance at Cui Jianxing and Chen Wujiu.]
[You knew the "bad cop" had arrived.] (Comprehension ≥ 5 points check passed)
[Clearly, your networking and operations in Lin'an City during this period had been quite effective.]
[Effective to the point that even Cui Jianxing, who had shown you grace, and even Chen Wujiu, the immensely powerful Director of the Eastern Depot, were unwilling to completely fall out with you, instead choosing to let someone else take the blame and speak the harsh words.]
[You had to admit, these seasoned veterans of the court were actually quite boring.]
[However, you knew that out of the three people in the hall today, Sun Huang was naturally bearing the brunt. But none of these three would be able to escape.]
[Because you knew that the person arriving wouldn't care who was the bad cop, who was the good cop, or who was the red cop.]
[Sure enough, before Sun Huang had even sat down, urgent knocking sounded from outside the door:]
["Chief Constable, Lord Cui, the... the Immortal of Everlasting Spring from the Medicine King Valley has arrived..."]