The Ming Dynasty's henchmen, working from nine to five

Chapter 61 You dare to doubt me?

As Zhou Xiong finished speaking, his expression softened somewhat.

Although he was hot-tempered, he was, after all, a scholar who could distinguish right from wrong and discern truth from falsehood.

The reason I was annoyed with Shen Lang before was because he was two-faced, slacking off, and ignoring my orders.

What he detested most in his life were spoiled brats who relied on their connections and disregarded the rules.

But now that he learned that Shen Lang's private investigation into the flower thief case was actually to solve the Jing'an Prince's Mansion's troubles once and for all, he immediately changed his opinion of Shen Lang.

This isn't slacking off on duty; it's taking it too seriously!

He now understands that Shen Lang is not a bad person, but his behavior and thoughts are somewhat different from ordinary people.

Zhou Xiong frowned, and the anger that had been building up inside him gradually dissipated.

He scrutinized Shen Lang for a long while before speaking, "Do you know how much trouble it would cause you if the Ministry of Justice discovered that you were investigating a case on your own?"

Shen Lang smiled and asked, "Why the Ministry of Justice, and not the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Zhou Xiong was startled. He pulled him to the back room, pointed to the chair in front of him, and said, "Sit!"

"Thank you, sir!"

Shen Lang bowed and sat down.

Zhou Xiong stared at him and said, "You suspect that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is colluding with the Ministry of Justice."

"Could it be that you've already found out something?"

Shen Lang raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. It was so comfortable dealing with smart people. He had only said one sentence, and Zhou Baihu already knew his intention.

Zhou Xiong said in a deep voice, "You've just started your job and don't yet understand the situation. You'll naturally understand in time."

"Our Imperial Guards handle cases with absolute certainty; one is one, two is two, and we will never distort the truth. The mere Ministry of Justice is not qualified to make the Imperial Guards bow down and yield!"

Shen Lang said thoughtfully, "Does Your Excellency mean that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is also secretly investigating this case?"

Zhou Xiong nodded slightly: "That's right. For some reason, this case has alarmed Lord Lu!"

"Lord Lu has given us a death order, requiring us to uncover the truth before the Ministry of Justice closes the case!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally calmed down.

The fact that the Embroidered Uniform Guards were friends, not enemies, was truly good news for him.

With the help of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, things will be much easier from now on.

Zhou Xiong added, "If you find any clues, there's no need to hide them."

"With the Ministry of Justice about to finalize the case, and Lord Lu urging us several times, the Northern Garrison is under immense pressure. Your report now is not only not considered disobedience or dereliction of duty, but rather a great achievement!"

When Zhou Xiong said this, he didn't really think that Shen Lang could find any useful clues.

After all, the dozens of people from the Northern Garrison had been working day and night for more than half a month, but had not gained anything at all.

What can a newly recruited captain find out by himself?

He said this simply because he didn't want Shen Lang to misunderstand the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Putting aside the fact that he was furious, Shen Lang's ruthlessness in doing whatever it takes to complete his official duties was very much to his liking.

After all, a sense of conviction is something you're born with or you're not.

Although Shen Lang's behavior was somewhat strange and his thoughts were incomprehensible to normal people, Zhou Xiong believed that it wasn't a major problem and that he could still be helped.

Shen Lang smiled and said, "Hearing your words, sir, I am relieved."

Zhou Xiong hummed in agreement and casually asked, "Then tell me, what clues did you find?"

Shen Lang said casually, "I have investigated this case thoroughly. I have both witnesses and physical evidence. All that's left is to find out the real identity of the murderer and bring him to justice."

Zhou Xiong was stunned for a moment, then suddenly jumped up from his chair, exclaiming in surprise, "Say that again?!"

Shen Lang repeated what he had just said.

Zhou Xiong's facial features contorted, his left corner of his mouth twitching in disbelief, "Is this really true?!"

"You yourself spent several days solving the case of the flower thief?"

"How is this possible?!"

Zhou Xiong's tone suddenly rose several octaves.

Shen Lang's expression turned serious: "I never joke about matters of duty."

Zhou Xiong stared at him for a while, then lost his composure and pulled him outside.

......

The Northern Garrison Command Office.

Zhou Baihu was a subordinate of Wen Kai Qianhu, who was one of the officials in charge of the case.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard has strict military regulations, which strictly prohibit reporting to higher authorities without authorization. However, Wen Kai, the commander, happened to be absent at the time. Given the urgency of the matter, Zhou Xiong was afraid of delaying the case, so he directly notified the garrison commander Zhang Xian.

Before Zhang Xian could come out, Shen Lang saw an old acquaintance.

Yan Zheng, a burly, iron-tower-like man with no eyebrows, eyelashes, or hair, and whose skin was bronze, walked over from a distance.

Upon seeing Shen Lang and Zhou Xiong standing together, Yan Zheng immediately frowned.

He had never witnessed firsthand how troublesome Shen Lang was, and now that the two of them had come together, he instinctively assumed Zhou Xiong was there to complain, and immediately said:

"Commander Zhou, although this man is unruly, he is someone the garrison commander has personally selected and intends to cultivate. If you want to dismiss him, you'd better not utter a word."

"Because of that case, the garrison commander has been in a bad mood lately. I advise you not to provoke him!"

Zhou Xiong was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "It has nothing to do with this!"

"We've come here precisely because of the case of the flower thief!"

As he spoke, he pointed at Shen Lang: "He said he has found the evidence and solved the case!"

Yan Zheng was taken aback, and his brows furrowed even more deeply.

After a moment's thought, he said seriously, "You go back first. Shen Lang, come with me!"

After saying that, he led Shen Lang through the torture chamber and into the quiet room in the back hall.

Compared to Zhou Baihu, Yan Zheng clearly knew more about Shen Lang.

He had witnessed Shen Lang's strength firsthand and had discussed it with Zhang Xian several times in private, so he knew that Shen Lang's talent for solving cases might even surpass his talent for martial arts.

So when Shen Lang said he had found a clue, he didn't doubt it too much, nor did he press him on how he had done it. He simply asked:

"What clues have you found? Do you have any concrete evidence?"

However, Shen Lang kept his eyes down and ignored him.

He still remembered that Yan Zheng sneaked off to the Xiangsuo to discuss matters with Commander Jin Chuan, and then left with a very strange expression.

Jin Chuan, the commander, was already certain that there was a problem, so what about Yan Zheng, who was very close to him?

This is a matter of great importance and we must take precautions.

Seeing Shen Lang's attitude, Yan Zheng said impatiently, "Speak up!"

Shen Lang clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Commander Yan, please calm down. I have already sent someone to inform the Garrison Commander. We will discuss everything once the Garrison Commander arrives."

Yan Zheng was stunned, then his anger flared instantly. He exclaimed incredulously, "You dare to doubt me?!"

Just as Yan Zheng was about to explode, a calm voice came over.

"I've arrived, you can speak now."

Zhang Xian, dressed in a black flying fish robe, walked in slowly.