Walking on the official road towards the capital, Lin Ji felt a sense of emotion.
The last time he went to the capital was at the end of the second month, and in the blink of an eye, it was already midsummer.
In half a year, he had broken through from the third realm to the fourth realm, and had risen from the constable of Qingyang County to the chief constable of Liang City.
This half year had been more fulfilling than his years in the Monitoring Heaven Bureau.
Although Lin Ji would rather not have this kind of fulfillment.
After walking along the official road for more than ten days, he passed through Tongtian Town in the early morning.
There were no soldiers blocking the way in Tongtian Town now.
Many merchants were resting here, as well as travelers entering and leaving the capital, each going their separate ways.
Lin Ji did not stop in Tongtian Town and continued northward.
By noon, he had already entered the capital.
Because he wasn't in a hurry along the way, Lin Ji didn't feel tired. Therefore, after entering the capital, he went straight to the government office of the capital.
"Stop, who goes there?" The guards at the entrance of the government office blocked his way.
"Liangzhou Chief Constable Lin Ji, here on orders to enter the capital." Lin Ji presented his golden token.
The token of the Monitoring Heaven Bureau was the best pass.
The guards did not dare to stop him, so they let Lin Ji in and then hurried to report.
After waiting in a side hall of the government office in the capital for a short while, a bailiff came to deliver a message.
Following the bailiff around the government office, Lin Ji soon realized that he had actually come to the back hall of the government office.
This place was usually the residence of the town officials.
Was it worth a Chief Constable of Liangzhou coming to the capital for the town officials to personally meet him?
With a deep sense of doubt, after waiting in the back hall for a while, a middle-aged man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes walked in.
Sure enough, it was Sun Heya.
"Master Sun." Lin Ji quickly stood up and saluted.
The last time he saw Sun Heya was at the mansion of Luoxuan, but they didn't exchange many words at that time.
Lin Ji was curious about whether Lady Luo's case had been resolved.
"Please, have a seat." Sun Heya nodded at Lin Ji and took his seat at the main position.
After Lin Ji also sat down, Sun Heya spoke frankly, "You were summoned to the capital by Lord Gao. I am not sure of the specifics, but with your cultivation at the fourth realm, the Demon-Sealing Tower will reopen soon, and you will be able to help in some way."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ji raised his head in surprise and looked at Sun Heya.
"Master Sun, shouldn't the matter of the Demon-Sealing Tower be kept secret?"
But Sun Heya just shook his head, clearly not very interested.
"This matter is confidential, but as the Chief Constable of Liangzhou, there is no need to keep it from you."
Lin Ji wanted to ask more, as he had no idea what was going on. But before he could speak, Sun Heya waved his hand to stop him.
"No need to ask more. This matter cannot be explained in a few words, and I don't want to say more."
"Understood." Lin Ji reluctantly agreed.
The back hall fell into a brief silence.
Lin Ji saw Sun Heya pick up a teacup and thought he was going to see him off, so he stood up to bid farewell.
But Sun Heya chuckled and said, "Why in such a hurry? I just want to drink some water, please sit down."
"Alright." Lin Ji could only comply.
After a while, Sun Heya put down the teacup and asked, "Lin Ji, during your last visit to the capital for a report, did Lord Zheng mention asking you to stay in the capital?"
"There was such a thing." Lin Ji nodded.
"Why did you refuse last time? Staying in the capital has more prospects than in Liangzhou."
"I come from Qingyang County, born and raised there. I don't want to leave my hometown." Lin Ji said frankly.
"You are indeed honest!"
Sun Heya then asked, "What if I ask you to stay again? I have looked into your experiences over the past six months, and I must say, you are a competent constable."
But Lin Ji shook his head.
"Master, I have just taken up the position of Chief Constable of Liangzhou. It wouldn't be right to leave so soon, and besides, Lord Zhang is still hoping for my return."
If someone wanted to climb up the ranks, they would have chosen to stay in the capital following Sun Heya's words.
Lin Ji's response made Sun Heya understand his refusal.
"Since that's the case, I will go along with your wishes."
Sun Heya nodded and then looked outside the back hall.
"Bring him in."
"Master Sun." A bailiff was waiting.
"Go and fetch Thunder Leopard."
Not long after, the bailiff led in a burly man who was nearly two meters tall.
"Greetings, Master Sun." The man named Thunder Leopard respectfully saluted and then looked at Lin Ji.
"Who is this?"
"Chief Constable Lin Ji of Liangzhou."
Sun Heya pointed at Thunder Leopard and said, "This is Thunder Leopard, the Chief Constable of Jingzhou. He will arrange your accommodations during your stay in the capital."
Lin Ji stood up, saluted Thunder Leopard, and then declined, "Master, I can stay at the inn."
"A Chief Constable of a province should not stay at an inn." Thunder Leopard seemed familiar and grabbed Lin Ji's wrist, saying, "Brother Lin, just follow me."
Lin Ji could only follow Thunder Leopard as they left the government office of the capital.
Walking on the streets of the capital, Thunder Leopard finally let go of Lin Ji's hand.
"What brings Brother Lin to the capital?"
"On official business, can't disclose." Lin Ji casually replied.
Upon hearing this, Thunder Leopard did not inquire further, knowing the rules.
The two walked side by side until they reached a small courtyard in the east of the city.
The place was quite quiet, surrounded by large mansions, with only this small courtyard not much bigger than Lin Ji's in Qingyang County.
"This is a house I have in the city. You can stay here during your time in the capital."
"Come, let me show you around."
Lin Ji had no objections.
Although the house was small, it had everything one needed.
Two rooms, a kitchen, all neatly arranged, and a peach tree in the courtyard that had already borne many fruits.
"Are you satisfied? If not, I can show you somewhere else." Thunder Leopard grinned.
"Satisfied, thank you, Master Thunder."
"Don't mention it. Later, I'll book a table at a restaurant to welcome you! If you encounter any trouble in the capital, just find me."
As Lin Ji was about to thank him, someone unexpectedly intruded into the courtyard.
The person was dressed in the attire of a demon catcher and looked somewhat flustered.
When Thunder Leopard turned around, he found that it was his subordinate, and his face darkened.
"Why so flustered? What's going on?"
"Master, Lady Wei, the Minister's wife, has returned."
Upon hearing this, Thunder Leopard's brows furrowed, first looking at Lin Ji beside him before continuing, "What's the situation?"
The demon catcher simply nodded.
Seeing this, Lin Ji quickly spoke up, "If there is official business, Master Thunder, please go ahead and handle it. You don't need to mind me."
"No, Brother Lin, this matter concerns you a bit."
"Hmm?" Lin Ji was puzzled.
But Thunder Leopard sighed deeply.
"It's about the case of the Variegated Lady at the Luoxiang Mansion a few months ago."
"Wait, Luoxiang? Isn't that Lord Luoxuan?" Lin Ji was surprised.
Thunder Leopard explained, "Brother Lin, you may not know, but Lord Luoxuan was recently promoted to Prime Minister."
"But wasn't Lord Luo a third-rank official? How did he jump two ranks to first rank? And even to the position of Prime Minister?" Lin Ji found it somewhat illogical.
Thunder Leopard shrugged.
"The Monitoring Heaven Bureau doesn't concern itself with these matters, so I'm not very clear either."
"I see." Lin Ji nodded, not delving further.
"So, were more than one person harmed in that Variegated Lady case?"
(End of this chapter)