Monarch Night

...

Fang Che led Tang Zheng, patrolling the streets at a slow pace.

The fierce wind howled, sandstorms filled the sky, and the whole city seemed like a ghostly realm, desolate with not a single pedestrian.

Sometimes they walked against the wind, sometimes with it, traversing the vast city felt like navigating an endless desert sandstorm.

Tang Zheng struggled to keep up, still feeling the sand stinging painfully against his body.

As they turned the corner, they entered the territory managed by Lame Hong Er and others.

At a glance, Fang Che was satisfied. Having visited before when it was a bit chaotic, now it was orderly.

Even in such windy conditions, there was hardly any disorder.

Except for a few store signs being blown away, everything else was fine.

It seems Er Quezi has been diligent lately.

Practicing listening, he quickly heard the voice of Lame Hong Er.

"Are these all original residents? Where are the background records? Let me check... Not bad, no new faces settled in the past half-year?"

"Let me see the accommodation records for this inn, especially for those still staying here."

"Clean this area up; it's so filthy."

"What's this? What's this? I can't accept this, take it back! Are you trying to bribe a Guardian Hall officer!!"

The nearby boss's voice: "Old Hong, let's just stick to the usual rules... uh, uh..."

Clearly, he was silenced by Lame Hong Er in a hurry: "Sir, don't say it, sir! If anyone else made such a mistake, they'd get scolded, fired. If I make it, it's a matter of life and death..."

"Why is it a matter of life and death?"

Amid the howling winds, Mr. Fang, hands clasped behind him, smiled leisurely, stepping out of the sandstorm with Tang Zheng, walking over casually: "Steward Hong, care to explain? What exactly is this 'matter' you were talking about?"

Lame Hong Er's eyes were filled with despair: "Mr. Fang... I was wrong."

"What did you do wrong?"

Fang Che asked with a smile.

"I... I..."

Lame Hong Er began to tremble.

"What were you trying to give him that he doesn't want?" Fang Che asked the innkeeper.

"It's just, just..." The owner looked flustered.

"You gave him something to stop him from checking your inn?" Fang Che queried.

"I... I..."

The innkeeper became utterly panic-stricken.

Fang Che's face turned cold as he calmly said, "Tang Zheng, gather the staff, lock down this Youpeng Inn, and let no one in or out. I need to see why you don't want this place checked."

Lame Hong Er trembled on the side, saying, "Mr. Fang, it's my mistake, the owner here is my old neighbor, so occasionally, I looked out for him... Truly, I haven't accepted any bribes. It's just pickles he sent from my hometown. But now, I don't even dare to accept the pickles..."

Saying this, he opened the bundle in the owner's hands.

Immediately, a pungent smell rose.

It was indeed a package of pickles.

Fang Che glanced at it, stuffed it back into Lame Hong Er's hands, and said indifferently, "You'd better pray there's no one from the Demon Sect inside, or else, Er Quezi, you and this old neighbor of yours... hehe, I don't need to say more, do I?"

"Understood."

Lame Hong Er's cold sweat poured down.

The deacons quickly arrived to seal off the inn.

Fang Che personally went inside to check each person lying inside. Indeed, there were quite a few people, all called out; Fang Che immediately felt he had some idea.

Inside this inn owned by Lame Hong Er's old neighbor, at least seven individuals had a similar aura to Zhao Wushang and his companions.

But their identities were all normal.

Fang Che quietly continued his check, and upon reaching the upper floor, he deliberately glanced out the window at an angle to look below.

In the distance, he saw Lame Hong Er standing, looking over here with an expression that seemed somewhat regretful.

Fang Che withdrew his gaze.

Stepping downstairs.

"Not bad."

He calmly looked at the owner and said, "But always remember, if there are any unidentified people coming to stay, you must report it."

He patted the owner's shoulder, speaking earnestly: "This is the fate of the Baiyun State's people. Although you are merchants, primarily seeking profit, peace in the world allows you to make more money, doesn't it? So, you bear significant responsibility. It's not easy!"

He nodded: "Good work. I believe in you."

The innkeeper was moved to tears: "Trust me, Mr. Fang, I will certainly not disappoint your expectations."

Fang Che waved; "Regroup, everyone, well done!"

He walked out nonchalantly, showing no signs of worry.

He waved to those who greeted him along the way, his demeanor like a pleasant spring breeze.

As Fang Che walked out, Lame Hong Er, a bit uneasy, approached: "Mr. Fang, how was it?"

"Not bad."

Fang Che laughed heartily, saying, "Looks like you've been working hard lately."

Lame Hong Er chuckled awkwardly, saying, "You're too kind, Mr. Fang."

Fang Che nodded, profoundly said: "However, you still need to work on this mouth of yours. Otherwise, I'll still be hitting you."

"I won't dare, I won't dare."

Fang Che laughed heartily and turned to leave.

...

Tang Zheng followed him all the way, not feeling anything unusual about Mr. Fang today.

It was already afternoon.

The fierce wind showed no sign of abating, only growing more violent.

Tang Zheng murmured, "Spring winds are always like this, but today is particularly strong. It's fortunate that by nightfall, the wind will stop."

Fang Che looked up at the broken ends of a treetop blowing in the wind, raised a hand, and shattered it with a rock. "Today's wind might not stop tonight. If it grows stronger at night, Baiyun State might start a large-scale disaster relief by tomorrow."

Tang Zheng said, "It seems we might need to begin disaster relief even now. We're in the city and still feel the fierce wind, those outside the city must be worse off. Many houses are likely already blown down."