Monarch Night

Steward Fang, dressed in his Steward's Clothes, walked into the tavern with a straight posture.

Immediately, a commotion erupted.

Many people had witnessed this Steward Fang display great might, slaying the demon race of the Demon Sect, and held him in utmost respect.

"Steward Fang, you came in person to eat?"

"Yes, yes, you're here too?"

"Yes, yes."

"Please come in, come inside... you there, make a space for Steward Fang, he's come personally to dine!"

"Ah! Steward Fang, thank you!"

"Steward Fang, you've worked hard!"

"Steward Fang, I'll cover the bill!"

Fang Che immediately turned around, looking in one direction: "Who just said they'd cover the bill?"

In the distance, two people politely stood up; it was Zhao Wushang and Zheng Yunqi: "Steward Fang, our Worldwide Escort Agency wants to truly buy you a meal to thank you for eliminating evil for the people; please honor us with your presence."

Fang Che laughed heartily, with warmth and kindness.

Standing on the staircase in the hall, he said with emotion: "The people of Baiyun State are such simple folks. We only want peaceful and stable lives, without being displaced or worried about shelter."

"Yet, the demon race of the Demon Sect makes even these humble wishes hard to achieve."

"Now I, Fang Che, have merely done some insignificant things within my duties, yet have received such enthusiastic support from everyone; I, Fang Che, am ashamed."

Saying this, he solemnly bowed.

The crowd responded with courtesy: "Steward Fang, you are a good person!"

"Regardless of being good or not, good people still need to eat."

Fang Che laughed heartily and said, "Everyone, enjoy your meal first; otherwise, if my presence ruins the tavern's business, that would not be good. I'm going to have a meal with the two Vice Chiefs and have a little chat. By the way, let me remind you, these two Vice Chiefs are from the new and powerful Worldwide Escort Agency, claiming all goods are guaranteed safe delivery, with full compensation for any accidents... if anyone needs such services, feel free to contact them."

Zhao Wushang and Zheng Yunqi were delighted.

Unexpected gains, they clasped their fists with joy: "Looking forward to collaborating with everyone."

The crowd responded with bowing: "Certainly! With one word from Steward Fang, my business will go to the Worldwide Escort Agency in the future!"

"Thank you, thank you!"

"My pleasure, indeed."

Fang Che laughed heartily, jokingly saying, "Looks like your Escort Agency will have to give me a dividend for introducing so much business."

"Absolutely!"

Zhao Wushang beamed.

Fang Che promptly clasped his hands in salute: "Everyone, enjoy your meal, I'm going to eat now."

"Enjoy your meal, Steward Fang!"

"Wishing good health to Steward Fang!"

As Fang Che went upstairs and entered a private room, the noise finally subsided.

Yet, there were still people whispering.

Saying how Steward Fang was young and promising, frequently achieving great victories, with eyes sharp as a hawk, making it nearly impossible for the Demon Sect's demon race to hide from him...

Many sighed.

If every official in Baiyun State were like Steward Fang...how wonderful the world would be.

...

Entering the private room.

The four sat down.

Except for Fang Che who was at ease, the other three were somewhat reserved.

Soon the waiter came in, and Zhao Wushang especially chose the expensive dishes, ordering a table full in one go.

"Steward Fang, would you like to have a drink?"

"No, I'll have to patrol the streets this afternoon."

Fang Che smiled mildly: "It's my duty, I dare not be negligent."

"Steward Fang truly is a good official, upholding justice and abhorring evil."

"Having donned this attire, I must live up to it."

Fang Che faintly smiled and said, "Just like the two of you, now that you've become heads of the escort, you need to work diligently. It's the same for us all."

"Steward Fang is right, your words resonate powerfully. We'll keep them in mind!"

Fang Che faintly smiled, watching Tang Zheng diligently stand up to pour tea, he smiled and said, "Vice Chiefs, your visit here today isn't just by coincidence, is it?"

Zhao Wushang said, "What does Steward Fang mean by this?"

Fang Che said lightly, "Today, several times, I heard enthusiastic citizens reporting, and one of those voices sounded very familiar."

He smiled slightly: "My ears, you see, are quite sharp. So when Vice Chief Zhao spoke earlier, I felt... this voice, I seemed to have heard it somewhere."

"So when Vice Chief Zhao offered to host, I came straight away without hesitation."

Fang Che laughed heartily and said, "The world works in mysterious ways. Don't you agree, Vice Chief Zheng?"

Zheng Yunqi and Zhao Wushang both had a slight change in expression, then smiled: "Steward Fang truly observes with great detail."

On the side.

Tang Zheng's hand trembled.

Almost spilled the tea all over.

Fang Che smiled and said, "In recent days, it has always been the people from the Worldwide Escort Agency being reported. But upon investigation, they were not members of the Demon Sect. And today, it's the Worldwide Escort Agency reporting others, very accurately, every report is spot on!"

Zheng Yunqi's expression did not change, and he said, "Steward Fang's insight is as sharp as a torch."

Fang Che said meaningfully, "I'm sure the two Vice Chiefs can explain this matter to me thoroughly?"

"Of course."

Zheng Yunqi laughed and said, "There's naturally a reason for this, and we at the Worldwide Escort Agency had no intention of becoming the target of so many reports, it was clearly a plot to eradicate us."

"So, this grievance, we can't just swallow it."

Zheng Yunqi said, "Actually, there's a cause for all this."

Fang Che said calmly, "I'd like to hear the details."

"The cause of the matter is quite peculiar."

Clearly, before coming here or after meeting Fang Che, Zheng Yunqi had enough time to think and had already concocted a story.

"Our Yishan Sect disciples were allowed by the Grandmaster to descend the mountain to establish a foundation, also serving as a way for sect disciples to gain experience in the Jianghu."

"And we were the first batch. Since all were newcomers, and with the deceitful nature of the Jianghu, Senior Uncle Yin Xiu suggested not to separate, with him going ahead to scout first, and when he felt the time was right, we would follow."

Zheng Yunqi's thoughts were extremely meticulous, even covering up for the Starlight Master.

Fang Che nodded at the right moment, saying, "So Yin Xiu, the Chief, is the uncle of Vice Chief Zheng and others. Understood."

Zheng Yunqi smiled and said, "Finally, Senior Uncle established a foothold, but was short of capable assistants, thus he sent a letter to the mountain gate requesting support. However, due to the precarious roads... it took four attempts for our mountain gate to receive the message."

"Then we departed immediately, but by then, considerable time had already passed since Senior Uncle Yin Xiu's first letter."

Zheng Yunqi's words, if heard by someone unaware, would seem flawless.

In case someone later revealed that "Yin Xiu" had long been in Baiyun State, these words could immediately take effect.

Moreover, Zheng Yunqi shrewdly avoided stating specific timings, instead saying 'considerable time.'

This has significance within it.

Fang Che nodded, internally approving.

Said, "And then?"

"Then, our fellow disciples were already impatient, and upon receiving the message, immediately rushed down the mountain. But just as we were about to reach Baiyun State, we encountered a group of people, and because our senior and junior sisters have fair appearances, the others had some improper thoughts, resulting in conflict."

Zheng Yunqi sighed and said, "At that moment, we did not realize they were from the Demon Sect. Besides, in over ten encounters, we largely held the upper hand... hence we didn't suspect them to be Demon Sect demon race. After all, Demon Sect demon race are cruel and terrifying, not as weak as this... cough, cough."

Zheng Yunqi said, coughing once, indicating embarrassment.

One must admit, from his diction, story, expression, to his actions, there was not a single flaw!

One could be entirely convinced: If it weren't Fang Che sitting across or knowing the true identity of their 'Uncle Yin Xiu' 'Chief' 'Starlight Master,' even replacing him with anyone from the Guardian Hall, they would be deceived by these words.

"I see. It was a conflict, no wonder they reported you."

Fang Che, with much sympathy, spoke in a tone of 'I already understand all the causes and effects.'

"We did not expect to be reported, as after the conflict, we went our separate ways."

Zheng Yunqi said, "But as we traveled, we found they were on the same route; some even came over to chat with us, we thought nothing of it. Becoming friends from foes seemed fine too, since in the Jianghu, hidden threats aren't easy to fend off..."

"Yet we never expected, once we had just secured a foothold and gained formal positions to start working, such a malicious report would occur."

Zheng Yunqi picked up his tea, head lowered: "Fortunately, we encountered Steward Fang, with his keen insight. Otherwise, none of our brothers would know how to resolve this; especially, if any young junior brothers or sisters were frightened and fled, they wouldn't even have had a chance to explain..."

"Thank you, Steward Fang!"

Zheng Yunqi and Zhao Wushang stood up simultaneously, before the food even arrived.

And toasted with tea instead of wine.

Fang Che calmly sat and drank the cup of tea, saying, "That's indeed right; you have no issue at all, and those with integrity aren't afraid of shadows. In our Guardian Hall, evidence is required, and no indiscriminate action is taken."

"Yes, yes."

The two repeatedly agreed.

Thinking, you wielded your sword to kill earlier, with a ferocity unmatched.

There wasn't a hint of 'no indiscriminate action' in you.

"After returning, everyone gathered to discuss whom we might have offended. After thorough deliberation, we finally realized it must be those people. Moreover, they must be Demon Sect demon race! Otherwise, they wouldn't have done such a thing!"

Zheng Yunqi displayed righteous indignation on his face: "Furthermore, even if they were not, we had to report back. That's why today's event occurred, but we truly didn't anticipate those people were actually Demon Sect demon race! Not a single report missed!"

Zhao Wushang laughed heartily: "It's like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse... haha, letting Steward Fang laugh at us."