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

Chapter 51 Meeting Xu Jingde

The next day, early morning!

Shen Lang slept soundly through the night without any dreams, until dawn.

After waking up, yesterday's fatigue vanished, and I felt refreshed, in excellent condition, and fully recharged.

"His recovery ability is at least 30% stronger than before; just by changing his martial arts techniques to the standard techniques of the Imperial Guards, he achieved such an effect..."

"If it were upgraded again and replaced with an entry-level cultivation technique, how powerful would it become?"

"Almost there, almost there, it's already getting light."

Shen Lang narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of anticipation in his gaze.

"Erniu?"

After a quick wash and breakfast, Shen Lang arrived outside Qin Erniu's room.

I knocked a few times, but there was no response; all I could hear was deafening snoring.

"How can you sleep so soundly?"

Shen Lang pushed open the door and entered, his brows furrowing slightly as he looked at Er Niu, who was fast asleep.

He placed his right hand on Qin Erniu's back and channeled a wisp of true energy into him.

"His meridians and energy channels have been expanded again. Jin Chuan is really willing to spend a lot of money to train his subordinates."

Shen Lang withdrew his hand, his expression slightly grave.

Qin Erniu's physical condition was perfectly normal, but his wariness of Jin Chuan not only did not disappear, but actually intensified.

Recalling the news that Sang Biao brought back yesterday, he felt even more that this man's behavior was strange and that he seemed to be plotting something.

We can't tell anything yet, but don't worry, if it's a fox, it will show its tail sooner or later.

Shen Lang closed the door and left.

......

9:00 AM (巳时).

Zhongcheng District, Nanxunfang.

Shen Lang arrived at the residence of Xu Jingde, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial.

This is a three-courtyard house with blue bricks and gray tiles. From the outside, it looks rather ordinary.

However, the location is quite good, belonging to the eight auxiliary areas of the central city, where most high-ranking officials of the imperial court reside.

Shen Lang summoned the steward of the manor and showed his waist badge: "Please inform me that Shen Lang, a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has come as requested."

"Please wait a moment."

The steward left in a hurry and returned in a hurry, and soon led Shen Lang into the mansion.

The two passed through the front hall and flower beds, and stepped onto the corridor towards the back courtyard.

Shen Lang walked around, taking in his surroundings.

It's clear that this Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices dislikes extravagance; compared to the Prince of Jing'an's residence, this place is so simple it's practically a commoner's house.

"Everyone says that this Lord Xu is an honest and upright official, and now it seems that he is not faking it. Perhaps we can have a more in-depth conversation later."

After a moment's thought, Shen Lang had already made up his mind.

The investigation has reached a point where we are only one step away from uncovering the truth.

But this step proved to be a bit of a challenge for him.

Of all the evidence he currently possesses, the only one that can confirm the killer's identity is the jade pendant tassel woven from gold thread and adorned with a red coral bead at the end.

Although he knew this thing was unusual, he didn't really know the specifics.

After all, he was just a country bumpkin who had just arrived and had no connection with the elite circles.

So his plan was to find someone who was knowledgeable, trustworthy, and wouldn't be heartbroken if they died to help him.

And this Lord Xu is his best choice.

"Lord Shen, we've arrived."

"Master is chanting scriptures for Miss, please wait a moment."

The steward led Shen Lang to the outside of the Buddhist hall and bowed respectfully.

Thank you for your trouble.

Shen Lang gave a polite reply, then peered through the crack in the door.

Xu Jingde was seen kneeling on a prayer mat with his back turned, holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand. In front of him was a cold jade coffin that could preserve the body from decay.

Shen Lang's eyes flickered slightly, and he muttered to himself, "The seventh day after his death has passed, yet he hasn't been buried."

"This Lord Xu's obsession is indeed quite profound."

The Buddhist hall was located in a remote area, surrounded by sycamore trees, with dappled sunlight and shadows, which already gave it a somewhat eerie atmosphere. Now, with the addition of this long-unburied coffin, it seemed even more sinister.

A short while later, a voice came from inside the hall.

"Come in."

Shen Lang pushed open the door and entered.

"The Princess Consort of Jing'an lowered herself to beg for help everywhere, all for the sake of a mere captain like you?"

Shen Lang walked closer and finally saw what Lord Xu looked like.

He was about forty years old, thin, with a gaunt face, a sparse beard, and a serious expression. His narrow eyes were particularly striking.

"Greetings, Lord Xu."

Shen Lang cupped his hands in greeting, and then solemnly bowed three times toward the coffin in front of him.

Xu Jingde was taken aback, but his expression softened somewhat. He stood up and said, "Come with me."

The two crossed the Buddhist hall and entered a quiet room in the back hall.

Xu Jingde lit a stick of sandalwood incense, made a gesture, and said succinctly, "Sit."

"Speak, what is the reason you've gone to such lengths to see me?"

A barely perceptible glint of crimson light flashed in Shen Lang's eyes. Instead of answering, he asked:

"Is Lord Xu still unwilling to let his beloved daughter be buried, and wants to seek justice for her?"

Xu Jingde was stunned.

Before he could recover, Shen Lang continued, "The case of the flower thief has been classified as the work of a ghost, and the three judicial departments have no objection to this."

"Lord Xu seems quite dissatisfied with this result. Am I right?"

Xu Jingde narrowed his long, narrow eyes slightly and said coldly, "Stop beating around the bush, what exactly is your purpose in coming here?"

Shen Lang looked into his eyes and said, word by word:

"This case wasn't committed by ghosts. I must apprehend the real culprit and seek justice for those innocent girls who died unjustly!"

Click!

Xu Jingde's pupils suddenly contracted, and he unconsciously exerted force, breaking the armrest of the grand master's chair in half!

"Innocent deaths...seeking justice?"

"Hahaha......"

"A mere captain dares to utter such arrogant words?"

Xu Jingde suddenly burst into laughter.

However, deep in his eyes, Shen Lang saw a suppressed anger and despair.

The laughter lasted for quite a while before it finally stopped.

"I didn't expect you, a mere junior officer, to know so much." Xu Jingde chuckled softly in a hoarse voice.

"You're right, the killer is definitely not a ghost."

"But, this is not a secret."

"I know, the Ministry of Justice knows, the Embroidered Uniform Guard knows, and the Court of Judicial Review knows."

"But even so, what can we do? The outcome will still remain unchanged."

"This case can only be ruled out as the work of a ghost, and it should be closed here as soon as possible."

Shen Lang's eyes narrowed, and his expression immediately became serious.

He truly never expected that Xu Jingde would say such a thing!

He can use the virtual realm to reverse time and space and recreate the crime scene, so what he sees is completely different from what others see.

From his perspective, the murderer committed the crime first and then used ghostly means to cover it up afterwards. The whole process was crystal clear and beyond dispute.

That's why he was so certain that the killer was a human!

However, the three judicial departments did not have this ability; from their perspective, the case was full of inexplicable doubts.

Therefore, it is only natural to blame the ghosts.

Shen Lang originally thought that the Ministry of Justice was an accomplice of the murderer, while the Embroidered Uniform Guard was deceived and misled by the two sides because they could not find any real evidence.

But now it seems that's not the case.