Chapter 881 - 408: Commandery Princess Summons, The Little Wolf Cub, Motives Exposed—To Eliminate or Not?

Chapter 881: Chapter 408: Commandery Princess Summons, The Little Wolf Cub, Motives Exposed—To Eliminate or Not?

The next day, they reported for duty as scheduled, and the city patrol map was issued. Li Xian, Su Po Fu, Yang Bu Yan, and Bai Zheng Long formed a patrol team, inspecting the outskirts of the western city and visiting several mining areas.

Li Xian was the leader of the middle formation; although his rank hadn’t been promoted, his authority had increased. He was rightfully the leader of the patrol team. He received the map and frowned; the previous night, he received secret information to meet at Jade Pillar Mountain today during his patrol shift. Today’s patrol arrangement indeed passed through Jade Pillar Mountain.

Li Xian thought, "Can Princess An Yang manipulate the Gold Appraisal Guard’s patrol route, or can she know the patrol arrangements beforehand? Now that I am part of the Gold Appraisal Guard, I’ve caught her attention again. I must be cautious in this matter; her reach and hidden forces are unknown to me. If we fall out, I might not be able to handle it. I’ll keep up this façade for now, probe the situation, and plan further actions."

Suppressing his emotions, he glanced around. Li Xian said, "Let’s go!" leading the team out of the shop, heading out of the city along West Wind Street.

The Gold Appraisal Guard was responsible for the security in the west, covering the market, city gates, outskirts, and forests—all within the guard’s jurisdiction. The patrol map marked the routes and tasks, highlighting where to pay special attention and where to inquire further...

The Gold Appraisal Guard reported directly to Jade City’s "Dubhe," patrolling on its behalf, and held a prestigious status. When passing the city gate, the city guard soldiers were all respectful and envious.

Although the city guard soldiers were also responsible for city defense, they were not under the Gold Appraisal Guard. The Gold Appraisal Guard was not the superior of the city guard soldiers, and the usual constables could not command them, but they could supervise and manage them.

As Li Xian and the others passed by, the map task indicated they needed to monitor the stationed city’s situation, request the "register" of those entering and leaving, and supervise the city guard soldiers’ conduct. Li Xian immediately assigned "Su Po Fu" to stand by the city gate, monitoring the soldiers’ performance for any signs of corruption, fraud, or laziness. If any were found, they could be disciplined right away.

He further assigned "Yang Bu Yan" to inquire about the soldiers’ recent situation, to gain a general understanding of the city guard soldiers’ affairs, while "Bai Zheng Long" inspected the armory for any missing or unauthorized use of weapons and armor... such key locations.

Ensuring the city gate’s security and strict military regulations.

Before long, the head soldier, treating him with respect, led Li Xian up to the second level of the city gate, where there was a redwood pavilion. It was exquisitely made, with a room for tea, and one could climb up to observe the distant terrain.

The second level of the tower was over ten zhang (about 33 meters) above ground, with strong winds blowing. Li Xian’s tiger-patterned cloak fluttered loudly. His long hair was tied with a copper crown, though it covered his face, he still had an imposing presence. Being here for the first time, Li Xian was thorough and serious in his tasks.

The register of those entering and leaving was fetched, checking backward three to four days for those entering and leaving Jade City. All martial artists, whose background clans were marked at the end of the register, stating where they came from and their lineage.

Jade City regulations stated that anyone entering or exiting, if they were martial artists, must register truthfully.

If one intentionally concealed, Jade City would not easily know. However, if someone caused violence in the city and was routinely questioned by constables for identity and background, and checked against the register, if inconsistencies were found in name or origin, they would be immediately exposed and punished by Jade City’s laws.

Conversely... those who truthfully registered faced fewer restrictions in the city, and even if routinely questioned by constables, they only needed to provide their name truthfully, which would match the register, and no further issue would arise.

In the last three days, approximately seventy-nine martial artists entered or exited. Most were ordinary visitors from the Jianghu, but among them were those from Yu Nan Dao’s "Five Mountains Sword Alliance," "Copper Body Sect," "Gold Seeking Alliance," "Wei River Fish Guild"... from Guan Long Dao’s "Natural Sect," "Great Xian Sect," "Rare Beast Manor"... from Wang He Dao’s "Purple Arrival Peak," "Harmony Gate," "Sword Lake Manor," "Bian Family"...

Their origins were not to be underestimated.

Li Xian browsed through the register and thought, "Jade City is indeed a gathering place for heroes; many renowned sects frequently visit. This West Wind city gate is only one of the gates, and even in three days so many figures have visited. One can glimpse a small part of the bigger picture. I must work harder and truly make a name for myself!"

He carefully reviewed, with a serious expression. The head soldier handed him a vermilion pen, saying, "Sir, would you like to mark it with vermilion?"

Li Xian said, "Just routine duty, I’ll mark some." He took the vermilion pen, frowned in concentration, and then lightly marked "Li Wu Xing from Rare Beast Manor" and "Duan Wu Ya from Great Xian Sect" in red.

Anyone marked with vermilion was judged by Li Xian to potentially be a hidden threat or have the potential to cause trouble. After marking with the vermilion, the city guard soldiers would deliver it to each ward chief. The ward chief, leading the constables, would visit those marked to routinely inquire about their status.

If no issues are found, the vermilion mark would be removed.

Li Xian sat for a while longer, enjoying the view of the green mountains and observing the comings and goings of ordinary passengers. Once Bai Zheng Long, Yang Bu Yan, and Su Po Fu each reported no abnormalities, the first task was complete. Li Xian had a small bamboo tube at his waist, pulling out the stopper. Inside were the patrol map, paper slips, and a short pen.

Li Xian wrote on a slip: Pass through West Wind city gate, disciplined soldiers, clear register, complete armory. He rolled it back up, put it into the bamboo tube, and called Su Po Fu, Bai Zheng Long, Yang Bu Yan... to continue patrolling.

After exiting the city gate, they walked for a while longer. Li Xian suddenly said, "Everyone, let’s rest here for a while."

Li Xian smiled at Yang Bu Yan and said, "Bu Yan, my water bottle is empty. Could you please fetch some water for me?" Yang Bu Yan smiled and said, "Of course." He took the water bottle and went to find a nearby stream.

Li Xian’s eyes flickered. Among the four-person patrol today, only "Yang Bu Yan" came from a poor background. Su Po Fu and Bai Zheng Long both came from clans. If Princess An Yang had someone planted to observe Li Xian, Yang Bu Yan was the most suspicious.

Li Xian felt that Yang Bu Yan didn’t seem like it, but to be safe, he found an excuse to send him away. Then, during the break, he casually asked, "Brother Su, who usually arranges our daily patrol shifts?"