August arrived as scheduled.

The day was bright and beautiful, with a gentle breeze.

Jiang Wang, Chong Xuan Sheng, and Fourteen rode their horses abreast, departing from the Jiang family estate.

They strode grandly through the streets of Linzi, a picture of arrogant dominance – primarily due to Chong Xuan Sheng’s astonishing physique. The main street of Linzi could typically accommodate seven horses abreast, but with him squeezing in on his steed, there wasn’t much room left.

The three of them riding side-by-side occupied most of the street, appearing exceedingly decadent.

Not to mention the throng of fierce servants armed with clubs trailing behind them.

“I say, is all this really necessary?” Jiang Wang felt a little uncomfortable under the contemptuous gazes of passersby.

“We’re going to bully someone, how can we not be a little arrogant?” Chong Xuan Sheng said indifferently, adding in a casual tone, “Fourteen, keep up, maintain formation!”

Amidst his busyness, he even spared a moment to glare at the roadside: “What are you looking at! Haven’t you ever seen someone unreasonable?”

The passersby dared not speak, only seething inwardly.

Fourteen remained silent, but his head was noticeably bowed.

Though clad in heavy armor and wearing an iron helmet, he wasn’t as remarkably resistant as Chong Xuan Sheng, who seemed immune to all looks of contempt.

Today’s story was that a manager of Chong Xuan Sheng’s, while visiting a pleasure house, had been bullied by another young master from Linzi. Of course, in Chong Xuan Sheng’s words, “A mere fourth-rank official’s son dares to challenge us? We’ll beat him and his father too.”

Yes.

Today’s life was this simple and unadorned. The inseparable Chong Xuan Sheng and Fourteen, dragging along Jiang Wang, were going to bully… or rather, dispense justice, for a dispute involving their manager’s visit to a pleasure house.

A direct descendant of the Marquis of Bowang, and the Qingyangzi holding a third-rank official position, going to bully the son of a fourth-rank official – there was truly no suspense whatsoever.

They were going with the clear intention of utter dominance.

Though Jiang Wang knew that Chong Xuan Sheng’s persistent insistence on dragging him along surely had another purpose, if not here, then elsewhere. This胖子’s (fatso’s) actions were often interconnected and airtight, bringing forth thunder in a quiet moment. He had been busy with something all this time, and perhaps the moment of truth was approaching.

But deliberately strutting about like this was truly a source of unspeakable shame…

According to the script of a play, with their side “evil young masters taking to the streets,” justice should descend from the heavens immediately.

The passersby, full of grievances from being roared at by Chong Xuan Sheng, suddenly had their eyes light up. They happened to see a noble young master of considerable strength and good reputation riding towards them from the opposite direction.

“These people are arrogantly blocking the street, how can a just person tolerate this? Give these dog-backed rabbit崽子s (rascals) a good lesson!” The passersby shouted in their hearts, silently cheering him on.

Little did they know that Chong Xuan Sheng’s eyes also lit up.

“Hey!” From his horse, he raised his large hand to call out: “Young Master Xie!”

Young Master Xie Baoshu, also riding a tall horse, had an expression full of ill fortune. He pretended not to hear, riding straight ahead and passing by Chong Xuan Sheng’s group.

“Does Young Master Xie not recognize me so quickly?” Chong Xuan Sheng even twisted his head to call out: “When you were knocked out at the Master’s Ceremony, I even went to the Imperial Hospital to see you!”

Ten thousand horses galloped in Xie Baoshu’s heart. His hand gripping the reins was almost bruised.

He definitely couldn’t out-curse them, and as for fighting, he truly wasn’t confident fighting three. If he accidentally stumbled and was beaten in the street, he would have no face to stay in Linzi.

He could only ride away expressionlessly.

Treat him like a fart, treat him like a fart. He chanted this in his heart.

This indeed made him feel a little more comfortable.

Chong Xuan Sheng ‘tsk’-ed, turning back around in dissatisfaction: “I thought moving to Yaoguang Fang to be neighbors with Xie Xiao Bao would bring a little fun. Didn’t expect him to be so easily messed with, how boring!”

Jiang Wang was stunned: “Xie Xiao Bao?”

Chong Xuan Sheng pursed his lips: “Isn’t he a Shobao (literally ‘Uncle’s Treasure’)! All day long it’s ‘My uncle says, my uncle says,’ without his uncle, he can’t even talk!”

Xie Xiao Bao,嘿 (hey)!

When it came to bullying, Chong Xuan Sheng was truly the expert!

Jiang Wang sighed in admiration in his heart.

He didn’t know why.

He had felt uncomfortable going out into the street to swagger and bully, even if it was an act. But bullying Xie Baoshu…

Chong Xuan Sheng grinned at him, raising his eyebrows, as if to say, ‘Isn’t it exhilarating?’

Jiang Wang silently straightened his back.

It was indeed quite exhilarating…

The passersby who had placed high hopes on Xie Baoshu shrank their heads and walked away in silence. The further away from these unlucky people, the better.

Even the young master of the Privy Counsellor’s estate was bullied like this. He was only yelled at once, what else was there to be upset about?

As he comforted himself thus, he suddenly saw a group of people flying towards them swiftly.

“Good! The Green Badges are taking action!”

The passerby was overjoyed. The Capital Inspection Bureau was directly under the Emperor’s command. No matter if you were a noble or a wealthy young master, if they said they would apprehend you, they would apprehend you, without any regard for personal connections!

Let’s see you be arrogant now!

He looked back fiercely, as if in his heart, this group of Green Badges was acting under his orders to apprehend the evil young masters.

It made him feel tipsy with triumph.

However, he saw this group of Green Badges fly closer, landing on the ground in unison, and bowing towards the evil young master riding the fiery red horse: “Lord Jiang, the Commander has ordered you to be summoned!”

“Your mother’s!”

The passerby cursed inwardly, lowering his head and hurrying away.

Able to bully the young master of the Privy Counsellor’s estate, daring to swagger in the street, and even holding a position in the Capital Inspection Bureau… even in Linzi, they indeed had the qualifications to be arrogant.

Speaking of Jiang Wang, who received the order, he was also stunned for a moment.

This team of Green Badge captains were so courteous, indicating that the sudden summons from the Commander of the North Barracks was not because he had done something wrong.

Then it could only be to summon him to do something.

However, although he was a fourth-rank Green Badge captain, the Capital Inspection Bureau had never forced him to handle any cases. When he first took office, it was due to Chong Xuan Sheng’s favor, and later, it was his friendship with Zheng Shangming.

Why was it so sudden this time, without even giving him a heads-up?

But in any case, since the Commander of the North Barracks had summoned him, whatever Chong Xuan Sheng’s plan was for today, it would have to be temporarily put aside…

“Do you know what the matter is?” Jiang Wang asked from his horse.

“This subordinate also does not know, only that the Commander ordered you to proceed immediately. We just came from your estate looking for you.” The Green Badge replied.

Chong Xuan Sheng, piled high on his steed, spoke up: “Is it convenient for me to go with you?”

The captain, of course, knew Chong Xuan Sheng’s identity and showed a difficult expression: “The Inspection Bureau is very busy right now, Young Master Chong Xuan is not a Green Badge, I’m afraid it’s not appropriate…”

Chong Xuan Sheng nodded: “It’s alright, you don’t need to be troubled.”

He smiled at Jiang Wang: “Plans can’t keep up with changes, looks like we can’t go bully people today!”

As he spoke, he looked up at the sky.

Jiang Wang understood instantly.

This time, the Emperor was summoning him to handle a case!

That’s why the Commander of the North Barracks had given a sudden order.

That’s why Zheng Shangming couldn’t inform him in advance.

The Capital Inspection Bureau did not lack capable Green Badges of good reputation. Comparing his case-handling ability to theirs would be an insult to those people. What kind of case was it that absolutely required Jiang Wang?

“Nonsense!” Captain Jiang had already entered his case-handling state, saying righteously: “This official is a dignified Green Badge, an official of the court, how could I go with you to bully someone?”

He simply dismounted, handing over the reins: “I won’t be stopping for tea. This official has urgent business. You help me send Yan Zhao back.”

Yan Zhao, with its fiery red mane, shrank back.

Jiang Wang smiled and patted its head: “Don’t worry, he won’t ride you.”

“Alright, alright.” It wasn’t the first time Chong Xuan Sheng had been disliked by Yan Zhao. He said gloomily: “Let Fourteen lead it.”

Fourteen reached out with his armored hand and took the reins of Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao took a few small steps, pressing against him eagerly.

Only then did Jiang Wang say to the team of Green Badges before him: “Let’s go.”

The group took to the air and flew rapidly towards the North Barracks.