Volume One: The Overseer and the Candidate Chapter Fifty-Four: The Target Is…

Qi Changfeng was not boasting; his skill in driving was truly exceptional.

The carriage raced down the capital’s streets at night, swift and steady, hardly jostling at all. This gave Huang Ming ample time to continue his deliberations.

To be honest, his decision was somewhat rash. After all, everything he deduced was mere speculation, without any tangible evidence. Rationally, there was no need to rush off and deliver a warning; none of this had any direct bearing on him.

Yet, as someone who had personally witnessed—and even participated in—these events, Huang Ming felt a responsibility to thwart any potential conspiracy. Even if his suspicions proved unfounded and he made a fool of himself, that would be far better than letting Xinghuo’s plot succeed, causing irreparable damage to the Embroidered Guards and the court.

At heart, he was still that policeman willing to sacrifice personal gain, even his own safety, for justice and the law!

Still, blatantly riding at such speed during curfew was a violation of the capital’s rules. No sooner had they left Renshou Lane than their carriage was stopped by patrolling soldiers.

The soldiers were about to seize the unmarked carriage—hoping to establish authority and perhaps profit—when the curtain was lifted and a hand emerged, brandishing something that made them all tremble.

A jade pendant engraved with an imperial dragon!

This was not something ordinary people could possess, let alone display. Only the nobility or the emperor’s most trusted confidants might be granted such a token, a symbol of imperial honor. Normally, it would not be revealed unless in extraordinary circumstances.

Yet Huang Ming had shown it.

With this, the patrol dared not impede him; even the guards at the Imperial City would have to open the gates and let him pass.

Thus, with the jade pendant clearing the way, Huang Ming’s carriage sped unhindered through the night, arriving at the Embroidered Guards’ Northern Command in less than half an hour.

As soon as Qi Changfeng stopped, he called out, “Young Master, we’ve arrived!”

Huang Ming leapt out swiftly, startling the four captains standing at the gate, who promptly shouted, “Who goes there? This is the Northern Command—unauthorized persons must not approach!”

Huang Ming was about to use the jade pendant again when someone emerged from within, paused in surprise upon seeing him, then hurried over with an obsequious smile. “Young Master Huang, what brings you to the Embroidered Guards so late? If you had urgent business, you could have sent word—you needn’t come in person.

“By the way, I haven’t yet congratulated you on your impressive performance at the Imperial Lectures, nor for capturing that important criminal for us…”

Huang Bingkun, full of flattery, quickly approached. His smile was even wider than usual, his manner more sycophantic.

He had every reason to ingratiate himself, for it was thanks to his association with the Huang family that he had risen from an ordinary captain in the Embroidered Guards to his current position as a Captain of Justice, wielding real authority.

Don’t underestimate the title—though both were captains, the difference was vast. The former merely ran errands, rarely given the chance to distinguish himself; the latter could conduct investigations, with plenty of opportunities for merit or fortune, and further promotion was not out of reach.

Having recently been promoted to Captain of Justice, Huang Bingkun had been tasked with cases outside the capital, only returning today to report.

It could be said that the Huang family, especially Huang Ming, were his greatest benefactors.

But Huang Ming, solemn and serious, barely acknowledged his overtures; instead, he strode forward and launched a barrage of questions: “Has anything happened within the Northern Command? Do you know where those White Lotus cultists are imprisoned? Who is in charge right now?”

The rapid-fire questions left Huang Bingkun bewildered. After a moment’s silence, he replied, “Tonight, Captain Liu is on duty. The White Lotus cultists… of course, they’re in the Imperial Prison, perhaps undergoing interrogation… What could possibly happen in our Embroidered Guards…”

“Take me inside. Something serious may occur,” Huang Ming said, not waiting for an answer, striding straight toward the gate.

Though still confused, Huang Bingkun dared not delay, quickly catching up to lead the way.

He had great respect for Young Master Huang. Even aside from his recent exploits, his skill in solving cases, witnessed firsthand, was enough to earn Huang Bingkun’s trust.

With him leading, the guards naturally did not block the way, though they watched Huang Ming and his companion proceed with obvious puzzlement in their eyes.

Just then, Huang Bingkun remembered something and added, “By the way, Young Master, if you ask who is in charge right now, besides Captain Liu, there’s also Commandant Nie—he’s just returned from handling cases outside the capital.”

Huang Ming paused mid-step. “Commandant Nie? The Iron-faced Godcatcher Nie Qingyao?”

Even Huang Ming had long heard of this renowned Embroidered Guard.

He was known as the pillar of the Embroidered Guards, surviving and thriving since the reign of Emperor Wuzong, praised both among officials and commoners as a legendary detective.

It was said that Commandant Nie began as a humble patrolman under the Prefecture of Shuntian, but through skill and merit, apprehended countless notorious bandits and state criminals, rising step by step without any background, ultimately joining the Embroidered Guards.

Even when men like Qian Ning and Jiang Bin ruled the Embroidered Guards with reckless abandon, they showed respect to this veteran subordinate, for many cases depended on his expertise.

One could say that Commandant Nie was the stabilizing force of the Embroidered Guards today.

With him present, Huang Ming finally felt reassured; his urgent pace slowed.

Huang Bingkun continued, “So, Young Master, you needn’t worry. Even if something does happen, as long as Commandant Nie is here, it will not be a problem.

“These years, Commandant Nie has uncovered countless White Lotus plots and conspiracies, capturing dozens of their cultists into the Imperial Prison…”

His intent was to ease Huang Ming’s worries.

And at first, Huang Ming nodded in agreement. But suddenly, his expression changed, as a terrifying thought struck him—could the White Lotus, after all these elaborate distractions, be targeting Nie Qingyao himself?

As this idea flashed through his mind, his face shifted again, and ahead in the darkness, a scream erupted, followed by sudden chaos!