Not as Promised

The Night Patrol Division's office was quickly established. Driven by the mindset of "taking office early to receive salary early," Mu Xiangli proactively sought them out.

Although it was newly established, Zhou Yi did not have to start from scratch. Jiang Tao had provided him with ample manpower, such as the gate guards who stood majestically at the entrance, rivaling the stone lions on either side of the grand gate.

Fortunately, the two "door gods" were not difficult to speak with. Hearing that he was invited by Zhou Yi, they went to report. Before long, Mu Xiangli was escorted to Zhou Yi's office.

It was indeed an office, but currently, Zhou Yi was leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on the desk. Holding a fan, he fanned himself while grumbling, "Sigh, it is too hot. I even have to fan myself."

"Then who does Master Zhou hope will fan you?" Mu Xiangli asked.

"Naturally, I would require two beauties, one on my left and one on my right," Zhou Yi replied instinctively before realizing someone had arrived. Turning to see Mu Xiangli, he breathed a sigh of relief, glad it was not the Crown Prince on an inspection.

"Why has Brother Mu come?" Zhou Yi asked, taking his feet off the desk.

Mu Xiangli said as a matter of course, "I have come to take office."

Zhou Yi: "I was worried that after Brother Mu returned and consulted with Master Qi, you might change your mind."

Mu Xiangli: "That would not happen. However, my mind was muddled by the fine wine and beauties you spoke of earlier, and I forgot to ask a few questions."

"Speak."

"How many hours does the Night Patrol Division work each day, how many rest days are there, and what is the salary?" Mu Xiangli threw a barrage of questions at Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi smiled. "I thought it was something major. If you hold office within the bureau, it is the same as other local offices—starting at the hour of Mao and ending at the hour of You, with a monthly salary of five taels of silver.

If you act as an undercover agent on the outside, there are no constraints. You are working at every moment, yet resting at every moment. As for the salary, it depends on your performance."

One was a fixed salary, while the other was performance-based commission. Mu Xiangli found it quite clear.

Having finished his introduction, Zhou Yi asked, "Which does Brother Mu prefer?"

Mu Xiangli: "Naturally the second type. However, I still have questions. Master Zhou said earlier that recruiting me was a sudden whim. Is this Night Patrol Division not a bit too casual in recruiting people?"

Zhou Yi's smile faded. He rose, walked to the cabinet behind him, and pulled an old ledger from a drawer, upon which Mu Xiangli's name was written.

Opening it, he slowly read aloud: "Mu Xiangli, originally named Mu Kuan, is the second son of the Second Master of the Mu family in Dong City. Because the Second Madam was exceedingly overbearing, and your mother was an obscure actress in a theatrical troupe at the time—a member of the lowest class who could not enter the Mu Manor, let alone become a concubine—the Second Master secretly kept you and your mother in an external residence.

However, paper cannot wrap fire. After you were discovered by the Second Madam, she led people to cause trouble at your home, and in the ensuing scuffle, your mother was accidentally injured. Accidentally... Well, in short, after that day, your mother could only remain bedridden.

Your mother had no status, and making a scene brought no benefit to either of you. Thus, you accepted the silver given by the Second Master and severed ties with the Mu family.

You used this silver to prolong your mother's life for a few years, but regrettably, she eventually passed away. A year after her death, taking advantage of the Second Madam leaving the city to offer incense, you attempted revenge but failed and were caught red-handed.

After you were imprisoned, the Second Madam, wishing to eradicate any future trouble, bribed the authorities to execute you. Thereafter, there was no news, and later, you became the disciple of Master Qi."

Zhou Yi closed the old ledger and clicked his tongue in wonder. "If your father were not renowned far and wide in Dong City for his striking looks, and your mother were not exceptionally beautiful, giving birth to someone as exceptionally talented as you, I would have suspected this information was incorrect."

As Zhou Yi read the information, he closely observed Mu Xiangli's expression, finding his emotions entirely different from what he had anticipated. There was no panic upon being discovered, nor anger at having his past exposed. He seemed as interested as if he were listening to a story.

This left Zhou Yi somewhat bewildered. "Do you have nothing to say?"

Mu Xiangli indeed had not expected the previous owner of this body to have such a past. If given the chance, he would not mind helping to seek revenge. As for what to say...

"Since Master Zhou has investigated me yet still invited me to join the Night Patrol Division, it shows you have no intention of pursuing my past. I am very grateful."

"My Night Patrol Division will surely perform countless deeds that cannot see the light of day in the future. Your suffering of humiliation to avenge your mother is of little concern to me."

Zhou Yi said, his tone suddenly shifting, "Recruiting you was a sudden whim, but I am indeed curious how you transformed from a major criminal into Master Qi's disciple. Of course, there is no rush to discuss this.

In short, the gap in your background has also made me realize why His Highness wished to establish the Night Patrol Division. Without a larger intelligence network, residing in the Imperial City makes us no different from the deaf and blind."

At this moment, the lazy aura around Zhou Yi vanished, replaced by a fleeting sharpness. But this state lasted only a moment before Zhou Yi tossed the old ledger aside and slumped back into his chair. "Speaking of which, I am thirsty. Having said so much, does Brother Mu understand my intention?"

"I understand. From now on, I am an agent of the Night Patrol Division."

"Are you certain you will not regret it? Then we are colleagues from now on," Zhou Yi said, tossing his fan to Mu Xiangli. Having called him "Brother Mu" earlier, he now changed his address. "Little Mu, fan me."

Mu Xiangli was speechless, tossing the fan back onto the desk. "Currently, it is only a verbal agreement. Only when I am registered in the books, issued my token and uniform, and officially take office will I accept your orders. I shall take my leave for today."

Seeing Mu Xiangli turn and leave, Zhou Yi grumbled, "Hey, you truly do not treat this Master Zhou with any respect!"

With that, he let out another sigh, propped his feet back on the desk, and continued to fan himself, muttering, "It is truly hot."

Having his identity uncovered was something Mu Xiangli had long prepared for. Furthermore, his past experience was better than expected; he was not some heinous villain. Joining the Night Patrol Division now could be considered removing the sword hanging over his head.

Moreover, since Zhou Yi desired a massive underground intelligence network, being in the Night Patrol Division would likely allow him to benefit from it.

Of course, Mu Xiangli did not believe Zhou Yi trusted him deeply or valued his abilities highly. It was merely because the Crown Prince trusted Qi Beihang, and he was Qi Beihang's disciple with a known background, making him highly suitable for recruitment.

"Chosen as an agent, earning performance bonuses... in that case, should I develop some informants? Where is information most concentrated, and where is it easiest to recruit informants under my command?" Mu Xiangli's eyes lit up, and he turned back.

Seeing Mu Xiangli return, Zhou Yi asked curiously, "Why have you come back?"

Mu Xiangli said righteously, "I wish to go to the Golden Hairpin Court to develop informants, and need to apply for operational funds. I do not ask for much—one hundred taels will suffice."

Hearing this, Zhou Yi barked angrily, "I have not even been there myself! Get out, quickly!"

Driven out of the main gate, Mu Xiangli grumbled in his heart, "I knew it was not as promised!"