The Eastern Depot's efficiency was terrifying.

Within half a day, every eunuch, maid, and guard who could have possibly had access to that bookshelf had been detained.

The agonized screams that soon echoed from the secret prisons were a testament to the 'thoroughness' of the Depot's methods.

The clues, extracted under such persuasion, quickly pointed to an old eunuch who had managed the archives for years.

Yet, when Section Chief Shen Ling led his men to apprehend him, they found the man had already hanged himself in his sparse quarters. The scene was meticulously clean, devoid of any evidence linking him to outside forces.

"Commander, this failure is mine!" The cold-faced section chief, Shen Ling, knelt on one knee before Liang Jing, his expression grim. "The trail… has gone cold."

Liang Jing sat by the window of his chambers, his fingertips lightly tapping a rhythmic pattern on the rosewood desk.

The dying light of sunset gilded his perfect profile, masking the icy killing intent in his eyes.

"Gone cold?" His voice was even, betraying no emotion. "Was our opponent simply that meticulous? Or has a rat found its way into the Eastern Depot itself?"

Shen Ling bowed his head lower. "I have investigated all personnel with knowledge of or involvement in the operation. No anomalies have been found yet. The perpetrators were exceedingly professional, using methods typical of deathsworn operatives."

"Deathsworn?" Liang Jing let out a soft laugh. "It seems someone is utterly determined to see me dead."

He stood and walked over to Shen Ling, the hem of his black serpent-embroidered robes sweeping across the cold floor.

"Rise."

Shen Ling obeyed, still not daring to meet his gaze.

"The more our enemy hides in the shadows, the more it proves their fear." Liang Jing's tone turned cold. "I now control vast wealth and am implementing new policies that threaten many vested interests. That old fox Lin Wenzheng is the prime suspect, but others may be seizing the chance to muddy the waters."

He contemplated for a moment before issuing orders. "First, announce publicly that I have been shaken by the attempt and require quiet convalescence, temporarily withdrawing from public duties. Let us see who is the first to reveal themselves."

"Second, deploy all Eastern Depot covert agents at full capacity. Monitor not just the court officials, but every palace hall, including the movements of the princes and consorts. Pay particular attention to… any connections with forces outside the palace, in the martial world."

"Third, assign additional reliable men to protect the resident of the Moonview Pavilion. If anything happens to her, I will hold you personally responsible."

"Understood!" Shen Ling responded, his voice firm.

"As for you," Liang Jing's gaze settled on Shen Ling, "while the mission was not fully successful, your response was adequate. Collect one hundred taels of silver for your troubles. Furthermore, all Depot agents involved in this investigation are to be rewarded with three months' extra pay."

Shen Ling was taken aback, then a flicker of excitement and gratitude shone in his eyes. "Thank you for your generosity, Commander!"

[Ding! Host's judicious use of rewards and punishments has increased subordinate loyalty and Eastern Depot cohesion. Conforms to faction-building standards. Righteous Points +20.]

Liang Jing gave a slight nod.

Spending money to secure loyalty is also part of being 'Righteous.'

The news of Liang Jing's 'convalescence' elicited varied reactions from the court and the public.

In the Grand Tutor's manor, Lin Wenzheng stroked his beard, his brow furrowed.

While he wished for Liang Jing's downfall, this assassination attempt was too sudden and brazen. It put him on guard, making him hesitant to act. He strictly ordered his followers to be cautious in their words and deeds, fearing the viper might use the opportunity to strike back at them.

Officials who were already aligned with Liang Jing, or those cowed by his power, sent visiting cards and gifts, proclaiming their steadfast loyalty.

Other, more hidden forces that loathed Liang Jing secretly rejoiced, beginning to stir.

For a time, the political situation in the capital grew even more complex and unpredictable.

Liang Jing enjoyed the quiet. He used the opportunity to silently circulate the Imperial Zenith Revelation Manual, absorbing the scant ambient spiritual energy to consolidate his newly initiated cultivation. Simultaneously, he remotely managed the large-scale relief efforts in the north through the system interface.

A relentless flood of silver, channeled through the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Secretariat, poured into the three northern provinces.

The 'Public Works for Relief' program expanded beyond repairing waterways and digging deep wells. With a sweeping gesture, Liang Jing approved plans for constructing large granaries, reinforcing city defenses, and, where feasible, using government funds to guide refugees in cultivating drought-resistant crops.

He spent money without a second thought, because the system's rebates were even more staggering.

Often, as millions of taels were allocated, tens of millions more would materialize in his system inventory.

His personal 'war chest' (strictly for state affairs and faction development) swelled at an astonishing rate.

The situation in the north stabilized visibly.

Starvation was virtually eliminated, the refugee tide was effectively controlled, and people even began returning to their homes.

Countless refugees praised the distant 'Liang, the Just' in the capital. In many places, people even spontaneously erected longevity tablets in his honor.

[Ding! The northern disaster is effectively controlled, livelihood is preliminarily restored. The Great Xia Imperial Mandate continues to recover. Righteous Points +500!]

[Great Xia Imperial Mandate increased by +100! Current Mandate: 176 / 10000!]

[Host's cultivation has advanced to the Middle Stage of the First Layer of the 'Imperial Zenith Revelation Manual.']

Feeling the noticeably strengthened energy within him and the steadily rising Imperial Mandate, Liang Jing was pleased.

At this rate, resolving the northern famine would yield enough Righteous Points and Imperial Mandate to cause a qualitative leap in his power.