The profit network connected to the Tongzhou Granary was vast and intricate, and a significant portion of its illicit gains ultimately flowed into his private coffers, used to fund his deathsworn operatives, curry favor with court officials, and fuel his ambitions for the throne.

Liang Jing's single stroke had severed a crucial financial artery!

"Liang! Jing!"

In his private chambers, Xia Yuanqi shattered a priceless set of white jade teacups, his face contorted with rage. "You cut off my funds? I will have your head!"

A vicious glint flashed in his eyes. "It seems the archives were too lenient. Since you insist on seeking death, don't blame this Prince for being ruthless!"

He muttered a few low orders to a trusted eunuch, who bowed and slipped away silently.

Liang Jing was fully aware of the external storm and the undercurrents, but he paid them no mind.

The Tongzhou Granary case was merely the beginning—a perfect opportunity to establish his authority and gather Righteous Points.

Under the potent interrogation methods of the Eastern Depot, the Tongzhou Granary officials quickly broke. Confessions piled up like snowflakes, implicating not only officials from the Ministries of Revenue and Works but also hinting at connections to several imperial clansmen and even…

The Third Prince's residence!

Looking at the vague confession pointing towards Xia Yuanqi, Liang Jing offered a cold smile.

"Not enough," he murmured to himself. "This evidence alone cannot topple a favored Prince. We need… something more explosive. Or we need him to overreach and expose himself."

While he continued to dig deeper into the Tongzhou case to maximize its impact, he also cast his gaze further afield.

The tentacles of the Audit Office began extending towards other critical areas: key hubs of the southern water transport network, supply lines for frontier garrisons.

A sweeping anti-corruption storm, driven by Liang Jing's will, began to rage across the national bureaucracy.

One day, while reviewing covert reports from the Audit Office, Liang Jing's senses prickled. He detected a faint, sinister energy fluctuation from the direction of the Moonview Pavilion, carrying an aura of cold malice.

His brow furrowed slightly. In the next instant, his figure blurred, vanishing from his chambers like a ghost.

Inside the Moonview Pavilion, Xia Yunshang sat by the window, carefully embroidering a handkerchief with a pattern of elegant, upright bamboo.

Since moving here, her life had transformed. No longer cold, hungry, or bullied, color had returned to her cheeks, and smiles came more readily.

Her heart swelled with boundless gratitude towards the Commander who had descended like a deity to save her from despair, and… with a vague, not yet fully understood sentiment.

But as she focused on her needlework, a nearly invisible gray shadow, moving like a gecko, detached from the shadows of the eaves. It slithered soundlessly towards her back. A withered, claw-like hand, accompanied by a foul-smelling gust of air, shot straight for her heart!

If it landed, given Xia Yunshang's delicate health, the blow would surely snuff out her life!

Xia Yunshang had no time to react. A wave of icy killing intent enveloped her, freezing her in place, a scream trapped in her throat.

The venomous palm was mere inches away.

HUMMM!

An invisible wall of energy materialized abruptly behind Xia Yunshang. The gray figure's palm struck it with a dull thud, as if hitting solid bronze, its lethal momentum instantly halted!

Simultaneously, a figure in black robes appeared before Xia Yunshang as if teleporting. It was none other than Liang Jing.

His face was like stormy waters. Without even glancing at the assailant, he countered with a backhanded palm strike.

The move seemed casual, but it contained the vast, potent energy of the Late Stage of the Imperial Zenith Revelation Manual's first layer. Striking with impossible speed, it carried an aura of overwhelming, righteous power!

THUMP!

The shadowy assassin, completely unprepared for Liang Jing's sudden appearance and his formidable strength, took the blow head-on. An irresistible force slammed into him. Excruciating pain erupted in his chest as he was hurled backward like a broken kite, smashing hard against the courtyard wall. He spat a mouthful of blood laced with viscera, dead before he hit the ground.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Xia Yunshang only now processed the events. Seeing the tall, straight-backed figure shielding her, smelling his faint, cold scent, an unprecedented sense of safety washed over her, bringing instant tears to her eyes.

"C-Commander…"

Liang Jing finally turned. He looked at her pale, tearful face and softened his tone slightly. "It's over."

His gaze swept over the assassin's corpse, turning icy.

This assassin's skills were unorthodox, far from a common martial artist. He resembled more…

A shadow guard trained within the imperial household itself!

So, the cornered dog is finally leaping over the wall?