21, Heaven's Patrol Guard

It was probably late at night when Zhou Buhuo returned.
As soon as Yuan Xiu came downstairs the next morning, he saw the captain taking a walk in the peach forest, looking pensive.
The smooth trunks of the peach trees have sprouted tender green buds. Just a few days ago, they were full of blossoms, but now they have mostly withered.
"Captain."
Yuan Xiu stepped forward and greeted.
Zhou Bu Huo snapped back to attention and nodded at him with a smile.
Yuan Xiu looked around and asked, "Has Xiao You not returned?"
Yesterday, Lu Xiao You chased after the man in black. I hope nothing happened to her.
"She has another task and can't come back for now."
Zhou Buhuo said, looking carefully at Yuan Xiu as if he had something to say.
However, at this moment, a figure outside the gate quickly walked in.
This is an old man with a slender and tall figure, his hair is already white, but there is no sign of aging on his face, and he looks spirited. As he walks, it seems like there is a breeze around him, and within a few breaths, he arrives in front of the two people.
Zhou Buhuo was taken aback and quickly bowed in salute: "Unknown patrol commander has arrived, Buhuo has been remiss in not welcoming you from afar..."
"Never mind, don't bother with these formalities, I have something to discuss with you."
The old man waved his hand, his face showing no expression, only a faint glance at Yuan Xiu, and said to Zhou Buhuo.
Not confused, Zhou immediately led the old man into his study.
"Oh? The patrol enforcer is here?" At this time, Tang Yun also just came out of the house, surprised and said.
Yuan Xiu: "What is a Chief of the Imperial Patrol?"
"He is not a thing... um..."
Chang Yun blinked, "A Chief of the Imperial Patrol is a special position in the Heavenly Court that patrols the world and has supervisory authority over all garrisons and border troops. However, Chang'an is the imperial capital, so there is always a Chief of the Imperial Patrol stationed there, and he is the one."
Yuan Xiu seemed thoughtful.
Is it because of what happened yesterday?
……
In the study.
As soon as he entered the room, the old man's face immediately darkened. "I heard that the demonic cultivator who assassinated Li Jingxing escaped yesterday. Was he the mastermind?"
Zhou Buhuo's face remained calm: "Yes, that person used the pseudonym Ding Du, and I don't know his real name."
"Don't know?"
The old man slammed his desk loudly: "I heard that you started investigating this matter a month ago, are you investigating it from the comfort of your home? Don't even know the person's name?!"
"This is ridiculous! He managed to escape yesterday's fight, and the one who orchestrated it! Is this how you handle things?"
Zhou Buhuo lowered his head slightly.
Annoyed, the old man blew his mustache and glared at Zhou Buhuo, who appeared remorseful, which only made him angrier.
After a moment of silence, Zhou Buhuo cautiously spoke when the old man's anger subsided a bit, "I noticed something when those people tried to assassinate General Zhenyuan, they used the Enchanting Binding Array..."
"Binding Demon Formation?!"
The old man suddenly turned around.
Zhou Buhuo, still with his head down, added, "And... they seem to be related to the Wei City of the past."
The old man's expression changed again.
Zhou Buhuo fell silent.
After a long time, the old man finally broke the silence, "This matter must never be mentioned to outsiders, no one can say anything about it!"
Zhou Buhuo blurted out, "Why?"
"Do you think the Heavenly Court never suspected the events in Wei City back then?"
The old man glanced at him and said, "But when the emperor granted Li Jingxing the title of General Zhenyuan, the Heavenly Court didn't dare to investigate further. They thought the matter had passed, but they never expected..."
Zhou frowned and said, "Why not investigate?"
The old man snorted coldly, "You think you're clever? The Heavenly Court supported Emperor Taizu a hundred years ago to establish the country for the purpose of unification, to rally against the demons and unify our hearts. This is the fundamental national policy. Everything else is trivial! If we bring this matter to light, it would cause a rift between the Heavenly Court and the imperial family of the empire. Even if it's you, I wouldn't be able to bear the consequences!"
Zhou Buhuo remained silent.
The old man sighed lightly and said, "Both the Heavenly Court and the Empire actually have an understanding of this, so I am the one who came to find you today, not Li Jingxing."
He turned to Zhou Buhuo, his expression gradually relaxing, and after a while, he said, "You should leave Chang'an first."
Zhou looked bewildered. "Where to?"
The old man shook his head. "Border troops. Chang'an is not suitable for someone like you. I regret my decision to propose you as a squad leader."
Zhou Buhuo stood still on the spot.
"The few children under your control, I think they are all pretty good. When the monastery opens classes again in half a month, send them all in!"
The old man continued, laughing, "I still have some face left with this old face of mine. With a letter written by me personally, it should not be a problem."
Zhou's eyes brightened.
Daoyuan, belonging to the Heavenly Court, is the top-tier cultivation academy in the entire world. Many renowned cultivators have once practiced in Daoyuan.
However, it is not easy to enter the Taoist academy. Each year, there are only a limited number of spots available in various towns. The majority of spots are distributed among the border guards. Only those who have the qualifications, a clean background, and have made significant contributions have the opportunity to receive an admission letter from the Taoist academy.
Even in the imperial capital Chang'an, there are only three quotas available every year.
The old man's words may sound casual, but they carry a lot of weight.
Zhou Buhuo understood that this was a form of compensation for his small team.
"Yuan Xiu..."
He suddenly had a thought in his mind, after all, Yuan Xiu's origins are somehow related to Ding Du and others.
But this thought only flashed through and was cast aside.
He did not speak.
"Alright, that's how it's going to be arranged. I'll go talk to Li Jingxing."
The old man waved his hand and walked away with his hands behind his back. "It's been a long time since I came here, I'm going to catch up with that old dog."
……
"What? Leaving Chang'an?!"
Shocked, Tangyun exclaimed and stared at Zhou Buhuo in astonishment.
Beside him, Yuansiu also looked confused.
Zhou Buhuo didn't explain much, simply smiling and saying, "The Taoist Academy is the most sacred and profound place for cultivation in the world. There are many benefits for you to practice here."
Li Chenghao still couldn't react.
Yuan Xiu asked, "And what about you, Captain?"
Zhou Buhuo said, "I'll go to the border army, to… see the true face of this world, why it's different from what the teacher said."
Scratching his head, Tang Yun asked, "So where exactly is it? Is it far from the Academy?"
"It's in Wei City, three thousand li away from the Academy."
So, in the evening of that day, the three of them left Chang'an City.
Both Tang Yun and Yuan Xiu understood that the reason for this result was probably because of Li Jingxing's matter. Perhaps in this assassination case, there are still hidden details that they cannot access.
But the captain didn't say anything, and they didn't ask.
According to the schedule of the "Zhou Bu Hua" program, there is still half a month before the start of the Dao Academy, and Lu Xiaoyou has returned to her master's place. This time, she will first go and find Xiaoyou, and then go their separate ways.
Just before the city gate closed, the three of them left the city from the south gate, and when they reached the gate, Yuan Xiu couldn't help but look back.
In the distance, the towering clock tower of Yong'an Fang could vaguely be seen.
Thunk!
And at that moment, the sound of a bell suddenly rang out.
Yuan Xiu and Chang Yun were both taken aback.
Zhou Buhuo turned around and laughed, "Let's go, Mr. Xu is here to see us off!"