When Chen Ping’an arrived at Shen Shikang’s office in the Inspectorate, he found it was already crowded with people.

"Lord Tian."

"Constable Li, Constable Huang."

Confused, Chen Ping’an greeted the men.

"Ah, Chen Constable is here."

Several of the Constables replied.

Chen Ping’an glanced around and saw the same confusion reflected in the other Constables’ eyes.

Evidently, none of them were quite sure why Shen Shikang had called them over.

After waiting with the others for a moment, Constable Yan and Constable Liu also arrived. Now, aside from Shen Shikang himself, the entire core management of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office had gathered in the office.

The Constables exchanged bewildered glances, unable to make head or tail of the situation.

"Lord Tian, what do you make of this...?"

One of the Constables made a token attempt to get some information. But Tian Fuliang just offered a helpless smile; evidently, he was also in the dark.

’What’s going on? Why all the mystery?’

Chen Ping’an wondered to himself.

They didn’t have to wait long before Shen Shikang walked in from outside the office.

"Go stand guard outside. Don’t let anyone get close."

After giving the instruction to the constable, Tao Lei, Shen Shikang stepped into the office, turning back to shut the door firmly.

’What on earth is going on that requires such caution?’

A wave of intense curiosity washed over the Constables.

Shen Shikang scanned the room and began, "Everyone’s here, so I’ll get straight to the point."

Chen Ping’an and the others wore serious expressions as they listened to Shen Shikang speak.

What he said left them stunned.

"What? Spring Rain Tower?"

Constable Li couldn’t help but cry out in alarm.

"Yes." Shen Shikang nodded, signaling for Constable Li not to get worked up.

Chen Ping’an, too, felt a tremor of shock.

’Spring Rain Tower, on Willow Leaf Street in Nanquan Lane, is actually a secret stronghold for the Ten Thousand Demons Sect!?’

The news was truly incredible.

Spring Rain Tower was quite famous in Nanquan Lane, drawing in many young, energetic, and able-bodied men.

A house of pleasure where men could dabble in poetry, listen to music, and admire the moon—it was quite an elegant establishment.

Back in the day, Monkey Head had been very fond of going to Spring Rain Tower to see the girls.

From him, Chen Ping’an had learned the names of quite a few of the girls at Spring Rain Tower.

’To think a place like that is actually a secret stronghold for the Ten Thousand Demons Sect!’

"No wonder the Grand Steward of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect appeared in our jurisdiction!" Tian Fuliang said grimly.

The Ten Thousand Demons Sect was a behemoth. Any matter involving them was no small affair.

Sensing everyone’s anxiety, Shen Shikang offered a word of reassurance. "Don’t worry. This stronghold is mainly used for gathering information to supply the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s Branch. There are no particularly strong Martial Dao experts stationed there."

"According to reliable intelligence from the South Town Garrison Command, for the sake of secrecy, it’s highly unlikely for any Martial Dao experts at or above the Yijin realm to be at Spring Rain Tower."

"I see."

Hearing this, everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Ping’an himself wasn’t too concerned, but avoiding a fight with a master was always a good thing.

Shen Shikang had learned that Spring Rain Tower was a Ten Thousand Demons Sect intelligence post during a routine meeting at the South Town Garrison Command earlier today.

This level of secrecy was precisely to avoid tipping off the enemy, preventing any leaks that could lead to unforeseen complications.

For that very reason, the South Town Garrison Command would not be sending reinforcements for this operation. The Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office had to handle everything on its own.

"The situation inside Spring Rain Tower has been thoroughly investigated. Here are the intelligence files. All of you, take a look."

With that, Shen Shikang produced a stack of files.

The men took them and began to look them over.

Chen Ping’an read along with them.

The intelligence was meticulous, detailing Spring Rain Tower’s overall layout, a list of its personnel complete with portraits, and its affiliated organizations...

Chen Ping’an studied it carefully, paying special attention to the portraits of the girls of Spring Rain Tower.

’He had to admit, the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s intelligence agents really knew their stuff. The artist was so meticulous!’

’That chest, those thighs...’

’Tsk, tsk, impressive stuff!’

"The Madam, the girls, the maids, the Stewards, the servants, the kitchen staff, the Assistants... there are a lot of people in Spring Rain Tower. The members of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect are hidden among them. If we want to catch them all in one fell swoop, we can’t let a single person escape."

"Therefore, for this operation, it’s better to arrest the innocent than to let the guilty go free!"

"However... to capture everyone, we can’t send too few men. Otherwise, we won’t be able to cover everything.

But if a large group goes over directly, even the dumbest member of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect will know something’s wrong. They’ll definitely run early. Even if we’re prepared, it would be hard to guarantee we could catch them all."

"Alright, everyone think it over. Any ideas?"

Shen Shikang finished his analysis of the situation, opening the floor to his men.

"Lord Chief, I think we should split our forces. We can block off the surrounding major streets in advance, then send one team to surround Spring Rain Tower directly. That way, even if a few fish slip through the net, the key routes will be blocked. The men from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect won’t be able to escape."

"Constable Liu, there’s nothing wrong with your idea in theory. But it would be too difficult to execute. When our men close in, it will be utter chaos. In that kind of situation, asking regular constables to stop Martial Dao experts at the second or third level of Qi Blood is asking too much of them."

"Well then, Constable Huang, what’s your idea?"

"If you ask me..."

"..."

The Constables debated fiercely, each proposing their own ideas. At first, every suggestion had its flaws, but as the discussion progressed, the operational plan gradually took shape.

In the end, Shen Shikang made the final decision, settling on a highly feasible course of action.

First, they would send someone to Spring Rain Tower to cause a scene and create a pretext. Then, the Garrison Commandant’s Office would use the disturbance as an opportunity to intervene, surround Spring Rain Tower, and capture all the Ten Thousand Demons Sect members in one go.

However, there were many details to consider.

For instance, the person sent in had to be clever and able to adapt to changing circumstances. The pretext for the commotion had to be plausible, so as not to arouse the suspicion of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect members inside Spring Rain Tower.

For instance, the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s forces needed a legitimate reason to be assembled in advance, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

And for another, using Willow Leaf Street, where Spring Rain Tower was located, as the focal point, they had to arrange for regular patrols on the surrounding streets. This was for the worst-case scenario: once the encirclement began, they could immediately lock down all key intersections.

And another...

There were many such details, all of which tested the organizational and executive abilities of the Constables and their men. The slightest mistake in the process could cause the entire operation to fail.

"Chen Ping’an, among us, you have the lowest Cultivation and are the youngest, so you’re less likely to attract the attention of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect members at Spring Rain Tower. I’m assigning this advance mission to you. Go to Spring Rain Tower and stir up some trouble!"

Shen Shikang said with a smile, looking at Chen Ping’an.

Shen Shikang’s assignment was met with approval from the others present. It was, indeed, a logical choice.

"Yes, Lord Chief." Chen Ping’an nodded in acceptance.

If he succeeded, his role would earn him significant merit. He saw this as Shen Shikang looking out for him.

It was just that...

’Am I really the one with the lowest Cultivation among them?’

’Hmm... if the opportunity is right, maybe this mission will be a good chance to reveal a little more of my true strength.’

’Merit plus strength... I wonder if that will be enough to get me another promotion!?’

While Chen Ping’an was lost in thought, Shen Shikang began assigning tasks to the others.

Shen Shikang swept his gaze over the group and said with impassioned fervor, "Gentlemen, if this mission to annihilate the Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold ends in Perfection, I will personally go to the South Town Garrison Command and request commendations for all of you!"

"Thank you, Lord Chief."

The men replied in unison.

"To Perfection!"

"To Perfection!"

"..."