I Am A Corrupt Official, Yet They Say I Am A Loyal Minister!
Chapter 249: I, the Dashing Night Fragrance, Got Restrained Dead!

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Everyone was utterly astonished by this turn of events!

Whether everyone believed it or not, the fact was established: Lord Prefect was extraordinary!

Inside the administrative office of the Dedian Mansion, Lin Beifan was at work. A rather ordinary-looking official walked in, bowing respectfully, and said, “Reporting to Lord Prefect, the Dashing Night Fragrance, the great thief, has been dealt with and is about to come to pay respects to you.”

Lin Beifan looked up, speechless, and said, “Night Fragrance, how long are you going to keep up this play? Take off your disguise!”

The official was taken aback and blurted out, “How did you figure it out?”

Lin Beifan chuckled lightly, “Even if you can mimic someone perfectly, every person has their own aura, unique and one of a kind! You might mimic it incredibly well, but it will never be exactly the same!”

In truth, he had discerned it with his spiritual power.

Everyone’s spiritual power was different, and different spiritual powers emitted unique magnetic fields, much like fingerprints. Having mastered the Dao Heart Seeding Demon Technique, he was an expert in spiritual matters, so he recognized it at a glance.

The official tore off his disguise, and indeed, it was the great thief, the Night Fragrance.

At this moment, he was dressed in white from head to toe, meticulously groomed, without a speck of dust. He even held a folding fan, appearing elegant and handsome.

It had to be said that he presented himself very well; he was absolutely a favorite of wealthy ladies.

“Amazing! Under the heavens, aside from my master, only you could recognize me at first glance! Admirable!” Night Fragrance saluted with a cupped fist.

“This isn’t anything difficult!” Lin Beifan smiled faintly. “Apart from recognizing you through your aura, there’s also your scent! Your distinct odor can be smelled from ten li away!”

The recently cleaned Night Fragrance’s expression instantly turned gloomy. He gritted his teeth and said irritably, “Could you please stop bringing this up? If you mention it again, I’ll lose my temper!”

Lin Beifan waved his hand and laughed, “Alright, I won’t mention it! Anyway, no matter what, you’re still under my wing, and if you feel embarrassed, I’ll feel the same embarrassment!”

“Hmph! Good to know!” Night Fragrance’s complexion returned to normal. He pulled a chair over, sat across from Lin Beifan, fanning himself while glaring at Lin Beifan with resentment. He said, “Although I, the Night Fragrance, have joined the Dedian Mansion and am serving the imperial court, I am someone with a reputation and face. So, we need to lay down some ground rules! Otherwise, I might follow orders but not obey commands, work passively, and you’ll have to consider the consequences!”

“Tell me,” Lin Beifan said in a calm tone.

“First!” Night Fragrance raised a finger. “Although I, the Night Fragrance, have joined the Dedian Mansion, don’t come to me for every little thing! For trivial matters, you can handle them yourselves! I’m only responsible for significant matters and difficult tasks!”

Lin Beifan nodded, “This request is reasonable! Make the most of resources, match talents with tasks. Having a world-renowned master thief like you do trivial things would indeed be a waste!”

“As long as you understand,” Night Fragrance replied.

“Second!” Night Fragrance raised two fingers, a hint of arrogance in his tone, “Though I’ve joined the Great Wu Court, no one can command me! Not even the current Emperor!”

“Nobody can command you, should we treat you like a young master?” Lin Beifan chuckled.

“Except for you!” Night Fragrance said resentfully, “I’ve fallen into your hands twice, even though I used special methods. It’s still a skill. I might not acknowledge anything else about you, but I acknowledge your abilities. Others who come are useless.”

Lin Beifan nodded again, “Alright, I agree to this condition!”

“Third! My freedom must not be restricted!” Night Fragrance fanned himself lazily, swaying side to side, “I’m like the wind, a man of independence and freedom. So, when I’m not busy, don’t bother me, and disturb me as little as possible!”

Lin Beifan nodded once more, “Agreed.”

“Fourth, I shouldn’t receive any less than the treatment and rights I deserve,” Night Fragrance said proudly, “Although I may not value those things, you still need to show some consideration. It’s a form of respect for my character and acknowledgment of my abilities.”

Lin Beifan nodded, “A good horse is worth a thousand in gold. It’s only right.”

“I didn’t expect you to be so accommodating. I have no issues now,” Night Fragrance laughed.

“You might not have issues, but I do,” Lin Beifan grinned, “Since you’ve laid down your three clauses, I’ll lay down mine as well.”

“Tell me, I’m listening,” Night Fragrance reclined lazily.

“First, you’re not allowed to engage in theft anymore,” Lin Beifan said.

Night Fragrance exclaimed, “I’m the world-renowned Night Fragrance, the master thief. To prevent me from stealing is as good as killing me. Pardon me for not being able to comply!”

Lin Beifan chuckled, “What I mean is, you can’t steal within my territory. As for other places, I have no jurisdiction, no concern, and no interest!”

“That’s reasonable enough,” Night Fragrance said as he sat down.

“Second, without my permission, you can’t use your disguises to deceive others,” Lin Beifan continued.

“Why not?” Night Fragrance protested, “Disguising myself is my interest. Are you going to meddle in that too?”

Lin Beifan shook his head, “Your disguise is too terrifying. There are very few people in the world who can recognize it! If you disguise yourself as a high-ranking court official or even the Emperor, it could lead to unimaginable consequences. Therefore, I must restrict your use of disguises, at least within my jurisdiction.”

“Fine, fine, whatever you say,” Night Fragrance sighed, feeling weary.

“Third, abide by the law,” Lin Beifan said, “Now that you’re also a member of the court, representing its dignity, don’t engage in illegal activities that would turn us into a laughingstock.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll follow everything you say,” Night Fragrance nodded repeatedly.

In his heart, he sneered: Even if I do those things, what can you do to me? Can you keep watching me forever?

So, these conditions were essentially powerless to bind him.

Lin Beifan saw through his thoughts and said with a smile, “You’re agreeing so readily. It’s not like your style. Are you planning to say one thing and do another?”

“Absolutely not! I, Night Fragrance, am not a person who breaks their word!” Night Fragrance’s face was full of determination.

“Let me show you something,” Lin Beifan grinned mischievously, pulling out a small knife.

This small knife was quite extraordinary. When placed on the table, it actually pointed towards Night Fragrance like a compass. Feeling the tip of the knife aimed at him, Night Fragrance sensed a deadly aura and became alarmed, “What is this?”

“It’s just an ordinary knife, but it has been infused with the true essence of martial arts by a grandmaster,” Lin Beifan explained in detail. “Previously, you came into contact with a similar knife and left a psychic imprint on it. It’s attracted to each other. So, you are utterly exposed now. No matter where you run, this knife will find you, delivering a fatal strike.”

Lin Beifan grinned, “The power of this knife is equivalent to a grandmaster’s full-powered strike! Unless you possess the ability to counter a grandmaster, you can only bow your head under its blow.”

Cold sweat ran down Night Fragrance’s forehead, “I can’t believe such a thing exists in the world!”

This little knife was his nemesis! No matter how fast he ran, how well he disguised himself, or how strong he was, none of it mattered! Unless, as Lin Beifan stated, he acquired the strength to rival a grandmaster, he wouldn’t escape the knife’s pursuit! However, to achieve that level of power, he would need to reach the master level. To reach that point… well, it would take forever!

Despite Night Fragrance being a Fourth Stage Innate, just a step away from a master, that step was like a chasm, not easily crossed! If it were that easy, there would already be masters aplenty!

Moreover, even as a master, it didn’t guarantee complete safety!

Now, Night Fragrance finally surrendered, sighing, “Your Honor, rest assured. Since I’ve joined the Great Wu Court, I’ll definitely abide by the law and not engage in any more wicked deeds.”

“Good to know,” Lin Beifan retrieved the small knife, casually tossing it into his pocket.

Night Fragrance watched, his heart pounding, “Your Honor, could you please be more careful? If this knife activates, it’s lethal!”

Lin Beifan shrugged nonchalantly, “If it activates, it activates. It’s not me who’s going to die.”

Night Fragrance thought with frustration, Of course, it’s not you who will die! It’s me!!!

Night Fragrance suddenly realized he had another mission: to protect Lin Beifan! Otherwise, the consequences for Lin Beifan would be unimaginable. When he thought about this, he felt hopeless, utterly fatigued. Here he was, Night Fragrance, a grand master thief, a man as unrestrained as the wind, one who played with the world through his own efforts. Yet he had fallen into Lin Beifan’s trap and was being calculated to the bone! Regret filled his heart; if he had known, he wouldn’t have come to the Great Wu Court!

“By the way, let’s get down to business now.”

“What business?” Night Fragrance asked with fading interest.

“About your survival,” Lin Beifan said seriously. “In the beginning, when the whole court wanted to kill you, it was my rational arguments, my running around, that saved your life. In other words, I’m the one who saved you.”

Night Fragrance was shocked, “You saved me?”

“Yes!” Lin Beifan nodded vigorously.

But for some reason, even when looking at Lin Beifan’s serious expression, Night Fragrance couldn’t generate a sense of trust.

“Really you?” Night Fragrance asked again.

“Of course it’s me! Among all the court officials, who else would save you?” Lin Beifan said with self-confidence.

Night Fragrance pondered for a moment and realized he had no interaction with the officials of the Great Wu Court. The only person who would speak for him was Lin Beifan.

Night Fragrance’s eyes were complex as he asked, “Your Honor, why did you save me?”

Lin Beifan shook his head with a smile, “Why so many ‘whys’? Isn’t it just because I saw that you’re young, powerful, with astonishing thieving skills, and a promising future? If you were to die like this, ah…”

A warmth welled up in Night Fragrance’s heart. He suddenly found that the person in front of him wasn’t as detestable as he had thought.

Lin Beifan continued, “Stolen treasures, who knows where they’ve been hidden, which guy has benefited? What a pity, don’t you think?”

Night Fragrance muttered under his breath, “Damn!”

In the end, it was all about the treasures in his possession! This person was still as annoying as ever! And even more so now!