This kind of thing was widespread throughout the Wood Dynasty. The Servants of Brown were legitimate "idle helpers" of the County Government Office, able to apprehend criminals when necessary and usually responsible for collecting "tribute money."
In this process, countless unsavory incidents occurred daily, such as the few Servants of Brown touching the face of an old tea seller’s granddaughter and verbally harassing a young housewife passing by to buy groceries. A vegetable vendor who refused to pay had his stall smashed, and so on.
However, Owen Bertram found it quite unexpected, because he and Master Lane, as officials of their rank, should not be dealing with such matters personally.
It wasn’t that their high positions made them indifferent, but that they needed to focus on different priorities. Occasionally, they could intervene when presented with unpleasant incidents, but this time, it seemed as if Master Lane had deliberately come to handle this particular case.
Moreover, Master Lane had specifically brought Owen Bertram along as a tool for this task.
Owen Bertram secretly sighed, stole a glance at the innkeeper couple, noticed the still attractive wife, and his mind suddenly turned to gossip.
A few Servants of Brown approached, and sure enough, there was trouble. The restaurant’s tribute money had tripled overnight! The wife argued furiously with the Servants of Brown. They immediately changed their demeanor and started wreaking havoc in the restaurant. The other diners hurriedly left. Owen Bertram took a sip of Tea Wine and slammed his cup on the table, dissatisfied: "Can’t I just enjoy my meal in peace?"
How could those Servants of Brown recognize Owen Bertram and Master Lane’s extraordinary identity? They rolled up their sleeves to teach a lesson, and the outcome was predictable. This matter inevitably attracted the attention of the County Government Office, involving the County Magistrate and then a large number of officials from the upper regions, eventually leading back to the Wood Dynasty’s first major Cultivation Aristocracy in the southwest: the Johnson Clan.
At this point, Owen Bertram finally understood: one of the leading figures among the conservative ministers in the Imperial Court was Johnson Thomas, one of the cabinet ministers.
He was indeed a member of the Johnson Clan!
Owen Bertram slapped the table and shouted at Abner Lane: "Master, you’ve had everything planned from the beginning, right? I knew it! With every step we took, new evidence would emerge. The Johnson Clan has operated in the southwest for thousands of years – how could they leave such a trail behind when they committed a crime?
This place is the stronghold of the South Prison Town Comforting Office, and everything was arranged by the South Prison Town Comforting Office!"
Abner Lane’s eyes were deep, and he said lightly: "When I was still in the South Prison Town Comforting Office, I had already prepared for all of this! Despite being a prominent local family, the Johnson Clan has neglected to benefit their community and serve the court. Instead, they oppress the people and exploit them. They deserve to be exterminated!
However, back then, I didn’t have the ability to bring down Johnson Thomas and uproot the entire Johnson Clan!"
Now, with the ability to do so, especially at the Seventh Level, and boasting the success of his Mini-world, what could the Johnson Clan use to resist Master Lane? This is also a great opportunity to eliminate a powerful political enemy for Master Dunn.
As Owen Bertram and Master Lane had this conversation, a dense flurry of footsteps approached their inn, and the voice of a knight echoed outside the door: "Master, the three thousand brothers of the South Prison Town Comforting Office have assembled!"
The only thing Owen Bertram couldn’t figure out was: "Why involve me? With your strength and that of the South Prison Town Comforting Office, you could directly take down the Johnson Clan."
Abner Lane, hands clasped behind him, raised his head slightly: "What is my status? How can I personally deal with any trivial matters? There is a Sixth Realm Elder in the Johnson Clan, who should naturally be dealt with by you."
Abner Lane turned his head, smiling at him: "Moreover... Owen, you are now His Majesty’s favorite. Taking down the Johnson Clan, even if the evidence is solid, Johnson Thomas will certainly bite back. I’ll need your favor in front of His Majesty to withstand Johnson Thomas’s counterattack."
Owen Bertram was at a loss for words. After a while, he finally said, "Master, calculating this much will drive your subordinates away."
Abner Lane didn’t mind, patting him on the shoulder: "We met when we were insignificant, and I trust that you won’t turn your back on me over such a small matter."
He paused for a moment before continuing: "Besides, the Horizon Bureau is cumbersome and massive. Though I have many Sixth Realm subordinates, I can only trust you."
Owen Bertram couldn’t help but roll his eyes: "You can only use me – do you dare to give an order to Lord Liam? If you really dare to take a stand against her, I’d respect you as a real man..."
Abner Lane’s face darkened, scolding someone should not reveal their secret past, especially when you dare reveal your superior’s secret. Are you really safe now that the Seventh Realm Supreme can’t use his sword anymore?
Owen Bertram quickly stepped back, saying, "I want 30% of the spoils from the Johnson Clan."
"You’re dreaming!" Abner Lane fumed: "I’ve planned this for decades, and you want 30% for a single move? Do you know that I’ve already planned how to use every penny of the Johnson Clan’s wealth with Master Dunn?"
Owen Bertram played dumb: "I don’t care, I’m going back to the Summit Metropolitan Office." He pretended to leave.
"Sit down!" Abner Lane ordered: "You can choose one treasure from the Johnson Clan." Owen Bertram immediately seized the opportunity: "Three!"
"I said one, and it’s just one. Don’t always think of bargaining with me." Abner Lane was helpless with him, too: "We can discuss other requests, but I really can’t give you too much money."