Chapter 007
Chapter 7: Origins
The veiled woman remained calm, her expression unchanged by Li Mu Sheng’s words.
“I come from the Great Li Shadow Spy Division,” she stated, her gaze sharp and cold, fixed steadily upon him.
She raised her hand slightly and tossed a silver token toward Li Mu Sheng, saying, “My journey here concerns your true origins. Surely, this is something that interests you.”
Li Mu Sheng caught the token effortlessly, glancing down briefly, his brows quickly knitting in suspicion.
Since coming into this world, he had only known the original owner of this body as a wandering orphan. Before joining the martial hall, the boy had been briefly cared for by an old beggar, but those memories were vague and fragmented.
As for his parents, or even if they had hailed from Shun’an City, Li Mu Sheng knew nothing. To tell the truth, his past didn’t concern him much. After all, he was someone who had crossed worlds, an orphan without family attachments. There was no need for family bonds he did not feel.
Seeing Li Mu Sheng fall into sudden silence, Cang Yin Yue spoke again, adding softly, “You might be the Seventh Prince of Great Li, lost long ago among commoners.”
At these words, Li Mu Sheng leapt down from the city wall, landing gracefully beside her.
“Young lady, you must be joking. A prince goes missing for twenty years, and only now you remember to look for him?”
Cang Yin Yue stepped lightly back, maintaining some distance. Her voice remained cool. “The situation is complicated. If you wish to confirm your true identity, you may accompany me to the Imperial Capital, Shang Yang City.”
“So even my princely identity is uncertain.” Li Mu Sheng stroked his chin thoughtfully. “No wonder my martial aptitude is so poor. How could I possibly be some high-born prince?”
Yet Cang Yin Yue shook her head, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. “Do not belittle yourself. Though many factions in the capital are searching widely, I believe you are the most likely candidate.”
“Why?” Li Mu Sheng asked, curious.
“Because I am the First Silver Pattern Secret Agent of the Great Li Shadow Spy Division. No mission entrusted to me has ever failed, nor have I made a single error.” Confidence sparkled in Cang Yin Yue’s eyes, her aloofness lending her an unmistakable pride.
[What an arrogant young lady!] Li Mu Sheng thought, raising an eyebrow. After a moment’s consideration, he replied, “Actually, I wouldn’t mind going with you. I was planning to wander the world anyway. Anywhere is fine.”
“But I won’t go without understanding clearly. At the very least, you must explain the full truth. I don’t like people speaking in riddles.”
Cang Yin Yue stared at Li Mu Sheng for a moment before giving a small nod. “As long as it doesn’t involve Shadow Spy Division secrets, I will tell you everything you wish to know.”
Li Mu Sheng clapped his hands lightly, smiling brightly. “Then let’s get moving. We can talk more on the way.”
But suddenly, Cang Yin Yue retreated, appearing several yards away in a blink. “Wait half an incense stick’s time for me. I have something urgent to handle first. I’ll return once it’s done!”
Seeing her move swiftly away, Li Mu Sheng waved his hand casually. “Take your time. I’ll wait.”
Then he settled comfortably under the shade of a tree, enjoying the cool breeze.
Precisely half an incense stick’s time later, Cang Yin Yue reappeared, holding the reins of two Black Maned Yellow Horses.
She handed the reins of one horse to Li Mu Sheng, her tone still icy. “Let’s go.”
“You must be rich. Aren’t these horses worth dozens of taels of silver each?” Li Mu Sheng tossed her token back lightly, then took the reins and gracefully mounted the horse.
“Once your identity is confirmed, mere gold and silver will mean little to you,” Cang Yin Yue replied indifferently, carefully putting the token away. Just as she prepared to mount her horse, Li Mu Sheng slapped his horse’s flank, sending it galloping swiftly out of the city gates.
[He isn’t trying to escape, is he?] Cang Yin Yue frowned slightly, swiftly mounting and calling out as she chased him, “You’re going the wrong way!”
…
By sunset, the sound of hoofbeats echoed rhythmically as they approached a secluded little town.
“We will rest here tonight and continue tomorrow morning,” Cang Yin Yue said. Instead of entering the town, she stopped on a slope just outside.
Li Mu Sheng glanced around quietly, then released his horse to graze freely. He quickly gathered some dry branches, starting a fire sheltered from the wind.
“Miss Cang, come sit. Let’s talk,” Li Mu Sheng invited warmly.
Throughout the day’s journey, Cang Yin Yue had shared with him all she knew about his origins. It was quite the dramatic tale, involving switched princes, imposters, palace intrigue…
[These royal families truly know how to stir trouble!] he thought wryly.
“No need,” Cang Yin Yue replied, standing alone by an old tree. “I prefer solitude. Ask me anything directly.”
Li Mu Sheng didn’t press her, instead poking at the fire thoughtfully.
Four months ago, the Imperial Capital’s Heavenly Brocade Guard had received a secret letter addressed directly to the Commander. The letter revealed that the current Seventh Prince was not the Emperor’s true son but had been secretly switched twenty years ago.
The real Seventh Prince had been abandoned by the banks of Great Mian River outside Shang Yang City, his fate unknown.
Soon, the matter reached Emperor Yuan Wu. That same night, he summoned the Seventh Prince, Li Zhi, into the Tian Qian Palace. No one knew exactly what happened inside, but before dawn, several secret imperial orders were sent out.
Prince Li Zhi was imprisoned in Heaven Prison. Heavenly Brocade Guard, Six Gates, and Shadow Spy Division all received orders to discreetly investigate the events from twenty years prior.
Clearly, the palace had intended to hide this scandal. Yet somehow, news of the switch quickly spread through Shang Yang City, becoming common gossip overnight.
From then on, factions in the capital stirred restlessly, convinced of the prince’s substitution. Each began searching eagerly for the lost Seventh Prince in hopes of gaining influence.
According to Cang Yin Yue, the Shadow Spy Division had mobilized all resources, openly and secretly investigating every lead from the past two decades. Ultimately, she found Li Mu Sheng.
Of course, Heavenly Brocade Guard and Six Gates were conducting their own searches, each with differing clues. They might find someone else entirely.
“Miss Cang,” Li Mu Sheng finally spoke, pulling himself from his thoughts, “are you truly certain I’m this Seventh Prince? What if it turns out I’m not? What would you do then?”
(End of Chapter)