Chapter 032
Chapter 32: Acquaintance
The grand hall of Aurora Pavilion was wide and magnificent. Nine crimson pillars carved vividly with mystical beasts soared high, holding aloft a dome painted with swirling, colorful clouds. Everything about this palace spoke of luxury.
A gentle breeze swept in through delicately carved windows, causing the rich, flowing curtains to dance softly. Young people stood scattered around the hall, all quiet and solemn.
Occasionally, whispers drifted into Li Mu Sheng’s ears. From these murmurs, he learned roughly what had happened recently in Aurora Pavilion.
[Those five deaths must have been caused by Bei Qi Dark Qi. It seems Aurora Pavilion isn’t exactly peaceful right now.]
Li Mu Sheng withdrew his gaze from the young woman he had been watching, casting a thoughtful glance elsewhere.
Once everyone had arrived, a middle-aged man wearing a dark Dragon Carp robe briskly entered, flanked by four eunuchs dressed in purple silk. Following closely behind them came a group of lesser eunuchs and armored guards, marching in formation to the center of the hall. Their footsteps ceased abruptly, imposing an air of strict authority.
All eyes turned toward them, and the atmosphere grew heavier.
“Young masters,” the middle-aged man announced directly, wasting no words, “you must already know what happened last night. We’ve found some clues about the murderer, and we request everyone’s cooperation with the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s investigation.”
This man, Pacification Commissioner Yu Jin, spoke with clear authority. At his words, the expressions of those present varied greatly. A scholarly youth stepped forward first, politely saluting Yu Jin:
“Lord Yu, we appreciate your efforts. We will do everything we can to support the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s arrangements and catch the culprit.”
As soon as he finished, several others quickly echoed his sentiments, eager to show their agreement.
Li Mu Sheng swept his gaze over these outspoken youths. Each possessed a distinguished bearing, clearly from noble families, and had substantial martial abilities.
Meanwhile, the senior eunuch, An Quan, subtly gazed past the crowd to Li Mu Sheng standing in a corner. Upon clearly seeing Li Mu Sheng’s face, Eunuch An’s eyes narrowed faintly with a strange glint.
At that moment, Yu Jin turned and addressed the eunuchs respectfully:
“Please, could you eunuchs examine the Heavenly Spring acupoints of these young masters? Be extremely careful to avoid contamination by the Bei Qi Dark Qi.”
At this, Eunuch An Quan quietly averted his gaze, nodded slightly with the other three senior eunuchs, and moved swiftly toward the assembled youths.
Li Mu Sheng subtly raised his eyebrow, standing silently in his corner.
[That old eunuch stared at me for a long moment. He’s likely the godfather of that little eunuch.]
Thinking back to Little Anzi’s earlier questioning, he could only hope the Heavenly Brocade Guard wouldn’t foolishly mistake him for the murderer.
Just then, Li Mu Sheng noticed the young woman disguised as a man also looking at him. After seeing him clearly, her eyes brightened as if she had found a pleasant surprise, and she approached him directly.
Soon she stopped before Li Mu Sheng, smiling warmly and greeting him with cupped hands.
“I am Li Yuan. May I ask your name, brother?”
Li Mu Sheng carefully observed her. The young man before him was handsome, with visible stubble, an Adam’s apple, and a distinctly masculine voice. Yet, Li Mu Sheng was certain she was a woman. The aura of men and women was different—even eunuchs differed significantly.
Perhaps others might be fooled, but Li Mu Sheng clearly sensed the truth. This meant her disguise was exceptionally sophisticated, altering not only her appearance but also distinct physical traits, nearly impossible to see through.
“Li Mu Sheng,” he replied, nodding slightly. Then, lowering his voice, he added with a smile, “Young lady, is Li Yuan your real name?”
At these words, the handsome youth froze momentarily, stunned by the revelation. But instead of panic, her eyes sparkled brightly with curiosity. Quietly, she transmitted a message using her Qi:
“How did you discover my true identity?”
Li Mu Sheng simply shrugged, smiling lightly.
“It was obvious at first glance.”
After observing her a moment longer, curiosity got the better of him, and he asked:
“You admit this openly. Aren’t you afraid I might expose you?”
The disguised woman did not answer directly. Instead, she looked intently into his eyes and asked back:
“Would you?”
Li Mu Sheng thoughtfully rubbed his chin.
“I admit I’m rather handsome, but do I truly seem so benevolent?”
Li Yuan blinked, earnestly examining Li Mu Sheng from head to toe. Gradually, her eyebrows relaxed, and she smiled brightly.
“Brother Li, you are very interesting—unlike anyone I’ve met before.”
She swept her gaze around the great hall and continued:
“The Aurora Pavilion is dangerous right now. It would be better if Brother Li stays near me—I can keep you safe.”
Now truly puzzled, Li Mu Sheng looked at her suspiciously.
“Young lady, have we met somewhere before?”
“Not before today, but now we’ve met, haven’t we?”
Li Yuan took out a folding fan from her waist and snapped it open gracefully. Upon it was painted a scene of birds returning home beneath the setting sun, effortlessly elegant.
“Brother Li, it feels as though we should have met long ago.”
Li Mu Sheng pondered this quietly, nodding slowly. Truly, this mysterious woman was fascinating. Clearly, she must recognize him somehow, but he had never left Shun’an City until recently. Apart from Cang Yin Yue, he couldn’t possibly know anyone in Shang Yang City. It seemed far more likely she recognized not him, but rather his face.
While Li Mu Sheng was lost in thought, a sudden commotion erupted within the great hall.
One of the senior eunuchs had detected Bei Qi Dark Qi in a young man. Soon after, several others were found to have the same dark Qi. Panic quickly spread among the group.
Li Mu Sheng was checked by Eunuch An Quan. Naturally, no Bei Qi Dark Qi could be found in him. Yet when the eunuch discovered Li Mu Sheng’s meridians completely empty of any Qi, he was visibly shocked. Still, Eunuch An Quan remained silent, returning to the hall’s center with a suspicious glance toward Li Mu Sheng.
In total, ten people, including the first youth, had been secretly afflicted with Bei Qi Dark Qi. This meant these ten might soon perish in their own rooms, just like the previous five victims.
“We must quickly discover who the culprit is,” Yu Jin declared darkly. That someone dared commit murder openly under the watchful eyes of the Heavenly Brocade Guard was a direct challenge to him and his authority. Moreover, among these guests in Aurora Pavilion, there could very well be the true Seventh Prince. If anything happened to him, Yu Jin’s own life would be in grave danger.
Just then, a guard hurried into the hall and reported urgently:
“My Lord, the people from Six Gates have arrived.”