Chapter 053
Chapter 53: Heavenly Brocade Guard
Li Mu Sheng did not care at all whether Sun Chang Yu believed his words or not. As for any talk of gratitude for saving his life, it was just something to say. Taking it seriously would only ruin the charm of the moment. One day, if Sun Chang Yu’s master ordered him to kill Li Mu Sheng, Sun Chang Yu would surely act without hesitation, perhaps just offering a brief apology beforehand:
“Master’s command cannot be disobeyed; your excellency’s great kindness can only be repaid in the next life!”
Seeing Li Mu Sheng’s instruction, the great eunuch Sun Chang Yu awkwardly sat down. Without asking further questions, he simply began to prepare the tea. In this way, Li Mu Sheng experienced, ahead of time, the luxury and honor a true prince would enjoy.
Meanwhile, not long after Li Mu Sheng’s carriage left, a masked figure in black, Song Shan Yue, arrived at the long street. He moved swiftly through the curtain of rain, leaving only fleeting shadows in the misty air. Suddenly, he halted. Looking ahead, he saw the ruined street and five corpses lying lifelessly on the ground.
“[Am I too late?]”
Song Shan Yue’s heart sank. Carefully, he approached and inspected the bodies. After examining them, shock filled his expression.
He didn’t recognize two of the men dressed in black, but the two swordsmen in blue and the Skull Tapping Bamboo Elder were very familiar to him. These three were notorious criminals wanted by the Imperial Court, feared in the martial world for their countless atrocities. Each was a genuine Great Martial Grandmaster.
The two swordsmen, known as the West Wind Duo, hailed from the demonic sect at the Western Abyss. Their combined skill, the Breeze Dispersing Demon Slaying Sword Canon, was famously lethal. Though perhaps not strong enough to challenge a Heavenly Union Stage expert directly, defeating someone just below that rank was easily within their capabilities.
Skull Tapping Bamboo Elder was also a renowned Great Completion Grandmaster whose prowess was equally fearsome.
Yet, these mighty warriors were all dead—killed in an instant, it seemed. Song Shan Yue shivered with fear. Had he arrived earlier, he might well have shared their fate.
“[Li Mu Sheng must have a martial dao expert secretly guarding him. This assassination can no longer proceed.]”
Song Shan Yue dared not follow further. Quickly, he turned and disappeared, rushing back to Aurora Pavilion. As for Zhang He’s request, he would have to abandon it for now and look for another chance later. But Song Shan Yue knew clearly that once Li Mu Sheng’s identity was confirmed, assassination would only become harder.
…
Rain continued to pour over the long, mist-covered streets. A luxurious carriage sped swiftly through the wind and thunder, eventually arriving safely at the headquarters of the Heavenly Brocade Guard in the Imperial Capital.
Great eunuch Sun Chang Yu led Li Mu Sheng out of the carriage. Immediately, armored guards approached, carefully sheltering them with oiled paper umbrellas.
At the same time, Heavenly Brocade Guard Pacification Commissioner Yu Jin had already received news from the palace and was waiting respectfully by the gate.
“Eunuch, was your journey smooth?” Yu Jin asked, his face still pale, clearly not yet recovered from his injuries.
Hearing this, Sun Chang Yu subtly glanced at Li Mu Sheng and waved his hand.
“There were some complications, but I, your humble servant, will personally report them to the Commander.”
Yu Jin stopped asking further. After another quick look at Li Mu Sheng, he turned and led them inside.
Outside the gate, Cao Gao Shan, the carriage driver, stood quietly beside the carriage. He watched Li Mu Sheng’s back thoughtfully, fingers brushing the blade hidden beneath the carriage seat.
Led by Yu Jin, Sun Chang Yu and Li Mu Sheng entered the grand hall of the Heavenly Brocade Guard. The hall, majestic and spacious, was adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, exuding solemnity.
Yu Jin led Li Mu Sheng and Sun Chang Yu to the center. Before them stood a heavy official desk stacked with documents and scrolls. Behind it sat a middle-aged man past fifty, wearing a purple-and-gold Dragon Carp Robe and a golden-threaded official hat. His brows and hair had streaks of gray, and deep wrinkles lined his forehead. At this moment, he was absorbed in reading a scroll.
Beside the desk stood an elderly eunuch in scarlet robes. White brows without a beard, he rested quietly, eyes closed, gently holding a white horsetail whisk. But as soon as Li Mu Sheng entered, the elder eunuch slowly opened his eyes.
“My lord, Eunuch Sun and the others have arrived,” Yu Jin respectfully reported.
Commander Fu Qi Wen waved a hand.
“Take a seat first.”
“Yes.” Yu Jin led Li Mu Sheng to sit in an ornate chair on the eastern side of the hall. After greeting Commander Fu Qi Wen and the Chief Steward Shen, Sun Chang Yu took his place standing quietly beside Yu Jin.
Commander Fu Qi Wen lifted his gaze to Li Mu Sheng, who was similarly assessing him.
“Young Master Li truly resembles Lady Consort Jing,” Fu Qi Wen said mildly. His voice was neutral, but Li Mu Sheng felt as though he had been carefully examined from head to toe within moments.
Li Mu Sheng’s own evaluation of Fu Qi Wen, who controlled the entire Heavenly Brocade Guard and was one of Emperor Yuan Wu’s most trusted aides, was simple:
[He is decent, but still not strong enough.]
Li Mu Sheng raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at Fu Qi Wen and the elderly eunuch Shen.
“When will you start verifying my identity?”
Hearing this, Shen narrowed his eyes slightly.
“We can begin at any time. However, I, your humble servant, have a few questions I’d like Young Master Li to answer first.”
Li Mu Sheng rubbed his chin.
“Does refusing to answer your questions prevent the identity verification?”
“Naturally not, but this concerns the identity of the Seventh Prince. Clarifying certain points beforehand would be prudent.”
Li Mu Sheng waved dismissively.
“You and I aren’t close. Skip the questioning and verify my identity first.”
Shen paused, startled, then looked toward Fu Qi Wen, who simply nodded gently.
“Young Master Li is straightforward. In that case, no need for questions. Proceed directly.”
Eunuch Shen frowned but said nothing. After respectfully agreeing, he took out a radiant jade box from his wide sleeve and approached Li Mu Sheng.
“Young Master Li, please place your finger inside the jade box and let the jade needle draw your blood.”
Li Mu Sheng examined the box cautiously. He wasn’t sure how reliable this method was. After all, the parentage tests in his past life weren’t this simple. Still, he didn’t question further. He extended his finger, allowing the jade needle inside the box to prick it.