Chapter 059
Chapter 59: Marquis Cang Yuan Manor
In the side hall of Tian Qian Palace, candlelight flickered brightly, untouched by the rain outside.
Through the bamboo curtain, Emperor Yuan Wu watched Fu Qi Wen’s retreating figure fade into the distance. Slowly shifting his gaze, he noticed a dark shadow that had silently appeared to his left.
“How goes the investigation into the Eighth Prince?” he asked.
The shadow lowered his head and answered respectfully,
“Your Majesty, I found no trace of that individual.”
Then the shadow quickly added,
“Perhaps this person vanished after escorting the Eighth Prince to Heavenly Brocade Guard Headquarters, or their concealment skills are too advanced. Your servant could not find them.”
Emperor Yuan Wu’s expression remained unchanged as he waved a hand dismissively, and the shadow vanished instantly.
At that moment, the old eunuch, who stood nearby like a flickering candle in the wind, slowly opened his mouth to speak:
“Master, are you truly agreeing with Fu Qi Wen’s suggestion to strike against Fallen God Peak?”
Emperor Yuan Wu’s face was solemn, emotions hidden deep beneath his majestic expression.
“Since he dared make a decision in my stead and declared his resolve by risking death, why should I deny him?”
The old eunuch furrowed his gray eyebrows slightly, and asked hoarsely,
“What if it fails?”
The emperor was silent for a brief moment before replying,
“If it fails, I will not move against any Martial World factions for five years. If it succeeds, within three years I shall eradicate every Martial World sect in the Great Li Empire.”
The old eunuch gazed quietly at the emperor’s seated figure on the bed, gently nodding in understanding.
“How many people do you intend to send to aid the Heavenly Brocade Guard, Master?”
Emperor Yuan Wu looked at the old eunuch indifferently, shaking his head.
“Wu, my dear companion, I will send no one. I will not assist Fu Qi Wen.”
“If he can lead the Heavenly Brocade Guard to destroy Fallen God Peak, it proves the court’s strength in wiping out Martial World threats. Otherwise, aiding him would be useless.”
The old eunuch’s cloudy eyes flickered as he nodded slightly, seemingly grasping the emperor’s meaning. He continued:
“And the Eighth Prince?”
The emperor’s gaze darkened.
“That child, I do not know where his confidence comes from, yet he shows no fear of death. Nevertheless, I shall do my best to keep him alive.”
The old eunuch asked no further questions.
…
At the Six Gates General Yamen.
In a room filled with antique furnishings and drifting sandalwood incense, Guan Shan Xue suddenly jolted awake. Her eyes, bloodshot, blinked rapidly to clear the dryness, and she swiftly channeled her newly unblocked Qi through her body.
“Cang Yin Yue, just you wait!”
Guan Shan Xue raised her now-flexible arm and vigorously rubbed her delicate, fair cheeks, teeth clenched in anger.
She moved quickly, a gust of chill wind as she exited the room. After questioning several constables of Six Gates, her cold expression grew even more displeased.
Her acupoints had been sealed for an entire day. The constables were helpless. Even her Divine Constable father had visited, merely glancing briefly before saying indifferently,
“Very good, let her quiet down for a bit.”
Then he departed without another word, completely ignoring her.
Meanwhile, during her day confined, Cang Yin Yue had become notably famous. She not only captured three important fugitives but also killed a notorious rebel from Great Qi who had plagued Aurora Pavilion.
It was even rumored that Guan Shan Xue’s father, the Divine Constable, was considering promoting Cang Yin Yue to a Gold Badge Constable.
“Defeated by me before, and yet she dares ambush me using strange acupoint-sealing techniques from who-knows-where, disgracing me so thoroughly. Now that I’m prepared, I’ll freeze you solid for three days!”
Guan Shan Xue stormed out of the Six Gates General Yamen, determined to find Cang Yin Yue. At the gate, she overheard a servant-like man speaking to the guard constable:
“Our Second Young Lady’s wedding is approaching. The marquis has ordered her to remain at the manor to prepare and has sent this personal letter. She won’t be reporting to Six Gates for several months.”
The servant handed a letter to the guard, and Guan Shan Xue caught sight of the words clearly written: “Marquis Cang Yuan.”
“Cang Yin Yue, are you finally afraid? You think hiding in your marquis’s manor will protect you from me?”
Guan Shan Xue sneered coldly, turned on her heel, and rushed into the rain-filled night.
…
Nightfall.
The heavy downpour finally ceased, and the dark clouds gradually scattered, revealing faint stars in the blackened sky.
Yet, the moon remained hazy, and Shang Yang City retained its chill from the storm.
Li Mu Sheng quietly slipped from his dwelling. Moments later, he landed softly atop a roof within the Heavenly Brocade Guard headquarters, narrowing his eyes toward a shadowy corner below. There, someone sat concealed, watching his previous room closely, completely unaware of Li Mu Sheng standing above.
“This one has been secretly following me for a while now, probably a martial expert sent from the palace.”
“He’s only at half-step Heavenly Union strength—not bad, but nothing special.”
Losing interest quickly, Li Mu Sheng glanced down at an invisible Qi thread in his hand.
Earlier that day, Heavenly Brocade Guard Han Li had approached him, asking for help investigating the assassination attempt against him. Lacking any interest, Li Mu Sheng had refused outright. Though the moment had been awkward, it reminded Li Mu Sheng that despite being a prince, he had no capable subordinates to handle such matters.
Thus, his thoughts turned toward Cang Yin Yue.
That young lady was exceptional—managing both Six Gates and Shadow Spy Division duties effortlessly. Her talent was beyond question.
So, naturally, he planned to poach her.
“However… why is this young lady in a completely different location?”
Li Mu Sheng frowned at the Qi thread, puzzled. He remembered Cang Yin Yue lived in Blue Mountain Ward, yet now her location was strangely distant, nowhere near Six Gates, nor did it seem like she was working overtime.
“Well, well, I didn’t expect this young lady to have such a lively nightlife.”
Li Mu Sheng smiled faintly and disappeared, following the Qi thread swiftly into the darkness.
…
At the same time, inside Marquis Cang Yuan Manor.
Beneath a rockery in the rear garden lay a secret underground chamber. Its walls were fortified with cast iron, and several sturdy iron doors sealed its entryway. Under the dim glow of flickering oil lamps, Cang Yin Yue slowly rose from the straw-covered floor, observing her surroundings closely.
“That wretched woman reinforced this chamber even more!”
Her expression darkened as her gaze landed upon the heavy iron chains securing the door. Several thick iron padlocks dangled there, her sole chance of escape.
Otherwise, this time she might truly suffer from her own folly.
Previously, Cang Yin Yue had often been locked here, secretly preparing hidden escape routes, but now they had all been thoroughly sealed, leaving no options at all.
“I must get out first, or I’ll never have a chance to find the secret manual.”
Pulling a hairpin from her head, she focused on the massive padlocks.