Chapter 072
Chapter 72: Healing the Tattoo
Great Li Imperial Palace, Yixin Hall.
Grand Eunuch Li Tian Yi, the Imperial Scribe of Ceremonies, stood clad in his golden-threaded python robe. His face was slender, skin pale, and though his hair had turned as white as snow, no sign of age touched his features.
His gaze swept across the bodies scattered throughout the hall, finally settling upon Imperial Concubine Ji’s corpse. Her skin was brutally ravaged, leaving no inch unharmed. Her eyes stared wide with horror, twisted in agony, as dreadful as the face of a ghost.
“How cruel,” he murmured softly, pressing his thin lips together briefly before closing his eyes.
At that instant, the cool morning breeze that flowed in from the doorway vanished without a trace. It was as if the entire space of Yixin Hall had frozen, gripped by an unseen force. Only a chilling Qi remained, lingering like a serpent coiled silently above.
After a moment, Grand Eunuch Li Tian Yi slowly opened his eyes, his snow-white brows knitting together.
“No trace of martial Qi remains,” he whispered, a faint chill flickering within his gaze. “How strange that I, your humble servant, cannot recognize the martial skill used here.”
He stood quietly for a long moment, his expression darkening.
[Could this be someone from within the palace itself? Or has an assassin truly slipped through the Great Li Imperial Palace unnoticed, killing without a sound?]
Just then, heavy footsteps thundered from outside, armor clanging like a storm. All at once, the soldiers halted before Yixin Hall, swiftly surrounding it as tightly as an iron fortress.
“Greetings, Eunuch Li!”
A middle-aged general approached, his black armor engraved with cloud-dragon motifs, his beast-headed helmet fierce and imposing. He bowed respectfully behind Li Tian Yi. Glancing over the grim scene, his expression briefly revealed shock. Even having been informed of the situation beforehand, witnessing the horror firsthand unsettled him deeply. In all his years guarding the Imperial Palace, this tragedy was unprecedented.
“Xiao Han,” Li Tian Yi commanded without turning, his voice calm yet grave, “seal the palace immediately. No one may leave. Send messengers to the Six Gates and the Shadow Spy Division, requesting Divine Constables skilled in investigation and evidence collection to aid in solving this crime.”
“Yes, sir!” Xiao Han swiftly bowed in acknowledgment. After a brief hesitation, he added softly, “Should we inform the Third Prince and the Right Chancellor of this matter?”
Li Tian Yi remained silent for a moment, lost in thought. Imperial Concubine Ji was not only the Third Prince’s mother but also the daughter of the Right Chancellor. Her horrific death placed him in a difficult position.
“I cannot make that decision,” he finally responded. “Seek Her Majesty’s decree first.” He glanced meaningfully at Xiao Han, advising cautiously, “However, I suggest you wait until Six Gates and the Shadow Spy Division have examined the scene. Otherwise, if either the prince or the chancellor act impulsively in grief, it might complicate matters further.”
Xiao Han nodded lightly, gave one final look at the hall, and quickly withdrew.
…
Heavenly Brocade Guard Headquarters.
In a courtyard blooming with flowers, Cang Yin Yue arrived early, eager to meet Li Mu Sheng.
“Here is the Bone Eroding Yin Wind Finger manual I found last night. Your Highness, please see if it’s helpful,” she said softly, handing him a blue-bound book. Her eyes shone with anticipation.
Ever since Shangguan Qing Qing revealed that Emperor Yuan Wu had recognized Li Mu Sheng’s identity, she was surprised at the rapid developments. Still, she accepted them without question, though her manner of address quietly shifted.
“You don’t need to be so formal, Miss Cang. I prefer how you spoke before,” Li Mu Sheng teased gently, glancing at her with a smile as he accepted the martial arts manual.
A flicker of complicated emotion crossed Cang Yin Yue’s eyes, yet she remained firm. She bowed respectfully, insisting, “Hierarchy must be respected. I dare not overstep.”
Li Mu Sheng shook his head lightly but didn’t argue further. He flipped quickly through the manual, soon finishing his review.
Cang Yin Yue nervously watched him, then cautiously asked, “How is it? Does Your Highness have confidence in healing the tattoo on my face?”
Li Mu Sheng shrugged lightly, sipping tea from the cup before him with amusement. “Miss Cang, your question seems to underestimate me. It’s not a matter of confidence at all. You should ask how many hours it will take to restore your face completely.”
Joy immediately lit her expression. Cang Yin Yue touched her face gently through her veil, taking a deep breath. “Then, when shall we start?”
“Right now, of course.”
Li Mu Sheng lightly raised his hand. Instantly, Cang Yin Yue felt the Qi around her vanish completely. Soon, a blazing golden light appeared before her eyes, slowly approaching her face.
Instinctively, she wanted to dodge, but seeing Li Mu Sheng’s calm gaze, she stood still, letting the golden light sink gently into her skin.
Warmth spread through her face, chasing away the sinister, icy chill lingering in her bones. The poisonous Qi within seemed to recoil like frightened serpents, swiftly extinguished by this gentle yet powerful warmth.
In mere moments, it was over.
Touching her cheek, Cang Yin Yue noticed immediately that the piercing cold pain from the tattoo had vanished. Her skin felt itchy, a sign it was beginning to heal.
Li Mu Sheng took a porcelain bottle from his robes, handing it to her with a smile. “This superior healing ointment is from Heavenly Brocade Guard. The tattoo’s Qi injury has been healed halfway. Apply this ointment, and your face will fully recover within twelve hours.”
Cang Yin Yue took the porcelain bottle, her heart swelling with amazement and disbelief. The nightmare that tormented her for years had vanished just like that? All Li Mu Sheng had done was skim briefly through the Bone Eroding Yin Wind Finger manual; it seemed he didn’t even really need it.
As if sensing her doubts, Li Mu Sheng waved a hand lightly, reassuring her. “The manual did help. It showed me clearly that it was actually useless. I was just overly cautious about this martial technique.”
Cang Yin Yue’s eyes twitched subtly, though by now she was accustomed to Li Mu Sheng’s astonishing strength and casual confidence.
Quickly thanking him, she hurried off to a secluded spot in the nearby courtyard, eager to apply the ointment and reclaim the face she had long lost.