Chapter 107
Chapter 107: Dragon-Locking Well
“Thank you, Sir You Shan.”
Ji Song cupped his hands gently, his drooping eyelids lowering further. “For most of my life, I have faithfully served Great Li with all my heart. Rarely have I acted for my own selfish interests.”
As he spoke, he slowly lifted his eyes, gazing at the middle-aged man and Li Que. Within those clouded eyes flashed a sudden, sharp gleam. Despite his stooped body, the silent majesty belonging to the Right Chancellor of Great Li emanated from him, surpassing all court officials.
“However,” he continued slowly, “today, for my pitiful daughters, I wish to act selfishly just once, even if it means risking my lifelong reputation and this position as Right Chancellor.”
Hearing this, the middle-aged man studied the elder before him, his expression turning solemn.
“I understand clearly your resolve, Chancellor Ji. Even if it costs my life, I will see your wish fulfilled.”
A flicker stirred in Li Que’s thoughts, and he clasped his hands seriously, replying in a grave voice:
“Rest assured, Right Chancellor. In this matter, I will take full responsibility. I swear to mobilize every force at my disposal to capture the culprit.”
Ji Song nodded faintly, his frail body almost curling into the armchair.
“With your status as Second Prince and my remaining influence, within the Great Li court, there is no fear of anyone refusing to act. As for matters in the martial world, I will leave them in Sir You Shan’s capable hands.”
Just as he finished speaking, hurried footsteps approached from outside the study. A servant quickly entered and reported:
“Your Highnesses, Right Chancellor, the Heavenly Brocade Guard has refused the order to capture the murderer.”
At these words, all three men in the study froze.
Third Prince Li Zhu immediately burst into fury. He struck out fiercely, shattering the study door with a palm strike, shouting in anger:
“How dare Fu Qi Wen!”
Ji Song and Li Que exchanged shifting glances. Li Que turned coldly to the servant outside the door, asking:
“Why did the Heavenly Brocade Guard refuse? Capturing criminals is clearly within their duty.”
The servant had already dropped trembling to his knees, answering fearfully:
“The Eighth Prince said that the Heavenly Brocade Guard must search for the Fire Qilin for him, so… they have no time to help capture the murderer.”
“What!”
Li Zhu widened his fierce tiger-like eyes. He smashed his clenched fist down on the sandalwood chair beside him, shattering it into splinters.
“This prince has barely reclaimed his title for mere days, his name not even yet entered into the royal Li family records, and yet he dares act so arrogantly, disregarding us completely. Who has given him such audacity?”
Second Prince Li Que’s gaze flickered. He shook his head disapprovingly:
“This Eighth Brother truly lacks manners and discipline. How could searching for a Fire Qilin be more important than capturing the culprit? I can’t understand why Father allows the Heavenly Brocade Guard to associate with him.”
Ji Song, however, remained silent. His wrinkled eyelids narrowed slightly, and he calmly asked the servant kneeling outside:
“Besides the Eighth Prince, did Fu Qi Wen himself respond?”
“Lord Fu never appeared personally, nor did he send any message,” the servant replied honestly, afraid to hide even the slightest detail.
Ji Song pondered silently for a moment, then waved his hand, dismissing the servant.
After some time, he finally spoke:
“This matter is likely not just the Eighth Prince’s whim. I suspect Fu Qi Wen has tacitly agreed.”
Third Prince Li Zhu’s face darkened further upon hearing this. He immediately moved to leave in anger:
“No, I cannot let this matter pass. I must personally go to the Heavenly Brocade Guard for answers!”
Seeing this, Li Que made to protest, but Ji Song shook his head gently, his voice deep and vague:
“Let him make some noise and vent his frustration. Regardless of Fu Qi Wen’s reasons, he should not have ignored us entirely. Ultimately, the wrongdoing is on his side.”
Li Que hesitated briefly, then nodded softly:
“Right Chancellor speaks wisely.”
Afterward, withdrawing his gaze from Li Zhu’s retreating figure, Li Que turned to the middle-aged man who had remained and respectfully asked:
“May I know this senior’s honorable name?”
Ji Song glanced at Li Que, then introduced warmly:
“Sir You Shan is the master of the Heaven’s Secrets Pavilion within Great Li, second only in authority to the Elder Tian Ji of the pavilion. Second Prince, if you have intentions, it would be wise to form closer ties with him in the future.”
Hearing this, the middle-aged man maintained his neutral expression, showing neither eagerness nor impatience, merely nodding politely.
…
At the same time, the carriage carrying Li Mu Sheng and Cang Yin Yue had been weaving through Shang Yang City for over an hour, finally arriving at Dragon-Locking Well Lane.
Dragon-Locking Well Lane lay at the intersection of Black Tortoise Street and White Tiger Street, close to the heart of Great Li’s Imperial Capital and bordering Dragon Abyss Lake, the city’s foremost lake.
“It seems the remnants of Great Qi have not yet abandoned their pursuit of that sword.”
Li Mu Sheng drew back the carriage curtain, looking outward. After entering Dragon-Locking Well Lane, the wind blowing from the northwest carried with it a noticeable dampness. Here, the air held far more moisture than elsewhere in the city.
“The Imperial Dragon Divine Sword was once the divine artifact that sealed the destiny of Great Qi,” Cang Yin Yue said softly. “Those remnants of Great Qi must have long desired it. The death of Imperial Concubine Ji has drawn the attention of many forces in the capital. Even though the city’s guards patrol more heavily now, it is still a rare chance for them.”
Cang Yin Yue quietly instructed the coachman to halt the carriage in an obscure alley. She carefully observed their surroundings, then led Li Mu Sheng towards a tall, six-sided building with elegantly curved eaves.
Dragon-Locking Well Lane centered around an ancient well thousands of years old. Four lofty towers stood at the well’s east, south, west, and north, each tower connected by thick chains forged of cold iron, claimed to lock down the dragon veins hidden beneath the earth.
The building Cang Yin Yue led them to was a quiet, scholarly retreat, peaceful and absent of any bustling tavern noise.
“Esteemed guests, please come upstairs.”
The young attendant warmly welcomed them, guiding the two toward an elegant room upstairs to enjoy tea.
Secretly, Cang Yin Yue sent a quiet Qi message to Li Mu Sheng:
“A spy from the Six Gates has already infiltrated this place. We must find and confirm the current situation with them before deciding our next move.”
Li Mu Sheng gave a slight nod, signaling Cang Yin Yue to continue as she planned. He leisurely enjoyed tea after the attendant brought a fine pot along with fruit and sweet snacks.
Suddenly, Cang Yin Yue pretended to clumsily knock over her cup. Feigning anger, she sharply scolded the attendant, deliberately kicking over a stool to fall at a specific angle facing the open doorway.
“This is our secret signal,” Cang Yin Yue quietly explained. “If the spy hiding here sees it, they’ll come to us immediately.”
Not long after, a servant responsible for cleaning discreetly glanced around before swiftly slipping into the room occupied by Li Mu Sheng and Cang Yin Yue.