In the secret chamber, Sixth Master could only shake his head with a bitter smile after listening to Wu Bing’s report about Mei Qing’s movements.
“This reckless brat never makes things easy for others. Fine, let Bu Sansi and Bu Sisi secretly follow him. Tell those two fools to be careful—this brat is sharp-witted, so they mustn’t let him catch on. Also, how did Tieyi Taoist Zheng Jiu get involved in this? And who exactly is that white-robed fellow? Have you figured out his background yet?”
Wu Bing replied, “I’ve already ordered an investigation. Zheng Jiu vanished two years ago. The prevailing rumors were that he was either chased overseas by his enemies or that he disappeared while practicing new techniques. Last night, when Mei Qing and the others killed Zheng Jiu, the iron-robed snake and the bag of蛟 ants he used were all his old tools. His techniques also showed nothing particularly new or unusual.”
Wu Bing paused briefly before continuing, “According to Mei Qing’s report, the white-robed youth addressed Zheng Jiu as ‘Guardian Zheng,’ while Zheng Jiu called him ‘Lord Lingzhu,’ indicating they’re from the same sect. Zheng Jiu has always been a solitary cultivator, inheriting his teachings from Yuanwang Yuan Chongzhen, but it’s unclear which sect he joined. As for the white-robed youth, he claims to be Yang Jin and says he comes from an honorable family. According to our investigation, Yang Jin is likely the second son of Yang Zui, the former Grand Minister of Imperial Stables, who was executed three years ago. Both sons were exiled. According to our findings, Yang Jin escaped from his assigned residence last year and was hidden by his father’s old friend within the Zhang family of Pingzhou. As for when he began cultivating techniques, which sect he joined, and why he came to the capital, we have no further information.”
“Yang Zui?” murmured Sixth Master, his eyes clouded with confusion.
“Yang Zui was the former Grand Minister of the Imperial Stables. He submitted a memorial opposing the Crown Prince’s regency, criticizing Tao Zhongwen and others as mere charlatans, which enraged the emperor…” murmured Mei Qing, his thoughts becoming ever more confused.
After arriving at the Bureau of Records, Mei Qing pulled a few strings with Huang Fatso and began searching for any records of a Yang family noble named Yang Jin who had fallen from grace. It didn’t take long to uncover the case of Yang Zui, the former Grand Minister, who had died in prison three years ago.
To understand this case, one must first speak of Dian Zhenren Tao Zhongwen. Tao was a Taoist priest who enjoyed the emperor’s great favor.
The current emperor, Jiajing, has always been deeply devoted to Taoism, especially to the Zhengyi sect. In the past, Zhang Tian Shi Zhang Yan had been highly trusted by Jiajing, but later fell from grace when his prayers for rain failed and his attempts to help the emperor conceive an heir proved fruitless. Stripped of his title as Tian Shi, he died soon after in shame and despair.
Later came Zhiyi Zhenren Shao Yuanjie, whose cultivation skills were extraordinary, and whose favor with the emperor was unmatched. A native of Guixi, Shao was said to have learned mystical secrets from a hermit in his childhood, capable of summoning wind and rain, exorcising ghosts, and communicating with immortals. After meeting Jiajing and proving his abilities repeatedly, he soared into prominence, becoming the de facto leader of Taoism across the empire.
Tao Zhongwen had been a close friend of Shao Yuanjie and, through Shao’s recommendation, also gained the emperor’s favor. Three years ago, Tao warned that the palace would suffer a fire disaster and urged caution. Indeed, in the second lunar month, a sudden fire broke out at night. Had it not been for Lu Bing’s timely intervention, saving the emperor from the flames, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Investigations later revealed that the fire had been accidentally caused by a group of thieves attempting to break into the palace. Several valuable items had also been stolen. Enraged, the emperor lavished rewards upon Shao and Tao. However, just days later, Shao suddenly declared that a heavenly tribulation was imminent and left a letter before vanishing without a trace.
Soon after, an imperial edict promoted Tao Zhongwen to the rank of Zhongxiao Bingyi Zhenren, placing him in charge of Taoist affairs. Later, he was further advanced to the position of Minister of Rites and bestowed with the title of Shaofu, receiving the salary of a first-rank official. The emperor even publicly declared his intention to fully dedicate himself to Taoist cultivation and ordered the Crown Prince to temporarily assume responsibility for state affairs.
The decree shocked the court, prompting a flood of memorials from ministers. Among them, the most forceful was from Grand Minister Yang Zui. Yang not only argued that the Crown Prince was too young to govern, but also directly accused Tao Zhongwen of being a mere charlatan who used sorcery to bewitch the emperor, demanding his immediate arrest and punishment.
After this memorial was submitted, the emperor flew into a rage and ordered the immediate arrest of Yang Zui by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Tragically, Yang died in prison shortly afterward under suspicious circumstances.
According to secret records in the Bureau of Records, Yang Zui’s death was highly questionable. It was said that after entering prison, he went mad before even being interrogated, biting anyone who approached like a rabid dog. He scratched his own body until no patch of skin remained intact. Locked in his cell, he kept slamming his head against the wall while laughing maniacally for three days and nights before finally dying.
After Yang’s death, his two sons were exiled to Yunnan. The elder, Yang Chu, died soon after due to illness caused by the harsh climate. The younger, Yang Jin, reportedly escaped last year and vanished without a trace.
“That’s all you have? No news of Yang Jin after he fled?” Mei Qing asked in frustration.
“That’s all we’ve got. Unless your internal group might have more. Hey Mei, what are you up to again? You keep coming here every few days to dig up records,” Huang Fatso’s round face seemed to grow even rounder as he laughed, his jowls quivering.
Mei Qing thought for a moment before replying, “Huang, I won’t hide it from you. A few days ago, there was a case involving Yang Jin—he seems to have returned to the capital, but we can’t find where he’s hiding. That’s why I’m rushing to check the records for any clues.”
Huang Zhongman’s face turned thoughtful. “He dares to come back? What for? You don’t have to explain, I can already guess it’s no small matter. Back then, people whispered about his father Yang Zui’s mysterious death in prison. If this kid really has returned, he must be up to something. Who in their right mind would dare to shelter him? If he’s really back, it might be part of someone else’s plan, using his identity as Yang Zui’s son for some purpose.”
Mei Qing nodded in agreement. After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Huang, do you know where officials like Yang Zui, who died disgraced, are usually buried?”
Huang thought for a while before replying, “I vaguely remember something about this. Because Yang Zui’s case was unusual, there was a special imperial decree. According to our Ming legal code, those executed for ordinary capital crimes could be claimed by their families for burial. Those guilty of especially heinous crimes would have their bodies displayed publicly as a warning. Yang Zui was considered a serious offender, but due to the strange circumstances of his death and the disfigured corpse, there was an order to abandon his body in his former ancestral shrine, left to rot without proper burial. His old house is located at Liangshui Well outside the western gate, sealed and abandoned for a long time.”
Mei Qing nodded thoughtfully, saying nothing more.
That evening, Mei Qing once again spiritually met with Bi Zhen, recounting everything that had happened over the past two days.
When she heard about the antics of Sun Busan and Sun Busi, Bi Zhen couldn’t help but laugh heartily. Even through their spiritual connection, Mei Qing could almost hear her familiar, clear laughter echoing in his ears.
“How amusing! The Embroidered Uniform Guard has such treasures inside? Pity I didn’t get to see them. Someday, when I meet them, I must have a good look.”
When she heard that Sun Busan and Sun Bisi actually had an elder sister, Bi Zhen hesitated slightly before saying, “You know I’m considered half of the Qingjing Sect, but I’ve never heard of anyone in the sect daring to use the name of Qingjing Zhenren. These two, Sun Busan and Sun Bisi, seem quite skilled in cultivation, yet their sister’s origins are completely unknown. There must be something strange here. You must be careful.”
Mei Qing nodded repeatedly. In truth, he had his own suspicions too. The name Sun Bu’er was well-known—what fool would dare to use such a name? Not only in the Qingjing Sect, but even in the Quanzhen Sect, such a thing would never be allowed. Yet these two brothers spoke of their sister so casually, without the slightest hesitation. It seemed their sister must have some hidden secret.
When he mentioned the myriad puppet techniques and the transformations of the puppets, Bi Zhen grew slightly anxious. “I’ve heard of the myriad puppets before, but they haven’t appeared in the world for a long time. I never expected you to encounter them.”
Mei Qing said, “The Sun brothers seemed to have heard of them too. At the time, they looked quite wary. Luckily, they managed to wound the puppeteer quickly, so we didn’t get to see any more powerful techniques.” He then described the fight to Bi Zhen.
Bi Zhen replied, “It’s not that simple. The puppet you saw was probably a magical artifact made by an elder for a junior’s protection, like the tools I have. The power of such artifacts is far less than when used directly by their creators. Those Sun brothers’ techniques are quite deceptive. I bet most people would fall for them.”
Mei Qing laughed, “There’s more to come. Just wait. Let me finish.” He then recounted how the brothers later ambushed and killed Tieyi Taoist Zheng Jiu.
“Tieyi Taoist?” Bi Zhen sounded surprised. “That guy was quite famous back then. It’s said he came from a poor background, was very short, and suffered much abuse as a child. Later, he was taken in by a master and specialized in controlling creatures. He was ruthless in battle and cunning in tactics, making many enemies. Later, he apparently offended someone he shouldn’t have and fled overseas. I wonder how he ended up back here? This guy committed many crimes, so it’s only fitting he was killed by those two brothers. Oh, by the way, were you scared the first time you saw someone get killed?”
Mei Qing looked a bit lost. At the time, when the Sun brothers killed Zheng Jiu, Yao and Zhou seemed unfazed. Zhao Dayou was initially frightened but later became so terrified upon seeing Zheng Jiu’s headless corpse that he could barely walk. Mei Qing, however, felt strangely calm, as if witnessing something utterly ordinary.
“I wasn’t really scared. Maybe I just forgot in the heat of the moment,” Mei Qing finally said.
Bi Zhen sounded disappointed. After a long silence, she sighed, “Alas, I’m trapped here, unable to be by your side in times of danger.”
Under the same full moon, two hearts ached with longing. Both fell into a quiet, melancholic silence.
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