Chapter 9

Chapter 9

On my way to the exams, I had heard some rumors from the capital.

The current Emperor was aging, and among the princes, the Seventh Prince, Yan Yunzheng, and the Fourth Prince, Yan Zhao, held the most momentum.

The Fourth Prince needed no introduction. His maternal family belonged to the scholarly elite, and he was known for his benevolence and grace, earning him great popularity among the people.

The Seventh Prince’s reputation among the commoners and court officials was somewhat worse.

Due to his mother’s questionable status, he had been unloved since childhood, facing neglect from His Majesty and suspicion from the officials. His temperament was even more cruel and arbitrary.

The Ink Scale Guard he commanded acted with extreme coldness in the capital, and his methods for interrogating criminals were notoriously varied. The common people were terrified of him.

The court officials also had many grievances against him. Previously, he had used his military achievements to request that the Emperor renovate his mother’s tomb.

The State Preceptor had been indignant. “How can the tomb of a disgraced consort be moved so recklessly?”

“If Your Majesty truly moves her grave and renovates her tomb, it may cause the Great Jin to suffer a repeat of past disasters. This old official will risk his life today to remonstrate with Your Majesty!”

With that, the elderly State Preceptor slammed his head against a pillar.

A court historian tried to stop him but was held back by the Seventh Prince. The State Preceptor truly struck the pillar with full force, his head covered in blood.

As the old man saw stars, the Seventh Prince walked over slowly and stepped on the hem of the State Preceptor’s robe. “Still moving? If you aren’t dead, then what the hell are you remonstrating for?”

Since it involved the national destiny, the matter of renovating the tomb naturally came to nothing.

However, on his way back to his manor, the State Preceptor’s carriage collided with a squad of the Ink Scale Guard on official business. He was accidentally thrown from the carriage and struck a stone pillar. The bleeding wouldn’t stop, and he remained bedridden for six months, unable to move, with a permanent indentation in his skull.

The Seventh Prince heavily punished his subordinates and sent people many times to visit with gifts. The gifts mostly consisted of pig heads with a piece missing.

At this point in the story, the storyteller had shaken his head. “He is a man who seeks revenge for the smallest grievance.”

Yet, Yan Yunzheng had numerous military achievements. In the previous war against the Eastern Yi, he had captured three major cities of the Qi State in succession. In the army, he was considered the stabilizing force of the Great Jin, so there were still many in the court who supported him.

Now, the face of this God of Slaughter was barely three feet away from me. The sword in his hand, which had tasted the blood of ten thousand men, was pointed directly at me.

I trembled slightly and swallowed hard, quickly cupping my hands to beg for mercy.

“My Lord, I am a candidate who just entered the capital for the exams today. I didn’t know…”

Before I could finish, I saw his blade sweep out decisively. I slammed my eyes shut, but I heard a muffled groan from behind me.

I looked back hesitantly. The space behind me was empty, save for a blood-stained face mask lying on the ground.

“Seal off the streets! Everyone, watch for any unfamiliar faces appearing suddenly!”

Yan Yunzheng gave the order coldly. The moment his gaze swept over me, it was as if he were looking at a corpse blocking his path.

Listening to the questioning of the surrounding soldiers, I finally realized that Yan Yunzheng was tracking down the primary culprit of the Thousand Faces Blood Case.

The culprit had been standing right behind me.

The criminal was an expert in disguise masks. It was said he carried dozens of human skin masks with him, allowing him to weave seamlessly through various settings to commit countless crimes.

The case had previously been under the jurisdiction of the Dali Temple, but after several officials were murdered, it was handed over to the Ink Scale Guard.

Yan Yunzheng had spent days tracking him to this spot. He was just about to capture the man when I got in the way, allowing the culprit to escape, change his face, and blend into the crowd.

Thinking of this, I walked toward Yan Yunzheng.

“My Lord, may I ask if there is any confirmed information regarding this criminal?”

Before I could get close, several soldiers blocked my way.

Yan Yunzheng waved them off. He didn’t drive me away but instead tapped his knuckles against the bamboo slips recording the case details.

“A candidate from outside the city? Have you heard who I am?”

I nodded, my expression calm.

“Then do you know the penalty for getting involved, obstructing an investigation, and now, if we add inquiring about classified details, ultimately making a fool of me?”

I met his deep eyes. “It won’t be too late for My Lord to decide on rewards or punishments after I find the criminal.”

A smirk tugged at the corner of Yan Yunzheng’s mouth as he handed me the bamboo slips.

After reading them carefully for a moment, I put the slips away. My gaze swept over the hundred or so people firmly surrounded by the soldiers.

I walked hesitantly toward a flower seller on the left, swallowing hard. But just as I reached him, I suddenly raised my hand and threw a cloud of powder toward a flower-wearing woman standing beside him.

The woman’s body went limp instantly. Yan Yunzheng stepped forward to examine her face closely and indeed peeled off a mask as thin as a cicada’s wing.

“He was dressed as a man just moments ago. In that brief window of disguise, his physical stature wouldn’t have changed much.”

I leaned down and picked up the woman’s hand.

“The face mask was crafted to perfection, but he forgot to hide these thick, wide fingers.”

I looked up at Yan Yunzheng.

“If I had guessed wrong, there would be punishment. Now that I’ve guessed right, does My Lord have a reward?”

Yan Yunzheng mounted his horse and turned back, pulling a jade pendant from his waist and tossing it to me.

“If you manage to see me in the imperial court, you may use this to ask This Prince for one thing.”

If I failed the exams, I could at least use it for travel expenses.

He nudged his horse’s flanks and galloped away.

I tucked the jade pendant away safely.

As I bought a steamed bun and started munching on it, I couldn’t help but marvel-the capital really is full of opportunities.