Chapter 36 : Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Shadows Under the Sunlight

On the official road of Luocheng, Yunyang sat on horseback, waiting. The Trouble-Solver Guards, coming from the Mengjin camp, would take only an hour, and with Jiaotu holding the King’s Command Tablet, no one would dare defy the order.

Behind me, over a dozen secret agents stood silently on their horses.

These secret agents, clad in black, were like steadfast rocks in a river. The flow of people on the official road parted around them like water.

The fearsome reputation of the Secret Spy Division and the Chief Punishment Division wasn’t something ordinary folk dared to provoke.

At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats echoed from afar, growing closer, loud as rolling thunder.

Jiaotu, in black robes, led the way on horseback, with five hundred Trouble-Solver Guards following close behind, kicking up clouds of dust.

The Trouble-Solver Guards wore straw cloaks and bamboo hats, long sabers slung across their saddles, black cloths tied over their mouths and noses, exuding a dragon-like aura of menace.

“Well done, well done, the entire camp has come!” I chuckled lightly, urging my horse forward, my laughter tinged with the joy of assured victory.

But when the two groups met, my face darkened.

I frowned at Lin Chaoqing in the crowd: “Commander Lin, why are you here?”

Lin Chaoqing said gravely: “As Commander of the Chief Punishment Division, when you mobilize the Trouble-Solver Guards without cause, I naturally must come to inquire. I need to know, what are you mobilizing them for? The King’s Command Tablet is powerful, but if misused, the consequences are severe.”

I rode up to Lin Chaoqing, stopping just two feet away, our gazes clashing: “This matter has been reported to Lord Inner Minister. With the King’s Command Tablet in hand, we don’t need to inform you. Besides, I must guard against any among you colluding with foreign enemies. If word leaks, you can’t bear the responsibility.”

Lin Chaoqing scanned the surroundings, his gaze under the bamboo hat sharp as a blade, cutting across the secret agents: “Where’s that masked kid? Is this his decision?”

“What do you mean?” I frowned: “Why would the Secret Spy Division need a mere Harrier to make decisions?”

Lin Chaoqing let out a soft scoff: “If this leads to a colossal disaster, no one will be there to save you. Let’s go—I’ll see what you’re planning.”

“Haha, Lin Chaoqing, when Jiaotu and I achieve great merit this time, you’ll be green with envy!” I spurred my horse, leading the five hundred riders straight toward Beimang Mountain.

Along the way, Lin Chaoqing watched the direction of our charge, growing more alarmed. When he faintly saw the cemetery on the distant mountain, he couldn’t help but ask: “You’re going to the Liu Family ancestral graves?!”

I laughed loudly: “Jiaotu and I discovered that Old Master Liu’s tomb holds only an empty coffin. The Liu Family recently petitioned His Majesty to posthumously honor Old Master Liu, committing the crime of deceiving the emperor! Now, no one is allowed to leave, or they’ll be treated as leakers!”

The five hundred riders charged up Beimang Mountain. At the Liu Family ancestral graves, over a hundred guards blocked the path, with long wooden barricades set before the entrance.

Someone shouted angrily at me: “This is the Liu Family ancestral graves, where generations of grand secretaries rest, adorned with twelve imperial plaques of loyalty and filial piety. How dare you trespass here?”

I ignored them, shouting fiercely: “Follow me to trample Beimang Mountain! Our merit lies in this moment! Kill any who block the way!”

I charged forward, leaping over the wooden barricades with my horse.

Among the Liu Family defenders, one leaped into the air, swinging a saber mid-flight.

But behind me, Lin Chaoqing drew his long saber, casually tossing its scabbard. The scabbard shot like lightning, knocking the Liu Family’s hired warrior out of the air.

The Trouble-Solver Guards leaped over one by one, their cavalry charging back and forth, scattering the Liu Family defenders like leaves.

This line of defense was like paper before the Trouble-Solver Guards, easily torn apart.

In an instant, I reached Old Master Liu’s tomb, pointing at the stone gate: “Trouble-Solver Guards, break the tomb, open the coffin, inspect the body!”

But at that moment, a familiar voice called from afar: “Lord Yunyang, do you know the consequences of this act?”

I looked over and saw Liu Mingxian, still in mourning attire, slowly stepping out from the crowd.

Behind him, over a dozen men glared menacingly, ready to kill at a single command.

Jiaotu whispered: “Those are the Enforcers hired by the Liu Family.”

“No matter how skilled an Enforcer is, one man can’t break a military formation—unless those few show up!” I didn’t care: “Liu Mingxian, your Old Master Liu clearly isn’t dead. You can take off that mourning attire! Men, break the tomb!”

Liu Mingxian roared: “Who dares?!”

“You don’t get a say!”

The Trouble-Solver Guards were the Inner Court’s elite, trained to obey orders. Whether you were a Luocheng Deputy Prefect or a capital official, it didn’t matter.

In the next moment, the Trouble-Solver Guards dismounted, swords drawn, charging forward, scattering the Liu Family defenders and reaching Old Master Liu’s tomb!

Jiaotu seized a long saber from a nearby Secret Spy Division agent and said coldly: “Step aside!”

The Trouble-Solver Guards parted uniformly, forming a path for her to drag the saber to the tomb and strike!

A thunderous boom echoed.

With one swing, the stone tomb split in two, collapsing to reveal the coffin inside.

I strode forward, standing before the coffin, sneering: “Liu Mingxian, let’s see how you deny it now!”

With that, I heaved the coffin lid open!

The world fell silent. All who were fighting stopped, staring in shock… the coffin was truly opened!

Everyone said that once a coffin was sealed, it must not see the sky or touch the ground, lest the soul wander forever, never finding peace!

But Old Master Liu, who served as grand secretary for decades, had his coffin opened after death!

I said: “Liu Mingxian, what do you have to say now?”

Jiaotu, looking into the coffin, exclaimed in shock: “What’s going on?!”

I turned and froze, stunned to see Old Master Liu lying peacefully in the coffin.

Liu Mingxian collapsed, wailing: “Grandfather, your grandson is unfilial, letting these eunuchs bring such calamity! I’m unfilial, I deserve death!”

I stared at Jiaotu: “Didn’t you say…”

Jiaotu was stunned too: “That day when I checked, there was no one inside!”

I stepped back.

How could this be?

The coffin should have been empty. Old Master Liu was supposed to be alive—how was he in the coffin?!

How could this be?!

Liu Mingxian, eyes red from crying, glared at Lin Chaoqing: “Lin Chaoqing, is this how your Chief Punishment Division operates? Letting the Secret Spy Division persecute loyal vassals?!”

Lin Chaoqing’s face was ashen as he looked at Jiaotu and me: “This is what you planned? Men, seize them and escort them to the capital for trial!”

I suddenly raised a hand: “Wait!”

I reached to touch Old Master Liu’s body, but before I could, a man from behind Liu Mingxian lunged forward, kicking me away: “You still want to disturb Old Master Liu’s peace? You’re courting death!”

This man’s strength was far greater than he’d previously shown!

Seeing me take a hit, Jiaotu charged with her saber.

Another man from behind Liu Mingxian met her, clashing briefly before Jiaotu was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.

As Jiaotu rose, she angrily raised her hand, ready to cut her brow and unleash a killing spree.

But I shouted: “Jiaotu, no! Don’t reveal your cultivation path!”

Jiaotu glared at me coldly: “We might not lose. Fight our way out, change our names, and vanish.”

“With five hundred Trouble-Solver Guards here, we can’t win,” I shook my head, defeated: “Even if we change our names, where could we hide? Let’s return to the capital and face Lord Inner Minister.”

Lin Chaoqing mounted his horse: “Take them away!”

Liu Mingxian, eyes red and teeth gritted, said: “That’s it? I want these two to be buried with my grandfather!”

Lin Chaoqing scoffed: “When has the Ceremonial Directorate’s business been your decision? Lord Inner Minister will give you justice, but until he speaks, no one touches them.”

With that, Lin Chaoqing escorted Jiaotu and me away.

On the mountain path of Beimang Mountain, I gazed at Luocheng in a daze: We came with the King’s Command Tablet, glorious as the Twelve Zodiacs of the Secret Spy Division, but left as prisoners.

This disaster was too great—likely even Lord Inner Minister couldn’t shield us.

I turned to the Trouble-Solver Guards, annoyed: “Stop holding me. I won’t run. Step aside and let us talk.”

The Trouble-Solver Guards glanced at me, wary of my reputation, and stepped back a few paces, flanking us as we descended the mountain.

Jiaotu leaned in, whispering: “What happened? Did the Liu Family get word in advance, knowing we’d open the coffin? But Old Master Liu couldn’t just die on command. Did I see wrong that day… Wait, could Chen Ji have tipped off the Liu Family?”

I frowned, instinctively scanning the surroundings to see if Chen Ji was nearby.

I always felt that young apprentice was watching me from the shadows.

I knew I wouldn’t die—Lord Inner Minister still needed me to kill—but if Chen Ji was behind this, when I returned to the Secret Spy Division, he’d likely trample over me.

I hesitated: “Chen Ji didn’t know we were opening the coffin today. If he could predict even this, he’s too formidable.”

“He is formidable,” Jiaotu said frankly.

I didn’t want to admit that not only had I failed to borrow a blade to kill, but I’d been outwitted and imprisoned: “He’s probably too busy saving himself. After losing her son and the nephew she watched grow up, Consort Jing is losing her mind and will surely come for him.”

As Jiaotu was escorted, her tone lightened, and she whispered: “Whoever leaked the news, we need to find someone to reach Chen Ji and get him to save us! Offer him money!”

I was silent for a moment: “But we’re under Lin Chaoqing’s watch. Where do we find someone?”

“True…”

I suddenly said: “I have an inside man in the Liu Family. I might soon find out who leaked the news.”

As we were escorted down the mountain, Liu Mingxian stopped crying. He stood calmly by the coffin, wiped his tears, and said evenly: “Find out who sent us the message.”

“Someone said a letter appeared in the house out of nowhere. The guards didn’t notice who placed it there.”

Liu Mingxian frowned: “Someone can infiltrate our inner residence without a sound? What are the experts I hired doing? When will you find me real talent?”

The surroundings were silent; no one dared respond.

Liu Mingxian took a deep breath: “A great Enforcer is hiding in the shadows, sneaking into my residence unnoticed. Hard or not, we must find them!”

…

…

I walked slowly down the long street, in the shadows under the eaves. The crowd flowed past me, as if I had no connection to this world.

Autumn leaves fell, carpeting the street in desolation.

This wasn’t the Luocheng I imagined—it was crueler than I’d thought. If you didn’t kill, others would kill you.

When I first arrived, I was cautious with every action, fearing mistakes in word or deed.

But now, I’d learned how to deal with this world.

Though I had no glamorous life, that was fine.

Dark Cloud poked its furry head from my chest: “Chen Ji, there’s roast chicken over there. Buy me one.”

I smiled: “Alright, you earned great merit today. You can have anything you want. Sleeping on my head is fair too.”

At that moment, laughter came from behind. I turned and saw dozens of people riding tall horses, joyfully approaching from the sunlight.

Someone shouted: “The Heir has returned! The Heir and the two princesses are back from Donglin Academy!”

A young man in a white marten-fur cloak sat on horseback. Liang Gou’er, who once slashed Lin Chaoqing’s hat at night, fawned as he led the reins, while Liang Mao’er, holding that long saber, followed glumly.

Five or six women rode white horses behind, whispering and giggling.

As the group drew near, I suddenly saw two men riding up from the rear—my two direct brothers from the Chen Family.

They rode alongside the Heir, one laughing and teasing: “Heir, my brother and I returned to Luocheng days ago. You left the academy before us—why are you only back today? Where’d you go to play?”

The Heir laughed: “Returning to Luocheng means being watched by the old man. Of course, it’s better to come back late!”

Dark Cloud whispered from my chest: “Chen Ji, who are they?”

“Not important.”

As we spoke, the group passed the eaves where I stood. No one spared me a glance.

The noon sunlight gleamed on their white horses and brocade robes, vibrant and spirited, the sun shining perfectly.

But I stood in the shadows under the eaves, where only a boy and a cat remained.

…

…

Volume One, Prologue (Complete)