Chapter 85 : Miss Shen, Come, Let Me Tell You Slowly
So when the two were discussing how to eliminate Feng Qi inside the Crown Prince's mansion, was Feng Qi actually present?
The answer was: yes.
When his subordinate thugs came rushing to report that another extraordinary carriage had entered the Crown Prince's mansion, Feng Qi changed clothes and quietly followed.
Could he really find evidence...?
In the misty drizzle, he wore a bamboo hat and stood like a statue.
Over these past days, he had basically been able to confirm the authenticity of that initial message. Prince Qi's mansion sent people to the Crown Prince's shop in the east city every day to make contact, and Li Wang's side did the same from time to time. Although it was said that Prince Qi's mansion and the Crown Prince were at odds, that was presumably just a smokescreen.
Now the only problem was...
'Evidence. I need evidence that can catch them red-handed.'
'Preferably someone of importance. Ordinary servants who just pass verbal messages wouldn't yield much merit even if caught.'
In the night, Feng Qi's expression was stern, but he also felt some regret about tonight's impulsiveness.
He was too eager to advance...
It was already the end of October. By mid-next month, the annual performance evaluation results would be finalized. Given how suppressed he was, it was even possible he'd be demoted further!
There were already rumors.
If he was demoted to some idle position with no benefits.
How would he obtain resources for martial training!
How would he improve!!
Who could accept that!!!
Rumble—
A thunderclap cut through the long night.
"That yellow dog humiliates and bullies me—I must save myself! This concrete evidence must be obtained within days!"
Adjusting his bamboo hat, Feng Qi shuddered all over. Like a stealthy cat, he silently climbed onto the Crown Prince's mansion walls, becoming one with the rainy night.
Hiss...
Approaching the Crown Prince's study, his heart felt cold and uneasy.
But rainy nights made hiding easier—this was his best opportunity.
"You!!"
Through the rain curtain, an indistinctly furious voice rang out.
Feng Qi's face showed slight joy. He climbed onto the roof eaves, then hid in the treetops, perking up his ears to hear more.
"You understand... the consequences..."
"Regret..."
Though the torrential rain concealed his silent infiltration, it also suppressed the sounds from the study to extremely low levels. Feng Qi frowned and switched to another tree, mustering his courage to get closer.
He held his breath and concentrated, trying to identify who the voices belonged to.
He also wanted to hear crucial information.
"You scoundrel!!"
But at this moment, a thunderous shout suddenly exploded beside his ear, carrying overwhelming killing intent.
With a violent shudder, Feng Qi looked up in horror, only to see a staff as thick as a bowl charging viciously toward him with tremendous force!
When the staff fell, even the rain scattered!
"Die!"
Boom—
Another thunderclap.
Under the lamplight, Mu Qinglan sat by the window, gazing at the endless night rain outside, motionless.
Just like a spider weaving its web, quietly spinning silk and crafting death, waiting for the bewildered prey to throw itself into the net in the heavy rain.
'It's raining, time to make the move…'
Mu Qinglan pondered in her heart, her blood-colored eyes flickering slightly.
These past days, to perfectly achieve her goals, she hadn't just been staying home waiting for prey to take the bait.
She had cast many nets.
The reason Feng Qi was so anxious was largely because he heard that Huang Gang wanted to transfer him to an idle position—but this was a rumor Mu Qinglan had created. Huang Gang had never expressed such intentions.
Setting aside everything else, with her influence and information network, deliberately spreading seemingly true and false information would confuse anyone.
Feng Qi couldn't possibly seek confirmation from Huang Gang either.
Even if it were true, Huang Gang wouldn't tell him honestly.
This was the weakness of human nature, and bad women were very skilled at exploiting this weakness of mutual suspicion.
There were other nets too, like Huang Gang learning of Feng Qi's private activities and wanting to leave the Divine Guards, or for instance, Huang Gang accidentally learning that Feng Qi had sworn a poisonous oath to definitely replace him...
Little by little, these small suspicions would gradually converge into major suspicions.
Finally, they would explode.
Using the final net she would weave tonight.
The private cooperation between the Crown Prince and Li Wang's mansion had never been known to others. Mu Qinglan intended to scheme against them, but in the short term, it was difficult to find evidence.
So she simply used this as a threat to eliminate Feng Qi.
Then drag them down from the shore into the water.
Wu Zhong was stubborn and self-willed, decisive and domineering in his actions. This could be glimpsed from the martial art he practiced, "Overlord Staff."
If he believed Feng Qi was someone in the know, he would definitely strike decisively.
Leaving no survivors.
As for Huang Gang who provided this information? He would be contacted afterward, attempting to pressure him with authority.
"Zhu Yan?"
"Present."
"Go take a look at the Crown Prince's mansion. Stand high and stay far away—you might be able to see a good show. Remember to tell me about it when you return."
"I understand."
"Oh, Feng Qi has some thugs under him who do petty crimes all day. Deal with them too. Remember, don't leave any loose ends."
Zhu Yan gently nodded, her voice clear and cold.
○
"Hey!!"
The black lacquered staff carved with cloud patterns tore through the rain curtain, carrying bone-chilling coldness as it swept heavily across.
In the tree, Feng Qi's face turned pale.
With his years of martial arts experience, this staff was extremely vicious—there was no way to dodge it, only to take it head-on!
Swoosh—
Feng Qi angrily drew his blade, spiritual power surging throughout his body. Power exploded as his blade shot out like wind, his destiny trait activated with full force, intending to cut the staff wielder in half with one strike!
But that staff came even more fiercely and urgently!
Destiny trait [Dragon Vigor]!
Legend said dragons had horns, their power curved and coiled. This destiny trait not only made Wu Zhong's Overlord Staff three parts more powerful, but also added a touch of nimble cunning to his staff techniques.
Clang—
Blade and staff collided.
A boundless surge of power transmitted from the blade handle, shocking Feng Qi until his tiger's mouth split and his blade flew from his grip.
"No!!"
Feng Qi's eyes nearly burst from rage. He still wanted to struggle somehow, but all his struggles drowned in that sheet of staff shadows as continuous as the rain curtain.
Bang bang bang bang bang.
The black iron staff shattered every bone in his opponent's body.
Grabbing his hair and tearing off his mask, Wu Zhong stood in the rain and smiled coldly: "You dare covet Lord Li Wang's secrets?"
Feng Qi glared with fury, as if wanting to devour someone.
He hadn't searched wrong! Hadn't searched wrong! The Crown Prince's mansion and those border princes really did have some unspeakable dealings! He was filled with hatred—hatred that he hadn't found evidence earlier, or else they would be the ones dead!!
But this appearance only made Wu Zhong more certain he had found the right person—he had indeed discovered their group's secrets.
Good thing he silenced him quickly. Clever.
"Ptui!"
"When the rain stops, I'll go warn your superior!"
One staff thrust to the chest, Feng Qi's eyes bulged as he spat out a mouthful of blood and fell dead.
Even in death, he remained puzzled.
Why could someone only one rank higher than him ambush him in advance in the rainy night?
Could there really be such a thing as prophetic foresight?
In the distance, Zhu Yan silently watched the brief fireworks that exploded in the Crown Prince's mansion, her expression ice-cold as she turned and left.
○
Dawn came, and the rain stopped.
On the roof tiles in a corner of the imperial palace, water droplets fell like pearl curtains, gathering by the roadside into babbling puddles.
Splash.
Cold, stern footsteps broke through the puddles. Meeting many people's awed gazes, she indifferently pushed open the doors of the Divine Guards office.
"You are...?"
A centurion approached. He didn't recognize who this person was, but judging by appearances, their status seemed extraordinary.
"Make way, make way!" Another voice accompanied by hurried footsteps rang out. "Chief Constable Shen's personal visit truly brings splendor to our humble dwelling."
Shen Yao looked in the direction of the voice.
She saw only a thin, slightly hunched middle-aged man of about fifty.
"Chiliarch Huang Gang?" Shen Yao confirmed.
Huang Gang smiled and nodded, somewhat puzzled why this Six Bureaus constable was looking for him. "That's me."
Seeing they seemed about to discuss serious business, subordinates quietly withdrew.
Huang Gang led Shen Yao into the inner office, sat down with a smile, and asked: "What brings Chief Constable Shen to see me?"
Shen Yao stared at him for two seconds: "You don't know?"
"This..." Huang Gang's expression was troubled: "I haven't been at work long. If there's really something, it probably hasn't been reported to me yet."
"Several corpses were discovered abandoned on the east side of the city. The methods were consistent. After investigation, they were all Feng Qi's informants," Shen Yao questioned bluntly: "Feng Qi has also disappeared—can't find him. I'm asking you."
Huang Gang was stunned by the amount of information in this statement and asked:
"Disappeared?"
"Can't find him," Shen Yao said. "He went out last night and hasn't returned all night."
As Shen Yao spoke, seeing Huang Gang still in a daze, her tone became more severe: "The disappearance of an imperial palace guard centurion is no small matter. Think carefully before you speak!"
Huang Gang was also shocked and furious in his heart.
He had just tipped off those three families, and before even one night passed, the person disappeared?
What exactly had that Feng Qi fellow investigated?!!
How could it attract such a thunderous strike!
There were so many secrets in Heyang City—if you wanted to die, don't splash blood on me!
Thinking it over, Huang Gang increasingly felt his situation was dangerous. Although he was fourth-rank, he was old and frail. The anger of the Crown Prince plus two second-rank princes was not something he could bear.
Better to tell the truth.
Anyway, he had a clear conscience and knew nothing. If he really got implicated and died, that would be unjust.
He truthfully reported the events of the past two days. The more he spoke, the more grief and indignation he felt. Who was that person who sent him the letter! How could a momentary impulse lead to such consequences?
A petty person harmed me!
As Shen Yao listened, she found it increasingly wrong:
"Prince Qi's mansion?"
She asked, her voice cool and cold, her heart uneasy.
"Yes, the three families I passed messages to were Prince Qi, Li Wang, and the Crown Prince."
Shen Yao fell silent. She had originally thought this was just an ordinary disappearance and murder case, at most involving people of higher status, requiring her, the highest-ranking constable, to personally handle it.
But she hadn't expected this matter could involve that person?
The image of that wheelchair girl flashed through her mind. Shen Yao instinctively felt things wouldn't be so simple.
"I'll investigate. Before that, don't meet with people from those three families, and don't tell anyone about this," Shen Yao stood up. Without even drinking tea, she turned to leave. "You know the consequences of privately connecting with suspects, right?"
"I know," Huang Gang said with a bitter face. "I'll go hide at your Six Bureaus for now. Anyway, I don't want to deal with this matter anymore."
Shen Yao said nothing. Her heroic figure looked like that of an upright chief constable.
Huang Gang's face was clouded with worry as he walked toward Six Bureaus. From behind, he really looked a bit like an old yellow dog whose spine had been broken by life.
Cold steps.
Cold face.
Cold voice too.
After being announced, the three-cold girl Miss Shen Yao finally met the biggest suspect in this case—the mobility-impaired wheelchair girl, Miss Mu Qinglan.
"Did you do this?" Shen Yao said nothing else and asked directly.
Mu Qinglan's expression was calm. After a long while, she suddenly smiled faintly and slowly opened her arms:
"Miss Shen, come for a hug.
I'll tell you slowly."