Outside the Hui Tong Pavilion, Dongjiang Mi Lane was in chaos, with the Imperial Guards on high alert as if facing a formidable enemy.

Li Xuan’s rage flared. The Crown Prince’s body double had died en route, and the Imperial Guards responsible for his escort were undeniably at fault.

This was an extreme emergency!

At this very moment, the Goryeo envoys had been forced back into the Hui Tong Pavilion by the Imperial Guards and were not permitted to leave.

Li Xuan, sword in hand, pointed to several Imperial Guards he had brought back from Guyuan: “Zhou Chong, Zhou Li, Duo Bao, Li Cen, each of you lead eighteen men. Guard all entrances and exits. Don’t let a single person escape. We must prevent the eunuch faction from finding out about this prematurely.”

Chen Ji glanced at him. “It’s too late.”

Li Xuan paused, surprised. “Too late for what?”

Chen Ji explained, “The Secret Police have been tracking Jing Dynasty spies. When we escorted the Goryeo envoys to the imperial audience earlier, those spies changed into civilian clothes and hid among the common people. Secret agents have been following us ever since we left Chengtian Gate. The moment the body double died, they immediately went back to report. There are hundreds of Goryeo envoys; it’s impossible to identify the killer in such a short time. Once the Secret Police arrive, the Imperial Guards won’t be able to stop them.”

Li Xuan’s brows furrowed. “What should we do? That venomous prime minister is now looking for an opportunity to retaliate against the Qi, Chen, and Xu families. All of us are related to them. If the eunuch faction gets hold of this, we’ll be thrown into the Imperial Prison and lucky to escape with our lives, let alone our skin!”

Chen Ji calmly stated, “It’s come to this. We must prepare for the worst. It seems we might have to take a trip to the Imperial Prison.”

Zhao Zhuofan, the Deputy Commander who had argued with them earlier at the Governor’s Office, suddenly sneered, “The incident with the envoy happened under your escort. It has nothing to do with me. I won’t get involved in this mess with you.”

With that, he waved to his subordinates. “Let’s go!”

Li Xuan said gravely, “You can’t leave! If you do, these remaining men won’t be enough to blockade Dongjiang Mi Lane. If the culprit escapes, none of us can bear the responsibility!”

Zhao Zhuofan shot him a sidelong glance. “What, Officer Li, do you think you can order me around? Even if Commander Chen was dismissed, we’d have to wait for a new commander to arrive before anything else!”

Li Xuan stepped forward and said in a firm voice, “I know you’re upset, but Chen Wenren’s dismissal has nothing to do with us. It was due to his dereliction of duty and his own doing.”

Standing opposite Zhao Zhuofan with his sword, he continued, “Since the founding of our Ning Dynasty, never has an envoy died violently on imperial territory. This is not just the assassination of one person; it breaks the alliance and shatters the tributary bond. If we don’t thoroughly investigate, Ryukyu and Annam and other tributary states will undoubtedly question the authority of our Great Ning, and the five border tribute routes will collapse. At this critical moment, we must prioritize the greater good and bring the culprit to justice. How can we let personal grievances turn this into a farce?”

Zhao Zhuofan turned to leave. “Stop spouting that damn nonsense at me! Let’s go!”

Li Xuan suddenly asked, “I’m asking you one more time: are you truly going to leave?”

Zhao Zhuofan replied without looking back, “Yes!”

At that very moment, Li Xuan’s sword flashed down, severing Zhao Zhuofan’s head from his neck. The head hit the ground. It was just like that day in Guyuan, when he struck down a general and seized the banner amidst ten thousand troops.

Scarlet blood splattered onto Zhao Zhuofan’s feather-white cape and also onto Li Xuan’s face. Everyone present was utterly horrified.

Qi Zhenzhuo gasped, “My goodness! Brother-in-law, his aunt is the most favored concubine of the Chen family’s second branch! How could you just kill him like that?”

Li Xuan casually wiped the blood from his face. “According to the laws of our Great Ning, since Chen Wenren has been dismissed, our Imperial Guards now have only one commander, who can temporarily assume the duties of the governor. Zhao Zhuofan defied a military order, and therefore deserves to be executed.”

Zhao Zhuofan’s soldiers were shocked and uncertain. They looked at the Imperial Guards who had returned with Li Xuan from Guyuan, but those guards simply stared silently at Zhao Zhuofan’s rolling head, as if watching a newly slaughtered sheep.

“Ugh!” Zhao Zhuofan’s soldiers began to retch one after another.

Li Xuan flicked his wrist, shaking the blood from his sword blade. “I ask you, are you still leaving?”

The retching soldiers glanced at the still-bleeding corpse and quickly replied, “No, we’re not leaving! We’re not leaving!”

Li Xuan announced loudly, “Now is not the time for retching! Zhou Chong, Zhou Li, Duo Bao, Li Cen, lead your troops to blockade Dongjiang Mi Lane. Those who disobey orders will be killed without mercy!”

Zhou Chong and the others clasped their hands and affirmed, “Yes, Commander.”

With that, the four selected their men and turned to walk towards the alley entrance.

As they turned, their white capes billowed open and closed like fans behind them.

Li Xuan then instructed Qi Zhenzhuo, “Go to the roof of the Hui Tong Pavilion and keep watch.”

“Alright,” Qi Zhenzhuo agilely climbed onto the roof, standing on the ridge to survey the surroundings.

Meanwhile, Chen Ji crouched in the bluestone alley, examining the corpse.

Li Xuan also crouched down and asked in a low voice, “How did he die? Poison?”

Chen Ji did not answer hastily. He lifted the corpse’s clothing, revealing that its entire body was bruised dark, and its fingertips looked as if they had been dipped in ink. He then forced open the corpse’s mouth; even the tongue was black.

The corpse’s dark purplish-blue color was often related to oxygen deprivation. When oxygen levels in the blood are insufficient, the skin and mucous membranes can turn bluish-purple, a condition known as cyanosis.

Three common poisons that cause cyanosis are aconitine, thunder god vine, and strychnine. Aconitine, in particular, is a prohibited drug and cannot be bought or sold freely.

However, aconitine typically takes between one to two hours to take effect, while thunder god vine requires several days, or even dozens of days.

Chen Ji said, “Strychnine. Only strychnine can cause immediate poisoning and death.”

Li Xuan looked at him in astonishment. “You can tell that quickly? Could it be another slow-acting poison that just happened to take effect now?”

“Impossible. Two hours ago, this body double was still in the palace, having had nothing to eat or drink, which rules out aconitine. Thunder god vine requires daily administration of the poison, and if someone had that capability, they wouldn’t just poison a body double. Besides, the time of death cannot be controlled with it, so that’s also ruled out.” Chen Ji calmly stated, “Identifying the type of poison isn’t difficult or even important. What matters is… who poisoned him?”

From the Meridian Gate to Dongjiang Mi Lane, he and Li Xuan had been near the sedan chair the entire time. They were certain that no one had approached it.

Chen Ji pulled aside the corpse’s clothing to check for any marks from a blowdart or similar weapon.

There were none.

Chen Ji then felt through his clothing, but found nothing there either.

Li Xuan frowned. “Can we find the killer? The Secret Police are probably arriving soon.”

Chen Ji didn’t answer. He turned to the Goryeo Crown Prince inside the Hui Tong Pavilion. “Your Highness, when you entered the palace to meet the Emperor, you mentioned that Jing Dynasty assassins had attempted to kill you several times?”

The Goryeo Crown Prince, standing inside the doorway, nodded. “Three times.”

Chen Ji asked again, “Where are they? I need to interrogate them.”

The Goryeo Crown Prince replied, “They poisoned themselves to death as soon as they were caught. Their manner of death was identical to that of my body double here.”

Chen Ji pondered for a moment, then called out loudly, “Where is the scribe of the Hui Tong Pavilion?”

A middle-aged clerk hurried out from the Hui Tong Pavilion. “Here I am, sir.”

Chen Ji said, “Bring the registry. I need to check all items carried by the Goryeo envoy delegation. Every item should be recorded.”

According to Ning law, when envoys arrived in the capital, every single item, down to a needle and thread, had to be registered without omission.

The scribe quickly replied, “Yes, yes.”

He scurried back inside and reappeared with a thin, blue ledger. “All carried items have been registered, and there are absolutely no prohibited goods.”

Chen Ji opened the ledger. “What was the name of the deceased?”

The scribe replied, “Kim Min-ho.”

Chen Ji flipped through the pages, his gaze settling on one particular entry.

Just then, from outside Dongjiang Mi Lane, a voice addressed the Imperial Guards with an undeniable certainty: “Secret Police on official duty. Stand down.”

The speaker’s tone was domineering, yet his voice was faint, as if it could break at any moment.

Chen Ji calmly tucked the ledger into his robes. He turned to see a pale-skinned, sinister-looking middle-aged man approaching.

The man’s lips were ash-grey, as if he had been poisoned and had little time left to live.

Li Xuan whispered, “This is bad. Black Serpent.”

Chen Ji looked closely and saw Black Serpent wearing a large black cloak and a square flat-topped cap, presenting an effeminate appearance that was neither scholarly nor entirely like a eunuch.

Behind Black Serpent were dozens of black-clad secret agents, hands on their sabers, watching menacingly.

The Imperial Guards blocked the way, but Black Serpent emotionlessly tightened the collar of his cloak and walked into the alley as if no one else was there, forcing the Imperial Guards to retreat repeatedly.

Eventually, only Zhou Chong and Zhou Li, who had returned from Guyuan, angrily drew their swords, poised to strike.

“Stop!” Li Xuan sighed inwardly. “Let Lord Black Serpent pass.”

Black Serpent glanced at Zhou Chong and Zhou Li. “Officer Li saved your lives, but since you drew swords on me, you may be spared death, but not punishment.”

As he spoke, he passed by the two men, his hands emerging from the folds of his cloak to lightly tap them. In an instant, Zhou Chong and Zhou Li’s eyes became cloudy, and their mouths seemed glued shut with paste, unable to open.

Li Xuan was enraged. “What are you doing?!”

Black Serpent walked between them and casually said, “I am Black Serpent of the Twelve Zodiacs of the Secret Police, a direct attendant to the Emperor and close servant of the Son of Heaven. I execute rebellious officials above and eradicate evil below. Not everyone has the right to draw a sword on me. This technique will dissipate on its own in three days. If you want them to live, pour water into their noses and make them drink.”

Just then, a mocking voice came from the rooftop: “Lord Black Serpent, such grand authority! You’re not even among the top three, and you’re already calling yourself ‘this exalted one’? Lord Heavenly Steed hasn’t even started calling himself that!”

Black Serpent coldly retorted, “Nonsense. Lord Heavenly Steed doesn’t speak at all.”

“Hahahaha, your brutal official methods, those ‘Minor Five Decays of the Heavenly Man’ tricks, are fine for scaring these Imperial Guard young masters, but don’t just pull them out randomly and embarrass yourself in the future.”

Chen Ji looked up and saw a lean, short man wearing a wooden monkey mask, his body stooped. Qi Zhenzhuo, who had been guarding the rooftop ridge, was now held limply in his hand.

Precious Monkey?

Before Chen Ji could think further, a familiar voice came from the rooftop opposite Precious Monkey: “Oh, look, all the big shots from our Secret Police are here?”

Chen Ji didn’t need to look to know it was Bright Rabbit and Cloud Ram.

It was a chaotic scene.

Li Xuan whispered, “Why are so many eunuch faction members here?”

Chen Ji quietly said, “Sick Tiger is gone.”

Li Xuan questioned, “Hm?”

Chen Ji explained, “Sick Tiger was imprisoned and sentenced to beheading by His Majesty. Now, the top three Zodiac positions are vacant, and the other Zodiacs in the Secret Police are naturally eager for advancement. They’ll stop at nothing for personal gain, no matter the means.”

With everyone watching, Black Serpent strolled to the front of the Hui Tong Pavilion, silently glanced at the corpse, and casually said, “Strychnine.”

Chen Ji’s heart tightened as he quietly observed this unfamiliar Secret Police Zodiac member.

Bright Rabbit, dressed in black, squatted on the eaves and asked curiously, “Black Serpent, how are you so sure it’s strychnine and not something else?”

Precious Monkey said in a strange, taunting tone, “Little girl, once you’ve poisoned hundreds or thousands of people, you’ll naturally be able to identify the poison at a glance too. You and that young man next to you still have plenty of youthful time ahead. Don’t get involved with Lord Black Serpent; those who harm their virtue tend to have short lives.”

Black Serpent sneered, “People from Mount Wunian still talk about virtue?”

Ignoring Precious Monkey, he turned to Li Xuan. “Commander Li, who approached the sedan chair during the escort?”

Li Xuan shook his head. “No one.”

Black Serpent said unhurriedly, “Was there no one, or is Officer Li trying to shield the culprit?”

Li Xuan sheathed his sword. “Lord Black Serpent, there’s no need to trick me. I, Li Xuan, conduct myself honestly and uprightly, and I do not engage in acts that disregard state law.”

Black Serpent smiled faintly. “I wonder if Commander Li has heard of ‘Crimson Embroidered Shoes’ and ‘Lute Hall’ in our Secret Police’s Imperial Prison?”

“Crimson Embroidered Shoes” referred to the red-hot branding irons in the Imperial Prison, while “Lute Hall” was the designated torture chamber for interrogating criminals.

Li Xuan ignored his threats and remained silent.

Black Serpent looked towards the Hui Tong Pavilion and asked the Goryeo envoys, “Who approached the sedan chair?”

The Goryeo envoys chattered in a language no one understood. Black Serpent sneered, “Interpreter, step forward and speak!”

A plump middle-aged man quickly waved his hands. “It doesn’t concern me, sir. I also didn’t notice anyone approaching the sedan chair.”

Black Serpent pointed at the other chattering Goryeo envoys. “What are they saying?”

The interpreter hastily replied, “They’re saying, ‘Please apprehend the Jing Dynasty culprit as soon as possible and deliver justice for us.'”

Black Serpent fell silent.

Precious Monkey burst into laughter. “That makes no sense at all. With so many foreign envoys speaking gibberish, even Lord Black Serpent, a master of interrogation, is struggling. Lord Black Serpent, hurry and catch the Jing Dynasty culprit. I’ll hand this credit over to you.”

Black Serpent calmly said, “Men, first clear the scene of the incident. Separate the envoys inside the Hui Tong Pavilion to prevent them from colluding. Send for an interpreter from the Court of State Ceremonials to interrogate them one by one. I don’t trust their current interpreter.”

The secret agents behind him chorused, “Yes, sir!”

Precious Monkey clicked his tongue. “Lord Black Serpent is giving orders without even asking for an opinion?”

Black Serpent ignored him and continued, “The Imperial Guards are to be taken to the Imperial Prison for interrogation, also to be kept separate. Anyone who dares to defy orders will be killed without mercy.”

Li Xuan instinctively looked at Chen Ji. “Is there any way? If we’re imprisoned in the Imperial Prison…”

Chen Ji didn’t reply. He merely looked up, exchanged a glance with Bright Rabbit, and allowed the secret agents brought by Black Serpent to push him out of Dongjiang Mi Lane.

On the rooftop, Precious Monkey leaped down, casually dropping the unconscious Qi Zhenzhuo onto the ground. He then crouched down to examine the corpse.

From beneath the mask, a hoarse voice, lowered in tone, said, “It was indeed strychnine poisoning. He died very quickly, without even the strength to struggle, and his heart and lungs were completely damaged.”

Another sharp, thin voice emerged from under the mask: “Si Cao Geng? Or Si Cao Bing? Those two are the most skilled at using poison. I’ve been tracking them for a long time; I must kill them!”

The earlier hoarse voice said, “You don’t even know what they look like. How are you going to kill them? You’re just boasting.”

From beneath a mask, a woman’s voice lazily uttered, “Noisy.”

At that moment, Black Serpent approached, and Precious Monkey’s usual voice rang out, “Stop arguing.”

All voices ceased.

On the other side, Cloud Ram watched Chen Ji being led away from the rooftop and wondered, “This is the first time I’ve seen that kid helpless. I thought he could find the real killer on the spot… What’s his plan?”

Bright Rabbit’s lips curved into a slight smile. “I know what his plan is.”

Cloud Ram narrowed his eyes. “You two just exchanged a glance and knew what he was going to do? When did your understanding reach this level?”

Bright Rabbit scoffed, “Does it concern you?”

Cloud Ram was speechless. He pondered for a moment. “Strange, didn’t you say the secret agent going back to report was stopped by you? How do Black Serpent and Precious Monkey know what happened here?”

Bright Rabbit crouched on the rooftop, propping her chin, and said with a smile, “I had someone tell them.”

Cloud Ram raised an eyebrow. “Why would you share the credit with them?”

Bright Rabbit said with interest, “White Dragon favors that kid Chen Ji. If he doesn’t die, it’s almost certain he’ll become a Zodiac member, and the two of us definitely won’t be able to suppress him. So, we might as well find him some new rivals. With Black Serpent and Precious Monkey around, that kid will naturally need to seek our help, and then he’ll remember our kindness. It’s better to team up with a beautiful older sister like me than with those two monstrous characters, isn’t it? Then, if we help him kill either the serpent or the monkey, his Zodiac position will open up.”

Cloud Ram mumbled, “Isn’t the Tiger position already vacant?”

Bright Rabbit rolled her eyes. “Is that a position for us to covet? That kid is just a Haidongqing right now; he can’t possibly ascend to heaven in one step.”