A heavy snowfall had transformed Luocheng’s scattered grey-tiled buildings into a world of white.

Only within Tongji Street was the pristine snow trampled into black mud by the constant flow of soldiers from the Bureau of Secret Agents. Every door and window on the street was tightly shut, as if the residents feared any involvement in the unfolding events.

Inside the mansion, now reduced to ruins, dozens of secret agents were clearing bricks and debris, hoping to uncover useful clues.

Jin Zhu sighed, “Everyone says an auspicious snow promises a good harvest, but I can’t feel happy. How much longer until this rubble is cleared?”

“Sir, it’ll be ready soon. Please, eat something. I sent someone to buy these Weng Ji steamed buns; they’re very famous in Luocheng.”

*Buns, at a time like this?* Jin Zhu thought, then admitted, “They do smell good. This pork filling must be from a castrated pig, freshly bled last night, no gamey smell. The seasonings include star anise, green onions, ginger, sesame oil… and their own secret oil blend, I think. Very refined!”

In the courtyard, a small cowhide military tent was pitched, inside which a small stove burned, heating water.

Jin Zhu sat casually in the tent, munching on a hot Weng Ji steamed bun.

Just then, a secret agent ducked into the tent and whispered, “Sir, the ruins have been cleared. Aside from normal household items, there’s nothing unusual.”

Chewing on his bun, Jin Zhu mumbled, “How many firearms did the assassin use?”

“Based on the bamboo tube fragments found in the rubble, it seems to be two.”

“What did the coroner say?”

The agent reported, “The coroner has examined the deceased’s injuries. The body sustained forty-two wounds from metal fragments.”

“There’s one laceration on the neck and one penetrating wound on the thigh. What’s strange is that the upper body only had abrasions, nothing serious.”

Jin Zhu paused, holding half a bun in his hand. “I’ve seen the power of those firearms. Two of them collapsed the house, yet his upper body is fine? This person must either be a horizontally trained martial artist from Cangzhou or a bell-ringing strongman from Kujue Temple in Jing Dynasty. Jing Dynasty agents, shave all the deceased’s hair and see if there are any monk’s scars on his scalp!”

The agent quickly exited the tent, knelt beside Yuan Zhanggui’s body, and with a knife in one hand, cut away the deceased’s hair. “Sir, there are monk’s scars!”

“So, he really was a monk from Kujue Temple. He must be a Jing Dynasty culprit. They used to steal cultivation methods from Kujue Temple,” Jin Zhu stuffed the remaining half bun into his mouth and swallowed it whole. “Strange, very strange. Why would the assassin come to kill him?”

Jin Zhu was perplexed: the deceased was likely a Jing Dynasty culprit, and the assassin was also likely a Jing Dynasty culprit. Why would they kill each other?

“What did the residents of Tongji Street say? Did anyone recognize him?”

The agent shook his head. “No, the neighbors said this house has been vacant for over a year, and they’ve never seen anyone come or go. We questioned a broker, and the owner of the property is a Huizhou merchant from the south. Years ago, he kept a concubine here, but he has since sent her to Prefect Zhang Zhuo and hasn’t visited Luocheng in a long time.”

Yuan Zhanggui’s clothes had been stripped off, so his appearance was unrecognizable. The house was also abandoned. The killer, Gui, had taken Yuan Zhanggui’s clothes and removed his human-skin mask before leaving, immediately stripping the case of clues.

Just then, a secret agent on horseback galloped up to the mansion. He dismounted and shouted, “Sir, Sir!”

Jin Zhu lifted the tent flap and stepped out. “What’s all the shouting about? Look at how flustered you are; the sky hasn’t fallen on our Bureau of Secret Agents yet.”

The agent’s voice was hoarse as he said, “Sir, after I negotiated with the Luocheng Military Police Bureau last night, they fully agreed to close the city gates and set up checkpoints. But this morning, when I went to the city gates, Luocheng’s four gates were still open for normal traffic; there were no checkpoints at all. When our people asked what was going on, the Military Police Bureau said no one had informed them to close the gates. Hundreds of people have already entered and exited, and the snow tracks on the roads outside the city have been ruined!”

The secret agents’ killing intent flared. Whether in the capital or Jinling, who would dare to feign compliance with the Bureau of Secret Agents like this?

One agent quietly said, “Sir, Liu Zhen of the Luocheng Military Police Bureau, should we arrest him and take him to internal prison first?”

Jin Zhu remained silent, then after a long pause, he smiled and said, “Arresting him would be useless. Perhaps the Liu family is waiting for us to arrest Liu Zhen, with a backup plan ready for us… The Liu family truly holds immense influence in Yuzhou. Have you been to the Prefectural Yamen?”

“Yes, the Prefect and the Associate Prefect are both absent from the yamen. The junior clerk said that when it snowed last night, both gentlemen left overnight to set up porridge stations at the river embankment and are comforting the workers there.”

Jin Zhu was exasperated, almost laughing. “Excellent, excellent! These are the civil officials of my Ning Dynasty! Civil officials are ruining the country!”

A trusted secret agent beside him whispered, “Sir, in Luocheng territory now, these civil officials are all avoiding us, the Liu family is obstructing us, and there’s an inside man from the Jing Dynasty culprits within the Luocheng Bureau of Secret Agents…”

Jin Zhu felt the situation becoming difficult. The most crucial part was that he didn’t know who the Jing Dynasty inside man was. Even if he uncovered any clues, the Jing Dynasty would know.

He whispered, “Starting today, you and our own people will investigate last night’s firearm incident. Don’t let local secret agents get involved.”

The agent looked troubled. “But we only brought twelve agents from the capital, and none of us are familiar with Luocheng. We’ll need someone reliable and familiar with Luocheng to lead us.”

Jin Zhu suddenly said, “I’ve thought of someone. Prepare the horses. I’ll go find him. You don’t need to follow!…”

Anxi Street was cloaked in silver, filled with festive cheer. Children ran excitedly through the streets, snowballs flying through the air.

Neighbors swept the snow from their doorsteps, greeting each other with cheerful smiles.

Princess Bai Li returned with Liang Mao’er, their hands each holding two vegetable baskets, as they entered Taiping Medical Clinic.

Liang Mao’er carried pork and lamb in his baskets, while Princess Bai Li carried green onions and other vegetables. Because of the difficult snow, the vegetables were exceptionally expensive today.

But Bai Li didn’t care.

In the medical clinic’s main hall, Old Man Yao was tapping an abacus.

He noticed Bai Li from the corner of his eye and asked without looking up, “Princess, what did you buy so early in the morning?”

Bai Li smiled brightly. “It’s snowing heavily today! For lunch, I’ll make everyone pork and green onion dumplings, and celery and lamb dumplings!”

Old Man Yao looked up, stroked his beard, and unusually, didn’t make a cutting remark. Instead, he carefully examined Bai Li. “Princess, you have a kind heart. Let me see your palm; I’ll read your fortune.”

Bai Li placed the vegetable baskets on the counter and, smiling, extended her hand, palm open. “You’re also skilled in physiognomy?”

Old Man Yao held Bai Li’s fair, slender palm, examining it for a long time. “You are not fated for a short life. Go and be busy.”

Bai Li was stunned. “Ah? Is that all? Could you tell me more?”

Old Man Yao asked, “What else do you want to know?”

Bai Li stood at the counter, pondering for a moment. “Will I encounter any major disasters or misfortunes?”

Old Man Yao shook his head. “Princess, you are deeply blessed. Even if you encounter danger, someone will come to your aid and turn misfortune into good fortune.”

Bai Li thought of her experience last night, and her eyes lit up. “Wow, you’re so accurate, old immortal! Please tell me more, like about my marriage, or if there’s anything else I need to be careful of in the future.”

“I can’t tell those things. Go make dumplings,” Old Man Yao waved his hand, sending Bai Li away.

After Princess Bai Li went to the backyard, he took six copper coins from his sleeve and tossed them onto the counter. Suddenly, his brow furrowed, then relaxed again.

In the backyard.

She Denke, Liu Quxing, and the Crown Prince were practicing horse stances under Liang Gou’er’s guidance. Chen Ji sat on a bamboo lounge chair, observing, with a cotton quilt thoughtfully draped over him.

After applying the medicine, Chen Ji felt his leg and chest wounds were no longer as painful. The wounds were even scabbing and healing at a visible rate.

The Medicine Official of Mount Laojun seemed even more miraculous than he had imagined. Liang Gou’er must have gone through a lot of trouble to get the medicine.

At this moment, the three, swaying in their horse stances, were sweating profusely despite the winter cold, their heads steaming visibly.

She Denke groaned, “How much longer do we have to stand?”

Liang Gou’er struck his thigh with a bamboo stick. “You can’t last this long? I endured more hardships practicing my blade than you’ve eaten salt!”

Liu Quxing thought for a moment. “That’s not much.”

The bamboo stick landed on Liu Quxing’s backside, making him wince in pain.

Only the Crown Prince didn’t complain of hardship or fatigue. He genuinely wanted to learn blade techniques. The helplessness he felt when abandoned by those martial artists last night, and the despair he faced before the secret agents, all reminded him that the only person he could rely on was himself.

So, the Crown Prince truly wanted to become an official agent.

While the three practiced their stances, Liang Gou’er sat casually on a small bamboo stool under the eaves. Beside him, Liang Mao’er sat side-by-side, sorting vegetables.

Suddenly, Liang Mao’er lowered his head, his voice soft, “Brother, that bottle of Soft Jade Ointment was always on you. Why did you lie to them and say you went to Mount Laojun to get it?”

Liang Gou’er glanced at his younger brother disapprovingly. “If I didn’t say that, would they cherish it? Only things that are hard to come by are remembered and cherished!”

“But you shouldn’t lie. I know you want the Crown Prince to keep buying you drinks, but if you didn’t lie and just gave Chen Ji the medicine, they would still be grateful to you.”

Liang Gou’er scoffed softly. “The medicine’s effectiveness is correct, isn’t it? The medicine was given by the Medicine Official of Mount Laojun, that’s also correct, isn’t it? As long as Chen Ji gets better sooner, what’s wrong with a little lie?”

Liang Mao’er’s voice grew even lower. “Brother, the entry-level for our Liang family’s blade technique isn’t horse stances. Father said back then that the Liang family’s blade technique begins with breathing in the essence of heaven and earth, there’s no need to practice external martial arts like other martial artists.”

Liang Gou’er sounded a bit impatient. “All martial artists in the world start training with horse stances. What’s wrong with teaching that way? Are you suggesting I really teach the Liang family’s true blade technique? If I did that, when we go underground, Father would curse us to death!”

Many people wielded blades in the world, but few entered “the Way.” To enter their respective “Ways,” they needed their unique methods.

This was the Liang family’s closely guarded secret.

Liang Mao’er was in a bad mood. “But they are all good people, brother. If you don’t intend to teach them the real thing, just tell them directly, don’t hide it.”

Liang Gou’er’s face darkened. “Tell them directly? Then how would we drink? How would we stay in this Taiping Medical Clinic? Unless you learn this Liang family blade technique first. Then you can teach whoever you want; I won’t care.”

Liang Mao’er immediately became disheartened. “I can’t learn it.”

Liang Gou’er straightened up. “I refuse to believe I can’t teach you! Once you learn it, you can pass it on to whomever you wish. On the road to the underworld, you can take all the blame, and you’ll be the one to endure Father’s and Grandfather’s scolding…”

“I really can’t learn it.”

“You have to learn it even if you can’t!” Liang Gou’er said firmly, “Breathe with me, thirteen thousand five hundred breaths, inhaling and exhaling the essence of the primordial heaven and earth. It’s just simple breathing, how can you not even get the hang of it? Keep at it, until that breath accumulates in your chest and abdomen.”

No one noticed that as Liang Gou’er taught Liang Mao’er the breathing technique, Wuyun, the cat, squatted nearby, staring intently as if understanding, its body subtly rising and falling with the breaths.

There were some words Liang Gou’er said that it didn’t quite understand, but it just kept them in mind, slowly pondering.

Wuyun was thoughtfully adjusting its breathing frequency, when Liang Gou’er accidentally caught sight of its focused expression and immediately chuckled. “Does this little cat want to learn blade techniques from me too? Hahaha, if this Liang family blade technique is learned by a cat, I wonder what Father would think in the underworld.”

Liang Mao’er mumbled while sorting vegetables, “You should teach it. Maybe it’ll learn faster than me.”

Liang Gou’er was exasperated. “What nonsense are you talking about? A cat can’t even understand what we’re saying, how can it learn blade techniques! You listen carefully to me. I refuse to believe I can’t teach you!”

Wuyun ignored him, jumped onto Liang Mao’er’s shoulder, and while feigning sleep, secretly listened as Liang Gou’er imparted his teachings to Liang Mao’er.

It just felt that the Liang family’s blade technique was incredibly captivating. Whether it could understand it or not, it would listen first…

Just then, a clear bird call sounded from outside the gate.

Others paid no attention, but Chen Ji’s eyes suddenly opened. It was the bronze whistle of the Bureau of Secret Agents!

He propped himself up in surprise and looked towards the main hall through the corridor.

Jin Zhu, dressed as a commoner with a bamboo hat, came to Taiping Medical Clinic pretending to seek medical advice. He approached the counter and smiled at Old Man Yao. “Physician Yao, I’m looking for Chen Ji.”

Old Man Yao put down his brush and ledger, glancing sideways at Jin Zhu. “Have all the people from the Bureau of Secret Agents died? Why are you always looking for someone who’s seriously injured?”

Jin Zhu gave a sheepish smile. “It’s all because the apprentice you taught is so excellent.”

“Go on, he’s in the backyard.”

Jin Zhu peered towards the backyard. “Please, could you call him out? There are too many ears in the courtyard.”

Old Man Yao let out a cold snort, then turned and called out, “Chen Ji, come out, someone’s looking for you.”

Jin Zhu quickly said, “Could you be a little quieter? I came here secretly!”

Chen Ji slowly shuffled out. “Lord Jin Zhu, how did you come?”

Jin Zhu pulled Chen Ji aside and said with a smile, “First, I must congratulate you! The merits we earned at Chaocang Gambling House last time have been rewarded. You are now a Dove-level secret agent. One more step up, and you’ll be a Haidongqing, overseeing a region. From now on, your annual salary will be thirty taels from the court, and an additional thirty taels from my Bureau of Secret Agents.”

Chen Ji hummed in response.

Seeing that Chen Ji wasn’t very moved, Jin Zhu added, “The official letter requesting a cultivation method for you, a special exception, has already flown to the capital. You should receive a reply from the Grand Chancellor in a few days.”

Chen Ji’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Would I lie to you?!”

Chen Ji smiled and asked, “Lord Jin Zhu, what brings you to me this time?”

“I have a great achievement to offer you!” Jin Zhu said, smiling as he lured him. “Do you know that cultivation methods are rewards typically given only to Haidongqing-level secret agents? Although I’ve requested it for you as an exception, whether the Grand Chancellor approves is still uncertain. But if you make another great contribution this time, not only will the cultivation method be a certainty, but you might even be immediately promoted to Haidongqing and receive monthly cultivation resources. Did you hear the explosion last night?”

“No, what explosion?” Chen Ji feigned ignorance. The medical clinic was several li away from Hongyi Lane; he couldn’t have heard the commotion from there.

Jin Zhu said, “Last night, Jing Dynasty culprits caused trouble in Hongyi Lane. Now, we don’t know where they’re hiding. I need you to lead a team and find them.”

*What a coincidence,* Chen Ji thought.

— End of Chapter —