The Sheng Yu Pill was the life’s work of a single medicinal official and a treasured relic of the Daoist Court.

Even within the Daoist Courts of Mount Huang and Mount Lao Jun, only two medicinal officials were capable of refining this pill.

Now, that incredibly precious Sheng Yu Pill lay silently on the ground. Everyone’s gaze fell upon it; Golden Pig, Cloud Ram, Radiant Rabbit, and Dream Rooster couldn’t hide the fervent desire in their eyes, yet no one dared to pick it up. Their gazes then shifted to Prince Jing, who stood silently within the ancestral hall, his head bowed, looking at Consort Jing’s corpse for a long time without a word.

The Jie Fan Guards and the Qian Sui Army waited in silence. Only the cold wind howled, making the vast Liu family mansion, though filled with people, seem like an empty ruin. A grand rebellion had ended abruptly, leaving behind only chaos and aftermath.

In silence, White Dragon bent down, picked up the blood-stained Sheng Yu Pill, wiped it with his sleeve, and placed it back into its box. “Your Royal Highness,” he began, “this Sheng Yu Pill…”

Prince Jing ignored him, simply stating in a low voice, “Since Grand Secretary Liu entered officialdom, he successively served as Minister of Rites and Minister of Personnel. The year His Majesty ascended the throne, the capital was in turmoil, and the vassal kings were restless. It was he and his father who rectified the chaos, pacifying the overall situation and assisting His Majesty’s ascension. Though he made mistakes in his life, he also had merits. Give him and his daughter a grand burial… and also that Master Liu.”

Grand Eunuch Feng cupped his hands and replied, “Yes.”

Prince Jing turned his head and asked, “Where is Ling Yun? Why haven’t I seen her?”

Grand Eunuch Feng replied, “She must have been sent away by Grand Secretary Liu. Does Your Royal Highness wish for your humble servant to retrieve her?” Prince Jing sighed. “Let her go.”

He stepped out of the ancestral hall and walked towards the door. “Let’s return to the Prince’s residence.”

After only a few steps, White Dragon blocked his path, gently advising, “Your Royal Highness, the Liu family’s Elephant Armored Battalion and Tiger Armored Cavalry have not yet been quelled. For your safety, please stay here in the Liu family mansion for now, and do not return to Luocheng.” Prince Jing stopped, gazing steadily at the gilded dragon-patterned mask. White Dragon did not back down, meeting his gaze.

The atmosphere outside the ancestral hall suddenly grew tense. Radiant Rabbit pursed her lips slightly, taking a small step back towards Cloud Ram.

Prince Jing looked at the Jie Fan Guards in front of the ancestral hall. They were clad in straw cloaks and bamboo hats, their faces hidden in the shadows beneath the hats, showing no expression. He then looked at the Qian Sui Army, armored and with red tassels on their helmets. The Qian Sui soldiers slowly placed their hands on their sabre hilts, creating a tense standoff with the Jie Fan Guards.

Prince Jing suddenly broke into a smile. He looked back at Grand Secretary Liu, who was still on the beam, and said with a weary voice, “Very well, as Sir White Dragon suggests, I shall stay in this Liu family mansion for now. Qian Sui Army, heed my command: go at once and assist in quelling the rebellion. Do not allow the Elephant Armored Battalion and Tiger Armored Cavalry to cause any more trouble.”

The Qian Sui Army general hesitated, unmoving.

Prince Jing said with a smile, “Am I no longer able to command you? Go quickly!” The Qian Sui Army general clasped his hands together and replied, “Your humble general obeys the command.”

With that, he led the Qian Sui Army and turned to leave. In an instant, half of the Liu family mansion was empty.

White Dragon said with a smile, “Your Royal Highness understands righteousness; your humble servant admires that. The Grand Counselor has instructed that the evidence of the Liu family’s crimes must be solidified, so that the civil officials have nothing to say. Therefore, there are still many documents and confessions that require Your Royal Highness’s help to complete. This will also help to sort out the entire sequence of events and bring all those involved in the rebellion to justice.”

Prince Jing laughed heartily. “I am tired today. Let’s discuss it tomorrow. Sir White Dragon, please carry on with your duties; we shall return to rest.” Nearby, the Crown Prince and White Carp were still searching for Chen Ji in the crowd, seemingly wanting to say something, but Prince Jing pulled them away.

Before the scattered corpses of the Liu family could be cleared away, the Jie Fan Guards had already dispersed throughout the mansion to confiscate property and inventory assets.

The Jie Fan Guards pulled out the tables that had been used for offerings in the ancestral hall. Four accountants sat before them, each with an abacus.

One accountant was responsible for tallying the confiscated property deeds, another for gold, silver, and copper coins, a third for the Liu family’s hidden land accounts, and a fourth for indentured servant contracts. The beads of the abacuses clicked and clacked noisily in front of the Liu ancestral hall. Amidst this bustling sound, a colossal whale collapsed and was dissected.

In the alley opposite the ancestral hall, Cloud Ram and Radiant Rabbit approached Chen Ji with ambiguous smiles. “Young man, long time no see.”

Chen Ji, who had been gravely watching Prince Jing leave, turned around and smiled when he heard their voices. “When the two sirs were previously imprisoned, I felt it was a pity. Now that I see you both safe and sound, I am relieved.” Cloud Ram asked with a grin, “Are you truly relieved?”

“Yes, I am.”

Cloud Ram slowly dropped his smile. “Let me ask you, when the coffins were opened for examination earlier, were you the one who tipped off the Liu family?” Chen Ji was startled. “Sir Cloud Ram, why do you say that? I had no idea you two were going to open coffins for examination.”

Radiant Rabbit poked his shoulder with a slender, pale finger, smiling sweetly. “But only you knew we had inspected the Liu family’s ancestral tomb. If you weren’t the one who leaked the secret, then find me the one who did. Otherwise, hmph hmph.” Chen Ji said helplessly, “How is this related to me?”

Cloud Ram said with a smile, “That’s not up to you.”

Just then, a chubby figure squeezed between the three of them, pulling Chen Ji behind him with a forced smile. “You two capsized in your own ditch, so don’t go blaming newcomers without reason. Originally, the Grand Counselor even ordered me to secretly trip you up and expose flaws to make the Liu family complacent, but I didn’t expect you two to foolishly end up in prison yourselves. That saved me a lot of trouble.”

Cloud Ram looked at Golden Pig, his handsome face slowly creasing into a frown. “Golden Pig, are you protecting him?”

Golden Pig chuckled. “What’s this ‘protecting’ business? We all work for the Grand Counselor; we should be united. He played a part in successfully bringing down the Liu family this time. Now the Grand Counselor has granted him a path to cultivation. Perhaps one day he’ll become a Grand Envoy, and then you two might…”

Radiant Rabbit’s eyes widened as she interrupted, “Fat Pig, are you threatening us? Be careful, or I’ll poke you. Don’t you remember back on Mount Wu Nian, when others bullied you, I even helped you?” Golden Pig pouted. “What nonsense are you spouting? Weren’t you the one who bullied me the most?!”

Radiant Rabbit tilted her head, her gaze passing over Golden Pig’s chubby head to look at Chen Ji behind him. “Young man, do you want to continue working with us in the future? We had a pretty good time cooperating before.”

Cloud Ram also chimed in, “Among the top three zodiacs of the Secret Spy Agency, Lord Sick Tiger’s whereabouts are unknown, and Lord Pegasus prefers to act alone. In terms of ability and authority, Sir White Dragon undoubtedly holds the top position. Working with us means working with Sir White Dragon, and your future prospects will be great.”

Golden Pig’s expression changed. “Recruiting someone right in front of me? Is there no law anymore!” Radiant Rabbit smiled sweetly. “We were the ones who brought him into the Secret Spy Agency in the first place.”

Golden Pig ignored her, turning to look at Pegasus, who stood in white robes on a distant rooftop. He waved. “Pegasus, look over here! Cloud Ram and Radiant Rabbit want to chat with you!” Cloud Ram glanced at Pegasus. Without waiting for him to arrive, he turned to Chen Ji and said meaningfully, “We’ll be colleagues from now on. There will definitely be opportunities to cooperate again. Radiant Rabbit, let’s go.” With that, he pulled the reluctant Radiant Rabbit to stand behind White Dragon.

Golden Pig lowered his voice and said to Chen Ji, “There are many factions within the Directorate of Ceremonial, and these two have always worked for White Dragon, acting lawlessly! From now on, you stick with me and Pegasus, and I guarantee your safety. When the time comes, we’ll find an opportunity to get rid of one of them, and you’ll be the new zodiac!”

Chen Ji’s expression was odd. “Are we really going to get rid of one?”

Golden Pig asked in return, as if it were obvious, “Otherwise, how would you become a zodiac? Getting rid of both of them works too!” Chen Ji asked curiously, “There isn’t even one vacant spot?”

Golden Pig shook his head. “No.”

Chen Ji pressed, “Among the top three—White Dragon, Pegasus, and Sick Tiger—Sir White Dragon has Radiant Rabbit and Cloud Ram under him. So who else is under Sir Pegasus?”

Golden Pig lowered his voice. “Currently, in Pegasus’s faction, it’s just me. But you don’t need to worry; once you become a zodiac, our influence will grow.” Chen Ji’s expression was strange. “So, the remaining zodiacs are all Lord Sick Tiger’s people?”

“No, no, no,” Golden Pig counted on his fingers. “Prison Rat is in charge of the inner prison, hiding there all day, estranged from everyone; Corpse Dog leads a group that works alone, specializing in grave digging for the Grand Counselor; Mountain Ox is the Grand Counselor’s personal bodyguard, sitting in the Jie Fan Tower every day and never going out; Dream Rooster is quite cunning, working for whoever pays him; and then there are Black Serpent and Treasure Monkey, both of whom are Sir Wu Xiu’s people.”

Chen Ji had heard the name Wu Xiu several times now. He asked, puzzled, “Who is Sir Wu Xiu?”

Golden Pig reminded him, “Sir Wu Xiu is the Chief Supervising Eunuch by His Majesty’s side. If you ever go to the capital, absolutely do not provoke him. He holds grudges like no other.”

With that, he added, “But remember, no matter who we associate with, ultimately, we are all working for the Grand Counselor. As long as you remember that, you won’t make a grave mistake.” Chen Ji suddenly asked, “Has Sir White Dragon been by the Grand Counselor’s side all these years?”

Golden Pig recalled, “Probably about half the time. However, if the Grand Counselor has something extremely important to do, he’ll prioritize giving it to White Dragon. He’s also a person who’s hard to pin down. You should be careful of him; he’s thick-faced and black-hearted, extremely vicious. Half of the Secret Spy Agency’s confiscations and family annihilations over the years were done by him. Why do you ask?”

Chen Ji pondered for a moment. “Sir Golden Pig, where is Mr. Feng now?”

Upon hearing the words “Mr. Feng,” Golden Pig became somewhat annoyed. “How would I know that? I only found out he was one of us at Dragon King’s Village. He’s clearly one of our own, yet I don’t know what grudge he holds to have beaten me so severely! If I meet him again in the agency, I’ll definitely trip him up!”

Chen Ji lowered his head, remaining silent.

Golden Pig asked curiously, “What are you thinking about?”

Chen Ji said softly, “Thank you, Sir Golden Pig, for clarifying.”

“Thank me for what?” Golden Pig chuckled, patting his shoulder. “When that old fellow Feng was dragging me, you were willing to draw your blade for me. That makes you one of us.” Chen Ji shook his head. “I didn’t end up doing anything.”

Golden Pig turned his head to look at the long, profound bloodstains within the Liu family mansion, sighing emotionally. “In this corrupt world, everyone is helpless. Having the intention is enough.”

At this point, Golden Pig smiled. “However, next time, if it’s you being dragged behind a horse, and I don’t draw my blade for you, then just consider that I drew it for you in my heart. Don’t blame me.” Chen Ji didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, momentarily unable to discern if Golden Pig was speaking the truth or lying, so he could only agree. “Alright.”

Golden Pig asked, “You’ve been busy these past few days. Do you need to rest?”

Chen Ji shook his head. “Sir, please lend me a horse and a Secret Spy Agency waist token. My master and two senior brothers are still in the city; I need to go back and find them.”

At sunrise, Chen Ji galloped along the official road. The bustling crowds of market-goers and ox-carts that were usually present were nowhere to be seen.

Luocheng’s South Gate was no longer tightly shut. The forces of the Military Administration Bureau had vanished, replaced by military banners Chen Ji didn’t recognize. The bloodstains on the flagstones inside the city gate had not yet been cleaned. Along the way, taverns, grain and oil shops, noodle stalls, and clothing stores were all tightly shuttered, presenting a desolate scene, like a frontier military town outside the great desert.

When Chen Ji arrived at the Prince Jing’s residence, more than ten Jie Fan Guards were standing guard.

He dismounted, leading his horse by the reins, and walked forward. The Jie Fan Guards simultaneously drew their waist knives and coldly shouted, “Halt!” Chen Ji took out his waist token from his bosom. “I am a secret agent of the Secret Spy Agency, here to find Imperial Physician Yao of Taiping Medical Hall.”

A Jie Fan Guard, his eyes hidden beneath his bamboo hat, scrutinized him. “Imperial Physician Yao and Sir Chen have both left the Prince’s residence. You should return to the medical hall to look for them.” Chen Ji thanked him and returned to Taiping Medical Hall, but its door was tightly shut.

He frowned as he pushed open the main door. “Master, I’m back!” No one replied.

Chen Ji led his warhorse through the main hall and walked towards the backyard. The courtyard was desolate, with only the red ribbons on the apricot tree adding a touch of warmth. Could the Jie Fan Guards have been deceiving him? He called out loudly, “Master, Master, are you home?”

The next moment, he saw a fire lit under the kitchen stove and a pot of white porridge simmering on top, which slowly brought him relief. His master and the others had indeed been released, but he didn’t know where they had gone. Chen Ji pondered for a moment, tied his warhorse’s reins to the apricot tree, and turned to undress in front of the water vat.

He poured ladle after ladle of icy water over his head, washing away the dust from his body. He only stopped when his entire skin turned red.

Just as he was returning to his sleeping quarters to change into dry clothes, he heard Old Man Yao’s voice from outside, laced with disdain: “I was only out for a short while, and you’ve already turned the courtyard into a watery mess. Are you some shrimp soldier or crab general from the Luo River, so fond of bathing in cold water?” Chen Ji smiled, hearing the familiar, sharp voice from inside the room.

He fastened the buttons of his slanted collar as he walked out the door. “Master, where are Senior Brother Yu and Senior Brother Liu?”

Old Man Yao said dismissively, “Those two cowards were crying and wailing after being put under house arrest, so I let them go home for a break. Where’s Black Cloud? I haven’t seen it in days.” Chen Ji explained, “It went to find someone for me.”

Old Man Yao shot him a sideways glance. “If you see it, tell it to come home for a visit.”

Chen Ji hummed and looked towards the kitchen. “Master, is there food for me?” Old Man Yao sneered. “Short-lived ghosts don’t need to eat; it’s a waste of food.” Chen Ji was startled. “Master, what do you mean by that?”

Old Man Yao stood with his hands behind his back under the apricot tree, looking up at the red ribbons on its branches. “You’re a very clever child, but you’re not clever enough.” Chen Ji was silent for a moment. “What do you mean?”

Old Man Yao said, “In the eyes of the smartest people in the world, there’s only profit, no emotion. Look at all those high officials in court; which one hasn’t mastered the art of self-preservation? Playing with your life like you do won’t lead to a long life. Boy, once you have attachments, your heart becomes muddled. You shouldn’t have mingled with the armored soldiers in Cuiyun Alley, and you certainly shouldn’t have risked saving someone right under Mr. Feng’s nose at Prince Jing’s residence.”

Only then did Chen Ji realize that Old Man Yao knew everything, and he wondered where Uncle Crow had been hiding, observing his every move so clearly. He stubbornly said, “But I couldn’t really kill you, could I?”

Old Man Yao sneered, “That Mr. Feng clearly saw that your identity was suspicious, which is why he ordered us killed. Zhang Zhuo is backed by the Xu family, and I am an Imperial Physician with no involvement whatsoever. Why would he kill us? Normally, you would have figured this out long ago, but you didn’t yesterday.”

Chen Ji stopped speaking.

Old Man Yao continued to mock him, “You couldn’t help but make a move when you saw Golden Pig being dragged, completely disregarding your own situation; and when you saw someone about to kill White Carp, you lost even your most basic composure. If Pegasus hadn’t arrived just in time, would you even be breathing and talking to me now?”

The small courtyard fell silent. Neither master nor apprentice spoke again. After a long while.

Old Man Yao, seeing Chen Ji silent with his head bowed, finally sighed. “Boy, I won’t say more, considering your young age. But I will only remind you once: if you want to succeed, your heart can be warm, but your blood must be cold.” Chen Ji hummed. “Thank you, Master. I’ll remember that.”

Just then, the wooden door of the medical hall creaked open, and an uninvited guest entered.

Chen Ji turned to look, his pupils suddenly contracting.

White Dragon, wearing his mask, strolled in, bloodstains still on his clothes. Chen Ji calmly asked, “Sir White Dragon, may I ask what your command is?”

White Dragon casually moved a chair and sat down in the courtyard. Then he looked up and explained, “I was passing by Taiping Medical Hall and decided to come in and rest my feet. Don’t be nervous, let’s just chat.” Old Man Yao lifted his feet and walked away. “You two chat. I still have to cook.”

White Dragon watched Old Man Yao enter the kitchen, then turned to Chen Ji. “I heard Cloud Ram say you don’t want to work under me? Do you know how many people in the Directorate of Ceremonial want to serve me, but I don’t think highly of them?” Chen Ji thought for a moment before replying, “Sir White Dragon, it’s not that I don’t want to, but I am already serving under Sir Golden Pig.”

White Dragon lowered his head in thought for a moment. When he looked up again, he asked, “What if Golden Pig dies?” Chen Ji was astonished. “Sir White Dragon, why would we turn on each other?”

White Dragon burst out laughing. “That Golden Pig has been speaking ill of me behind my back all day. I’ve wanted to kill him for a long time.” Chen Ji frowned.

White Dragon said with amusement, “Enough, enough. Why do you take a joke so seriously? No more joking with you. I came specifically to find you this time.” “Oh?”

White Dragon asked intently, “Someone from the Liu family tipped me off, saying that before the siege on the Liu family, Prince Jing had the intention of making a fake show real. He secretly sent Consort Yun to contact the Head of Jing Dynasty’s Military Intelligence Bureau to discuss important matters. It was only after the Military Intelligence Bureau’s forces in Luocheng were completely eradicated that he abandoned his rebellious thoughts and was forced to continue acting according to my plan.”

White Dragon asked in a deep voice, “Do you know about Prince Jing’s intention to make a fake show real?” Chen Ji’s heart suddenly tightened.

Wasn’t Consort Yun’s collaboration with the Military Intelligence Bureau a trap set by the Secret Spy Agency and Prince Jing together? If not, did Prince Jing genuinely consider rebelling with the momentum? No, no, that’s wrong!

It’s the Secret Spy Agency trying to frame Prince Jing using this opportunity!

This plot from the beginning was not just about eliminating the Liu family, but about killing two birds with one stone! White Dragon calmly asked, “Why aren’t you speaking?”

Chen Ji said casually, “Sir White Dragon, how could Prince Jing let me know about such a significant matter? Why not capture Consort Yun and ask her?”

White Dragon said with a smile, “Consort Yun is a clever person. When she saw things going wrong, she hid immediately. My men searched for her all night but couldn’t find her hiding place.” Chen Ji regretfully said, “What a pity. If she were caught, the truth could naturally be forced out of her.”

White Dragon said, “Now that this key witness is missing, I wanted to ask you, since you are close to the Crown Prince and the Princess, have you ever heard them say anything about this?” Chen Ji shook his head. “No.”

White Dragon then asked, “What if I threaten White Carp’s life? Would that force Consort Yun out?” Chen Ji shook his head. “I don’t know.”

White Dragon’s tone gradually sharpened. “Do you not know, or do you not want to answer? Young man, you must understand that you are a member of my Secret Spy Agency. If you harbor a traitor guilty of rebellion, you will also be subjected to capital punishment.”

Chen Ji calmly stated, “Sir White Dragon, I have no connection to Consort Yun, so naturally, I cannot answer these questions you are asking. Otherwise, I would go and help you apprehend Consort Yun right now. Once she is caught, the truth will surely be revealed.” White Dragon, beneath his mask, stared at him for a long time, then chuckled softly and stood up. “No matter. You should rest well. Perhaps when you’re refreshed, you might recall some clues. I’m leaving.”

With that, White Dragon slowly disappeared outside the medical hall door, hands clasped behind his back, arriving as suddenly as he departed.

Chen Ji stood up, his gaze passing through the corridor to the deserted Anxi Street outside the door. He looked back at the apricot tree, then also walked out. Old Man Yao emerged from the kitchen, holding a pottery bowl, and said flatly, “So eager to go out? Not eating?”

“No, I won’t be eating at home.”

Old Man Yao sneered. “Do you remember what I just told you?”

Chen Ji took a deep breath, then calmly replied, “I remember: your heart can be warm, but your blood must be cold.”