Great Sheng Dynasty, Jingde Year Twenty-Five, Autumn
The chill of the xu hour spread through the valley, yet the bonfire in the council hall burned brightly. Flickering flames cast a reddish glow over the wooden pillars and illuminated the plaque reading “Xiaoyao Pavilion.”
Wen Yinyue sat in the main seat, dressed in a dark ink-colored cotton-linen combat outfit. Subtle “Xiao” patterns, fine as mosquito legs, were embroidered along her cuffs. A black soft belt cinched her waist, and in a hidden pouch she carried the preliminary intelligence on Magistrate Li—information Lin Feng had secretly gathered a few days earlier while scouting with the Shadow Vein, overheard at a teahouse outside the county office.
“Pavilion Master, we’ve mapped out the guard routes of the Li Residence.”
Lin Feng stood in the center of the hall, wearing a matching tight night outfit. His face covering was pulled down to his chin, revealing only his sharp eyes. His posture was straight as a pine.
“Guard shifts change at the third quarter of the xu hour. After the hai hour, security in the rear courtyard loosens. The study is on the west side of the residence, with a window facing a secluded vegetable garden—ideal for infiltration.”
Behind him stood three Shadow Vein members:
All three wore night outfits. Their soft-soled boots made no sound on the bluestone floor. In their hands were, respectively, a short dagger, throwing darts, and a sheepskin map. The map, marked in charcoal, showed the layout of the Li Residence and had been drawn by Lin Lei based on reconnaissance.
Wen Yinyue tapped the tabletop lightly, her gaze sweeping over them.
“Remember three points:
“First, the target is the corruption ledger hidden in the study’s secret compartment. According to intelligence, it’s concealed beneath the lower volume of The Analects on the bookshelf. You’ll need to pierce the wax seal on the page with a silver needle to open it.
“Second, use the Silent Technique throughout. Whether dealing with guards or retrieving the ledger, you must not alert anyone. This is the Shadow Vein’s first mission—there can be no mistakes.
“Third, you must withdraw before the third quarter of the hai hour. I’ll be waiting behind the waterfall at the valley entrance.”
“Yes!”
The three answered in unison, their voices low but resolute.
Lin Wu clenched the short dagger at his waist, his knuckles whitening. He had been waiting for this day for a long time—both to build experience for avenging his escort agency’s past injustice and to contribute to Xiaoyao Pavilion. Lin Yi quietly adjusted her sleeves to ensure nothing would hinder climbing through windows, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Wen Yinyue stood and took out four silver needles coated with numbing medicine, handing them to Lin Feng.
“If there’s an emergency, use these on a guard’s mute point. They won’t be able to speak for half an hour. It’s safer than killing. Our goal is to expose corruption, not to make enemies.”
Lin Feng accepted the needles and tucked them carefully into his sleeve.
“Rest assured, Pavilion Master. We won’t harm anyone unnecessarily.”
At the second quarter of the xu hour, the four departed the valley under moonlight. Lin Yi, the fastest, led the way, stepping on dry branches without making a sound.
Lin Lei brought up the rear, one ear close to the ground, listening for any pursuit. Lin Feng and Lin Wu walked in the middle, eyes alert as they scanned the woods on both sides of the mountain path. Autumn leaves carpeted the forest floor, easily leaving footprints, so every step they took landed on tree roots or rocks to avoid traces.
Half an hour later, the outline of the county town appeared ahead. The Li Residence stood on the eastern side, two red lanterns hanging atop the high walls, their light casting shifting shadows.
Lin Yi slipped around to the back of the residence, looked up at the spikes on the wall, and untied a thin hemp rope from her waist. An iron hook was tied to one end. With a gentle flick, the hook caught precisely in a brick crevice at the top of the wall. She pushed off lightly and climbed up the rope like a drifting leaf. Moments later, she flipped over the wall and signaled “safe” to those below.
Lin Feng, Lin Wu, and Lin Lei followed in turn, landing in the rear vegetable garden. Autumn cabbages grew there, their leaves damp with night dew, rustling softly underfoot. Lin Lei immediately gestured for them to walk between the ridges to avoid brushing the leaves.
The guardhouse in the rear courtyard was lit, faint snores audible from inside. Lin Lei had already confirmed that the two guards habitually stole Magistrate Li’s wine at night and were currently sleeping soundly.
“I’ll take care of the front courtyard patrol. You head to the study,” Lin Wu whispered. Without waiting for Lin Feng’s reply, he crouched and moved toward the front.
Keeping close to the wall, he approached a patrolling guard. At the instant the guard turned away, Lin Wu’s fingers struck the mute point and numbing point in rapid succession. The guard collapsed without a sound. Lin Wu dragged him into the shadows by the wall and concealed him.
The study window was left slightly ajar, a faint candlelight glowing inside. Magistrate Li had only just left; a half-drunk cup of tea still sat on the desk. Lin Yi gently pushed open the window and flipped inside. When she landed, even the candle flame did not flicker.
She scanned the shelves quickly, found the level marked The Analects, and pulled out the lower volume. Sure enough, faint traces of wax seal lined the page edges.
“Found it!” Lin Yi whispered to Lin Feng outside the window. She took out a silver needle, pierced the wax seal, and slid her fingers into the hidden layer, feeling a hard wooden box—the ledger’s container.
Just as she was about to retrieve it, hurried footsteps sounded outside, accompanied by a guard’s cough.
“The lord ordered the study to be watched closely. I’ll check it once more.”
Lin Feng’s eyes sharpened. He leapt into the study, signaled Lin Yi to hide, and positioned himself behind the door.
The guard pushed the door open, lantern raised. As he reached the bookshelf, Lin Feng suddenly emerged. His left hand covered the guard’s mouth while his right-hand dagger lightly sliced across the man’s throat. The blade, treated with sound-dampening grease, made only a faint hiss. The guard went limp instantly. Lin Feng caught him steadily and dragged him behind the shelves.
“That was close,” Lin Yi murmured, patting her chest, and handed the wooden box to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng opened it. Inside lay thick ledgers, each page recording Magistrate Li’s bribes:
“Householder Zhang—fifty taels of silver, seeking exemption from corvée labor. Salt merchant Wang—ten bolts of silk, seeking release of illegal salt…”
The handwriting was messy, yet the records were precise.
“Withdraw,” Lin Feng said, tucking the ledger into his clothes and signaling Lin Yi.
They exited through the window, regrouped with Lin Lei on lookout, and retreated along the original route.
It was only the first quarter of the hai hour, still early compared to Wen Yinyue’s deadline. The four returned under moonlight, meeting Lin Wu midway. Seeing the ledger in their hands, the tension on his face finally eased into a smile.
“Did it work?”
“It worked!” Lin Yi replied excitedly, her voice trembling.
At the third quarter of the hai hour, they arrived behind the waterfall at the valley entrance. Wen Yinyue stood waiting atop the rocks. Seeing them return safely, her tightly held breath finally eased.
Back in the council hall, the bonfire still burned. Wen Yinyue took the ledger from Lin Feng and sat by the candlelight to examine it carefully. Beyond bribe records, it also contained evidence of Magistrate Li colluding with bandits and oppressing the people. Just last month, Old Man Wang from the west end of the county had his leg broken by Li’s men because he couldn’t pay the exorbitant taxes.
“The evidence is conclusive.”
Wen Yinyue closed the ledger, her eyes turning cold.
“Tomorrow morning, Lin Feng, you’ll personally go to the capital and anonymously submit this to the Censorate. Remember—leave no trace linking this to Xiaoyao Pavilion. Even your night clothes must be burned outside the city.”
“Yes!” Lin Feng nodded, his heart surging with excitement. This was the first time he had personally done something for the people. It felt far more meaningful than avenging his own grievances.
The next morning, Lin Feng disguised himself as a merchant and headed to the capital with the ledger.
Following Wen Yinyue’s instructions, he placed it on the stone steps outside the Censorate, writing only “Evidence of Magistrate Li’s Corruption” on the cover, then turned and left without looking back.
Three days later, news spread through the county: the Censorate had received an anonymous report and immediately launched an investigation. After confirming Magistrate Li’s corruption, they ordered his dismissal and arrest, escorting him to the capital for trial.
The people rejoiced. Crowds gathered outside the county office, cheering, and some even set off firecrackers to celebrate the downfall of the corrupt official.
When the news reached the valley, the council hall erupted in jubilation. Lin Wu clapped Lin Feng on the shoulder and laughed.
“Brother Lin Feng, the Shadow Vein’s first battle is a victory! Next time there’s a mission like this, I’m going with you again!”
Lin Yi also rushed over, eyes full of admiration.
“Brother Lin Feng, the way you dealt with that guard was amazing. Will you teach me a few more Silent Techniques next time?”
Watching the lively scene, Wen Yinyue smiled as well.
She stepped forward and clapped her hands, signaling for quiet.
“This is only the beginning. There are many corrupt officials like Magistrate Li in the Great Sheng Dynasty. From now on, the Shadow Vein’s task is to gather evidence of their crimes. The Salvation Vein’s task is to heal the people they oppress.”
“Yes!”
Everyone answered in unison, their voices echoing through the valley.
Autumn sunlight streamed through the windows of the council hall, illuminating each face with unwavering determination.