Late at night.
Silence reigned within the Lin'an State Prefecture. A dark figure suddenly flitted past, the grass and trees bending in its wake, yet not a single guard noticed.
A figure in a black robe suddenly appeared in the main hall of Zhuyang Tower.
"Old Wu?"
Pei Su's eyes showed surprise. He hadn't expected Old Wu to return in just half a day.
"Young Master, I've found him."
The old man's voice was cold and sharp, the corners of his lips curling into an unsettling smile.
"Oh? And who might that be?"
Pei Su held a cup of the finest Mengding Shihua tea, stirring it gently as its fragrance filled the air.
"The man you asked me to investigate, Young Master, is named Zhao Lan. He has no parents, only an adoptive father who is a blacksmith. When I entered the smithy, there was no one there, but in the backyard, I found...
"...all sorts of traces left by the blade will and blade qi of the Eight Desolation Blade Scripture."
Pei Su raised his eyes and took a light sip of tea.
That guard, Zhao Lan, was young and an accomplished cultivator. This, coupled with the great fortune he seemed to carry, had aroused Pei Su's suspicion. It had only been a guess, a shot in the dark, but he never thought he'd actually... caught him by the tail.
He sighed.
"The Eight Desolation Blade Scripture... a top-tier blade art that only commanders of the Imperial Guard are qualified to practice. To think that the once-famous Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard would hide himself in this little Bingzhou and become a blacksmith."
"It must be that Zhao Lan revealed your presence, Young Master, which alerted Xiao Lin and allowed him to escape before I arrived. But rest assured, Young Master. We have already placed the Heavenly Palace Stone at the checkpoints of Lin'an County. If he dares to try and leave the county in disguise... Heh heh!"
[Heavenly Palace Stone] A rare and exotic stone from the Western Deserts that found its way into the Central Plains. Scarcely an inch in size, its form is a chaotic blend of sharp edges and rounded curves. It shares a profound, mystical connection with the "Heavenly Palace" within a cultivator's Sea of Consciousness.
The black-robed old man grinned like a beast that had spotted its prey.
The Heavenly Palace Stone is one of the world's most wondrous stones. It is extremely sensitive to the nine-tiered Heavenly Palace within a Heavenly Palace realm expert; the moment one gets close, it will shine with a brilliant light.
With the Heavenly Palace Stone there, as long as Xiao Lin dares to approach a county checkpoint, his identity will be exposed.
Of course! With Xiao Lin's strength, forcing his way through would be no problem. But once exposed, he would not be able to escape the old man's pursuit.
At this thought, the old man sighed with emotion.
He had originally planned to stay for a month, searching county by county. He never imagined that within half a day of entering Bingzhou, he would find his target's tracks right under his nose in Lin'an County. What a stroke of luck...
No!
It was thanks to the Young Master's help. He had heard that the Young Master cultivated a mysterious and unpredictable art of Qi Observation, but he never imagined it would be so terrifyingly effective, allowing him to spot the clue in a crowd with a single glance.
"Xiao Lin won't try to escape anytime soon. Although he doesn't know we brought the Heavenly Palace Stone, he will surely guess that there are traps waiting for him at the checkpoints. So, he will continue to hide within the county and wait for an opportunity."
"Then we'll dispatch officials and soldiers to conduct a blanket search of the county. It's only one county. In a week at most, he'll have nowhere left to hide!"
Pei Su lowered his head in thought.
Xiao Lin hadn't hidden in a remote temple or deep in the mountains, but had chosen a state prefecture. Why? Could a state prefecture be even more secluded than the deep mountains and old forests?
Or was there truly a place within Lin'an County so well-hidden that he could remain there for twenty years...
If that were the case...
"Old Wu, have you forgotten someone?"
"Are you referring to Zhao Lan, Young Master?"
"Although I don't know how genuine Deputy Commander Xiao's feelings for him are, it's worth a try. Who knows, we might just be able to fish him out."
Pei Su gave a faint smile, his expression still that of a graceful and refined young nobleman.
The world knew the Heir of the Northern Marquis as a humble and courteous man, as gentle as jade.
But only a few high-ranking members of the Pei Family knew how they had taught and raised the family's heir from a young age.
What the Pei Family needed had never been a kind and benevolent person.
******
The next morning.
Beside Yanliu Pond in the Lin'an State Prefecture, inside a small, ancient pavilion, Liu Zhi and several other young ladies from noble families were enjoying some leisurely fishing.
Suddenly, they saw a young nobleman dressed in a black Hangzhou silk robe embroidered with pythons walking towards them alone. The young ladies present all exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with pleasant surprise.
"The Heir of the Northern Marquis! It's the Heir of the Northern Marquis! Is he coming this way?"
"Yes! He's coming this way!"
"Dear sister, quick, check my rouge. Are there any flaws?"
The girls gasped in low voices. As their gazes swept over Pei Su's noble face, their hearts all fluttered, and the tips of their ears turned a faint red.
This was the Heir of the Northern Marquis, famous throughout the Great Jin. Countless unmarried young ladies from noble families harbored crushes on him. His family background, appearance, strength, and character were all the best of the best.
Especially now, with His Majesty in seclusion for twenty years and the court's power controlled by the Empress and the Pei Sect, the status of the Pei Family's direct heir was no less than that of the Crown Prince or other princes.
If one could win his favor, even becoming a mere concubine meant entering the gates of the Pei Duke's Mansion. It was a chance to leap onto a high branch and become a phoenix overnight, to chat and laugh with the princesses of the Imperial Capital as sisters.
If one were fortunate enough to bear the Heir's child, her status would soar with her son's. Giving birth to a young master with the Pei family's bloodline meant her status would allow her to look down upon the entire Great Jin Dynasty.
What noble lady wouldn't be driven mad by such a tempting leap in status?
"Your Highness, the Heir!"
The moment Pei Su stepped into the ancient pavilion, the young ladies all turned to the side and curtsied in unison, their voices sweet and lingering, their eyes like limpid autumn waters.
They knew perfectly well that the Heir of the Northern Marquis resided year-round in the Imperial Capital, the ancient capital of six dynasties. This might be the closest they would ever get to him in their entire lives. How could they not seize the opportunity?
Pei Su's gaze swept over the faces of the young noble ladies before finally resting on Liu Zhi.
"I have an important matter to discuss with Miss Liu. I wonder if the rest of you would be so kind as to give us a moment? Jiumu would be most grateful."
Instantly, all eyes focused on Liu Zhi.
Today, she was wearing a soft, watery-red dress embroidered with golden peonies, her face adorned with vibrant rouge and powder that further enhanced her noble air.
At this moment, her face suddenly flushed red, and as if struck by a sudden, wonderful surprise, she was at a complete loss.
And the gazes fixed on her gradually shifted from astonishment to envy and jealousy...
There was nothing to be done. His Highness the Heir had spoken. They didn't dare to linger, and one by one, they curtsied and departed. But even after walking some distance away, they couldn't help but steal glances back, grinding their teeth in secret as they watched the two figures.
That Liu girl has some incredible luck!
******
"Miss Liu, I wonder if you know a man named Zhao Lan?" Pei Su got straight to the point, giving Liu Zhi no time for further fantasies.
"Zhao... Zhao Lan?" Liu Zhi quickly waved her hands, explaining in a rush. "He's just one of my guards. I'm not familiar with him at all. Perhaps he has some... feelings for me, but I assure you, I wouldn't give him the time of day..."
Pei Su: "..."
"When did he join the State Prefecture?"
"Over a year ago, I think. I can't remember clearly."
"Miss Liu," Pei Su's expression turned serious. "Perhaps you are not yet aware, but this Zhao Lan has been secretly in contact with a fugitive wanted by the court for twenty years, passing information to him."
Liu Zhi gasped, covering her mouth.
Thinking of the personal guard who usually seemed so honest and resolute, a wave of fear washed over her.
To think she had actually taken such a dangerous person into her residence!
"But... but he's at the residence right now! I'll... I'll call for my Father to have him arrested immediately!"
"To be frank, Miss Liu, I have come to Bingzhou on a mission for the court. Arresting Zhao Lan would be easy, of course. The difficult part is drawing out the fugitive behind him."
Liu Zhi grew alarmed.
"Then, Your Highness, what should I do?"
"I've heard that you personally promoted him, Miss Liu. How about this..." Pei Su took a step forward and whispered a few words in her ear.
The sudden proximity and his warm breath made Liu Zhi's heart pound, and her head spun. She only regained her senses after Pei Su stepped back.
"No problem! That Zhao fellow always does whatever I say. He's more obedient than the mastiffs I keep in my residence! Whatever I tell him to do, no matter how difficult, he scurries off to do it like a fool!"
Proofreader: Peter Pan