The Feather-Generating Pill represented the life's blood and effort of a Medical Official Cultivation Path practitioner; it was the supreme treasure that stabilized Daoist courts.
Even within the Yellow Mountain and Mount Laojun Daoist courts, only two Medical Officials possessed the ability to refine this pill.
Now, that incredibly precious Feather-Generating Pill lay quietly on the ground. Everyone cast their gazes toward it. Unable to conceal the burning desire in their eyes, Jin Zhu, Yun Yang, Jiao Tu, and Meng Ji stared at it, yet no one dared to pick it up.
They turned their gazes toward Prince Jing, only to see him standing silently in the ancestral shrine, looking down at Consort Jing's corpse, remaining speechless for a very long time.
The Trouble-Resolving Guard, the Thousand-Year Army—everyone waited in silence, leaving only the howling of the chilling wind. Clearly packed full of people, this massive Liu Family's main residence actually felt like an empty, deserted ruin.
A massive, momentum-filled rebellion had come to an abrupt and meaningless end, leaving behind a chaotic mess.
In the silence, Bai Long bent down and pinched the bloodstained Feather-Generating Pill. Wiping it with his sleeve, he placed it back into the box. "Your Highness, this Feather-Generating Pill..."
Prince Jing paid him no heed, merely speaking in a low voice. "Since Elder Liu entered officialdom, he was successively promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Grand Secretary of the Jinshen Hall, Junior Tutor and Crown Prince's Grand Preceptor, Junior Preceptor, and Grand Secretary of the Huagai Hall. The year His Majesty ascended the throne, the Capital City was in a State of Anxiety, and the regional princes were restless and ready to make a move. It was only because he and his father set things right and restored order that the overall situation was stabilized, assisting His Majesty in ascending the throne. Although he had his faults in this life, he also had merits. Bury him and his daughter generously... and also that Advisor Liu."
Cupping his hands, Eunuch Feng complied. "Yes. The Commandery Princess Ling Yun is currently on the way to Yanling Ferry. Does Your Highness need this humble servant to chase after her and bring her back?"
Prince Jing let out a sigh. "Let her go."
Stepping out of the ancestral shrine, he walked toward the gates. "Let us return to the princely estate."
He hadn't taken many steps when Bai Long blocked his path, advising gently and warmly, "Your Highness, the Liu Family's Elephant Armor Camp and Tiger Armor Iron Cavalry have not yet been pacified. For the sake of your safety, I ask that you temporarily stay here in the Liu Family's main residence and not return to Luo City for now."
Stopping his steps, Prince Jing calmly stared at that fire-gilded dragon-patterned Mask. Refusing to retreat or yield, Bai Long met his gaze.
Outside the doors, Chen Ji silently tightened his grip on his saber. He hadn't expected the Secret Spy Division to turn hostile so quickly. Having just joined forces to eradicate the Liu Family, they immediately wanted to place Prince Jing under house arrest.
He suddenly realized that the turmoil in Luo City hadn't ended with the Liu Family's collapse—it had only just begun. Prince Jing was the final prey all along!
The atmosphere outside the ancestral shrine grew tense. Slightly pursing her lips, Jiao Tu took a tiny step backward to stand beside Yun Yang.
Prince Jing looked at the Trouble-Resolving Guard in front of the ancestral shrine. Covered in coir raincoats and wearing Bamboo Hats, their faces were hidden within the shadows beneath the hats, their expressions entirely obscured.
He then looked at the Thousand-Year Army wearing armor with red tassels on their heads. The Thousand-Year Army generals and soldiers were already slowly resting their hands on their saber hilts, locked in a tense standoff with the Trouble-Resolving Guard, ready to strike at any moment.
Suddenly, Prince Jing broke into a radiant smile. He turned back to look at Elder Liu still hanging from the roof beam, declaring with a tone filled with the vicissitudes of life, "Alright, we will do as Lord Bai Long suggests and temporarily stay in this Liu Family's main residence. Men of the Thousand-Year Army, hear my command: you are to go immediately and assist in suppressing the rebellion. Do not allow the Elephant Armor Camp and Tiger Armor Iron Cavalry to stir up further turmoil."
The Thousand-Year Army generals hesitated, remaining completely motionless.
Prince Jing smiled. "General Wang, am I unable to command you anymore? Hurry up and go."
The Thousand-Year Army's General Wang cupped his hands together. "This final commander receives your orders."
Having said that, he turned and led the Thousand-Year Army away. In the blink of an eye, the Liu Family's main residence was half empty.
Bai Long said with a smile, "Your Highness possesses a profound understanding of righteousness; this humble subordinate is filled with admiration. The Inner Chancellor instructed that the evidence of the Liu Family's crimes must be securely nailed down so that those civil officials will have nothing to say. Therefore, there are still many documents and confessions that we need Your Highness's help to fill in. This will also perfectly comb through the context of this entire event and bring all those involved in the treason to justice according to the law."
Prince Jing gave a loud laugh. "I am tired today; we will discuss this tomorrow. Lord Bai Long, busy yourself first; we shall go rest."
Standing in the crowd, the Prince Heir and Bai Li were still searching for Chen Ji's figure to say something, but Prince Jing pulled them away.
...
Before the scattered corpses of the Liu Family were cleared out, the Trouble-Resolving Guard had already dispersed throughout the Liu Family's main residence to carry out the Property Confiscation and inventory the wealth and assets.
The Trouble-Resolving Guard pulled out the altar tables used for sacrificial offerings in the ancestral shrine. Four accountants sat in front of the tables and set up four Abacuses, respectively taking charge of counting housing Land Deeds, gold, silver, and copper coins, secret ledgers of farmlands, and servant indentures.
The crackling and snapping sounds of abacus beads being flicked rang out loudly in front of the Liu Family's ancestral shrine. Amidst these lively sounds, a massive, colossal whale crashed to the ground and was subsequently dismembered and partitioned.
In the small alley opposite the ancestral shrine, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu approached Chen Ji with smiles that were not quite smiles. "Young man, long time no see, ah."
Chen Ji had originally been watching Prince Jing leave with a solemn expression. Hearing this voice, he immediately turned his head and smiled. "Earlier, when the two Lords were thrown into prison, I even felt it was a pity. Now, seeing that you two are safe and sound, I am relieved."
Yun Yang asked with a beaming smile, "Are you truly relieved?"
"Mhm, I am relieved."
Yun Yang slowly restrained his smile. "Let me ask you: when we previously went to open the grave and verify the corpse, were you the one who tipped off the Liu Family?"
Chen Ji was startled. "Why would Lord Yun Yang say such a thing? I had entirely no idea the two of you were going to open the grave and verify the corpse, ah."
Jiao Tu tapped his shoulder with her slender, fair fingers, smiling charmingly. "But you were the only one who knew we had gone to inspect the Liu Family's ancestral tombs. If it wasn't you who tipped them off, I want you to find the person who did. Otherwise... hmph, hmph."
Chen Ji said helplessly, "What does this matter have to do with me, ah?"
Yun Yang said with a beaming smile, "That's not up to you to decide."
Right at this moment, a chubby figure squeezed in between the three of them. Pulling Chen Ji behind his back, Jin Zhu gave a fake smile that didn't reach his eyes. "The two of you managed to Capsize in a Ditch yourselves, so stop randomly blaming the newcomer. Originally, the Lord Inner Chancellor ordered me to secretly trip you two up and expose flaws so the Liu Family would let down their guard. Who would have expected you two to bumble your own way into prison like fools? It actually saved me quite a bit of trouble."
Looking at Jin Zhu, a frown slowly formed on Yun Yang's handsome face. "Jin Zhu, you want to protect him?"
Jin Zhu said cheerfully, "What's all this about protecting or not protecting? Everyone is working for the Inner Chancellor; we should be sharing the same branches and breathing the same air. This time, he also contributed merit to the successful bringing down of the Liu Family. Now that the Inner Chancellor has bestowed a Cultivation Pathway upon him, perhaps one day he will become a Grand Guild Agent, and the two of you might just be..."
Jiao Tu's eyes widened, interrupting him, "Fat pig, are you threatening us? Be careful, or I'll stab you, oh. Do you remember back in Wunian Mountain? When others were bullying you, I even helped you."
Jin Zhu said impatiently, "What kind of bullshit are you talking about?! I recall you were precisely the one bullying me the harshest!"
Tilting her head, Jiao Tu's gaze passed over Jin Zhu's chubby head and landed on Chen Ji behind him. "Young man, do you want to continue working under us in the future? Our previous cooperation was quite pleasant, wasn't it?"
Yun Yang also chimed in to support her, "Within the Secret Spy Division's 'Top Three Ranks' of the Zodiacs, Lord Bing Hu's whereabouts represent an unknown void, and Lord Tian Ma prefers to act alone. When considering both ability and authority, Lord Bai Long undoubtedly sits in the paramount position. Working under us is equivalent to working under Lord Bai Long; your future prospects will be exceptionally vast and boundlessly bright."
Jin Zhu's expression changed. "Poaching someone right in front of my face?! Is there absolutely no royal law left anymore?!"
Jiao Tu said with a beaming smile, "We were originally the ones who brought him into the Secret Spy Division, right?"
Ignoring her, Jin Zhu turned his head and looked at Tian Ma, who was standing on a distant roof dressed entirely in white. He waved his hand. "Tian Ma, look over here, look over here! Yun Yang and Jiao Tu want to have a chat with you!"
Yun Yang cast a glance at Tian Ma. Disinclined to wait around for the other party to arrive, he turned his head and gave Chen Ji a profoundly meaningful look. "We will be colleagues from now on; there will certainly be opportunities for cooperation again. Jiao Tu, let's go."
Having said that, he dragged the reluctant Jiao Tu over to stand behind Bai Long.
Lowering his voice, Jin Zhu said to Chen Ji, "There are numerous factions standing within the Directorate of Ceremonial. These two have always worked for Bai Long and act with absolutely no regard for laws or heaven! From now on, just follow me and Tian Ma, and we will definitely assure your complete safety. When the time comes, let's find an opportunity to plot the death of one of them, and then you'll be the new Zodiac!"
Chen Ji's expression turned peculiar. "Are we truly going to plot someone's death?"
Jin Zhu naturally fired back a question: "Otherwise, how are you supposed to become a Zodiac? Plotting the deaths of both of them together would also be fine!"
Chen Ji asked curiously, "There isn't a single empty position at all?"
Jin Zhu shook his head. "No."
Chen Ji pursued further, "Lord Bai Long has Jiao Tu, Yun Yang, and Xuan She under his command. Who does Lord Tian Ma have under his command?"
Jin Zhu lowered his voice. "For Tian Ma's faction, it's currently only me. But you don't need to worry either; once you become a Zodiac, our reputation and power will swell."
Chen Ji's expression grew even more peculiar. "Then are all the remaining Zodiacs Lord Bing Hu's people?"
"No, no, no," Jin Zhu counted on his fingers. "Qiu Shu is in charge of the Inner Prison. She hides in the stinking Inner Prison all day, completely disowning all relatives and friends; Shi Gou leads a group of people and acts independently, specializing in digging graves and opening tombs to assist the Lord Inner Chancellor; Shan Niu is the Lord Inner Chancellor's personal bodyguard, sitting in the Trouble-Resolving Tower every day without going out; Meng Ji is rather opportunistic and sly, working for whoever pays him; Bao Hou is Lord Wu Xiu's person."
Chen Ji had already heard the name 'Wu Xiu' numerous times, so he asked in bewilderment, "Lord Wu Xiu is?"
Jin Zhu reminded him, "Lord Wu Xiu is the Brush-Holding Grand Eunuch by His Majesty's side. If you go to the Capital City in the future, absolutely do not provoke him under any circumstances; this person holds the deepest grudges."
Having said that, he added, "But remember, regardless of who we follow, ultimately we are all working for the Lord Inner Chancellor. As long as you remember this one point, you will not commit an absolutely massive catastrophic error."
Chen Ji suddenly asked, "Has Lord Bai Long always remained by the Lord Inner Chancellor's side all these years?"
Jin Zhu briefly reminisced. "Probably about half the time. However, when the Lord Inner Chancellor has matters of utmost importance, he will always prioritize giving them to him to handle. He's also a figure who shows his head but hides his tail, as elusive as a divine dragon. You must be careful around him; his face is thick, his heart is black, and he is extremely viscous and venomous. Over these years, half of the Property Confiscation and family extermination assignments in the Secret Spy Division were carried out by him... Why do you ask this?"
Chen Ji pondered for a moment. "Lord Jin Zhu, where is Mister Feng currently?"
Upon hearing the three words 'Mister Feng', Jin Zhu's tone grew somewhat enraged. "How would I know that? I only learned he was one of our people when I was in Longwang Village! We're clearly on the same side, yet I don't know what kind of grudge he holds to have beaten me so viciously! In the future, if I run into him in the Division, I absolutely must secretly trip him up and cause him trouble!"
Chen Ji lowered his head, remaining completely silent.
Jin Zhu asked curiously, "What are you thinking about?"
Chen Ji said softly, "Many thanks to Lord Jin Zhu for answering my doubts."
"What's there to thank in between?" Jin Zhu cheerfully patted his shoulder. "We're on the same side from now on."
Chen Ji shook his head. "But Lord, when you were being dragged behind the horse by Mister Feng, I didn't do anything; I can only look for an opportunity to avenge you after the fact."
Turning his head to gaze at the seemingly endless, profound path of blood within the Liu Family's main residence, Jin Zhu sighed with emotion. "In this vile World of the Five Corruptions, everyone's actions are beyond their own control; simply having that intention is already enough."
Reaching this point, Jin Zhu smiled with his eyes curved into crescents. "However, if things flip next time and you are the one being dragged behind a horse, if I don't draw my saber for you, you can simply consider me to have drawn my saber for you in my heart; just don't blame me."
Torn between tears and laughter, Chen Ji momentarily couldn't distinguish whether Jin Zhu was speaking truth or lies, so he could only agree. "Alright."
Jin Zhu asked, "You've been rushing about relentlessly these past few days. Do you need to go rest for a bit?"
Chen Ji shook his head. "Lord, please lend me a horse and a Secret Spy Division Waist Plaque. My Master and two Senior Brothers are still in the city; I must return to seek them out."
...
Sunrise at early dawn. Chen Ji spurred his horse and galloped along the official road. The once bustling and lively market-goers and ox carts of the past had entirely vanished without a trace.
Luo City's south gates were no longer tightly shut. The troops from the City Defense Division had vanished entirely, replaced by military flags and banners representing an army Chen Ji didn't recognize. Even the bloodstains on the flagstone road leading inward from the city gates hadn't been fully scrubbed clean yet.
Along the way, the wine shops, grain and oil stores, noodle stalls, and garment shops all had their doors tightly shut. This scene of desolate depression resembled a border military town located outside the great desert.
When Chen Ji arrived in front of Prince Jing's Estate's gates, he found over ten Trouble-Resolving Guards standing guard.
Leaping off his horse, he approached leading it by the reins. The Trouble-Resolving Guard simultaneously drew their waist sabers, scolding coldly, "Halt!"
Chen Ji pulled the Waist Plaque from his clothes. "A secret spy belonging to the Secret Spy Division; here to seek out Physician Yao from the Taiping Medical Clinic."
A Trouble-Resolving Guard scrutinized him with a gaze from beneath his Bamboo Hat. "Physician Yao and Lord Chen have both already left the princely estate; you should go back to the medical clinic to look for them instead."
After giving voice to his thanks, Chen Ji returned to the Taiping Medical Clinic, only to find the door firmly shut.
Frowning, he pushed the main doors open. "Master, I'm back!"
No one answered.
Leading his warhorse, Chen Ji passed through the main hall and walked toward the backyard. The courtyard was desolate and lonely; only the red cloth strips on the apricot tree added a slight touch of warmth... Could the Trouble-Resolving Guard have been deceiving him?
He called out loudly, "Master, Master, are you home?!"
In the next moment, he caught sight of the ignited Furnace Fire flickering beneath the kitchen stove, with a pot of plain congee boiling upon it. Only then did he finally let out a slow sigh of relief. His Master and the others had indeed been released and allowed to return; he just didn't know where they had gone next.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Ji tied the warhorse's reins to the apricot tree, then turned around and stripped off his clothes in front of the water vat.
Using a gourd ladle, he poured scoop after scoop of bone-chilling cold water over his head, washing away a body full of dust. Only when his entire skin turned red did he finally stop.
Just as he was changing into dry clothes in his bedroom, he heard Old Yao's disgusted voice coming from outside the door. "This old man merely went out for a short while, and you've already made a mess splashing water all over the courtyard's floor. Are you a shrimp soldier or crab general from the Luo River? Is that why you enjoy bathing in cold water so much?"
Hearing this familiar, caustic tone from inside the room, Chen Ji began to laugh.
While fastening the buttons on the diagonal collar lapels of his clothes, he walked out the door. "Master, where are Senior Brother She and Senior Brother Liu?"
Old Yao said with disgust, "After being placed under house arrest, those two cowards were crying out for their parents in sheer terror. Consequently, I simply released them and let them go home for a period of leave. Where is Wu Yun? I haven't seen it in several days."
Chen Ji explained, "It's helping me find someone."
Casting him a sidelong glance, Old Yao said, "When you see it, tell it to come home to take a look."
Chen Ji gave an affirmative 'Mhm' sound and looked toward the kitchen. "Master, did you cook a portion for me for the meal?"
Old Yao scoffed. "Short-lived ghosts don't need to eat meals; it's just a waste of food rations."
Chen Ji was stunned. "Master, what do you mean by this?"
With his hands clasped behind his back, Old Yao stood beneath the apricot tree, looking up at the red cloth strips tied to its branches. "You are an extremely smart kid, but you are not nearly smart enough."
Chen Ji remained silent for a moment. "How so?"
Old Yao said, "In the eyes of the smartest people beneath the heavens, there are only interests; there are absolutely no emotional attachments. Just look at the numerous exalted ministers in the Imperial Court. Is there a single one among them who hasn't mastered the art of playing it safe and protecting themselves to the point of absolute perfection? Putting your life on the line like you do means you won't live long. Kid, once you have emotional attachments, your heart will fall into disarray. You shouldn't have mixed yourself in with the armored soldiers while at Emerald Cloud Lane, and after arriving at Prince Jing's Estate, you definitely shouldn't have risked your life trying to save people right under Mister Feng's nose."
Only then did Chen Ji realize that Old Yao actually knew everything. He had no clue where Uncle Crow had been hiding and observing, but it had clearly seen his every single move completely clearly.
He retorted stubbornly, "But it's not like I could genuinely kill you, right?"
Old Yao sneered, "That Mister Feng clearly deduced there was a problem with your identity; only then did he issue the order to execute us. The Xu Family stands behind Zhang Zhuo, and I am merely an imperial physician devoid of any implications or involvements whatsoever. For what reason would he kill us? If this was an ordinary time, you should have figured all this out long ago, but yesterday, you didn't."
The small courtyard quieted down; neither Master nor disciple spoke another word.
After a very long time.
Catching sight of Chen Ji keeping his head bowed in silence from the corner of his eye, Old Yao finally let out a sigh. "Kid, considering your young age, I won't say any more. However, I will only warn you this once: If you wish to achieve greatness and succeed in your endeavors, your heart can be hot, but your blood must be cold."
Chen Ji gave an affirmative 'Mhm' sound. "Thank you, Master. I will commit this to memory."
Right at this moment, the medical clinic's wooden doors creaked open as someone entered uninvited.
Turning back to look, Chen Ji's pupils sharply contracted.
He saw Bai Long, wearing his mask, strolling in casually, the blood splatters still remaining on his clothes.
Chen Ji asked calmly, "Lord Bai Long, I wonder what orders you have for me?"
Acting completely nonchalantly, Bai Long pulled over a chair and sat down in the courtyard. Looking up, he explained, "I was merely passing by the Taiping Medical Clinic and decided to come in and rest my feet. Don't be nervous; take a seat and let's chat."
Lifting his foot, Old Yao immediately began walking away. "You two chat; this old man still needs to cook."
Bai Long watched Old Yao enter the kitchen, then turned his head to look at Chen Ji. "I heard from Yun Yang that you are unwilling to work under me? Do you know exactly how many people within this Directorate of Ceremonial wish to serve under my command, yet I do not even consider them worthy of a passing glance?"
After a moment of thought, Chen Ji replied, "Lord Bai Long, it's not that I'm unwilling; it's simply that I am already serving under Lord Jin Zhu's command."
Bai Long lowered his head in deep thought for a moment before looking up to ask, "And what if Jin Zhu dies?"
Chen Ji was shocked. "For what reason would Lord Bai Long slaughter your own side?"
Bai Long burst into loud laughter. "That kid Jin Zhu runs his mouth badmouthing me behind my back all day long; I've wanted to kill him for a very long time."
Chen Ji frowned.
Filled with keen interest, Bai Long said, "Forget it, forget it, why are you taking a joke so seriously? Since you're not one for jokes, know that I made a special trip here specifically to find you."
"Hmm?"
Bai Long asked in a solemn tone, "Someone reported to my Secret Spy Division that Prince Jing previously dispatched Consort Yun to secretly contact the Military Intelligence Division Department Head of the Jing Dynasty. This action constitutes the severe, heinous crime of treason and rebellion against the state. However, Consort Yun's current whereabouts are unknown... Do you happen to know where she went?"
Chen Ji's heart abruptly clenched. The Secret Spy Division was already actively searching for crimes to frame Prince Jing! From the very beginning, this scheme had never simply been about eradicating the Liu Family; they aimed to kill two birds with one stone!
Just as Elder Liu had stated, Prince Jing and the Liu Family shared an interdependent relationship where 'If the Lips Are Gone, the Teeth Will Be Cold'. With the Liu Family destroyed, Emperor Ning would no longer have any misgivings or scruples about pulling through his policy of 'reducing vassal power'.
Bai Long asked calmly, "Why aren't you speaking?"
Chen Ji answered rather absent-mindedly, "Lord Bai Long, how could a lowly apprentice like me possibly know of Consort Yun's whereabouts?"
Bai Long said with a smile, "Consort Yun is a smart person. Seeing the situation turn poorly, she immediately hid herself away. My men searched for her an entire night but still failed to discover her hiding spot. Your interactions with the Prince Heir and Commandery Princess have always been quite frequent and close; have you ever heard them utter so much as a single word or fragment of a sentence regarding her whereabouts?"
Chen Ji shook his head. "No."
Bai Long asked again, "Then if I use Bai Li's life as coercion, do you think it would squeeze Consort Yun out?"
Chen Ji shook his head. "I don't know."
Bai Long's tone gradually sharpened. "Do you not know, or do you simply not wish to answer?"
Chen Ji said frankly, "Lord Bai Long, Consort Yun and I have always been completely unconnected. Why don't I go assist you in capturing Consort Yun right now?"
Beneath the mask, Bai Long stared fixedly at him for a long time. Giving a light laugh, he stood up. "It's no hindrance. You should rest properly for a while; it won't be too late to capture her after you are fully rested."
Having said that, Bai Long clasped his hands behind his back and slowly strolled out the medical clinic's doors, vanishing from sight. He arrived suddenly, and he left just as suddenly.
Standing up, Chen Ji shot his gaze down the corridor and looked out at the desolate, cheerless Anxi Street outside the doors. Sparing one final glance back at the apricot tree, he also walked outside.
Old Yao walked out of the kitchen carrying an earthenware bowl, his tone utterly indifferent. "Rushing out the door so urgently; you're not going to eat?"
"Mhm, I won't be eating at home."
Old Yao sneered, "Do you remember what I just told you?"
Chen Ji took a deep breath, and replied with absolute composure, "I remember: one's heart can be hot, but one's blood must be cold."
(End of this chapter)