Chapter 40 He Lifted His Head and Met A Chan’s Gaze…

Chapter 40 He raised his head and met A Chan's gaze...

All court officials knew well that if Bai Xiuming failed to eliminate the walking corpse within three days, the Ministry of Justice would face severe repercussions.

Many ministries had been vying for power from the Bright Mirror Bureau, and the Ministry of Justice, always the most assertive, now seemed destined for the hardest fall.

Just as everyone had savored the Ministry of Justice's predicament and prepared to endure the remainder of the court session until dismissal, Wen Zhong spoke again.

"I further impeach the Marquis of Jinyang for lax household management, allowing his steward to bribe ruffians into vandalizing a shop."

Now this felt right. The court officials collectively exhaled, realizing the previous impeachment had felt somewhat incomplete. The main course, it seemed, was just being served.

The Marquis of Jinyang, blindsided by the accusation, stepped forward, bewildered. He declared loudly, "Your Majesty, I protest! My wife has always managed our household with utmost strictness and would never condone a steward causing trouble outside. Censor Wen, do not unjustly accuse me!"

"Is that so? If the Marquis of Jinyang believes his steward incapable of such an act, then it must have been the Lady Marquess's directive."

Wen Zhong truly lived up to his reputation as the one person in the Censorate no one dared provoke—his words were designed to pierce the very core.

The Marquis of Jinyang was so enraged he wanted to strike him, but mindful of the Emperor's presence, he suppressed his fury. "Censor Wen, mind your words."

"Your Majesty," Wen Zhong stated clearly, "the vandalized shop is in Changping Ward. Last night, the Lady Marquess's younger brother died outside that very shop. The ruffians publicly confessed they were hired by the Marquis's steward to smash the place because the Lady Marquess believed the shop's existence endangered her brother's life."

"You speak nonsense! You are deliberately framing me!"

Wen Zhong ignored the Marquis’s furious outburst and continued, "When the shop was vandalized, besides myself, many onlookers were present—all of whom can testify."

"So what? Perhaps those ruffians were merely making baseless accusations against my Marquisate!"

Wen Zhong turned to glance at the Marquis. "For this, I must apologize to the Marquis of Jinyang. Without his permission, I privately sketched likenesses of his stewards and took them to the prefectural jail for the ruffians to identify separately. Every single one of them pointed to the same person."

At this, the Marquis's face paled, his finger trembling as he pointed at Wen Zhong. "Wen Zhong! You dared to secretly infiltrate my residence? You are utterly lawless!"

"I am guilty and beg Your Majesty’s punishment. However, I did not enter the Marquis’s residence—at most, I merely scaled a wall. To be precise, only my hand briefly crossed the boundary."

The watching officials lowered their heads, struggling to suppress their upturned lips. In their hearts, they thought, when it came to infuriating people, no one surpassed Lord Wen. As long as he wasn't impeaching them, the spectacle was always worth watching.

At this point, the Marquis of Jinyang had no defense left. He truly had been unaware of the matter; it must have been Xue Shi acting behind his back.

He was simply unlucky enough to have encountered Wen Zhong.

Yet, in court, he couldn't possibly shift the blame to Xue Shi; the Emperor would perceive it as him using a woman as an excuse.

He could only say solemnly, "Your Majesty, I was unaware of this matter. It must have been the steward acting on his own initiative."

Wen Zhong immediately interjected, "Your Majesty, you see? Just as I said—the Marquis of Jinyang is indeed lax in household management."

A vein throbbed on the Marquis's forehead, his fists clenched tightly, barely restraining himself from striking Wen Zhong.

The Emperor, having had his fill of entertainment, finally spoke. "The Marquis of Jinyang has failed in household management. He is fined half a year’s salary. As for his wife, considering her recent profound loss, leniency is granted—but she must compensate the victim with a thousand taels of silver. Should this recur, there will be no clemency."

The Marquis of Jinyang immediately knelt. "Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace."

Wen Zhong also added, "Your Majesty is wise."

After the court session, King Ming caught up with his son, who was walking at a brisk pace. "Why the hurry? Your father almost couldn’t keep up."

Bai Xiuming wore a resigned expression—he had walked quickly precisely to avoid being caught.

"I have duties to attend to."

"It's just a walking corpse. The Director of the Astronomical Bureau has a Yang-Fire Vial—it feeds on corpse energy and spits flames upon contact. Quite effective. Why not borrow it for a couple of days?"

"I'll go now."

Unfortunately, before he could make his escape, King Ming grabbed his sleeve. "There are still serious matters to discuss. Why the rush?"

"Go ahead."

"Didn't you say before that the Xue family boy was the prime suspect behind stealing the Demon Seal? And now he's just dead like that?"

"His superior has already been identified. He's expendable."

When they had captured the Snow Needle Snake, they could have caught Xue Mingtang red-handed, but Bai Xiuming had let him go—and even set a trap for him. Predictably, he had fallen right into it.

Fearing his subordinates might lose track, Bai Xiuming had personally followed Xue Mingtang during that time. He witnessed him creating a false trail in his own residence before secretly heading to Yan Liru’s estate.

Shortly after entering Yan’s residence, the contract on the Snow Needle Snake was violently broken. Nothing but the Demon Seal had the power to break a contract like that. The evidence was already sufficient.

"So, you found the Demon Seal?" King Ming raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you retrieve it?"

"I assumed that you and His Majesty allowed the Demon Seal to be stolen—not because you wanted me to recover it."

Items taken from the Forbidden Vault carried a distinct signature. The moment the Demon Seal left, King Ming could have traced it with his methods—yet he hadn’t. Instead, he had passed the investigation to Bai Xiuming after some time.

King Ming glanced at his foster son, who had now outgrown him. "You’ve truly grown up—even your cunning has grown."

Bai Xiuming gave a wry smile. "You flatter me."

"Do you know who the bait the Demon Seal is meant to lure?"

"That depends on who ultimately receives the item in Yan Liru’s possession."

"Your guess?" King Ming seemed to be testing him.

"I suspect it’s the Marquis of Zhenbei—or whoever pulls his strings."

The Marquis of Zhenbei was Yan Liru’s father-in-law. Without family backing, Yan Liru would never have risen to the third-tier position without the Marquis’s support.

They were complicit through mutual benefit. If anyone could make Yan Liru stick his neck out, it would be the Marquis of Zhenbei.

Of course, the Marquis might not be the endgame—but suspects had to be investigated one by one.

King Ming folded his arms behind his back and smiled. "The Marquis of Zhenbei will return to the capital to present his report within the week. Have you never met him? He was already in Youzhou by the time you arrived in the capital."

"No, but I’ve heard of him. They say the Marquis of Zhenbei is brash. Ten years ago, his cultivation was already at the peak of the Fourth Realm, wasn’t it?"

Hearing Bai Xiuming nail it in one sentence, King Ming grew even more pleased. "Indeed. Just one step away from the Fifth Realm—can’t blame him for being a little arrogant, can you?"

Then his tone shifted. "But His Majesty dislikes such insubordinate officials. Once in the capital, one must abide by its rules."

Just like the concealed formation above them, forcibly suppressing the cultivation of all practitioners above the Third Realm—no soaring through skies or burrowing through earth. Such were the laws of Great Xia. Even a dragon must learn to coil upon entering the capital.

"Understood."

"Good. Go do your work. I will go challenge Wen Zhong to a game of chess."

As King Ming took two steps forward, Bai Xiuming called out to him, "Father."

"Hmm, is there something else?" King Ming turned back to ask.

"Lord Wen only knows some basic martial arts. When you lose at chess, please restrain yourself—no table-flipping or physical outbursts."

King Ming instantly flew into a rage, "You insolent child!"

Bai Xiuming's reminder was entirely out of goodwill. King Ming was a poor but obsessive chess player with atrocious chess etiquette.

As for Lord Wen Zhong, his chess skills were excellent, but he had a vicious tongue.

Bai Xiuming had once witnessed their clash. Before the game even began, Censor Wen made the king swear that whoever cheated would be a grandson.

In short, every time the two played chess, the situation became uncontrollable.

Bai Xiuming cupped his hands toward King Ming. "Your son takes his leave."

He had done his part in advising; the rest was out of his hands.

"Oh, by the way, whether Yan Liru is truly ill remains unclear. Keep an eye on him—don’t let anything happen before he meets the Marquis of Zhenbei." Bai Xiuming had already walked far when King Ming's voice echoed in his ears.

Bai Xiuming had no choice but to change course to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

The Emperor had ordered in court that imperial physicians visit Yan Manor to examine Yan Liru. When the news reached the Imperial Medical Bureau, Imperial Physician Huang, their most skilled physician, drew the short straw.

Imperial Physician Huang was somewhat reluctant until he saw Bai Xiuming enter the bureau. Surprised, he stepped forward to greet him, "Lord Bai, are you unwell?"

"Not at all. There’s something I’d like to ask of you."

"Please, go ahead," Imperial Physician Huang replied courteously.

"I’d like you to take one of my subordinates with you into Yan Manor."

"No problem," Imperial Physician Huang agreed readily without asking for details. Bringing along an apprentice wouldn't attract attention.

Though Yan Liru had not attended court, word of the Emperor dispatching physicians swiftly reached him.

Naturally, he knew the Emperor had sent physicians to examine him.

The steward of Yan Manor waited at the gate for an hour before finally spotting the Imperial Medical Bureau’s carriage.

As the carriage stopped at the entrance, two apprentices in white robes stepped out first, followed by two imperial physicians.

Imperial Physician Huang led the way, while the other, Physician Zhang, followed without contention.

The steward approached respectfully and guided the four inside.

When Imperial Physician Huang saw Yan Liru bedridden in his chamber, he was visibly startled.

Lord Yan’s complexion was ghastly pale—unless it was face powder, then he was truly ill.

However, he said nothing and instead surveyed the room. It wasn’t that he was being picky, but the chamber was unusually dark, with thick curtains blocking the windows and cloying incense fumes.

Imperial Physician Huang couldn’t help but ask the steward, "Why are the windows covered in broad daylight?"

The steward hesitated. "My lord, my master has recently grown strangely sensitive to light."

Imperial Physician Huang nodded thoughtfully, then approached Yan Liru. "Lord Yan, by His Majesty’s order, I am here to examine you. Please extend your right hand."

Yan Liru reached out from under the covers. As Imperial Physician Huang pushed up his sleeve, he was surprised to find a fingernail-sized black patch on his wrist.

He committed it to memory before proceeding to take Yan Liru’s pulse.

After finishing, he said nothing and gestured for Physician Zhang to do the same.

Once both had examined him and exchanged a few words, they addressed the steward. "From Lord Yan’s pulse, it appears he merely suffers from blood stagnation and sluggish qi—nothing serious."

But that was only from the pulse.

As for other aspects, that was another matter.

Both physicians could tell something was wrong with Yan Liru, but his condition wasn’t an illness.

The steward grew anxious. "But my master’s body—"

"Steward," Yan Liru silenced him.

Then, to the physicians, he said, "Thank you both. Please prescribe the medicine."

Imperial Physician Huang dictated the prescription, and the waiting apprentice swiftly wrote it down before handing it to the steward, marking the end of their examination.

Under Yan Liru’s orders, the steward escorted the four out, though his demeanor was decidedly cooler than when they arrived—likely because they had failed to resolve Yan Liru’s condition.

Once inside the carriage, Physician Zhang spoke up. "Lord Yan’s blood flow is abnormal."

"Abnormal? It’s practically stagnant. I’ve only seen this in those at death's door," Imperial Physician Huang sighed, knowing these assignments always brought trouble.

"Should we report this?"

"Of course. Just report truthfully. Lord Yan’s condition… is beyond our ability to treat."

Upon returning to the Imperial Medical Bureau, the two physicians went straight to report to the Chief Physician, while the two apprentices dispersed. One of them removed his white robe and vanished without a trace.

Back at the Bright Mirror Bureau, the man reported to Bai Xiuming. "My lord, the physicians said Yan Liru’s blood flow is nearly stagnant—like a corpse. The steward mentioned Yan Liru has recently been extremely light-sensitive, with curtains covering all windows. I detected a faint stench of decay on him, masked by incense. He also has a black patch on his hand, likely a cadaveric stain. I suspect he’s been poisoned by cadaveric poison."

Bai Xiuming didn’t doubt his subordinate’s words. The man he had sent was versed in multiple disciplines.

"Cadaveric poison… interesting. Let’s make for the Yan residence shortly." Bai Xiuming twirled a finger-length black porcelain vial between his fingers. On the table before him, five smaller white vials were lined up.

These were Yang-Fire Vials—the black one was the master, the white ones its counterparts.

"Summon all _Qianhus_ presently on duty at the bureau."

"Yes." The subordinate obeyed and soon returned with ten _Qianhus_ falling into formation. Except for Jiang Kai, who was dispatched elsewhere, all were present.

Bai Xiuming selected five, handing each a Yang-Fire Vial and instructing them to hunt down the walking corpses. The rest were to remain at the bureau on standby.

Before long, the _Qianhus_ and their teams left to track the walking corpses.

Bai Xiuming, accompanied by Feng Yang and a squad of Bright Mirror Bureau guards, also departed.

It was still early, but the bureau’s entire force deploying startled the citizens, who scurried inside, fearing some major incident.

As Bai Xiuming neared Yan Manor, a Bright Mirror Bureau distress rocket shot into the sky.

Its location appeared to be near Datong Ward. Soon after, another flare rose over Yong’an Ward.

"The Board of Punishments mentioned that walking corpse was nearing metamorphosis. Who knew it had already created so many new walking corpses," Feng Yang muttered in disbelief. Had we not used the Yang-Fire Vials to track them, these abominations could have infiltrated undetected in the city.

Bai Xiuming ignored him, instead watching as a faint red flame flickered from the Yangfire Vial in his hand, bending toward the direction of Lord Yan's residence.

Feng Yang tutted at the sight of the flame. "Could it be that Lord Yan has also turned into an undead?"

"Not yet. But if he dies now, perhaps." Bai Xiuming glanced toward Lord Yan's residence but didn’t go in to arrest anyone.

"Sir, where are we heading now?"

"Last night, the undead appeared in Changping Ward. We’ll go there."

The dragon-blood horse galloped toward Changping Ward. As soon as they entered, the Yangfire Vial in Bai Xiuming's hand shot up a three-inch-long red flame, guiding them forward until they arrived at an abandoned house tucked in the farthest corner of the ward.

The house appeared long deserted, its front door still sealed with a government seal.

Having located the place, Feng Yang volunteered eagerly, "Sir, I'll go—"

Bai Xiuming didn’t respond, just dismounting instead.

He walked alone into the abandoned house. Before long, an undead’s growl echoed from within—only to be abruptly silenced moments later.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Bai Xiuming emerged and said to Feng Yang, "Go in and retrieve the body. Bag the head separately—His Majesty will see it tomorrow."

Feng Yang’s eye twitched in dismay at the thought of the emperor possibly not wishing to see an undead’s head during morning court, but who was he to question his superior’s orders?

Soon, the Bright Mirror Bureau Guards had the corpse loaded up, with the head placed in a separate box.

No more signal flares shot up elsewhere in the city, suggesting all undead had been dealt with.

Just as Feng Yang thought this, he turned and saw another jet of flame spurt from the Yangfire Vial in Bai Xiuming's hand. Though only an inch long this time, it clearly indicated another undead was hiding in Changping Ward.

Without delay, they hurried to the second location where the creature had been spotted. Then, the Yangfire Vial led them to a familiar doorway.

Staring at the two-story building with its freshly replaced door, Feng Yang sneaked a glance at his superior, though he couldn’t discern Bai Xiuming’s mood at all.

The group dismounted and followed Bai Xiuming inside.

The shop, recently ransacked, was temporarily closed to the public. The door stood open, but no one was in sight.

"Hui Niang, are my egg dumplings ready?"

Just as Bai Xiuming reached the staircase, a woman’s soft, teasing voice drifted down from above, as if playfully cajoling someone.

"Coming," replied an unfamiliar voice. The curtain to the back courtyard was pushed aside, and Chen Hui appeared before Bai Xiuming.

At the sight of these unfamiliar officials, her face paled, and she immediately turned to retreat.

In the next instant, a blade flashed and thudded into the floor at her feet. She froze, not daring to move another inch.

"Hui Niang?" A Chan called out upon hearing the noise. She stepped out of her room, standing at the top of the stairs and leaning over the railing to look down. A pomegranate blossom tucked behind her ear accidentally slipped loose.

Bai Xiuming raised his hand, and the flower landed in his palm.

He lifted his gaze, meeting A Chan’s gaze.