Wei Feng sat down across from Ye Zhao with a bold, imposing air. He unfastened his saber and slammed it onto the table with a sharp *clack*. Ye Zhao instinctively straightened his posture, though his expression remained relatively calm. From this proximity, he could smell the scent of blood clinging to the man, and he couldn't help but steal a glance at him.
Avoiding the man’s face, Ye Zhao took in everything else.
A thought surfaced in his mind: *This man has just finished a slaughter. He is uninjured, but somewhat weary.*
Wei Feng lazily lifted his eyelids to look at him, cutting straight to the point. "What were you doing at Mount Bushi last night?"
He poured himself a cup of tea, showing not the slightest hint of courtesy in his speech or his actions. It felt less like an inquiry and more like an interrogation.
It was as if whatever he asked, Ye Zhao was obligated to answer—either by telling the truth or by being coerced into honesty through some "minor" methods. His questioning was blunt, devoid of any sophisticated verbal traps, because the gap between the interrogator, Wei Feng, and the subject, Ye Zhao, rendered such procedures unnecessary.
Ye Zhao, naturally sensing this, answered honestly, "Offering incense to fulfill a vow."
This was a common enough occurrence.
"You certainly are devout," the man’s raspy voice replied, carrying a strange undertone. Ye Zhao looked up, and just as his eyes met the other’s, the man’s tone dropped. "Then why did you go up the mountain?"
Staring into those beast-like eyes, Ye Zhao’s heart tightened. Thinking of the rumors currently flooding the city, a few words flashed through his mind: *He’s here to settle accounts!*
He responded calmly, "I didn't go up the mountain."
He had to stick to his guns; he couldn't admit it!
Especially after hearing Wei Feng’s cold sneer, his internal alarm bells rang at full volume. "Commander Wei, everyone knows Mount Bushi is heavily guarded. It’s impossible for an ordinary person to go up there."
Though, previously, he hadn't known about the existence of the hidden guards and had indeed blundered his way up.
Wei Feng sneered. "Are you trying to say you aren't an ordinary person?"
His cadence was exceptionally slow, like a cold blade sliding across skin, so eerie it made one's hair stand on end. Ye Zhao had a premonition: if his answer was affirmative and piqued the man's interest, it would be like being coiled by a venomous serpent.
"No," Ye Zhao said, possessing a healthy amount of self-awareness. "Everyone in Tianshangjing knows what kind of person I am. I believe Commander Wei has heard the rumors as well."
He continued his explanation, "I did indeed go to Mount Bushi last night, but I did not go up. Otherwise, putting aside the guards at the foot of the mountain, the hidden guards on the slopes would have captured me on the spot, wouldn't they? But clearly, I am still sitting here, which proves I did not commit that error."
He even managed a slight smile. "When I finished offering incense and was preparing to return, I happened to run into an elderly gentleman. He can testify for me."
In truth, the man was an eyewitness, but Ye Zhao was now reframing him as a witness for his defense.
Rumors were unsubstantiated things; a few changed words could spawn countless different versions. They couldn't be used as solid leverage against him. As long as the key information aligned, swapping out certain details was an easy task.
Wei Feng narrowed his eyes, staring at the calm young noble in white. His lips slowly curled into a smile—one that brought no warmth, only a chilling dread. "Do you know what I was doing just now?"
Ye Zhao paused, then answered truthfully, "Killing people."
"What kind of people?"
"...Your Excellency has executed countless scoundrels. I do not know what great merit you have achieved this time."
Ye Zhao was more nervous than he had ever been, yet also more calm. He behaved submissively, showing not a hint of aggression, like a lamb.
But the more he acted this way, the more it piqued Wei Feng’s interest. Wei Feng felt a thrill of excitement from Ye Zhao—the kind he felt when prying open the mouth of a stubborn man to hear his buried secrets, or using various means to break someone's iron will. In a sense, he truly was a madman.
Wei Feng laughed. When he finished, his expression became even more terrifying to Ye Zhao. "Merit? Those words sound like mockery. They aren't nearly as pleasant to the ear as 'butcher,' 'madman,' or 'lapdog.' Could it be you mean to say that killing is a merit?"
In the room occupied by only two people, the atmosphere became oppressively silent.
Cold sweat nearly broke out on Ye Zhao’s back. He didn't know where he found the courage or what he was thinking, but he actually let out a laugh...
Wei Feng’s brow furrowed. Ye Zhao’s reaction was far from what he had expected.
"Killing is a merit." Ye Zhao’s voice was steady, calm, and composed. He looked Wei Feng in the eye without flinching.
If these words were heard by others, many would surely claim Ye Zhao was a madman too—a murderer on par with Wei Feng.
Two full seconds passed as the two stared at each other, neither moving.
Wei Feng suddenly burst into laughter. It was a boisterous laugh, devoid of the laziness and disdain he had shown upon entering, and lacking the overbearing pressure from a moment ago. When he spoke again, however, he nearly gave Ye Zhao a heart attack. "I have captured and killed countless people. This time, I actually want to take you back. Take you back for interrogation, to see if I can hear more interesting things."
Ye Zhao noticed the eagerness in his gaze—a look that suggested he wanted to carve Ye Zhao open to study him. He nearly bit his tongue. "Take me where?"
"Qiongyu Tower, Yinian Prison."
What a poetic name for a place that was actually the Yulin Guards' infamous prison, known for the saying "ten go in, one comes out." Ye Zhao truly had no desire to visit. "...I think I'll pass. That place is reserved for great men of achievement. A useless dandy like me wouldn't last long in there anyway."
Wei Feng couldn't help but snort a laugh. Ye Zhao couldn't tell if it was a genuine laugh, but the look of gloom on his own face was certainly real. Wei Feng asked, "Oh? What kind of achievement?"
"Stirring up trouble and bringing ruin to oneself and others."
Wei Feng pondered these words for a moment, then said, "And you? I see you actually have some skill."
On his tanned face, his features were sharp and defined. Combined with that scar, he possessed a wild aura. From the beginning until now, his gaze had remained fixed on Ye Zhao, like a predator watching its prey.
At this point, Ye Zhao was nearly at his limit. He asked dryly, "...The skill of talking nonsense? You flatter me, you flatter me."
Wei Feng didn't reply this time. He simply stared at Ye Zhao in silence for a while, his dark eyes deep as ink, his thoughts unreadable.
He stood up, took his saber, and tucked it into his belt. He glanced sideways at Ye Zhao and said enigmatically, "You certainly know how to find excitement."
*Huh?*
Ye Zhao was baffled, a hint of confusion appearing between his brows, but he cautiously refrained from asking anything.
Wei Feng gave a sinister smile. "I just captured a group of assassins. I had them flayed, their bones crushed, and buried them alive."
Ye Zhao was startled. *Why are you telling me this out of the blue?*
*What does he mean? Does he want me to praise him for a job well done? After all, I did just flatter him by saying killing is a merit...*
He felt a bit lightheaded. "Oh... oh, that’s good."
Sure enough, in the next instant, the smile on Wei Feng's face widened, revealing his stark white teeth. Ye Zhao suppressed the crawling sensation on his scalp and forced a stiff smile in return.
Wei Feng turned his head away, his expression instantly becoming dark and terrifying. Fortunately, Ye Zhao didn't see it; he was only relieved that the man was finally leaving.
Ye Zhao let out a long sigh of relief and slumped onto the small table, his heart filled with lingering fear.
He had actually survived a round with Wei Feng. He thought to himself, *I have to tell Jiang Ziqi about this later. This is a monumental feat!*
He felt that Wei Feng’s final look had been strange, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
Later, he learned that on that day, a large group of assassins had attempted to kill the old Chancellor, who was staying at Mount Bushi. The guards at the foot of the mountain had been diverted to intercept them. At that exact moment, Ye Zhao had perfectly avoided those people. He had wandered around Mount Bushi and come back down without being mistaken for an assassin and seized on the spot, nor being treated as an eyesore of a bystander and slaughtered by the assassins!
Wei Feng’s final sentence had actually been a test—a test to see if he was in league with the assassins. Perhaps that had been his primary focus from the start. Only he and Jiang Ziqi, those two "clever" dandies, had assumed the man was there to hold him accountable for trampling around Mount Bushi and causing a false rumor.
Ye Zhao recalled how he had talked nonsense and lied in front of the man. He suddenly felt like he had been digging a hole for himself. If he had truly been suspected, he would have been more wronged than Dou E!
"I'm never going to offer incense again. If this happens one more time, I'm afraid I really will go to see Lord Tianxu," Ye Zhao stated with certainty after hearing what Jiang Ziqi had scouted out.
He couldn't afford this incense; it was truly life-threatening. Whoever wanted to go could go, but he was done!
It was thanks to the "blessing" of that stick of incense he burned that things had been so thrilling and dangerous. He had nearly met with disaster!
***
On Chiyin Lake, the emerald waves stretched for ten thousand *li*.
In the middle of the lake, on a small boat, Jiang Ziqi leaned against the gunwale, leisurely waving his fan. He couldn't help but chuckle. "You want to see him, but he might not want to see you. Relax..."
Ye Zhao’s face fell. "Haven't you heard of Commander Wei’s reputation?"
Jiang Ziqi nodded unhurriedly. "I have. Kills without blinking." He spoke as if discussing what to eat for dinner, his tone indifferent, showing not a shred of fear. It was practically abnormal!
Ye Zhao continued, "Do you know how terrifying his gaze was that day?"
Jiang Ziqi pondered for a moment before saying gracefully, "I know. No different from being stared at by an evil ghost. When one kills many, it’s inevitable that they carry an aura of slaughter."
"Not an evil ghost, a hungry wolf." Ye Zhao recalled his interaction with the man but didn't voice his internal doubts. He felt as though he had been marked by that madman...
"Do you think you're a piece of fat meat?" This came from the calm and collected Jiang Ziqi.
Ye Zhao went silent for a moment. "...Are you disappointed that he didn't lock me in Yinian Prison?"
Jiang Ziqi acted as if he didn't hear the dissatisfied jab. He smiled. "The fact that he didn't lock you up that day proves he *couldn't* lock you up."
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Ye Zhao looked at him, seeing his attempt at a profound and mysterious posture—one that failed to capture the actual temperament required. He felt a bit helpless. "Sigh, you've been putting on an act all morning. Aren't you tired? You don't have that 'vibe,' so stop trying to mimic others."
In an instant, Jiang Ziqi’s eyes widened in anger, looking more spirited than ever. "What are you saying! Is that any way to talk to a friend?"
He wasn't truly angry; after a brief complaint, he returned to his usual manner, no longer forcing a refined air.
Indeed, deliberately imitating others was exhausting.
This time, he spoke plainly. "Although Commander Wei is famous for his killings and his ruthless methods, he only targets those who cross him. They say the Yulin Guards' prison is easy to enter but hard to leave. Do you know why?"
Ye Zhao thought for a moment and said, "Because those locked inside are only there because there is a certain amount of evidence. Very few can truly clear their suspicion. So, does that mean he is actually an extremely cautious person?"
Jiang Ziqi scoffed, giving an ambiguous answer. "You could say that. There are very few cases that warrant the deployment of the Yulin Guards; they must be personally designated by His Majesty. Therefore, every matter under his name cannot afford an error."
He had to be cautious; otherwise, it wasn't just the reputation of the Yulin Guards at stake, but the Emperor's face as well. Since the matter involved the old Chancellor, he would only be more meticulous, even going so far as to personally investigate Ye Zhao.
It didn't matter that he had lied to Wei Feng; at most, it would make the man suspicious of his motives and keep him under watch for a while. But Wei Feng could never truly find evidence that he was in league with the assassins, because he simply wasn't.
He wasn't in any danger.
Only now did Ye Zhao truly feel at ease.
Jiang Ziqi, seeing the change in his expression, was somewhat surprised. "You've figured it out?"
"Yes. I was just unintentionally caught up in it. There's nothing to fear."
Jiang Ziqi laughed. "You were actually smart for once."
Ye Zhao remained silent. *Was I very stupid before?*
As he thought this, he didn't realize that his and Jiang Ziqi’s behavior appeared quite foolish to certain people.
At the very least, neither of them noticed that the subject of their conversation was currently in the black-awning boat right next to them.
Behind the bamboo curtain of the small boat, where figures were obscured, sat Wei Feng and a Yulin Guard. The two had been silent for a long time. Hearing the conversation turn back to the old Chancellor, the guard stole a cautious glance at Wei Feng, thinking, *They really have no filter; they'll say anything.*
Especially the talkative one—he seemed eager to spill every bit of gossip about the old Chancellor and Lord Tianxu.
The old Chancellor’s surname was Pei. He had been a prominent figure in his youth. Early on, he was appreciated by Lord Tianxu and rose step by step from a commoner’s son to the Chancellor of the realm; his life story was legendary. During his decades in office, he assisted the young sovereign and served the country and its people. Yet, once the young sovereign was capable of ruling alone, he showed no lingering desire for power and withdrew from the court to live a secluded life at home.
In recent years, few had been able to see this highly respected old Chancellor. But clearly, the two on the other boat weren't discussing serious topics; instead, they were more interested in long-standing scandalous rumors.
After listening for who knows how long to stories about who admired Lord Tianxu, who was whose love rival, and who did what, the Yulin Guard felt awkward. Suddenly, the voices from the other boat stopped.
Ye Zhao looked toward a pleasure boat not far to the right. The boat wasn't large and looked quite elegant, decorated with a few fresh flowers. Onboard were men and women; several maids and attendants in proper attire stood by the railing, serving as a backdrop for the noble ladies and gentlemen at the center.
The group of handsome men and beautiful women was quite a sight. Even Commandery Princess Xiyue, known as the number one beauty of the capital, was there. The laughter and chatter of the young people occasionally drifted into nearby boats on the wind, drawing much attention. It was like a celestial vessel emerging from a landscape painting, standing out and attracting countless gazes.
Ye Zhao thought, *No wonder there are so many people on the lake today. They all came to see this number one beauty.*
They had also come because of the commotion.
However, they hadn't come to see the number one beauty, but rather the close friend sitting beside her—Li Yunrong, the dream girl Jiang Ziqi had pined for for years.
Unfortunately, it was merely unrequited love...
Ye Zhao withdrew his gaze, only to see Jiang Ziqi looking completely entranced, as if he had lost his way.
He fell silent. In the next second, the boat shook violently.
The two were startled and quickly grabbed the sides of the boat to steady themselves. Jiang Ziqi nearly fell into the water. He immediately snapped out of it and asked in a panic, "What happened? What’s going on!"
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 魏风 | Wei Feng | Commander of the Yulin Guards. |
| 羽林卫 | Yulin Guards | The Imperial Forest Guards, a specialized military unit. |
| 不世山 | Mount Bushi | A mountain near the capital; "Bushi" implies matchless or unworldly. |
| 琼羽楼 | Qiongyu Tower | A location associated with the Yulin Guards. |
| 一念牢 | Yinian Prison | "One-Thought Prison," the notorious jail of the Yulin Guards. |
| 窦娥 | Dou E | Reference to "The Injustice to Dou E," a classic Chinese play about a woman wrongly accused. |
| 赤殷湖 | Chiyin Lake | A large lake in or near the capital. |
| 裴 | Pei | The surname of the old Chancellor. |
| 曦月郡主 | Commandery Princess Xiyue | A noblewoman known as the capital's top beauty. |
| 李云容 | Li Yunrong | Jiang Ziqi's love interest. |
