“This Tan Jin, they say, was once the most promising and highly regarded official in the Ministry of War, rising to a high position at a young age,” Zhan Zhao said as he walked side by side with Bai Yutang, speaking at an unhurried pace about what Grand Tutor Pang had told him regarding Tan Jin’s past. “But this man had a flaw—he was obsessed with swords.”

Bai Yutang frowned slightly. “He knew martial arts?”

“Not really,” Zhan Zhao shook his head. “Although he was part of the Ministry of War, he was actually a civil official. But even civil officials have their hobbies—his was collecting famous swords from all over the world. It was almost an addiction.”

Bai Yutang nodded.

“He had a promising career until one day, he went to the palace on official business. While entering the royal treasury where tribute gifts were stored, he saw something. Guess what it was?”

Bai Yutang thought for a moment. “A precious sword?”

Zhan Zhao nodded. “Exactly. It’s said that when he saw that sword, he couldn’t move his feet. As if possessed, he simply took it.”

“Heh.” Ouyang Shaozheng, who was walking ahead, overheard them and turned around to join the conversation while walking backward. “I know about that incident too.”

Bai Yutang looked at Ouyang Shaozheng. “How long ago was this?”

“About ten years ago, I think.” Ouyang shrugged. “Nangong told me about it. Back then, the emperor hadn’t ascended the throne yet.”

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly. “You’re close with Nangong too?”

“Of course.” Ouyang grinned. “Zhao Pu, Nangong, the emperor, and I all grew up together.”

Zhan Zhao chuckled. “Then next time we go to Kaifeng, let’s have a drink together. I get along well with Nangong too.”

Ouyang nodded. Zhan Zhao then patted Bai Yutang. “When are you going to Kaifeng? I saw a few shops there under the name of Xiankong Island while patrolling, and there’s even a big mansion called Cuixing Garden. That belongs to Xiankong Island too. Will you be staying there?”

Bai Yutang nodded. “Mm, I go there occasionally.”

“Great, then we can drink together when you visit.” Zhan Zhao said, then realized he had gone off-topic and quickly steered the conversation back.

“Speaking of which, Tan Jin’s downfall was related to Nangong. Back then, when the emperor was still the crown prince, he had seen that sword and always kept it in mind.

He planned to ask his father to give it to Nangong as a birthday gift. But when the day finally came, and his father agreed, they went to retrieve it—only to find the sword was gone.”

Bai Yutang raised an eyebrow slightly—stealing a tribute gift from the palace? That was enough to ruin Tan Jin’s career.

“It was a huge scandal at the time,” Ouyang added. “The late emperor ordered Lord Bao and then-Minister of War, Grand Tutor Pang, to investigate. You see, everyone who entered and exited the treasury was recorded, so it didn’t take long for Tan Jin to be caught.”

Bai Yutang frowned.

“But then something unexpected happened—Tan Jin was attacked.” Ouyang spread his hands.

Bai Yutang was slightly startled. “You mean Yang Caisheng?”

“Mm,” Zhan Zhao nodded. “Tan Jin was severely wounded and eventually resigned. Lord Bao recovered the sword, but Tan Jin disappeared from public life after returning to his hometown.”

Bai Yutang seemed puzzled. “A crime is still a crime. Did Lord Bao really just let him resign?”

Zhan Zhao shrugged. “Mm, apparently the late emperor granted him a special pardon.”

“There was a reason, but it wasn’t made public,” Ouyang said with a faint smile. “Because of the ‘Oath of the Returned Sword.'”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang exchanged a glance, both confused. “The Oath of the Returned Sword?”

“After the sword was retrieved, the late emperor gave it to the crown prince, intending to severely punish Tan Jin,” Ouyang explained. “That day happened to be Nangong’s birthday. Zhao Zhen happily presented the gift to Nangong, but to everyone’s surprise, Nangong returned the sword.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were both puzzled. “Why? He didn’t like it?”

“Of course not—it was an excellent sword,” Ouyang smirked. “But Nangong had his own plans. He returned the sword to the late emperor and pleaded for leniency for Tan Jin.”

Both Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were intrigued—was there some connection between the two?

“At the time, the late emperor’s health was already declining, the emperor was still young with an unstable foundation, and the prince hadn’t yet gained a foothold in the military,” Ouyang explained.

“The Ministry of War was strong, and Tan Jin was undeniably capable—he had been loyal and made no other mistakes, except for this one moment of weakness in stealing the sword. If he were harshly punished, many people would have felt it was unfair.

Moreover, Nangong believed that, as a mere guard, he shouldn’t put the emperor in a position where people questioned his impartiality. It was better to build goodwill with the Ministry of War by handling Tan Jin’s punishment lightly—it benefited everyone.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang exchanged a look. Nangong Ji was the top imperial guard and the emperor’s most trusted man. He had been so astute and loyal even from a young age—clearly, he was no ordinary person.

“The late emperor was very pleased,” Ouyang smiled. “Nangong achieved multiple objectives at once—the late emperor saw that the crown prince was wise in choosing loyal people, which reassured him. As a result, Tan Jin was given a lighter punishment, and the matter was smoothed over without harming the Ministry of War’s standing. Later, the late emperor even made an oath with Nangong and the emperor over that sword. Nangong vowed to serve Zhao Zhen with all his heart, while Zhao Zhen promised to always remember Nangong’s loyalty and treat him like a brother.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang finally understood—so that was why Zhao Zhen and Nangong Ji’s relationship was both like a ruler and a subject, yet also like brothers. No wonder Nangong, with all his skills, never sought fame or fortune but dedicated himself solely to protecting Zhao Zhen.

“But Grand Tutor Pang mentioned an odd detail,” Zhan Zhao continued as they arrived at one of the three locations they were searching for.

By this time, night had fallen. Ouyang ran to knock on the door while Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang stood behind him, continuing their conversation.

“What detail?”

“The grand tutor said that Tan Jin used to be a very refined person, but at some point, his personality changed—perhaps because he had collected too many blood-stained swords, or maybe he had encountered some cursed or demonic blade. Over time, he became increasingly strange and violent.”

At that moment, Ouyang, who had entered the house, soon came out looking dejected.

“Was it the right place?” Zhan Zhao asked.

Ouyang shook his head. “The blacksmith here is just a teenager, and his family has never forged swords.”

“On to the next one, then,” Zhan Zhao said, glancing toward the second location, which wasn’t far away. As they walked, they continued their conversation.

“I didn’t know Tan Jin well,” Ouyang said, crossing his arms. “But I saw him a few times at palace banquets or gatherings. He felt like a completely different person each time.”

“That much of a change?” Bai Yutang asked.

“Mm. At first, I noticed him because he was the only young man among a bunch of old officials—fair-skinned, refined, and soft-spoken.” Ouyang shook his head. “But a few years later—wow, the guy had rough skin, an unkempt beard, bloodshot eyes, and deep wrinkles on his face. The prince even joked, ‘See that? Don’t become a civil official, or you’ll age fast!'”