Chapter 74: Killing Zhang Tian Shi and Silencing Him

By the time Qi Yanzhou received the message sent by the old brothel keeper, it had already been two quarters of an hour.

He was preparing to head to the Imperial Palace with his subordinates to investigate the Ziyun Pavilion and see if there were any clues left by the “Ghost Thief.”

After reading the message, his expression darkened.

It wasn’t because he was angry that the “Ghost Thief” had discovered his secret operations, but because he was enraged that the emperor, in his pursuit of immortality through alchemy, had become so utterly deranged!

His fists clenched tightly, and the paper in his hand turned to dust.

Zhang Tian Shi’s life? It was decided!

Qi Yanzhou raised his hand, letting the powder scatter in the wind.

He turned to his four most trusted subordinates and said, “You two come with me to the palace. You two handle another matter.”

He paused for a moment before adding, “Go, be discreet, and don’t let anyone find out.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Although Qi Yanzhou held the title of a prince, when it came to handling official matters, he was the Deputy Minister of the Supreme Court of Judicature.

He entered the palace with two subordinates, heading straight for the Ziyun Pavilion.

After the infamous “Eighteen Layers of Hell” incident in Ziyun Pavilion, no one dared to go near it.

The severely injured Zhang Tian Shi had been sent to the nearby Jingyang Palace, which was closest to the Imperial Medical Bureau, to temporarily recover.

The seventh prince, Zhao Cheng’an, was busy faking the scene to exonerate Zhang Tian Shi.

When they saw Qi Yanzhou approaching, a few of Zhao Cheng’an’s people coldly greeted him with a nod, saying, “Prince Chen.”

They didn’t show any respect for him at all.

Qi Yanzhou, however, wasn’t offended. Instead, he looked toward the medicinal fields to the south.

“I’ve heard that Zhang Tian Shi has been personally tending to these medicinal fields to make better alchemical pills for His Majesty. The emperor has rewarded him generously for his efforts.”

He was confident that the medicinal fields, nurtured by blood and decaying corpses, were a dark secret few knew about. Even the emperor himself didn’t know!

After saying this, he led his subordinates to the Teng Tian Tower to continue his search for clues.

Zhao Cheng’an’s people, though greedy and eager to cultivate herbs, were aware that Prince Chen and the seventh prince didn’t get along. Given the timing of his arrival, they suspected something was afoot!

When Qi Yanzhou exited the Teng Tian Tower, he saw that the medicinal fields were unharmed.

He wasn’t surprised. He turned to his subordinates and said, “Go and check the medicinal fields. I’m worried the ‘Ghost Thief’ might have tampered with them. If the herbs are damaged, they can’t be used for His Majesty’s alchemy.”

“Yes, Lord.”

As his subordinates were about to head toward the fields, they were stopped by Zhao Cheng’an’s people.

“Your Highness, there’s no sign of damage to the medicinal fields. There’s no need to investigate.”

Hmph, as if they didn’t know what was really being investigated. The façade of checking the fields was just an excuse to look into the methods used to cultivate the herbs!

Qi Yanzhou’s eyes grew cold, and his aura became imposing.

“With the ‘Ghost Thief’s’ skills, do you think he would leave any clues if he wanted to do something? You’re blocking the investigation of the medicinal fields—are you trying to harm His Majesty?”

The weight of his words left Zhao Cheng’an’s people shaking in fear, and they all immediately knelt.

“Your Highness, we would never have such intentions! It’s just that the seventh prince has authorized this matter. The medicinal fields in Ziyun Pavilion are crucial, and if an investigation is needed, it must be done by us.”

“Fine, since the seventh prince is willing to take responsibility, then Prince Chen will leave the investigation to him.”

With that, Qi Yanzhou and his subordinates made their way to the burned alchemy chamber.

Zhao Cheng’an’s people immediately stood up.

After a brief discussion, they decided to inspect the medicinal fields, both to check for any damage and to investigate the cultivation techniques.

Arriving at the fields, they observed the lush growth of the herbs, their leaves shining and flowers vibrant. They frowned.

“Why do I smell something fishy? It also has a bit of a foul odor.”

“There is a bit, but the herbal fragrance is stronger. Maybe it’s just some herb that smells fishy and foul.”

“Stop talking, let’s quickly check how the herbs are being cultivated.”

The group crouched down, their hands digging into the soil, which was soaked in medicinal juice and fresh blood.

“Ugh! What is that smell? It’s making me want to vomit.”

“It’s probably Zhang Tian Shi’s special method of herb cultivation.”

Just as one of Zhao Cheng’an’s subordinates was about to speak further, he was shocked by a handful of maggots he unearthed.

“Ah!”

Hearing the scream from the alchemy chamber, Qi Yanzhou smiled faintly.

“It’s done.”

He tapped the ground lightly and used his lightness skill to quickly approach the medicinal fields, his gaze fixed on the wriggling maggots.

“It’s the smell of decaying corpses.”

With that, he grabbed the arm of one of Zhao Cheng’an’s subordinates and helped him continue digging.

They unearthed a piece of meat, completely rotted, exuding a terrible stench.

Zhao Cheng’an’s subordinate could clearly feel the maggots wriggling in his hand and fainted from the nausea.

Qi Yanzhou released his grip and snapped a branch in half.

Using his inner strength, he swept away a small patch of herbs, revealing a decaying corpse underneath.

The soil was dark brown, and the nauseating smell of blood mingled with a pungent herbal odor.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Cheng’an’s men were frozen in fear.

Qi Yanzhou turned to his subordinates and said, “Go to the Supreme Court and call someone over. You, go call the palace guards and have them dig up the herbs.”

Then, he turned to Zhao Cheng’an’s people.

“You’ve done a great service to the seventh prince. Go and notify him.”

He himself went to see the emperor.

The emperor was preparing to take an alchemical pill when Eunuch De entered to announce, “Your Majesty, Prince Chen requests an audience.”

“What does he want?”

“I don’t know, Your Majesty.”

Although there were eyes everywhere in the palace through Eunuch De, Qi Yanzhou had arrived so quickly that they hadn’t yet received news.

The emperor didn’t want to see him at all. “Don’t let him in.”

Eunuch De, who held the emperor’s “lifeline,” had to speak on his behalf.

“Your Majesty, Prince Chen comes from Ziyun Pavilion.”

The emperor, who held Ziyun Pavilion in high regard, reluctantly nodded. “Let him in.”

“Announce Prince Chen!”

Eunuch De’s sharp voice reached Qi Yanzhou’s ears, and he immediately entered the emperor’s inner chamber.

When he saw the emperor consuming the alchemical pill, he deliberately slowed his pace.

Only after the emperor finished the pill and had some tea did he quickly approach.

“Your Majesty, the seventh prince’s subordinates discovered countless decayed corpses beneath the medicinal fields. The herbs required for Zhang Tian Shi’s alchemy were all nourished by decayed corpses and fresh blood.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Eunuch De’s face changed slightly, and the emperor immediately vomited.

He threw the treasured pill box to the ground.

“Eunuch De, summon the imperial physician!”

Before the emperor could finish his sentence, he fainted.

Eunuch De ignored the emperor and turned to Qi Yanzhou.

“Your Highness, I’ve helped you twice now. When will you return the favor?”

Although Qi Yanzhou had only said there was a lead, Eunuch De felt his “lifeline” was in his hands!

Otherwise, how could he describe it in such detail?

Qi Yanzhou pulled out a portrait from his robe and handed it to Eunuch De.

“This is the ‘Ghost Thief.’ If you want anything, ask him for it.”

He didn’t betray the “Ghost Thief” but knew the face was fake.

Eunuch De accepted the portrait, snorting coldly.

“Finding the ‘Ghost Thief’ is your job, Your Highness. My patience is limited, so don’t play with fire and burn yourself!”

With that, he left the emperor’s inner chamber and headed straight to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

On his way, he also stopped by Jingyang Palace to silence Zhang Tian Shi!