Chapter 69

The large boat quietly cut through the water, the shimmering waves somewhat dazzling. When Yang Yanzong emerged from the cabin, Ji Yuanhao had already changed into a fresh set of clothes. Beside him was A Yi, Yang Yanzong’s trusted aide specializing in criminal investigations.

Recently, Yang Yanzong had been preoccupied with Su Ci’s severe injuries and post-surgery pain, leaving him no time for other matters. However, Mrs. Ren’s injuries were much lighter, and Ji Yuanhao, along with A Yi, had thoroughly interrogated the captives from the earthen temple battle. This included a masked expert with severed tendons and several Northern Rong men. The lower deck reeked of blood.

A Yi stepped forward to greet Yang Yanzong and reported, “Master, the first round of interrogation results is in. So far, no major issues have been found.”

“These Northern Rong men had informants in the government and military. They learned of the recent frequent activities of the Huang and Shi family remnants and specifically monitored our families, intending to act when the opportunity arose.”

“As for the masked captive, he’s a tough one. He hasn’t spoken, but he seems to have a military background from his appearance.” This included old calluses and scars on his hands and his stance.

A Yi, usually a man of few words, was highly skilled and meticulous in criminal investigations. Although he called it the first round of interrogation results, he had already used his best techniques, achieving about 70-80% accuracy.

It was well known that the Kun family had risen through military achievements. Their ancestor was the undisputed top general during the nation’s founding, with unparalleled merits. After the founding, the first emperor even issued a special decree allowing the Kun family to maintain a personal guard of 5,000 soldiers as compensation for refusing a noble title.

In other words, the Kun family could legally maintain these 5,000 private soldiers.

Additionally, the Kun family had deep roots in the military. Due to their ancestral background, they particularly liked to select trusted aides from the military, including secret guards. There were even rumors that the Kun family liked to have their secret guards undergo military training first.

So, this expert was likely from the Kun family?

This was the second clue Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao had found related to the Kun family.

The Kun family indeed had such motives.

Yang Yanzong slowly turned the thumb ring on his right hand as he descended the ladder. The lower deck reeked of blood, starkly contrasting the above deck.

The seven or eight prisoners, all tortured, hung their heads in a daze. Yang Yanzong didn’t go further down. He stood on the ladder, glancing at them, his gaze lingering on the masked expert.

These masked experts were shocked to see them and then immediately joined forces with the Northern Rong men, fighting fiercely with a do-or-die attitude. Capturing them alive was much harder than killing them. In the urgency of the situation, this last one was captured only through a joint effort by him and Ji Yuanhao.

He said to Ji Yuanhao, “Our large boat moving slowly on the Feng River is quite conspicuous.”

Yang Yanzong then turned to A Zhao, “Madam’s injuries are severe, and she cannot be moved easily. The boat is too bumpy. We will pause for a few days at Yiyang to let her rest and replenish supplies.”

This was a ruse.

Once back on deck, Yang Yanzong said calmly, “Release this man.”

“Have someone follow him.”

---

The dock market in the suburbs of Yiyang was still bustling, with heavy traffic and boats returning to port. However, the residential area where Yang and Ji temporarily stayed was already immersed in the quiet night.

In this twin house, Su Yan was on duty, sitting in the shadow of the eaves. She looked up to see that Su Ci’s bedroom light was off, then relaxed and sat back. Leaning against a dusty beam with one leg propped up, she chewed on a piece of grass, thinking about Ji Chengtian. With Su Ci’s condition stable and proper rest ensuring her recovery, Su Yan felt relieved and lively again. But thinking about Ji Chengtian made her feel complicated. After that day, Ji Chengtian somehow convinced Mrs. Ren to keep his secret. Even Ji Yuanhao seemed unaware.

A troublesome fate. Anyway, she still firmly rejected him!

It was best if he didn’t bother her sister. Otherwise, she wouldn’t let him off! Su Yan waved her fist.

“What are you doing?” Yang Yanzhen jumped over the wall and patted her shoulder. Su Yan snapped, “Are you trying to die? Scaring people can be deadly, you know?”

“Can’t be. You’re so brave.” He glanced at her, handing her a meat bun he had just taken from the kitchen.

Su Yan snorted, feeling insulted, but her eyes lit up, and she laughed, “Hey, how’s it feel to have a new concubine?”

This was news Su Yan got from Su Ci. The three Yang brothers each had one, and she had angrily cursed Mrs. Yan, but now she used it to tease Yang Yanzhen. She nudged his shoulder, giving him a knowing look. Yang Yanzhen’s face immediately looked constipated, surprising her, “Brother, you wouldn’t be… unable, right?”

What kind of expression is that???

Her gaze uncontrollably slid down, stopping three inches below his navel. She blinked, looking incredulous. No way, no way, could he be so young and already…?

“Su Yan, what kind of look is that?!” Yang Yanzhen jumped up immediately, “I didn’t even want her, okay? I sent her to sweep the courtyard!!”

Clarifying himself, he glared at her, “Are you even a woman?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Su Yan casually stuffed the bun into her mouth, proudly saying, “Your sister can bring in a husband.”

Yang Yanzhen retorted, “With your attitude, can you even find one?”

Su Yan scoffed, “If I can’t, I’ll pick one from the refugees. If he doesn’t listen, I’ll kick him out. As long as he can have kids, that’s enough!”

Yang Yanzhen couldn’t help but give her a thumbs up, “You’re something else.” He was impressed.

“Hey, hey, hey, what are you two doing up there? Get down here!” As they were bantering, A Chuan whistled, one long and one short: “Everyone assigned to Group B, come over. The target has successfully escaped! He’s heading towards Lianggu Mountain. Proceed as planned!!”

A Chuan, Yang Yanzong’s trusted aide in charge of intelligence and tracking, was a top-tier martial artist. He landed lightly and signaled Yang Yanzhen and Su Yan to come down. The task was here, and they immediately became serious.

“Track this person. Don’t lose him, and don’t let him notice. Yang Yanzhen, be ready to adapt.”

“Got it!” Yang Yanzhen nodded, looking at Su Yan and the team, “Let’s go.”

Everyone nodded solemnly.

Yang Yanzhen and his team’s martial arts were also impressive. To join the detective team, they had to be the best of the best. However, compared to the top-tier masked experts they were tracking, most of them were slightly lacking. But it didn’t matter. They had a strategy, using a roundabout tracking method, splitting into small teams to encircle and follow. Teamwork was different from individual combat, and the target was severely injured, with impaired hearing in one ear from the interrogation. This minimized his advantages.

Yang Yanzhen immediately led the team, following the signals over Lianggu Mountain, circling the four cities of Da Huang. They gradually realized the target was moving in circles.

In the dark night, the target, with heavy breathing, finally stopped and sneaked into an empty inn room to rest. The next day, he found some medicine and barely bandaged himself.

A Chuan and his team remained calm, showing no impatience. They were experienced and knew such people were extremely cautious before returning to their base.

The man circled for four or five days until Su Ci’s pain subsided, and Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao reboarded the ship, heading back towards Yangdu. After waiting two more days, he finally made his move. He was extremely cautious, constantly looking around that night. A Chuan immediately ordered most of the team to stop following, taking only a few companions with comparable lightness skills to trail the man quietly. Eventually, the man returned to Feng Chuan and entered Huang Dewei’s military camp.

Yang Yanzhen and Su Yan followed the signals, watching from a distance as the man was secretly brought into Huang Dewei’s trusted camp. Yang Yanzhen sneered, “Well, Huang Dewei even came to visit my sister-in-law!”

At this point, they should have reported back, but A Chuan decided to keep watching due to the gravity of the situation.

Their informant inside the camp confirmed the man was brought in secretly. They even arranged for some brothers to enter the camp for observation. Unexpectedly, after three days of healing in Huang Dewei’s camp, the man sneaked out again on the fourth night. If not for their vigilance, they might not have known he had been hiding all along. Even the person who fetched medicine from the medical camp was his accomplice. The man looked around and left Feng Chuan like a wisp of smoke, heading straight for Yizhou and entering a countryside villa. This villa, ostensibly owned by a local wealthy merchant, was actually owned by the Kun family, as A Chuan and his team discovered.

What a convoluted plot to frame and reframe!

Everyone was furious. After leaving some men to watch, A Chuan immediately returned to Yangdu to report to Yang Yanzong.

At that time, Yang Yanzong was gradually heading west, dealing with urgent orders, and was close to reaching Yangdu.

“The Kun family?”

Now all evidence, both overt and covert, pointed to the Kun family. Yang Yanzhen was furious, “Brother, the Kun family has gone too far.”

Logically, they should make a judgment, but Yang Yanzong felt a lingering doubt. He pondered for a long time, long enough for Yang Yanzhen and A Chuan to exchange puzzled glances.

Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao exchanged a look. Neither spoke. For some reason, at this point, neither was willing to make the final judgment. Ultimately, it stemmed from their inability to dismiss the last bit of doubt in their hearts completely. Was the old emperor truly innocent?

The stakes were high!

However, the old emperor they knew and understood was never a purely kind person. This ruler, who had reigned for over forty years, not only possessed the aloofness of an emperor but also resorted to ruthless measures when necessary. For instance, framing the three princes, the sixth and seventh princes, he repeatedly exhausted his efforts and ultimately succeeded. This was something Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao had personally experienced. So, this time, had the old emperor really been so gentle and done nothing? They couldn’t convince themselves to believe it.

---

At this moment, someone from the Kun family arrived. The visitor was Kun Tai, the cousin of Empress Kun and Imperial Uncle Kun.

Imperial Uncle Kun wanted to come personally but couldn’t get away, so Kun Tai, dressed in black with a large cloak, secretly contacted Yang Yanzong, and they met in secret.

“General Yang, General Ji, you must not fall for our emperor’s scheme to sow discord!!”

Kun Tai looked resentful. In fact, if they could, the core members of the Kun family who knew about this wanted to kill the old emperor immediately!

The Kun family wasn’t that incompetent. Imperial Uncle Kun and Empress Kun, who were closely monitoring the situation, had noticed something was wrong.

“We originally had plans for the Shangyang Palace, but there was a traitor. This person colluded with our emperor, planning to frame our Kun family!”

“We are investigating and will find this person soon!”

Yang Yanzong, who had been silent, suddenly asked, “Supervisor Department?”

“Eunuch Zhang? Is he your man?” He remembered the first time he and Imperial Uncle Kun framed Zhang Boqian; the supervisor official present was Eunuch Zhang, a confidant of Tong Jien.

Kun Tai’s heart skipped a beat but remained calm, “What is General Yang saying?”

Yang Yanzong smiled faintly and said no more.

Kun Tai became very agitated, even swearing oaths, disregarding the dignity of a top noble.

However, Yang Yanzong didn’t believe a word. Who was human? Who was a ghost? He didn’t know. But one thing was certain: he had roughly figured out why Su Ci and Mrs. Ren had gotten into trouble.

Yang Yanzong couldn’t help but sneer. Exchanging a glance with Ji Yuanhao, both saw suppressed anger and mockery in each other’s eyes.

Then, Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao issued orders to investigate what the Kun family had been doing recently, whether in Yangdu or the northern frontier, and all related people and events.

As for the old emperor, what traces of activity did he have? This could start with the Supervisor Department.

Additionally, Yang Yanzong gave A Chuan and Yang Yanzhen another order to send someone to the villa in Yizhou. If necessary, they could infiltrate it and focus on whether the person was still there.

A Chuan and Yang Yanzhen discussed and decided that Yang Yanzhen would lead his team straight to Yizhou. The villa complex wasn’t large. The guards confirmed that the person hadn’t left.

Yang Yanzhen personally led the search. They quietly searched the area, remaining highly vigilant, but after the search, they found the person was gone!

—Could there be a secret passage?!

As everyone was deep in thought, considering the most complex possibilities, Su Yan suddenly sniffed, “Do you guys smell something… foul?”

They were standing near the kitchen, and she was downwind. For some reason, she kept smelling something rotten, like decaying meat.

Su Yan had an exceptionally keen sense of smell since childhood, even better than Su Ci’s. She could find anything edible, no matter where it was hidden. Yang Yanzhen knew this well because she loved to show off, and he couldn’t get any, so he would angrily call her a “dog nose!”

Yang Yanzhen perked up at her words, glanced at the others, and immediately thought of another possibility. They moved over, sniffing left and right. Finally, Su Yan led the way, following the wind up a small slope behind the house. There, they found the person.

Under the loose soil, a hand was faintly visible, and its owner had quietly become a corpse.

A suicide.

Judging by the state of decomposition, he had died the night he infiltrated the villa. He had even set up a simple mechanism to bury himself in the soil after his death. The location was so secluded that the villa’s inhabitants likely didn’t know.

This twist was genuinely shocking. A top-tier expert of his time dying in such a pathetic and humiliating way?!

After a moment of silence, Yang Yanzhen said, “Alright, clean up, and let’s go back.”

They had arrived secretly, and their return was even more discreet, not even disturbing the original guards.

When Yang Yanzong heard this, he sneered. He and Ji Yuanhao re-interrogated the Northern Rong men.

Yang Yanzong didn’t waste words. He wasn’t there to hear old excuses. Without new confessions, he drew his sword and beheaded one of them.

Blood splattered, and the head rolled on the ground. He killed six in a row, leaving only the last one. He glanced at the man and said calmly, “When I was campaigning in the north, I heard of an old Northern Rong custom. When a person dies, their head and arms can be severed, but their internal organs must not be separated from the body. Otherwise, they will be eternally despised by the Eternal Heaven, never returning to their tribe in life, and having no resting place in death, never to be reincarnated.” He spoke in the Northern Rong language.

After speaking, he waved his hand, and several half-human-height hungry dogs rushed in. Ji Yuanhao coldly smiled, kicked aside the bloody head, and casually cut open a corpse’s chest and abdomen. The dogs immediately barked wildly and began devouring the flesh.

When they reached the sixth body, the man was taken down from the torture rack. He finally broke down, “I’ll talk, I’ll talk, I’ll tell you everything!” He stared at the lip-licking dogs, closed his eyes for a moment, and finally said, “We have long been in contact with the Huang family. You know Huang Shimao, right?”

Of course, they knew. How could they not? Whether willingly or not, Huang Shimao had indeed sunk deeper and deeper. He was the main contributor to the vast development of the Northern Rong spy network. So, did the old emperor know? If discovered, the old emperor would undoubtedly uproot it completely. Two birds with one stone? A double-edged sword? The logic finally made sense. Yang Yanzong threw down his blood-stained sword and said to Ji Yuanhao, “Next, it’s up to you, Brother Ji.”

Yang Yanzong hadn’t forgotten that Ji Yuanhao had deep connections within the prison and likely many informants in other parts of the palace. Given this, he left the matter to Ji Yuanhao.

Yang Yanzong didn’t plan to use his own secret agents.

“For example, remote wells, secluded areas, or perhaps icehouses.” Yang Yanzong pondered, recalling Eunuch Zhang from the Supervisor Department.

Ji Yuanhao glanced at him, pursed his lips, but didn’t refuse.

A few days later, Ji Yuanhao quickly focused on the icehouse. The next day, a group of palace servants and eunuchs were executed—death in the palace was not uncommon, especially recently with the turbulent relationship between the old emperor and Empress Kun, leading to more deaths. Eighteen palace servants and eunuchs were executed that day, but nineteen bodies were taken to the mass grave. One eunuch’s face was disfigured, the body bloated, seemingly drowned, but Yang Yanzong found a familiar scar between the thumb and forefinger. He had an excellent memory. He remembered that when he and Eunuch Zhang were punishing Zhang Boqian, Eunuch Zhang wore a jade thumb ring, revealing half an old scar underneath. The scar was small and shallow, but when Eunuch Zhang held a sheepskin book, it was obvious.

Yang Yanzong coldly smiled, ordered the hand to be cut off, placed it in a lime box, and sent it to Imperial Uncle Kun.

A day later, Imperial Uncle Kun replied, finally admitting that he had intended to invite Su Ci and Ren to a villa in Yunzhou.

This was corroborated, as A Chuan had previously found that the Kun family had suddenly made some preparations at a villa in Yunzhou. So, the one who ordered no survivors was the old emperor?!

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That night, Yang Yanzong returned to his room. It was already past midnight. Su Ci, recovering from her injuries, had been going to bed early. Her wounds were better, but the bandages were still on. Her spirits were high, seemingly back to her lively self, but in reality, she was eating and drinking little, just taking medicine, losing a lot of blood, and her injuries were severe. Her face was not only pale but also slightly yellow.

Yang Yanzong had seen her and ordered the mirrors to be put away.

This girl was quite vain. Seeing herself like this would probably depress her. He wrote a memorial stating his wife’s severe injuries. The old emperor showed compassion and allowed him to return slowly as long as he secured the northern frontier by the end of October and resumed his duties in Yangdu. Such a benevolent and compassionate old emperor!

Indeed, it was the old emperor!!

Yang Yanzong sneered. He had no loyalty to the emperor. If necessary, why not be a rebel?!

How could a man not protect his own woman?! This time, it truly touched his reverse scale.

Moreover, Yang Yanzong keenly sensed the old emperor’s attitude towards him from the death order given to his wife. He sneered, fearing that his previous thoughts of keeping him and Ji Yuanhao around, perhaps trimming their power a bit to create a balance for the young emperor’s future reign, were now a distant hope.

Good, good! What an emperor!

Neither the old emperor nor the Kun family were good people. The Kun family might not be much better, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they turned against each other in the future, but that was a matter for another time.

Yang Yanzong coldly lowered his eyes, the room falling silent. After a moment, he looked up, “Pack Madam’s things. We return to Yangdu tomorrow.”