The sprawling manor was dark and silent, its halls vast and layered one upon the other.
Scattered lanterns, like stars, dotted the woods, casting faint glimmers of light. The wind carried a heavy scent of rain mingled with faint floral notes. Layers of bamboo curtains hung low, sealing off the dust of the outside world while trapping the dampness of the mountain rain within the halls.
Hua Zi Feng moved carefully under the desolate moonlight, taking care to ensure the rhythm of his heartbeat, warmed by the chill of the night wind, didn’t disturb his composure. His steps were measured, slow enough for the hidden masters surrounding him to recognize his tread and identify him, even though he knew this place intimately.
As the eldest brother of the Hua family, Hua Zi Feng approached his duties differently from Yan Zi Qing, his colleague at Jinshi Hall. His caution stemmed from respect for his master, not fear.
A long corridor stretched toward the manor’s innermost section. In the distance, the muffled sound of the watchman’s drum signaled the third watch.
Hua Zi Feng’s measured steps didn’t falter. His face, weathered but sharp like a walnut, was clean and precise. His meticulously groomed hands reflected the air of a man who valued efficiency in all things.
The lamps in a somber hall suddenly lit up, as if anticipating his arrival.
Hua Zi Feng approached the hall and stopped respectfully, his hands lowered.
Layers of bamboo curtains still veiled the hall, allowing only slivers of glaring light to seep through while keeping its secrets tightly locked within.
“Commander Shao has sent an urgent letter.”
The bamboo curtain was lifted, and a young boy with a shaved head emerged to receive the letter. A faint trace of sandalwood wafted out as the curtain shifted.
Amid the swirling incense smoke, a gaunt, skeletal hand took the letter from the boy. The face of the one who read the letter betrayed no emotion whatsoever.
Perhaps trying to decipher such a face was an exercise in futility.
The hall remained shrouded in darkness, with only the dim, flickering light of a single candle casting shadows. Was it because the master of the hall preferred darkness, choosing to observe his opponents from the obscurity it provided?
A somber voice broke the silence and gloom, coming from one of the attendants standing deferentially at the side.
“With today being the fourth day, if we still fail to retrieve that item and it ends up in the capital, not even wiping out everyone in Xiang Yang would salvage the situation.”
— “Do we know if Commander Shao has managed to uncover any leads on the target?”
For the first time, a hint of displeasure crossed the previously emotionless face. “Shao Ji Zu mobilized the prince’s elite guards and half the forces of Jin Shi Hall, yet he has achieved nothing so far.”
The attendant at his side spoke cautiously, “Your Highness, Commander Shao’s opponent is renowned and holds a noble status. Moreover, I suspect that during this escape, the target has gone to great lengths to conceal their identity, likely traveling under an alias and taking shortcuts straight to the capital. Given the delicacy of the matter, and the need for discretion from the Xiang Yang Prince’s household, our movements have been restricted. Commander Shao’s setbacks were inevitable.”
The seated figure’s face darkened, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. His sinister voice rose sharply: “The longer he takes, the greater the chance of losing the target! How could I not be anxious about this?”
After a moment’s pause, the attendant offered, “Your Highness, though displeased, it would be wise not to reproach Commander Shao. He owes his position to your grace and is a rare talent. He will undoubtedly devote himself entirely to this matter. Furthermore, Your Highness must remember that Commander Shao is also the key to acquiring the Ling Long Eye from the Huo family of Ling Long Manor. It is essential not to let him harbor resentment.”
The figure in the hall let out a cold laugh. “If not for the imperial decree granting the marriage, how could the eldest daughter of the Huo family at Ling Long Manor have been so easily betrothed to him? Shao Ji Zu should be grateful to me beyond measure. How could he dare bear a grudge?”
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