I: Old Traces in a Crumbling Temple

  Shortly after sunrise on the eighth day of the tenth month.

  Li Yan crouched outside the dilapidated wall of Green Cloud Temple in the eastern quarter of Luoyang. A stalk of foxtail grass dangled from his lips, his eyes narrowed to slits as he studied the temple’s wooden doors, their lacquer peeling away in patches.

  "Green Cloud Temple... a rather celestial name," he muttered, spitting out the grass and brushing dust from his hands. "But this looks more like a haunted manor."

  According to the markings on the jade token map, this was the second secret contact point of Dou Wu’s network. Yet the sight before him—collapsed sections of the courtyard wall, roof tiles scattered like fallen leaves, stone steps choked with moss—hardly seemed operational.

  "Well, I’m here now," Li Yan stood, flexing his wrists. "Might as well look inside. Wouldn’t want that fifty-tael medicinal concoction from Master Sun to go to waste."

  He circled to the rear, where the wall was most collapsed, and stepped over with ease. His landing was silent as a falling leaf.

  Within the courtyard, weeds reached his waist, rustling dryly in the autumn wind. The door to the main hall hung crooked on its frame; inside, the statues of the Three Pure Ones leaned at precarious angles, veiled in cobwebs.

  Li Yan made a circuit of the periphery first, using his foot to part the grass, observing carefully. Soon, he noticed something amiss.

  The weeds bore signs of recent trampling—the broken stems still oozed fresh sap. Not just in one place, but several faint trails led from the wall to the main hall and a side chamber.

  "Well, business seems brisk," Li Yan chuckled, but his eyes grew alert.

  He followed one trail to the main hall and paused at the entrance, nostrils flaring. A faint scent of smoke lingered in the air—not incense, but the acrid smell of cheap firewood.

  Inside, in the central censer, there was a small pile of ashes.

  Li Yan crouched and tested them with a finger.

  Still warm.

  "Within the last hour," he judged. "Someone burned something here."

  This was interesting. A temple abandoned for years, yet visited recently, with something burned. What was burned? And why?

  He began a meticulous search. The statues, the altar table, the corners, the rafters... nothing escaped his scrutiny. Finally, his gaze settled on the base of the central statue—the Primordial Heavenly尊. The stone lotus pedestal had one petal slightly paler than the rest. Li Yan pressed it.

  Click.

  A soft sound, and a small hidden compartment sprang open from the side of the base.

  Inside lay a roll of silk manuscript. Li Yan retrieved it and unrolled it, reading by the morning light filtering through the broken window.

  The silk was yellowed but the script remained legible. The first section listed over a dozen names, followed by annotations of familial relations, addresses, and occupations. Li Yan scanned quickly; most were scions of minor gentry families or low-ranking military officers.

  "Kinship network of Dou Wu’s personal guard..." he murmured. "Kept for future contact?"

  Turning to the end, his eyes fixed on a line of small characters. The ink was noticeably fresher, as if added recently:

  "Fifteenth day of the twelfth month, Western Garden rotation change. Armory Jia-Zi accessible."

  The handwriting was hurried but forceful, the hand of someone long accustomed to the brush.

  Li Yan stared at the words, his brow furrowed.

  The fifteenth of the twelfth month—over a month away. Western Garden rotation—the monthly guard change at the Western Garden Army, he knew that. Armory Jia-Zi—the vault storing important weaponry and documents within the Western Garden complex.

  "Someone wants into Armory Jia-Zi?" Li Yan rolled up the manuscript. "To steal arms? Or... to find something?"

  He recalled Master Sun’s words—the jade token puzzle might point to a secret. If part of that secret was hidden in Armory Jia-Zi, it would make sense.

  Just then, faint footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard.

  Not one person, but two, and from different directions—one set steady and heavy, trained in solid martial arts; the other almost silent, only the slightest rustle of cloth, suggesting exceptional lightness skill.

  Li Yan reacted instantly. He slipped behind the statues, held his breath, and peered through a gap.

  Two figures vaulted over the wall in succession.

  The first to land was a sturdy man in his thirties, dressed in common cloth, but his posture was straight, his gaze sharp. His right hand hung in a loose, habitual grip—the mark of a lifelong swordsman.

  "Western Garden Army," Li Yan assessed.

  The second was a tall, lean figure in gray, landing as softly as a feather. His face was masked, only his eyes visible, scanning the area with a blade-like sharpness.

  Li Yan didn’t recognize this man, but his movement style wasn’t military; it spoke of the Jianghu.

  The two were clearly not together. The sturdy man circled the courtyard, examining the trampled trails. The masked man went straight into the side chamber, moving swiftly.

  Li Yan waited behind the statue for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn. Seeing neither man showed signs of leaving, he decided to withdraw.

  He slipped out a rear window and landed, deliberately snapping a dry twig underfoot.

  Crack!

  The sound was soft, but piercing in the temple's silence.

  "Who’s there?!" the sturdy man shouted, drawing his blade and giving chase.

  The masked man emerged from the side chamber but did not pursue. Instead, he retreated into shadow, observing.

  Unhurried, Li Yan made a few leaps over the wall and vanished into the bamboo grove behind the temple. He had scouted the area yesterday and knew a stream ran deep within the grove; beyond it lay the main road.

  The sturdy man reached the edge of the bamboo, hesitated—the grove was too dense, perfect for an ambush—cursed, and turned back.

  Li Yan waited a while longer in the bamboo, confirming safety, then emerged.

  He stood by the stream, splashed water on his face, and looked at his reflection.

  "Well, well," he sighed with a wry smile. "Just a few days, and I’ve become quite the prize. The Western Garden Army watching, Jianghu experts watching... whose ancestral grave did I dig up?"

  Despite his words, he understood clearly: the case he was investigating had touched a nerve. And those involved did not intend to let him continue.

  "Then let’s see who plays the better game." Li Yan shook the water from his hands and headed back towards the Hall of Benevolent Healing.

  Dawn light strengthened. Luoyang stirred awake within the thin mist.

  A new day had begun.

  And Li Yan did not know that on this day, his name would begin to circulate within certain circles.

  Part II: Fury in the Western Garden Camp

  The same time, Western Garden Army barracks.

  Jian Shuo sat in the duty room, his face as dark as an impending storm.

  Three men knelt before him: Old Feng from the charity graveyard, the ‘mute’ apprentice (now speaking, called Zhao Qi), and the sturdy man from the temple surveillance, named Wang Meng.

  "Incompetents!" Jian Shuo grabbed a teacup from the table and hurled it to the floor. "A pack of incompetents! Can’t even catch a wandering swordsman! What use are you?!"

  Shards of porcelain flew. The three men kept their heads down, not daring to utter a word.

  "Feng!" Jian Shuo pointed at Old Feng. "The charity graveyard was infiltrated, a jade token stolen, and you call it an 'accident'?"

  Old Feng kowtowed. "Colonel, please calm your anger. That man’s skills were formidable, and... and it seemed he had assistance."

  "Assistance? Who?"

  "Unclear. But that night, someone scattered lime powder to aid him. We investigated afterward—it wasn’t our man, nor his." Old Feng’s voice trembled. "It seemed like... a third party."

  A cold glint flashed in Jian Shuo’s eyes.

  A third party? Who could it be? He Jin? Yuan Shao? Or...

  Suppressing his rage, he turned to Zhao Qi. "And you? Had the token snatched, didn’t even get a clear look at him?"

  Zhao Qi lowered his head. "He was masked, moved too fast. And..." He hesitated. "He seemed familiar with the Western Garden Army’s fighting techniques."

  "Familiar?" Jian Shuo narrowed his eyes. "Guanzhong accent, familiar with our techniques... Investigate! Check every officer and veteran in the army from Guanzhong. See if anyone knows of such a person!"

  "Yes, sir!"

  Finally, he looked at Wang Meng. "And the temple?"

  Wang Meng reported stiffly. "Early this morning, that man went to Green Cloud Temple, stayed about half an hour. When he left, I tried to follow, but he was too alert, lost him in the bamboo grove. However..." He paused. "There was another person in the temple, exceptional lightness skill. Didn’t seem to be one of ours, nor the swordsman’s accomplice."

  "Another?" Jian Shuo tapped the table with his fingers. "So we’re not the only ones watching this matter."

  He pondered for a moment, then issued orders. "First, continue investigating Li Yan’s background. I want to know who his master was, where he trained, who his associates are."

  "Second, increase surveillance on the Hall of Benevolent Healing. That old cripple Sun surely knows something."

  "Third," Jian Shuo’s eyes flashed with killing intent. "Before the twelfth month, all remaining remnants of Dou Wu’s faction must be cleaned up. Especially those connected to the ‘Yi-Er’ site. Wang Meng, take a squad from the Yi Battalion, watch Green Cloud Temple. Kill anyone who comes."

  "Yes, sir!" Wang Meng acknowledged.

  "And," Jian Shuo added, "if this Li Yan appears again... try to capture him alive. I want to ask him exactly who is behind this."

  After the three withdrew, Jian Shuo sat alone in the duty room, gazing at the map of Luoyang’s defenses on the wall.

  Nine red dots marked known Dou Wu sites. One remained blank—the tenth site, never found.

  And that wandering swordsman Li Yan held at least two jade token fragments, possibly knowing more.

  "The Winter Solstice Sacrifice..." Jian Shuo murmured to himself. "Time is running short."

  Outside, the rhythmic shouts of soldiers drilling echoed.

  But beneath the surface of this imperial guard, undercurrents churned fiercely.

  Jian Shuo knew his position as Colonel was precarious. The eunuch faction needed him to control the Western Garden Army, but the scholar clans and the consort clan watched like tigers. Now this Li Yan had stirred the waters even murkier.

  "Whoever you are," Jian Shuo stared at the map, a vicious light in his eyes, "if you ruin my plans, death is your only path."

  Part III: Calculations of the General and the Colonel

  The ninth day of the tenth month, mid-morning.

  In the study of the General-in-Chief’s residence, He Jin listened to his advisor’s report.

  The advisor, a scholar in his forties named Chen Lin, renowned for his sharp pen, was a trusted strategist of He Jin.

  "General, there is movement in the Western Garden Army," Chen Lin reported in a low voice. "Jian Shuo has ordered the pursuit and execution of a wandering swordsman named Li Yan. It’s said this man has cracked several cases and stole a jade token from the charity graveyard."

  "Jade token?" He Jin frowned. "The same tokens Lu Zhi mentioned, Dou Wu’s tokens?"

  "Precisely," Chen Lin nodded. "And according to our observers, this Li Yan seems to be continuing his investigation. He visited Green Cloud Temple in the eastern quarter this morning—another of Dou Wu’s old sites."

  He Jin paced to the window, watching his guards practice archery in the courtyard.

  "This man... can he be of use to us?"

  Chen Lin pondered. "Judging by his actions, he seems to possess a chivalrous spirit, not the type to easily attach himself to power. But since he is acting against the eunuchs, perhaps he can be won over."

  "Then let us try," He Jin turned. "Arrange for someone to make contact. Say... this general admires his righteous deeds and is willing to fund his investigation. As for terms, we can discuss them gradually."

  "Yes, General. However, the Western Garden Army is watching closely. If our people show their hand directly, we may be detected."

  "Then find an intermediary," He Jin thought. "I recall you have a distant cousin in Luoyang, in the medicinal herbs trade, with some connections to the Jianghu?"

  Chen Lin’s eyes brightened. "General, you mean..."

  "Have him make contact, in a private capacity. Even if discovered, it cannot be traced to us."

  "A brilliant plan!" Chen Lin praised. "I shall arrange it immediately."

  At the same time, in Yuan Shao’s private residence.

  Xu You was reporting the latest street rumors to Yuan Shao.

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  "My lord, all of Luoyang is buzzing with talk of a Guanzhong swordsman who single-handedly solved the floating corpse case, exposed the black market for arms, and made fools of the Western Garden Army. The tales are fantastical, like a hero from a storyteller’s tale."

  Yuan Shao was practicing calligraphy, his brushstroke uninterrupted. "Oh? What is this man’s name?"

  "Li Yan, style name Quji, around twenty-three or twenty-four, Guanzhong accent, formidable martial skill, also knowledgeable in medicine and law," Xu You said. "Most crucially, he holds fragments of Dou Wu’s jade tokens and is still investigating those old sites."

  Yuan Shao finished the last stroke and set down his brush, admiring his work—the four characters for "The Sea Embraces All Rivers."

  "What is your opinion of this man?"

  "He is a talent," Xu You stated frankly. "To navigate such perilous waters and survive this long, he must have genuine ability. And the case he investigates happens to oppose the eunuchs. If he could be employed by you, my lord..."

  "Not so hasty," Yuan Shao waved a hand. "First, ascertain his background. Find out who his master was, his connections in Guanzhong. If his origins are clean, then we may make contact."

  "A prudent consideration, my lord," Xu You nodded. "However, I’ve heard that He Jin also seems interested in contacting this man."

  A flicker of displeasure passed through Yuan Shao’s eyes, quickly masked. "The General-in-Chief acts quickly indeed. But... such men are not swayed by gold and silver. They must be won willingly."

  He thought for a moment. "Arrange for someone—not from our household, find an unfamiliar face—to contact him under the pretext of 'admiring his righteous deeds.' Do not mention recruitment, only offer to fund his investigation, to foster goodwill."

  "Understood," Xu You smiled. "Sow the seed first, reap the fruit later."

  "Exactly," Yuan Shao walked to the window, gazing at the chrysanthemums in the courtyard. "This city of Luoyang appears calm, but beneath the surface, undercurrents rage. It is always better to have one more friend than one more enemy."

  He turned to Xu You. "Especially... a friend with capability."

  Part IV: Tales of the 'Righteous Hero' in Reformist Circles

  Afternoon of the ninth day, tenth month. A teahouse near the Imperial Academy.

  Several students of the Imperial Academy gathered over tea, discussing politics. Naturally, the conversation turned to the recent court uproar.

  "Have you heard? The one who exposed the Western Garden arms case wasn’t someone from Minister Lu’s faction—it was a wandering swordsman from the Jianghu!" a round-faced student said mysteriously.

  "A swordsman? Really?"

  "Absolutely true!" a tall, thin student chimed in. "My cousin serves in the Capital Prefecture office. He says the swordsman is named Li Yan, in his early twenties, superb martial arts. He infiltrated the charity graveyard alone and snatched the key evidence right from under the Western Garden Army’s nose!"

  "More than that!" another added. "I heard that a few days ago, someone was ambushed in the Ghost Market, and this Li Yan intervened, fought off five assassins single-handedly—using Western Garden Army crossbows at that!"

  The listeners were astounded.

  "This... this is too incredible!"

  "Indeed! Now the Western Garden Army is hunting him all over the city but can’t catch him. Some say he can scale walls and leap over rooftops, others say he knows esoteric arts. In short, a dragon glimpsed but never seen."

  The discussion grew louder, soon spreading through the teahouse. Patrons from other tables leaned in to listen, then passed the tales on.

  Within an hour, tales of "the wandering swordsman Li Yan" had spawned several versions, each more exaggerated than the last.

  Some said he stood eight feet tall, with a face like carved jade. Others claimed he wielded a meteoric iron greatsword that could cleave boulders. Yet others whispered he was the disciple of a reclusive master, descended to uphold justice in a corrupt world.

  In the mouths of the reformist scholars, Li Yan had become the contemporary epitome of "chivalrous bones and loyal heart, wisdom and courage combined"—a clear stream in murky waters.

  Lu Zhi’s residence, study.

  A disciple reported these rumors to Lu Zhi.

  After listening, Lu Zhi remained silent for a long time, then sighed.

  "If such a righteous man truly exists, it would be a blessing for the court," he shook his head. "Alas, a man of the Jianghu remains a man of the Jianghu. Difficult to enter the court, difficult to achieve true influence."

  The disciple said, "Master, this Li Yan is now in grave danger. The Western Garden Army wishes to eliminate him. Should we... offer assistance?"

  Lu Zhi considered. "If he is truly in need, we should naturally help. But we cannot act openly, lest it give others a handle against us." He instructed, "Go inform our acquaintances in the Capital Prefecture office: if this Li Yan encounters official trouble, show leniency where possible. But remember, do not mention my name."

  "Your disciple understands."

  After the disciple left, Lu Zhi sat alone in his study, looking at the tattoo rubbings and crossbow records on his desk.

  He thought of the ambitions of his youth, the decades of ups and downs in the official sea, the petty scheming in the court halls.

  "A knight errant transgresses prohibitions with his martial arts..." he murmured to himself. "But sometimes, those 'prohibitions' deserve to be transgressed."

  Outside the window, the autumn wind sighed, scattering fallen leaves.

  Part V: Adjustments in Cui Yan’s Game

  Morning of the tenth day, tenth month.

  In the Cui residence study, Cui Yan listened to Cui Fu’s report on the various factions’ movements.

  "Young mistress, it is all verified," Cui Fu presented a list. "The Western Garden Army is indeed hunting Li Yan; Jian Shuo has issued a kill order. On He Jin’s side, Chen Lin’s cousin has been sent to make contact. Yuan Shao has also arranged for an unknown face to foster goodwill under the guise of 'funding.'"

  "And the rumors in reformist circles? Did you trace their source?"

  "This old servant investigated meticulously. They originated with a few students from the Imperial Academy, but tracing further back, the trail ends." Cui Fu paused. "However, among those students, one is a distant nephew of Imperial Censor Wang Yun."

  "Wang Yun..." Cui Yan pondered. "A man of Lu Zhi. It seems Minister Lu is also giving a subtle push from the shadows."

  She walked to her desk, spread out a map of Luoyang’s power factions, and began marking the latest developments with a vermilion brush.

  Li Yan’s name now sat at the center of the map, surrounded by four forces: the Western Garden Army, He Jin, Yuan Shao, and the reformists.

  "This man has become a pivotal variable," Cui Yan said softly. "If he aligns with He Jin, pressure on the eunuchs doubles. If with Yuan Shao, the scholar clans gain strength. If killed by the eunuchs, this case may fade into obscurity."

  She paused, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "But what if he aligns with none, and continues his investigation alone?"

  Cui Fu considered. "Then he becomes a target for all. The Western Garden Army wants him dead. He Jin and Yuan Shao, unable to have him, may not allow others to, and could secretly hinder him."

  "Therefore, we shall help him," Cui Yan said. "But not openly."

  She began issuing new instructions. "First, have Cui Jun at the Capital Prefecture office 'accidentally' discover the Western Garden surveillance around the Hall of Benevolent Healing. Under the pretext of maintaining order, send constables to patrol that area more frequently—create opportunities for Li Yan to slip away."

  "Second, through our family’s merchant network, spread a rumor: The Western Garden Army plans to assassinate the righteous man who exposed the arms case. No need to be explicit, but ensure the right ears hear it."

  "Third," Cui Yan walked to a bookshelf and retrieved an old ledger. "I recall in Dou Wu’s kinship network, there was a man named Chen Xu, son of Chen Zhen, living in seclusion in Nanyang. Chen Zhen was Dou Wu’s trusted aide; his son might know something."

  She found the page, copied the information, and handed the paper to Cui Fu.

  "Have this copy delivered anonymously to the Hall of Benevolent Healing. Leave no trace, but... we can leave a clue."

  "A clue?"

  "Yes," Cui Yan thought for a moment. "Use the orchid scent I often use to perfume my clothes. Faintly scent a corner of the paper. The fragrance must be extremely subtle, unnoticed unless one is looking for it."

  Cui Fu was puzzled. "Young mistress, this is..."

  "I wish to see if he can detect it," a slight curve touched Cui Yan’s lips. "If he cannot notice such a faint trace, then he is not worth our continued effort."

  "This old servant understands." Cui Fu took the copy and withdrew to make arrangements.

  Alone in the study, Cui Yan sat, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk.

  She thought of Li Yan. His composed demeanor when saving her in the Ghost Market; his alertness shaking off pursuit at the temple; the tales of his boldness in outwitting the Western Garden Army.

  "What kind of man are you, truly?" she whispered to herself.

  Outside the window, the autumn sun shone bright. But Cui Yan knew this calm was merely surface-deep.

  A storm was brewing.

  Part VI: The 'Liveliness' at the Hall of Benevolent Healing

  Early morning of the eleventh day, tenth month.

  Li Yan peered out from the second-floor window of the Hall of Benevolent Healing, a steamed bun in his mouth, mumbling, "Master, your place is about to become a marketplace."

  Across the street below, three new stalls had appeared: a vegetable seller, a cobbler, and an old Daoist fortune-teller.

  The vegetable seller’s hands bore calluses, but not from farming—from gripping a weapon. The cobbler kept his head down but his eyes kept darting toward the Hall. The fortune-teller was even more blatant; his divination banner read "Iron Mouth, Direct Judgments," but his knuckles were thick and coarse—clearly trained in external martial arts.

  Master Sun pounded herbs downstairs, not looking up. "It’s all your doing. You’ve stirred up my peaceful place."

  "Now that’s unfair," Li Yan finished the bun in a few bites. "Clearly your establishment has excellent feng shui, much beloved."

  He closed the window and went downstairs, sidling up to Master Sun. "Master, let’s discuss something."

  "Nothing to discuss," Master Sun kept pounding. "If you’re thinking of running, settle that fifty-tael medicine bill first."

  "Who said I’m running?" Li Yan pulled up a small stool and sat. "I was thinking, since so many people are watching, we shouldn’t let their efforts go to waste."

  Master Sun stopped. "What are you planning?"

  "Give them something to do." Li Yan pulled a piece of paper from his robe—a "treasure map" he had drawn the previous night, marking an ancient tomb in the Mang Hills, boldly inscribed with "Jade Token Secret Stored Here."

  "What is this nonsense?" Master Sun frowned.

  "A fake map," Li Yan grinned. "Drew it myself last night, very meticulously too. Even marked the tomb passage and trap locations. Looks authentic, doesn’t it?"

  Master Sun examined it. "The drawing is passable, but anyone with eyes can tell it’s fake. What 'Marquis Wu of Han' tomb in the Mang Hills? Were any Han-era marquises buried in Luoyang during Emperor Wu’s reign?"

  "Ah, details aren’t important," Li Yan waved a hand. "What’s important is that someone believes it. Or rather, that some people are half-convinced and feel compelled to investigate."

  He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Tonight, I’ll go to the black market and 'accidentally' drop this map in front of an information broker. Then let the Western Garden informant 'happen' to see it. What do you think? Will Jian Shuo send men to dig?"

  Master Sun’s eyes widened. "You kid... you’re downright devious."

  "It’s not devious, it’s optimal resource allocation," Li Yan laughed. "They’re idle, aren’t they? Give them some work, save them from staring at us all day."

  Master Sun thought for a moment, then chuckled. "Fine, but be careful. Don’t get yourself caught."

  "Don’t worry," Li Yan pocketed the map. "I’m a professional when it comes to acting."

  That night, late.

  Disguised as a down-and-out scholar, Li Yan staggered into the Ghost Market. He browsed a few stalls before stopping at one selling old books—the proprietor also dealt in information.

  "Shopkeeper, do you have... maps from former dynasties?" he asked, slurring his words as if drunk.

  The information broker was a wiry old man with darting eyes. "What kind of map does the gentleman seek?"

  "The kind... the kind that marks ancient tombs," Li Yan lowered his voice. "I heard there’s a grand tomb in the Mang Hills, filled with funerary treasures."

  As he spoke, he reached into his robe and accidentally dropped the fake map.

  "Oops, dropped it." Li Yan bent to pick it up, his movements clumsy from "drunkenness."

  The broker’s sharp eyes caught the words "Jade Token Secret" on the map. His interest piqued, he pretended to help, quickly scanning the contents.

  "Sir, this map..." he probed.

  "Shh!" Li Yan hastily gathered the map. "Don’t announce it! This is a family heirloom!"

  He looked around, then leaned closer to the broker. "Shopkeeper, if you’re interested, I’ll sell it cheap. Fifty taels, how about it?"

  The broker calculated: The map looked plausible, but fifty taels was too much. Still, he could copy it first and sell it to someone else later.

  As he pondered, another man walked past—the Western Garden informant, disguised as a buyer of old goods.

  The informant also glimpsed the map. Though he only saw it briefly, the words "Jade Token" were too glaring. He showed no reaction, continued walking, but had memorized Li Yan and the broker.

  Li Yan "drunkenly" haggled with the broker for a long time before "reluctantly" settling for twenty taels. Pocketing the money, he staggered out of the Ghost Market.

  The broker, feeling he’d struck gold, quickly packed up to study the map.

  The Western Garden informant immediately returned to camp to report.

  Everything proceeded according to plan.

  Part VII: The 'Surprise' in the Mang Hills

  Early morning of the twelfth day, tenth month.

  Deep within the Mang Hills, in a remote valley.

  Wang Meng stood with ten skilled Western Garden soldiers, torches in hand, looking at the half-excavated ancient tomb before them.

  "Captain, this tomb... seems real," one subordinate said.

  Wang Meng frowned. After receiving the intelligence, he had been skeptical, but the Colonel had ordered an investigation. And indeed, they found this tomb. Judging by its structure, it did appear to be a marquis’s tomb.

  "Keep digging," he ordered.

  The men wielded shovels, soon clearing the tomb entrance. Inside was pitch black, emitting a musty odor.

  Just as Wang Meng was about to lead them in, footsteps sounded from afar.

  Another group approached, about seven or eight, clad in black, faces masked.

  The two groups confronted each other at the tomb entrance.

  "Who are you?" Wang Meng barked.

  No answer. The leader of the black-clad group simply waved a hand, and they attacked!

  Blades and swords flashed, clashing instantly.

  Wang Meng realized these were no ordinary tomb raiders. Their skills were exceptional, each move lethal—clearly trained assassins.

  "He Jin’s men!" he understood immediately.

  Yesterday, he had received word that He Jin was also inquiring about this map. It seemed both sides had gotten the intelligence and both had come.

  The fight lasted half an incense stick’s time. Though the Western Garden men outnumbered them, the black-clad assassins were more ruthless and seemed prepared. When Wang Meng finally fought his way out, only three injured men remained by his side.

  Four of the opponents lay dead; the rest retreated.

  Wang Meng looked at the corpses strewn about, shaking with rage.

  "Li Yan..." he ground his teeth. "Just you wait!"

  Meanwhile, Li Yan was in the rear courtyard of the Hall of Benevolent Healing, listening to Master Sun relay the news.

  "A fight broke out in the Mang Hills. Seven Western Garden soldiers dead, four of He Jin’s men dead," Master Sun said. "Jian Shuo is furious, He Jin also suffered losses. Both sides now suspect the other set a trap."

  Li Yan, eating noodles, nearly choked. "That intense? I just wanted them to dig an empty tomb. How did it come to a fight?"

  "What did you expect?" Master Sun glared. "How sensitive are those jade tokens now? Whoever got the map would fight for it. Besides, those two factions were already at each other’s throats."

  Li Yan set down his bowl, wiped his mouth. "So am I in even more danger now?"

  "What do you think?" Master Sun sighed. "The Western Garden Army is convinced you made fools of them. He Jin’s side is probably guessing whose man you are. And Yuan Shao—I heard he’s sending someone to 'visit' you tomorrow."

  "Visit?" Li Yan raised an eyebrow. "What kind of visit?"

  "Says he admires your righteous deeds, wants to fund your investigation," Master Sun looked at him. "What are you thinking?"

  Li Yan was silent for a moment, then smiled. "Let them come. With many debts, one stops worrying; with many lice, one stops itching. Perfect timing—I also want to know what these people really want."

  He stood up and stretched. "But before that, I need to deal with this."

  He pulled out the anonymous package—delivered to the Hall’s doorstep by a beggar that morning. Inside was a copy of information on "Chen Xu," the corner of the paper faintly scented with orchid.

  "Master, do you think the one who sent this is friend or foe?"

  Master Sun took the copy and examined it. "The information is real. Chen Xu is indeed Chen Zhen’s son. If he’s alive, he’s likely in seclusion in Nanyang. As for the sender..." He sniffed the faint scent. "A woman, and of noble birth—this orchid fragrance is top quality, not something commoners can afford."

  "A woman..." Li Yan thought of the Miss Cui he had saved in the Ghost Market. "Could it be her?"

  "Possibly," Master Sun said. "The Qinghe Cui clan has the means and the motive. They don’t want to be directly involved, but they don’t want the case buried either."

  Li Yan pocketed the copy. "Should I thank her then?"

  "Thanks can come later," Master Sun looked at him. "What you need to think about now is what to do next. All factions are watching you. Will you continue investigating?"

  "Of course," Li Yan replied without hesitation. "Why stop? Having come this far, quitting halfway isn’t my style."

  He looked at the copy in his hand, a flicker of resolve in his eyes. "First, to Nanyang, to find this Chen Xu. As for those who wish to 'visit' me... let them wait."

  Part VIII: The Lone Walker in the Eye of the Storm

  Evening of the twelfth day, tenth month.

  Li Yan packed his belongings, preparing to leave the city for Nanyang under cover of night.

  Master Sun prepared some dry rations, medicinal herbs, and a pouch of silver.

  "This should suffice for your journey," Master Sun handed him the bundle. "Nanyang isn’t far from Luoyang, two days by fast horse. But be careful. The Western Garden Army surely has eyes at the city gates."

  "I know," Li Yan changed into his night clothes. "I won’t use the gates. I’ll go through the drainage tunnels—did it often as a kid in Chang’an."

  Master Sun seemed to want to say more, but held back. Finally, he said, "Kid, these waters run too deep. You can still withdraw now."

  Li Yan smiled. "Master, you’re too late. From the moment I picked up that jade token in the charity graveyard, there was no turning back."

  He shouldered his pack and pushed open the rear door. Outside was a narrow alley, the night thick, only a few distant lights glowing.

  "Oh, one more thing," he looked back. "If that Miss Cui comes looking for me, pass on a message for me."

  "What message?"

  "Tell her..." Li Yan thought for a moment. "Thank her for the gift. When I finish my business, I’ll invite her for tea."

  With that, he leaped onto the roof and vanished into the night after a few bounds.

  Master Sun stood at the door, gazing in the direction Li Yan had gone for a long while. Finally, he sighed and closed the door.

  In the Cui residence in Yonghe Ward, Cui Yan had just received Cui Fu’s report.

  "Young mistress, the gift was delivered. The Western Garden Army lost seven men in the Mang Hills; Jian Shuo is in a rage. He Jin’s man will go to the Hall of Benevolent Healing tomorrow. Yuan Shao’s man the day after."

  Cui Yan stood by the window, gazing at the waning moon in the night sky.

  "And him?"

  "Li Yan?" Cui Fu said. "According to our watcher, he left the Hall tonight. Seems he’s leaving the city."

  "Leaving?" Cui Yan turned. "Where to?"

  "Likely Nanyang. This old servant guesses, to find Chen Xu."

  Cui Yan was silent for a moment, a faint smile touching her lips. "Clever. Knows when to retreat from the spotlight, knows what to investigate."

  She walked to her desk and looked at the map of Luoyang’s power factions. Li Yan’s name was still at the center, but now it was moving, from Luoyang toward Nanyang.

  "Uncle Fu," she said softly. "Have our people in Nanyang keep a discreet eye on him. But do not reveal their identity, and do not interfere with his actions."

  "Yes, Young Mistress."

  After Cui Fu left, Cui Yan sat alone in her study.

  She thought of that wandering swordsman who had saved her in the Ghost Market with a playful grin, of his words about "old things" and "old people," of how he had now become the focus of multiple powers.

  "Li Yan..." she whispered to herself. "Just how far will you go?"

  Outside the window, the autumn wind sighed, scattering fallen leaves.

  And at that moment, Li Yan was already beyond Luoyang’s walls, galloping down the main road.

  The night wind whipped against his face, carrying the chill of autumn. He glanced back toward Luoyang—its lights faint in the distance, like a slumbering beast.

  He knew that his departure would leave those who wished to "visit" him empty-handed, would enrage the Western Garden Army further, would deepen the confusion among the factions.

  But he didn’t care.

  His master had said: A man of the Jianghu should live by the Jianghu’s code. Do not bow to the powerful, do not covet gold and silver. Do only what you believe is right.

  And what he believed was right now was to uncover the truth behind Dou Wu’s old case, to root out those who slaughtered the innocent.

  As for the intricate scheming of the court, the power struggles of the factions...

  "None of my damned business." Li Yan grinned, spurred his horse, and sped forward.

  Ahead lay the boundless night.

  Ahead lay unknown perils.

  Ahead also lay the path he had chosen.

  The horse galloped, hooves thundering like distant drums in the quiet autumn night.

  And in the city of Luoyang, those still scheming, still waiting, still plotting, did not know that the "pawn" in their eyes had already stepped off their board.

  And begun his own game.