Chapter 1221: Yang Xuan Ce

"What manner of man is Ah Ce?"

"Firstly, he is undoubtedly a man of Yang. The flamboyant, yet strangely ineffectual, assassin organization he established in Warehouse Abundance City suggests he holds some standing in Yang. Though Yang is now extinct, save for that solitary assassination near Little Even Bridge, the Yang lands appear outwardly calm. While prosperity abounds and the lives of the Yang people are outwardly improved under the Qi, not all are content with their newfound identity as Qi subjects. Perhaps they simply lie concealed.

"Regarding Ah Ce's strength, I remain ignorant. As for Ah Ce the man, I have only encountered him a few times. Yet, from the braggadocio in Warehouse Abundance City, to the detachment on the Red Tail battlefield, and finally, that fleeting glimpse on Sea Gate Island... his character's portrait seems to be piecing itself together.

"'The resistance offered by Yellow With Row might not have been more fervent for another reason,' Jiang Wang mused. 'What if he simply lacked the will to resist fiercely? Or perhaps the force he was confronting was of the same origin as himself, making it undetectable to outsiders. That sharpness in Yellow With Row's golden elemental energy – is it possible it was not intrinsic, but dyed by external force?'

"Lin You Evil met his gaze, a question in her eyes. 'Are you suggesting something?'

"'Merely a sudden thought,' Jiang Wang said, after a moment's consideration. He recounted the incident with Ah Ce and the world-building at that time to Lin You Evil.

"Lin You Evil had evidently not considered that their attempt to ensnare Wu One Heal on Sea Gate Island held such a peculiar interlude. 'After the fall of Yang, choosing to remain rather than depart one's homeland inherently signifies a refusal to submit to Qi,' she observed. 'This is indeed a crucial clue.'

"'Lie Yao Stone...' she mused, seemingly lost in thought. 'I shall contact the Patrol Inspection Office at once and investigate this Ah Ce's background. You, meanwhile, visit the residence of the head constable in Shine Balance City and see if any other clues can be unearthed.'

"'Did you not say the head constable of Shine Balance City might be blameless?'

"'The perspective in the painting is askew,' Lin You Evil explained. 'However, it's also possible this is due to his lack of keen observation. After all, the drawing was done after Yellow With Row's demise, and bias is inevitable. Regardless, confirm it yourself before drawing conclusions.'

"At this juncture, Jiang Wang did not quibble over their superior-subordinate dynamic. He simply responded, 'Good.'

"The two parted before the city gate, each soaring into the distance. Within Heng Yang County lay a secret Blue Card contact point equipped with a Law Array for transmitting intelligence to Lin Zi at any time, though it was not situated in Shine Balance City. Thus, they chose to act separately to conserve time.

"The residence of the head constable who had personally depicted Yellow With Row's demise and recorded the intelligence of that time was already known to Jiang Wang from his investigation. Alone, he entered Shine Balance City, donning concealing garments and silently infiltrating the target's dwelling.

"The house was a large mansion situated in the North City. Judging by the courtyard's layout, this head constable of Shine Balance City lived a comfortable life. After the Qi army took control of Shine Balance City, many former Yang officials were retained in their positions for stability, and this head constable was among them. After Yellow With Row became the Town Pacifying Envoy of Heng Yang, the head constable also earned his trust. He was, in essence, a local figure of considerable influence in Shine Balance City.

"Jiang Wang decided to investigate discreetly first, then make an open visit, verifying the findings. However, the initial discreet investigation was already a failure... The head constable was not within the mansion. His wife, children, and servants were all present and sleeping soundly. Only he himself had vanished.

"Jiang Wang walked silently through the house, observing that everything appeared normal. An ordinary wealthy family, just so quietly exposed before him. Only the master of the house had disappeared, and no one within the mansion seemed to have noticed. This lent an indescribable unease to the situation.

"As the head constable of Shine Balance City, where could he have gone at this late hour?

"Jiang Wang ultimately did nothing further. He turned and departed, heading to meet with Lin You Evil.

"Their meeting place was in Deer City. The city derived its name from the numerous deer herds that inhabited its outskirts. The Blue Card's secret contact point in Heng Yang County was hidden within this city.

"'You say the head constable of Shine Balance City has disappeared?' Lin You Evil inquired as she worked with a medicine pot and a wooden pestle on a square platform, preparing some kind of medicine. 'Perhaps he simply went out to attend to some matter this evening?'

"'It's difficult to say,' Jiang Wang replied. 'However, from my observations, this should not be the first time he has vanished from the house in the dead of night.'

"Lin You Evil did not question how he had reached this conclusion; she knew Jiang Wang was unlikely to err even on such a matter. She merely nodded and said, 'No need to concern ourselves with him for now. As long as he has a problem, he certainly won't escape.'

"'What about your side? Have you uncovered anything?' Jiang Wang asked.

"Lin You Evil did not conceal her findings. 'I requested access to the Secret Mansion's materials. First, I linked Lie Yao Stone to the Yang country and discovered that Lie Yao Stone is one of the most crucial auxiliary materials for cultivating the Yang imperial family's merit law, the Great Sun Golden Flame Decision. Then, investigating the 'Ah Ce' you mentioned, I found that among Yang Build Virtue's children, the least favored one went missing after the war. His name is... Yang Xuan Ce!'

"The Secret Mansion served as the Blue Card's repository of intelligence, essentially containing all vital information pertaining to Blue Card operatives. With Jiang Wang's current authority, he could access the vast majority of the Secret Mansion's materials.

"Jiang Wang's heart already held a premonition, so he was not surprised, merely sighing. 'To think I casually visited a place, casually met a person, and he was actually a Yang country prince. Even more unexpected, I would encounter him again in this manner, under these circumstances.'

"With this, everything became clear. Why did Ah Ce possess such confidence that he could send letters into the Yang king's palace? Why did they encounter him at the singing performance? What was he waiting for at that cliffside on Sea Gate Island at that time?

"Jiang Wang couldn't help but wonder what state of mind the sole surviving prince of Yang was in when he flew over and informed him of the Yang army's defeat. Standing alone on the high cliff, quietly awaiting news from the battlefield, awaiting the almost inevitable fate of his homeland. At that moment, what was that person thinking?

"Jiang Wang still remembered Yang Xuan Ce's answer at that time. He had simply said, 'Understood, thank you!'

"'Yang Xuan Ce has both a motive and the capability to kill. The person who commissioned the Hell No Door to strike down Zhao Xuan might also be him!' Lin You Evil continued to pound the medicine with practiced movements, a sense of relief in her demeanor. 'The two cases can likely be combined.'

"Jiang Wang remarked, 'The rumors in the bazaar claimed that General Cao wanted to intervene in the position of Heng Yang County guardian, thus forcing Yellow With Row to his death. Looking at it now, it's truly laughable.'

"Lin You Evil glanced at him faintly. 'If all Jiang adult wished was to prove this matter, then you have already succeeded. As long as you publicize Yang Xuan Ce's identity and provide some existing clues, everyone will believe that Yellow With Row's death was an act of revenge from the imperial bloodline of Yang.'

"Jiang Wang was silent for a moment.

"Lin You Evil continued, 'However, to ascertain the truth of the matter, we must capture Yang Xuan Ce. Before that, our so-called conclusions are merely inferences. Currently, Yang Xuan Ce only bears the greatest suspicion.'

"Jiang Wang remained silent for a while, finally saying, 'You are right.'

"'Right and wrong, where are they so simple!?'

"At this moment, a voice suddenly echoed behind Lin You Evil. A man with exceptionally bright eyes and pronounced cheekbones emerged from the shadows. It was the Rank Three Blue Card constable, Li You Jiu!

"He regarded Lin You Evil with a degree of severity. 'Do you know that under the pressure of public opinion, General Cao is already confined to his mansion? Do you know that with General Cao's identity, ability, and position, every day wasted within the mansion is how great a loss to this country? Lin You Evil, how difficult can it be to apprehend Yang Xuan Ce? You say it counts only if you capture him. How long do you intend to take? Does Lord Cao intend to remain in his mansion forever, waiting for you to apprehend the murderer?'"