Chapter 1406: Give You My Last Trust

Many felt that the existence of the Palace of Longevity was, to a great extent, built upon the Son of Heaven's pity and favor...

Once Consort Lei's foolishness, greed, and insolence were revealed, they would almost certainly shatter the very foundation of the Palace of Longevity's existence.

Thus, Gongsun Yu would rather sever his own tongue than divulge the secret, for that truth held no dignity for the Palace of Longevity.

Hence, Feng Gu remained silent while Jiang Wuqi yet lived. For after Consort Lei's passing, the sole purpose of his life was to protect Jiang Wuqi.

But Jiang Wuqi, too, had died...

What use was the Son of Heaven's love?

The Son of Heaven lavished Consort Lei with the utmost affection, yet Consort Lei was already dead.

The Son of Heaven described his sorrow at losing Jiang Wuqi with the phrase "grief beyond compare," yet Jiang Wuqi was also already dead.

Feng Gu's heart was now filled only with hatred. He yearned for the Empress to follow Consort Lei into death—a fate that should have befallen her seventeen years prior.

Thus, his neck was found in the mourning hall, facing the Empress's seat in death, even using the metaphor of the "child-eating spider" to allude to the Empress...

Thus, he produced Lin Kuang's implements, guiding Lin Youxie to involve herself in the old case.

The entire affair, spanning from seventeen years ago to seventeen years hence, finally pieced itself together fully in Jiang Wang's mind.

Consort Lei, the Empress, the Tian family, the Lei family, Jiang Wuqi, Gongsun Yu, Feng Gu... the choices of each party were laid bare before his eyes with such clarity.

At this moment, Jiang Wang knew more than Lin Youxie.

Moreover, he knew something Lin Youxie did not, something a certain mysterious individual before the Patrol Manor had revealed—

Lin Kuang had indeed taken his own life.

Of course, to be more precise, it should be said he was forced to his death...

When Lin Kuang apprehended Tian Fen back then, he had evidently uncovered some clue, perhaps even the Myriad Spirit Frozen Snow on the assassin's weapon was smeared on by Tian Fen himself.

A man like Lin Kuang would certainly not readily end his own life. Even if Tian Fen died in prison, all evidence was erased, and all clues pointed against him, he would still endeavor to find new leads, to capture new evidence, until at last he perceived the truth.

But what if someone threatened him with Lin Youxie?

Lin Kuang, at that time, must have already known the kind of shadow he faced. He would fully comprehend that the opposing party could turn any voiced threat into reality—

If he did not wish those things to come to pass, he could only die.

To sleep eternally, taking all clues with him.

Jiang Wang gazed at Lin Youxie, thinking silently in his heart—

The glory of the Azure Badge was worth defending with everything in his life.

But only you...

For you, he could even forsake the glory of the Azure Badge.

He was willing to "die in fear of responsibility."

The weight of fatherhood surpassed the Azure Badge.

"It's a pity we have no evidence left," Jiang Wang sighed.

"No, I do," Lin Youxie said.

"What evidence?" Jiang Wang asked.

"Gongsun Yu is dead, Grandpa Wu is dead, as the case is investigated further, others will die... What does this precisely indicate?" Lin Youxie spoke with a complex emotion. "They are also greatly afraid!"

"Because the current circumstances are different from those of yesteryear. The Son of Heaven has never taken a clear stance, and they are also tormented by fear!"

"Be it the Empress or the Tian family. They don't know if I have evidence, or rather, they dare not be certain that I don't have evidence. Therefore, I do."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang understood her meaning.

His expression turned solemn: "You've told me so much today, revealed the results of your investigations over these many years... is it all for this step?"

"Although there is no evidence, you have already determined the truth, haven't you?" Lin Youxie asked.

Should the matter be presented to the Hall of Political Affairs to impeach the Empress in open court, evidence would naturally be required.

But all that he had personally experienced in these past few days, the processes of evidence destruction he had seen and felt, and clues from various aspects, had already pieced together the truth in Jiang Wang's mind.

He could only nod, of course.

"Lord Jiang, I trust you. I use everything I have lost, everything I have left, to give you my final trust." Lin Youxie produced a thin booklet and placed it in Jiang Wang's hand. "Please leave."

Jiang Wang lowered his head and looked.

This thin booklet was very old, appearing to have been repeatedly perused many times. But due to its excellent material, it was not damaged.

The cover of the booklet was blank, without a name.

Opening it, the flyleaf bore only one sentence—

Bodies are composed of clues.

The contents of this thin booklet were Lin Kuang's insights into the study of corpses, meticulously recording how to search for clues within bodies, truly a unique technique of a renowned constable of his generation. He had completed only a little over half of the content in his lifetime, the latter part was filled in by Li Youjiu.

Lin Youxie handing this thin booklet to Jiang Wang was her final gamble, to create the illusion that she had grasped crucial evidence, thus prompting the Empress's side or the Tian family's side to send someone to kill her!

Then, within her own corpse, she would leave undeniable evidence of the killer's identity.

Jiang Wang would then only need to take this "evidence" to link the entire case together at once!

The one who killed Lin Youxie was, of course, the one seeking to conceal the truth!

"There are other ways," Jiang Wang said.

Lin Youxie shook her head gently. "There are none."

"Divine Constable Wu died because of the Myriad Spirit Frozen Snow. Haven't we yet utilized the clue from Hegemon Horn Island?"

"The evidence of Myriad Spirit Frozen Snow certainly no longer exists. Since the Tian family discovered that we had investigated that far, how could they possibly leave behind the clue of Hegemon Horn Island?" Lin Youxie said. "I think Gu Xing might already be dead."

"What if he isn't?" Jiang Wang said.

However, even he himself could not be persuaded by these words.

"My father discovered the truth back then.

Grandpa Wu, seventeen years later, alone and unaided, also found the truth.

Even if I possess their talent, how many more years will I need to find the evidence? And after I find it? Will I live to expose it, or will I end up like them?"

Lin Youxie's face was sorrowful, and she slowly shook her head, saying, "Moreover, if at that time the current Crown Prince has ascended to the throne... how should I conduct myself?"

"They may not act."

"Then let us gamble on their courage."

"They may not send their own people to kill you."

"For such matters, seeking anyone's help is giving them leverage. How dare they use others? Lord Jiang, I know your good intentions, but my mind is made up. If you are unwilling to help me, I can fully understand. I will simply find someone else."

Jiang Wang sighed, "But you may not have time to leave evidence."

Lin Youxie fell silent for a moment.

How could she not know?

What she envisioned was only the most ideal outcome.

And there was a great possibility that as soon as the other party acted, she would die, leaving nothing behind.

But she said, "Let me try. The Eleventh Prince dies only this once, and I have only this one chance."

Jiang Wang gazed at her fixedly, silent for a moment.

And she suddenly cupped her hands, bowing deeply to Jiang Wang. "Lord Jiang, if I fail to leave evidence sufficient to prove the killer's identity, then it is a consequence of my own seeking, and I shall have no resentment. If I am fortunate enough to succeed... the matters thereafter are entrusted to you!"

Jiang Wang held the thin booklet in one hand and supported her with the other, preventing her from bowing, and smiled bitterly, "If you die in vain, I suffer no loss. If you succeed, I take the ready evidence to claim merit... what trouble is this?"

Lin Youxie straightened up, her eyes, which were exceptionally bright, fixated on Jiang Wang. "How many in this world are trustworthy? How many can I trust?"

Having said this, she turned away, saying resolutely, "Please return!"

She could not wait another seventeen years, could not wait a hundred years.

She only wished to try this last time. If it succeeded, so be it. If it failed... then let it be.

There was no pity in the four great Azure Badge families becoming extinct today.

Lin Youxie reached for her medicine pestle, thinking she should prepare a dose of medicine, but suddenly—

The Vast Ocean of Heaven churned violently, the seawater gathering into the shape of a dragon, instantly seizing her control over the Vast Ocean of Heaven. A gentle wind brushed past her ears, and every joint became immobile.

Her entire body, from spine to limbs, from Dao Origin to divine soul, was apprehended!

Then she distinctly felt a finger press against the back of her head.

Her eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

Why... why?

But her body was already slowly collapsing, and her consciousness was gradually blurring...

Jiang Wang withdrew his finger, supporting Lin Youxie who was softly falling to the ground, and then gently placed her, already unconscious, back onto the bed.

He lowered the bed curtains, turned, and walked out.

The renowned constables, celebrated as twin talents, had forever fallen silent. Their deaths should, in all righteousness, secure a peaceful sleep for their child.

Pushing open the chamber door, the light from outside suddenly streamed in.

Jiang Wang continued to walk, within this old house left by Lin Kuang.

It was as though he was sensing, through the passage of over a decade, the glory of "Renowned Constable of the World" that had once enveloped this place.

He did not close the chamber door behind him, for within this room... there should be light.

The gate of the courtyard was pulled open.

And then heavily shut.

In the sound of the courtyard gate closing, Jiang Wang's foot tapped, and he had already stepped out of the gate.

The azure clouds beneath his feet had shattered, and he had already crashed into a wine house diagonally opposite the courtyard gate, directly entering a private room on the second floor. With one hand, he pinned a patron who was seated here monitoring the Lin family to the ground, not even waiting for him to explain. With a backhand slap, he scattered his Dao Origin, sending the man crashing down from the wine house to land before the Lin family's gate!

As this person fell, the azure clouds reappeared beneath Jiang Wang's feet, and he flew to stand before a middle-aged man selling candied hawthorn on the street.

"Esteemed Great..."

As soon as the middle-aged man opened his mouth, a hand clamping his neck had already choked back all his remaining words.

Jiang Wang casually flung him, like a dead dog, throwing this man towards the Lin family's main gate once more.

His toes tapped again, and he moved again...

Only the fluttering of his azure robe was seen, and cries of alarm erupted from the crowd.

Wherever he went, no one could escape, no one could withstand even a single strike.

Figures being subdued constantly crashed down.

In a total of less than eight breaths, Jiang Wang had personally apprehended seven dark sentinels monitoring the Lin family, hurling them all before the Lin manor's gate!

He did not inquire where these people came from or who ordered them, but simply shook out a body-binding chain with a flick of his backhand, binding them one after another into a long snake, and then, leading them thus, turned and departed.

Wherever he passed, pedestrians retreated, and everywhere there were eyes filled with suspicion and alarm.

Among those monitoring the Lin family, there were certainly people from the Empress and the Tian family, and these people would absolutely not reveal their identities. Even if they were apprehended, they would absolutely not be able to contact the Empress or the Tian family.

At the same time, there were some people who were there to supervise the case, and others who were there to obtain the truth at the first opportunity...

Apprehending them was utterly meaningless.

Even stopping to question them now, each person had a sufficient excuse for being near the Lin manor. Not even the most skilled constable could interrogate their true purpose.

Thus, several people struggled, attempting to explain, attempting to communicate.

But Jiang Wang gave them no opportunity to speak, simply bound them and took them away.

He walked down the long street, past panicked pedestrians.

Under countless complex gazes, he thus led a bound group of people, arriving before the Northern Bureau.

"Lord Jiang..."

"Constable Jiang!"

The Azure Badge constables who saw Jiang Wang all bowed.

Jiang Wang casually found someone he recognized and placed the body-binding chain into his hand. "Officials of the court are handling a case, yet these individuals are monitoring from all sides, I know not what thoughts they harbor or what conspiracy they plot. Escort them to the dungeon and interrogate them thoroughly!"

For a dignified Fourth-Rank Azure Badge Constable to personally apprehend a few suspects and bring them back to the Northern Bureau for interrogation, there would naturally be no issue.

The young constable felt honored: "Your subordinate will surely deliver them, and not one shall escape!"

He clearly held an air of facing death unflinchingly, clutching Lord Jiang's body-binding chain, and strode away with confident steps.

Who knew what danger there could be on this short path within the Northern Bureau itself?

After sending these people into the Northern Bureau's prison, Jiang Wang himself did not follow, but turned and left.

Passing through Mingde Ward, walking onto Xuanwu Avenue, all the way forward...

His direction was precisely the Great Qi Imperial Palace!

Jiang Wang was certainly not one of the Empress's or the Tian family's people, and knocking out Lin Youxie was even less likely to be an act of betrayal.

It was simply that Lin Youxie's plan had too low a success rate and was premised on certain death, which he could not agree to.

But Lin Youxie's will was too resolute, her resolve to die already formed. Even if he refused, he could not prevent the execution of the plan.

Lin Youxie sought his help, not because he was indispensable, but because she trusted him the most in Linzi at the moment.

In this city, the number of people who wished to uncover the truth to gain merit would certainly not be small, not to mention being able to learn the research insights of renowned constables like Lin Kuang and Wu Lie into body clues.

She could calmly choose a collaborator among the powerful figures in the Azure Badge.

Of course, whether these people would expose the truth after obtaining it or use it to exchange for greater benefits was hard to say—this was also the reason Lin Youxie sought Jiang Wang's help, because to her at present, only Jiang Wang was completely trustworthy.

But if Jiang Wang refused, Lin Youxie was willing to take the gamble.

Even setting aside the lure of benefits.

If Lin Youxie were to seek Yang Jing's cooperation, she would likely not be refused. At least in this matter, Yang Jing was a reliable collaborator.

Having determined that there were no other options, Jiang Wang could only act to subdue Lin Youxie, and then come himself...

To have an audience with the Son of Heaven.

He walked out of the Lin family residence, apprehended all the dark sentinels monitoring the Lin family regardless of their origin, and threw them all into the Northern Bureau prison.

This matter must have already spread throughout Linzi, and those who should know, knew.

At this moment, he walked directly towards the Imperial Palace.

Everyone had to consider one question—had Jiang Wang already investigated the truth? How much did he know about that major case from back then? How much evidence did he possess?

And after today...

How many heads would fall!

Lin Youxie's plan was to use herself as bait, forcing the Empress's or the Tian family's side to send someone to kill her, and then she would find a way to leave evidence, creating new evidence with her life in a situation where all the old evidence had been erased.

Jiang Wang, however, placed this bait upon himself.

In the eyes of many, he had already completed the final step of the case with Lin Youxie. Thus, he would no longer tolerate, thus he walked out of the Lin family house openly, directly apprehending people, and directly having an audience with the Son of Heaven.

Now was the time to make choices.

Now was the time for the hidden culprit to fear—

Did they dare to let Jiang Wang see the Son of Heaven in peace?

At this very moment, as Jiang Wang walked towards the Great Qi Imperial Palace with such resolute determination!