Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 588 The Target That Must Be Acquired

"what?!"

Yan Zian gasped in surprise, his body swaying slightly involuntarily.

Capital? !
That was the heart of the mighty Great Qian Dynasty, the place where the emperor rose to power, where the dynasty's most elite guards, strictest laws, and most pervasive secret agents gathered!

It is a place that symbolizes supreme power and absolute order!
How could such a filthy and bizarre city of the unjustly dead exist in a place like this?!
The implications behind this are chilling upon closer examination!
He suddenly looked at Qin Feng, trying to find any trace of mockery on the other's face.

But Qin Feng's face, hidden in the shadows, was only unfathomably cold and solemn.

A chill instantly shot from Yan Zi'an's tailbone to the top of his head, making him feel cold all over!

What he feared was not the appearance of such a strange place in the capital.

What truly chilled him to the bone was the fear he felt, the fear of being Yan Zi'an, the fourth-ranking officer of the Imperial Investigation Bureau and a key figure in the Emperor's personal guard.

Yet they were completely unaware of this!

The only possibility is that this strange place in the capital appeared after he left the capital.

Logically speaking, with the intelligence bureau's extensive network of informants and its dense intelligence transmission system, such a shocking change should have been reported as urgent secrets the moment he set foot on Changzhou soil, piling up on his desk like snowflakes!

But...no.

A blank space, a deathly silence that was suffocating.

However, Yan Zi'an did not receive any news.

This can only mean that...there must have been a huge change inside the Criminal Investigation Bureau!
The chill that thought brought was a hundred times greater than the fact that the capital city itself was a strange place!
"Appearing in the capital..."

Yan Zi'an's voice seemed to be squeezed out from an extremely cold ice cellar, with a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness, and each word carried the weight of a thousand pounds:
"Is it also the City of the Wrongfully Dead?"

He had to find out.

The Imperial Investigation Bureau is loyal only to the emperor on the throne; it is the sharpest extension of the emperor's will and a sword hanging over the heads of all officials.

The emperor was the sole foundation of their existence and the sole source of their power.

He must firmly grasp any shadow that might threaten that cornerstone, even the slightest one, before it spreads into a scourge.

Qin Feng's gaze remained shrouded in shadow; only his lips moved slightly, his voice as flat as if he were recounting a trivial matter unrelated to himself, yet each word was like an icicle falling to the ground:
"What appeared in the capital was not the City of the Wrongfully Dead."

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts for more precise wording, or perhaps savoring the indescribable, eerie feeling:

"Instead... it's another capital city."

Suddenly.

"call--!"

A night wind swept through the narrow alleyway of the city wall without warning, like the wailing of a ghost.

The torch that Yan Zi'an was holding suddenly went dark, then burst into a string of crackling orange-red sparks, the light and shadow jumping, twisting and stretching violently.

The shadows cast by the two figures on the mottled, cold city wall were instantly stretched into grotesque and monstrous shapes, like two ghosts silently confronting each other in the boundless darkness.

Yan Zi'an's brows furrowed into a deep frown, and the confusion in his eyes almost materialized:
"Another... capital city?"

This answer exceeded all his expectations.

The City of the Wrongfully Dead is an unheard-of eerie realm, a "shadow" city that appeared out of nowhere and looks exactly like the capital.
This is more absurd than mythology, more bizarre than a nightmare!

The sound of the wind whistling through the gaps in the wind continued to flow, carrying a chilling certainty:

“That city, from its outer walls and battlements to the layout of its inner city, and even the golden tiles and red walls of the imperial city… was exactly the same as the real capital. Even…”

He deliberately emphasized his tone:

“Even the number of steps on the imperial steps in front of the Zichen Palace is exactly the same.”

"But there... there were no common people, officials, nobles, poultry and livestock... you could say there was nothing alive there."

"Only... chosen warriors."

"In that empty city, they were like caged beasts thrown into a gladiatorial arena, fighting each other to the death."

"Like the City of the Wrongfully Dead, no one can see the other's face clearly, as if separated by a thick fog that can never be penetrated. But what is more serious than the City of the Wrongfully Dead is that the warriors inside cannot communicate, and any attempt to transmit information will be stifled by an invisible force."

Yan Zian held his breath, trying to visualize the scene in his mind.

Familiar streets and alleys, majestic palaces, yet all are deserted, with only indistinct figures frantically fighting and destroying... Deathly silence and eerie violence intertwine.

"And what's most disturbing is..."

Qin Feng's gaze seemed to pierce through the city walls before him, reaching towards that distant and mysterious place:
"Some martial artists who appeared in that eerie capital city, their fighting style, lingering aura, and even some unique scars... were also observed in the City of the Wrongfully Dead in Changzhou."

He slowly turned his head, and for the first time, his sharp eyes, hidden in the shadows, focused entirely on Yan Zi'an's face, carrying a penetrating and profound meaning:

"Among them, there were seven people... or rather, seven 'things' wielding swords."

"Their movements are perfectly coordinated, capable of instantly forming an extremely powerful sword formation that integrates offense and defense. Even..."

Qin Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly recalling some chilling power:

“The leader among them once exuded… sword intent.”

Sword Intention? !
Yan Zi'an was deeply shaken.

Sword intent is the symbol of the pinnacle of swordsmanship, the manifestation of the perfect fusion of spiritual will and swordsmanship cultivation, which is far beyond the reach of ordinary masters.

Seven swordsmen who can form an array and also possess sword intent?
This combination is already terrifying enough, let alone the fact that they both appeared in such eerie places as "Shadow Capital" and City of the Dead!
Yan Zi'an frowned, his mind racing through the vast intelligence files of the Criminal Investigation Bureau and all information related to "seven," "sword formation," and "sword intent."

Chaos.

Qin Feng clearly believed he should know; the implication was too clear—this matter must be related to the Investigation Bureau.

I must not expose my ignorance at this moment.

Yan Zi'an quickly suppressed all outward emotions, his jawline tightened, his eyes calm as still water, revealing only a deep, solemn expression.

He used silence to build a solid facade for himself.

The night in Changzhou City seemed to have its last bit of warmth drained away by their conversation, becoming increasingly deep and viscous.

There were no stars or moon overhead, and thick, leaden clouds hung low, as if an even larger, more terrifying shadow was quietly gathering from all directions.

The suffocating silence lasted for about half a cup of tea's time, with only the crackling of the burning torches and the intermittent sound of a distant wooden clapper echoing in the deathly stillness.

Finally, Yan Zian broke the deadlock.

His voice regained its usual calmness, but carried an undeniable sharpness:

"Qinfeng, you have revealed such a shocking secret to me tonight, and you have also offered to help me wipe out Yanshan Village and retrieve the silver."

What exactly do you want?

The Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Six Doors, one like the emperor's shadowy claws and the other like the court's overt legal ruler, have always been clearly distinct and have even clashed frequently.

Yan Zi'an absolutely did not believe that Qin Feng's actions were out of camaraderie.

Behind this gesture of goodwill must lie a significant factor that would persuade this renowned detective from the Six Doors to set aside his prejudices.

In the shadows, Qin Feng seemed to twitch the corner of his mouth slightly.

He didn't beat around the bush and said it directly:
"Lord Yan is a man of few words. I do have a request to make of you."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice lower but each word clear:

"I implore Lord Yan to help my Six Doors mediate a... feud."

A glint flashed in Yan Zi'an's eyes, and he instantly understood.

In the Changzhou region, there is probably only one "grudge" that could make Qin Feng take it so seriously and even seek help from his enemy!
Qin Feng's voice carried a hint of heaviness, confirming his suspicions:
"A while ago, in Changzhou, someone dared to impersonate Zhu Ying, one of the Four Great Constables of the Six Doors!"

When the name "Shadow Chaser" was mentioned, Qin Feng's tone visibly faltered, filled with regret and anger:
"This scoundrel not only murdered Princess Zhaoyang, the beloved daughter of the Prince of Pingcheng, who was passing through the area, but also robbed the imperial court of its disaster relief funds!"

Yan Zi'an nodded slightly.

This matter has shaken the imperial court, and he was already aware of it.

Yan Zi'an was also surprised when he first heard about this.

In this world, how could anyone be so audacious as to target a famous constable and a princess?
For countless years, the Great Qian Dynasty had never heard of such a horrifying event.

However, within the Great Qian territory, troubles are constant, and now it is at war with foreign enemies, with flames of war raging across the land.

Such incidents will likely only increase in the future.

As an official, Yan Zi'an certainly knew that he had to use a strong, ruthless, and decisive approach to suppress such behavior in order to deter such scoundrels.

In the future, no one will dare to attack officials and nobles of the imperial court!

One of his purposes in coming here was to resolve the issue of disaster relief funds thoroughly, ensuring that it did not become a handle for others to impeach the Criminal Investigation Bureau.

Qin Feng continued, his tone bitter:

"Such evil deeds naturally aroused the wrath of the Prince of Pingcheng."

"In his grief and anger, the Prince actually declared war on our Six Doors! In an instant, the atmosphere in Changzhou was tense. Many of our Six Doors' spies were eliminated, and many of our peripheral brothers were brutally slaughtered."

"Upon hearing the news, the central government was greatly alarmed and dispatched an imperial envoy to investigate and mediate. After verification, the envoy clearly informed the Prince that the real Zhu Ying had unfortunately died in the line of duty while carrying out a secret mission in Dongzhou. The person impersonating him was undoubtedly the true murderer of Zhu Ying!"

"The court's intention is for the Prince to restrain his grief, and for him to set aside past grievances with the Six Doors, unite against the common enemy, and work together to find the real culprit hiding in the shadows and bring him to justice, so as to comfort the spirits of the Princess and Zhu Ying in heaven."

“The Prince is not unaware of the reasoning.”

Qin Feng sighed:

"However, the pain of losing his daughter is excruciating. Although the Prince of the County stopped the killing of my Six Doors people under the mediation of the Imperial Envoy, he still harbors deep resentment and is hostile towards us, treating us like strangers, let alone cooperating in the investigation."

"The Six Doors of Changzhou are now in dire straits, unable to move an inch."

"Now that you, Lord Yan, have arrived, everything has taken a turn for the better!"

“The Prince of Pingcheng is a member of the royal family and is not an unreasonable person. However, he is of noble status and has a very high opinion of himself. One or two ordinary mediations are not enough to make him lower himself and completely let go of his grudges. What he needs is a sufficiently substantial and dignified way out.”

"And you, Lord Yan, hold a high position and are deeply favored by the Emperor! Your prestige and status are the most significant stepping stones! If you are willing to personally step forward, prioritize the overall interests of the court, and mediate and plead your case, you will surely be able to completely resolve this conflict and bring the Prince's Mansion and the Six Doors together to punish the mastermind!"

Yan Zi'an's mind raced.

What Qin Feng said was true.

His mission was to deal with the ruthless bandits who had established themselves in Yanshan and to recover the huge sum of stolen silver. The power of the Criminal Investigation Bureau in Changzhou alone was far from enough. He needed to rely on the intelligence network of the Six Doors and local forces, and even more so on the well-trained guards of the Prince of Pingcheng! Mediating this feud was not only a matter of course, but also the key to breaking the deadlock.

Qin Feng's actions, seemingly a request for help, were in fact a tacitly mutually beneficial agreement between the two parties.

"I see."

Yan Zi'an nodded slowly, a confident and composed expression on his face:

“This matter concerns the dignity of the imperial court, the peace of the region, and even more so the grand plan of converting rice paddies to mulberry fields. I have no choice but to take responsibility for it.”

His tone was solemn and earnest.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Zi'an seemed to sense something, and suddenly turned his head, his deep gaze like that of a hawk, casting it into the deeper darkness at the end of the long street.

Yan Zi'an's lips curled into a very faint smile as he whispered:

"Your Highness, he has arrived as well."

In the distance, the road appeared deep and dark.

A trembling sound gradually came from behind.

That was a large number of cavalrymen galloping about.

As the cavalry approached, everyone could clearly see that these cavalrymen were well-equipped, even better than the regular cavalry of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Because they were guards carefully trained by the Prince of Pingcheng.

In the middle of this group of cavalry, a luxurious carriage was carefully protected.

The carriage was pulled by five fine horses, and its open sides resembled a war chariot, with an exquisite canopy held high.

Under the umbrella, a large chair was covered with thick fur, and in the middle sat a plump middle-aged man with an air of nobility.

This middle-aged man weighed at least two or three hundred pounds, and his skin was as white as mutton fat jade, as if he had never experienced the baptism of wind and rain.

His eyes narrowed into slits beneath layers of fat, but the occasional glimpses of his gaze revealed an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger.

He was incredibly dignified and noble.

He is Zhao Yan, Prince of Pingcheng!

…………

a few days later.

The blazing sun, like a giant, red-hot copper plate, was firmly embedded in the gray-white sky, relentlessly pouring out its scorching light and heat.

The official road was bleached white by the sun, and the heat waves that distorted the view rose up. The wild grass by the roadside was wilted and covered with a thick layer of dust.

Several riders trudged along the official road in the sweltering heat that made them drowsy.

The horses' hooves kicked up a trail of choking yellow dust that lingered for a long time.

"After passing Yandong City, it will only take one day to reach Yanshan."

A man with slightly dark skin and shrewd eyes in the group pointed with his riding whip at the outline of the city that appeared on the horizon ahead.

It was Liang Jin who spoke.

Banquet at Yanshan Village!
A towering behemoth on the Changzhou Green Road, a colossal creature that has expanded rapidly in recent years like a snowball!
After annexing more than ten hilltops, all sorts of unruly tyrants, desperate bandits, and extraordinary individuals with unique skills who were not tolerated by the world flocked to him like rivers flowing into the sea.

Its momentum is so great that it already has the potential to dominate the banditry of Changzhou and then radiate its influence throughout the central and northern parts of Daqian.

Now, the Great Qian Dynasty is beset by internal and external troubles, with war raging everywhere. The imperial court's control over the local areas is gradually weakening. The future of Yanshan Village is simply unimaginable!
As they were about to step into the core territory of their power, even someone as audacious as Zhongli Han couldn't help but feel a sense of heaviness and... a faint anticipation.

If we were to name the member of the group who had the least interest in Yanshan Village itself, it would be Qianji Tongzi Han Tong.

Almost as soon as Liang Jin finished speaking, he seized the opportunity, spurred his horse, and moved swiftly to Liang Jin's side, his movements as agile as a monkey.

"gentlemen!"

Han Tong's voice was fervent as he carefully took out a roll of blueprints and presented it with both hands:

"Your lecture on Euclidean geometry yesterday was exquisite. I studied it repeatedly after returning home, but there are still a few points regarding the derivation of the fifth postulate that are still shrouded in mystery and I can't figure them out no matter how hard I try."

He pointed to several complex geometric figures and equations carefully circled in vermilion ink on the drawing, his eyes fixed expectantly on Liang Jin:

"Please, sir, enlighten me!"

These days, Han Tong and Mu Shanqing seem to have discovered an endless treasure, clinging tightly to Liang Jin and asking all sorts of imaginative and profound questions.

Han Tong was extremely eager to learn, and he was persistent in asking questions about any subject until he got to the bottom of it.

The more knowledge he gained from Liang Jin, the more respectful he became towards Liang Jin, and even a hint of awe and worship quietly grew in his mind.

Those things about mathematics, mechanics, astronomy, and even some unheard-of methods of investigation made him feel as if a new world had been opened up.

Nowadays, the title "Teacher" comes from the bottom of their hearts, and their daily words and actions have subtly carried the etiquette of a disciple serving a teacher.

In contrast, Mushan Qing, dressed in a simple blue robe and with a cool demeanor, appeared much more reserved.

She was naturally aloof and proud, confident in her third-rank cultivation and knowledge. Although she was equally impressed and attracted by the vast and profound knowledge in Liang Jin's mind, which was different from that of the world, she always maintained a certain air and rarely took the initiative to ask detailed questions.

Most of the time, she would ride behind, quietly listening as Han Tong eagerly sought Liang Jin's guidance.

In those eyes, as calm as a deep pool, a sudden glint of light would sometimes flash, and at other times they would fall into deep thought.

Her studies were already vast and profound, and even just listening quietly, she could often keep up with Liang Jin's leaps of thought.

Liang Jin took the blueprints from Han Tong, and looking at the dense yet neat and clear annotations on them, a smile of approval appeared in his eyes:

"Good. This fifth postulate and its corollaries are indeed one of the cornerstones of the Euclidean system, and also the focus of world debate."

"You've come this far in your thinking, which is truly remarkable."

He looked up at the scorching sun, then at the obvious exhaustion on everyone's faces, and suggested:
"The sun is too strong, and the horses need to rest and drink. Why don't we rest for a while under the shade of the trees ahead, and then I'll explain everything to you in detail."

Everyone agreed without objection. Soon, the horses were tied to several withered, crooked old trees.

Zhongli Han and Fei Biao found a large blue stone to sit on and took off their water bags to drink deeply.

Liang Jin found a clean rock to sit on, and Han Tong immediately followed him, squatting down beside him, spreading the blueprints on his lap, his eyes focused.

Mushan Qing also walked over slowly, not getting too close, but leaning against a tree trunk with his arms crossed, looking like he was listening attentively, but his gaze involuntarily fell on Liang Jin's profile.

Liang Jinzheng pointed to the blueprints and explained the relationship between the properties of parallel lines and the sum of the interior angles of a triangle in a clear and concise manner, with clear logic and vivid language.

When he got to the crucial point, he picked up a dry twig and drew simple yet profound auxiliary lines on the soft mud.

"Therefore, by extension, through a point outside a line, there is one and only one line parallel to it."

"This is the cornerstone of the Euclidean system; it appears simple, but in reality, it contains the essence of space..."

Mushan Qing listened intently, his gaze following the movement of the withered branch in Liang Jin's hand.

The afternoon sun filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on his focused brows, straight nose, and parting lips.

An indescribable charm, mixed with the brilliance of wisdom, emanated from him.

This was completely different from the warriors and literati she knew, who were either rough, sinister, or pedantic.

A complex emotion she had never felt before, one of inquiry and appreciation, quietly began to grow and spread in her heart.

at this time.

Liang Jin paused slightly in his explanation.

His gaze, seemingly casually yet with extreme precision, fell upon Mushan Qing, who was leaning against a tree to the side.

Their eyes suddenly met!

Kiyama Sei's heart skipped a beat without warning!
It was as if he had been caught red-handed peeking at something he shouldn't have.

A faint, yet undeniably real blush instantly spread across her usually cool and aloof face, like a snow lotus suddenly blooming on an iceberg.

Almost instinctively, with a hint of panic, she lowered her eyelashes, avoiding that gaze that seemed to see right through her.

However, the mental cultivation of a third-rank martial artist is no small matter.

That momentary loss of composure was as swift as lightning.

The next second, she forcibly suppressed the unfamiliar flutter in her heart, and her expression returned to its usual cold and calm, even appearing more distant than usual.

She raised her eyes again, meeting Liang Jin's gaze calmly, as if the momentary embarrassment had never occurred, and her voice was as clear and melodious as ever:
"Mr. Song's explanation was brilliant, and Shan Qing also found it very helpful. I'd love to hear what happened next."

As she spoke, she moved gracefully and calmly over, sitting down elegantly on a blue stone a few steps away from Liang Jin and Han Tong, as if she were truly only attracted by the exquisite knowledge.

But who is Liang Jin?
Kiyama Sei's momentary panic and the blush that rose on her cheeks were like fireflies in the dark night, clearly captured in his eyes.

His gaze lingered for a moment longer on Mushan Qing's seemingly calm face, and a hint of greed flashed uncontrollably deep in his eyes.

Over the past few days, he has clearly realized that the torrent of "knowledge" he has displayed has impacted far more than just Han Tong.

Mu Shanqing, a man of exceptional cultivation and aloof temperament, had his defenses breached without his knowledge.

The subtle increase in inquiry in their gaze, the occasional flashes of realization and admiration, and even the fleeting shyness at this moment, all clearly pointed in one direction—admiration.

If an ordinary woman cast such a gaze upon him, Liang Jin would only find it troublesome, or even disdain it.

He was never short of stunningly beautiful women around him.

But Kiyama Ao is different!

Her appearance could at best be described as pretty and decent, but she was far from being a beauty and would be completely inconspicuous in a crowd.

Liang Jin is never short of beautiful women around him.

But the only thing missing is a master!

Only Meng Xinghun's clone, with the largest territory, was able to attract talents from the entire Western Desert and recruit three third-rank martial artists by his side.

The Great Teacher of the Way of Peace only has one clone, Shen Cangming, who was tricked into giving up his identity by Liang Jin impersonating his Youhuan clan.

Apart from that, neither Liang Jin's main body nor his other clones had a single third-rank martial artist who could serve him.

In particular, Liang Jin's current clone is extremely lacking in experts.

And this Mushanqing is the best target.

(End of this chapter)