The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

A breeze occasionally blows outside, and the shadows of the trees sway on the window paper from time to time.

Suddenly, Zhang Rui sensed that someone was approaching outside the window.

The footsteps were very light and steady, as if the person was deliberately suppressing their breathing as they moved.

If it weren't for the quiet of the night, it would be almost impossible to hear.

Zhang Rui glanced at Di Gong; the old man was breathing heavily and fast asleep.

He stood up and walked to Judge Di's side, whispering, "My lord."

Di Renjie did not react.

"grown ups."

Zhang Rui called out again, this time a little louder.

Di Renjie's eyelids twitched, and he mumbled a "hmm" in a daze.

"Li Yuanfang has arrived."

Di Renjie's eyes snapped open.

Zhang Rui didn't say anything more. He walked to the table, picked up the tinderbox, opened the lid, and gently blew on it.

The sparks lit up at the mouth of the tube, turning red.

Bring the tinder close to the lamp, and the wick catches the flame. First, a wisp of blue smoke rises, then a small flame trembles and stands firmly.

Just then, the window was gently pushed open from the outside, and a figure silently climbed in.

He wore a dark-colored robe and had a slender build; he landed almost silently.

The young man straightened up, turned his head, and froze on the spot.

The lights inside the room had been turned on at some point, and an old man had already sat up and was quietly watching him.

Li Yuanfang was stunned.

I glanced at the lamp; a very faint wisp of blue smoke was still rising from its wick, as if it had just been lit.

But there was clearly only an old man in the room. The blankets on the bed were pulled back, indicating that he had just gotten up from his sleep. Who turned on the light?

His gaze swept around the room; there was no one else there, the windows were closed, and the doors were closed as well.

"You're Li Yuanfang?"

Di Renjie spoke first, his voice calm.

Li Yuanfang was taken aback again. He had thought that he would take the initiative and intimidate the other party after entering.

I didn't expect the other person to be faster than me, and—

He glanced at Di Renjie's expression.

It's too peaceful.

There was no surprise, no panic, not even a ripple of emotion.

She simply looked at him indifferently, as if she had known all along that he would come.

"Lord Di..." Li Yuanfang began slowly, "How did you know?"

"Just a guess."

Judge Di pointed to the chair opposite him: "Sit down."

Li Yuanfang didn't move, but stared into Di Gong's eyes: "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"What are you afraid of?"

"I am a wanted criminal by the imperial court. Aren't you afraid I'll come and take your life in the middle of the night, sir?"

Di Renjie looked at him and suddenly laughed.

"If you really came to take my life, you wouldn't have remained motionless since entering through the window. Sit down; standing and talking is tiring."

Li Yuanfang remained silent for a moment before finally walking to the table and sitting down.

The candlelight flickered gently between the two, illuminating their faces in a half-light, half-shadow.

"Tell me about the mission."

Li Yuanfang didn't speak immediately, but looked at Di Gong for a while, as if confirming something: "Does Your Excellency believe I didn't kill anyone?"

"I trust my judgment, and—" Di Renjie paused, turned his head to look at Zhang Rui, who had returned to stand beside him, and nodded slightly, "You go first, I'll listen."

Li Yuanfang remained silent for a while before finally speaking.

"On August 12th, the mission departed from Yongcheng. I was ordered to lead the guards to escort them, and the journey proceeded smoothly. Until the night of August 22nd, the mission camped at Shihechuan in Gannan Road. At midnight, as usual, I inspected the camp. Then—"

The candlelight flickered, casting a shadow on his face.

Di Renjie did not speak, but simply looked at him.

"The signal cannon fired." Li Yuanfang's Adam's apple bobbed. "The assassins, who had been lying in ambush all around, launched a lightning-fast attack. The guards were completely unprepared and caught off guard. The assassins' methods and speed... in just a quarter of an hour, they were all down."

The room fell silent, with only the occasional soft popping of the lamp wick.

Di Gong did not urge him.

"I protected Shibi Khan as we fought our way out of the encirclement and hid in an abandoned courtyard. But just then—that person appeared."

"Who is it?"

"He calls himself Viper." Li Yuanfang's eyes changed when he said those two words. "He is the most terrifying person I have ever met."

Di Renjie's gaze shifted slightly: "How terrifying is it?"

"His martial arts skills were extremely high, but it wasn't just martial arts. When he attacked... he was very composed, as if everything was under his control. I exchanged three blows with him and already knew I was no match for him." Li Yuanfang paused, "He could have killed me, but he let me go."

Why did I let you go?

"At the time I didn't understand, but now I do. They wanted to frame me for the murder of the mission. If they killed me, there would be no witnesses. If they let me escape, the court would pursue me with all its might, while the real murderer could get away unscathed."

Judge Di pondered for a moment: "Did he leave anything behind when he left?"

Li Yuanfang paused for a moment, then took out a silk handkerchief from his bosom and placed it on the table.

"this."

Judge Di picked it up and examined it closely by the candlelight.

The silk handkerchief is made of the finest satin, with a delicate touch, cool and smooth to the touch.

A snake is embroidered in one corner, with extremely fine stitches, making it lifelike.

The snake's body is coiled, its head slightly raised, its tongue flicking out. Its eyes are embroidered with gold thread, gleaming faintly in the candlelight, making it seem as if it were alive.

Why did he leave this behind?

"This subordinate doesn't know," Li Yuanfang shook his head. "Perhaps it's... showing off? Or perhaps some kind of mark?"

Judge Di placed the silk handkerchief back on the table, gently tapped the pattern on it with his finger, and said nothing.

"After that, I fled all the way, intending to hide and wait for things to calm down before trying to clear my name. But no matter where I hid, the pursuers followed. Until the battle in Lingzhou..."

Li Yuanfang lowered his head and looked at his hands.

His hands were resting on the table; his knuckles were thick, and there were calluses on the base of his thumbs—these were hands that had been holding knives for many years.

At this moment, it was slightly curled up, as if it didn't know where to put it.

"This humble servant has reached the end of his rope."

Di Renjie looked at him without saying a word.

"Later," Li Yuanfang raised his head, "someone told me that only by finding Lord Di could I survive."

"Who told you that?"

"I don't know." Li Yuanfang shook his head. "A person appeared outside the window late at night. When I went out to check, the bodies of the constables were already scattered all over the ground."

After pondering for a moment, Judge Di suddenly asked, "What weapon are you using?"

Li Yuanfang was taken aback, but then he understood.

He took a knife from his waist and placed it on the table.

The blade is long and slender, and the scabbard is covered with old leather that has been polished to a shine.

Di Renjie picked it up, pulled out half of the blade, examined it in the candlelight, then pushed it back and placed it on the table.

"The constables of Lingzhou were killed by a sword."

Li Yuanfang looked at him, her eyes filled with a complex emotion.

"grown ups……"

Di Renjie waved his hand and pushed the knife back: "Do you know why, no matter where you hide, the people chasing you will follow? Because they don't want you to hide at all, so no matter where you go, there are people watching you. Coming here is no exception."

Li Yuanfang's expression changed slightly: "Does Your Excellency mean..."