Volume One, Chapter 18: Transferring the Money

He Liu was momentarily stunned by the question; this new superior’s line of thinking was so peculiar that he struggled to keep up. Only after Qin Zheng explained his speculation did He Liu reluctantly wave his short arms together, palm striking fist.

“Your reasoning is sound, sir. The intelligence from this transaction is very likely connected to the mastermind behind the massacre!”

He Liu’s enthusiasm flickered briefly before he awkwardly added, “Previously, as a Night Watchman, I did not anticipate this connection, so I did not bring this information. And Lord Yang has gone to the Heluan Sect to recuperate. Perhaps I should seek him out now to request it?”

Yang Fengqing, this coarse warrior, has indeed gone again to find the little enchantress of the Heluan Sect…

Sensing He Liu’s predicament, Qin Zheng waved his hand slightly. “No need. It’s enough that the Night Watch has intelligence. There’s no need to rush. Lord Yang’s method of healing is peculiar; disturbing him at a critical moment would be inconvenient.”

With so little information in hand, Qin Zheng was powerless to continue his deduction. He put the matter aside and smiled at He Liu. “What have you brought me?”

He Liu glanced around cautiously to ensure no one was eavesdropping before reaching into his sleeve and producing several scrolls, each rolled up like a cigar.

He pointed to the scrolls. “These are the complete case files of the massacre, as well as information on officials from the three central provinces, six ministries, nine temples, five supervisory offices, all government offices, and other key confidential posts.”

Qin Zheng looked at the wax seals on the documents and smiled faintly. “You’ve never read these?”

“Your servant is lowly and unworthy of access.”

He Liu then looked at the sword hanging at Qin Zheng’s waist and paused, his expression complicated. “Just as only you may carry that sword, sir!”

Qin Zheng caught the implication behind his words and asked suspiciously, “This was a gift from Lord Yang. Is there something unusual about it?”

“This is the famed treasure blade among the Night Watch—the ‘Mountain Cutter’!” He Liu pointed at the sword and explained, “Though it seems ordinary, it allows a ninth-rank warrior to contend with a fifth-rank expert. Previously, Captain Li applied for it several times, but Lord Yang never granted it.”

Qin Zheng lifted the sword slightly. Yang Fengqing treats me so well? Yet he never mentioned a word!

It seems I must redouble my efforts to surpass him quickly, so I can take command of the Night Watch before Duke Lu dies.

Only then can I promote him to be my right hand, my sword!

Pulling back his thoughts, Qin Zheng looked at He Liu again. “And the other hundred Night Watchmen?”

He Liu bowed and explained, “Outside the Music Bureau at this moment, a hundred brothers lie in ambush, all ninth-rank warriors, awaiting your orders, sir! This was Lord Yang’s sudden plan—rather than making a grand display, it’s better to act covertly.”

Qin Zheng felt a surge of satisfaction but remained composed, continuing, “And you? Besides relaying messages, what are you skilled at? What is your role?”

“You should know, sir, that the Night Watch has only two duties: to locate the enemy and to eliminate the enemy!” He Liu regained his confidence, standing tall. “My specialty is eliminating the enemy. This time Lord Yang sent me to protect you.”

You claim to be skilled at eliminating enemies and protecting me? Yet you’re the same weakling I knocked out of the Music Bureau with three punches?

Qin Zheng cleared his throat gently and said tactfully, “I bear an important responsibility and must be fearless and self-sacrificing. However, the mastermind behind this case is immensely powerful. You must be cautious in your involvement.”

“Does sir not trust your servant?”

He Liu caught Qin Zheng’s implication and said indignantly, “I am indeed not skilled in close combat. But I am trained in the Mohist arts. Has sir not heard of the Mohist masters, whose techniques are ever-changing, adapting to the will?”

Qin Zheng was stunned; suddenly his mind flooded with thoughts like a dam breaking.

Ever-changing, adapting to the will—recorded in the ancient text “Liezi” when King Mu of Zhou encountered a Mohist master. To think such things exist in the world of Daning.

I was always on the brink of death before, with no time to ponder. Now I discover that Daning and the future share so many similarities…

Not only have I encountered the “Mahua” from future textbooks, the horizontal sword, even Cui Guangyuan who blends Confucianism and Legalism, and Yang Fengqing, bestowed authority by the Martial Lord.

Moreover, Yang Fengqing mentioned the Hundred Schools of Thought and the Three Teachings and Nine Streams!

And now I hear of ancient legends recorded in “Liezi.”

Clearly, Daning and the future share a common ancient history, but at some point, their historical trajectories diverged.

Qin Zheng pondered deeply, successfully transforming the tangled mess in his mind into three distinct threads—

The truth behind the “Mahua” case, the truth behind the small flame, and the truth connecting Daning and the future.

He glanced at He Liu and tentatively said, “I! Qin Shi Huang! Send the money!”

He Liu was once again confused, completely failing to understand, thinking the new superior was deliberately making things difficult.

Qin Zheng read his expression and sighed, waving his hand casually with a smile. “Just a joke!”

To be narrow-minded is useless—thinking too much is of no benefit. I must follow the original plan: train diligently, nurture the small flame, and strive to gain more power to truly unravel these mysteries.

Moreover, these enigmas I must explore alone; indiscriminate inquiries may reveal inexplicable flaws and lead to being dissected and studied by the state.

At that moment, the sky above Drunken Wind Pavilion suddenly darkened with swirling clouds.

Xie Qingluan appeared, her colorful sleeves billowing, skirt swaying grandly, fingers poised like a sword, and her delicate buckskin boots sparkling like a goddess descending from the heavens, gracefully landing beside Qin Zheng.

But upon seeing He Liu also present, the faint smile on her lips vanished instantly, replaced by a cool, aloof demeanor.

The proud maiden folded her arms and glanced away without a word, as if oblivious to the two.

Qin Zheng understood immediately—this was the astrologer from the Observatory summoned by Yang Fengqing to assist with the case.

Yet it truly was Xie Qingluan, which stirred a wave of excitement in his heart.

He Liu, eager to smooth relations, forced a smile. “Sir, no offense meant. The Observatory’s favored daughter is always like this—disdainful of common folk. She’s probably waiting for Lord Yang.”

Qin Zheng was stunned. So good at pretending she won’t even speak with you?

Then he recalled, it was indeed so.

The junior sister only exchanged a few words with Yang Fengqing and Cui Guangyuan, scornful of others.

She spoke so much to me and even personally fed me pills—she does care for me after all…

Qin Zheng felt a surge of comfort. He put away the intelligence and, catching He Liu’s surprised gaze, called out to Xie Qingluan not far away: “Qingluan, it really is you!”

Xie Qingluan’s face remained cold and haughty, chin raised proudly. “Find a place. I have something to tell you!”

Qin Zheng rose to follow but turned back to He Liu with a smile. “Prepare all the intelligence I need, then go wait outside on standby!”

With a heart burning bright, he strode toward Xie Qingluan.

I have already mastered divine perception, able to examine Ziwei fully without blind spots.

Since Qingluan treats me well, I must examine her carefully.

Qin Zheng’s eyes shone brightly as he beamed, “Come, to Bibo Garden—I have something to discuss with you too!”