By the river, behind the willow trees, two young martial artists, each with their own abilities, were practicing their swordsmanship.
"I feel much better. I will always remember this debt of gratitude."
Zhao Mingxuan clasped his hands together and bowed, a gesture of respect in the typical martial artist style.
"I only need information about the trade in Shuyi."
Zhao Mingxuan nodded in understanding. They walked towards a dining pavilion on the border of Qingyuan and Shuyi. During lunch, Zhao Mingxuan seemed to be acting strangely, making Mu Qingye look at him in surprise.
"Tell me."
"When I was escaping, a physician in Qingyuan village helped me. I accidentally overheard her talking to someone, and they want to gather the villagers at Mount Anji on the full moon."
"They want to awaken their master," Mu Qingye said, making Zhao Mingxuan pound the table hard, startling the other diners.
"You know everything!" he exclaimed in disbelief.
"Lower your voice," Mu Qingye admonished.
"Oh yeah, when that person left, I briefly saw a symbol on his robe like this," Zhao Mingxuan said, starting to demonstrate.
"Shadow of Victory," Mu Qingye read.
"I thought it was the Dark Sect."
"You're right, it is the Dark Sect. Although the Dark Sect has been annihilated, there are no clear facts about them."
"You mean, some still survived?" Zhao Mingxuan asked.
Mu Qingye nodded yes.
Suddenly, a suspicious person approached. Mu Qingye had seen him at the Shuyi gate before.
Mu Qingye calmly walked out. He saw that the man was carrying a cart whose contents were unknown.
Zhao Mingxuan, understanding Mu Qingye's intention, tried to distract the guard. He chatted with him and even invited him to drink.
When Mu Qingye opened the cover, he saw two unconscious people.
It was true, this is what he was looking for!
Zhao Mingxuan struck the guard's neck, knocking him unconscious. He used the guard's clothes and disguised himself. With a straw hat and a face covering, his companions would surely not recognize him.
Meanwhile, Mu Qingye got into the cart.
Soon after, the man arrived. He continued walking and entered the Shuyi gate.
"Where's the key?" the man asked. Zhao Mingxuan tried not to panic. He fumbled through his clothes and found a key.
Strangely, upon entering the gate, they didn't need to undergo any further inspection.
"Shuyi Magistrate, it seems you're involved in this mess," Mu Qingye thought to himself.
A mother's cries for help could be heard from the roadside.
"Please, both my children are missing."
Mu Qingye clenched his fists tightly. It seemed like this was a constant complaint in this city, but the magistrate didn't care at all.
Soon, they arrived at a residence. However, there was a secret path, underground.
They struggled to lower the cart. After it was inside, the man closed the place again.
The place was silent and dark, only illuminated by flickering torchlight along the damp, moss-covered stone walls.
"Sir, only two. Many of Guazhou's residents have moved, and the city lord is starting to get suspicious and wary. If Qingyuan village can't provide, Master Fuyi said the villagers will be taken to Mount Anji."
"Alright, you may go."
The man left with Zhao Mingxuan. However, Zhao Mingxuan suddenly covered the man's mouth and stabbed him from behind.
Zhao Mingxuan carried the man's body to the side so it wouldn't be seen. They were truly cruel.
"Hey, you!" someone called.
Zhao Mingxuan ran back. "Yes, master!"
"I'm going out. You put this person in jail. Give them food. And tell Yuayi to give them that poison again."
Zhao Mingxuan nodded in understanding. He pushed the cart. There were many guards inside. He didn't know where the prison was.
"Mu Qingye!" Zhao Mingxuan whispered, hoping the man heard him.
"Hm?"
"I don't know where the prison is."
"Just walk, and according to their master's words, they're looking for Yuayi. From her name, she's a woman."
Zhao Mingxuan sighed and kept walking aimlessly. Finally, he met a woman who was concocting something over a small brazier. The woman had long flowing hair, a beautiful and serene face, but her dark red clothes exuded a clear dangerous aura; she was not an ordinary person. From the symbol on her waist and her sharp, intimidating gaze, Zhao Mingxuan immediately knew this woman must be from the Dark Sect.
"Why are you here?" the woman stared at him with sharp, intimidating eyes.
"No-"
"Yuayi, not 'Nona'!"
"Wrong from the start," Mu Qingye thought, annoyed.
"Yuayi, Master wants you to give the prisoners more poison."
"And that?" Yuayi pointed at the cart he was carrying.
"We'll do it together."
Yuayi just nodded without the slightest suspicion. She walked ahead of Zhao Mingxuan. At that very moment, Mu Qingye got out of the cart and hid.
Upon entering the area, Mu Qingye was truly shocked. About a hundred villagers were unconscious again, almost completely turned into human puppets.
Zhao Mingxuan tried to normalize the atmosphere. "Yuayi, how much do you think Magistrate Han got for this? And for collaborating with the Dark Sect?"
The man was just guessing, wondering if Zhao Mingxuan's suspicion was correct.
"As if you don't know, Magistrate Han's residence is already full of silver and gold," Yuayi laughed softly.
"So it's true, the Magistrate and the Dark Sect," Mu Qingye thought to himself.
Yuayi returned to her spot, and Zhao Mingxuan secretly followed Mu Qingye.
"As long as I have this key, we can go in and out of this place. Now let's find a safe spot," Zhao Mingxuan said, pulling Mu Qingye out.
All of this did not escape Yuayi's watchful eyes.
At the Shuyi flower pavilion, the two men watched and occasionally spied.
"Tonight, I will enter Han Wuqing's residence," Mu Qingye said, clenching his fists tightly.
"Alright, I will follow their master."
They both left and went in different directions. Night had fallen, and Mu Qingye prepared to sneak into the Magistrate's residence.
"It's been half a year since I've been on the streets. In another week, the Grand Minister's sentence will fall. I don't have much time left."
"If only I had investigated this half a year ago," he thought to himself.
Without further thought, Mu Qingye walked on the roof of Han Wuqing's residence. He entered a study room.
He saw several books and important documents. Evidence of transactions between Han Wuqing and the leader of the Dark Sect.
Mu Qingye hid them in his clothes and continued searching. However, the sound of footsteps disturbed him. Mu Qingye remained focused on finding more books and evidence of Han Wuqing's guilt.
The door opened.
Han Wuqing looked around but didn't suspect anything. He looked for a letter but it was no longer there.
A few moments later, Han Wuqing fell unconscious.
Mu Qingye came out and continued to cover his nose. Then he extinguished the incense he had just lit.
Sleeping incense, from his master Yi Wuji.
As a result, Mu Qingye was able to gather some evidence and get out safely.
"Brother Mu, we're surrounded!" Zhao Mingxuan said, having just arrived.