Chapter 103: News of the Hidden Killing Order

Hearing Fu Qiwen's reply, Li Musheng studied him for a moment, then slowly nodded and said:

"After the destruction of Luoshen Peak, it is actually still acceptable for the Tianjin Guard to remain under your lordship's command."

Fu Qiwen was slightly stunned, glanced at Li Musheng, a bitter smile appearing on his face as he said:

"Your Highness remains confident as ever, but I have little confidence regarding what comes next; I can only do my utmost."

Li Musheng waved his hand and said:

"Whatever the future outcome, my lord will see it sooner or later."

"However, since I have agreed to help you this time, in the spirit of reciprocity, my lord must also do me a small favor."

Hearing this, Fu Qiwen nodded slightly and said:

"As long as it is within my ability, please feel free to give your orders, Your Highness."

"I need the Tianjin Guard to help me search for clues regarding the divine beast Fire Qilin and the key to the Tianqi Secret Treasury."

Li Musheng spoke slowly, stating his purpose directly.

Fu Qiwen, however, frowned slightly, seemingly not understanding why this Eighth Imperial Prince was interested in such entirely ethereal matters.

Nevertheless, he asked no more, merely clasping his hands and saying:

"This matter is no problem; I will issue the order shortly. However, as the Tianjin Guard is currently fully preparing to suppress Luoshen Peak, Your Highness's affair will likely have to be pursued gradually in the future."

Li Musheng nodded slightly and said:

"I naturally know this is not easy; you simply continue searching slowly."

Nothing happened throughout the night.

The next day, the entire Shangyang City appeared calm as usual, but was in fact shrouded in an invisible gloom.

The news that a noble concubine of the Great Li Palace had been murdered spread throughout the entire capital overnight.

The entire Shangyang City is now under martial law, with armored soldiers patrolling everywhere within the city.

Constables of the Six Fan Gate darted through various markets, taverns, and inns searching for relevant suspicious persons; the guards at the city gates were several times stricter than usual and maintained a state of allowing entry but no exit.

Rumors regarding the death of Concubine Ji were rampant in the streets, with countless whispers, yet regarding the fact that Concubine Ji was killed within the palace, no one questioned it anymore.

The Six Fan Gate Headquarters.

After Guan Tianqian and the two Gold Medal Constables entered the palace, they had not returned all night.

However, since the news of Concubine Ji's murder broke, the Six Fan Gate immediately received orders from the palace, being required to fully hunt down the murderer of Concubine Ji.

Aware of the severity of this matter, the seven Gold Medal Constables gathered all Silver Medal Constables of the Six Fan Gate Headquarters to discuss the matter, deliberating on the capture of the murderer.

Almost all constables of the Six Fan Gate throughout the capital were mobilized, not closing their eyes for an entire night.

In the room where Fu Yu was located, Ji Feiyun and Gong Lishan were also present.

"The Fifth Imperial Prince sent a message through a messenger, ordering us to fully investigate the collusion between the Marquis Cangyuan Hou Fu and Concubine Ji to commit murder for martial arts cultivation; all evidence must be kept in duplicate and secretly sent to the Fifth Imperial Prince's residence."

Ji Feiyun spoke in a low voice, his gaze directed at Fu Yu before him.

Hearing this, Fu Yu seemed unsurprised and said:

"The Fifth Imperial Prince wishes to use this matter to constrain the Third Imperial Prince, thereby achieving the goal of assisting the First Imperial Prince in opposing the Second Imperial Prince; this was long within my expectations, but..."

Speaking thus, Fu Yu frowned, looked at Gong Lishan beside him, and said with a solemn expression:

"I truly did not expect that on the very same night the Marquis Cangyuan Hou and others were killed, that Concubine Ji was also killed within the inner palace."

Gong Lishan's gaze shifted restlessly; he then took a deep breath and spoke:

"Based on my years of experience in investigating cases, there is likely a very strong connection between these two matters; even if we guess boldly, the murderer of the Marquis Cangyuan Hou and others might be the same group as the murderer of Concubine Ji."

Hearing this, Fu Yu nodded slightly and said:

"This is also what I am worried about; if there is truly a connection between the two, given the strength required to enter the palace and slay a concubine, this matter is likely not something we can easily get involved in."

"Moreover, this matter also involves Cang Cang Yin Yue..."

Saying this, Fu Yu did not continue further, a clear look of hesitation appearing on his face.

Seeing this, Ji Feiyun's expression shifted and he said:

"Brother Fu, now that Cang Cang Yin Yue has connected with that Eighth Imperial Prince, you actually need not worry too much for her."

"The Eighth Imperial Prince?"

Fu Yu, however, shook his head and said:

"That Eighth Imperial Prince has a special identity; perhaps he will receive the Emperor's favor in the future and become a patron for a period, but he has only just been recognized as an Imperial Prince and has not yet established himself firmly in the capital, so his utility is likely not great."

Hearing this, Ji Feiyun, however, waved his hand and hurriedly said:

"Brother Fu, you may not yet know; this morning, the Hidden Killing Pavilion has already spread news in Shangyang City regarding the 'Hidden Killing Order'."

"It is said that the Hidden Killing Order is currently on that Eighth Imperial Prince."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yu's eyes suddenly narrowed slightly; then, with a contemplative expression, he slowly paced back and forth and said:

"If the Hidden Killing Order is on that Eighth Imperial Prince, it is not difficult to guess that previously, when Cang Cang Yin Yue captured that Great Qi remnant and three wanted criminals, it was highly likely the other party's assistance."

"And if I recall correctly, when the Old Man with the Dead Face and others were killed, that Eighth Imperial Prince should not yet have confirmed his identity as an Imperial Prince."

"However, he was able to accomplish all this at that time, which also indicates from the side that that Eighth Imperial Prince perhaps is not as simple as the rumors say, merely coming from a remote small city."

Gong Lishan slowly nodded and said:

"Recently, rumors have circulated in the capital; it is said that on the day that Eighth Imperial Prince went to the Tianjin Guard Headquarters, five Grand Masters of the Wudaoda Sect attempted a joint assassination, but ultimately were all wiped out."

"That Eighth Imperial Prince's identity was in doubt at the time; it is unlikely the palace would send experts to protect him, yet he survived the hands of five Grand Masters of the Wudaoda Sect and even counter-killed so many experts; if one says there is no problem with this, likely no one would believe it."

Fu Yu said nothing, remaining silent in thought for a while before slowly looking at the two, Gong Lishan and the other, and said:

"If this is the case, we can change our strategy; the matter of the Marquis Cangyuan Hou Fu colluding with Concubine Ji is known only to us and the Divine Constable."

"Now that the Divine Constable has not returned from the palace, only we know this matter, but there is no wall that does not let wind through, especially in a place like the Six Fan Gate where everyone is a shrewd person; as long as we continue investigating this matter, it is impossible to escape the eyes of those with ulterior motives."

"And if this matter reaches the Third Imperial Prince's ears, we will inevitably become the target of everyone's attacks; for the other party to resolve us would be too simple."

Hearing this, Ji Feiyun's expression shifted for a moment before he said:

"What does Brother Fu mean?"

"Secretly spread news of Consort Ji's collusion with the Hou Fu. Since the Divine Constable is not here, there is no need for us to wade into such muddy waters."

Fu Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and said:

"This matter will inevitably implicate Cang Yin Yue. We can also use this to see the true capabilities of that Eighth Imperial Prince."

(End of this chapter)