Chapter 23: Chief

Li Muxian nodded slightly.

This statement is quite straightforward, but…

“Miss Cang, have you forgotten our agreement?”

Cang Yinyue looked at Li Muxian, a flicker of hesitation passing through her eyes; then she turned her gaze forward and sighed softly:

“Never mind. I’m limited in ability, and these branded characters on my face have been there for years—I’ve grown used to them. Whether they’re removed or not doesn’t matter.”

Li Muxian smiled, idly patting the horse’s back:

“By the time we reach Shangyang City, you’ll be my only familiar face.”

At this, Cang Yinyue said nothing. After a moment of silence, she drew a deep breath, as if finally making a decision, and said:

“Fine. Since I’m the one who brought you out of Shun’an City, our agreement stands.”

Saying this, she turned to face Li Muxian:

“But from now on, you’ll follow my arrangements. I can’t promise it’s for your benefit, but at least I won’t harm you.”

Li Muxian rubbed his chin and nodded.

Of course, which girl doesn’t care about beauty?

And to carry such a large “ Jian ” character—how could anyone endure it?

In that case, Cang Yinyue, this living encyclopedia, can still be useful.

Li Muxian raised an eyebrow; of course, he didn’t absolutely need her for anything.

After all, her strength was limited, and only her position in the Shadow Spy Bureau and her far-above-average knowledge occasionally proved useful in answering his questions.

“When will you remove the branded characters from my face?”

At this, Cang Yinyue spoke again.

Her cold, clear eyes fixed directly on Li Muxian, a hint of anticipation flickering within them.

She had never truly believed Li Muxian could help her remove the brands—she’d merely been testing the waters.

But along this journey, he had given her too many surprises; now, she held considerable hope in him.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken such great risks and still chosen to uphold our prior agreement.

Li Muxian thought for a moment, his eyes slightly narrowing, and said:

“Once we reach Shangyang City, I’ll act for you, Miss Cang.”

“However, for safety’s sake, I suggest you first obtain the martial art ‘Bone-Eating Yin Wind Finger.’ That way, I can act with precision and greater certainty.”

At this, Cang Yinyue frowned in thought, then gave a slight nod:

“I’ll do my best.”

…

For the rest of the journey, the two returned to their previous “harmonious” dynamic.

And after Li Muxian had prepaid one favor.

Even though Cang Yinyue grew weary of his endless questions, even feeling like vomiting, she still gritted her teeth and answered everything.

Yet whenever Li Muxian tried to subtly probe what secrets she was hiding from him,

she remained tight-lipped, never revealing a word.

Thus, the two rode their two mules until they finally reached the outskirts of Shangyang City.

“Once inside the imperial capital, don’t trust anyone in the Shadow Spy Bureau except me—even me, you shouldn’t trust lightly.”

Cang Yinyue reined in her horse before the towering black citadel, speaking with solemn gravity.

At this moment, Li Muxian looked up at the imperial city before him—vastly more magnificent than any city he’d ever seen—and couldn’t help but marvel:

“Indeed, one must travel far and wide to broaden one’s horizons.”

The imperial city before him, a feudal dynasty’s colossal fortress, lay like a slumbering beast across the land—its walls towering, endless, stretching far beyond sight into the distant mountains and earth.

Though this martial world lacked advanced technology, it pushed human potential to its extreme.

Yet to build such a magnificent city required centuries of accumulation—impossible without them.

…

“Miss Cang, didn’t the Shadow Spy Bureau send you to find me? Then why don’t you even trust your own superiors?”

As Li Muxian turned to ask, he dismounted alongside Cang Yinyue and led the reins toward the ten-zhang-high wide city gate.

At the gate, civilians streamed in and out; dozens of armored guards stood at the entrance, each checking and verifying travel permits—only allowing passage after confirming no issues.

Cang Yinyue stared at the imperial capital looming ahead, her expression shifting; then, using qi to form a silent thread, she spoke:

“I originally had no intention of telling you this, but now, I think you should know some things.”

“Do you know who holds authority over the Shadow Spy Bureau?”

At this, Li Muxian nodded slightly and said:

“Naturally, the great favorite of Emperor Yuanwu—the Dark Chancellor of Da Li, whose true face no one has ever seen.”

Over these days, Li Muxian had learned much about Da Li’s affairs—large and small—through Cang Yinyue and various Jianghu gossip reports.

It was said this Dark Chancellor’s identity was extremely mysterious; only Emperor Yuanwu and a handful of others had ever seen him.

Moreover, legend claimed he possessed a Seven-Holed Wondrous Heart, mastered all schools of martial arts, achieved divine cultivation, and over decades of commanding the Shadow Spy Bureau, had slaughtered countless enemies, striking fear into neighboring nations.

“You’re correct. But you only know our bureau’s chief is favored by the Emperor—you don’t know he is also the Seventh Imperial Prince’s master.”

Cang Yinyue’s gaze was dark and unreadable as she fixed her eyes on Li Muxian and said:

“The Seventh Imperial Prince I mean is the false prince now imprisoned in Da Li’s Heavenly Prison.”

Saying this, she sighed softly:

“The Seventh Imperial Prince and the bureau chief have shared over a decade of master-disciple bonds. Now you should understand why I said that.”

At this, Li Muxian’s expression cleared with sudden understanding.

He thought for a moment, then stared at Cang Yinyue for a while and said:

“Given the Dark Chancellor’s nature, this should be the ultimate secret—few in all of Da Li likely know of it, right?”

Cang Yinyue nodded slightly and said:

“Don’t doubt it. I stumbled upon this by accident myself. Until today, I’ve never told anyone.”

Hearing this, Li Muxian gave her a thumbs-up and praised:

“Miss Cang, telling me this shows real loyalty!”

Cang Yinyue’s eyelid twitched; she snorted and said:

“I’m just making sure you understand your current situation. After all, you promised to remove my branded characters—I must do everything I can to keep you from dying.”

As they spoke, the two arrived before the city gate guards.

Before Cang Yinyue reached for her token, she silently transmitted a message:

“The imperial capital is already a sea of hidden currents; now, with the false prince affair, countless factions are watching closely. Not just the Shadow Spy Bureau—you must also beware other powers.”

Saying this, she handed her Six Gates Constable token to the gate guard and pointed to Li Muxian beside her:

“Returned from a mission. This is the wanted criminal I captured.”

At this, Li Muxian blinked in surprise.

Not bad—not bad. Before even entering Shangyang City, this girl had already taught him a lesson.

(End of Chapter)