Chapter 41: Fu Yu

“There’s a bit of interest to it.”

Li Muxian did not press further; in this world, martial arts flourished, and perhaps some things beyond human capability were not impossible.

At this moment, Cang Yin Yue collected her thoughts and spoke:

“I must remind you: the imperial capital seems to show signs of unrest. The remnants of Da Qi have not shown themselves for years, yet now they strike with such grandeur—it is truly abnormal.”

“Moreover, your status is still uncertain—you must be extra cautious. I have a feeling the capital’s future will likely not be peaceful.”

Hearing this, Li Muxian slightly narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, then gave Cang Yin Yue a reassuring glance.

“Enough, Miss Cang, don’t worry too much. When the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up. Our priority is still to steadily search for the key to the Tianqi Secret Vault.”

Li Muxian waved his hand with a smile; the events of tonight were concluded, and he had gained something at least.

He did not linger further, instructed Cang Yin Yue to handle the soldier herself, then turned back to rest at Jiguang Pavilion.

Having reached the limit of martial cultivation, Li Muxian now no longer needed to practice breathing or study martial techniques—he had entered a state of returning to simplicity.

Thus, outwardly and inwardly, he appeared no different from an ordinary person—though this was only true so long as he did not act.

The night passed.

At dawn, Cang Yin Yue arrived punctually at the Six Gates Bureau headquarters, but unlike usual, she was pushing a large wooden cart.

Much of the Six Gates Bureau’s and the Tianjin Guard’s efforts were now fully devoted to hunting down the escaped Da Qi remnant.

Yet sadly, the soldier had vanished as if he had evaporated; the Six Gates Bureau had gained no trace of him.

“Captain Cang, what’s going on today? Why are you pushing a cart to the bureau?”

The guard constable at the gate, seeing this unusual sight, looked deeply curious.

Cang Yin Yue said nothing more, merely stopped the cart at the bureau’s entrance and said:

“Go inside and inform them: no need to search for the Da Qi remnant anymore—I’ve brought him.”

Hearing this, the guard constable froze, as if he had misheard; his gaze shifted to the black-cloth-covered cart and he asked uncertainly:

“Captain Cang, are you saying the Da Qi remnant we’ve been searching for is lying right here?”

Cang Yin Yue did not repeat herself; she simply nodded calmly:

“Go notify them, and bring the clerk who records merits—I’d rather not make another trip later.”

At this, the guard constable hesitated briefly, then said:

“Captain Cang, wait a moment.”

He hurried inside, soon arriving before a small hall; after a moment’s thought, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door:

“Report, Captain Fu: I have urgent news.”

The next instant, with a soft creak, the vermilion wooden door before him opened silently, as if moved by no wind.

At the same time, a slightly hoarse voice came from within:

“Come in and speak.”

Hearing this, the constable stepped inside—but his gaze swept the room and saw Ji Feiyun and Gong Lishan already inside.

Seeing them, he quickly bowed to both captains, then turned to face a young man seated behind the desk.

The young man was around thirty, his posture straight as a pine, his nose high, his lips thin and pressed, his face as sharply carved as if by a blade.

His ink-black hair was simply tied back, his brow bearing calmness and authority—he was Fu Yu, the foremost of the Ten Famous Captains of the Six Gates Bureau headquarters.

“Speak. What is it?”

Fu Yu spoke calmly, his gaze fixed on the constable; Ji Feiyun and Gong Lishan beside him also turned their eyes toward him.

“Captain Fu, it’s Captain Cang who sent me to report—I’m not sure if it’s true or not.”

The constable bowed, then cautiously glanced at Fu Yu.

To be honest, he found it hard to believe Cang Yin Yue had actually captured the Da Qi remnant, whose strength rivaled a Grand Master of Martial Arts—he wanted to distance himself first, in case the report turned out false and blame fell on him.

After all, everyone in the Six Gates Bureau knew Cang Yin Yue was Fu Yu’s fiancée; if they made him the scapegoat, he’d have no recourse.

At this, Fu Yu’s eyes flickered with an unreadable expression, and he said:

“Whether true or false, speak freely.”

Hearing this, the constable nodded slightly and recounted everything that had happened at the bureau’s gate.

“You say Cang Yin Yue captured the Da Qi remnant?”

Ji Feiyun rose from his chair, his face pale as he burst into violent coughs—his injuries were clearly not yet healed.

“That’s what Captain Cang said.” The constable nodded.

“How is that possible? Yu Jin, barely a Grand Master, was nearly killed by him. Cang Yin Yue hasn’t even reached Master level—how could she capture him?”

Ji Feiyun sneered, showing not a shred of belief.

Hearing this, the constable said nothing, only stood there awkwardly silent.

At this, Fu Yu fell silent for a moment, then exchanged a glance with the rugged-faced Gong Lishan, who nodded slightly and said:

“Though this is indeed unlikely, Captain Cang is not the type to speak recklessly. Perhaps she misidentified the suspect. Let’s go see for ourselves—resolve this quickly, before other colleagues laugh. It harms your reputation.”

Fu Yu’s expression gave nothing away; he rose from behind the desk and said calmly:

“I’ll be right back. Wait here for me.”

Saying this, he walked toward the door.

Seeing this, Ji Feiyun did not stay—he hurried after him at once.

Gong Lishan shook his head; naturally, he wouldn’t remain alone.

Soon, the three arrived at the Six Gates Bureau’s main gate.

Yet now, a crowd of constables had gathered around, all staring at Cang Yin Yue and the cart, whispering curiously.

Seeing this, Fu Yu slightly furrowed his brow, then quickly returned to composure; he pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, speaking softly:

“Yin Yue, I hear you captured the Da Qi remnant?”

Hearing this, Cang Yin Yue, who had been meditating with closed eyes, suddenly opened them, fixing her gaze on him and speaking coldly:

“Do you not believe me?”

She had been waiting for Fu Yu.

Everyone in the Six Gates Bureau knew she was the fiancée of this top-ranked captain, and assumed she owed her status to this hypocritical man.

She had once been limited in ability—but today, she would prove before all of them that her present standing had nothing to do with him.

She scorned the family arrangement, and scorned being his so-called fiancée.

“Yin Yue, you misunderstand—I didn’t mean that. Misidentifying a suspect is perfectly normal.”

Fu Yu shook his head gently, his eyes showing no blame whatsoever.

(End of Chapter)