Chapter 77: Gift-Giving

Gong Lishan and Ji Feiyun exchanged a glance but said nothing.

At that moment, Fu Yu pondered for a moment, his gaze sharpening, then said:

“Feiyun, send a message in my name immediately to the Fourth Elder of the Taiyin Yuan Sect, detailing what happened at the Cangyuan Marquis Mansion. Though Zhu Fenglan and Cang Yuning are dead, this thread to the Taiyin Yuan Sect must not be severed.”

Hearing this, Ji Feiyun nodded, then asked:

“So we must also investigate the Cangyuan Marquis Mansion case to the fullest extent?”

Fu Yu gave a slight nod and said:

“Since the Divine Inspector has made this request, we simply follow orders.”

Gong Lishan, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes slightly and said:

“The Third and Second Imperial Princes are aligned. The Cangyuan Marquis Mansion affair involves Imperial Consort Ji. If we can obtain leverage against them, the matter carries both advantage and risk.”

“But with the Divine Inspector above us, as long as we remain vigilant and avoid provoking the sensibilities of those powerful figures, we won’t face major problems.”

“That’s correct.”

Fu Yu gave Gong Lishan an approving look and said calmly:

“We are all minor players. But if we wish to rise, we must learn to survive in the cracks—only then can we one day see the light of heaven.”

At that moment, his gaze shifted as he suddenly asked:

“How is the investigation into the three fugitives pursued by the Old Face Elder?”

Hearing this, Gong Lishan shook his head and said:

“I was just about to report this—I found no Hidden Kill Order on any of the three. I sent men to their temporary hideout and turned the place upside down, but still found no trace of the Hidden Kill Order.”

Fu Yu thought for a moment, then said slowly:

“The Hidden Kill Order’s emergence has already triggered multiple murders in Shangyang City. I’ve been investigating this for nearly half a month and finally traced it to these three. I’m certain the Hidden Kill Order is now in their hands.”

“Could it be that the Cang Captain has taken it?” Gong Lishan asked.

“Given Cang Yin Yue’s nature, she would know better than to touch such a hot potato.”

Fu Yu shook his head slightly and said:

“Wait a little longer. The Hidden Kill Order is extremely unique—even if hidden, the Hidden Kill Guild will sense it.”

“If it remains in one person’s possession for more than twenty-four hours, the Hidden Kill Guild will reveal the holder’s identity.”

“And if, within the next twenty-four hours, the holder still possesses the Hidden Kill Order, the guild will dispatch assassins to eliminate them.”

Hearing this, Gong Lishan and Ji Feiyun exchanged a glance. Ji Feiyun shrugged and said:

“To be honest, if it were me, I wouldn’t dare touch it. The Hidden Kill Guild is one of the most renowned assassin organizations in the martial world—even Heaven-Refining experts struggle to escape their assassinations. Those who seize it truly have no fear of death?”

Gong Lishan sighed lightly and said:

“There’s no shortage of desperate men in this world, and the temptation of controlling the Hidden Kill Guild is simply too great. Someone will always risk their life for it.”

“Moreover, those with great ambition and extreme confidence won’t easily let go of an opportunity that comes once in decades.”

…

Headquarters of the Tianjinwei.

Li Muxian, with nothing else to do, decided to refine his Life-and-Death Mark martial art while letting the bodyguards assigned by Fu Qiwén act as his guides.

He planned to stroll around Shangyang City and also take a look at the house Emperor Yuanwu had gifted him.

After all, he was leaving in just a few days, and he had yet to properly explore such a bustling imperial capital.

Yet before Li Muxian could step outside, gifts began arriving continuously from all factions.

His royal brothers, court ministers, and numerous nobles had all sent congratulatory presents.

Li Muxian had no interest in dealing with them, so he had the Tianjinwei handle the responses.

Still, as he gazed at the pile of gold, silver, and rare treasures filling an entire small hall, he couldn’t help but remark:

“This is a real windfall—just these treasures alone would last me many lifetimes.”

For the past fifteen years, Li Muxian had trained in seclusion at the martial arts school, rarely leaving Shun’an City, where his life as a disciple had been comfortably provided for.

Honestly, this was his second experience of sudden wealth.

The first time was when Emperor Yuanwu promised him a house and money.

Good, good.

Not only has he reached the pinnacle of martial cultivation, but now he has wealth too. His life isn’t perfect—but it’s close enough. If he doesn’t now lie back and live like an old man waiting to die, it would almost be shameful!

Li Muxian rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful.

At that moment, a figure swept in with a gust of fragrance, suddenly appearing behind him.

Sensing the deadly aura from behind, Li Muxian turned and glanced at the unfamiliar woman.

Seeing her hands were empty, he frowned and asked:

“As my adopted sister, you came to visit without bringing a gift?”

Hearing this, Li Yuanling puffed out her cheeks, her lovely face flushed with anger:

“You actually remember I’m your adopted sister? Is this how you treat your adopted sister? The first time I was ever betrayed was by you.”

Li Yuanling was no longer disguised as she had been in the Jiguang Pavilion.

She wore a blue cuīyān shirt, draped in a pale blue, gauzy shawl like mist over water. Her eyes sparkled like flowing ripples, and two small dimples sat evenly on either cheek—when angry, she looked strangely soft and adorable.

Li Muxian waved his hand and countered with an old cliché:

“I did this for your own good. You’re unharmed now—why hold a grudge against me?”

Li Yuanling chuckled, though she had no intention of attacking. Instead, she glanced at the pile of gifts in the hall and said:

“You’ve made quite a profit.”

Then she changed the subject and asked:

“Did Li Ruan send you anything?”

Hearing this, Li Muxian paused slightly and asked:

“Who’s that? Should she have sent me something?”

“Li Ruan is your biological sister—the Crown Princess of Great Li.”

Li Yuanling gave him an exasperated look, then picked up the gift ledger beside the table and began flipping through it, searching for her name.

At that moment, Li Muxian spread his hands and said:

“Don’t bother—her name isn’t there. She didn’t send me anything.”

“After your identity was recognized by the Emperor, she didn’t even come to see you?”

Li Yuanling frowned. She knew Li Ruan had never cared much about finding her lost brother.

But she hadn’t expected such coldness—Li Ruan hadn’t even bothered to look in on Li Muxian.

At that moment, Li Muxian shook his head and said:

“If I’m not mistaken, she came last night—stood on the roof and watched me for a while, then left.”

At the time, Li Muxian had just returned from court and noticed a woman infiltrating the Tianjinwei Headquarters, precisely finding his courtyard.

But since he sensed no killing intent and the Tianjinwei experts made no move to stop her, he ignored her. Now he realized—she must have been the Crown Princess.

(End of Chapter)