Chapter 415

Jin Ling, Tianjing Alley.

This was an old alley within Jin Ling city, barely wide enough for three horses to walk side by side, its pavement laid with long, tightly joined green stone slabs.

After countless years of trampling and friction, the raised portions of the stone had worn smooth and faintly gleamed.

After last night's rainstorm, the green stone pavement radiated a cool, lustrous sheen, lending the alley an air of ominous chill.

At the alley's entrance, a crowd of onlookers had gathered, yet none dared step inside—as if Tianjing Alley were already steeped in ill fortune, deterring all who passed.

Jia Cong squeezed through the crowd at the alley's mouth and walked alone into the lane.

The entire alley was empty; far ahead, at its center, stood a mansion whose gate was often frequented by people coming and going.

Indeed, many of the houses in this alley had been abandoned, their eaves overgrown with wild grass, doors streaked with peeling paint, and official seals pasted across their gates.

After years of wind and rain, some seals had half-fallen, fluttering helplessly in the breeze.

A few houses still had residents, but their doors were tightly shut, and only occasionally did a pair of wary, icy faces flicker behind the windows.

Several battalion commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard passed through the alley; upon seeing Jia Cong, they approached to question his identity, but all were turned away by his badge as Provincial Military Commander of the Zhongche Office.

He walked straight to the mansion's gate and found two yamen runners from the Ying Tian Prefecture guarding it.

This too was an abandoned mansion, its eaves choked with withered grass, the official seal on its gate torn away, and a broken lantern hanging beneath the lintel, creaking in the wind.

The lantern bore a faint character: "Cui." That must have been the surname of the former officer from the Water Surveillance Office who once lived here—now, no doubt, met a grim end.

At that moment, an Embroidered Uniform Guard emerged from the gate—it was Liu Yong, the hundred-man commander who knew Jia Cong well.

Liu Yong, surprised to see Jia Cong, asked: "Commander Jia, what brings you here? Things are unsettled today."

Jia Cong replied: "I happened to pass nearby and heard a murder occurred here—rumor says it was the Water Luo Sha under Liu Ao's command."

Liu Ao is now raiding the Songjiang coast, and the Artillery Bureau's cannon troops are still unprepared; the cannons have not yet reached Songjiang to repel him.

Everyone in the realm knows the power of cannons. If Liu Ao's men are now infiltrating the city to cause chaos, I wonder if there's a connection."

Liu Yong nodded slowly: "No wonder you came to investigate. But this murder has nothing to do with cannon deployment—the Water Luo Sha, no matter how powerful, couldn't possibly touch cannons."

In truth, Jia Cong mentioned cannons only to draw information from Liu Yong.

Liu Yong and Jia Cong were old acquaintances, and the battalion commander held Jia Cong in high regard. Since he asked, Liu Yong offered a few details.

"The victim was a girl of fifteen or sixteen—tall and slender, in her prime. She seemed an ordinary person. What a tragedy."

"The killing method clearly came from Japanese warriors, but why the Water Luo Sha killed her… remains unknown."

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong's heart trembled slightly. A girl of fifteen or sixteen, tall and slender—this description sounded eerily like Zou Min'er.

Zou Min'er stood tall and graceful, her figure standing out even among the many courtesans of Qingyin Pavilion.

Of all the women Jia Cong knew in Jin Ling, only she possessed such a distinctive figure.

He tried to reassure himself: this was probably just a coincidence.

But he recalled that recently, Zou Min'er's identity had been recognized—and the woman who recognized her, Aunt Wu, had vanished without cause. That had already put Jia Cong on guard.

Now, according to Liu Yong's description, the dead woman in Tianjing Alley matched Zou Min'er's physical traits. He couldn't be certain, but his heartbeat quickened unconsciously.

He wanted to rush straight to Qingyin Pavilion to confirm, but after steadying himself, he decided to first clarify what lay before him.

…

Jia Cong asked: "Brother Liu, could you do me a favor? I'd like to see the body."

Liu Yong looked startled—he hadn't expected an outsider like Jia Cong to suddenly demand to view the corpse. That seemed improper.

Ordinarily, a murder in Jin Ling fell under the Ying Tian Prefecture's jurisdiction; the Embroidered Uniform Guard had no official duty to intervene.

But because the prefecture's coroner found the killing method resembled that of Japanese warriors, and linked it to the female bandit Water Luo Sha recently infiltrating the city, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had stepped in.

If only his own men were present, and given his personal friendship with Jia Cong, he wouldn't mind doing a favor.

But now, Ying Tian Prefecture officials were still on-site. To allow an outsider to examine the corpse in full view would invite gossip.

So Liu Yong's hesitation was understandable.

Jia Cong said: "I won't hide it from you, Brother Liu—recently, a friend of mine has been in danger.

When you described the victim's appearance, it reminded me of her. I need to see the body to confirm. Please, let me look."

Liu Yong was taken aback. Seeing Jia Cong's grave expression and deep worry, he knew this was no ordinary matter.

If Jia Cong suspected the victim was his friend, then viewing the body was understandable.

Liu Yong said: "Since Commander Jia has this concern, you may view the body. But I must warn you—the woman's face was slashed beyond recognition. The sight is gruesome."

At these words, Jia Cong's hair stood on end, his face turning ashen.

He forced himself to speak: "Why was her face ruined?"

Liu Yong sighed: "The killer clearly didn't want her identified. I pray this woman has no connection to you."

…

Jia Cong took a deep breath and followed Liu Yong into the old mansion. In the main hall, a body lay covered by a white cloth.

The slender, tall outline of the corpse was faintly visible; Jia Cong's heart tightened again.

The two approached the body. Perhaps washed by rain, the stench of blood was now faint.

Liu Yong glanced at Jia Cong, silently urging him to prepare for the unveiling—the victim's disfigured face would shock any ordinary man.

Jia Cong nodded silently as Liu Yong slowly lifted the white cloth.

A chill shot straight to Jia Cong's crown. The corpse's face was crisscrossed with knife wounds, flesh torn and flayed, unrecognizable.

Jia Cong glanced at the face for only a moment, then turned away, studying the corpse's build instead.

On the woman's chest was a single wound—a blade had pierced through her torso, slanting downward, narrow and cleanly cut.

Beside him, Liu Yong said: "According to the coroner's report, such a wound is unusual—likely inflicted by a Japanese wakizashi."

Jia Cong said nothing in reply, but examined the corpse with extreme care—even lifting the woman's hand to inspect it.

Liu Yong, stationed in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had seen much violence. The Guard's dungeons were filled with torture; he was no stranger to blood.

But to see a face deliberately mutilated beyond recognition—this was his first time. It was deeply strange, terrifying.

He had thought Jia Cong's initial tension stemmed from fearing the victim was someone he knew.

Yet after the cloth was lifted, faced with such horror, this young man showed no fear—instead, he knelt to examine the body closely.

Such courage and composure truly impressed Liu Yong.

He recalled Jia Cong had fought the Jurchens in Liaodong—this man had been forged in battle, truly extraordinary.

…

After carefully examining the corpse, Jia Cong finally exhaled.

The woman's face was too badly slashed to identify.

Though her build was tall, resembling Zou Min'er's, she was noticeably thinner, as if from a poor household.

Zou Min'er, though tall, was slender yet full-figured—a stark contrast to this victim.

Jia Cong had spent much time with Zou Min'er lately. To maintain secrecy, whenever they met alone in private chambers, she often played the pipa for him.

Thus, Jia Cong had paid close attention to her hands—her fingers were long, delicate, soft, flawless, like jade-carved scallions, unforgettable.

But this victim's fingers were dry, rough, hardened by labor—nothing like Zou Min'er's elegant, pipa-tuned hands.

Liu Yong, seeing Jia Cong rise, hurriedly asked: "Commander Jia, is this woman someone you know?"

Jia Cong said: "Thank heaven—it's not someone

Liu Yong saw Jia Cong finish speaking and

……

Jia Cong hurried out of Tianjing Alley; the wind at the alley's mouth brushed his forehead, cooling the beads of cold sweat.

If that woman's corpse earlier had been Zou Min'er, he didn't know how he could face it.

He walked swiftly toward Qingyin Pavilion; the bustling crowd along the way, their calm and gentle expressions, gradually calmed his previously chaotic thoughts.

Not long after leaving Tianjing Alley, he passed a fish market, where precious seafood from the coastal waters of Songjiang floated in the air with a faint briny scent.

The fish porters carrying baskets, the bosses shouting orders—this vibrant, ordinary life slowly softened his previously stiffened heart.

When he saw the gates of Qingyin Pavilion, he stepped quickly inside.

He first went to the door at the far end of the main hall, which led to the inner courtyard where the pavilion's ladies resided.

He gave a silver fragment to the sturdy gatekeeper and asked her to deliver a message to Zou Min'er: he wished to see her.

Then he ascended to the third floor of Qingyin Pavilion, each step bringing him closer to the private chamber where he met Zou Min'er.

Jia Cong felt his heartbeat quicken; the prospect of seeing Zou Min'er soon stirred a joyful flutter in his chest—a feeling he had never experienced before.

Perhaps the mangled corpse in Tianjing Alley had shaken his spirit, driving him to urgently seek out Zou Min'er.

When he pushed open the door to the third-floor chamber, he found Zou Min'er already seated there, as if she had known he was coming.

Jia Cong's face lit up with surprise; a sense of relief washed over him, and he couldn't help but stare at her.

Her jet-black hair, thick as clouds; her face, luminous and exquisite.

Her pearl-shaped earlobes, pure white, flushed faintly pink; dangling pearl earrings glowed softly, adding grace to her beauty.

She wore a dark pine-green robe embroidered with plum branches, beneath it a plain white silk tunic, accentuating her slender, graceful, yet softly full figure with delicate charm.

Zou Min'er regarded him curiously; today, Jia Cong seemed different.

He stared at her so blankly, his gaze filled with unusual warmth and joy—he had never looked at her this way before…

Zou Min'er felt her cheeks grow warm and turned her eyes away from Jia Cong.

Jia Cong smiled and asked, "Why are you here?"

Zou Min'er replied, "You haven't come these past two days, so I've stayed in the inner courtyard. Today, news arrived from Songjiang, so I came out to sit awhile—didn't expect you'd actually come."

Zou Min'er frowned at Jia Cong, "What's wrong with you today? You're acting strange."

Jia Cong laughed, "Nothing's wrong. As long as you're safe. What did the news from Songjiang say?"

Hearing Jia Cong say "as long as you're safe," a vague but heartfelt phrase, Zou Min'er sensed his concern and felt a quiet joy—but she refused to dwell on it.

The letter from Songjiang reported that hundreds of Japanese pirates under the pirate lord Liu Ao had recently raided the Songjiang coast, engaging in repeated skirmishes with the Songjiang Garrison.

Jia Cong had already learned this news from the Embroidered Uniform Guard over the past two days, so it was not surprising.

Zou Min'er continued: "The newly drawn portrait of Zhou Zhou Zhengyang has been delivered to our agents across the regions, and we are now searching every corner according to the new image. As long as he hasn't gone to sea, we'll find his trail sooner or later."

After speaking, Zou Min'er noticed Jia Cong was distracted; her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion stirring in her heart.

But Jia Cong said: "The letter mentions Liu Ao's Japanese pirates raiding Songjiang, but the matter goes deeper than that—recently, one of his notorious bandits, known as Water Luo Sha, has slipped into Jin Ling."

Last time you were recognized by Wu Sao, she vanished without a trace afterward—I've been worried about it ever since.

This morning, a woman's corpse was found in Tianjing Alley; according to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation, the killer is likely Water Luo Sha, one of Liu Ao's men.

In short, Jin Ling has been unusually turbulent lately. Miss Zou, you should be more cautious when coming and going. Perhaps it would be safer if you returned with me to the old estate in Xinglong Fang."

…

The horrific corpse in Tianjing Alley that day left Jia Cong shaken—it was the second time he had urged Zou Min'er to return with him to the Xinglong Fang estate.

Perhaps it was the unusual way Jia Cong had looked at her today that stirred something deep within Zou Min'er; she clearly felt the concern in his gaze, and her heart softened slightly.

After a brief pause, she said: "I'll go back today to pack. Tomorrow, I'll return with you to the Xinglong Fang estate."

Jia Cong's heart leapt with joy; he smiled: "I'll come for you early tomorrow morning."

The two then carefully reviewed all the reports from the riverfront prefectures, after which Jia Cong took his leave.

…

As he opened the door of the private chamber and stepped out, he collided head-on with a maid passing by.

The maid stumbled backward, her tray toppling to the ground, spilling cups, wine, and liquid everywhere.

Jia Cong saw that the maid was tall and slender, and she seemed vaguely familiar.

Suddenly, he recalled seeing her once before, days ago, on the corridor of Qingyin Pavilion—she had bowed to him then.

The maid, startled by bumping into Jia Cong, looked flustered and lowered her head to apologize.

Jia Cong, however, felt embarrassed—if he hadn't suddenly stepped out, he wouldn't have bumped into her.

He knelt down with sincere regret to pick up the fallen tray.

The maid also bent to gather the scattered wine vessels.

Perhaps because they were so close, Jia Cong inadvertently noticed the maid's dorsal hand was powdered—his mind stirred slightly; wasn't powder usually applied to the face?

Jia Cong smiled inwardly: it seemed all women, no matter their station, were driven by an irrepressible love of beauty—even lowly maids.

At that moment, the maid reached down to pick up a wine cup, unintentionally exposing her entire right hand.

Jia Cong saw that the powder on her wrist had been washed away by spilled wine, revealing a strange scar.

As both stood up simultaneously, they nearly collided; her hair brushed against his face, making him instinctively inhale sharply.

Jia Cong handed her the recovered tray; she bowed to thank him, saying: "Thank you, Young Master."

Her voice was slightly hoarse, carrying an unusual resonance.

When Zou Min'er emerged, seeing that Jia Cong had merely bumped into someone and nothing serious had occurred, she bid him farewell and returned alone to the inner courtyard.

The maid, however, was exceedingly well-mannered; after tidying everything, she bowed deeply to Jia Cong before descending the stairs toward the main hall.

Qingyin Pavilion's reputation in Jin Ling, its status as a gathering place for literati and refined souls, was not without reason.

Du Du Qingniang managed Qingyin Pavilion with great discipline, cultivating talented musicians and performers within its walls.

Even the maids who served tea and wine were sharp, meticulous, and attentive to etiquette, giving guests the feeling of being truly at home.

…

After leaving Qingyin Pavilion, Jiang Liu, who had been instructed earlier, had already driven the carriage to wait outside.

As the carriage traveled a good distance and passed the fish market Jia Cong had passed on his way there,

A strange odor filled the air.

Jia Cong, raised in a coastal town in the southeast, knew coastal life intimately—he suddenly realized it was the briny smell of seawater.

That casual thought flashed through his mind—and Jia Cong's brow instantly furrowed!

He suddenly shouted: "Jiang Liu, stop the carriage!"

Jiang Liu, driving, immediately pulled the reins tight, turned back, and lifted the curtain: "Third Master, what's wrong? Why stop so suddenly?"

Jia Cong did not answer Jiang Liu. The briny scent from the fish market had struck him like lightning.

Chaotic images flashed rapidly through his mind; his expression grew grave.

His hands clenched involuntarily, as if trying to grasp a fleeting insight slipping from his thoughts.

In an instant, his mind connected everything—every scattered thought now formed a clear, complete chain.

Jia Cong's face turned ashen; he shouted sharply: "Jiang Liu, turn back to Qingyin Pavilion—hurry!" (End of Chapter)