Chapter 46: Emerging from the Surface

“Battalion Commander, we’ve found some tokens with markings—likely left by the killer!”

Hearing this, Li Mu abandoned all concern for Deputy Commandant Chu and rushed forward to inspect them.

“Secure them carefully. Send word to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to send someone to verify which faction these tokens belong to.”

He studied them for a long while but could not make out anything clear.

Li Mu grew tired of puzzling over it and decided to pass the problem directly to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The two major secret agencies of Dayu appeared to overlap in power, but their operational focuses differed.

The Eastern Depot’s primary area of activity centered on the capital, radiating outward.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was a nationwide institution, with outposts established in all major prefectures and even extending into neighboring countries.

To track down the hidden forces behind the scenes, they were the ones to turn to.

After this minor interruption, cleanup continued, but the focus shifted to tallying casualties.

Many officers from the Five Cities Military Command attended the banquet last night; aside from those who escaped safely by the side of Marquis Wuyang, the rest remain missing.

It was essential to quickly determine who had been captured and who had perished.

Looking at the mangled corpses, Li Mu forced down his inner revulsion and persisted at the front line.

“Battalion Commander, we’ve found a witness from last night!”

Captain Yun said, his face flushed with excitement.

The appearance of a witness meant a major turning point in the case.

The nature of last night’s incident was exceptionally heinous—hardly matched in Dayu’s history.

Solving such a major case was a tremendous achievement.

I can’t guarantee anything else, but everyone here is guaranteed at least one promotion; with good fortune, two or three promotions are possible.

“Bring the witness here. I will question him personally.”

Li Mu gave the order without changing expression.

The slight twitch at the corner of his mouth still betrayed his good mood.

With this new lead, they were one step closer to uncovering the true culprit behind the scenes.

Whether or not someone had deliberately arranged it, if the investigation yielded results, it was still a great achievement.

Even if all the evidence had flaws, it didn’t matter.

Fundamentally, what they needed now was a list—not evidence.

Gathering evidence was routine procedure, meant to be performed for the eyes of the world.

“My lord, last night my brothers and I were drinking at Yihong Courtyard across from Changchun Pavilion.

Suddenly we heard shouts and fighting from the other side; when we looked toward the sound, we saw a group of black-clad men storming into Changchun Pavilion.

Due to the buildings blocking our view, we couldn’t see what was happening inside, but we knew the battle lasted nearly half an hour.

By the way, in the private room next to ours, the killers’ accomplices sent out a withdrawal signal.

The leader muttered something about the Seven Prefectures Alliance controlling the illicit salt trade.

Then he even uttered a string of treasonous remarks—so vile I cannot repeat them!”

“My lord, what Brother Wang said is entirely true, and the courtesans of Yihong Courtyard can testify.

Others in nearby private rooms should also have heard it—we can confront them together.

Please don’t let the Embroidered…”

Realizing his slip, the young scholar slapped himself hard across the face.

Normally, when such incidents occurred, everyone avoided them at all costs; few would willingly draw near.

They came forward themselves mainly because they heard the Embroidered Uniform Guard was investigating the case and reviewing guests from across the river last night.

Compared to the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s notorious reputation, the Five Cities Military Command, which daily dealt with brawls among aristocratic youths, was seen by the public as far more amiable.

“Enough, don’t get so worked up.

This case falls under the jurisdiction of the Five Cities Military Command—the Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot interfere without authorization.

Just tell me what you know; I will handle the Embroidered Uniform Guard on your behalf!”

Li Mu made a sweeping promise.

Last night so many “important figures” died, and many were captured—it was no ordinary case.

It touched on the honor of numerous powerful figures in the capital; one misstep would bring trouble upon them, and the wise would avoid it entirely.

Noble-born sons could not die in vain; the credit for solving the case must remain within the noble circles—that was the unspoken understanding among all sides.

“My lord, that’s all we know!”

The young scholar said, his face grim.

If he’d known they’d stumble into this, they never would have gone out last night.

They hadn’t even enjoyed their drinking, yet now found themselves in grave danger.

“Alright, I understand.

If any further issues arise, I’ll send someone to notify you.

Before the case is resolved, you must not leave Yangzhou Prefecture.

If you recall anything else, you may come forward to report it.

If your information helps solve the case, I will personally petition the court to reward you.

By the way, have you ever heard of the Seven Prefectures Alliance?”

Li Mu changed the subject.

First came “Seven Prefectures’ Great Elders,” now this “Seven Prefectures Alliance”—clearly meant to steer the investigation toward the Seven Prefectures.

If nothing unexpected occurs, the tokens left by the killer will also point to the same target.

Adding the word “Alliance” confirms the Seven Prefectures are not a single faction, but a coalition of multiple forces—or someone intends to label them as such.

Since the disaster of the aristocratic clans, imperial rulers had intensified suppression of local lineages.

After Dayu’s founding, to curb the unchecked expansion of local clans, the court repeatedly issued restrictive edicts.

Local clans forming alliances were strictly forbidden by the court.

If the great families of the Two Huai region had secretly formed an alliance, even without any salt trade matters, the court would still purge them.

“My lord, we’ve never heard of the Seven Prefectures Alliance—we’ve only heard of the Seven Great Families of Two Huai…”

The white-robed scholar realized his mistake mid-sentence.

The Seven Great Families of the Two Huai region were, to them, like heaven itself.

Though publicly they appeared as scholarly families indistinguishable from ordinary gentry clans, anyone who offended them in secret met a gruesome end.

Even high-ranking officials serving in the Two Huai region had to pay them a visit first if they wished to live comfortably.

“The Seven Great Families of Two Huai—sounds quite arrogant.

Today I’ll broaden my horizons. May I ask which families they are?”

Li Mu asked with a smile.

Exactly seven—numbers matched perfectly. The Seven Prefectures Alliance was almost certainly them.

“My lord, we were just speaking nonsense—please don’t take it seriously!”

The green-robed scholar spoke in panic.

Though they were gentry sons themselves, compared to the Seven Great Families, their power was incomparably inferior.

If the Seven Great Families learned they had led the soldiers there, it would cost them their lives.

“Hmph!”

“Speak, and speak quickly.

The sky of Dayu belongs to the Emperor—no matter how fearsome the Seven Great Families, can they truly cover the heavens with one hand?”

Li Mu rebuked sharply.

The reward had come right to his doorstep—he could not abandon it halfway.

No matter how powerful the Seven Great Families, they could not withstand the court’s deliberate targeting.

(End of Chapter)