Chapter 38: Improvised Performance

This speech flattered Lin Yu with lavish praise, perfectly posture-performing, while clearly stating his own stance without losing the dignity of a Tang official and Changan County Commandant.

One must admit, Su Wuming was still better at speaking than Lu Lingfeng!

Beneath his mask, Lin Yu’s lips curled slightly.

At the same time, seeing his cousin finish bowing to Lin Yu and preparing to bow to him too, Su Haoming sighed inwardly, immediately sheathed his sword, stepped forward, and helped his cousin to his feet.

Su Wuming blinked in surprise, then his face lit up with delight, as if he believed his words had moved both of them.

What he didn’t know was that Su Haoming simply didn’t want to see his cousin bow to him like that!

This action was naturally not in the script.

Or more accurately, they had no script at all—everything was improvised.

This level of improvisation posed no challenge to Lin Yu.

His expression unchanged, he glanced at Su Wuming and said coolly: “County Commandant of Changan… are you the disciple of Magistrate Di, Su Wuming?”

Su Wuming blinked again, then quickly bowed his hands: “Indeed, it is I, Su Mou. Could it be you know my master?”

Lin Yu regarded him with interest: “Could it not simply be that I’ve heard your name?”

Su Wuming laughed: “You jest, sir. Though I am County Commandant of Changan, I’ve held office only briefly and have no outstanding achievements to speak of—my only claim to your notice is being my master’s disciple!”

“No wonder you’re Magistrate Di’s disciple!”

Lin Yu praised him, then tightened his grip, knocking Yuan Lai unconscious, and tossed him toward Su Wuming.

Su Wuming was startled, quickly joining Jia the Sergeant to catch Yuan Lai and pin him to the ground.

“Out of respect for Magistrate Di, I’ll spare you today.”

Saying this, Lin Yu stepped forward toward the group of black-clad men ahead.

Though the black-clad men remained silent, their feet shifted unconsciously, clearing a path for Lin Yu.

Su Wuming straightened up, bowing formally: “Thank you for your mercy… may I ask your name?”

“...Huan Yu, Bai Yujing.”

Su Wuming froze. Was that a name?

No—it sounded more like a Daoist title or cultivation name!

Lin Yu offered no further explanation, only glanced at Su Haoming beside him and said coolly: “Yu Hao, come quickly.”

Su Haoming blinked, then realized—this must be the alias Lin Yu had given him!

Yu Hao…

Not bad. Quite pleasant.

Su Haoming thought to himself, while draining the last of his internal Qi to barely summon half of the Step Void, Ride the Wind technique.

In an instant, Su Haoming’s form seemed to merge with the wind, descending with impossible speed to land behind Lin Yu, calmly following him forward.

Beyond the black-clad men on either side, only Lu Lingfeng and three Gold Guard soldiers remained ahead.

“Assistant Regional Commander!”

One of the Gold Guard soldiers whispered to him; the young, proud Assistant Regional Commander finally snapped to attention, stepping aside to watch the two pass by with complex expression.

“Screech—”

With the sound of stone grinding, the stone door opened of its own accord.

Lin Yu and Su Haoming stepped inside, gradually vanishing into the distance amid the onlookers’ complicated gazes.

Only after their figures vanished completely did everyone—including Su Wuming—finally exhale.

He scanned the silent black-clad men, snatched Jia the Sergeant’s long knife, pressed it against Yuan Lai’s throat, and roared:

“Yuan Lai is here! Surrender and live!”

The others snapped to attention and shouted in unison: “Yuan Lai is here! Surrender and live!”

The black-clad men, still reeling from Lin Yu’s mental shock, fell silent and dropped their weapons without resistance.

Seeing this, Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming finally relaxed.

They exchanged a glance across the space; Su Wuming nodded and waved his hand, ordering the Changan constables to assist.

Lu Lingfeng kept his three Gold Guard soldiers on alert, waiting for reinforcements to arrive before moving in to confiscate weapons and bind prisoners.

After a stick of incense burned down, Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming finally had time to speak.

Back-to-back with the busy Changan constables, they stood silently before the stone door.

After a moment, Lu Lingfeng broke the silence.

“The man wearing the white jade mask claims ties to Magistrate Di. You, County Commandant Su, served under Magistrate Di for years—have you ever heard of such a person?”

…Actually, no.

Su Wuming was about to shake his head when he remembered his cousin’s ordeal, his expression flickering with hesitation.

Of all the mysterious figures in recent years, the one he couldn’t understand was the hidden master behind his cousin!

If Magistrate Di truly had once met and befriended that master, then later concealed the truth for some reason, it wasn’t entirely implausible!

Watching Su Wuming’s hesitation, Lu Lingfeng sensed something.

“Su Wuming, do you actually have a lead?”

“...”

Su Wuming came back to himself and shook his head: “Not a lead—just a memory of my master’s past. My master always kept his word, especially on solemn promises. These fragments alone yield no vital information.”

“More than that, I’m intrigued by the poem they recited upon appearing…”

“The Baopuzi of Eastern Jin’s Zhenyi wrote: ‘The Primordial Heavenly King resides above the center of heaven, in a mountain called Yujing.’”

“The Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Emperor Wu also records: ‘During the Yellow Emperor’s reign, five cities and twelve towers were built to await divine beings at Zhiqui, named Yingnian.’”

“Thus, ‘the white jade capital of heaven, twelve towers and five cities’ likely derives from these two sources.”

Lu Lingfeng murmured: “And the last two lines?”

“...”

Su Wuming fell silent, then sighed softly: “These four lines carry profound artistic depth and an extraordinary rhythm—no ordinary mortal could have written them. Whoever penned this must possess not merely the heart of a Poet Immortal, but perhaps even the soul of one.”

Clearly, Su Wuming had no intention of answering directly.

Lu Lingfeng frowned: “You truly believe they’re immortals?”

Su Wuming shook his head: “No, of course not. There are no immortals in this world—I once believed so, and I still do.”

Lu Lingfeng countered: “Then how do you explain their abilities?”

Su Wuming fell silent, then looked up: “Assistant Regional Commander, you’re a martial cultivator—what’s your view?”

Lu Lingfeng shook his head: “In my opinion, their abilities aren’t martial arts. I’ve trained for over twenty years—I’m confident even the strongest martial master in the world could at least exchange a few blows. But these two…”

Though Lu Lingfeng didn’t finish, his meaning was clear.

They exchanged a glance, both sinking into silence.

“Huan Yu, Yu Hao, Bai Yujing…”

Su Wuming sighed: “The world is vast, full of wonders—ancient words truly didn’t deceive us.”

Then he lowered his voice further: “Since ancient times, tales of immortals and gods have always been the root of imperial turmoil. Though you serve the Crown Prince, this matter should not be fully disclosed—especially those last two lines of the poem…”

Lu Lingfeng understood: “I know that well.”

“Assistant Regional Commander is truly a pillar of the state!”

Su Wuming first paid a compliment, then lowered his voice again: “As for Bai Yujing—if you’re interested, we could work together secretly to investigate.”

Lu Lingfeng frowned: “Are you suggesting we form a secret faction?”

Su Wuming sighed: “What faction? We’re just investigating a case—why make it sound so serious?”

Lu Lingfeng studied him skeptically, then after a moment, gave a slight nod.

Meanwhile, on the stone platform above the cave, Lin Yu and Su Haoming had returned and were eavesdropping on their conversation.

Hearing Su Wuming plan to secretly investigate Bai Yujing, Su Haoming couldn’t help but smirk, turning to say: “Brother Lin, didn’t we overact a bit?”

“Overact what?”

Lin Yu said with keen interest: “Think about it—the most mysterious, powerful, season-long Muhou boss, revealed to be the protagonist’s own cousin he’s been around every day? Isn’t that a classic twist?”

Su Haoming retorted: “It’s cliché!”

Lin Yu said seriously: “Forget cliché—just tell me, is it interesting?”

Su Haoming thought carefully, and had to admit—the plot development was genuinely satisfying to him.

But…

Su Haoming shook his head: “Even if we’re setting up a final boss, it should be you, Brother Lin. I’d be happy as your right-hand man. Putting me in the spotlight? I can’t handle it!”

(End of Chapter)