Chapter 35 This guy is a madman!
Ji Chengnin dismounted and looked around.
A pair of eyes, as black as ink, brimming with murderous intent.
Seeing that the situation had reached a stalemate, Lü Zhong was so anxious that he almost got blisters on his lips. "My lord," he lowered his voice and tugged at Ji Chengning's sleeve, "the Embroidered Uniform Guard has the authority to act first and report later when handling cases. Let's let them in first."
Upon hearing this, the leader slightly raised his chin, his eyes sweeping over Ji Chengnin with a disdainful look, and said with a half-smile, "Young Marquis, are you perhaps trying to obstruct the investigation?"
Ji Chengnin laughed, "How dare I?"
He showed no anger, but instead asked in a polite tone, "May I ask you all, what case are you handling, who are you arresting, what stolen goods are you receiving, and whose orders are you following?"
The leader gave a cold laugh, and waved the token in front of Ji Chengning's eyes again. The three large gilded characters of the Embroidered Robe Division shone arrogantly under the candlelight, so bright it hurt the eyes.
"The Embroidered Robe Bureau handles cases, and unauthorized personnel are not allowed to inquire."
He emphasized the word "idle" in his words.
According to established rules, no department is allowed to handle cases outside of the prefectural government. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is the most special of the eighteen imperial guards. It is absolutely subordinate to the emperor. Although it has no official rank, it holds great power and authority and is personally granted power by His Majesty.
Ji Chengnin was, after all, a commander of a guard; this action was tantamount to slapping him in the face.
As far as he knew, Young Master Ji was extremely concerned about his reputation, spoiled and arrogant, and could not tolerate the slightest grievance or loss.
If they make trouble... and the leader reveals a provocative smile, that's perfect, then we'll report him to the authorities and have him charged with obstructing official business!
The leader said, "Young Marquis, do you understand? If you do, please step aside."
Before he finished speaking, a few scattered laughs came from the guards following behind him.
Lu Zhong's face was deathly pale, and he tugged at Ji Chengning's sleeve again, "My lord."
Ji Chengnin lowered his head slightly.
Seeing that he had yielded, the leader chuckled and was about to step past Ji Chengnin to go forward.
But a dark figure was much faster than him!
The leader was stunned and raised his hand to draw his sword. However, before his fingers could touch the sword, they briefly made contact with Ji Chengnin's hot skin. The latter grabbed his wrist and twisted it sharply in the opposite direction.
when? !
The leader was horrified.
They all say that Young Master Ji is a spoiled brat who can't even kill a chicken. Apart from being born into a good family, he has no other strengths. How could he have such amazing skills?
"Snap!"
The bones were twisted and broken, making a sound that made your teeth ache.
Everyone's expression changed, and they rushed forward.
Ji Chengning drew the leader's sideknife, its cold light gleaming as it swept across the man's pale face like a cold moon.
The next second, the knife was pressed against his throat!
Everyone was hesitant to act for fear of inadvertently, and stood still, not daring to move.
“You,” Adam’s apple bobbed violently as the leader turned and glared fiercely at Ji Chengnin, “Does the young marquis intend to make an enemy of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”
Ji Chengning had been an official for several months and thought he had already restrained his temper quite a bit. Today, he was repeatedly provoked by this person. In addition, the case was still unsolved and involved his close friend. He was already extremely irritable, and the other party had added fuel to the fire.
He curled his lips into a smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes at all.
He repeated, "What case are you handling? Who are you arresting? What stolen goods are you receiving? And whose orders are you following?"
The man sneered, "No comment!"
Ji Chengnin praised, "Good, good, good, you have backbone. The young marquis likes people with backbone the most." His beautiful, almost bewitching peach blossom eyes darkened, instantly revealing boundless murderous intent, which made the Embroidered Uniform Guards feel an involuntary chill. He lowered his head, his hot breath sticking to the other's earlobe, and the latter trembled, but forcibly suppressed it. "I've heard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard's rhinoceros horn knife can cut through iron like mud. Tell me, if you use such a good knife to cut someone as hard as you, won't the blade get dull?"
Before the leader could even speak, one of his subordinates couldn't contain himself any longer, exclaiming in shock and anger, "How dare you!"
Ji Chengnin laughed loudly.
The reddish corners of his eyes twitched, revealing a sinister, bloodthirsty aura.
He grabbed the leader by the hair, forcing him to tilt his head back and reveal his taut neck. "Qinglu Guard is His Majesty's personal guard, a vital area of the court. To trespass into the Qinglu Guard's office without cause is enough to kill you a hundred times over." With that, the blade slashed inward without hesitation.
A bright red liquid suddenly gushed out from the bloodletting groove.
The blade was chillingly cold, but even more intense than the murderous aura emanating from this weapon that had drunk countless lives was the person wielding it.
The leader gritted his teeth.
The cut wasn't deep, but he could feel his blood gushing out wildly.
He wouldn't dare kill me, he wouldn't dare kill me.
The leader desperately tried to convince himself, but when he met Ji Chengnin's clear eyes, he was horrified to find that there was not a trace of unease in the other's eyes, but rather excitement.
It's as if they're saying, "Once I kill you, I'll show your Lord Xu your head."
That guy's insane!
A chill ran down my neck, and the knife seemed about to cut inwards.
He knew how fast this knife was; he had once used it to kill nineteen people in a single day, all of whom were family members of traitors, and in the end, the blade only had a few scratches.
In that instant, the faint mark magnified infinitely in his eyes, "It's for Qu Fengzhi's case!"
He suddenly spoke.
The blade stopped abruptly.
The snow-white blade illuminated his face.
The man, still shaken, was panting heavily.
Ji Chengnin narrowed his eyes. "What?"
Now that things had come to this, he felt no burden, and said in a hoarse voice, "We are under orders from the director to arrest more than thirty detained servants and guards, and to confiscate contraband."
He originally thought that he would travel at night, and there wouldn't be many people left in the Qinglu Guard. Even if there were, no one would dare to stop him if he showed his Embroidered Uniform Guard token. Who would have thought that he would run into such a devil!
"How did the Embroidered Uniform Guard know that I detained the Qu family's servants?" Ji Chengnin's expression grew colder. "Who said so?"
He hadn't expected the other party to reveal the informant's thoughts, but to his surprise, the man gave him a very strange expression. "It was Young Master Qu himself who said it."
Upon hearing this, Ji Chengnin felt as if half of his blood had turned cold. "You mean, the Qu family is currently in the Embroidery Bureau?!"
When he was about to kill, Young Master Ji was all smiles, as if he were holding not a sharp blade that could cut off a living person's head, but a harmless peach blossom. At this moment, all the smiles in his eyes were gone, replaced only by a chilling ferocity.
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yes, yes."
Ji Chengnin suddenly drew his sword.
A cold light flashed, and everyone was terrified.
"Swoosh—" Ji Chengning steadily sheathed the knife, the blade still trembling.
Shock, anger, and doubt lingered, though Ji Chengnin forcibly suppressed them. Anxiety, which was bound to surface no matter what, welled up within him. A mixture of emotions, Ji Chengnin smiled instead, “Everyone, please.”
Everyone was silent.
Under the firelight, the members of the Embroidered Robe Bureau remained as silent as cast iron.
Having witnessed what Young Master Ji had done, they knew how troublesome and ruthless he was. Now that he had suddenly changed his tune, even if they had the courage to do so, they dared not approach him directly.
Ji Chengnin smiled slightly, "Gentlemen, the Qu family's servants are all in the Discipline Hall. As for that thing, I will lead you to retrieve it."
Even Ji Chengning admitted that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had no right to refuse to enforce the law. He could use the law to suppress these guards for the time being, but when dawn broke, Xu Sheng would report the matter to the emperor, saying that he was obstructing the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation. The emperor would not show him any favoritism.
Moreover, Ji Chengning had no intention of wasting time on this.
The leader stared wide-eyed in disbelief, as if he had seen a living ghost.
Ji Chengnin continued, "But I have one condition."
The leader: "Please speak."
"I want to go back to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office with you."
The leader remained silent for a few seconds.
There are no laws within the Embroidered Uniform Guard prohibiting Ji Chengning from entering. If things drag on into the daytime, the situation will become even more uncontrollable. Moreover, that is their territory, and no matter how arrogant Ji Chengning is, he will have to restrain himself once he enters the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
My thoughts raced.
"good!"
Ji Chengning raised his hand, signaling Lü Zhong to open the door.
The crowd filed in.
They moved swiftly, and in less than a quarter of an hour, they had tied up more than thirty servants together, while others counted the jars of "aphrodisiacs" and loaded them onto the carriage.
Ji Chengning mounted the horse.
The sky gradually brightened.
Spring was chilly, and a thin layer of mist shrouded the morning air.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't rested well, or perhaps his not-so-bright brain had been burdened with too much pressure that he shouldn't have had to bear these past two days. Ji Chengning took a breath and felt a chill run through his body, and his brain throbbed with a needle-like pain.
How could things have come to this?
What exactly did Qu Fengzhi secretly bring back?!
Ji Chengning had a splitting headache. As for Pingzhi, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would definitely not arrest only Qu Fengzhi. Except for the old master Qu, the entire Qu family might be in the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison at the moment.
As for Pingzhi, Ji Chengning closed his eyes, his pupils covered with trembling red veins. What should be done about Pingzhi?
The arrogant air that had once emanated from the leading guard had long since dissipated, and he obediently rode his horse three steps behind Ji Chengning.
Who was it that informed the Embroidered Robe Bureau about Qu Fengzhi's smuggling of that thing?
With countless questions swirling in his mind, Ji Chengnin gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning faintly blue.
The group walked quickly, and Ji Chengning felt that it was only a moment before they arrived at the entrance of the Embroidery Bureau.
Unlike the Qinglu Guard's office, the Embroidered Robe Bureau's office was located in an extremely remote area, occupying an entire street by itself. It had a three-zhang-high wall, entirely black except for the main gate, which was painted vermilion. On either side of the main gate stood two imposing and fierce-looking xiezhi (mythical beasts).
Every five zhang (approximately 10 meters) on the wall stands a dark wooden plaque, each about the height of a person, inscribed with the words: "Silence."
Its strokes are strong and powerful, resembling iron hooks and silver lines.
It is so striking that one cannot help but hold one's breath and feel an urge to immediately prostrate oneself in worship.
Although the government office was large, no one could be heard speaking; only the sound of footsteps coming and going could be heard.
Compared to this place, the Qingluwei government office is simply adorable.
Ji Chengnin dismounted and strode into the main gate.
The guards behind him exchanged glances, and the leader whispered, "Quickly go and fetch the master."
Actually, there was no need for trouble, because Ji Chengning had only taken a dozen steps inside when he saw a tall, slender figure.
To be honest, he was not familiar with this person. He had only seen this person when he was a child and was taken to a palace banquet, when he was within three steps of His Majesty.
Ji Chengning had a deep impression of Xu Sheng, remembering that he had long eyebrows and slender eyes, and a face like a beautiful woman.
The person before me was exactly the same as I remembered.
Wearing the official robes of the Embroidered Robe Division, adorned with phoenixes spreading their wings and chrysanthemum patterns, Xu Sheng's intense gold color did not make him appear any more approachable. Instead, it accentuated his pale skin, making him look even more ghostly and gloomy.
“Young Master Ji,” Xu Sheng said with a smile, showing no surprise at seeing him. “How have you been?”
Ji Chengnin placed his hand on his waist and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Lord Xu. May you be well, Lord Xu."
Xu Sheng chuckled softly.
His gaze swept over Ji Chengnin's face, and he thought with satisfaction, "That hypocritical face is exactly the same as the Marquis of Yongning's."
“Young Marquis, you came to see me in such a hurry, I suppose it wasn’t to ask about my well-being,” Xu Sheng said with a smile. “If you have something to say, then speak frankly.”
Ji Chengnin raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand what you mean, Lord Xu. It was clearly you who sent someone to Qingluwei to ask for my cooperation. Why are you asking me what I want?"
cooperate?
In a short while, Xu Sheng immediately understood Ji Chengning's meaning.
It must be that those incompetent people failed in their duties and were instead controlled by Ji Chengning.
His smile deepened. "That is indeed true," he said, extending his hand. "Then, young marquis, please."
Ji Chengnin stepped forward without hesitation.
His composure and fearlessness surprised Xu Sheng somewhat.
His gaze swept across Ji Chengnin's face, from the boy's overly sharp and striking eyebrows to his habitually upturned lips.
It's so true.
He sighed inwardly.
If he were a close elder of Ji Chengnin, he would definitely tell the young Marquis Ji how the Marquis of Yongning died.
You must not be so rash and follow in the footsteps of Marquis Yongning, young marquis.
The prison was built underground.
Ji Chengning followed Xu Sheng down.
A stench of blood and gloom kept wafting towards Ji Chengnin's face.
His heart sank deeper and deeper.
"Da, da, da."
Footsteps echoed.
Xu Sheng seemed to find the road too long and too quiet, so he spoke up, "Young Master Qu is truly capable, to be able to transport back so much..."
Ji Chengnin's ears twitched.
The torchlight cast a dim yellow glow, but Xu Sheng keenly noticed Ji Chengnin's subtle movements.
Ji Chengnin didn't know what this was.
Xu Sheng was first shocked, and then a strange joy suddenly welled up in his heart.
"Young Marquis, you don't even know what Qu Fengzhi brought back?" A deep voice suddenly appeared behind him. The sandalwood scent on Xu Sheng's body mingled with the gloomy smell of blood, making Ji Chengning's stomach churn. He abruptly distanced himself from the other person.
Xu Sheng laughed even more heartily, "Young Marquis, you don't even know what he brought back, yet you dare to make such a big fuss about it." His pale lips curled up, revealing an extremely mocking smile, "How could His Majesty have given such an important position to a fool like you?"
Before Ji Chengnin could be shocked by the deeper meaning in Xu Sheng's words, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted.
"ah--"
A piercing scream came from below, the owner of the voice seemed to be enduring unimaginable pain, the wails and the smell of blood were sent to Ji Chengning's face.
It was a young man's voice!
Ji Chengnin's expression changed drastically.
He no longer cared about Xu Sheng behind him and ran down.
Xu Sheng chuckled softly behind him.
He ran incredibly fast, the smell of rust seeping wildly from his throat.
A few breaths later, the view suddenly opened up before them.
The torches illuminated the entire dungeon.
Accustomed to the darkness, his eyes narrowed. The overstimulation caused his dry eyes to sting, and a tiny bit of tears welled up.
He quickly closed his eyes, and everything in front of him became clear.
He met a pair of eyes.
Shocked, incredulous, even hateful eyes, and then, everything returned to calm.
It's Pingzhi!
Ji Chengning felt a sense of relief when he saw that he was alright.
Immediately, it was brought up again.
His friends would always smile when they looked at him, but his slightly flushed face was now deathly pale.
Qu Pingzhi was looking at him.
She stared at him expressionlessly.
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Author's Note: The next chapter will be updated at noon. Love you.
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