Chapter 103: News of the Hidden Kill Order |
Hearing Fu Qiwen's answer, Li Musheng observed him for a while, then slowly nodded and said, "After exterminating Falling God Peak, continuing to let Commander Fu manage the Tianjin Guards is actually still acceptable."
Fu Qiwen was slightly stunned. He glanced at Li Musheng, and a bitter smile appeared on his face as he said, "Your Highness remains as confident as ever, but this subject doesn't have much confidence about the upcoming matter. I can only do my best."
Li Musheng waved his hand and said, "Commander Fu will see the future results sooner or later."
"However, since I've agreed to help Commander Fu this time, courtesy demands reciprocity. Commander Fu must also help me with a small matter."
Hearing this, Fu Qiwen nodded gently and said, "As long as this subject can do it, please feel free to instruct, Your Highness."
"I need the Tianjin Guards to help me search for leads about the divine beast Fire Qilin as well as the keys to the Tianqi Secret Treasury."
Li Musheng slowly spoke, directly stating his purpose.
Fu Qiwen frowned slightly, seemingly somewhat puzzled as to why this Eighth Prince before him was interested in all these ethereal and illusory things.
However, he didn't ask further questions and merely cupped his hands, saying, "This matter poses no problem. This subject will pass down the order shortly. However, the Tianjin Guards are currently fully preparing to exterminate Falling God Peak, so Your Highness's matter can probably only be gradually pursued later."
...
The night passed without incident.
The next day, the entire Shangyang City appeared as calm as usual on the surface, but in reality was shrouded in an invisible pall.
An imperial consort of the Great Li palace had been killed, and the news spread throughout the entire capital in a single night.
The entire Shangyang City was now in a state of martial law, with armored soldiers patrolling everywhere throughout the city.
Six Doors constables shuttled between various markets, wine houses, and inns searching for suspicious persons. The guards at the city gates were several times more stringent than usual, and the city was in a state of entry only, no exit.
Discussion about Imperial Consort Ji's death was rampant among the common people, with countless rumors and gossip, but the fact that Imperial Consort Ji had been killed within the palace itself was no longer questioned by anyone.
Six Doors headquarters.
Guan Tianqian and the two Gold Badge Constables had entered the palace and hadn't returned for a full night.
However, after news of Imperial Consort Ji's murder spread, Six Doors immediately received orders from the palace requiring them to devote all efforts to apprehending the murderer who killed Imperial Consort Ji.
Knowing the severity of this matter, the seven Gold Badge Constables summoned all the Silver Badge Constables of Six Doors headquarters to discuss the matter of capturing the murderer.
Almost all the Six Doors constables in the entire capital were mobilized, not closing their eyes for an entire night.
In the room where Fu Yu was located, Ji Feiyun and Gong Lishan were also present.
"The Fifth Prince sent word through someone, asking us to fully investigate the matter of the Cangyuan Marquis's mansion colluding with Imperial Consort Ji to kill people for cultivation. All evidence must be preserved in duplicate and secretly sent to the Fifth Prince's mansion."
Ji Feiyun said in a low voice, his gaze looking toward Fu Yu before him.
Hearing this, Fu Yu seemed unsurprised by this and said, "The Fifth Prince wants to use this matter to restrain the Third Prince in order to assist the First Prince in opposing the Second Prince. This was within my expectations all along, but..."
Speaking thus, Fu Yu frowned and looked toward Gong Lishan at the side, his expression grave as he said, "I truly didn't expect that on the same night the Cangyuan Marquis and the others were killed, that Imperial Consort Ji would also be murdered within the inner palace."
Gong Lishan's eyes flickered uncertainly, then he took a deep breath and said, "Based on my many years of experience investigating cases, these two incidents are extremely likely to have a significant connection. If we dare to make a bold guess, the murderer who killed the Cangyuan Marquis and the others and the murderer who killed Imperial Consort Ji might even be the same group."
Hearing this, Fu Yu nodded gently and said, "This is also what I'm worried about. If there truly is a connection between the two, given that the other party has the ability to enter the palace and kill an imperial consort, I'm afraid this matter is not something we can easily get involved in."
"Moreover, this matter also involves Cang Yinyue..."
Saying this, Fu Yu didn't continue speaking, his face clearly showing a trace of hesitation.
Seeing this, Ji Feiyun's expression shifted as he said, "Brother Fu, now that Cang Yinyue has already connected with that Eighth Prince, you actually don't need to worry too much about her."
"The Eighth Prince?"
Fu Yu shook his head and said, "That Eighth Prince has a special status. Perhaps in the future he'll receive more favor from His Majesty and can serve as a backer for a period of time, but he's only just been acknowledged as a prince and hasn't yet established a firm foothold in the capital, so I'm afraid he won't be of much use."
Hearing this, Ji Feiyun waved his hand and hurriedly said, "Brother Fu, you may not know yet, but this morning, the Hidden Kill Pavilion has already spread news about the 'Hidden Kill Order' in Shangyang City."
"It's said that the Hidden Kill Order is now in the hands of that Eighth Prince."
As soon as these words came out, Fu Yu's eyes suddenly narrowed slightly. Then, his face showed contemplation as he slowly paced back and forth, saying, "If the Hidden Kill Order is in that Eighth Prince's hands, it's not hard to guess that when Cang Yinyue previously captured that Great Qi remnant and those three wanted criminals, it was very likely with his assistance."
"And if I remember correctly, when the Dead-Faced Old Man and the others were killed, that Eighth Prince should not yet have had his prince status confirmed."
"However, he was able to accomplish all this at that time, which also indicates from the side that perhaps that Eighth Prince is not as simple as the rumors say, merely coming from a remote small city."
Gong Lishan slowly nodded and said, "Recently there have been rumors circulating in the capital that on the day that Eighth Prince went to the Tianjin Guards headquarters, five Martial Dao Grand Masters allegedly joined forces to assassinate him, but ultimately all perished."
"That Eighth Prince's identity was questionable at the time, so the palace wouldn't likely send experts to protect him, yet he was able to survive the hands of five Martial Dao Grand Masters and even counter-kill so many experts. If we say there's nothing unusual about this, probably no one would believe it."
Fu Yu didn't speak, silently contemplating for a while before slowly looking toward Gong Lishan and the other, saying, "If that's the case, we can actually change our strategy. The matter of the Cangyuan Marquis's mansion colluding with Imperial Consort Ji is only known to us and Divine Constable."
"Now Divine Constable is in the palace and hasn't returned, so only we know of this matter. But there are no walls that don't let wind through, especially in a place like Six Doors where everyone is shrewd. As long as we continue investigating this matter, it's impossible to escape the notice of those with ulterior motives."
"And if this matter reaches the Third Prince's ears, we will certainly become targets of public criticism. For the other party to deal with us would be extremely simple."
Hearing this, Ji Feiyun's expression fluctuated for a moment as he said, "Then what does Brother Fu mean?"
"Secretly spread the news about Imperial Consort Ji colluding with the Cangyuan Marquis's mansion. With Divine Constable absent, we have no need to wade into such murky waters."
Fu Yu's eyes narrowed slightly as he said, "This matter will inevitably implicate Cang Yinyue. We can also use this opportunity to see the true capabilities of that Eighth Prince."