Chapter 9: A Figure in Black Treading the Clouds

Master of Fangcun

“Xiong Jin?”

Li Shun’s physical body, suspended upon the torture net, trembled uncontrollably as wisps of his vitality were drawn away. Yet within the hidden Fangcun space, his true consciousness had already been thrown into violent turmoil.

He had no clear idea what had transpired in the outside world. But seeing this once-arrogant leader of the Xiang faction reduced to a prisoner sealed within a “golden cocoon,” Li Shun could not help but feel deeply shaken.

“It seems I was worried for nothing.”

He had originally assumed that even if he reported the matter, the Lengshan County authorities would ultimately be crushed when faced with such a powerful assault.

At best, they might only hold out a little longer.

Yet contrary to his expectations, the Great Qian officials had not only withstood the attack, they had even captured Xiong Jin alive.

“Could it be… because of that golden light?” Li Shun’s thoughts raced as he recalled what his substitute puppet had witnessed while seizing the Lengshan Venerable.

“It seems the foundations of Great Qian run far deeper than I imagined.”

Inside the golden cocoon, Xiong Jin’s eyes burned crimson. Countless curses and venomous hatred seemed ready to erupt, yet the dense golden threads not only sealed his aura, but locked his throat as well. In the end, he could only emit low, muffled groans like a beast driven into despair.

Not long after, the sound of steady, unhurried footsteps echoed through the dark prison corridor.

The Magistrate of Lengshan County, Fang Xun, strolled calmly into the lowest level of the torture chambers and stopped before the golden cocoon.

He first cast a glance at Feng Guan and Li Shun, both of whom were in a miserable state, drenched in blood.

Before he could even ask, Sun Wu, who stood nearby like a shadow, stepped forward with a respectful bow and reported in a low voice, “Sir, they have already been thoroughly interrogated. Their testimony is entirely truthful, with no hidden tricks or omissions.”

Having successfully claimed the immense merit of capturing Xiong Jin, Fang Xun was clearly in excellent spirits. With a casual sweep of his sleeve, he said calmly, “In that case, take them down and bring them out. See that they are properly treated. Those who have rendered merit in protecting the region shall not be neglected by this official.”

“Yes.”

Once Sun Wu led the jailers away, dragging the limp and boneless forms of Li Shun and Feng Guan out of the underground prison, Fang Xun slowly turned around and fixed his deep, piercing gaze upon Xiong Jin, who remained tightly bound within the golden cocoon.

“Now, with no outsiders to disturb us, let us have a proper conversation,” Fang Xun said with a faint smile.

The moment his words fell, the golden threads binding Xiong Jin suddenly contracted inward with terrifying force, burrowing deep into flesh. Each strand, thinner than a hair, became as sharp as the finest blade, slicing relentlessly through his body.

“Ugh—!!”

Under a torment no less cruel than being flayed alive piece by piece, Xiong Jin could no longer endure it. From deep within his throat burst out hoarse, muffled screams of agony.

…

Night fell. The moon hung high in the sky.

Having just concluded a brutal and secret interrogation, Fang Xun changed into plain clothes. In high spirits, he hummed an indistinct tune as he quietly made his way to the courtyard where his favored concubine, Yu Niang, resided.

Following their usual signal, he raised his hand and knocked on the door with a steady rhythm.

Knock, knock… knock.

The wind rustled through the leaves with a soft, whispering hiss, yet the courtyard remained deathly silent. No one answered for a long time.

Fang Xun’s brows furrowed slightly. “The protective formation around this residence is hardly inferior to that of the county yamen. No ordinary thief could possibly break through it. Could it be…”

A deeply ominous premonition surged in his heart. Abandoning any attempt to conceal his movements, he raised his hand and began writing in the air with swift, flowing strokes, his fingers moving like a dragon in flight.

A bold and forceful character—“Key”—manifested out of thin air, radiating a faint glow.

With a sharp push of his fingers, the character shot forward and imprinted itself onto the tightly shut gates of the residence. Visible ripples spread through the air, and the heavy wooden doors, layered with countless restrictions, creaked as they suddenly swung open.

Fang Xun strode inside with a darkened expression. After swiftly searching the eerily empty courtyard, his face grew so grim it seemed as though water might drip from it.

Not only was his concubine Yu Niang nowhere to be found, even the brocade box containing the [Lengshan Venerable]—which he had personally sealed and intended to use as a stepping stone to return to the Sacred Capital—had vanished without a trace!

“Bold. You’re courting death!”

Fang Xun laughed in fury, his anger boiling over. Once more, his fingers danced through the air, his strokes sharp and unyielding as he inscribed a massive character—“Pursue.”

The ink exploded outward, transforming into dozens of pitch-black birds. Ordinarily, these birds would have followed the hidden mark he had placed upon the brocade box to track its location. Yet now, they flitted about like headless flies within the courtyard, utterly unable to find any direction or trace.

“The aura has been completely erased out of thin air. Even the seal I placed on the brocade box shows no sign of being forcibly broken…”

Fang Xun’s expression shifted between ashen and livid. In the end, he clenched his teeth and forced out the words through gritted teeth, “What a cunning thief. To take advantage of the chaos and steal the Lengshan Venerable…”

Unwilling to accept it, he scanned the courtyard once more, his gaze sweeping across every inch of the ground. At last, his eyes settled on a dull, gray piece of worn cloth lying inconspicuously in a corner.

“Hm?”

Fang Xun stepped forward and picked it up. As his fingers brushed against the coarse fabric, his eyes narrowed slightly in thought.

…

Third day of the second month, early morning.

Clouds churned across the sky as the Great Qian’s Black-Robed Envoys descended upon Lengshan County. Clad in heavy black armor and wearing ferocious, fang-like masks, they rode iron-armored qilin steeds, stepping upon the clouds as they arrived, carrying with them a terrifying, overwhelming aura of killing intent.

Fang Xun personally led the officials of Lengshan County, standing respectfully at the entrance of the county yamen to receive them.

Amid tight security, as they completed the handover of the “Golden Cocoon” containing Xiong Jin, the leader of the Black-Robed Envoys dismounted and spoke privately with Fang Xun away from prying eyes.

The leader removed his mask, revealing a cold and stern face. He patted Fang Xun’s shoulder and, in a rare display, showed a faint smile. “Brother Shensi, not only did you uncover the rebels’ scheme this time, you also assisted the Sacred Capital in capturing the rightful heir of the former dynasty. With such unparalleled merit, your return to the Sacred Capital is now well within reach.”

Though a trace of pride flickered in Fang Xun’s eyes, his expression remained refined and modest. He bowed deeply and said, “It is all thanks to Brother Zhao’s swift aid across thousands of miles. When you return to the capital, I hope you will put in a good word for me before our teacher.”

“Of course.”

After a flawless exchange of official pleasantries, Fang Xun watched as the Black-Robed Envoys escorted the Golden Cocoon away, their procession vast and imposing as they rode the clouds into the distance.

Only after the convoy completely disappeared beyond the horizon did the smile on Fang Xun’s face vanish instantly.

He turned and entered his study, summoning Wu Kuang, the chief constable of Lengshan County.

“Go. Find out where this piece of cloth came from.” Fang Xun casually tossed the gray cloth onto the desk, his tone calm.

Wu Kuang picked up the cloth and paused for a moment. Such coarse material was commonly worn by nearly every laborer in the lower ranks of Lengshan County. However, he did not dare show the slightest hesitation and immediately bowed his head in compliance. “Yes, sir!”

Wu Kuang’s efficiency was astonishing. Just past noon, he hurried back into the study.

“Reporting to you, my lord, the origin of this cloth has been identified.” Wu Kuang dropped to one knee, cupping his fists respectfully.