Martial Cultivator

Song Lian looked at Han Pu, put down his wine bowl, and said, "He's not someone who enjoys killing. Since he killed someone, it's naturally because that person provoked him first."

Han Pu frowned slightly and asked, "Which is also to say that, on that night, Marquis Huainan orchestrated an assassination attempt. When he failed to kill him, Chen Chao went to kill Marquis Huainan?"

Song Lian said calmly, "That seems to be the answer."

Han Pu said nothing, remaining silent for a while as he sorted out the sequence of events in his mind. After organizing everything, he asked, "Will you go with me to that courtyard?"

Song Lian did not refuse.

The two of them soon arrived at the courtyard that had already become a ruin. But it was still well-guarded by the Left Guard, preventing outsiders from getting close.

Han Pu said, "This place isn't far from the Left Guard. If you were in the Left Guard's office that night, you should have noticed something unusual, but you weren't."

Song Lian calmly replied, "Someone deliberately sent me away."

Then, Song Lian recounted many details about what happened that night.

Han Pu's brow furrowed deeper as he listened, realizing that things were becoming more complicated. The assassination that night was no longer just the work of Marquis Huainan alone.

"Though he still held a title, he had long lost his official position and had no authority. To secretly carry out such a plot, he would need some people's cooperation. Otherwise, even if he hired some assassins, it's unlikely the deed could have been done so quietly. In the Divine Capital, at night... the Patrol Camp?"

Sitting in the sedan chair, Han Pu muttered to himself for a while before finally saying, "Go to Marquis Zhongyong's manor!"

Marquis Zhongyong's manor was not considered far. After Han Pu arrived and explained his reason for coming, he was allowed inside without obstruction. However, as soon as he entered the estate, this Chief Judicial Officer caught a strong scent of medicine.

The steward had his head lowered as he said softly, "The Marquis has contracted a severe illness and is unable to speak for the time being."

Han Pu stood at the doorway, looking at the Marquis Zhongyong lying inside, remaining silent for a long time. "Unable to speak for the time being" essentially meant that the marquis knew something, but someone was preventing him from speaking.

Han Pu stood at the door for a long time, neither stepping inside nor wasting words asking questions. Since the marquis could not speak, no matter what he asked, there would be no answer.

When he returned to the Court of Judicial Review, Han Pu did not look pleased, because they had encountered many difficulties.

These difficulties themselves were not the issue. The issue was that with so many obstacles, it meant that they would implicate many people, many powerful people.

Was Marquis Zhongyong considered a powerful figure?

He was the one who contributed the most in that war long ago and was personally conferred the title by His Majesty. Yet, at this moment, he could not speak, seemingly protecting his personal interest and staying out of trouble.

Such behavior might indicate that, in truth, he was not deeply involved in the assassination attempt after all.

Why did Huainan Marquis, Song Ting, want to kill Chen Chao?

It was naturally due to Chen Chao's identity. Though it was only a rumor that he was a descendant of the late Crown Prince's lineage, many had already come to believe it. As one of the old guard, Marquis Huainan naturally felt threatened, so taking action was understandable. Was this the origin of the matter?

Marquis Zhongyong must have known, but he fell ill at this very moment.

Just as Han Pu was contemplating, an official entered the great hall, looking troubled as he approached Han Pu. "Your Excellency..."

Han Pu looked at the official and asked, "What is it?"

"Someone has arrived outside the hall," the official stepped forward and leaned in to whisper, "Your Excellency, someone is here claiming to know something important."

Han Pu frowned, "What did they say?"

"That person refused to say anything and insisted to meet you before he'll say anything, Your Excellency."

……

……

The Court of Judicial Review continued investigating Song Ting's death and sent numerous officials to search for Chen Chao, but there were no results.

Chen Chao seemed to have disappeared.

Yet, all the prominent figures knew that Chen Chao had not left the Divine Capital.

It was just that this young man remained missing. No one knew where he was.

Perhaps some people knew where he was, but at the moment, they did not want to look for him.

Seeing as His Majesty's banquet was about to commence, the officials of the Ministry of Rites were becoming increasingly busy. They had a multitude of matters to handle, all of which needed to be settled within the specified time.

The Emperor's banquet was an annual event, but in previous years, it had never garnered much attention from His Majesty himself. However, this time, everyone knew it was different. As a result, the Ministry of Rites took the preparations more seriously, not wanting to make any mistakes, as they did not wish to bear responsibility for things that were not their fault.

At present, the Divine Capital seemed like a calm lake, but everyone knew that beneath the surface, hidden currents were surging. A single misstep could lead to stormy waves.

Those small boats on the surface had to be cautious, as no one knew if they might be caught in a disaster beyond their control.

The Ministry of Rites' officials had begun sending out invitations. Strictly speaking, this banquet was not solely for the court officials, some of the prominent great families would also receive invitations.

Great families such as the Wei and Xie families had received invitations in previous years as a sign of the Great Liang Dynasty's respect for them. However, their family heads did not always attend, though they would send important figures to represent them.

Outward respect had to be shown.

"His Majesty is hosting a banquet tomorrow in the late afternoon in the palace. How many from the Xie Family will attend?"

The official from the Ministry of Rites delivered the invitation to the entrance of the Xie family's ancestral manor, smiling as he asked the steward before him.

The Xie Family's steward glanced at the Ministry of Rites official and replied seriously, "This time, the old family head will attend personally, just him alone."

"The old family head?"

The official from the Ministry of Rites was taken aback. As one of the two largest aristocratic families in Great Liang, the ancestor of the Xie Family had lived through more than one dynasty. He rarely appeared before the public, and many had likely forgotten about him. So why was he personally attending this banquet now?

The steward nodded and said softly, "His Majesty invited with sincerity, so naturally, the old family head couldn't decline."

Anyone could tell that these were just polite words, but the Ministry of Rites' official suppressed his shock. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he left the residence.

At the same time, the Ministry of Rites' official delivering the invitation to the Wei Family was also met with equally shocking news.

The Wei Family Head would also be attending the banquet.

Though the heads of the two largest aristocratic families in Great Liang did not necessarily hold any official positions, there was no doubt that both of them were prominent figures in the Great Liang Dynasty. No matter what they did, it always sparked many people's speculation. Now, with both deciding to attend the banquet, many were beginning to realize the significance of the banquet.

As invitations continued to be sent out, more startling news followed.

The family heads of all the major families were going to attend the banquet.

Such an occurrence was exceedingly rare. Aside from the early days of the founding and a few major events in Great Liang Dynasty's history, nothing like this had ever happened.

With the family heads of countless major families all attending, it seemed clear that something significant was bound to happen at this banquet. Things were becoming increasingly complex. Things were getting complicated.

But the officials from the Ministry of Rites could not afford to dwell on it too much, as they were not the true big shots. All they could do was faithfully fulfill their duties.

One Ministry of Rites official arrived at the academy, delivering an invitation to Wei Xu first. With a smile, he asked, "Mr. Wei, will the Dean be attending?"

Wei Xu took the invitation and nodded, "Yes, Teacher will be attending."

The official was momentarily stunned. Although there had been rumors before he came, he had not expected that the esteemed dean of the academy would actually attend the banquet.

He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing more, turning to take his leave.

However, he did not immediately leave the academy. Instead, he made his way to the lakeside courtyard and knocked on the door.

The maidservant Liu Ye stood at the door, looking at the Ministry of Rites' official with some confusion.

"Is Miss Xie available? His Majesty will be holding a court session tomorrow, and he has invited Miss Xie to attend."

The official was just as puzzled. Xie Nandu held no official position in the court, though she came from the illustrious Xie Family and the academy. Although these two entities would receive an invitation, there was no reason to send a separate one specifically for Xie Nandu. This had never happened before.

However, the palace had instructed him this way, saying it was His Majesty's will. Since it was His Majesty's will, as a lowly official of the Ministry of Rites, he dared not question or act otherwise.

"Miss..."

After a brief moment of absentmindedness, Liu Ye called out towards the courtyard.

Xie Nandu walked out from the courtyard, took the invitation, and nodded slightly, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

The Ministry of Rites' official smiled slightly, but instead of leaving, he produced another invitation and handed it to Xie Nandu. "This is Deputy Commander Chen's invitation, which I'm also entrusting to Miss Xie."

Xie Nandu did not reach out to take it but asked curiously, "Why?"

The official replied, "The palace's instruction was that although no one knows where Commander Chen is right now, they presume that only Miss Xie would know. As a current official in the capital, he should receive an invitation. Giving Commander Chen's invitation to Miss Xie seemed the most appropriate."

Chen Chao was the Deputy Commander of the Left Guard. Logically speaking, the invitation should have been sent to the Left Guard's office, but since they likely would not know his whereabouts, giving it to Xie Nandu seemed the best option.

Xie Nandu shook her head, "I don’t know where he is either."

The official smiled and said, "That's fine, but I'm simply following orders."

Xie Nandu did not say more and reached her hand out to accept the invitation.

The Ministry of Rites' official nodded, then took his leave.

Xie Nandu watched his departing figure in silence for a long time before turning back under the eaves. Sitting on a chair, she seemed to be pondering about something.

Liu Ye could not help but ask, “Miss, where exactly did he run off to?”

Xie Nandu replied, “I don't know either.”

Liu Ye frowned, “He didn't even tell you where he went?”

Xie Nandu remained quiet for a long while before finally saying, “Liu Ye, you should head back first.”

Liu Ye opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she lowered her head and acknowledged, before taking her leave.

The sky gradually turned dark.

Xie Nandu sat beneath the eaves, gazing at the moon hanging in the night sky. Moonlight spilled down as she raised her head, lost in thought.

It was unclear how much time passed before the courtyard door was pushed open. A young man, with a saber hanging at his side, entered the courtyard, his face weary.