Wuchang Prefecture, east of the city.

The sky was gloomy, heavy clouds hanging low overhead.

A fine misty rain fell from above.

The official road outside the city was a mess of mud.

Clank… Clank…

The sound of chains rang out.

Sun Sheng and Qiong Aohai were being escorted toward the city gates by constables from Six Doors.

Iron chains pierced through their shoulder blades, linked all the way down to shackles on their feet—made of solid wrought iron.

Even in chains, Sun Sheng wore a bright and unbothered smile.

He turned to Qiong Aohai, voice light and teasing:

"Second Brother!"

"It’s done!"

Qiong Aohai raised his head at the sound. His face was pale.

The short spear that had been lodged in his chest had already been pulled out, but the front of his robes was soaked in blood.

Thankfully, Murong Longyuan had sealed the surrounding acupoints in time, stopping the bleeding.

Otherwise, Qiong Aohai would’ve bled to death by now.

He looked at Sun Sheng—who still had a spearhead stuck in him—and saw that carefree smile.

Qiong Aohai couldn't help but grin.

"Yeah."

Their eyes met. Both laughed aloud.

The constables escorting them gave them strange looks.

They didn’t understand.

You’re already captured—how can you still laugh?

Attempting to assassinate a second-rank official in broad daylight?

Nothing like this had ever happened since the founding of the Great Wu Dynasty.

The only thing awaiting them was a death sentence.

And yet these two... could still joke with each other?

Behind them, Hong Ying followed closely, gripping the broken spear in her hand.

She kept glancing at Sun Sheng with eyes full of quiet admiration.

That moment—when Sun Sheng struck down Zhang Maoxiang with a single palm—still echoed vividly in her mind.

Hong Ying drew a deep breath, her gaze troubled.

Something wasn’t right.

Something about this whole thing felt... off.

She turned to Murong Longyuan beside her.

He puffed steadily on his brass tobacco pipe, slow and calm.

"Shi—" Hong Ying had just spoken one syllable—

Murong Longyuan lifted a hand.

A silent gesture to stop.

Hong Ying swallowed her question and stepped back.

She knew—when Master didn’t want to speak, there was no use pressing him.

The group continued into the city with their prisoners.

They hadn't walked far when several figures appeared ahead.

The one at the front was tall and broad-shouldered, a massive golden-ringed saber strapped to his back.

Raindrops pattered on the rings of the saber, producing a series of crisp, musical chimes.

Behind him were several others—each wearing black brocade robes, golden daggers at their waists, and straw hats on their heads.

The escorting constables halted, staring at this new group.

Murong Longyuan looked up too. At the sight of that saber, his brows twitched slightly.

A subtle shift in expression.

Tension filled the air.

Sun Sheng and Qiong Aohai looked up, puzzled.

Why did we stop?

When they saw the newcomers, surprise flashed in their eyes.

Another squad of Six Doors?

Qiong Aohai studied them closely, then his gaze landed on that massive saber.

A name floated up in his mind—

The Golden-Ringed Saber — Lei Zhengyang!

Sun Sheng’s face tensed. He turned to look at Qiong Aohai.

Their eyes met.

They both remembered the warning on the secret note:

Beware the Golden-Ringed Saber, Lei Zhengyang.

The two Six Doors teams faced off.

Lei Zhengyang stepped forward, walking straight up to Sun Sheng and Qiong Aohai.

The constables surrounding them grew alert.

What was he trying to do?

Lei Zhengyang reached into his robe and pulled out a portrait.

The man in the drawing was unmistakably Qiong Aohai.

He double-checked the likeness, then tucked it away.

His voice was coarse and deep as he turned to Murong Longyuan:

"This man is involved in my case. I’m taking him."

The surrounding constables widened their eyes.

Was he...

Trying to snatch their prisoner?

Murong Longyuan slowly exhaled a stream of smoke from his pipe.

His voice came out raspy:

"What case?"

Lei Zhengyang tilted his chin.

Sun Sheng and Qiong Aohai got a good look at him.

A burly face, thick beard, high-bridged nose.

He wore a straw hat—but above the ears, they saw clearly:

Bald.

A gleaming dome of a head.

Judging by appearance alone, no one would believe this man was one of the Three Great Captains of Six Doors.

He looked far more like a bandit.

Lei Zhengyang said coldly:

"The Sea Whale Gang hijacked disaster relief silver."

"The entire Qiong Clan is already en route to the capital."

"Only Qiong Aohai remains."

The words hit like thunder.

Qiong Aohai staggered.

He nearly collapsed to the ground.

His face went blank—eyes filled with shock and confusion.

The Qiong Clan... captured?

…

Yuhang.

Yuying Orphanage.

The sky was gray. Wind howled through the air.

A storm was clearly brewing.

Looking at the clouds, rain was only moments away.

Chen Ye sat in a chair inside the hall.

On the wooden table beside him sat a teapot and a plate of snacks.

He picked up a pastry and bit into it, slowly chewing.

After swallowing, he poured himself a cup of hot tea, savoring the peace and quiet.

Tap tap tap…

Hurried footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

Chen Ye looked up.

Xiao Lian burst in, her steps fast and light. The veil on her face had loosened from the speed, revealing her fair, delicate features.

Pretty and youthful—but with a sharp glint in her eyes.

Chen Ye cast a pleased glance her way.

In the two years since, Xiao Lian had truly grown into herself.

He looked for a moment, then turned back, his tone calm:

"No need to rush. What’s the matter?"

Xiao Lian felt the chill on her cheek—realized her veil had slipped.

She stopped at once and quickly retied it.

Then she stepped to Chen Ye’s side, her expression uncertain.

"Dean..."

"Speak." Chen Ye picked up another pastry and chewed, unhurried.

From her sleeve, Xiao Lian drew a letter and handed it over.

Chen Ye dusted off his hands, took the envelope, and opened it.

He skimmed the contents in silence.

Then murmured:

"The Sea Whale Gang implicated in stealing disaster relief silver. A first-rank officer from Six Doors dispatched to capture Qiong Longshan?"

"Qiong Longshan didn’t resist. The entire clan chained and on their way to the capital?"

Chen Ye repeated the words softly, his finger tapping the table.

A thoughtful gleam filled his eyes.

"Interesting."

He chuckled.

Who would've thought Da Ming’s accidental interception of the silver would end up... helping the Sea Whale Gang?

In a roundabout way, he'd saved them.

He set the letter aside and looked to Xiao Lian.

"You want to go?"

She nodded, eyes filled with determination.

Chen Ye smiled:

"Then go."

Xiao Lian gave a firm nod.

This was the perfect chance—to kill Qiong Longshan.

And just maybe... she'd get to confront that vile woman to her face.

Hatred and murderous intent flickered in Xiao Lian’s eyes.

"Cough cough..."

Sensing the chill in the air, Chen Ye cleared his throat lightly.

Xiao Lian snapped out of it, hurriedly suppressing her emotions.

Being an assassin for so long, it was hard not to carry some killing aura.

Chen Ye said mildly:

"Same as always—think before you act."

His gaze was calm as it met hers.

"If you’re uncertain, observe a little longer."

Xiao Lian lowered her eyes and nodded.

Her expression was... complicated.