#73 - The sky is bright (Part 2)
Chapter 73: The Sky Turns White (Part 2)
Anhua Gate Street, the Liu Residence.
The rain grew heavier and heavier.
Lightning failed to tear through the heavy dark clouds. After a deafening thunder rolled through the low-hanging clouds, torrential rain poured down, blanketing the sky and covering the earth.
The wind raged like an angry mountain, the rain poured like a bursting river.
In the water curtain where the sky and earth merged, black conical hats stretched from the main entrance of the Liu Residence all the way to both sides, filling the entire street.
Over a hundred Liu family martial artists stood with their sabers in hand on the small patch of open ground in front of the residence gate, bracing themselves to confront the mirror-image department constables who outnumbered them tenfold.
No one knew Wei Changtian's true purpose for this trip, but even a fool could guess it was nothing good.
Therefore, they could not retreat no matter what. Even if they all died here, they would make the mirror-image department bear the crime of forcibly breaking into the Prime Minister's residence first.
"Young Master Wei!"
The leader of the Liu family guards pressed his hand on the hilt of his saber, his eyes fixed on Wei Changtian, who stood at the very front of all the mirror-image department constables, and shouted in a deep voice, "Why have you brought so many people to surround the Prime Minister's residence in the dead of night?!"
"Is the mirror-image department truly so lawless, regarding the imperial court and the Emperor as nothing?!"
"Pa-ta!"
A foot stomped down, water splashing everywhere.
Hearing such a question, Wei Changtian took a step forward with a blank expression, and said sternly, "I have come tonight precisely for the sake of the imperial court and the Emperor!"
"I have already grasped the Liu family's evidence of treason! And you are now holding sabers to stop the mirror-image department from arresting traitors. Could it be that you want to rebel together?!"
"You!"
The leader's face was ashen, but he was indeed unable to refute for a moment.
This was the terrifying aspect of the mirror-image department.
Similar to the Independent Commission Against Corruption in his previous life, the mirror-image department was completely detached from the Three Ministries and Six Departments, with independent organization, independent personnel, independent finances, and independent case handling, and was not subject to the control of any court departments.
And the most crucial point was that, according to the Great Ning Law, the mirror-image department also possessed the most lenient independent investigation authority among all judicial departments.
As long as I suspect someone of committing a crime, I can directly take a series of measures such as searching, detaining, and interrogating the suspected offender without any evidence, approval, or warrant.
Therefore, Wei Changtian's statement now that the Liu family was plotting treason and that he wanted to bring people into the residence to search it did not strictly violate the law.
On the contrary, the Liu family guards who deliberately obstructed him had indeed committed the serious crime of "violent resistance to law enforcement."
"Rumble!!!"
In the ink-like black night sky, the twisting electric light suddenly trembled twice.
The guard who had just spoken simply shut his mouth after failing to argue with Wei Changtian, but his body did not move a single step, making it clear that he would not back down.
Wei Changtian didn't waste any more words with him, but simply waved his hand gently, and hundreds of black shadows shot out immediately behind him.
"Shua shua shua!"
Walls, rooftops, gates in the southeast, northwest… In an instant, black tiger-dragon uniforms covered the entire Liu Residence. The sound of raindrops hitting the unsheathed cold light, "ding ding dong dong," was like a majestic and solemn movement.
"Drop your sabers! Kneel down!"
"Put down your sabers!"
"The mirror-image department is handling a case! Everyone come out to accept interrogation!"
"Those who resist will be executed according to the law!!"
"Everyone get out here!!"
"… …"
The frightening shouts rose and fell one after another. The Liu Residence was already in chaos. The mirror-image department people at the main entrance and the Liu family guards had also reached the final moment of facing each other with weapons.
Wei Changtian raised his hand high, and the "kill" that had been brewing for a long time was about to burst out.
But at this moment, a calm voice preemptively came from the residence.
"Put down your sabers! Let them search!"
"… …"
The clamor paused for a moment, and everyone turned their heads to look at the white-haired old man who was walking slowly.
He also did not hold an umbrella, and his body was already soaked, but he did not have the slightest embarrassment, but rather had a momentum that was even more majestic than the torrential rain.
This kind of momentum only belonged to two types of people.
Second-rank martial artists who had reached the level of "momentum suppressing mountains and rivers," and powerful people who held the lives of the common people in their hands.
"Master!!"
The Liu family's hundreds of guards instantly abandoned their sabers and knelt on the ground, while the mirror-image department people all had unkind eyes, but they all developed a hint of fear from the bottom of their hearts.
However, Liu Yuanshan didn't look at these people at all, but stared at Wei Changtian and said lightly:
"Zhuo Zuyu, surrounding the Prime Minister's residence."
"I don't know why you're doing this."
"I can only say that you are bolder and more stupid than your father."
A simple sentence, full of the mockery of a superior towards an inferior.
Liu Yuanshan was confident that the mirror-image department could not find the slightest handle from the Liu Residence. He even hoped that Wei Changtian would make more noise.
Because the more this was the case, the more difficult the Wei family's path would be in the future.
The Emperor was indeed more inclined towards the Wei family before, and needed the Wei family more.
But no ruler could possibly tolerate a "saber" that was out of control.
Therefore, no matter how Wei Xianzhi argued in the future, the positions of the Liu and Wei families in Ning Yongnian's heart would undergo a drastic reversal.
The rain was still falling, and there seemed to be faint sounds of horses' hooves mixed in.
After a long while, Wei Changtian, hidden under the black conical hat, slowly said a sentence.
"Put down your sabers."
"… …"
The mirror-image department people looked over in astonishment, and then lowered their saber tips little by little with their faces flushed red.
Wei Changtian also did not look at anyone, but slowly walked past the drooping cold light on both sides, until he stopped in front of Liu Yuanshan.
"Prime Minister Liu, I have come this time only to seek an explanation."
"Oh?"
Liu Yuanshan's tone was somewhat playful: "I wonder what Young Master Wei means?"
Wei Changtian was silent for a moment, and suddenly asked inexplicably: "Prime Minister Liu, it seems that you really don't know about this… Why don't I tell you about it?"
"Young Master Wei…"
Liu Yuanshan shook his head with a smile: "I have already heard about this matter, saying that a maid died, oh, and a dog, I wonder if that's right?"
"… … Prime Minister Liu has well-informed sources."
Wei Changtian took a deep breath: "But that maid is not dead yet… and will not die."
"Is that so? That's really a pity."
Liu Yuanshan sighed softly: "But Young Master Wei doesn't need to be too sad. She's just a maid, so what if she really died?"
"If Young Master doesn't mind, I will send a few good ones to the residence tomorrow, which can be regarded as a meeting gift for Young Master."
"Thank you Prime Minister Liu for your kindness, but…"
Wei Changtian looked at the firelight that was moving quickly towards this side not far away, and said softly: "But I said, today I am only here to seek an explanation."
"You…"
At this moment, Liu Yuanshan suddenly felt a palpitation for no reason, and a strong sense of life-and-death crisis surged into his heart.
"You, what do you want to do?!"
He shouted in disbelief, but the next moment the scenery in front of him began to be reversed, and then fell rapidly.
"Bang!!"
A white robe slammed heavily on the ground, and sewage splashed everywhere with a crash.
At this moment, countless eyes that witnessed this scene all widened, and everyone was stunned in place, feeling as if they were in a dream.
And Liu Yuanshan, who was lying in the mud, was also full of doubts and incomprehension.
He had never practiced martial arts, and he should have been dizzy from the fall at this time.
But the fear of death still made the old man who had been in the position of Prime Minister for decades tremble and say two sentences.
"You, you dare to kill me?!"
"For a maid, you want to kill me?!"
"Bang!"
Another muffled sound, Wei Changtian stepped on Liu Yuanshan's chest without hesitation, and gently held the hilt of his saber with his right hand.
"I said, she won't die."
Draw the saber, unsheathe it.
The sound of the dragon's roar resounded throughout the world.
… …
… …
"Hurry! Faster!!"
In a street very close to the Liu Residence, Ji Hongan led a group of constables and ran past.
While urging his subordinates to be faster, he kept looking at the mansion shrouded in rain in the distance.
There was no movement, it seemed that the two sides had not really started fighting.
He breathed a sigh of relief slightly, but always felt that something seemed wrong.
Why did Wei Changtian want him to come a quarter of an hour later?
What could Zhong Neng do at this moment?
Ji Hongan couldn't figure it out, so he could only keep speeding up until he saw the team of red-armored soldiers speeding past in front of him.
Even the Imperial Guards are here?
In that instant, he suddenly regretted it a little.
It seemed that he had repaid this favor too greatly.
...
Wei Residence.
Lu Jingyao still sat blankly by Qiuyun's bedside, her eyes having looked at the time-measuring copper clepsydra in the corner countless times.
Half an hour left, half an hour...
Qiuyun's breathing was already so weak that it was almost non-existent, but neither Wei Xianzhi nor Wei Changtian had brought back the Mica Ganoderma.
She didn't know what she should do, she just looked again at the little poem placed next to Qiuyun's pillow.
"Qiuyun, I will teach you to write when you get better..."
"I won't be jealous of you anymore..."
"Husband has promised me that you will definitely be fine..."
"You will definitely be fine..."
...
Phoenix Habitat.
"Miss, what are you doing packing your things?"
The maid looked at Yang Liushi, who was rummaging through boxes and cabinets, with a puzzled expression.
"Xiao Xiu, how long have you been with me?"
Yang Liushi stopped what she was doing and turned her head to ask.
The maid recalled for a moment and replied seriously: "It's been three years."
"Then, if I want to leave Phoenix Habitat, are you willing to come with me?" Yang Liushi asked again.
"Ah?"
The maid named Xiao Xiu was stunned, and hurriedly asked back: "Miss, where are you going? Why do you want to leave? Has someone redeemed you?"
"Redeemed... No."
Yang Liushi smiled, captivatingly beautiful.
"But someone has redeemed my heart."
"..."
For a moment, the embroidery room was quiet. Looking at the dazed little maid, Yang Liushi suddenly covered her mouth and smiled: "You haven't said whether you are willing to come with me."
"I, I am willing!"
"Is that so?"
Yang Liushi's eyes softened a little, and at the same time, she gently waved her sleeve.
"Thank you, Xiao Xiu..."
An incense stick later, this embroidery room, which countless men regarded as the ultimate goal in life, was empty, leaving only a little maid sleeping soundly on the table.
She slept very soundly, with a large silver note pressed under her.
...
Liu Residence.
Wei Changtian clenched the hilt of the Dragon's Roar Saber tightly, and Liu Yuanshan's head fell to the ground behind him.
Leaving aside the previous owner, this was the first time he had killed someone in this life and the previous one.
He had killed the current Prime Minister of the Great Ning Dynasty.
Perhaps because the previous owner had seen too many such bloody and brutal scenes, Wei Changtian didn't feel any discomfort at this moment, and even felt a trace of pleasure.
Perhaps people are not equal in birth, not equal in talent, not equal in opportunity, not equal in luck, everything is not equal...
But in the face of life, everyone is indeed equal.
Killing a prime minister does not require even a single extra cut than killing a beggar.
As if he had just done something ordinary, Wei Changtian slowly sheathed the Dragon's Roar and looked up at the night sky.
It had only been a little over an hour since he left the Wei Residence.
Burning Ancestral Jade, besieging the Liu Residence, forcing Liu Yuanshan to show himself, killing him... For the first time, the development of the event completely followed the plan, which made him a little unaccustomed.
He didn't know what he would face in the future, but...
"Chirp!!"
The sound of a sparrow suddenly rang out, and Xu Qingwan, who had emerged from nowhere, was holding a knife in front of him, and further ahead were the Liu family guards who had just recovered from their shock and were rushing towards them at all costs.
She looked just like he had that day.
The red rope tied in her hair had been soaked by the rain and could no longer jump in the wind as it had before.
Wei Changtian opened his mouth but didn't say anything. Once again, he reached out and grasped the hilt of the knife, taking a step forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Xu Qingwan.
Hundreds of Liu family guards were getting closer and closer.
But the next moment, they were suddenly blown away in a deafening explosion.
"Son! Run!!!"
Qin Caizhen's roar came first, followed by Wei Xianzhi who landed beside Wei Changtian with a "bang".
In the end, the two of them still ignored Ning Yongnian's delay and arrived one step ahead of the Imperial Guards.
"Changtian! Come with me! I'll take you out of the city!!"
Without paying attention to his wife who was blocking the Liu family guards, and without bothering to ask his son why he killed Liu Yuanshan.
Wei Xianzhi grabbed Wei Changtian's arm and was about to jump up, but suddenly heard a sentence in his ear.
"Dad, I'm not leaving! Help me block them for a moment!"
"..."
Wei Xianzhi was stunned on the spot for a moment, and Wei Changtian didn't have time to explain, so he immediately bent down and hid behind him, quickly calling out the system interface in his mind.
[Mica Ganoderma: Spirit Medicine (Heavenly Grade), reshapes the body, can cure all diseases, 400 points]
There were 180 before, killing Liu Yuanshan gave 300...
The system balance became 80, and he had a bright red Ganoderma in his hand.
Taking out the letter that he had written in the Suspended Mirror Division, he stuffed it together with the Ganoderma into Wei Xianzhi's shocked face, and Wei Changtian hurriedly instructed:
"Dad! This is the Mica Ganoderma!"
"Quickly take it back and give it to Qiuyun to take! I remember the time, it's still in time!"
"Also, if Ning Yongnian insists on killing me, show him this letter! It will definitely save my life!"
"But remember! You must wait until you have no other choice before you can take out this letter!"
"..."
Wei Xianzhi took the two things blankly and subconsciously asked: "Changtian, you never planned to escape?"
"Escape?"
Wei Changtian glanced at the Imperial Guards who had already rushed to the door and shook his head gently.
He might indeed be able to escape under the cover of Wei Xianzhi and Qin Caizhen.
But the price of doing so would be for the entire Wei family to bear the consequences of Liu Yuanshan's death.
Wei Changtian was unwilling to "sacrifice a whole family to fulfill one person".
What's more, in his opinion, he had a 90% chance of not dying.
As the only son of the Wei family, Wei Xianzhi would definitely protect him, plus the "life-saving letter" full of secrets of the royal family... Ning Yongnian would definitely be curious about how he knew these things.
Of course, there was still a small chance of dying.
But as he said that day—
People, ah, can't always be completely heartless.
Besides, it's not easy to travel through time once.
It's not interesting to be always timid and shrinking back.
Isn't it?
...
...
Let's rewind the time a bit, back to three hours ago.
It was dusk, and Wei Changtian was preparing to set off to counter-encircle Xiao Feng; Lu Jingyao was helping Qiuyun with the accounts in the Chun Shen Bookstore; the little girl riding a big black dog next door attracted the attention of many customers; Xu Qingwan was hiding in her small room counting silver notes.
No one knew what would happen in the next three hours, just like the people who were enjoying chrysanthemums in Pingchangfang at the moment didn't know that it would rain later.
Countless literati and poets lingered in the rows of brothels, sipping the fine wine in their cups while reciting the Double Ninth Festival poems they had just written, the prosperity of the peaceful age overflowing with words.
But in front of a brothel, a drunken, sloppy old Taoist was lying there in a mess, somewhat out of tune with the flowery scene.
The brothel's servant was running over, preparing to beat the old man who scared away the guests and throw him to someone else's door.
But the old Taoist was already so drunk that he was unconscious. He didn't know that he would have a flesh-and-blood suffering next, but he just hummed a mountain song in his own way.
The sound was intermittent, faintly drifting to an unknown distance.
"A big urn lifts and pours the rivers and seas,"
"Drinking the sun and swallowing the moon come from the chest."
"A big dream lasts three thousand years,"
"Don't worry about the sorrows and joys that pierce the intestines."
"A big wind opens and closes, shaping the waves,"
"Singing wildly and burying it when dead."
"A big madness, forget each other,"
"I don't know when the east is white..."
5000-word chapter, there shouldn't be any more today.
Also, a preview, the first volume will end in the next two days.
Also, the poem at the end of this chapter comes from Dai Quan's "Da Jiu Ge", you can go and listen to it.
