it is a gift from an imperial advisor, there should be some formality. Even if we don’t light incense, you still have to give me time to have a wash, right? Although...my question earlier...”

His question was: Since they knew he was the illegitimate child of the Qing Emperor, why did the Great Grandmaster Ku He still dare to hand the Heart of Tianyi Dao to him?

Before he finished speaking, Haitang was already smiling and rising from her seat. “We’ll talk at night. I am going to look at the scenery of West Lake. I’ve read about it countless times in books but haven’t had a close look today.”

Fan Xian watched as she casually picked up the flower basket on the table. He asked, “Duoduo, where did you find flowers in this weather?”

“They’re silk flowers I bought in Wuzhou, they’re fake. They’re all fake.”

...

...

Fan Xian sat alone in silence in the study. Only after a long time did he turn around, gazing at the thick curtains, and asked with concern, “Are you alright?”

The Shadow was indeed just a streak of shadow and seemed to float away from the curtain. He shook his head and said, “Yun Zhilan was heavily injured, but didn’t die.”

Fan Xian drew his brows together and knew he had guessed right again. “What happened?”

“Yun Zhilan went all out to break into one of the yards at the side. It’s probably a Ming family estate. This time he didn’t come alone. There were some of his disciple brothers. They were all in the yard, so I retreated.”

The Shadow’s words carried no fluctuating emotions. Fan Xian asked, “The Ming family? Dongyi? How powerful were the people who came?”

“Two ninth-levels, three eighth-levels.” The Shadow replied, “But Yun Zhilan won’t be powerful for half a year.”

Anger flashed through Fan Xian’s eyes and was immediately hidden. “There is another ninth-level and three eighth-levels. It seems like Dongyi really thinks highly of me, they’re really laying down the money. Where did all these aces come from? Are they buying wholesale?”

The Shadow didn’t understand his words but could hear his anger. “They have already left the yard.”

Fan Xian stood up and sank into thought.

If he wanted to investigate the matter of the palace treasury on this trip to Jiangnan, there was no doubt that he had to topple the Ming family and cut off the flow of money between Xinyang and Dongyi. Of the powers the Ming family held, Xinyang was not martially powerful and would not be sufficient for a confrontation. They could only lean on the aces in Dongyi.

To kill an official of the court, particularly someone like Fan Xian, seemed difficult to imagine. The Ming family probably did not want to run the risk of their family being exterminated to kill Fan Xian. However, if things came down to a matter of life and death, given the craziness of the Eldest Princess’ personality, who knew what could happen?

Although he was powerful and daring, when he thought that he might have to face assassination by an increasing number of eighth- ninth-level aces in Dongyi, he still felt a shiver of fear. That was why he had the Shadow steal the initiative and act, first picking off the leader Yun Zhilan, and then leading the swordsman of the Sixth Bureau to spare no effort in sweeping through the Jiangnan waterways to kill those from Dongyi.

Fan Xian would be a true idiot if he stayed in the yamen and waited for the Dongyi assassins to come one day. The so-called best defense was an offense. Using the terrorist assassins of the Overwatch Council to defeat the terrorist assassins from Dongyi was the correct move.

As for that strange old creature Sigu Jian, Fan Xian did not think his level would alert the other party.

He was suddenly jolted with shock and thought it was fortunate Yun Zhilan had not died. Brother Zhilan, I’ll have to trouble you to stay alive for a few more months, at least until my uncle the blind man has recovered—another ambush could only kill, not save.

...

historical

...

Fan Xian woke from his thoughts. “Take the swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau and have the people of the Second Bureau cooperate in the investigation. As soon as these people stick out their heads, strike. I don’t ask that you kill the other party, but chase them until they feel fear in their hearts. Let them be anxious for the rest of their days and stop bothering me.”

The Shadow nodded and then asked, “The girl beside you is very powerful. It won’t be convenient for me to visit regularly.”

Fan Xian nodded. “I had the same thought as you. From today, she will be responsible for my safety, so that shouldn’t be a problem. Also, you need to be careful of your safety. Revenge cannot be rushed. Right now you’re not a match for a great grandmaster.”

The Shadow paused, then turned and left, leaving only two slightly damp footprints where he had stood.

If the Shadow went around intercepting and scaring visitors from Dongyi, then Fan Xian’s personal safety became a problem. This was why he had waited until Haitang showed herself before he made the decision to strike, but, at the same time, he no longer cared if others caught his movements.

He used Haitang’s reputation and his own killing gaze to create an opportunity for the Shadow.

After the Shadow left, Haitang arrived, which meant there was still a superior ninth-level ace beside him working with the Tiger Guards. There would be no problems with his safety. Most importantly, with this girl beside him, regardless of which power under heaven wanted to touch him, they had to first take into account the power of Northern Qi as well as that bald headed Great Grandmaster Ku He.

Besides, she was much cuter than the Shadow. At night they could do much more than just chat and bicker. Fan Xian laughed shamelessly.