Chapter 115: Everyone Could See It Was Slander. Could It Be… an Illegitimate Child?
The next morning, as soon as Shen Yanzhou arrived at the Chilin Guards’ command post, he overheard Li Yunpeng, Zhou Yang, and a few other Hundred-Household Commanders chatting together. Their expressions carried that subtle, knowing look that only men shared.
“What’s going on?”
Shen Yanzhou hadn’t heard clearly and walked over, asking with feigned ignorance.
“Hehe, my lord, there’s been another incident at Chunshui Pavilion.”
“The Commandant himself called several Thousand-Household Commanders to investigate over there.”
At that, Li Yunpeng stepped forward with a grin, looking somewhat gloating.
“Oh? Why wasn’t I informed? What happened?” Shen Yanzhou asked.
“The Commandant said he was worried you’d be too busy, so he didn’t notify you. The Young Master of the Duke’s Residence went missing last night after a small gathering with several young aristocrats at Chunshui Pavilion. The old Duke personally went to report it at the Chilin Guards.”
“Those young nobles all returned home safely, except for the Duke’s Young Master—he suddenly vanished. Only his empty carriage was left behind, along with a fainted coachman at the alley entrance.”
Li Yunpeng quickly explained.
“These young nobles rely on their family influence to wander about after curfew, acting recklessly. If they get caught, they deserve it.”
Shen Yanzhou shook his head slightly, his face stern and tone filled with righteous disapproval.
Li Yunpeng and the others froze awkwardly, unsure how to respond. When Shen Yanzhou had been a wastrel himself, he hadn’t exactly been known for obeying the curfew either.
“So, what now? Are they handling it the same way as when I was abducted before?”
“The procedure’s about the same. Right now, they’re questioning the people at Chunshui Pavilion. Then the Bureau of Immortal Inspection will send over Immortal Officers to see if they can find any clues.”
“This time, the Duke’s Young Master disappeared without leaving anything behind. Unlike last time, when you were kidnapped, my lord—at least then, a note was left,” Li Yunpeng said.
“The Empress’s birthday is approaching. This must be the work of criminals trying to disrupt the capital and spread panic. I’d wager it’s the doing of the Nether Cult. Several of their strongholds in the capital have been destroyed—they must bear a grudge and specifically targeted the Duke’s son,” Shen Yanzhou said angrily.
Li Yunpeng and the others didn’t dare draw conclusions.
There were no leads, no evidence to support any theory.
“By the way, does that Young Master from the Duke’s Residence have any enemies?” Shen Yanzhou suddenly asked.
At that, Li Yunpeng and the others hesitated, then honestly replied, “My lord, from what we know, Young Master Liu Zi’an only had some conflict with you. The few nobles who drank with him last night have already been called to the Chilin Guards to give their statements.”
“Apparently, Liu Zi’an was trying to pull some strings to get Qi Haoran released from the Heavenly Prison. He was seeking help for that.”
That was technically classified information within the Chilin Guards, but since Shen Yanzhou was one of their own, they didn’t hide it.
“So, the Duke’s family suspects me?”
“And Lord Liu Ci didn’t inform me so that I could avoid suspicion?”
Shen Yanzhou’s face darkened with anger, a cold laugh slipping from his lips.
Li Yunpeng and the others didn’t know how to respond. In truth, the Duke’s Residence had suspected it, but there was no proof.
Besides, as a Thousand-Household Commander of the Chilin Guards, Shen Yanzhou was a court officer—he wouldn’t abuse his authority for personal vengeance.
Most likely, someone was deliberately framing him, trying to make him take the blame.
Otherwise, out of all the nobles that night, why target Liu Zi’an—the very one who had grudges with Shen Yanzhou?
“My lord, please calm down. Anyone with eyes can see someone’s trying to throw dirt on you.”
“That’s right. With your bright future, why would you do something so foolish?”
“That old Duke must be confused.”
One after another, they chimed in with words of comfort.
Yet Shen Yanzhou, still seething, stood up and headed straight toward the Chilin Guards’ main headquarters across the street.
The others could only hurriedly follow.
The headquarters was bustling. After all, the future heir of the Duke’s Residence had gone missing. The Chilin Guards who had patrolled near Chunshui Pavilion last night stood with bowed heads in the training yard, awaiting punishment.
Commandant Liu Ci was there in person, his brows furrowed as he tried to calm the people before him.
The current head of the Duke’s Residence—Liu Zi’an’s father, Liu Fu—was a handsome man, even in middle age still showing traces of his youthful charm.
Beside him stood a Middle-aged Beautiful Woman, decked in jewels, supported by maids. Her eyes were red as she wiped her tears with a handkerchief, crying about something.
When Shen Yanzhou arrived, everyone’s attention turned to him immediately.
Liu Fu frowned, visibly displeased. The woman beside him froze for a moment, then after her maid whispered a few words in her ear, her gaze turned icy and furious. She waved her handkerchief, ready to charge forward.
“Madam…”
Liu Fu quickly reached out to stop her, preventing her from acting rashly.
When the Demon Suppression King had hosted a banquet for the capital’s officials that night, Shen Yanzhou hadn’t attended—his father went in his stead. So this was the first time Liu Fu had met Shen Yanzhou in person.
“Ah…”
Commandant Liu Ci sighed when he saw Shen Yanzhou arrive. He hadn’t informed him of this matter precisely to avoid suspicion.
The Liu family of the Duke’s Residence were, in fact, his in-laws—some distant kin by blood.
Now, caught in the middle, he truly felt helpless.
“Shen Yanzhou, give me back my son!”
Though Liu Fu restrained her, the Middle-aged Beautiful Woman shouted in fury.
Liu Ci’s brows tightened further. He didn’t understand why the Duke’s family was so certain that Liu Zi’an’s disappearance had anything to do with Shen Yanzhou.
Even after the Chilin Guards’ investigation, no trace or clue had been found.
There was no reason, no evidence—to accuse Shen Yanzhou out of thin air made no sense.
He didn’t believe Shen Yanzhou had nothing better to do than kidnap the Duke’s Young Master.
“My lord,” Shen Yanzhou said calmly as he approached Liu Ci, as though unaware of the tense atmosphere. “I only learned of this early this morning.”
“No matter. I’ll handle it,” Liu Ci nodded. Sentimentally and logically, he intended to protect Shen Yanzhou.
Otherwise, he would’ve summoned him much earlier.
When Liu Ci didn’t rebuke Shen Yanzhou upon his arrival, the Middle-aged Beautiful Woman grew anxious, her words sharper: “Commandant Liu Ci, you can’t cover for him just because he’s one of your Chilin Guards! Make him return my son!”
Liu Ci frowned inwardly. Normally, Madam Liu was a composed and reasonable woman—why was she so hysterical today?
“Everything must be based on evidence. You can’t accuse Commander Shen just because Liu Zi’an had past grievances with him.”
“Madam Liu, please be reasonable,” Liu Ci said as patiently as he could.
“Zi’an said that if anything ever happened to him, it would definitely be Shen Yanzhou’s doing! Shen Yanzhou has always hated him and would surely take revenge at the first chance!” Madam Liu’s eyes burned with fury and resentment.
Liu Fu, who was still holding her back, said nothing, but from his expression, it was clear he shared her suspicions.
Liu Ci rubbed his temples in frustration.
“My lord, I have grudges with plenty of people in the capital. Cui Ruifeng, for example, hates me to the bone—if he vanishes tomorrow, will that also be blamed on me?” Shen Yanzhou asked pointedly.
“Don’t stir up more trouble,” Liu Ci sighed.
Then he turned to Liu Fu and his wife.
“As for Young Master Liu Zi’an’s disappearance, the Chilin Guards will conduct a full search to find clues and give you an explanation.”
“Commander Shen was at the Chilin Guards’ station all last night, handling affairs. How could he have time to kidnap anyone? I stake the very hat on my head to guarantee this—Commander Shen had nothing to do with it.”
By now, his words left no room for doubt.
“Then I’ll trouble Commandant Liu to put in more effort,” Liu Fu said stiffly, clasped his hands, and left with his wife, face dark. Throughout the entire exchange, he hadn’t said a single word to Shen Yanzhou.
“Would this count as an undeserved disaster?”
Once the Duke’s people were gone, Shen Yanzhou gave a wry smile and shook his head.
Liu Ci sighed. “What else could it be? Anyone with eyes can tell it’s nothing but slander thrown at you.”
In his view, this was clearly a case Shen Yanzhou had been investigating recently—one that had already touched upon certain people’s interests.
In the imperial capital, some could no longer sit still. They wanted to divert attention, using another incident to draw everyone’s eyes toward Shen Yanzhou.
“Yes, thank you, my lord, for helping me out of that situation,” Shen Yanzhou said sincerely.
Liu Ci patted his shoulder. “As for Liu Zi’an’s disappearance, I’ve already assigned people to investigate. You needn’t get involved. Also, the Commandant asked me to remind you that His Majesty is still very concerned about the previous case.”
At this point, Liu Ci looked troubled. He didn’t understand why the Commandant valued Shen Yanzhou so highly.
Shen Yanzhou immediately assured him, “Please rest easy, my lord. I already have some leads.”
Liu Ci’s expression softened slightly. Then, he pulled a brocade pouch from his robe and handed it to him. “This case is complicated, and it’s possible that there are spies within the Chilin Guards. This item was gifted to you by a certain noble personage. When you’re handling classified matters, it can prevent eavesdropping.”
Shen Yanzhou was momentarily stunned before taking it. He didn’t open the pouch, but by touch he could tell there was a bead inside—smaller than a baby’s fist.
“What is this?” he asked.
“It’s called a Heaven-Avoiding Pearl. If a Daoist master were here, they’d recognize its mysteries at once. But I’m just a martial man—I only know its name. As for its true nature, you’ll have to explore that yourself,” Liu Ci replied.
The bead had actually been given to Liu Ci by the Commandant himself, who instructed him to come up with a reasonable excuse to present it as a reward to Shen Yanzhou.
After much thought, Liu Ci had settled on this one.
At times, he even wondered—was Shen Yanzhou perhaps an illegitimate child the Commandant had fathered in his youth? Why else would he favor him so much?
“Heaven-Avoiding Pearl?”
Shen Yanzhou was surprised. He hadn’t expected this item to fall into his hands. Wasn’t this the same peerless Daoist treasure that, in the original story, Shen Jingxiao had begged Emperor Mingde for, on behalf of his son Shen Tian?
It could conceal one’s aura, evade divination, and was said to possess the power to deceive even the heavens. If it appeared at an auction, it would be enough to lure those ancient, reclusive monsters out to fight over it.
With this in hand, if he went into hiding, even a top-grade Second Rank existence in the current age would find it difficult to track him down.
In short—it was an indispensable tool for killing and plundering.
“A treasure from Emperor Mingde’s own hand, given to me so casually?”
At that moment, Shen Yanzhou recalled what Yu Chenyu had told him the previous night.
Could his background truly be shrouded in hidden secrets? Could he really be… an illegitimate son?
He couldn’t help imagining a scandalous tale from Emperor Mingde’s youth—visiting brothels and pleasure houses, a broken contraceptive talisman, and a courtesan who became pregnant by accident...
…
Back at the Chilin Guards’ post, Shen Yanzhou sat behind his desk, idly flipping through files, his thoughts surging.
“Does Liu Zi’an have something special about him?”
“In the original storyline, there wasn’t much written about him. But today at headquarters, the Duke’s family seemed so certain I was behind it.”
Shen Yanzhou didn’t think they were being unreasonable—there had to be some information he didn’t yet know.
Liu Zi’an was a martial man and had never studied any other disciplines. He couldn’t possibly have predicted the future.
The Duke’s Residence was already in decline—far from its former glory. Even their retainers and house guests were few and far between.
“Could someone be pulling strings behind the Duke’s Residence?”
Shen Yanzhou’s eyes narrowed.
When he instructed Zhu Chansi and Song Tiemu to abduct Liu Zi’an, it hadn’t been out of personal vendetta—there had been another plan in motion.
“This Heaven-Avoiding Pearl came just in time. With my current strength, if I pair it with the Void Escape Art, even a Daoist of the Second Rank wouldn’t be able to detect my presence.”
“In this vast capital, aside from the Bureau of Immortal Inspection’s headquarters, the imperial palace, and a few sites on Dragon-Guard Mountain, there’s nowhere I can’t go.”
Shen Yanzhou decided he would infiltrate the Duke’s Residence that very night.
Liu Zi’an was a key piece in his plan—one that could not be allowed to go wrong.
…
In the Eastern Palace, inside the Crown Prince’s residence.
Xia Chongming sat high in the main seat, dressed in embroidered robes, turning a string of prayer beads in his hand.
Before him stood a handsome young Daoist, a jade flute at his waist, his demeanor calm and confident, faintly exuding an extraordinary aura.
“You say you know the whereabouts of the Eight-Cloud Crimson Pearl?” Xia Chongming asked.
“Yes, Your Highness,” the young Daoist replied respectfully.
This Daoist was Ye Xingchen. Bowing, he said, “I heard from a wandering cultivator at Cloud Wild Market that such a treasure existed. Afterward, I confirmed it through Buddhist scriptures. The Eight-Cloud Crimson Pearl lies in Fanzhou, though its exact location will only be clear once we arrive there.”
“Excellent.”
A spark of joy flashed across Xia Chongming’s face, and he stood up excitedly.
The Eight-Cloud Crimson Pearl was a Buddhist treasure long lost for many years. Even eminent Buddhist masters had searched for it in vain.
He knew his mother, the Empress, was devoted to the Buddha and fond of collecting sacred relics. Over the years, he had also sent retainers to scour the land for Buddhist scriptures, shells, and treasures.
“My mother’s birthday is approaching. If I offer her this treasure then, she’ll surely be delighted.”
Xia Chongming clapped his hands and smiled.
“You’re an Immortal Officer of the Bureau of Immortal Inspection. Aren’t you afraid that openly siding with me will draw the ire of the Deputy Sacrificers there?”
Ye Xingchen bowed. “Your Highness is destined to be the sovereign of all Nine Provinces. We are your subjects—it’s not ‘siding,’ but loyalty. To share in Your Highness’s burdens is our honor.”
“Good. For that, I’ll trust you,” Xia Chongming said with a wider smile.
He had heard all kinds of flattery before—but still, he found it pleasing.
The Daoist before him was not ordinary: an Immortal Officer of the Bureau of Immortal Inspection, already at the Seventh-Grade Foundation Establishment Realm despite his youth. His future was boundless.
Such a young prodigy willingly joining his service naturally made Xia Chongming pleased.
Had not his father, Emperor Mingde, in his youth also won the hearts of many followers through virtue and talent?
Ye Xingchen continued calmly, “Your Highness may not know, but I once had a master—Daoist Shenji. He was said to ‘comprehend all divine mysteries’ and roamed the world freely. The last time I saw him, he left me a brocade pouch of stratagems, saying I possessed the destiny of the Dragon’s companion.”
“My master told me to open it only after I reached Foundation Establishment. Inside was a sealed letter, one of which he instructed me to deliver to Your Highness.”
Saying so, he drew a sealed letter with intricate patterns from his robe and offered it with both hands.
“Daoist Shenji?”
Xia Chongming raised an eyebrow. It was the first time he’d heard the name—it sounded overly mysterious.
He didn’t take the letter himself. Instead, a retainer behind him stepped forward, examined it carefully, and after confirming it was safe, tore open the seal and handed it to him.
At first, Xia Chongming read it absentmindedly—but as he went on, his expression grew increasingly serious.
“How interesting…”
After a while, he exhaled softly and tucked the letter into his sleeve.
The contents were brief but concise, summarizing the Great Qian Dynasty’s past, present, and future, with a detailed analysis of the tides of dynastic change.
Most striking of all, Daoist Shenji had predicted several events with eerie accuracy—including the growing power of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, the dominance of the Bureau of Immortal Inspection over Daoist authority, and the future plans of Emperor Mingde himself.
“If this were a letter from the distant past, I might believe it. But judging by the age of the paper and ink—it’s quite recent.”
“So, your so-called master… is actually yourself.”
Xia Chongming fixed his gaze on Ye Xingchen.
Exposed so bluntly, Ye Xingchen showed no embarrassment. He bowed and replied evenly, “Your Highness is indeed perceptive. My master is false—but my Dragon-fated heart is true. I possess an innate divine ability to peer into the river of time, occasionally glimpsing faint shadows of the future. The matter is too great to reveal openly, so I borrowed my master’s name as cover. I beg Your Highness’s understanding.”
“What did you say?”
Xia Chongming’s expression changed instantly, his former ease vanishing as sharp light flashed in his eyes. He strode forward.
He knew that among heaven and earth, some rare geniuses possessed extraordinary gifts. Some Daoist prodigies, though never trained in temporal arts, could traverse space at will.
There were those born with sword bones, those who commanded flame with their hands—and countless others with natural affinities for the elements.
If this young Daoist truly had such a divine gift, and stood by his side, even his father, Emperor Mingde, would surely feel reassured entrusting the Great Qian Dynasty to him.