Chapter 32: It Is Your Turn

Ling Yunkai suddenly reached out, signaling his men to stop the pursuit. He watched Shen Lian, who moved with lightning speed, and a cold sneer curled his lips.

The group of subordinate squadron leaders also fixed their gaze on Shen Lian. Among them, Shen Lian was the fastest; he had already reached the riverbank, where he turned back to look at Ling Yunkai with icy eyes.

Ling Yunkai’s eyes shimmered with triumph and satisfaction. When investigating the massacre at the Jinling Pavilion, they had discovered a waist medallion belonging to Eunuch Guo of the Eastern Depot. It was shaping up to be the most significant case of the dynasty, yet Shen Lian had used his rank to pressure him, forbidding him from touching the investigation.

Restricted by hierarchy, Ling Yunkai had been forced to yield, but the anger within him had scarred his heart.

As luck would have it, just as Ling Yunkai was waiting for an opportunity to settle the score, he stumbled upon Yin Cheng, a squadron leader under Shen Lian, mouthing off about Eunuch Wei.

Once the "Book of Impermanence" was opened, Ling Yunkai recorded every word Yin Cheng had uttered. Now, he thought, you are a Centurion and I am a Centurion—but your subordinate has spoken such treasonous words. What will you do?

Enforce the law impartially? Will your men still respect you then?

Protect him? Then I, Ling Yunkai, will surely report you to Eunuch Wei. Either way, Shen Lian, you are bound to suffer at my hands!

Because of this, when Yin Cheng pleaded with Shen Lian, Ling Yunkai merely watched with cold indifference. When Yin Cheng fled, Ling Yunkai did not pursue with his full effort. Capturing him would be beneficial, certainly, but it was far less profitable than letting him escape.

If Yin Cheng truly fled, how would Centurion Shen Lian answer to Eunuch Wei? Would Eunuch Wei believe that Shen Lian lacked the ability to capture him, or that he had deliberately let him go because Yin Cheng was his subordinate? Or perhaps, that Shen Lian himself harbored resentment against Eunuch Wei?

It could be said that from the moment Yin Cheng remarked, "The Emperor has fallen into the water; Eunuch Wei is now like a young widow watching a bridal sedan chair—he is anxious for no reason," Shen Lian had been caught in an impossible dilemma.

Shen Lian withdrew his gaze and looked toward Yin Cheng, who was fleeing on a small boat. His breathing grew heavy. He sprinted forward, stepped lightly, and leaped onto the arched bridge ahead.

*Gulp.*

Seeing that Ling Yunkai’s men had not followed, Yin Cheng had just exhaled in relief, only to look up and see Shen Lian silently watching him from atop the bridge.

Yin Cheng swallowed hard, his throat feeling parched. Yet, Shen Lian remained motionless, radiating an aura of infinite terror.

*Thud!*

As the boat passed beneath the bridge, Shen Lian vaulted down, landing heavily on the deck. The boat rocked violently, nearly capsizing. The old boatman, terrified, froze, letting the vessel drift forward by its own momentum.

"Go back," Shen Lian said calmly.

"My lord!" A flash of viciousness crossed Yin Cheng’s face. "Ah!" With a roar, he drew his blade and lunged at Shen Lian.

*Clang! Clang!*

Shen Lian’s blade, *Yieyun*, instantly parried Yin Cheng’s battered weapon, pushing it aside with a flick. In the same motion, Shen Lian’s blade pressed against Yin Cheng’s neck, forcing him to his knees on the deck.

However, no one noticed that after Yin Cheng’s blade had been knocked away, there was no sound of it hitting the water. Shen Lian’s hawk-like gaze shifted to the old boatman, who promptly leaped into the river. *Splash.*

"My lord, please spare me! No one will ever know!" Yin Cheng knelt in the cabin, looking up at Shen Lian.

"If I spare you, all our brothers will suffer." Shen Lian remained expressionless—the "Poker Face Alliance" of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was well-earned.

*Thud!*

In despair, Yin Cheng reached for his waist, intending to draw his short dagger and end his life, when a heavy thud sounded from the cabin roof.

*Swish!*

Both Yin Cheng and Shen Lian looked toward the stern. Expecting Ling Yunkai to appear, they were surprised to find a man standing there, smiling at them.

"Long time no see. I’ve missed you," Wang Lu said with a flippant smile. After steadying himself, he walked over, holding the very blade Yin Cheng had lost.

"Why are you here?" Shen Lian’s eyes shifted. He quickly scanned the banks and, seeing no sign of Ling Yunkai, said, "This is a mess. Don't get yourself dragged into this!"

"Lord Wang, save me!" Yin Cheng cried out, as if grabbing at a life-saving straw.

"Relax, tell me what’s going on," Wang Lu asked, feigning ignorance.

Yin Cheng lowered his head in shame; he knew full well that once the truth was out, even Wang Lu could not save him. To the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wei Zhongxian was a massive mountain pressing down upon them—daring to even glance at him could invite divine retribution, let alone uttering such reckless words.

Shen Lian narrowed his eyes and said concisely, "He was drunk and spoke against Eunuch Wei. Ling Yunkai recorded it in the Book of Impermanence."

*Hum!*

As a desperate Yin Cheng prepared to resume his suicide attempt, a flash of steel cut through the air. His blade flew back to his side, embedding itself firmly into the deck. The hilt trembled slightly.

"For the sake of Brother Shen, it’s not as if I can’t help you," Wang Lu chuckled. "Pick up your blade."

...

"Pursue!"

Watching Shen Lian and Yin Cheng vanish beneath the bridge, Ling Yunkai sneered, waved his sword, and led his men forward.

At the pitch-black opening of the bridge, Ling Yunkai narrowed his eyes, flexing his palm to grip his hilt tightly. *Run!* He thought. *Better if you take Shen Lian with you!*

What merit was there in capturing a mere squadron leader? But if he captured Shen Lian—and did so in the name of Eunuch Wei, exposing Shen Lian as an Eastern Forest Party mole hidden within the Guard—then if he wasn't promoted to Centurion, the heavens themselves would be unjust!

"My lord, why is no one coming out?" a subordinate asked, peering into the bridge tunnel.

Ling Yunkai looked puzzled. "Go up and check!"

With his men in front, Ling Yunkai followed, closing in on the bridge tunnel from the bank.

"Ha!"

*Squelch!*

As the lead subordinate poked his head in, a blade tip burst through the back of his neck amidst a roar. The men recoiled in a flurry, gripping their hilts and retreating.

Ling Yunkai stepped forward himself, his sword gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"Ling Yunkai! You framed a colleague! I will kill you!"

*Thud!*

Yin Cheng roared, kicking away the body of the guard he had just skewered. As he pulled his blade free, he charged at Ling Yunkai with a look of madness in his eyes!

"Since it was Ling Yunkai who recorded it in the Book of Impermanence, you have only one chance to live: kill Ling Yunkai."

"Shen Lian is right—if you run, he will inevitably be framed by Ling Yunkai for aiding and abetting."

"So, if you want to live, do as I say."

As Yin Cheng charged, the memory of that face—so relaxed as if chatting over tea—flashed through his mind, and Wang Lu’s words echoed again.

"Yin Cheng! Stop! How dare you trick us into going to the Imperial Prison and then escape when our guard was down! You infuriate me!" Wang Lu’s slightly dramatic voice came from behind.

Shen Lian felt a sense of absurdity, looking at Wang Lu with an indescribable expression.

Wang Lu merely tilted his chin at him.

Shen Lian took a deep breath and said, "Ahem... Stop."