Chapter 31: The Young Are a Force to Be Reckoned With

Ye Jingtang sat by the tea table, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest as he waited for Shang Jianli to return.

Moments later, footsteps echoed outside, and a figure appeared in the doorway. The newcomer was tall, with makeup as striking as when they had last met. Even without looking at her face, the prominent, "plump-headed dragon" shape beneath her robes made her identity instantly recognizable.

"Prince Jing?!"

Ye Jingtang had risen to welcome her with a smile, but his expression froze instantly as his peripheral vision caught the sandalwood box sitting on the table...

(0_0)!

Ye Jingtang wanted to hide the "Mr. Horn" immediately, but the act would be like trying to cover one's ears while stealing a bell. He could only steel himself and try to appear natural.

Dongfang Liren raised a hand to dismiss her attendants and entered the tea room alone. "Young Master Ye is remarkably efficient. This truly exceeds my expectations."

"Not at all, not at all..." Ye Jingtang replied, eyes darting awkwardly as he used his body to shield the sandalwood box.

Dongfang Liren sat down beside him with effortless grace. Though she knew exactly what the box contained, she feigned surprise and asked with curiosity, "What is this? A welcome gift for me? Young Master Ye is truly thoughtful..."

As she reached for the box, an impudent hand pressed down firmly on the lid.

*Slap!*

Ye Jingtang pinned the box down, his expression indescribable as he tried to explain with feigned composure: "Your Highness, you misunderstand. This is an item I borrowed from Chief Wang to apprehend the thief. It is... well, it is not very clean."

*You know it’s not clean?* Dongfang Liren thought, though her expression remained solemn. "I oversee the Black Office; what filth have I not seen? I am merely curious what ingenious tool Young Master Ye used to capture the Wingless Owl of Yanzhou..."

She reached out to pull it away.

*Oh, come on...* Ye Jingtang could hardly wrestle with Prince Jing, so he scrambled to explain: "It was Chief Wang’s clever idea. Inside is..."

*Clatter—*

The box opened, revealing the sharp, exposed "Mr. Horn." Even with her mental preparation, seeing the lifelike, thick, and long rod caused Dongfang Liren’s majestic expression to stiffen, a faint flush creeping onto her cheeks.

*Click—*

Dongfang Liren quickly shut the box. Her gaze, filled with effortless authority, turned toward Ye Jingtang, clearly conveying: *I never would have guessed—you look like an upright gentleman, yet you are this kind of person!*

Ye Jingtang felt his scalp tingle, feeling that the image he had worked so hard to build was ruined. He pulled a small booklet from his sleeve to change the subject: "This is something I found on the Wingless Owl yesterday. It should be the legendary 'Lightness Skill Insights' from the Jianghu. I brought it today specifically to offer to you, Prince Jing."

Dongfang Liren, who had been teasing him, was slightly taken aback. "The Longtan Jasper is valuable, but it is merely a worldly treasure; handing it over is understandable. This, however, is a supreme treasure of the Jianghu. You are giving it to me so readily?"

"I made a copy last night. I only hope Your Highness will not notify the Jieyun Palace about this."

Dongfang Liren realized his intent and did not take the booklet. "I like your character; you are sincere enough. However, while this item is priceless in the Jianghu, it is of no use to me. If I truly wished to learn Lu Jieyun’s lightness skills, a single letter to the Prince of Yan would bring Lu Jieyun to the capital to teach me in person. You may keep it."

Ye Jingtang had offered the insights to ensure the Black Office wouldn't have suspicions and to avoid being hunted by the Jieyun Palace for "stealing" the technique. With Prince Jing’s words, he felt relieved.

Dongfang Liren took a jade pendant from her sleeve and placed it on the table. "Take this as well. When clearing out fugitives, any stolen goods not specifically requested by the imperial court belong to the arresting officers. I do not interfere; that is the rule of the Black Office."

Ye Jingtang took the pendant, realizing it was the "Longtan Jasper" obtained the previous night. "This is an heirloom of the Shuiyun Sword Pool. Is it appropriate for you to bestow it upon me?"

"The Zhou family lost their treasure but did not report it to the authorities, choosing to settle Jianghu matters privately. How could I proactively offer to return it? If you dare not keep it, you may return it to the Zhou family. If they offer too little reward, I shall help you seek justice."

Ye Jingtang understood and accepted the pendant with a smile. "Thank you, Prince Jing. Shall I go see Qiu Tianhe now to discuss learning his blade techniques?"

Dongfang Liren wanted to test his aptitude. After a moment of thought, she said, "Your talent for martial arts is not bad. Since you have Lu Jieyun’s insights, go back and study them well. Once you have made progress, I shall spar with you to see how much of Lu Jieyun’s skill you have mastered."

Ye Jingtang needed Prince Jing’s help to dig for treasure in the imperial palace, so he would not refuse such an opportunity to build rapport. "Very well. I will visit you again in three days to test our lightness skills..."

*What?* Dongfang Liren’s brows furrowed as she looked at him. "Three days?!"

Ye Jingtang realized his mistake and corrected himself: "Three days might be too short. How about seven?"

"..."

In all her life, Dongfang Liren had never heard of martial arts progress being measured in days! Though Ye Jingtang’s foundation seemed solid, Lu Jieyun’s techniques were at a level only masters could touch. Seven years would be fast for mastering them; what could one do in seven days?

Dongfang Liren remained silent for a moment before nodding. "Very well. In three days, we shall discuss your insights; it will be beneficial for your learning. Go see Qiu Tianhe and negotiate with him. See if he is willing to pass on his blade techniques in exchange for a chance to spend his later years in peace."

Ye Jingtang rose to take his leave. As he reached for the sandalwood box, Prince Jing pressed her hand down upon it. "Have someone return it later. You may go."

Knowing Wang Chihu was Prince Jing’s cousin, Ye Jingtang trusted her and left the tea room after a respectful bow.

Outside, the light rain had not stopped. Ye Jingtang followed Shang Jianli toward the dungeon. As he passed near the Mingyu Pavilion, he suddenly felt a prickling sensation, as if someone were watching him. He looked up toward the top of the pavilion and saw a woman in a casual dress just turning away.

Assuming it was a maid of the manor peeking at his handsome face, he didn't give it another thought...

***

In the gloomy dungeon, the atmosphere was eerie, with dim oil lamps flickering like ghost fires. Ye Jingtang, his blade at his waist, walked slowly through the dark tunnel to the entrance of the second underground level.

In the stone cell, Qiu Tianhe sat against the wall, disheveled and silent, maintaining the same posture as before.

*Clatter—*

The chains of the iron gate were unlocked. Shang Jianli waited at the entrance while Ye Jingtang stepped inside.

Qiu Tianhe opened his eyes. Seeing the descendant of an old friend, he felt a flicker of warmth, though his expression remained indifferent. "Why have you come again? What do you want to ask this time?"

Ye Jingtang landed steadily, unhooked his Lulong Ring-Pommel Blade, and laid it across his knees. "I have practiced the blade since childhood and have long admired you, Master Qiu. I have come today to ask you to teach me your blade techniques."

?

Qiu Tianhe raised his brows and sat up slightly, scrutinizing Ye Jingtang as if weighing his intentions.

Ye Jingtang did not hedge. "Once I learn your techniques, I will owe you a debt of guidance. I cannot sit by while you languish in prison. I have discussed this with Prince Jing: I will learn your techniques and pass them on to her. In exchange, she will release you to spend your retirement in the capital."

"..."

Qiu Tianhe understood—the boy was trying to save him. He shook his head and refused without a second thought. "Prince Jing has a clever scheme—plotting to take my blade techniques while using me as a lever to make you her pawn. I would rather die in this cell than let her succeed. Give up on this idea, boy."

"I am a law-abiding citizen with a clean record. It is a fortunate thing to be appreciated by the court; it is better than living a life on the edge in the Jianghu. You need not worry about my future, Master Qiu."

Qiu Tianhe knew that being favored by the court was a stroke of luck, but if he walked out of this dungeon, it would be as if a rope had been tied around Ye Jingtang’s neck, leaving the boy with hidden burdens. Ye Jingtang had great talent and was the descendant of a friend; if he were to be constrained because of an old man like him, how could he face his friend in the afterlife?

"Your desire to serve the court is your own business. We are not of the same path, and I do not want to owe you a favor. If I truly wanted to leave, I could teach my techniques to the Prince myself."

Ye Jingtang felt a headache coming on. After a brief silence, he noticed Shang Jianli was merely listening from outside without looking in. He rubbed the scabbard with his fingers, tracing the characters "Zhe Yunli," and said, "The 'Tianhe Blade' is famous, yet it has never topped the rankings. You are the most outstanding successor of this blade, Master Qiu, yet there is still a gap between you and the Blade Master. Rather than letting this blade wither in a dungeon, why not let me try? Perhaps I can elevate the status of the 'Tianhe Blade' in the Jianghu by another notch?"

This Jianghu-style rhetoric was meant for Shang Jianli’s ears.

Seeing the name traced by Ye Jingtang’s fingers, Qiu Tianhe’s eyes changed significantly. He had taught Zhe Yunli, and he knew her character—she was deeply loyal and would surely move heaven and earth to save him. While he didn't know how Ye Jingtang was connected to her, the fact that he could write that name meant he was one of them.

Zhe Yunli was a disciple of the Pingtian Sect leader, and the Pingtian Sect was a rebel force seeking to restore their own kingdom.

If Ye Jingtang was with the rebels, then he was a rebel too!

Qiu Tianhe suddenly "understood" Ye Jingtang’s true intent—the boy was a mole for the Pingtian Sect, having infiltrated the Black Office to serve the cause of restoration. He needed the blade techniques to curry favor with Prince Jing and penetrate the upper echelons of the Liang Dynasty. Saving him was just a convenient side effect!

If that were the case, his stubborn refusal wouldn't just fail to help a junior—it would ruin the long-term plan of the Pingtian Sect and Ye Jingtang himself.

Thinking this, Qiu Tianhe looked at the young Ye Jingtang and sighed to himself:

*What a masterful, hidden move!*

*So young, yet deep in the enemy's belly, planning and calculating to contest the world. Such ambition, such courage... truly, the younger generation is to be feared.*