The knife-board came crashing down with crackling sounds. After just a few dozen blows, the person on the bench’s head drooped—his life had departed for the Yellow Springs.

Only then did Bu Liu remove his hand from Xie Zhifei’s shoulder and turn to leave.

“General Bu, wait. I have two more questions.”

Bu Liu slowly turned around, lowering his eyes to look at Xie Zhifei.

Xie Zhifei met his gaze.

“First question: Since he was a spy, why not hand him over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard so they could investigate whether he had any other accomplices in the capital?”

It seems this man surnamed Xie isn’t just a wastrel after all.

“The nation has its laws, families have their rules, and the military has its regulations. As for the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”

Bu Liu sneered coldly. “The fact that there are Tatar spies in the capital is already their failure.”

Xie Zhifei’s heart tightened. Not just the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s failure—the Five Cities Military Commission couldn’t escape responsibility either.

“Second question: There’s one person General Bu seems not to have dealt with yet.”

Reminded by him, everyone quickly shifted their gaze to the man surnamed Xu, the adopted son.

They saw him completely dazed, as if struck by a hammer, staring fixedly at the corpse on the ground, his eyes unmoving.

Presumably, he hadn’t expected that the young male entertainer he’d spent so much silver elevating would turn out to be a spy.

That’s right—this person hadn’t been dealt with yet.

The adopted son of the distinguished General Bu—frequenting flower houses was one thing, but to be seduced by a spy onto his bed…

If he had already leaked secrets about Bu’s Army, that would be the great crime of consorting with the enemy, punishable by beheading.

“No need for Master Xie to concern himself. Naturally, he’ll be dealt with according to military law.”

A flash of pain crossed Bu Liu’s eyes.

“He was kept in the dark, so it doesn’t quite amount to consorting with the enemy. But frequenting flower houses and failing to see through someone—these crimes are unforgivable. Eighty strokes of the heavy rod.”

His gaze slowly moved to his adopted son, biting out each word.

“Whether he can survive depends on his fate.”

With that, he turned and left.

Dozens of soldiers immediately followed, not a step behind.

Xu Nian’an was dragged out of the Jade Flute Building by several men and thrown onto a horse’s back. Not a single soldier stepped forward to drape a cloak over him—in this bitter cold, they let him remain bare-chested.

Xie Zhifei couldn’t help but follow.

Bu Liu mounted his horse, and with the hand holding his riding crop, pointed at Xie Zhifei from his elevated position:

“Of the thirty thousand men in Bu’s Army, not one dares meet my eyes directly. Yet you, boy, actually dare—quite bold.”

Xie Zhifei’s throat moved slightly. “Why wouldn’t I dare? You’re not some demon or evil spirit.”

“This old man isn’t now, but pick up a blade and I am.”

Bu Liu pressed his legs against his horse’s flanks, and the mount circled Xie Zhifei twice before he raised his chin. “Men, depart!”

With one call of “depart,” dozens of soldiers mounted their horses in perfect unison, raising their whips in perfect unison—their movements so synchronized they seemed like one person.

In the darkness, a column of black heavy cavalry rolled away like thunder, quickly disappearing from Xie Zhifei’s sight.

His eyes grew moist;

His blood ran hot;

His meridians and channels all ignited.

He seemed to see his grandfather wearing full armor, a great blade on his back, galloping through windswept sands.

He seemed to see his four uncles following their general closely without leaving his side, armor gleaming, blades bright as snow.

He seemed even more clearly to see the sons of Zheng’s Army, each one a pillar of iron and bone, charging fearlessly toward enemy lines.

Nine years—he had worked so hard to play the role of Third Master Xie.

Third Master’s languidness;

Third Master’s romantic nature;

Third Master’s good temper;

Third Master’s honeyed words…

But today, that surge of malevolent energy at the Zhu household had told him clearly and plainly—he was not Third Master Xie at all. He was Zheng Huaizuo.

He was the legitimate grandson of Old General Zheng Yu;

He was that boy who from childhood had lifted a blade taller than himself, practicing the Zheng family blade technique daily under his father’s whip.

In his blood flowed the spirit of dying wrapped in horse hide, of autumn military reviews on battlefields, of a family full of loyal martyrs…

Thinking these thoughts, another idea arose in Xie Zhifei’s heart.

Since I am Zheng Huaizuo, could I join the military?

I could become Zhao Huairen’s sharp blade, standing with him and those military officers through wind and rain;

Standing with them drinking wine from great bowls, eating meat in great chunks, calling each other brothers;

Standing with them through life and death under arrow storms, sharing hardship and joy together.

Could I join the military and use the blade in my hand, use military merit earned with my body, to protect one person?

Her background was mysterious and unfathomable. The Zheng family massacre case arose because of her. Once the secrets hidden behind her were unveiled, they would surely create shocking waves.

She was the person Grandfather and Father were willing to sacrifice Zheng family blood relatives to protect with all their might. Now that they’re gone, it should be my turn.

The Zheng family blood surged upward.

The fighting spirit, ferocity, loyalty, and audacity in his blood struck his heart again and again.

He slowly closed his eyes, his heart filled with determination.

I can do this!

I must do this!

“Xie Chengyu, are you crying?”

He Yun’s head poked over, his face full of disbelief.

“What are you thinking about?”

Xie Zhifei didn’t even bother wiping his tears. “Dust got in my eyes.”

“I knew you couldn’t be!”

He Yun reached out to hook his shoulder. “Come on, come on, let’s go drink some more.”

“Still in the mood to drink?”

Xie Zhifei’s face hardened. “Hurry back and tell your father about what happened at the Jade Flute Building. Have him enter the palace tonight.”

He Yun was a playboy, but his mind had always been sharp.

A Tatar spy infiltrating the Jade Flute Building was an enormous matter. When it reached His Majesty’s ears, the Ministry of War and the Embroidered Uniform Guard would all lose sleep tonight.

If Father entered the palace tonight, he could claim first credit—maybe even He Yun could benefit from it.

He Yun’s gaze toward Xie Zhifei suddenly grew fervent.

“What are you looking at?”

Xie Zhifei lowered his voice. “Hurry and go.”

He Yun knew those bastards from the Embroidered Uniform Guard would smell this from miles away. “I won’t say thanks, Chengyu. From now on, we’ll see how things go.”

Only after He Yun had walked far away did Xie Zhifei shout loudly, “Zhu Qing?”

Zhu Qing replied, “Here.”

Xie Zhifei ordered, “Notify the brothers—immediately surround the Jade Flute Building and prepare for a search.”

Zhu Qing responded, “Yes!”

Xie Zhifei’s eyes quickly glanced in the direction of Duanmu Palace. Zhu Qing immediately understood—Third Master wanted him to secretly send someone to notify the Crown Prince’s Heir.

Once everything was arranged, Xie Zhifei walked to the entrance of the Jade Flute Building and planted himself there.

Some people, finding the place inauspicious after a death, wanted to leave early.

“Master Xie, please let us through.”

Xie Zhifei pulled out the Five Cities Military Commission badge and showed it to the man.

“Everyone return to your private rooms. An enemy spy has been discovered at the Jade Flute Building. No one is permitted to leave—everyone will be searched and inspected.”

Madam Chu rushed over with a mournful face. “Oh my Master Xie, what are you saying?”

“Madam Chu, I know who backs you, but it’s useless. The disaster at the Jade Flute Building this time is too great—I’m afraid even the Heavenly Emperor himself couldn’t save it.”

Xie Zhifei’s face was iron-hard, leaving no room for mercy.

“The Five Cities is the first hurdle, the Embroidered Uniform Guard the second, the Ministry of War the third. Whether you can survive these three hurdles, you’d better pray to Buddha!”

“Oh my heavens!”

Madam Chu’s vision went black and she collapsed in a faint.