Prefect Chi and Senior Official Xia stood behind Hua Yitang, breaking into a cold sweat — not for any other reason than that their Adjutant Hua, upon encountering the formidable Censor-in-Chief, had not only failed to pay his respects, but had instead presented a face twisted in profound displeasure.

Wasn’t the fourth son of the Hua Family famous for his honeyed words and sharp social awareness? How had he become even more wooden than Investigating Censor Ling today?

Hua Yitang was not wooden, of course. He was simply pondering the purpose behind Jiang Wende’s appearance here.

The three bureaus of the Censorate had clearly delineated duties: the Tribunal Bureau supervised the Court of Judicial Review’s proceedings and collaborated in trying major cases entrusted by the Emperor; the Surveillance Bureau held jurisdiction over investigating violations of law by local officials in the provinces and counties — for instance, the “circuit inspectors” so beloved of common folk, most renowned for exposing corrupt officials and overturning wrongful verdicts, with countless stirring tales of their deeds circulating throughout the world.

By comparison, the Palace Bureau commanded far less renown among the common people, yet was the greatest headache for civil and military officials alike.

The Palace Bureau held jurisdiction over investigating improper conduct by officials within the palace precincts, was responsible for patrolling the capital and other imperial audiences, sacrificial ceremonies, and the like — its principal duty being to uphold the sacred dignity of the Sage Emperor. Put plainly, it looked for trouble at every opportunity: eating roasted lamb cakes on the way to morning court, failing to wipe one’s mouth after eating, an insufficiently refined beard style, an unfashionable hat, boots with holes, an unwashed official’s robe, a mount relieving itself in the street, and so forth — whatever its censors discovered, they would most certainly impeach you before the entire court.

This Jiang Wende held the fifth rank, presided over the Palace Bureau, and by any conceivable standard had nothing whatsoever to do with investigating criminal cases. His appearing here at this moment could be summed up in a single phrase: “a dog sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong.”

That said, a Censor-in-Chief of such stature, having traveled a thousand li from Guangdu to Yidu, could hardly have come all this way for a mere trifle. It appeared the affair behind this case involved far more than anyone had imagined.

Thinking this, Hua Yitang’s eyes shifted, and in an instant he hung a flawless professional smile. “I have heard that Censor-in-Chief Jiang is a once-in-ten-thousand prodigy of the Tang realm — a tribute student at ten, a successful examination candidate at fifteen, entering the Court of Judicial Review at twenty-three, entering the Censorate at thirty-three, promoted nine ranks in succession to Censor-in-Chief, deeply cherished by the Sage Emperor. Seeing you today, your bearing is indeed radiant — you are truly worthy of being the foremost figure of the Taiyuan Jiang Family at court.”

Jiang Wende stroked his beard with a smile. “Jiang had thought that because of the Jiang Dongyi affair, the Fourth Son of the Hua Family might harbor some prejudice against the Taiyuan Jiang Family. To receive such praise from the Fourth Son of the Hua Family is truly surprising.”

“Censor-in-Chief Jiang, I find those words most disagreeable,” said Hua Yitang, his tone supremely sincere. “Jiang Dongyi’s conduct was worthy of the term ‘beast in human form.’ The Jiang Family long ago struck him from the clan register; to the Taiyuan Jiang Family, that man is nothing but a roadside ant, not worth mentioning. How could someone like him ever be associated with the Censor-in-Chief in my mind?”

The two men exchanged pleasantries in a volley of mutual flattery — all surface love and peace, with turbulent undercurrents swirling beneath. Prefect Chi and Senior Official Xia’s faces went pale.

The Jiang Dongyi case had caused a tremendous stir in the Eastern Capital at the time; it had ultimately been sentenced only to stripping of the surname and exile. Discerning eyes could tell that pressure had been applied by the upper echelons of the Taiyuan Jiang Family — this Censor-in-Chief had surely exerted considerable effort. Unexpectedly, something had gone wrong afterward, and Jiang Dongyi had died inexplicably in the Court of Judicial Review’s prison.

This matter was like an untouchable thorn for the Taiyuan Jiang Family, and Hua Yitang’s open declaration of it was plainly a provocation aimed at Jiang Wende.

Prefect Chi hastily tugged at Ling Zhiyan’s sleeve and whispered, “Could it be that the Hua Family of Yangdu has a grudge against the Taiyuan Jiang Family?”

The honest Investigating Censor Ling pondered for half a moment, then shook his head. “It was the Fourth Son of the Hua Family who found the iron evidence of Jiang Dongyi’s murders; it was Lin Niangzi who apprehended Jiang Dongyi. Both acted in accordance with the law — it can hardly be called a grudge.”

Prefect Chi nearly fainted: Indeed it could not be called a grudge — it should more properly be called a blood feud!

Looking back at Jiang Wende — his smile remained unchanged; the gaze he directed at Hua Yitang had even gained a few traces of warm affection. “The Taiyuan Jiang Family is indeed no lamp that burns cheaply.”

If these two were allowed to continue their conversation, they would inevitably come to blows before long. Senior Official Xia, recalling the time Hua Yitang and the head of the Su Family had unleashed a torrent of abuse at each other, felt profoundly weary, and hastily changed the subject. “Censor-in-Chief Jiang, what official business brings you to Yidu?”

Three traces of the smile faded from Jiang Wende’s face; he sighed. “Speaking frankly, five years ago the Peach Blossom Demon’s serial murders was the last case Jiang personally supervised when he was a censor in the Tribunal Bureau. Unexpectedly, five years later, another Peach Blossom Demon has appeared. Upon hearing the news in the Eastern Capital, Jiang felt genuinely ill at ease and came especially to assist in the investigation.”

He paused and then clasped his hands together. “This journey is entirely Jiang’s personal undertaking, unrelated to the Censorate — it is strictly not an official matter. I hope everyone will be accommodating.”

“I see — Censor-in-Chief Jiang is truly diligent and devoted to the people, a model for the Tang realm’s officials!” Hua Yitang smiled pleasantly. “As the saying goes: better to come at the right moment than to come early. Today we happen to have caught a suspect in the act of committing a crime — one Pi Xi by name. We were just about to interrogate this person. Would the Censor-in-Chief care to come along?”

Jiang Wende nodded repeatedly. “Excellent — splendid!”

Prefect Chi and Senior Official Xia groaned inwardly, but could only steel themselves and accompany the party.

The prefectural jail’s interrogation room had long been put in order. Prefect Chi presided; Senior Official Xia and Adjutant Hua assisted in the proceedings; Ling Zhiyan recorded the confession; Jiang Wende, as a special guest, also had a seat.

Pi Xi knelt on the ground, his neck held high, a smile on his face, his burning gaze sweeping across everyone present. He did not look like a murderer at all, but rather like a bold and forthright man of the rivers and lakes prepared to die for a righteous cause.

The moment Prefect Chi laid eyes on Pi Xi, his fury welled up unbidden. Had it not been for this blunderer stirring up trouble, how could such a heap of calamity have been brought down upon them? He slapped the table and roared: “Who kneels before this bench, what crime have you committed — speak quickly!”

Pi Xi lifted his head with a smile. “My name is Pi Xi. I am the Peach Blossom Demon whose name shakes the Tang realm. I killed Duan Hongning; the seventeen people five years ago were also killed by me!” His gaze shifted toward Hua Yitang and Ling Zhiyan. “Adjutant Hua and Investigating Censor Ling are both eyewitnesses.”

Prefect Chi glanced briefly at the deposition and turned his head. “Is it truly this man?”

Hua Yitang nodded. “The murderer who killed Duan Hongning is indeed Pi Xi.”

Ling Zhiyan: “The peach blossom brand in Pi Xi’s hand closely resembles the Peach Blossom Demon’s brand from five years ago in size, shape, and floral pattern.”

Prefect Chi swallowed. “In other words—”

“In other words, the case of the Peach Blossom Demon from five years ago is very likely a wrongful conviction.” As Hua Yitang spoke, he cast an imperceptible glance toward Jiang Wende.

Jiang Wende leaned back in the grand armchair, flickers of sharp light coming and going in his eyes, saying nothing.

Prefect Chi and Senior Official Xia wiped their perspiration furiously.

Wu Zhengqing, the first person responsible for handling this case five years ago, was already dead. If the case truly involved a wrongful conviction, misfortune would certainly fall on the two of them. Had it been a few hours earlier, there would still have been room to maneuver — they could have found some other charge to behead Pi Xi with and be done with it. But now a great Buddha from the Censorate was sitting here watching; there was absolutely no way to muddle through.

At this very moment, Jiang Wende spoke. “The Peach Blossom Demon case from five years ago shook the entire nation. The Sage Emperor ordered the Censorate to participate in the proceedings throughout. At the time, witnesses and physical evidence were conclusive, the chain of evidence was clear — it was an ironclad case. Now someone suddenly appears claiming to be the Peach Blossom Demon — might there not be something suspicious about that?”

Prefect Chi: “What the Censor-in-Chief says is most apt — this official also feels there is something suspi—”

“The Censor-in-Chief is mistaken. Ling has read the dossier from five years ago. The so-called conclusive witnesses, physical evidence, and clear chain of evidence applied only to the final Tu Yan case,” Ling Zhiyan interrupted Prefect Chi. “As for the sixteen serial rape-and-murder cases preceding Tu Yan, there are numerous suspicious points — there may well have been a wrongful verdict.”

Prefect Chi choked and dared not utter another word.

Jiang Wende frowned. “I recall that the person who solved this case was a chief constable named Wu Zhengqing, who should be most familiar with the case’s details — why is this man not here?”

Senior Official Xia wiped his sweat. “Adjutant Wu, a few days ago… ahem, he died.”

Jiang Wende started. “How did he die?”

“Adjutant Wu was killed by a woman named Qu Hui.” Senior Official Xia said. “The twists and turns involved are truly difficult to explain in a few words; to speak of it properly, it has a connection to the Peach Blossom Demon case as well.”

“Hey, hey, hey! Are you deaf?!” Pi Xi was most dissatisfied. “I’ve already told you — I’m the Peach Blossom Demon. What are you still dithering about? Quickly let me press my thumbprint and post the proclamation of my crimes! That Tu Yan was nothing but a counterfeit, and yet he could be executed with a beheading at the Eastern Market entrance. As a bona fide Peach Blossom Demon, I should at least be executed before the Great Profound Gate of the Northern Market — that’s the proper prestige!”

“Outrageous!” Ling Zhiyan shouted sternly. “When the authorities investigate and adjudicate, they require solid, authentic evidence. Testimony, physical evidence, documentary evidence, and examination records must all align precisely. How can a person be randomly arrested and convicted?!”

Pi Xi rolled his eyes. “Adjutant Hua just said the Peach Blossom Demon from five years ago was a wrongful conviction!”

Hua Yitang: “But I never said you are the true Peach Blossom Demon.”

Pi Xi straightened his spine. “I have evidence! I know the locations where all the victims were killed! I can write them down!”

At these words, everyone’s expressions changed dramatically.

In the seventeen serial murders from five years ago, the authorities had only found four primary crime scenes. Even now, the primary scenes for the other thirteen cases remained a mystery.

Hua Yitang’s expression grew grave. “Let him write!”

Pi Xi wrote while smiling, his face brimming with satisfaction, and within a short time finished writing. Wu Da presented the deposition; Prefect Chi could make nothing of it and passed it to Ling Zhiyan.

Ling Zhiyan swept it with a glance, and his expression changed.

Among the addresses Pi Xi had written were the four primary crime scenes held by the authorities — the locations matched to the exact detail. These four addresses had never been made public by the authorities. And the other thirteen addresses were also extremely detailed, not resembling something hastily fabricated.

The current problem was that five years had passed since the crimes were committed; all traces at the scenes had long since vanished without a trace. Even if they wished to re-examine the scenes, there would be nothing to go on. So whether what Pi Xi had written was true or false was very difficult to determine.

The moment Prefect Chi and Senior Official Xia saw Ling Zhiyan’s expression, they knew disaster was at hand; their faces immediately went deathly pale.

Pi Xi’s expression grew ever more self-satisfied. “All seventeen of those women were prey I carefully selected. I know each one’s name, age, preferences, and daily routes like the back of my hand — shall I tell you each in turn?”

Ling Zhiyan stared fixedly at Pi Xi. “You say you killed seventeen people five years ago, but Tu Yan’s murders were irrefutably established — the numbers don’t add up, do they?”

Pi Xi: “The one Tu Yan killed — I was the one who taught him. As the saying goes: debt has its creditor, grievances have their instigator — it should be counted to my account as well.”

Senior Official Xia changed color in alarm. “You’re saying — you not only killed people yourself, but also taught others to kill — have you gone mad?!”

Pi Xi burst into a roaring laugh. “Ha ha ha ha ha ha! What a colossal joke! When you were convicting Tu Yan earlier, you kept saying he was a madman. If that counterfeit could be mad, why can’t I — a genuine article — be mad?”

The interrogation room fell suddenly silent.

Ling Zhiyan gripped his fingers tight, frowning, staring fixedly at the confession Pi Xi had written, silent.

Jiang Wende rubbed the thumb ring in his hand, lost in thought, also saying nothing.

Prefect Chi and Senior Official Xia were under enormous pressure and could only send Hua Yitang distress signals.

Hua Yitang’s knuckles tapped the table — tap, tap, tap. “From what you say, could it be that Tu Yan was your disciple?”

Pi Xi shook his head repeatedly. “He was too stupid — he only learned the surface, was no good at all. Catching only one person and then getting arrested — he was not worthy of being my disciple.”

Hua Yitang raised an eyebrow. “And yet here you are, caught as well.”

“I deliberately lured you to catch me! Otherwise, a bunch of good-for-nothing wine sacks and rice sacks like you — you’d never catch me in a lifetime!”

“Why lure us to catch you?”

“Because—” Pi Xi’s eyes flickered with a deranged light, “I cannot tolerate substandard counterfeits desecrating my Peach Blossom Demon’s name with such crude killing methods!”

Hua Yitang immediately seized upon the key point. “You said ‘those’ — could it be there is more than one counterfeit?”

“Correct!” Pi Xi’s mouth split in a grin reaching the roots of his ears. “Lian Xiaoshuang, Mi Nina, Duan Hongning — and that Qu Hui — they are all counterfeits of the Peach Blossom Demon.”