◎Rising to Fame◎

The two stood in quiet confrontation, and Luo Wanqing saw unease in his eyes.

“She’s dead?”

Luo Wanqing asked with confusion.

Cui Heng paused, then realized his loss of composure and slowly relaxed his grip: “No.”

“Mm,” Luo Wanqing brushed away his hand, her expression unchanging as she stepped into the room, “I’ll go take a look.”

With that, she walked into the room. Zheng Biyue lay unconscious on the bed, much of her hair had been pulled out, her hands were dripping with blood, and patches of her skin appeared to have been completely peeled away.

Luo Wanqing stopped beside Zheng Jinxin’s corpse, gazing from afar at the unconscious Zheng Biyue. After a moment’s hesitation, she still approached. After confirming Zheng Biyue was alive, she took the scabbard from her body, sheathed the blade, covered herself with a blanket, then turned and walked out, saying calmly: “Let’s go.”

Cui Heng remained silent. The two walked side by side out of the bamboo house. When they reached the mountain path, both stopped in unison, looking down the mountain.

Below, torches clustered densely, with shadowy figures everywhere.

“What were you afraid of just now?”

Luo Wanqing suddenly spoke. Cui Heng didn’t answer.

After a long while, he chuckled softly, feigning casualness: “Afraid that Xiniang would think I’m like the Director—an evil person.”

“I also conduct interrogations. This has nothing to do with good and evil.” Luo Wanqing didn’t understand.

Cui Heng turned to look at Luo Wanqing, saying only: “But I’ve seen your past.”

“Past?”

“I’ve seen how good you were,” Cui Heng’s expression carried some tenderness, along with several parts regret, “but you’ve never seen mine.”

Luo Wanqing looked at him with confusion. Cui Heng turned his gaze toward the mountain below, shaking his sleeves, and said with a smile: “I was once an excellent young master too, well-born with a good temperament. If you had met me then, you definitely wouldn’t have looked favorably upon Li Guiyu.”

“That you were well-born, I believe,” Luo Wanqing suppressed a smile, “but having a good temperament is questionable.”

Cui Heng didn’t respond. He had wanted to add that ultimately, he wasn’t like this now. But then felt it would be shameful to say.

The two were quiet for a while. Luo Wanqing, seeing the people below still hadn’t moved, couldn’t help asking: “They’re not coming up?”

“Probably the person who ran away earlier went to report. Knowing there are experts here,” Cui Heng concluded, “they’re waiting for reinforcements.”

“I see.”

Luo Wanqing’s voice was flat.

Cui Heng thought for a moment, then turned to look at her: “How do you feel about hearing the truth?”

“Hm?”

Luo Wanqing was puzzled.

Cui Heng smiled: “Hearing that your lover was a fraud, and your father harbored great secrets—what are your thoughts?”

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, then said slowly: “Self-reproach.”

This surprised Cui Heng: “Self-reproach?”

“Zheng Biyue was right,” Luo Wanqing gazed into the forest, “Actually, if I had been more attentive back then, I probably would have discovered the strangeness about Li Guiyu and my father much earlier. Yet I managed to live in confusion for five years. If I could have done better then, perhaps we wouldn’t have reached today’s situation.”

If she had detected it early back then, if she could have done something like she could now, perhaps they wouldn’t have reached today’s situation.

“But yesterday is gone,” Cui Heng removed the wine flask from his waist, somewhat sentimental, “No matter how much regret, it can’t change anything.”

“So I don’t regret it, I just feel regret.”

“Don’t regret coming to the Supervision Department either?” Cui Heng turned to look at her.

Luo Wanqing answered firmly: “No regret.”

“What if your father deserves to die?” Cui Heng was suddenly curious, “After all the difficulties coming to the Supervision Department, seeking justice, only to discover that Li Guiyu was merely settling scores—even then, you wouldn’t regret it?”

Luo Wanqing listened, not answering immediately. In her mind arose the image from her dream of carrying Luo Wenshui to Lingnan, only to discover the child had died on her back.

Familiar yet distant pain surged up. She smiled softly: “Even if my father is guilty, are my mother, my brother, my niece, and even I—are we guilty?”

With that, she turned to look at Cui Heng seriously: “I decided to come to the Supervision Department not the moment I learned Jiang Shaoyan was guilty, so whether he’s guilty or I’m guilty, I don’t regret coming to the Supervision Department.”

These words somewhat surprised Cui Heng. He couldn’t help asking: “When did you decide to come to the Supervision Department?”

“The night I first met you, young master.”

Cui Heng froze, realizing what she was referring to, unconsciously tightening his grip on the wine bottle.

Luo Wanqing turned to gaze into the distance: “That night, I suddenly realized that praying to gods and Buddhas is not as good as relying on oneself. I suddenly understood the value of power. I didn’t want to beg anyone. I wanted to make myself somewhat valuable. I wanted to live well in this world. I wanted to possess the ability to wield a blade and protect those I cherish.”

“I have no regrets about coming to the Supervision Department.” Luo Wanqing spoke with certainty, “Give me a thousand chances, I’d still want to come.”

“Even if it means becoming a cruel official and taking up the executioner’s blade?”

Cui Heng raised an eyebrow. Luo Wanqing looked back at him. The night wind swept through his azure hair, several strands falling across his mask. She spoke softly but firmly: “Come.”

Hearing this, Cui Heng slowly smiled.

“Then go take up your blade.”

Cui Heng spoke seriously.

Luo Wanqing didn’t understand, looking at him with confusion.

Cui Heng withdrew his gaze, turning to look ahead into the distance.

Below lay the imperial city of Eastern Capital. In the deep night, the capital was like a sleeping lion, crouched at the foot of the mountain.

Cui Heng gazed down at that majestic century-old city, saying gently, “Look down there.”

Luo Wanqing followed Cui Heng’s direction, looking down to see scattered lights below, winding toward Eastern Capital.

“Zheng Biyue’s people went to spread the word. We’ve waited long enough—their people should have assembled. Now, gathered below should be the Eastern Palace Six Commands with their private soldiers, assassins from the great families. As long as you go down, they’ll intercept you from Purple Cloud Mountain to the imperial city. Tonight, as long as you step over them, all the way to Eastern Capital, to the imperial city, to that Golden Throne Hall—the hub of Great Xia’s power—the moment you appear in that great hall, you can rise to fame, become renowned throughout Eastern Capital, and become a Chief Inspector truly recognized by the other Chief Inspectors and feared by the great families.”

Luo Wanqing listened to his words, calmly watching the lights below.

Mountain winds howled. Cui Heng’s wide sleeves fluttered as he gazed down the mountain, smiling as he spoke: “This way, you can rise like a green cloud afterward, step by step, reaching the position you desire.”

“In the future, you’ll control power, you’ll hold authority over life and death, you can bring justice to more people, and you can seek right from wrong for yourself. These people are all your whetstones, your ladder to the blue clouds. Tonight, you’ll step on them to ascend to heaven, let the Supervision Department and the world see your abilities. Go take your blade of power and authority. Tonight, let me accompany you—”

With that, Cui Heng turned to look at her, seeming somewhat joyful: “To rise to fame.”

Luo Wanqing said nothing. After a moment, she suddenly asked: “You said you have a private grudge. Who?”

Not expecting Luo Wanqing to ask this, Cui Heng was surprised, but still answered: “The Eastern Palace Six Commands.”

“What grudge?”

“Liren Ferry,” this time, Cui Heng didn’t conceal it, saying calmly, “The court prepared two groups to intercept and kill the Cui clan members who escaped from prison. In front were the surrendered Xie Heng and former Cui clan subordinates, but beyond the ferry, the Eastern Palace Six Commands led experts from great families, already surrounding the area.”

Two groups.

The surrendered Xie Heng and former Cui clan subordinates in front, the Eastern Palace Six Commands leading people to surround them outside. Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately understood the situation then.

If Xie Heng didn’t act, then the Eastern Palace Six Commands would act.

This wasn’t an interception targeting the Cui clan at all—this was a test of Xie Heng’s loyalty.

Xie Heng might have been the one who acted, but the ones who really intended to act were not Xie Heng.

Xie Heng was the puppet, and the Eastern Palace Six Commands were the pawns.

Zheng Biyue was the blade point directed at her; the Eastern Palace Six Commands were the blade point directed at Cui Heng.

Luo Wanqing’s gaze shifted slightly, but she didn’t ask further, saying calmly: “Understood. Give me the wine.”

Cui Heng was somewhat surprised, passing over the wine: “Chief Inspector?”

Luo Wanqing said nothing more. She took a sip of Cui Heng’s wine, then smiled: “Having drunk your wine, I’ll help you kill them.”

Cui Heng remained silent. Luo Wanqing returned the wine to him, saying seriously: “Don’t act today. Just watch. I will not fail you or the young master.”

With that, Luo Wanqing turned and raced downward, calling out: “Let’s go!”

Cui Heng gripped the wine bottle, standing on the mountain, momentarily speechless.

After holding back for a while, suppressing some joy, he complained: “Not failing anyone… without even saying clearly.”

Then Luo Wanqing’s voice came from below: “Cui Heng, let’s go!”

“I know.”

Cui Heng secured the wine bottle, hung it at his waist, and chased after Luo Wanqing.

The two moved extremely quickly, one in front of the other, leaping like rabbits and landing like cranes as they rushed through the mountain forest. In less than half a moment, they reached the foot of the mountain, where they could see dense crowds of people from afar.

Seeing this, Cui Heng couldn’t help laughing: “So many people. If you can’t win, call me—I’ll help you.”

“So generous?”

“Stop working at the Supervision Department and I’ll marry you!”

Just then, a cold arrow shot over. Luo Wanqing stumbled, and Cui Heng caught her with one hand while grabbing the arrow with the other, raising an eyebrow: “What’s wrong? Want to marry me?”

Luo Wanqing frowned as she looked back: “Why are your insults so vulgar?”

“Deep love brings harsh words.”

Another shower of arrows flew over. Luo Wanqing pushed him away, her blade spinning like an umbrella. Cui Heng touched the ground lightly with his toes and leaped to higher ground, watching Luo Wanqing draw her blade to cut down a wave of arrows before charging forward.

He stepped lightly on treetops like walking on clear waves, saying leisurely: “I’ve thought it over. You can be my eighteenth concubine.”

Luo Wanqing charged forward through the arrow rain, grabbed the foremost archer, and hurled him toward Cui Heng: “Eighteenth?!”

Cui Heng nearly got hit by the person she threw, spinning gracefully to land on a tree branch where he crouched to explain: “I’m eighteen in one—don’t worry, you’re still the first.”

“Get lost!”

Luo Wanqing cut down the archer and charged out of the mountain.

As soon as she emerged from the mountain, she saw six men in military uniforms leading a group of soldiers standing ahead.

Luo Wanqing swept her eyes over the six men. These six carried different weapons: a long blade, twin blades, a bow and arrows, a long spear, a heavy sword, and twin short swords.

Behind them stood dense rows of soldiers.

“Well now.”

Luo Wanqing raised her eyes to scan them, then smiled, looking at the six men: “Gentlemen gathered here—what are you trying to do by blocking me?”

“What for?” The leading man with a long spear smiled, “Naturally, to kill you.”

“Kill me?” Luo Wanqing held her blade horizontally, raising her chin: “Then state your names first.”

“Eastern Palace Left Guard Commander, Zhao Bing.” The spear-wielding man spoke.

Then the man with twin blades to his left said, “Right Guard Commander, Zhao Yan.”

The youth with bow and arrows called out: “Left Imperial Guard Commander, He Chun.”

The young man with a long blade said calmly, “Right Imperial Guard Commander, Qian Jiu.”

“Heavy sword, Left Qingdao Commander, Zhang Qing.”

“Right Qingdao Commander,” the youth holding twin swords smiled, “Wang Nan.”

“Oh, the Eastern Palace Six Commands,” Luo Wanqing smiled, “I am the Supervision Department’s Liu Xiniang. Long admired.”

“Chief Inspector Liu makes us long admired as well.” Zhao Bing smiled mockingly, “When you took office, you spoke well, saying you’d only investigate small people’s black market dealings. Yet your first move was arresting Secretariat Director Lu. Chief Inspector Liu, who gave you such courage?”

“Naturally, justice and fairness.” Luo Wanqing answered seriously, “If one doesn’t do wrong, naturally nothing will happen. What does General Zhao think?”

“Well said.”

Zhao Bing’s face turned cold: “If Chief Inspector Liu hadn’t done wrong, how would you be trapped here by us now? Chief Inspector Liu,” Zhao Bing spoke seriously, “we’re giving you one last chance. As long as you stay here today, don’t attend morning court, and have someone send Lu Lingchan over, we can let bygones be bygones.”

“Otherwise?”

“Otherwise, you’re quite young—it would be a pity.”

Luo Wanqing said nothing. She stared at the people before her, knowing there was no need for more words now.

She just felt somewhat hesitant to act.

The martial world had its way of fighting, and armies had their advantages.

Armies weren’t just numerous—most importantly, they trained together long-term. Even a group of common soldiers, with numbers on their side, could put up a fight.

She had never fought armies before and didn’t know their depth, but if she continued to delay, she feared she’d miss morning court.

She couldn’t help but turn back for a glance, seeing Cui Heng in azure robes with wide sleeves, red cord at his waist, hair half-bound with a ribbon, holding a wine flask in his hand, standing at the treetops behind her, gazing into the distance with serene contentment.

Seeing her look back, Cui Heng knew what she was thinking. He threw the wine bottle into the distance, calling out loudly: “Don’t be afraid—charge ahead!”

The wine bottle flew like a sword, breaking through the crowd. Luo Wanqing felt her spirit surge and chased the wine bottle, charging straight forward.

Seeing this, the six men instantly leaped up, surrounding Luo Wanqing. During her containment, Luo Wanqing attempted to break through twice, testing them, and discovered these six had excellent coordination.

Each time she found an opportunity to charge out, they would quickly catch up. Once the six blocked her, surrounding soldiers would immediately surge forward, using long spears to seal off her periphery, coordinating with these six to continuously attempt to stab her.

Luo Wanqing constantly dodged these coordinated attacks, looking ahead.

This was open terrain, too suitable for this kind of military-coordinated combat. She needed to use some method to eliminate some of the ordinary soldiers and escape this predicament; otherwise, if she continued, she not only couldn’t kill them but would eventually be exhausted by this wheel battle.

As Luo Wanqing pondered, she saw soldiers in the distance seemed to be stacking shields, moving toward her.

These shield-bearing soldiers were stacked person upon person, quite high, approaching from four directions. Behind the shields seemed to be archers. Luo Wanqing immediately understood their plan—if they used these human shield walls to trap her, even if only for an instant, when those arrows fired simultaneously, she’d have nowhere to dodge.

Thinking of this, Luo Wanqing didn’t try to force a breakthrough.

With the Eastern Palace Six Commands following, she couldn’t completely break through. Rather than forcing forward, she might as well use their force against them.

These human shields were meant to protect the archers behind, but the problem was, once the shields broke, behind them were archers with no close combat ability.

This was her opportunity.

Having thought this through, Luo Wanqing held her blade in one hand, continuously cutting down all around her who tried to harm her, while using her other hand to take poison from her chest, then dropping gunpowder from her sleeve into her palm, using one hand to stuff the poison into the gunpowder fuse.

When she finished this, she saw the surrounding shield walls approaching from all four sides. She tried to break through from the corner, and everyone immediately pushed her back in. Seeing the four shield walls closing in, Luo Wanqing heard the command “draw bows.” She slashed across one person’s throat with her blade and threw the gunpowder directly toward the shield wall in the direction of Eastern Capital.

The shouts of “release arrows!” and the explosion of gunpowder sounded simultaneously. Luo Wanqing viciously slashed toward the lowest person on the shield wall, where the gunpowder exploded, while charging forward.

The shield-bearer was pushed by her toward the gunpowder direction, his body helping her block the flying sand and stones from the explosion. Luo Wanqing looked up to see the archer among the Eastern Palace Six Commands.

She held her breath in the smoke and charged straight forward, passing over the blown-apart archers. Seeing someone ahead drawing a bow, she leaped up and grabbed his hair the instant the bowstring released, simultaneously slashing his throat.

“First one, He Chun.”

Luo Wanqing spoke his name, threw the person down, stepped on the shoulders of close-combat soldiers, and ran wildly, stepping on their heads.

“Little He!”

“She’s escaping!”

Zhao Bing and others cried out in alarm. The five reacted quickly—four immediately gave chase, leaving only Qian Jiu to check on He Chun.

However, after chasing for less than a moment, soldiers behind them began falling in large numbers. Qian Jiu was the first to react, shouting urgently: “Big brother, there’s poison…”

Before he could finish speaking, he couldn’t speak anymore, clutching his throat and coughing violently.

Luo Wanqing glanced back, silently counting.

The second one, Qian Jiu.

Zhao Bing immediately realized something was wrong, shouting: “Hold your breath—poisonous smoke! Follow me in pursuit! Those ahead, block her! Block her!”

Soldiers fell in heaps behind her, but the assassins, being from the martial world, were more sensitive to poisons. When Luo Wanqing’s poison smoke emerged, the assassins in the rear ranks all held their breath and followed.

Luo Wanqing looked at the number of people pursuing around her, then at the people surging from ahead, turned to scan the surrounding rivers, changed her escape route, and took out a water-avoiding hood from her sleeve to put on her head.

The water-avoiding hood was essential equipment for Chief Inspectors’ escapes, modified from the water-avoiding hoods used by South Sea pearl divers.

Made of tin with breathing tubes, it covered the mouth and nose completely, tied to the face with strings, allowing complete submersion without needing to surface for air.

Seeing her take out the water-avoiding hood, the Eastern Palace Six Commands followed immediately, understood her intention, shouting: “Release arrows!”

Arrows came like rain. Luo Wanqing leaped down and dove into the water, swimming away like a fish.

As soon as she entered the water, she felt many people jumping in after her.

But compared to her with the water-avoiding hood, most of those behind couldn’t match her speed.

Only two people with excellent swimming ability frantically swam upstream toward her. Sensing them catching up, Luo Wanqing immediately took out her small crossbow. When the other tried to grab her leg, she turned back sharply and shot an arrow through the water.

Only a muffled groan was heard as the person was immediately hit, crashing into the person following behind.

The third one, Zhang Qing.

Luo Wanqing noted silently, watching Zhao Yan dodge. She moved like lightning, suddenly pulling the person close and instantly slashing his throat.

Fourth one, Zhao Yan.

In less than a moment, Cui Heng’s private grudge—the Eastern Palace Six Commands—had lost four of their six.