The Ministry of Justice officials swiftly departed, taking Liu Qi’an, now labeled a criminal, with them.
Only then did the white-haired elder withdraw his aura. Without even glancing at Liu Pingzhi, he grasped Young Master Zhou’s arm, “Young Master, let this old servant take you back to the mansion to dress your wounds.”
Young Master Zhou followed him out, shouting, “I want that boy dead.”
“Of course, of course. This old servant will take care of it,” the elder said with a benevolent smile.
“No, I’ll do it myself.”
“Whatever the Young Master wishes.”
As the two left the county office with their entourage, Liu Pingzhi suddenly began to gasp for air, like a man who had nearly drowned.
His entire body was drenched in sweat.
“I must petition the Emperor!” Liu Pingzhi said, enunciating each word.
“You won’t be able to see His Majesty. The imperial palace is forbidden ground. How could a Captain of the Imperial Knife Guards enter? You don’t have the right to submit a memorial,” Magistrate Zhu sighed. “Give it up.”
“No, no… it’s impossible…” Liu Pingzhi’s expression alternated between ferocious and desperate.
Magistrate Zhu thought for a moment, “The only thing you can do now is to find Cijiu. He’s a graduate of the Cloud Deer Academy. Perhaps he might have a way.”
Although the Cloud Deer Academy was heavily suppressed in official circles and had almost no room for survival, those who lived there were not helpless scholars.
They were a group of disciples of the sages.
They were not only skilled in persuading people with reason but also in subduing people with reason.
That’s why Liu Xinnian had been able to escape the fate of exile earlier, only having his scholarly rank revoked and being relegated to the lowborn class.
…
The Star-Gazing Tower!
Captain Wang rode his horse to the tallest building in the capital. No soldiers were guarding the perimeter, but as one approached, it became clear that there were no commoners in the vicinity of the Star-Gazing Tower.
The Astronomical Bureau was a place full of legendary color. The Chief Astrologer observed the stars and set the calendar. He was said to be a banished immortal who could communicate with the celestial beings.
The works of the Astronomical Bureau’s alchemists were widely circulated among the people, benefiting the masses. Compared to other systems, the Astronomical Bureau’s mages were the most accepted “immortal” figures among the common people.
No one dared to approach a place where immortals lived.
Captain Wang wanted to rein in his horse and turn back several times but resisted the urge.
Bearing enormous psychological pressure, he stopped in front of the Star-Plucking Tower, his hands trembling as he tied the reins to the carved railing on the stone steps.
Steeling himself, he climbed the stone steps.
The foundation of the Star-Gazing Tower was a full six meters high, taller than the roofs of ordinary houses.
With a nervous heart, Captain Wang arrived at the first floor of the Star-Plucking Tower. The lighting inside was excellent, with sunlight shining through rows of holes in the walls, and dust motes dancing in the beams.
Captain Wang saw rows of medicine cabinets, young people in white robes sitting in circles engaged in heated discussions.
He saw people studying scrolls diligently, some napping on tables, others boiling medicinal herbs.
It was rumored that the immortals of the Astronomical Bureau were all medical saints, saving lives without charging a fee… Captain Wang now believed it.
“Who are you?”
A white-robed person noticed Captain Wang and approached, scrutinizing him.
No soldiers were guarding the Astronomical Bureau, but very few commoners dared to approach recklessly. Only those with serious illnesses, knowing they had no hope left, would come here to try their luck.
Captain Wang was somewhat nervous. His throat bobbed as he stuttered, “I… I’m the captain from the Langle County yamen.”
So?
The white-robed person looked at him without speaking.
The person’s gaze was piercing, sharp as if able to see into one’s heart. Captain Wang felt immense pressure and almost gave up on his little brother Liu Qi’an, ready to turn and leave.
“I… I’m here to find Miss Caiwei…” Captain Wang said.
“Senior Sister Caiwei?” The white-robed person scrutinized Captain Wang again, noticing his empty hands. He thought, you didn’t even bring food, and you’re here to see Senior Sister Caiwei?
“What’s the matter?”
Captain Wang pulled out a dark blue-covered book from his bosom: “A friend asked me to deliver this book to Miss Caiwei, along with a message: Liu Qi’an is in trouble, come quickly to save him.”
The white-robed person took it and casually flipped through a few pages. The characters were twisted like chicken scratches, truly unfit for refined eyes.
He lost interest and held the book, “Senior Sister Caiwei isn’t here. She’s gone out to play. You can either wait here, come back later, or leave the book with me, and I’ll pass it on for you.”
“Then I’ll trouble you, sir,” Captain Wang fled in a hurry.
“Senior Brother, what’s going on?” a nearby white-robed person asked, watching Captain Wang’s hastily retreating figure.
“A constable said he was looking for Senior Sister Caiwei. Must be something urgent… You take this book to the seventh floor and give it to Senior Brother Song. Ask for his opinion.”
…
Song Qing was the leader among the sixth-rank alchemists and the fourth disciple of the Chief Astrologer. In the Astronomical Bureau, everyone could claim to be a disciple of the Chief Astrologer to outsiders.
But in reality, the Chief Astrologer had only truly taught six disciples, known as the Six of the Astronomical Bureau.
The other disciples were taught by these six on behalf of their master. Well, Chu Caiwei was the youngest disciple and hadn’t completed her training yet, so she wasn’t qualified to teach junior brothers and sisters.
Song Qing had just returned to the capital recently. After hearing about the details of the tax silver case, under the eager anticipation of his junior brothers and sisters, he took over the fake silver refining project.
The white-robed alchemists, blissfully happy in their 996 work schedule, nearly wept with joy.
“Failed again. Senior Brother Song, even you can’t do it?”
“Nonsense, how could Senior Brother Song fail? It’s just that the creation and development of alchemy requires countless failures to conclude.”
“As long as Senior Brother Song can grasp the mysteries, our Astronomical Bureau will have mastered another skill.”
Song Qing, who had been working non-stop for twelve hours, waved his hand, “Everyone is quiet. I need to think.”
Despite not sleeping all night, Song Qing’s eyes were still bright and alert, even somewhat excited. As a passionate alchemist, he accepted all challenges in the field of alchemy.
It’s not a matter of salt dosage… After several summaries, it can be roughly determined that the flame temperature needs to be controlled to melt the salt but not let it boil… The key point is in the lightning… Song Qing pondered.
He had already realized the crux of the problem, but without the concept of voltage, he could only try again and again, controlling the intensity of the lighting technique.
“Simple salt can be refined into fake silver. The person who created this alchemy is truly a heaven-sent talent,” Song Qing sighed. If he could meet this talented individual, perhaps his life creation project could make a huge breakthrough.
At this moment, a white-robed figure climbed the stairs to the seventh floor—the gathering place of alchemists.
The white robe was the uniform of the Astronomical Bureau disciples. At first glance, there was no difference, but the distinction lay in the chest embroidery. Alchemists had a furnace embroidered on their chests.
This disciple who came to the seventh floor had herbs embroidered on his chest, representing that he was a ninth-rank mage—a physician.
Also known as a healer.
“Senior Brother, just now a constable came looking for Senior Sister Caiwei, and left a message: Liu Qi’an is in trouble, come quickly to save him.”
The disciple with herbs embroidered on his chest said, “I thought it might be something urgent, a friend of Senior Sister Caiwei seeking help, so I came up specifically to inform you.”
Liu Qi’an… Song Qing felt this name was somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he’d heard it.
“Did he say anything else?”
The disciple with herbs embroidered on his chest handed over the dark blue-covered book: “He only left this book.”
“These characters are atrociously ugly…” Song Qing took it and opened the first page, immediately assaulted by the chicken scratch-like twisted characters.
The first page had only one line as a preface. He focused his gaze to read it:
Equivalent exchange, the unchanging principle of alchemy—Edward Elric.