Daoyan approached the iron bars.

There were no windows in the imperial prison, only a pine torch stuck in the outer wall, its flickering light illuminating Li Keji standing quietly inside. He faced away from the flames, gazing at the dancing shadows on the wall. The sound of the door opening and closing hadn’t made him turn around.

Daoyan observed him from behind.

The Dongting Lake case had already caused a tremendous uproar. Yet this was the first time Daoyan had seen the protagonist of this affair.

What somewhat surprised Daoyan was that Li Keji seemed to have adapted to life in this prison. He possessed a tranquil demeanor as clear as autumn water, combined with an unrestrained willfulness like a celestial horse galloping across the sky. The high walls on all sides could not shake the peace in his heart or constrain the soaring of his spirit. Though his body was in prison, his heart seemed to dance perpetually in some distant place.

Daoyan frowned slightly to himself. It seemed his words might be difficult for Li Keji to hear.

But he still took two steps forward.

Li Keji’s form trembled slightly, as if sensing the unusual intent of his visitor. He paused, then turned around.

Seeing Daoyan surprised Li Keji considerably. However, he asked nothing, simply looking quietly at Daoyan, waiting for him to explain his purpose. This composure made Daoyan sigh inwardly.

Daoyan sat down cross-legged by the bars, and Li Keji also sat down across from him.

Daoyan raised his palm in a Buddhist greeting and said, “This poor monk’s dharma name is Daoyan.”

Li Keji trembled again: “So you are Master Daoyan. I have long admired your reputation.”

Anyone who had spent time in Yingtian Prefecture would have heard of this spiritually powerful Master Daoyan’s reputation.

Daoyan carefully observed Li Keji’s expression and said, “This poor monk came to see Benefactor Li today because I heard that your esteemed mother is gravely ill. Master Tie has already summoned Xuanhu Daoist, the physician from the Immortal Mountains of the Sea, to treat her. However, heart ailments have always required heart medicine—I’m afraid even Xuanhu Daoist can do nothing for your mother’s illness.”

Daoyan was satisfied to see Li Keji’s composure crumble piece by piece at these words.

He waited a moment before continuing: “Master Tie may very well plead with His Majesty because of your mother’s grave illness.”

Li Keji stared at him blankly. Daoyan’s tone seemed to contain some inside information he didn’t know.

Daoyan looked at Li Keji and said, “Over ten years ago, this poor monk had close dealings with Master Tie for a time and roughly knew some things. Your mother suffered misfortune in her youth, yet remained like a lotus flower in mud, deserving of respect. Master Tie lived his life wildly and freely, but when he encountered such a person, it became his life’s tribulation. What made it even more helpless was that your mother had already arranged a marriage with your father. A friend’s wife cannot be violated. Even the most unrestrained person has some unshakable principles.”

Though Daoyan spoke euphemistically, Li Keji understood and roughly guessed his mother’s difficult experiences in the first half of her life, as well as why Iron Flute Autumn would assume a false identity to remain in the Li household and raise him. Though he had vaguely sensed this in his heart, he still didn’t know whether he should thank Daoyan for telling him the truth or hate him for revealing it. In his heart, his mother should always remain as elegant as a gentle breeze, while his teacher should always remain as lofty and unrestrained as wild cranes and idle clouds.

Daoyan pressed forward step by step without showing emotion: “Master Tie has never bowed his head in his entire life. At this time, at the critical moment of your mother’s life and death, I’m afraid he cannot avoid bowing his head to let you return home quickly to comfort her. However, if he bows his head for this reason, His Majesty will inevitably be even more furious.”

Li Keji said nothing, only burying his head deeply.

Daoyan continued: “The Dongting Lake case has reached an impasse. How should Benefactor Li conduct himself?”

Li Keji took a breath and said, “I plan to petition for temporary release so I can return home to care for my mother’s illness. After my mother recovers, I will return to prison to receive my punishment.”

Daoyan looked at him with surprise and said, “This is indeed a good solution. A son who fulfills filial piety must be a minister who fulfills loyalty. His Majesty might very well show mercy outside the law. However, temporary release has always required a guarantor. Does Benefactor Li have a capable guarantor? Originally, your examination supervisor, Master Zhan Daci, could serve as this guarantor, but he was recently reassigned as Education Commissioner of Jiangxi and has left Yingtian. I heard Benefactor Li has close dealings with Wen Ruhai, nephew of Wen Fangwen. Wen Fangwen is trusted by His Majesty, so having him as guarantor would be appropriate, but he has always clearly separated public from private matters—I’m afraid he would refuse to be this guarantor. As for Master Shi, because of that satirical verse incident, his relationship with His Majesty remains unresolved, so he probably shouldn’t serve as Benefactor Li’s guarantor at this time either.”

Li Keji was silent for a moment, then said: “Since Master Daoyan speaks thus, do you already have a more suitable candidate in mind?”

Daoyan smiled and said, “If you don’t mind, this poor monk is willing to serve as this guarantor.”

Among all the civil and military officials, only a handful could speak before the Hongwu Emperor, including this great monk.

Li Keji’s heart, which had been in chaos, suddenly became calm.

Daoyan would never come to say such things to him without reason. Though Daoyan could speak before the Hongwu Emperor, doing so would still carry risks.

Li Keji turned his gaze to look at Daoyan outside the bars. This great monk maintained a constant smile, never avoiding his scrutiny. In Daoyan, there was none of the detached tranquility of a worldly monk who contested with no one, but rather wisdom and passion that constantly pressed forward.

Li Keji’s mind became momentarily confused, and he couldn’t help saying: “If Master had been born in chaotic times, you would surely have become a figure like Liu Bingzheng.”

Liu Bingzheng was the strategist who helped Yuan Emperor Kublai Khan conquer the world, and was also a famous monk of that time.

Anyone else hearing these words would have been either shocked or terrified, but Daoyan laughed: “Benefactor Li’s assessment of this poor monk is identical to Master Tie’s. Back then, this poor monk decided to emerge from seclusion and enter the world precisely because Master Tie evaluated me thus. Unfortunately, the world already had a master at that time, and this poor monk’s dragon-slaying skills had no place to be used, so I could only disappoint my mountain learning.” He changed the subject and said, “Please rest assured, Benefactor Li. Since this poor monk has explained this situation to you, I will certainly resolve this predicament for you. You must be wondering why this poor monk is so enthusiastic about this matter, right? If you don’t know the reason, you cannot trust this poor monk’s sincerity.”

Li Keji silently agreed.

Daoyan smiled again: “The reason is simple. This poor monk once owed Master Tie a favor. Buddhism teaches cause and effect—if this favor is not repaid soon, it will accumulate day by day, and I’m afraid this poor monk will carry it to the next life for double repayment. Therefore, this poor monk is determined to settle this debt of gratitude in this lifetime.”

After a pause, he said, “When Benefactor Li observes people, you often point directly to their true nature. Therefore, this poor monk has something to ask you. How do you view this person, Meng Jianqing? Please speak freely—this poor monk has no relationship with him, I’m simply very curious about this person.”

Li Keji paused before saying, “That Captain Meng is naturally not one to remain in a small pond.”

Daoyan stood up with satisfaction: “With Benefactor Li’s confirmation, this poor monk has even more confidence in my judgment. Please write your memorial now, Benefactor Li. This poor monk will wait outside for a moment and submit it to His Majesty during this afternoon’s court audience.”

He went out and closed the door. Meng Jianqing approached and asked quietly: “How did it go?”

Daoyan said with a smile: “To untie the bell, one must find the person who tied it. The Dongting Lake case began with Li Keji, so naturally it should be resolved by him as well.”

After seeing Daoyan off, Meng Jianqing returned just as Qiu Qianhu arrived to relieve Gao Qianhu from his patrol duties. Seeing Qiu’s flushed cheeks and unsteady steps from drinking, Meng Jianqing couldn’t help but frown. Even though it was the Dragon Boat Festival, one shouldn’t get this drunk before taking over duty.

Gao Qianhu, eager to return home for the holiday, hurriedly finished his briefing and was about to leave when he glimpsed Meng Jianqing’s figure. He shrank back and whispered to Qiu Qianhu: “Be careful, sober up a bit, don’t let that kid catch anything. Commander Shen isn’t here—if he finds something to grab onto, he’ll show his authority.”

Qiu Qianhu lazily slumped in his chair and waved his hand: “Go, go, go, stop boosting others’ morale!”

Just as Gao Qianhu stepped out of the main gate, disaster struck.

Amid the sound of firecrackers, a gong suddenly rang. The upper windows of several shops across the street all opened at once, and fire arrows mixed with sulfur packets rained down like a torrential downpour. The eighteen cells of the Tianzi section immediately became a sea of flames. Gao Qianhu jumped up and staggered with his men to rush over. Liu Qianhu, who guarded the prison, frantically directed his subordinates to fight the fire while the prisoners inside began to riot. Liu Qianhu felt his head was about to explode. These were all important criminals under trial—whether any died or escaped, it would be enough to ruin him.

And the fire arrows continued shooting without pause. Over the high wall, suddenly, more than ten wooden barrels were thrown in. When they hit the ground, they shattered, spilling tung oil everywhere. The fire borrowed the oil’s momentum and burned even more fiercely.

Today, the Hongwu Emperor was watching dragon boat races at Xuanwu Lake, which was a matter of utmost importance, so Shen Guangli had taken most of the skilled personnel to Xuanwu Lake. With only weak forces left behind, this chaos could not be controlled immediately.

Meng Jianqing ran over and said quietly to Liu Qianhu, “The other side’s target is Li Keji. Give me the keys, I’ll take him away and draw them off!”

Liu Qianhu said in bewilderment: “Releasing a prisoner is a capital crime—”

Meng Jianqing frowned, calculating whether to simply seize the keys, when suddenly a figure burst out of the great fire—it was Li Keji. In the blink of an eye, he had already swept across the rooftops of several cells. The fire arrows immediately shifted direction, pursuing him.

Meng Jianqing immediately gave chase.

The street patrol officers of Yingtian Prefecture beat their bronze gongs, gathering men to capture the bandits who had attacked the Imperial Guard.

Li Keji still wore shackles and handcuffs, but moved extremely fast. The arrow net barely grazed behind him. However, he slowed down when approaching the perimeter wall. The pursuing fire arrows, though deflected by the shackles he whirled about, still came close enough that two singed his clothes and hair.

Meng Jianqing sensed his hesitation and immediately called: “Follow me!”

Meng Jianqing leaped over the high wall and turned toward the south of the city. Li Keji no longer hesitated, following from the side. In an instant, both men were racing side by side through the streets and alleys, escaping the threat of the arrow net. The other side had to change tactics—four masked men approached from both ends of the narrow street, while another four on the rooftops guarded the four corners. From their momentum, they intended to intercept Li Keji and his companion.

Meng Jianqing’s mind stirred.

Knowing Li Keji’s martial lineage and that several people from the Immortal Mountains of the Sea were in Yingtian Prefecture, why would the other side still so brazenly intercept and kill Li Keji on the main street after he had left the imperial prison? In this situation, if Li Keji met with misfortune, Iron Flute Autumn could never blame the Imperial Guard—he would only massacre this group.

Perhaps this was their goal all along?

The Imperial Guard headquarters was fighting fires, street patrol officers were capturing the arrow-shooting bandits, the streets and alleys were empty and silent, and residents were all watching dragon boat races at Xuanwu Lake—at this moment, they were completely on their own.

Meng Jianqing stepped back and stopped back-to-back with Li Keji, casually handing him a short knife and saying quietly: “Let’s deal with these people first!”

With Li Keji’s cooperation, perhaps he could capture one or two alive.

But at the same time, he couldn’t help but worry that Li Keji probably had never had real combat experience—

The four masked men at both ends of the street slowly approached. Seeing their eyes, Li Keji’s mind stirred, and he suddenly called: “Don’t let them get close!”

Meng Jianqing almost simultaneously detected the sulfur smell on them.

But it was already a step too late. All four simultaneously ignited gunpowder fuses hidden on their bodies and charged forward with wild shouts, waving their blades.

As long as they could trap Li Keji and his companion for a moment, they could drag them down together in mutual destruction.

Meng Jianqing’s blade sliced off half of one masked man’s right shoulder and, with a backhand stroke, severed another’s left hand fingers, but could no longer stop their assault.

Li Keji whirled his iron chains, blocking several blades, then grabbed Meng Jianqing and leaped up. The four masked men on the rooftop immediately threw eight long ropes down over their heads.

Meng Jianqing slashed with his blade, but the ropes were soft and offered no resistance, instead entangling Li Keji’s shackles. The four masked men shouted and simultaneously drew their blades to pounce down, forcing both men to fall back to the ground.

As Meng Jianqing landed, his blade spun, and the masked man approaching him had his feet torn apart in a bloody mess, crying out as he staggered and nearly fell. But the fuses at their waists were nearly burned out—the gunpowder would explode at any moment.

At the end of the long street, arrows suddenly whistled through the air.

Meng Jianqing exclaimed: “Instructor Kong!”

A white silk band simultaneously whistled toward Li Keji. Li Keji grabbed the silk, and as he soared into the air, he reached back to grasp Meng Jianqing’s left arm, bringing him up as well.

The four masked men carrying gunpowder cried out as they scattered in four directions. As they fell, the long arrows embedded in their hearts and vital head points still quivered.

The gunpowder exploded with a thunderous roar, and the shattered street stones struck Meng Jianqing’s back while Li Keji was also hit by two pieces.

But they had finally escaped death.

Of the other four masked men, two were knocked down by the explosion, while two others fled wounded, but Instructor Kong shot down one. The other was quite slippery, hiding behind a corridor pillar at the street side, kicking open a shop door and drilling inside.

Instructor Kong didn’t pursue. He put away his bow, waved and smiled at Meng Jianqing and the others, then departed gracefully.

Meng Jianqing couldn’t see who was tracking that masked man, but he understood that someone in the shadows had certainly followed.

He quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking back at the Imperial Guard headquarters, the fire had diminished.

Yun Yanjiao, wearing a light azure dress with a white silk band over her shoulder, gracefully landed before them.

Meng Jianqing cupped his hands: “Miss Yun, thank you.”

He introduced her to Li Keji.

Yun Yanjiao said softly: “Hello, Senior Brother Li.”

Li Keji was startled.

Should he call her “Miss Yun” like Meng Jianqing, or should he call her “Junior Sister Yun”?

Perhaps with this address, he would step into a world he had never imagined entering.

Yun Yanjiao continued: “We arrived a step too late and caused Senior Brother Li trouble—we’re truly sorry. There won’t be such incidents in the future. Please rest assured and return to recuperate, Senior Brother Li. Captain Meng, thank you as well.”

Yun Yanjiao was gentle and courteous, but her words carried sharp edges.

Meng Jianqing understood what she was about to do. Or rather, what the Immortal Mountains of the Sea were about to do.

It no longer mattered whom the hidden mastermind wanted to target.

Most importantly, the Immortal Mountains of the Sea, which had remained silent and uninvolved in worldly affairs for many years, had now been drawn in. With them pursuing the hidden mastermind, whoever that person was would have nowhere to hide.

Whether that hidden person was too clever or too foolish remained to be seen—clever enough to draw the Immortal Mountains of the Sea toward their opponents, or foolish enough to think they could draw the Immortal Mountains of the Sea toward their opponents.

On the way back to the Imperial Guard headquarters, Meng Jianqing suddenly remembered something: Tianzi Cell Number Nine was reinforced with refined steel bars on all six sides—how had Li Keji gotten out?

His question was soon answered.

The large copper locks on three sets of iron bars hung loosely there.

Liu Qianhu, who had followed Meng Jianqing in, also had his face fall.

It seemed someone had been silently lurking in the imperial prison all along, looking after Li Keji. Opening a few locks was merely child’s play for that person. That he hadn’t also opened Li Keji’s shackles showed considerable restraint.

Shen Guangli returned in the evening. After hearing Meng Jianqing’s report, he merely said “Hmm” indifferently, then said: “His Majesty has already approved Master Daoyan’s bail request, temporarily allowing Li Keji to return to Qingcheng to care for his gravely ill mother, and wants us to send someone to escort him. You make the trip.”

Meng Jianqing noticed that Shen Guangli said “escort” rather than “transport under guard.” This must have been the Hongwu Emperor’s exact words. Shen Guangli would never misremember such details.

Shen Guangli was lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled: “On His Majesty’s behalf, keep an eye on how that iron pea swallows such a huge favor.”

Meng Jianqing suddenly understood.

For someone like Iron Flute Autumn, appeasement was probably the best strategy.