Chapter Fifty-Six: Slither, Night Raid

Wang Mu wept as he confessed. In the end, he tried to edge closer to Yao Cong, hoping to continue pleading for mercy. Wang Mu knew their master had a kind heart; while he was swift and decisive, his nature was simply too soft. Wang Mu wanted to beg for his life—he truly had only been tempted by greed for a moment. As for that Ma Cai, whom they had been guarding, he clearly wasn't anyone important; otherwise, why would he have been knocked out so many times? If he died from poison, then so be it. Wang Mu had served the master for over ten years, after all.

But just as he began to plead, he saw the master draw the boot knife. Wang Mu was struck dumb with terror, feeling as if his soul had nearly left his body.

Seeing this, Di Ying stepped forward and stopped Yao Cong before he could give Wang Mu a fatal lesson, dragging him outside instead. They went to sit beneath the large tree in the courtyard.

At that moment, Chen Hehua’s parents had prepared two bowls of noodles and brought them out. Di Ying thanked them, accepted the noodles, set them on the stone table, and gestured for Yao Cong to eat together.

Yao Cong, holding his breath, glanced at Chen Hehua’s parents, then, hands behind his back, quietly put away the boot knife and buried his head in the noodles.

But as he ate, seeing the old couple return inside, Yao Cong put down his chopsticks, puffed his cheeks in frustration, and muttered, “They’re everywhere! Wang Mu’s indenture is still in my house, and yet he dared betray me! Even hacking him into mincemeat wouldn’t sate my anger! I know you don’t want me to act here, but can I deal with him elsewhere? Or are you planning to hand him over to the authorities?”

Slurp, slurp.

Di Ying ate his noodles, ignoring him.

This only made Yao Cong more vexed, and he said petulantly, “Fine, stop eating. Wang Mu’s confession is useless. What do we do now?”

Still, the only reply was the sound of Di Ying’s slurping noodles.

Yao Cong deflated, assuming Di Ying was only trying to help him calm down. In truth, he did not know that Di Ying was simply deep in thought.

Now, they had managed to catch the criminals in the act, but had not obtained a single useful piece of information. Di Ying didn’t even know if he and Yao Cong—neither of whom were skilled fighters—could protect Chen Hehua’s parents.

All he could do was sit here, eating noodles in the cold wind, hoping that this display of calm would deter any lurking villains hidden in the darkness.

According to Wang Mu’s confession, he had only learned of the temporary residence of Wu Minzhe’s parents from his companions, and did not know the whereabouts of Chen Hehua’s parents.

But what if he was wrong? Di Ying dared not take the risk. Lacking manpower, he and Yao Cong had come here themselves to stand guard. He wondered if Peng Liang would be a step too late again.

Peng Liang was not late. Just as Yao Cong was growing restless, Peng Liang vaulted over the wall carrying a man, then threw him to the ground.

With torches burning in the courtyard, Di Ying could see at a glance that the man was still alive. Overjoyed, he quickly had Peng Liang drag the captive into the side wing.

The wind outside was fierce and cold; Di Ying worried the prisoner would freeze and be unable to speak. Yet, after he revived the man with a needle, the fellow still refused to talk, looking utterly unafraid of death.

Di Ying smiled, straightening up and slowly putting away his golden needle, then spoke leisurely, “You needn’t say a word; I already know you’re from the Minister of Rites’ residence. You’re not an assassin, just a guard, aren’t you? That makes sense—for killing a pair of villagers, there’s no need for many men or deathsworn. And for me, you’re of no use. Your entire family’s lives are held by your master, so of course you don’t dare say anything. Then don’t. In any case, since you won’t return, your family won’t survive. I’ll just hold you for a few days, then send you to the Supreme Court, reporting that you attacked me at night. Attempting to assassinate a court official is a grave crime; such a case won’t be neglected, and the Supreme Court will certainly uncover your identity and background. Tell me, how long do you think your master will let you live after hearing of this? Don’t count on him not finding out.”

The man kept his mouth shut, but his eyelids fluttered a little faster, his gaze fixed on the floor and never meeting Di Ying’s eyes.

Di Ying knew he had guessed right. Hands clasped behind his back, he strolled toward the door, waving his hand indifferently, “Peng, let him go. His parents raised him with difficulty—they’ll surely want to see him once more before he dies. Let him go home.”

Peng Liang stepped forward, ready to draw his sword.

The man shuddered violently. Before Peng Liang could approach, he crawled forward on his knees and kowtowed to Di Ying’s back, crying out, “Lord Di, you cannot let me go! If you send me back, my family truly won’t be safe…”

Hearing this, Di Ying raised his eyebrows slightly but did not stop walking. Peng Liang also took another step forward.

The man, now desperate, pleaded, “Lord Di, I’ll confess, I’ll tell you everything! Please don’t go, listen to me. I serve Master Wu—Wu Qiongsi sent me. I was the one who contacted Wang Mu to buy information. I am Master Wu’s guard, have served him for six years. Back when Lord Wu Jianhui was executed, you presided over the Qian Fu case, didn’t you? At that time, Master Wu had me stand outside the court to memorize your appearance. Because you went after Wu Jianhui, Master Wu began watching you, and thus also targeted Lord Yao. Soon after, he learned of the disappearance of Wu Minzhe’s and Chen Hehua’s parents. He then ordered me to bribe Lord Yao’s attendant… Lord Di, I was only following orders, please don’t send me back.”

Di Ying stopped his slow pacing. Hands clasped behind his back, he stood there, gazing at the night through the window, and spoke coolly, “Do you realize you weren’t just sent to commit murder, but also to be used as a scapegoat? Even now, are you not going to tell me how Wu Minzhe and Chen Hehua died? How am I supposed to protect you if you won’t speak?”

At these words, the man collapsed in despair. In that moment, his last hope was utterly crushed.

“I’ll confess… Wu Minzhe, Young Master Wu, was beaten to death by Young Master Wu Xiangjin. After returning to the residence, Wu Xiangjin even boasted about it. Master Wu scolded him and ordered everyone to keep silent. Later, when Lord Yao investigated, Master Wu arranged for Ma Cai to take the blame, and instructed me… Chen Hehua was killed by me. Together with another guard, Zhang An…”

Before he could finish, the two outer windows were suddenly flung open by a violent gust of wind, and a frigid blast howled through the room. Within the gale, sparks of strange light flickered, shooting straight toward Di Ying.