Volume One, Chapter 32: Plainclothes Officer

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhiren said, his voice suddenly dropping to a whisper, "Eastern Depot scouts have just discovered that Wen Tiren’s confidants are gathering in the west of the city."

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. "How many?"

"About three hundred or so. And..." Wei Zhiren swallowed hard, "it seems the number is still growing."

"Let them gather," Zhu Youjian sneered. "I would like to see what kind of scheme these people can concoct."

He turned to Wang Cheng'en and ordered, "Bring me that rebel leader."

"As you command," Wang Cheng'en bowed and retreated.

A short while later, a bloodied man was dragged in.

"Speak," Zhu Youjian said calmly. "What kind of promises did Wen Tiren make to you?"

The man kept his head bowed, saying nothing.

"Refusing to speak?" Zhu Youjian chuckled coldly. "Wei Zhiren."

"Your servant is here."

"Go and bring his family here."

"Wait!" the man suddenly shouted. "I will speak... I will speak..."

"Go on."

"Lord Wen... Lord Wen promised us that once the deed was done, he would grant us official positions..."

Before he could finish, the man suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood.

"Protect His Majesty!" Wei Zhiren shouted.

The Eastern Depot agents immediately surrounded Zhu Youjian to shield him.

"It is too late," Wang Cheng'en said after checking the man. "He has taken poison."

Zhu Youjian looked coldly at the corpse lying in a pool of blood. "These people are certainly loyal."

He turned to Wei Zhiren and said, "Go and seal off that estate in the west of the city."

"Yes!" Wei Zhiren acknowledged and left.

Zhu Youjian then addressed Wang Cheng'en, "Go and summon Sun Chanting."

Soon, Sun Chanting strode in. "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Issue an order to mobilize troops and set up defenses immediately," Zhu Youjian said in a low voice. "Execute anyone found to be a rebel on the spot."

"Your subject obeys," Sun Chanting bowed and withdrew.

Just then, Cao Huachun hurried in. "Reporting to Your Majesty, it has been discovered that Wen Tiren's confidants are contacting merchant guilds across the city."

The night was deep. Zhu Youjian stood before the window of the Hall of Supreme Purity, watching the distant lights.

"Wang Cheng'en," he said suddenly.

"Your servant is here."

"Go and fetch a set of commoner's clothes," Zhu Youjian said flatly.

Wang Cheng'en was startled. "Your Majesty, are you planning to..."

"I am going to leave the palace myself."

"This... this must not be!" Wang Cheng'en fell to his knees in a hurry. "The current situation is volatile, if Your Majesty were to..."

"Get up," Zhu Youjian interrupted him. "Do you think I am unaware of the danger?"

He walked to the desk and took out a secret missive. "This is a report received just today. Wen Tiren’s henchmen have set up eyes throughout the city to monitor movements within the palace."

"It is precisely for that reason that I am worried..."

"It is precisely for that reason that I must leave the palace myself," Zhu Youjian sneered. "These people think they can monitor my every move, but they do not know that I also intend to see what they are plotting."

Wang Cheng'en tried to persuade him further.

"Say no more," Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "Go and prepare."

"Yes..." Wang Cheng'en replied helplessly and retreated.

Before long, he returned with a set of blue commoner's robes. Zhu Youjian changed into them and rearranged his hair.

"Your Majesty..." Wang Cheng'en looked at the man in the mirror, hesitating to speak.

Zhu Youjian smoothed his sleeves. "What is it?"

"Should we have the men from the Eastern Depot follow and protect you in secret?"

"No need," Zhu Youjian said indifferently. "Too many people will only draw attention."

He walked to the desk, took out a dagger, and hid it in his sleeve. "This will suffice."

"Then... let this servant accompany Your Majesty..."

"You need not follow either," Zhu Youjian cut him off. "Stay in the palace and wait."

Wang Cheng'en said urgently, "In case of any emergency..."

"Rest assured," Zhu Youjian smiled. "I have my own judgment."

He walked to the door and looked back. "Remember, do not let anyone know. Just say I am reviewing memorials and will not see anyone."

"Yes..." Wang Cheng'en replied helplessly.

Zhu Youjian pushed open the palace door; the night wind rushed in. The distant sound of the watchman’s gong drifted over, and the lights atop the palace walls flickered.

He navigated the palace walls with ease, avoiding the patrolling imperial guards, and arrived at a secluded corner.

There was a secret passage here that he had discovered long ago. The other end led directly outside the city.

Zhu Youjian pushed open the hidden door and slipped inside. The passage was pitch black, with only a faint glimmer of moonlight filtering down through cracks in the ceiling.

He felt his way along the walls, his footsteps so light they were almost silent.

Soon, a point of light appeared ahead. Zhu Youjian quickened his pace and reached the end of the passage.

Pushing open the hidden door, the night wind hit his face. He had arrived in a remote alley outside the city.

The sound of commotion came from afar—the direction of the night market. Zhu Youjian straightened his clothes and strode toward it.

The night market was brightly lit and bustling with noise. The hawking of vendors, the laughter of diners, and various cries merged into a scene of prosperity.

Zhu Youjian blended into the crowd, occasionally stopping to look at stalls or buy snacks.

"Customer, would you like a bowl of noodles?" a noodle stall owner greeted him warmly.

"Bring me one," Zhu Youjian sat down at the stall.

The owner deftly cooked the noodles and added a few leaves of greens. "You are from out of town, aren't you?"

"Yes," Zhu Youjian nodded. "I just arrived in the capital not long ago."

"Then you must be careful," the owner said in a lowered voice. "It hasn't been very peaceful in the city lately."

"Oh?" Zhu Youjian feigned ignorance. "In what way is it not peaceful?"

The owner looked around and leaned in. "I heard some high-ranking officials are plotting a rebellion. That’s why the Eastern Depot men are arresting people everywhere."

Zhu Youjian remained calm. "Is that so? Didn't the imperial court already arrest Wen Tiren?"

"Heh, who knows," the owner shook his head. "These officials, they might have arrested him on the surface, but perhaps in the shadows..."

Before he could finish, a sudden commotion erupted nearby.

"Catch the assassin!" someone shouted.

The street fell into chaos, and the crowd began to flee in all directions.

Zhu Youjian stood up calmly and slipped away into the crowd.

He turned into a small alley and was about to continue when he heard hushed voices ahead.

"...The time is almost right."

"Then proceed according to the plan."

Zhu Youjian pressed against the wall and moved closer. Under the moonlight, two figures could be vaguely seen whispering to each other.

"As for Lord Wen..."

"Don't worry, he has already arranged everything. We are just waiting for..."

Before the sentence was finished, one of them suddenly became alert. "Who's there?"

Zhu Youjian retreated silently and turned, vanishing into the darkness.

Swift footsteps sounded behind him, but they soon faded away.

He continued to traverse the city, stopping occasionally to listen for movements.

The pedestrians on the street grew sparse, and the night deepened.

Zhu Youjian was about to turn back to the palace when he suddenly spotted a light on the second floor of a restaurant ahead.

Lights on at this hour?

He approached and saw it was a restaurant called the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion."

As he hesitated whether to go in and check, he suddenly heard a familiar voice from upstairs.

It was Huang Daozhou's voice.

A sharp glint flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes as he quietly circled to the back of the building.

A window on the second floor was slightly ajar, and the conversation drifted out faintly.

"...We must act as soon as possible."

"But as for Lord Wen..."

"He has already arranged it. We are just waiting for..."

Zhu Youjian was about to listen further when he suddenly sensed someone behind him.

He turned abruptly to see a black shadow pouncing.

Zhu Youjian had been prepared; he dodged to the side while drawing the dagger from his sleeve.

The attacker missed and immediately turned to flee.

Zhu Youjian sneered, his dagger striking out like lightning.

With a soft "puff," the man clutched his throat and collapsed.

The talking upstairs suddenly ceased.

Zhu Youjian dared not linger, turned, and vanished into the darkness.

He hurried through several alleys, and after confirming no one was following, he slowed his pace.

The sound of the night watch came from afar—it was already the third watch.

Zhu Youjian turned to head back, calculating the night's gains in his mind.

Wen Tiren’s henchmen were indeed still active, and the scale was not small. Huang Daozhou was actually involved as well...

As he was thinking, he suddenly heard footsteps ahead.

A few Embroidered Uniform Guards walked by carrying lanterns.

Zhu Youjian hid in the shadows until they had walked far away.

After crossing a few more streets, he finally returned to the entrance of the secret passage.

He pushed open the hidden door and climbed in.

The passage was still pitch black, but he knew the way well.

Soon, he was back in the palace.

Wang Cheng'en was waiting anxiously outside the hall.

"Your Majesty!" Seeing Zhu Youjian return, he hurried to meet him.

"Be quiet," Zhu Youjian whispered. "Go and prepare hot water."

Wang Cheng'en acknowledged and retreated quickly.

Zhu Youjian returned to the hall and took off his blood-stained outer robe.

He walked to the desk and took up a brush to write down a few names.

These people all needed to be investigated.

Wang Cheng'en soon returned to help Zhu Youjian bathe and change.

"Your Majesty..." he hesitated to speak.

"If there is anything, we will discuss it tomorrow," Zhu Youjian said calmly. "Go and rest."

"Yes..." Wang Cheng'en bowed and retreated.