Chapter 110: Betrayed and Sold, the Vices of Wine, Women, Wealth, and Temper
“Ha, I had long suspected that Brother Han was no ordinary man. How could the mere Imperial City pose any real challenge to you? Come, this is no place for idle chatter. Please, follow me inside.”
Han Chong and his companion nodded and stepped in.
The interior of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was surprisingly spacious, though officials were few. Strange artifacts hung and were displayed here and there—objects like the Bagua Mirrors and Blood Talisman Imperial Banners, all designed to ward off demons and enforce mystical prohibitions.
Fortunately, Han Chong had now returned to his true form, and the Yin Moon Treasure Mirror was safely put away, so none of the strange items reacted.
They entered a small pavilion where the three sat around a table. Ouyang prepared tea, and they exchanged smiles.
“Brother Han, how have you fared these past months? What official position do you hold now?”
“Much the same as before—catching ghosts, slaying demons. I was recently appointed Acting Cavalry General of Qiongzhou, but now I’ve received a summons for trial, accused of dereliction, and must report to Fengdu for investigation,” Han Chong replied with a faint smile.
“What? So it was you, Brother Han, the very general who caused such a stir in Qiongzhou, severing the financial channels of the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, the Sixth Prince, and others?” Ouyang exclaimed in surprise.
“Indeed. How is it that you know such secrets so clearly, Brother Ouyang? Perhaps you can enlighten me,” Han said, raising an eyebrow.
Ouyang remained composed, clearly a man with vast connections. No wonder he once wore the imperial prince’s token—the dragon ring and jade pendant.
“Your situation is precarious. Before, your rank was low, and we were not yet acquainted, so you hesitated to tell me about the dragon ring and jade pendant. But now that your life is at stake, I must be frank. I do have some ties to the Eighth Prince, the Duke of Ying Prefecture, and have occasionally heard of these matters. Such secrets circulate only among a few princes.”
“Oh? The Duke of Ying? Please, Brother Ouyang, tell me more.”
“The Emperor is old, and the princes’ rivalry for succession is no secret—each has spies embedded in the others’ factions. Any stir, and all are instantly aware. The issue over Qiongzhou’s tribute silver angered the Crown Prince and four other princes. For some reason, all suspicion points to you, so these princes pressured the Demon Suppression Bureau to punish you harshly.”
“Strange. As you know, I am skilled in disguise and shape-shifting. While handling the case in Qiongzhou, I never revealed my true form. Only at the end did I show myself—surely this should not have aroused suspicion. I have no idea how the secret was uncovered.”
“Hah, then someone must have betrayed you,” Ouyang said quietly over his tea.
“Betrayed? I dealt only with trusted individuals. No… could it be him?” Han Chong’s mind flashed to a cold, unfamiliar face.
“Who?”
“He called himself Long Yao, Deputy Pavilion Leader of the Azure Dragon Pavilion of the Imperial Guard. He was sent by the Emperor on a secret mission to Qiongzhou and I saved him. Later, I entrusted him with the princes’ ledgers and evidence of their crimes. Afterward, he returned to the capital alone.”
“The Imperial Guard?” Ouyang frowned deeply.
“Brother Han, you can know a man’s face but not his heart. Why trust so easily? The Imperial Guard is a nest of vipers—especially now, with the princes vying for the throne. Even the ministers of the pavilions are choosing sides. The Imperial Guard is no different.”
“I was careless. I thought the Imperial Guard answered only to the Emperor and would not side with the princes. I never imagined I was deceived. I don’t know if Long Yao delivered the ledgers to the Emperor or which prince he allied with.”
“Hah, what difference does it make? Whether or not the Emperor has the ledgers, he cannot punish these five princes. Whoever Long Yao serves, you are in grave danger.”
“The ledgers are a scandalous secret, and the summons claims I opened the Qiongzhou Governor’s treasury without authorization. But I did so to support the Hanjiao County naval forces, who were under attack by Eastern Yi warships. The provincial commander can attest to the facts, and will report the truth to the court. The summons should hold no weight.”
“Hah, Brother Han, you still don’t understand the inner workings of the Demon Suppression Bureau’s top officials. Though it answers directly to the Emperor and lies outside the Three Departments and Six Ministries, even celestial beings can be worldly. The bureau is headed by Sima Qing, a mysterious man of supreme cultivation and military prowess, whose orders come only from the Emperor. Under him are four Generals of Manifested Might and eight Cavalry Generals.”
“Sima Qing’s powers are unmatched and no one dares approach him. Yet the day-to-day operations fall to the four Generals of Manifested Might—each powerful and battle-hardened, having slain countless demons. But as their strength grows, so do their vices. These four generals each indulge in one of the four great passions: wine, women, wealth, and anger.”
“Wine is a poison of heartbreak; women are the root of trouble; wealth is a fierce tiger waiting to pounce; anger is a killer’s blade.”
“These four weaknesses provide the princes with opportunities to sway them, so each general favors different factions. Unfortunately, you have offended the factions of three princely houses, turning your merits into liabilities.”
“By now, I’m like a louse too many to scratch. If I’ve offended them, so be it,” Han Chong said with a wry smile.
“Ah, Brother Han, don’t be so resigned. As I’ve said, the court is rife with open and hidden struggles. A single misstep can bring ruin. But when faced with an army, one must counter it; when confronted by water, one must divert it. This is not an impossible situation to resolve—it depends on your willingness.”
“Oh? Please, Brother Ouyang, I am eager to learn.”
“Very well. You can come with me to meet the Duke of Ying. One of the Generals of Manifested Might, Niu Jimeng, is a lover of fine wine, and the Duke shares his tastes. They are natural allies. If I can persuade the Duke to speak to Niu Jimeng on your behalf, it could defuse this crisis. However, it will require you to travel to the harsh, cold northwest.”
“The northwest? What do you mean? Does it have to do with the Seven Kingdoms’ contest?” Han Chong asked with suspicion.
“Ah, it seems you have already heard rumors upon entering Fengdu. Yes, after our defeat in the Seven Kingdoms contest, the two great powers of the northwest, Shule and Beilu, are growing restless. The Anxi and Beiting Protectorates are under strain. The Emperor has issued an edict to select capable generals and talented individuals to reinforce the region.”
“If the Duke of Ying can convince General Niu to nominate you for this mission, you can prove your worth there. Then the princes will have no leverage against you.”
Han Chong’s heart stirred. Ouyang’s suggestion was a strategic retreat with the potential for future advantage. Though he longed to uncover the truth behind the curse within him, having first been warned by the old Daoist and now advised by Ouyang, he knew impatience would only backfire. For now, he must set this matter aside.
“Very well. I am willing to go. Brother Ouyang, I appreciate your assistance.”
“Ha! A wise choice, Brother Han. It is my duty to support you. Let us depart at once.”
Ouyang led Han Chong and his companion eastward toward the Imperial City. Unhindered, they entered the Duke of Ying’s mansion and found a handsome young man dressed in a red dragon robe.
His face was fair and refined, exuding warmth and elegance, instantly likable. Upon seeing Han Chong, he showed unexpected delight.
“Ouyang, who is this man? Why does he seem so familiar?”
“Reporting to the Duke, this is my dear friend Han Chong, currently Captain of the Demon Suppression Bureau’s Pacification Division. His profound magical powers and unwavering integrity make him a rare talent.”