Ashile listened calmly, but there was turmoil inside his heart. He was in rage that the little girl he knew becoming a courtesan. That girl was just ten years old when she was adopted by Yang Jun.
Her father was a ShenGang liberation leader. At that time, the political situation in Gifu could only be described as chaos. After defending the nation against foreigner threats, the southern part of Gifu started the rebellion. The area was encompassed from Nan Jiang to ShenGang Desert.
Yang Jun was sent to negotiate with them. Nonetheless, the negotiation failed and civil war was inevitable. The civil war ended with huge victims from both side. This event had become the huge turning point for Yang Jun. He questioned his own capability, the imperial court intention, and the misery of civilions.
After the rebel factions being executed, Yang Jun took care of their families. He built orphanages to accomodate the orphans of the war.
He delighted Qin er more as that girl reminded him for a certain someone he picked from the slave market long ago. He taught Qin er how to read and write, how to play guqin, and even how to be a noble lady.
He even went far against his whole family to adopt her. If he knew what that little girl became, he would rise from grave for sure.
Ashile Sun was no better. After Yang Jun deceased, he had no more living purpose. He spent his days in grief and agony. He tried many times to kill himself, but none of them worked. Until one day, Lin Jing had enough -- throwing some senses into him. Thus, he had only one purpose, revealing the truth and seeking justice for Yang Jun.
He learnt many tricks, including the art of seduction and pretentiousness. He was once an aloof and reticent person, now became the opposite. Even if it was just a facade, it really exhausted him. He turned into someone he did not even recognize.
To keep his sanity intact, he would searching for someone who had similar figure to Yang Jun, wherever he went. Then, reality struck harder, the person he longed for was no longer exist.
留得青山在,不怕没柴烧
Liú dé qīngshān zài, bùpà méi chái shāo -- As long as the green mountain remains, there'll be no shortage of firewood.
( If you're alive/here, there's hope—so your anger is better than your absence.)
"So, the conclusion is that this nation is in dire situation. This black qilin seal is used to ask my assisstance?" He asked while putting back the seal to his robe.
"Yes, Master Sun."
"Why? This nation has public investigation bureau and the emperor has the private one. Are they all useless that he has to ask help from faraway land?"
"There were moles inside emperial court that we could not take the cases publicly. For this past decade, there were a lot of deaths, specially those who stand with The Majesty. Last straw was the death of crown prince 2 years ago. I bet Master Sun had heard about it, right?"
Ashile Sun nodded. Even if he was not interested in political situation in Gifu, Qing estate located nearby. He had had lot of spies planted inside Gifu. There was no news that didn't reach his ears.
"Each time The Majesty appointed a successor, they would die, either from accident or sickness. Does Master Sun think that a coincidence? Three crown princes were died for the past 10 years. Public investigation bureau did not find anything weird. The private investigation bureau did find the tempered proof, witnesses, and the imperial court's involvement. It's a classic tug a war game to gain power and wealth."
"The Majesty could not rely on them," she paused for a moment, hesitating to continue, "and for The Majesty's private investigation bureau -- one by one was hunted down and killed. The Majesty secretly hired martial artisants as our investigators, and none of them returned back. Last one contacted me few months ago, passing down a strange message."
Xiao Qiao opened a cabinet behind her, taking out a piece of paper. It had a peculiar scription written in blood. The scription almost like a rough sketch.
"Master Sun has been wandered in Jianghu for long time. Do you know what does it mean?"
His eyes widened. It was an ancient symbol he once saw in his childhood, about 60 years ago -- likely a symbol of the sect. He coated his strained expression in calmness.
"It's probably just an unimportant scribble."
"If it is the case, I will not have saved this piece of paper. But this one is retrieved using human life."
"This brothel is only used to collect information. We have no experience to investigate a case. The Majesty power within imperial court is weakened. We need people outside to carry the mission and finish the task. Qing is now an independent state from Gifu. We are not ally nor enemy. Master Sun is the suitable person, and the only one The Majesty can trust."
"It's funny. I do not trust him a bit. If it's the nation urgency, it's better to ask Qing estate officially. I am just a nobody." He walked away. When he was about to open the door, Xiao Qiao tell him something intriguing.
"You are too humble, Master Sun. That certain nobody words are like the emperor's decret in Qing." She walked toward Ashile Sun.
"Qin er, I really want no part in politic affair. Although, I really appreciate you did not disclose my identity."
"Master Sun, please don't misunderstand. I simply feel that your identity is not simple. It can cause turmoil not only in this nation, but entire world. Your sole existance is a threat."
Ashile Sun smirked, "You think too highly of me..."
"As a warning, The Majesty recently immersed himself studying about the ancient martial art sects. If he figured out where you from, the table could be turn over."
"Then, let it be. When you are young, you will chase entire world endlessly. But when you reach my age, you are already tired."
"Has Master Sun gone to Yang's residence? If Master Sun walked inside the ruins, right before Master Yang Jun bedroom, there was a similar inscription printing on the wall."
His back was tense. Without any words, he closed the door behind. In a moment, he had disappeared completely from the brothel. And suddenly reappeared on the top of Carp building. He grabbed the whistle which hung on his neck, blowing them.
The whistle did not produce any audible sound. But soon, 3 men from the distance responded to the call, leaping from roof to the roof to meet him.
"Laoda" Three of them stand on their knees in unison. Ashile Sun raised up his hands, the three man stood up following him.
Seeing the man before him was in a foul mood, no one dared to speak. Not even the big-talker Chen Shen spurt a word. He initially wanted to brag that he was right guessing his big boss was in the brothel.
"I have tasks for you to do." His voice was as cold as the morning dew of Mt. He.
"Just give us your command." Zhang Li said confidently.
"The mark of supposed assassins sect has appeared here. I want full report of the death of three crown princes. And bring me the file cases of unusual death in capital city and imperial city." He ordered.
"All of them?!" Qiu Shen shouted. "How much time will it spend to look after the files. Not to mention, maybe some of them must be older than me. Oh, God... please bless my eyes, I have to spend my whole life drowning in scriptures..."
Three pairs of eyes looking at him cynically, until Zhang Li opened his mouth, "It is not that dramatic. But as A Shen said, it will take some times. Without any help, it will be difficult to access the files in imperial city. May I ask, how specific files you are looking for?"
"The deaths of public and imperial officers." He withdrew a mask from his belt. "Go to Chen resident at the westside. Show this mask to the master of the house. He will help you with files."
"Alright, both I and A Shen will do it."
"A Nin, come with me..." He said to a mute man behind him, then he leaped to east side. Zhou Nin nodded -- following him.
Seeing two silhouttes in a far, A Shen said, "I don't know that laoda cares so much about this nation. He even has moles inside imperial court. What I heard from Duke of Qing, laoda's past was quite dark."
A Li looked at him, annoyed, "Why do you like to gossip him, behind his back?"
"Why? Because I admire him. If you like someone, you will talk about him endlessly, either his good or bad side." A Shen answered unadornedly. He turned to see A Li -- chuckled at his pouting face.
"Why is your face so ugly? Are you jealous?" He teased, "Don't worry. It's just an admiration. I still love you the best."
It's a game for A Shen to tease A Li. He liked to see that serious guy turned red -- only me could make your face like that.
He planted a kiss to A Li's cheek that make him blushed harder. A Shen laughed louder.
"If I have to compete with such guy, I would never win." A Li muttered to himself.
"Do you say something?"
"No... Nope... I don't say anything."
"I heard something ab...." His mouth was being shut.
"Stop chatting. The sun will go down and we have things to do." A Li dragged A shen, leaping to westside of Capital City Luhan.