Chapter 8

Liangyi Hall.

On a day of rest, Li Er, as usual, came early to review the memorials. With the empire just stabilized, there were many things to be rebuilt, and the borders were unstable, leaving much to be handled. The hall was silent, with incense smoke curling from the censer.

Suddenly, the commander of the Hundred Riders, Li Junxian, hurried over, his armor impressive. He saluted Li Er with a bow and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"Junxian, what is so urgent?" Li Er put down the memorial, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, last night, two groups of people infiltrated the mansion of the Duke of Yi. However, none of them have come out yet. The first group consisted of three people, suspected to be the 'Three Demons of the Yellow River'..."

"Wait a moment, you mean the 'Three Demons of the Yellow River' who have been at large for three years and wreak havoc along the Yellow River? They are skilled in cooperative combat, and few can match them when they work together. How could they enter the Duke of Yi's mansion and not come out? Who in the Duke of Yi's mansion could detain them?" Li Er asked, somewhat surprised.

Li Junxian quickly replied, "I do not know, but even more strange is the second group. They wore masks, their identities unknown, but their strength is not to be underestimated. There were eight of them, and none of them came out. The Duke of Yi's informants said there were sounds of fighting in the back courtyard last night. When the guards rushed over, the young Duke of Yi said he was practicing and forbade anyone from entering the back courtyard."

"What do you mean?" Li Er, perceptive, seized the key point, his eyes filled with even more disbelief.

"I dare not speculate, but the young Master Qin's martial arts are truly inherited from the Duke of Yi, and he is quite capable. However, he lacks practical combat experience and could not have silently eliminated two groups of assassins," Li Junxian said.

Li Er, with a cold face, asked, "So there is another expert in the Duke of Yi's mansion?"

"I also speculate this, but the informants report that the Duke of Yi's mansion has the same people as before, with no experts. Moreover, the fight took place in the back courtyard, and by the time the guards arrived, the fight was over. Only the young Master Qin lives in the back courtyard, and no strangers appeared. However... the young Master Qin has no reason to..." Li Junxian hesitated, his speculation too incredible to be convincing.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Er said, "It seems the Duke of Yi has a good son. I underestimated his martial prowess. Increase surveillance on the Duke of Yi's mansion and uncover the truth, but do not expose it to avoid misunderstandings. Additionally, convey my imperial edict: the legitimate son of the Duke of Yi, Qin Haidao, was attacked by villains. The County Magistrate of Chang'an must solve the case within ten days, or he will be dismissed. We cannot disappoint the hearts of our military and nobility."

"Your will be done!" Li Junxian bowed and left.

"Wang De!"

"Your servant is here." A eunuch entered from outside.

"Go to the Duke of Yi's mansion and convey my imperial edict. I am aware of the attack and will investigate it thoroughly to ensure justice for the Duke of Yi's mansion. Additionally, send some of the ginseng recently presented by Goryeo."

"Your will be done." The eunuch bowed and left.

Li Er looked at the door, his eyes deep and unfathomable. After a moment, he murmured, "Using the divine weapon as bait, then quietly eliminating them, what a clever move to lure the snake out of its hole. It seems the Duke of Yi has a capable successor. Some matters need further observation."

...

Duke of Yi's Mansion.

After sending off the eunuch, Qin Haidao's thoughts were heavy. Whether it was Li Er's promise or the ginseng, they were not important. What mattered was why Li Er chose this moment to show his stance. What was hidden behind it?

After a moment of contemplation, he could not grasp the essence. After all, he was not an ancient person, and his way of thinking was different. Worried about making a wrong guess, he found Jia Youcai and asked in a low voice, "Uncle Jia, what does the Emperor mean?"

"Master, from my perspective, the Emperor has recognized your value and is reconsidering his stance."

"What do you mean?" Qin Haidao asked.

Jia Youcai said seriously, "The old Duke once privately told me, 'The imperial family is无情, only interested in benefits. If the young master is weak, even if the Emperor remembers old kindness and favors, it will only be superficial. For the sake of benefits, he might even abandon you. I was instructed to advise the young master to avoid competition, not to fight, and to live a peaceful life. Now that the young master is skilled in casting, which is crucial for the Tang Dynasty's military strength, the Emperor naturally has to reconsider.'"

"My father sees things clearly."

"Of course. After the Tang Dynasty was established, the old Duke took leave and focused on teaching the young master, staying away from the whirlpool and preserving himself. The old Duke once said that the Qin family is small and cannot afford to be troubled. He often reminded the young master to take more concubines and expand the family."

"Master."

A servant rushed in, bowed, and said, "Master, it is already spreading outside that three groups attacked the mansion last night. One group was the Three Demons of the Yellow River, and another group's identity is unknown. The County Magistrate of Chang'an has brought the不良people and is waiting at the gate to see you."

"What did you say, the Three Demons of the Yellow River?"

Jia Youcai's face changed. Seeing the servant nod, he quickly looked at Qin Haidao, "Master, the Three Demons of the Yellow River are notorious killers with many bloodstains on their hands. They have been wanted by the court for over three years, with a reward of a thousand taels. They must have been hired by the Wang family to steal the divine weapon. Master, last night..."

Seeing the situation develop to this point, Qin Haidao realized there was no need to hide it anymore, as it would only seem suspicious. Since the captives had already been interrogated, one group from the Wang family and another from the Cui family, it was a good opportunity to test how the county office and Li Er would handle the captives. He said, "Two groups did come last night. The bodies are in the large jars in the back courtyard. Take them to the county office."

"Master, did the Three Demons of the Yellow River really die at your hands? They are top-notch killers, and your strength..." Jia Youcai was full of shock.

"Do not ask what you should not."

"Yes, Master!"

Jia Youcai quickly agreed, his heart full of shock and excitement. Being able to kill the Three Demons of the Yellow River indicated a significant improvement in martial prowess. He asked, "Master, if the county office asks about the cause of death, what should I say?"

"Tell them I killed them. Additionally, emphasize that the divine weapon was left by a pre-Qin alchemist. I secluded myself for three days and deduced an unparalleled sword technique from the divine weapon, using it to kill the assassins. Do not say more than that." Qin Haidao instructed and left.

This statement had five advantages: first, it provided a reason for using modern combat techniques, though the explanation was a bit far-fetched, it was still an explanation; second, it could intimidate some small-time villains, and as for the five surnames and seven noble families, they would cause trouble regardless of whether his strength was revealed; third, it would unite the hearts of the mansion; fourth, it would attract Li Er's attention.

As long as Li Er paid attention, if he developed a greedy heart, Qin Haidao would not be abandoned in the future. As for working for Li Er, that was impossible, but for now, he needed to borrow his power and influence.

The fifth advantage was to dig a deeper and larger pit. Once the outside world learned that he had deduced an unparalleled sword technique from the sword, they would flock to it, and the value of the sword would rise, making it impossible for the Wang family to acquire it without significant loss.

Why not achieve five goals with one action?

Including handing over the bodies and captives to test the reactions of various parties, it would be six goals with one action.

As for using the captives to confront the Wang and Cui families in court, it would be useless. The Wang and Cui families could deny everything and even turn the tables, wasting time.

After a few steps, Qin Haidao suddenly stopped and instructed, "Uncle Jia, release the news that I am at a critical stage in deducing the unparalleled sword technique, and the auction will be postponed to ten days later, with the location unchanged."

Ten days would be enough to attract more attention. If the Wang family wanted to play, let the bullets fly for a while.

As for the danger, he would kill as many as came!