C88 Too Chaotic

If it wasn't suicide, then it was murder!

Apart from Beiming Yuan, Feng Tiange couldn't think of anyone else who would harm Xie Jin, but there seemed to be no reason for it. Xie Jin had always been loyal to Beiming Yuan, and even if his work wasn't satisfactory, Beiming Yuan wouldn't resort to such extreme measures against his own people. If he did, what would those who followed him loyally think? That failure meant death?

Feng Tiange realized the situation was far more complicated than she had imagined. She wiped her mouth and left the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion.

At the Nether Market, within the Four-sea Merchant Alliance, Rong Qi had anticipated Feng Tiange's visit, though not so soon. In a private room on the second floor, Rong Qi sat in purple attire and a golden mask. Despite not revealing his true face, he commanded Feng Tiange's respect, even a bit of awe.

Facing him, Feng Tiange explained her purpose. She hoped the Four-sea Merchant Alliance could help her find the whereabouts of the Ghost-faced Buddha. "Besides, I heard this morning that Xie Jin, the Deputy Minister of War, was found hanged in his study. What do you make of it?"

Rong Qi had just learned of this news himself. As for his opinion, he said, "This alliance doesn't concern itself with court affairs."

Feng Tiange suddenly remembered the agreement between the Nether Market and the court. "My apologies for being presumptuous."

"May I ask how you knew the Ghost-faced Buddha was in the capital?" Rong Qi had wanted to ask this question since yesterday in the carriage, but he hadn't had the chance before he was unceremoniously sent away.

However, he realized that even if he had asked Tiange at the time, she probably wouldn't have answered. She might have just given him a simple, yet powerful, "Heh." This shows how well Rong Qi understands Tiange.

At this moment, Tiange was thinking that if the person across from her were Rong Qi, she wouldn't answer at all. But since it was Wen Yu, she pondered how to respond more thoroughly.

"Years ago, Tiange had a birthmark on her face and went to see the Ghost-faced Buddha. Back then, the disguise she used was the same one she saw yesterday."

Indeed, she had sought out the Ghost-faced Buddha because of the Silver Mask. She hadn't expected him to make such outrageous demands, and in a moment of anger, she left a long scar on the back of his left hand. Unlike her usual habit of taking credit for her good deeds, this time she 'chickened out.' Because it involved the identity of the Silver Mask, after pinning the Ghost-faced Buddha to the wall and burning his house, she left without a trace, leaving only a fleeting silhouette behind...

"I'll keep an eye on the Ghost-faced Buddha's movements," Rong Qi said. In fact, after returning, he had already sent people to investigate, but there had been no news yet.

With the business talk concluded, Tiange stood to leave, and Rong Qi instinctively opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was hesitating whether to reveal to Tiange that she was the Silver Mask, and whether to ask her opinion about the leader of the Thirteen Sects.

Which one looks like a traitor? In the end, he gave up. He feared Feng Tiange might dig deeper; some things, once pursued, are hard to stop...

The Imperial Study Room.

Beiming Yuan cast a cold gaze at Yaoyue across from him, his deep, icy eyes swirling with intense darkness.

"Why did you kill Xie Jin?"

"He saw the Ghost-faced Buddha enter the Azure Jade Sect and overheard things he shouldn't have." Despite Beiming Yuan's sudden anger, Yaoyue remained unfazed, standing calmly before the Dragon Table, neither humble nor arrogant.

Beiming Yuan took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "You shouldn't have taken his life so hastily. At least consult with me first. He was just moved from his position in the Ministry of War. His death will make those who follow me wonder!"

Yaoyue raised an eyebrow. "Your Highness will eventually become emperor. Your thoughts shouldn't be limited to those officials who submit to you. Xie Jin's death will show the remaining officials your fairness and integrity, making them naturally inclined to follow you. I see this as a good thing."

Beiming Yuan didn't want to argue further with Yaoyue. "In the future, if something like this happens..."

"Unless absolutely necessary, I will consult with Your Highness first." Yaoyue didn't bow with fists clasped but instead placed her hands gracefully at her waist, bowing deeply with a charm surpassing that of any woman.

Beiming Yuan felt a chill run through him.

"Dugu Yan, even you can misjudge sometimes."

"How are things over at the Fish Market?" Beiming Yuan shifted the topic.

Yaoyue straightened up, "I was just about to ask what your stance is on the Carefree King."

Mentioning his royal uncle, Beiming Yuan's eyes grew cold. "I have no intention of targeting anyone. You should know what I truly want."

"Yes, Your Highness desires the entire Fish Market," Yaoyue replied confidently, standing tall. "Coincidentally, that's what I want too..."

At that moment, Lee Chengrui's voice came from outside.

He conveyed that the Vice Consort had prepared dinner and hoped Beiming Yuan would join them tonight. Mo Hua had already come by more than ten times for this.

Beiming Yuan didn't commit to going or not, simply acknowledging with a nod.

Once Lee Chengrui left, Yaoyue pursed his lips, "Why do you still keep that woman around, Your Highness?"

"She played a role in the Corrupt Concubine case," Beiming Yuan replied. He had no affection for Dugu Rou; keeping her was merely to showcase his benevolence. Those who perished in the Corrupt Concubine case deserved it. As for the innocent like Dugu Rou, even as Dugu Yan's sister, she could still live in splendor.

Yaoyue said nothing more, respectfully exiting the study.

With unmatched agility, Yaoyue slipped past all the palace's watchful eyes, but paused as she passed the Hall of Chonghua. The once resplendent palace now lay lifeless, with only the iron chains wrapped around the decaying red lacquered doors clanking in the cold wind.

"Do you know why I betrayed you?" Yaoyue stood silently at the hall's entrance, her face a mask of black and white, devoid of expression yet somehow full of it.

Because...

In the secret chamber of the Virtue Helping Hall, Chu Ping hadn't seen Rong Qi for what felt like ages. So when Rong Qi emerged from behind the stone door, Chu Ping was momentarily taken aback.

"Have I been gone so long that you've forgotten who I am?" Rong Qi asked, striding to the table and casually settling into a rosewood chair, a perfect smile playing on his lips. "Do you need me to reintroduce myself?"

"No need. Even if you turned to dust, I'd still recognize you," Chu Ping replied coolly, casting a glance at Rong Qi. "I heard things are pretty chaotic outside?"

"It's not exactly peaceful," Rong Qi admitted, draping his arms over the back of the chair and leaning back with a growing seriousness, letting out a deep sigh almost unconsciously.

Chu Ping was genuinely surprised this time. In his memory, nothing seemed to faze the man before him, and it was rare to see Rong Qi sighing like this.

"Is it really that chaotic out there?" Chu Ping set down the pestle he was holding, asking with a hint of skepticism.

Rong Qi pondered for a moment and nodded. "Why didn't I think of the Ghost-faced Buddha? If that traitor wants to survive in this world, they must change their appearance... Now that the Ghost-faced Buddha has just appeared in the capital and then vanished, do you think I've been nurturing a bunch of useless people?"

Chu Ping picked up the pestle again. "The Ghost-faced Buddha has a thousand faces; who could recognize them at a glance?"