Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Chapter 94: One of the Twelve Fierce Characters Has Fallen? (4K4)

"See!"

The scholar and his wife were quite straightforward, casually tossing the token over without taking this imperial envoy's mark seriously.

Li Fu caught it; it felt heavy in his hand, as if it were made of a mixture of metals.

Under the sunlight, the token shimmered and gleamed, exuding an air of authority.

He carefully examined the patterns on the front, the inscriptions on the back, and the hidden marks on the edges.

It is absolutely true.

But there are differences.

“Generally, gold medals are awarded for specific serious cases,” Li Fu pointed out the doubts. “The back of the medal will be engraved with the holder’s name, official rank, the case handled, and scope of authority.”

Once the case is closed, the items must be collected and destroyed.

Why is the back of your token completely blank, without a name or the jurisdiction of the case?

"Names are not important."

"As long as the token is genuine, that's enough. The messenger's power comes from the token, not his name."

The scholar and the young lady waved their sleeves, giving him an air of superiority.

"As for why the others weren't written?"

That means whoever holds this token can handle any case they want!

Now, I, the envoy, am to preside over the case of the Twelve Murderers, and I hereby summon you, Li Fu, to assist me in ensuring that this gang of villains is brought to justice.

She spoke with great confidence, and her slightly smug expression made her seem somewhat unreliable.

"Are you worried that someone might forge a gold medal? That's an unforgivable crime, punishable by a search of the entire world and the imposition of the offender's entire family!"

Li Fu tossed the token back to her, his mind racing.

This blank gold medal, issued through irregular channels, could not possibly have been awarded through any conventional means. If we were to investigate this seriously, it would involve major orders such as mobilizing the military, and officials could simply refuse to acknowledge it.

However, being able to possess it inherently signifies that the holder has an extremely special status and possesses exceptional privileges that are unimaginable to ordinary people.

This young lady is probably no ordinary daughter of an official.

"Is she going to preside over the case of the Twelve Fierce Characters?"

This actually overlaps with my own goals.

Li Fu wasn't afraid of the twelve fierce generals coming to kill him; what he feared was that after he killed half or even more of them, the others would hide when they saw the situation was bad, making it impossible to eliminate them completely.

"Then I wonder if it still meets the requirement of the Heavenly Book's removal."

That's the skill of mastering the Yi Jin Jing, accumulated over sixty years.

With the help of this mysterious scholar-lady who holds a gold medal, and with the assistance of the imperial court to investigate and suppress them, we can at least be safe.

Thinking of this, Li Fu's expression softened slightly. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and spoke with a hint of gentleness, though it sounded more like he was coaxing a child.

"So, Your Excellency, how do you intend to begin investigating this case?"

"Ahem—this, this—"

The scholar and the young lady were stumped by the question. They racked their brains for a while, and after a while, they straightened their backs and pretended to have a well-thought-out answer.

"Now that you have killed the Rat, the Twelve Fierce Stars will not let this go and will surely come back to seek revenge."

We'll follow you, waiting for the rabbit to run into the tree stump—no, we'll lure the snake out of its hole.

We'll clean them up one by one as they come to us!

"Rest assured, with me and Wei Ying here, we will ensure your safety."

Seeing that she had been thinking for so long, I thought she had some profound insights.

"I really shouldn't have had any hope," Li Fu thought, a barely perceptible twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Your Excellency is truly—truly wise and mighty."

"So—shall we set off now?"

"Alright, let's go!" The scholar and lady smiled broadly upon seeing his agreement, and nimbly mounted their horses, displaying the air of an envoy leading a team.

Li Fu said no more and turned his horse around.

Behind her, Wei Ying hurriedly urged her horse to catch up.

The mountain road wound its way forward, and the three riders gradually headed towards Weizhou.

on the road.

"By the way, I know your name is Li Fu, but you don't know my name."

There's no need to keep calling me "Your Excellency the Envoy." It exposes my identity, scares away the assassins, and sounds rather distant.

As if afraid that the assassins hiding in the shadows would overhear, Song Zhaoxue covered her mouth and whispered to Li Fudao while riding her horse.

"My surname is Song, and my name is Song Zhaoxue."

"Zhao" is the "zhao" of sunshine, and "xue" is the "xue" of snow. You can call me Miss Song, or—you can just call me Zhaoxue."

Despite her distinguished background, she was not particular about details.

"Song?"

-

Miss Song.

Li Fu readily agreed with her suggestion. Although he had long suspected her background, he was still slightly surprised to hear that her surname was Song.

Song is the imperial surname, the surname of the Zhao royal family.

"That makes sense. How could someone who isn't a noblewoman of the royal family possess such a gold medal?"

No wonder she uttered those words about the nation and the world.

Others may speak of family, country, and the world with great passion or as mere slogans, but for the man surnamed Song, it is truly his own family matter.

"Judging from her age, she is definitely not the daughter of the current emperor. The youngest princesses and imperial concubines are probably close to forty or fifty years old."

The title of Princess can only be bestowed upon the daughter of the Crown Prince, and the current Crown Prince has no daughter.

Based on this deduction, this Miss Song is most likely a county princess, or a princess from a princely or county princely family, or even a distant relative who has not been granted a title, who has run away to travel the world, accompanied only by a maidservant who is a descendant of the Wujin Cang'an.

"Officer Li, why aren't you saying anything? Do you think my name is unpleasant?"

Seeing that he didn't speak, Song Zhaoxue pressed him for more information.

"I heard it's because when my mother gave birth to me, she looked out the window and saw a silver moon shining on the snow in front of the window, which was very beautiful and serene, so she gave me this name."

"Miss Song has a very nice name."

Li Fudao.

It is indeed a cold and aloof name, but unfortunately, the person is not cold and aloof.

Seeing that he had no intention of saying more, Song Zhaoxue was not annoyed. She simply chatted and laughed quietly with Wei Ying beside her, while looking around with curiosity at the scenery along the way.

The news of Zi Shu's death spread like wildfire throughout the martial arts world.

The Twelve Killers, a killer group feared by both the underworld and the legitimate world, have never been killed by anyone since they rose to fame.

Now, the news that Zishu had died at the hands of a young constable named Li Fu was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves.

Rumors circulated widely in the martial arts world, along with the news of solving the major case in Yanzhou, which led to the surrender of Tiebi Hengjiang and the killing of Tianpeng Elder. The young constable Li Fu's fame soared.

Because it is rumored that his signature martial art is a peerless palm technique that can unleash dragon-shaped energy, it has been given the nickname "Palm that Creates a Divine Dragon" by some enthusiasts.

"This palm strike from the Divine Dragon Li Fu is extraordinary!"

This is the first time I've heard of someone from the Twelve Deadly Sins having fallen.

And one fall cost him his life.

"The rat that once assassinated the great swordsman Lu Wengong has now become a dead rat. How delightful!"

If I were to meet this constable Li Fu, who rid the martial world of evil, I would certainly offer him three large bowls of wine!

"Don't be too happy yet. We've killed one rat, but there are still eleven more to come!"

How could the twelve ominous signs let this go unpunished?

One against eleven, even if you're made of iron, how many nails can you hammer in? Besides, those assassination methods are impossible to defend against.

In the end, Li Fu will likely meet his demise at the hands of the Twelve Murderers.

There was amazement, doubt, and worry —

Similar remarks circulated among the people.

Most people believe that this is just the beginning, and a more dangerous and protracted manhunt has begun.

The twelve fierce omens might join forces to assassinate him for the first time ever, or even all of them might come out at once!

Whether Li Fu can survive the wrath and scheming of the remaining eleven fierce ministers is truly intriguing.

The commotion in the martial arts world did not reach the ears of Li Fu and his companions.

The three continued on their journey.

Several days later, they were near Jinghu Lake, a famous lake in Jingzhou.

There were noticeably more pedestrians and carriages on the official road, mostly tourists who had come to admire the magnificent autumn scenery of Mirror Lake.

On this day, around noon, the three finally arrived at the shore of Mirror Lake.

Suddenly, the view opened up before me: the lake was vast and smooth as a giant mirror, reflecting the clear blue sky and drifting clouds of autumn.

The lakeside is planted with maple trees, and now is the season when the leaves turn fiery red. The patches and clusters of bright red leaves, reflected in the clear lake water, are even more breathtaking, as if they have dyed half the sky.

Many painted boats and light boats were already drifting on the lake, with the sounds of oars and laughter faintly audible.

The lakeside is bustling with activity, with all sorts of high-rise buildings, restaurants, and teahouses standing side by side, their upturned eaves and carved beams complementing the lake and mountain scenery.

The sounds of string and wind instruments, vendors' cries, and tourists' laughter mingled together, creating a bustling scene.

As Song Zhaoxue rode on her horse, gazing at the picturesque scenery before her, her eyes lit up, and the fatigue from days of travel seemed to vanish instantly.

She reined in her horse and addressed Li Fudao.

"Li Fu, look how beautiful the scenery of Mirror Lake is."

We've been traveling a long way, it's time to take a break.

Since it's almost lunchtime, why don't we find a place to eat by the lake and enjoy the view?

"It would be best to find a quiet place."

Seeing Song Zhaoxue's enthusiasm and Wei Ying's expectant look, Li Fu remained indifferent.

He had been on edge the whole way, wary of being assassinated at any moment, but seeing the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains now made him feel a sense of openness and expansiveness.

As for assassinations, what's meant to happen will happen; Li Fu isn't afraid they won't come.

The three men led their horses, moving slowly with the flow of people.

Song Zhaoxue stopped an elderly man who looked like a local and asked politely.

"Sir, may I ask which restaurant by Mirror Lake offers the best panoramic view of the lake when dining or drinking tea?"

I want the best location.

The old man, seeing that the person asking the question was a handsome scholar with a friendly attitude, answered him warmly.

"Young master, are you from out of town?"

If you're looking for the best view, the fifth floor of Yijingxuan is the place to be.

The building is tall and situated in the best part of the lake bay. The window seats offer a panoramic view of the entire Mirror Lake, especially breathtaking in late autumn when the maple leaves turn red!

"Oh? Then let's go to Yijing Pavilion."

Song Zhaoxue said happily.

The old man added, "Young master, you may not know this, but the window seats on the fifth floor of Yijing Pavilion are always in high demand because of their unparalleled views. You have to book them several days or even months in advance."

Even if there are vacancies, the prices are—sky-high! Without tens or even hundreds of taels of silver, you probably won't even get a chance!

As he spoke, a look of astonishment crossed his face, clearly indicating that the price was far too exorbitant for ordinary people.

Song Zhaoxue listened but simply smiled and didn't seem to care.

"It's alright, the scenery is beautiful enough to make it worthwhile."

Thank you for your guidance, sir.

The three arrived at the foot of Yijing Pavilion.

This building, built over the lake, is five stories high, with vermilion-lacquered pillars and painted eaves, making it exceptionally grand.

Upon entering the building, just as the old man had described, it was bustling with people and incredibly lively.

When I asked the shopkeeper, he said that all the window seats on the fifth floor were already booked.

"Excuse me, gentlemen—"

The shopkeeper smiled apologetically, but frankly said he couldn't make any more money.

Song Zhaoxue didn't say much, but gave Wei Ying a wink.

Wei Ying understood, stepped forward, took out a hundred-tael silver note from her brocade pouch, and gently placed it on the counter.

"Please do me the favor of making room for a private seat by the window. This silver note will serve as payment for the tea."

Her tone was calm, as if it were not a hundred taels of silver, but a hundred coins.

"Please wait a moment, distinguished guests. I will make the arrangements immediately!"

Even though the shopkeeper was very knowledgeable, he had rarely seen such a generous gesture. His eyes lit up and he quickly made arrangements.

Some of the guests who heard the commotion also turned to look at Li Fu and his two companions, and began to whisper among themselves.

"One hundred taels!"

Just to buy a seat?

"Enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for several years!"

"Whose young master and young lady are these?"

So incredibly wealthy!

People were talking about it, but it wasn't particularly strange.

In previous years, the beauty of Mirror Lake was renowned throughout the land, and young masters and ladies from wealthy and powerful families would come here to admire the scenery and spend lavishly.

Li Fu paid no attention to these gazes and discussions.

They might be assassinated or retaliated against by the Twelve Fierce Generals along the way, which is quite eye-catching and seems inappropriate.

But could it be that the Twelve Fiends, infamous figures in the martial arts world, could not find him just because he was traveling in a low-key manner?

Since that's the case, whether it attracts attention or not is irrelevant.

"Three distinguished guests, this is the best seat in our hall."

"This room was originally reserved, but we've made room for the three of you. Please, have a seat."

Under the shopkeeper's attentive guidance, the three arrived at a window seat on the fifth floor.

This seat is located on a corner, with windows on two sides, offering excellent views.

Looking out the window, the entire panorama of Mirror Lake was indeed in full view.

The lake water is clear and calm, truly like a huge mirror, reflecting the fiery red maple forest on the shore, the faint mountain shadows in the distance, and the flowing clouds and flying birds in the sky. The water and sky meet, creating a dreamlike scene.

Occasionally, a gentle breeze will sweep across the lake, creating tiny ripples that cause the reflections to sway slightly, adding to the lake's charm and liveliness.

"Such beautiful scenery is truly rare."

Li Fu leaned against the vermilion railing, holding a cup of tea in his hand, gazing at the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, and unusually uttered a word of praise.

He doesn't drink alcohol. He only drinks when he can't refuse, especially since this trip is fraught with danger and alcohol can easily numb the senses, so he doesn't touch a drop.

"Yes, looking at this calm lake, my heart seems to calm down as well."

Song Zhaoxue rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window, revealing a rare tranquility.

Wei Ying also said softly.

"This lake reminds me of the famous rain curtain hanging from the eaves of Wujinzang Temple."

The mottled red-lacquered pillars, raindrops trickling down in thin lines, verdant pines and bamboos, the clear tinkling of wind chimes, and the subtle fragrance of sandalwood—

Sitting there, listening to the rain, all worries vanished; even spending a lifetime with only the flickering lamp and ancient Buddha statues seemed to bring peace of mind.

Her tone was nostalgic as she glanced at her young mistress.

"Miss, you really should see that beautiful scenery; it's definitely not beneath this Mirror Lake."

"Is that so?"

Song Zhaoxue nodded and said, "Actually, the world is so big, and every state and place has its own unique beautiful scenery."

"Officer Li, have you ever seen a view comparable to the beauty of Mirror Lake before you?"

Compared to Li Fu, a constable from the countryside, Song Zhaoxue clearly saw much more beautiful scenery.

Although she was unfamiliar with the ways of the martial arts world, she probably traveled extensively throughout the country to see beautiful scenery. However, she was likely accompanied by officials wherever she went, and the area was usually cleared for sightseeing.

"no."

"Officer Li should go and see more of the world. There are many beautiful sights in the world: the gentle beauty of Jiangnan, the vastness of the northern frontier, the grandeur of the desert, and the expansiveness of the sea."

Li Fu listened, but his gaze remained fixed on the lake.

"I have a case on my hands, and many people in the martial arts world want my life. As the head constable, I have a duty to fulfill."

It's probably rare to find a young woman with the leisure and freedom to freely explore the mountains and rivers.

"That's true. You are a good official, and good officials are often overworked."

Song Zhaoxue thought about it carefully and said that she wasn't angry.

The three of them enjoyed the breathtaking scenery outside the window while savoring the exquisite dishes, taking a rare moment of relaxation without having to rush on their way.

The constant tension and vigilance against assassination attempts were, to Li Fu's own admission, highly beneficial to his mental well-being.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

"Young Master Jin, this way please—"

It seemed as if some important person had arrived. A commotion suddenly arose downstairs, with the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs and a woman's charming laughter drawing particular attention.