When they arrived in front of a residence with a plaque reading "Sheng Mansion," Ye Liuyun stopped in his tracks.
"Is this the place?"
Looking at the several Embroidered Uniform Guards posted outside, it was clear someone had already taken over the case.
Ye Liuyun led his men straight over.
As for those barring the way, Ye Liuyun simply produced his Hundred Households command token.
"Lord Hundred Households!"
The several Embroidered Uniform Guards outside, who were blocking random entry, instantly called out respectfully upon seeing Ye Liuyun’s token, obediently stepping aside.
The courtyard was littered with corpses—mostly maids and servants.
It seemed more like a vendetta; if the target was just Sheng Li, there was no reason to kill all these maids and servants.
When Ye Liuyun was about to lead his people inside the mansion—
a familiar voice, laced with mockery, reached the ears of Ye Liuyun and his party.
"Yo, isn’t this Ye Liufeng, Lord Ye of the Hundred Households?"
The newcomer was Lu Quan, who had just dealt with Ye Liuyun not long before.
Lu Quan didn’t seem surprised to see Ye Liuyun; his smile only grew more arrogant.
"Sorry, Lord Ye, I’ve taken over this case, so I can’t just let you inside."
He was saying this on purpose, obviously knowing who the dead man was.
Ye Liuyun didn’t answer. He looked at Lu Quan as if he were some cheap clown, ignored him, and kept walking toward the rear courtyard.
"Lord Ye! You—"
Lu Quan was about to keep blocking Ye Liuyun’s path.
But before he could finish, Ye Liuyun raised a hand and placed it on Lu Quan’s shoulder, pushed a little, and Lu Quan toppled to the ground to the side.
As soft as a maiden.
"Ye Liufeng, you’ve got some nerve!"
Your backer’s dead, and you still dare act so arrogant.
Humiliated in front of so many people, Lu Quan shrieked in fury.
He got up, intent on blocking the way again.
But this time, before Ye Liuyun even spoke, Shi Sheng stepped in front of Lu Quan, lifted his fist, and shook it.
"Try blocking my lord’s path again—I’ll beat you to death!"
After saying this, he gave Lu Quan a taunting look and followed after Ye Liuyun.
A mere Hundred Households like himself, being threatened by a Commander in public—Lu Quan’s face turned purple, then green.
But he really didn’t dare block the way again.
Because Lu Quan knew that someone like Shi Sheng—whose brain was all fists—would really dare lay hands on him in the open. The key point was, Lu Quan wasn’t even sure he could beat Shi Sheng in a fight.
...
In the rear courtyard, Ye Liuyun finally saw Sheng Li’s corpse. He looked to be getting on in years, hair white as snow, still in official robes even in death.
There were all sorts of wounds on his body—seemed he’d been tortured before dying.
To dare strike someone of the court within the Imperial City—even if Sheng Li had already retired—only someone with significant power or status would attempt this.
"Lord Ye!"
Just then—
Lu Quan came hurrying after them.
Seeing Ye Liuyun’s gaze fixed intently on Sheng Li’s corpse, Lu Quan felt the resentment in his heart dissipate.
What, worried now? With Sheng Li gone as your backer, let’s see how you survive in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
"Well, now you know what happens if you cross Lord Thousand Households Wan."
As he spoke, Lu Quan deliberately leaned close to Ye Liuyun’s ear and whispered,
"Without your backer, let’s see how you hold on to your Hundred Households position."
Then Lu Quan called his people and went to search elsewhere.
Casting a sidelong glance at Lu Quan’s leaving figure, Ye Liuyun’s eyes narrowed in contempt.
So, was this done by Lord Thousand Households Wan?
Ye Liuyun had never cared much about someone like Lu Quan. If he wanted to play the clown, then let him—it was just a show.
But now he was deliberately looking for trouble. That was a different story.
"My lord!"
At this, Si Nan and Shi Sheng both looked over.
Though Lu Quan had spoken quietly, the two weren’t far away and naturally heard everything.
Ye Liuyun didn’t waste words, and immediately ordered,
"Before sunset tonight, I don’t care what it takes—I want Lu Quan out of the Imperial City."
Originally, he’d planned to wait and see if Lu Quan would leave on his own.
But if you love to jump around so much, maybe you should go do it in the Underworld.
"Understood!"
Si Nan was quicker on the uptake. Seeing Ye Liuyun’s expression, she instantly understood, with not a moment’s hesitation. "I’ll get to it right away, sir."
With that, Si Nan turned and left.
As for Shi Sheng, he was still a bit dazed.
But seeing Si Nan leave, he snapped out of it and hurried after her.
"My lord, I’ll help too!"
Ye Liuyun watched the departing Si Nan and Shi Sheng for a moment, then turned his gaze to Lu Quan, who was not far away, still looking immensely pleased with himself.
Ye Liuyun hated trouble.
Instead of worrying about people plotting against him, why not just strangle those plotters at the start?
Sheng Li’s death didn’t concern Ye Liuyun. He didn’t even know the guy. In times like these, people died every day. Why should Sheng Li be an exception?
As for so-called backers—
Ye Liuyun had the strength; there was no need to worry about his title being threatened.
As for promotion to Lord Thousand Households—
Even if Sheng Li were alive, he couldn’t help Ye Liuyun move up the ranks now.
But now that you’ve openly gone after me, that’s another matter.
Ye Liuyun watched a while longer, then left with his people.
Over on Lu Quan’s side, seeing Ye Liuyun leave, his smile widened even more.
He had no inkling that disaster was about to strike.
...
Si Nan moved quickly.
That same night, she kidnapped Lu Quan’s youngest son. Honestly, the method was crude, but unexpectedly effective.
"My lord, rest assured—I already checked: Lu Quan dotes on his youngest son. I left a letter, so he’ll definitely come alone."
In a grove not far from the Imperial City—
Si Nan pointed to a boy of about fourteen or fifteen, tied to a tree, grinning with satisfaction.
Despite being gagged, Lu Quan’s youngest son glared at Ye Liuyun and the others with eyes burning with hatred.
To keep things from getting messy, only Ye Liuyun, Si Nan, and Shi Sheng were present.
Meeting that venomous gaze for a moment, Ye Liuyun simply looked away, unmoved.
"Well done."
He gave a word of praise.
Using a child as leverage sounded pretty low, but after personally killing his older brother, Ye Liuyun no longer cared about playing the good guy.
By any means necessary to achieve the goal.
Isn’t that just how things are?
......