Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Great Yin-Yang Hand - Gong Longfei (First Update)
「Celestial Origin Prefecture City.」
「Government Office.」
Gong Longfei, the Brocade Guard Thousand Households stationed here, was known in Jianghu as the "Great Yin-Yang Hand." He was one of the rare, ruthlessly decisive individuals among the Brocade Guard Thousand Households. Any Jianghu criminal who fell into his hands would inevitably be tortured to death. It was because of this that Celestial Origin Prefecture City, under his command, became the most secure city in the entire Great Qian Dynasty.
Gong Longfei was dressed in Silver Feiyu Clothing, his long hair bound with a Black Gold-embroidered Silk Ribbon. His sword-like brows and starry eyes flickered with a trace of gloomy coldness. At this moment, he held a secret letter from the Capital City.
Seeing this, one of his Centurions mustered the courage to inquire, "Sir, is the Capital City asking you to return?"
Hearing this, Gong Longfei slightly lifted his head, the gloominess in his eyes making the Centurion’s heart tremble. After half a moment, Gong Longfei said ominously, "There’s trouble in Fengxiang Prefecture. Zhou Yuntong has abandoned his post, leading to Fengxiang Prefecture being infiltrated by the Blood Demon Sect. Now, the entire Fengxiang Prefecture is almost occupied by them."
Upon hearing this, the Centurion’s eyes widened in shock. Fengxiang Prefecture was right next to them. Now that it’s occupied by the Blood Demon Sect, how many people did they send? Are they planning to rebel? And Zhou Yuntong, a majestic Brocade Guard Thousand Households, how could he abandon his post without reason? Doesn’t he know this is a crime punishable by death?
"Sir, are we going to send help?" Centurion Bai Hu asked with a solemn expression. "If the Blood Demon Sect has already taken Fengxiang Prefecture, their numbers must be considerable, and even several of their Elders may have taken action. We..."
He didn’t finish his sentence. The implication was already clear: Fengxiang Prefecture had become a mess. Anyone who chose to meddle now would simply be seeking death. This was a hot potato no one could afford to touch!
"Zhou Yuntong once gave me a timely warning, and I, Gong Longfei, am a man who understands gratitude. I must assist in this matter," Gong Longfei stated grimly. "Regardless of what Zhou Yuntong has gone to do, first, clarify the situation in Fengxiang Prefecture. I need to know why the Blood Demon Sect targeted Fengxiang Prefecture and the exact number of their members inside!"
"Your subordinate obeys!" Centurion Bai Hu hurriedly clasped his fist and replied.
Just as he was about to turn and initiate the investigation, a Brocade Guard Captain rushed in from outside. "Sir, Brocade Guard Thousand Households Zhou from Fengxiang Prefecture has arrived, and he has brought all of Fengxiang Prefecture’s Brocade Guards with him."
As soon as these words were spoken, Gong Longfei’s brows rose slightly. Hmm? I just received news about Fengxiang Prefecture, and Zhou Yuntong has already brought people to Celestial Origin Mansion? What’s going on?
"Admit him!"
"Yes!" The Captain hurriedly stood up and left.
Centurion Bai Hu also chose not to stay, instead going to investigate the situation in Fengxiang Prefecture first. With the Blood Demon Sect suddenly occupying Fengxiang Prefecture, the Imperial Court was already aware, and it was better to first ascertain what had happened.
Before long, Zhou Yuntong arrived with three Centurions and many Brocade Guards.
"Thousand Households Gong, what’s the situation here?" Zhou Yuntong came rushing in. Having traveled overnight had left them somewhat weary and haggard.
Observing his exhausted appearance, Gong Longfei did not rise to greet him. Instead, he slightly narrowed his eyes, a dangerous aura emanating from his body. Those who knew him were aware that this was the aura he exuded when he contemplated killing someone. Each time this aura appeared, it meant someone was going to be unlucky. Regardless of whether they were friend or foe, trouble was likely to ensue.
Zhou Yuntong himself was surprised by Gong Longfei’s reaction. "What? You don’t plan to fight me, do you?"
"Why are you here?" Gong Longfei asked coldly.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuntong became puzzled. He took out a set of orders from the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition and explained, "I received news from the Capital City that you’ve encountered trouble here and was tasked with bringing all the Brocade Guards to assist. You mean you’re unaware of this?"
Trouble? Assistance? Gong Longfei immediately stood up, stepped forward, and took the orders to inspect them. The content of the orders matched what Zhou Yuntong had said, and the seal was unmistakably that of the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition.
But... if Zhou Yuntong was dispatched here, then what about the message I received? Besides, everything in Celestial Origin Mansion is stable; there are no troubles. After some hesitation, Gong Longfei handed the message he had received to Zhou Yuntong. "Take a look for yourself."
Zhou Yuntong glanced over it, and his face turned pale with shock! After we left, the Blood Demon Sect took over Fengxiang Prefecture? And I was even accused of abandoning my post?
"What... What’s going on? I clearly received orders to come here. This is an outright frame-up!" Zhou Yuntong looked extremely troubled.
Gong Longfei, who stood to the side, mused, "There’s no trouble on my end. That means there’s something wrong with the orders you received!"
At that moment, Zhou Yuntong shuddered. A chill rose from his tailbone and quickly spread throughout his body. The orders were tampered with?! But only the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition could use that official seal. Only the Inspector could stamp it. Could the Inspector intend to harm me? Why?
"Don’t overthink it. It’s probably not the Commanding Envoy," Gong Longfei stated coldly. "We all know his character well; if he wanted to deal with you, he wouldn’t need to resort to such tactics. I suspect there’s a mole within the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition!"
Realization dawned on Zhou Yuntong, and his expression became grave. Someone deliberately arranged for me to leave? Did the Blood Demon Sect plant a pawn inside the Brocade Guard? How could that be? Every Brocade Guard member has their identity thoroughly vetted—from Captain to General Banner, from Centurion to Thousand Households. Almost all have impeccably clean backgrounds. If the Blood Demon Sect had such capabilities, they wouldn’t be just a Jianghu power. Only the Inspector has access to the Brocade Guard’s official seal. But what if the Inspector wasn’t at the Northern Tribunal of Inquisition? A Thousand Households stationed there would also have the authority! There are three Thousand Households in the Capital City... does that mean any of them could be a suspect?
"Only someone from In the Palace could accomplish this; those Blood Demon Sect rats don’t have the means!" Gong Longfei spoke with an icy tone. "You’ve been used as a pawn—and a disposable one at that. The adversary’s scheme probably isn’t limited to Fengxiang Prefecture! We’ve all underestimated this rat’s nest, the Blood Demon Sect. They likely have backing from someone In the Palace."
Hearing this, Zhou Yuntong’s complexion became even worse. In the Palace... That would implicate the Imperial Family. If so, someone must be targeting the Seventh Prince! Damn it, this was all premeditated. The official seal must have been used when the Inspector was away. The culprits knew the Seventh Prince was in Fengxiang Prefecture; this was a deathtrap set specifically for him! They plan to use the Blood Demon Sect to kill the Seventh Prince. Not only would this remove a contender for the throne, but they could also wash their hands of it. After all, the Blood Demon Sect would take the blame. And I, Zhou Yuntong, would become one of the scapegoats!
Noticing the change in Zhou Yuntong’s expression, Gong Longfei asked in a grave voice, "Do you know something?"