Martial Saint through Reading

Inspecting one by one, a hint of surprise flashed across Chu Ming’s brows.

These account books and letters are evidence of Cui Ye’s and various court officials’ corruption, including a Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and the head of the River Transport Headquarters.

Moreover, that head of River Transport Headquarters is Tang Xuan, who wants to frame Chu Ming.

Reasonably, account books and letters shouldn’t have been kept, but in fact, Cui Ye kept them meticulously.

The purpose was simple, in case anything happened, Cui Ye could use these for blackmail.

Chu Ming put away two account books and three letters, while another account book and two letters were returned.

The ones taken were evidence concerning the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and Tang Xuan, while those left were enough to convict Cui Ye of corruption.

He put them back in the box, packed the bricks securely, and then Chu Ming left the place.

Leaving some behind was to complete the First-Grade Cold Family’s dossier task.

The important evidence taken would be used when needed.

Elsewhere.

Housekeeper Cui and Yux Cheng were having a drink together, getting along very well.

After eating and drinking to their fill, Housekeeper Cui lowered his voice and said mysteriously, ”Master Yux, the lord sent me to confirm if the item is still there.”

”It’s there, of course.” Yux Cheng patted his chest, ”I check it every morning and evening, Housekeeper Cui can rest assured.”

”It’s not my reassurance that counts, the lord must be reassured. Can Master Yux let me take a look?”

”Naturally, shall we go now?”

”Alright.”

Then, the two went to the back of the large fabric warehouse on the pretense of checking fabric, lifted the bricks, and found a neatly placed metal box inside.

Housekeeper Cui meticulously stared at the metal box, confirmed it was intact, and a smile immediately filled his face.

”Housekeeper Cui, how is it?”

”Good, Master Yux truly deserves the lord’s trust.”

”...”

Elsewhere.

Zhuge Rui, having searched for a long time without success, hid in the shadows watching Yux Cheng.

Perseverance paid off, and he finally found what he was looking for.

”There must be a secret in that box!” His eyes burned with intensity, as he silently waited in the shadows.

Until Housekeeper Cui and Yux Cheng left, he couldn’t wait to slip into the warehouse and retrieve the metal box.

”It’s locked?” Zhuge Rui looked at the specially crafted metallic box and frowned silently.

After a short attempt, he put the box back from afar.

Having once been a Silver Moon Thief, his lock-picking skills were exceptional, but the metal lock before him was specially made, intricate enough that he couldn’t open it in a short time.

The commotion of the previous night had already alerted Cui Ye; he didn’t want to repeat the same mistake without determining what was inside the box.

”According to Housekeeper Cui and Yux Cheng’s conversation, this metal box should remain hidden here for now, I need to find a way to open it and confirm what’s inside...”

”...”

Outside the manor.

Chu Ming saw that Zhuge Rui had found something, and a smile appeared on his face.

The First-Grade Cold Family matter was basically over, next was...

”Heavenly Inquiry Tower, the Fire Feather of the Five-Colored Firebird.”

”...”

...

Great Qin Dynasty, North Snow County.

The cold wind howled, snow and ice stretched for miles, under the white glow, stood a massive object, North Snow City.

In a certain hall within the City Lord’s Mansion, two people sat facing each other.

One wore a large white cloak made from some unknown exotic beast, with a straight posture, sharp eyebrows reaching his temples, and deep eyes.

The other one wore a blood-colored robe, with a blood-red mask on his face, obscuring his true appearance.

Before them was warm wine, and both remained silent.

After a while.

The person in the blood robe spoke first, ”King Shuo called me here, surely not just to watch the snow in North Snow City?”

Gurgle...

The wine was warm, steam rising and bubbling.

”Hehe,” the person in the white cloak lifted a wine pot, pouring a cup of warm wine for the person in the blood robe, ”It’s been a long time since we last met, hasn’t it?”

The blood-robed person took a sip of wine and said, ”Just say what you want to say, King Shuo.”

”...Very well,” King of North Snow Chang Qin Wenshuo’s voice was deep, ”The time is ripe.”

”What does King Shuo mean?”

”The Empress Dowager’s grand birthday is approaching, I have decided to act.”

”Is King Shuo confident?”

”I am, but I need the Blood Evil Sect to make some sacrifices.”

”...” The blood-robed person remained silent.

”On the occasion of the grand birthday, I hope the Blood Evil Sect can entangle those at the Astronomical Bureau in the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.”

”Alright.” The blood-robed person nodded, ”There are already six in the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm from the Astronomical Bureau stationed across the thirteen counties, and when the time comes, I’ll let the Blood Evil Sect create some momentum.”

”Creating some momentum is not enough,” the King of North Snow shook his head, ”Troops need to be moved.”

”Alright.” The blood-robed person responded, without a trace of emotion.

”Take this as compensation, hold on to it, it will help you progress further.” The King of North Snow waved his hand, and a handful of blood-colored sand appeared in his palm.