Volume One, Chapter Five: The Secret Chamber

Qin Zheng’s shout instantly ignited the entire scene.

A multitude of Embroidered Uniform Guards turned their gaze toward him, while in the distance, experts soared through the air, closing in rapidly.

Ignoring their reaction, Qin Zheng kept his eyes locked on the lawn outside the balcony, urgently calling out to Xie Qingluan beside him: "Quick, help me undo these shackles!"

Sensing the urgency in his tone, Xie Qingluan didn't hesitate. She gave her small alchemy furnace a sharp shake. A wisp of pale blue flame emerged from the furnace and darted into the shackles on Qin Zheng’s limbs, melting the internal mechanisms with a series of sharp clicks.

Qin Zheng’s heart skipped a beat. *Sister, if you didn't have the key, you could have just called someone! Playing with fire like that—are you doing this on purpose? I just solved a case and earned some merit; if I get burned to death by your carelessness, wouldn't there be frost in June?*

He had no time to dwell on it. With a shake of his shoulders, the chains clattered to the ground. Feeling his body freed, he immediately picked up one of the chains and began drawing on the balcony floor of the Music Conservatory, using the lawn outside as his reference.

Xie Qingluan blinked her almond-shaped eyes at him, puzzled. "Where is the secret chamber?"

Yang Fengqing utilized a movement technique that seemed to shrink the distance of the earth, arriving at Qin Zheng's side in a few strides. Cui Guangyuan, with a solemn expression, mumbled something under his breath as an awe-inspiring aura surged around him. With several flashes of movement, he too arrived, his speed in no way inferior to Yang Fengqing's.

Cui Guangyuan was the first to speak, his voice booming: "Where is the secret chamber? What time is it, and you’re still drawing pictures? You aren't the Emperor!"

They looked down at the ground. Qin Zheng had drawn a large square, and inside it, a smaller square. It resembled the Chinese character for "return" (回), but the inner square was positioned close to the top-left corner, making the overall shape highly asymmetrical.

"The secret chamber is at the position of this small square; the large square is the entire lawn!"

Qin Zheng was slightly surprised by Cui Guangyuan's ability, but he let out a long sigh of relief. Suppressing his joy, he panted, "The sun is setting soon. Quickly, organize people to seal off the chamber's perimeter and deploy defenses. Be careful when you move in—let's not have any more accidents!"

*Damn it, I finally don't have to be beheaded or go on the run!*

Cui Guangyuan and Yang Fengqing exchanged a glance, both looking pleased. They immediately ordered the nearby Embroidered Uniform Guards and the Dali Temple officials to follow the diagram and secure the area.

The Music Conservatory turned into a scene of chaotic activity. Over a hundred figures rushed toward the lawn, quickly forming a human wall around the perimeter of the small square within the "return" shape.

Yang Fengqing leaped, his feet treading on waves of air, covering nearly twenty zhang to reach the suspicious patch of grass.

Qin Zheng stared, wide-eyed. He wanted to follow, but his lack of cultivation made that impossible.

Just then, Cui Guangyuan placed a hand on Qin Zheng’s shoulder, his expression grave, and whispered firmly: "Unbridled and lawless, beyond all control!"

Suddenly, the aura around Cui Guangyuan changed; it became imposing and solemn. With a single step, he covered twenty zhang, carrying Qin Zheng directly to the edge of the suspicious lawn.

Qin Zheng felt dizzy yet awestruck. *Whoa, this is what real power looks like! One sentence of "beyond all control" and he just took me flying! Compared to his "bullshit" technique, my little lies about the case are as pure as a rabbit's.*

*Once I survive this death trap, I’m going to swear off gambling and drugs and focus on cultivation.*

*First, a small goal: pin Xie Qingluan back down to my lap. Otherwise, with the power of that little flame of hers, if she really pushes me, I’ll have to kneel on her lap and sing "Conquer".*

"Legalist technique, 'Words Become Law'!"

Yang Fengqing stood in front, his face expressionless as he said to Qin Zheng: "Do not envy him. He is an outcast of the Legalist school who also studies Confucianism. He tries to synthesize them, resulting in unpredictable outcomes. But this path is too difficult; no one in history has ever mastered it. Who knows when he might follow his predecessors and fall into madness!"

Qin Zheng was stunned. *Legalism? This is clearly magic!*

Just then, an Embroidered Uniform Guard hurried over and bowed to Yang Fengqing. "My Lord, there are flat stone slabs underground. There is definitely something here!"

Yang Fengqing’s expression shifted. "Dig!"

On the lawn, soil and grass flew into the air under the glow of the setting sun.

Qin Zheng watched the hundred-plus figures working along the borders of the square. With Dali Temple officials preparing torches and standing by in formation, he couldn't help but muse: *Since this is the killer's hideout, there must be a secret tunnel for them to enter and exit. If we find that, we can enter easily—no, wait. We aren't grave robbers; why be so cautious?*

Yang Fengqing turned back toward the sunset, his lips twitching slightly before he smiled. "How did you discover there was a secret chamber here?"

Qin Zheng was about to explain, but he suddenly remembered the nature of these imperial hounds—they didn't care if there was a secret chamber. If there was, all was well; if not, then it was Qin Zheng who had deceived an imperial official and delayed the investigation. As long as he was involved, if the case wasn't solved by tonight, the blame would fall on him.

*Damn it, I treat you like a brother, and you treat me like a cousin, and you still want an explanation?*

Qin Zheng immediately shut his mouth and faced the sunset, adopting a profound and melancholic expression.

Xie Qingluan, having flown over, poked him in the waist. "Tell me! When the Dali Temple requests a reward for you and submits the report to the court, they'll need these details..."

Qin Zheng thought of the small flame in her furnace and glanced at the brooding Cui Guangyuan. He replied nonchalantly, "Just some common sense and experience. I happened to get lucky."

He tapped the soft grass under his feet and carefully chose his words: "All of you lords inspect scenes using your spiritual senses. While your methods are unfathomable, you often overlook basic sensory observations and common sense."

Cui Guangyuan’s face darkened. "What do you mean? Stop being cryptic!"

"When I concluded there was a secret chamber outside the Music Conservatory, I asked myself: what kind of place could house such a space?" Qin Zheng said calmly. "I observed this lawn and found a flaw! The grass here has a yellowish tint; it lacks the vibrant green of the surrounding area."

Xie Qingluan tilted her head, confused. "Green? What does green represent? You've got plenty of 'green' on your own head!"

*Green your grandfather! You were only nine when I spanked you; why are you still holding a grudge?*

Qin Zheng plucked a blade of grass and explained: "Generally, factors like sunlight, groundwater, and soil fertility cause variations in grass growth and color. But the Dali Temple handles criminal cases; you should understand that if one patch of grass is sparse while the surrounding area is lush, it proves..."

Cui Guangyuan’s eyes widened. He scanned the area and blurted out, "It proves there's a corpse underneath!"

*It proves you aren't fit to be the Minister of the Dali Temple and should step aside for me...*

Qin Zheng sighed. "It proves the underground water flow is disrupted! And since this sparse patch is perfectly square, it proves there is a square space underground blocking that water flow!"

Cui Guangyuan was dumbstruck. Then, he clapped his hands together, invigorated. "It's a secret chamber! I understand now! There must be a square secret chamber beneath our feet!"

Yang Fengqing’s breathing grew heavy with excitement. He looked at Qin Zheng with sharp, hawk-like eyes, as if examining a treasure, his expression one of sudden realization.

*Listening to his words and watching his actions—although this brat is hateful, he has a keen eye for detail and the ability to grasp the big picture. Even I cannot help but admire his talent.*

Xie Qingluan stared at Qin Zheng, dazed. Was this really the same ignorant, arrogant rogue she knew? The impact of these past few hours was even more shocking to her than the time eight years ago when she was in the imperial academy and he had pinned her down to spank her.

Qin Zheng walked with a swagger, enjoying the shock of the crowd, and said with feigned depth: "The priority now is to determine the state of the chamber! Whether the killer is human or a demon, they are no ordinary foe, and there are so many missing people!"

He hesitated slightly, his tone becoming grave: "I suspect the killer hides in the chamber and only acts at night. Their elusive nature is likely tied to light. The sun is setting; everyone must be cautious!"

Cui Guangyuan nodded, patted Qin Zheng’s shoulder, and managed a stiff smile: "Thoughtful and insightful. Good! If you study both Confucianism and Legalism with me, you will surely forge an extraordinary path!"

Qin Zheng suddenly remembered Yang Fengqing saying Cui Guangyuan might fall into madness at any moment. Since Cui Guangyuan hadn't denied it, Qin Zheng just gave a dry laugh and didn't dare to respond.

Yang Fengqing also patted his shoulder, his demeanor gentle: "The Legalist school has lost its heritage. There is no future there. In my Embroidered Uniform Guards, the martial path is well-preserved, far superior to the hundred schools of thought."

He coaxed him further: "After this case, come join the Embroidered Uniform Guards! We are the Emperor's eyes and ears; we need talents like you. If you come, I will not only ensure your safety but also provide you with unimaginable cultivation resources!"

*Go to hell, you shameless imperial hound! You just tried to use me as a scapegoat! I am a dignified Attendant Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, about to atone for my crimes. Why would I be a lackey for you? Besides, I have my own family cultivation techniques; why would I need your resources?*

Qin Zheng muttered to himself, but his face lit up with joy: "Thank you for your favor, My Lord! If I can atone for my crimes, I will definitely apply for a transfer to the Embroidered Uniform Guards!"

Just then, a low, slow sound of a copper whistle pierced the air, like the weak chirping of cicadas at the end of summer.

Yang Fengqing’s expression brightened. "Found it!"

Qin Zheng hurried over and looked down. About a zhang below, a stone slab the size of a single bed had been unearthed. Its surface was polished smooth, clearly man-made.

A dozen guards cleared the soil and, with a shout, heaved the foot-thick stone slab out of the ground.

Beneath it lay a dark, pitch-black hole. Deep and cavernous, it seemed to swallow the last rays of the setting sun.

Qin Zheng stared into the abyss, his heart trembling. It felt as if some icy, malevolent spirit were hidden within, harboring a soul-shattering power that stirred an uncontrollable sense of fear and anger within him.

The feeling was familiar—like being home alone as a child after watching a horror movie during a power outage. He felt as if danger was everywhere, yet he had nowhere to hide.

The officials threw torches into the hole. Qin Zheng caught a glimpse of a corridor about two zhang wide and two zhang high. The walls shimmered with a cold, dark luster, matching the stone slab.

*The torches aren't flickering or changing color; the air is fine,* Qin Zheng mused. *Once we remove the rest of the slabs and let the chamber air out, we can set an ambush and catch the killer in the trap!*

But before he could finish the thought, over a dozen guards, hands on their hilts, jumped in without hesitation!

*Oh, for heaven's sake! Don't be so reckless!*

Qin Zheng turned to Yang Fengqing, repeating his warning: "My Lord, the killer is no ordinary foe, they may be hiding inside..."

"Petty villains in the dark are nothing to fear!" Yang Fengqing’s eyes were sharp, his expression cold. He waved his hand at the other guards. "Enter!"

Immediately, a large number of Embroidered Uniform Guards surged forward, throwing themselves into the dark, cavernous hole.