Chapter 222: A Foul Man!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Mi Kongqun had died.
When the palace staff found his body, it was already the afternoon of the next day.
Looking at the mush that was Mi Kongqun’s body, the Minister of Imperial Household Jiang Zhong was infuriated, immediately ordering an investigation to be carried out.
This news shook the entire palace.
Mi Kongqun was no ordinary eunuch; other than being an Inner Court Attendant, he possessed the cultivation base of eighth peak pinnacle. His previous battle with the four n.o.ble young masters and ability to survive a strike of Ling Xiaozui’s sword had already captured the notice of the royals.
When such a capable figure could die without a sound and trace, it sent s.h.i.+vers down everyone’s spines. All of them were afraid for their own safety and it was this mentality that had everyone keen on the investigation, regardless of their real intentions.
Yun Yang went to President of Board of Punishments, Wu Lie’s home, for the second time.
"Congratulations, Sir Wu." Yun Yang conducted a thorough check and said, "Your son is considered completely recovered now. He will be able to enjoy the years of an ordinary person."
Wu Lie was beyond delighted, thanking Yun Yang profusely.
"However… because your son has been weak for so many years and his most fundamental functions were damaged, in addition to not being especially gifted…"
Yun Yang picked his words before continuing, "He can only develop himself in the aspects of literature and knowledge… He must not cultivate mystical Qi ever, it’ll only do further damage to his body…"
"I understand, I understand. As long as my son can live as long as an ordinary person, it’s already the best I can ask for. This old man has never thought that this day would come. How dare I have other indulgent wishes?" Wu Lie said in utter contentment.
He smiled and continued, "Besides, the saying is that those who are poor shall be scholars while those who are rich can practice martial arts. Not only talent is needed, an abundance of wealth is also required to practice martial arts. And our home… it’s as good as penniless; how can it support the growth of a mystical Qi cultivator? To see my young son become a scholar of a clear conscience is already something I would never have dreamed of. This old man is content and happy!"
"This subordinate is happily impressed by Sir Wu’s broad-mindedness," Yun Yang replied.
Wu Liu said gratefully, "I should be the one thanking Lord Supreme Wind. Lord Supreme Wind’s grace towards the Wu Family is immense. This old man… this old man has nothing to requite."
Wu Lie was moved to tears of grat.i.tude but his personality could never allow him to say things like going through hards.h.i.+ps in order to return the favor; he would never use the authority he held to make any promises!
This was his philosophy of life, his basic principle; he would never go against his original aspirations.
Yun Yang laughed and said, "Sir Wu being well means the laws of Yutang being well. You are most welcome."
Wu Lie was at a loss for words from this grat.i.tude, he could only hold onto Yun Yang’s hand and shake it endlessly.
"But I do have a request; I may need a little information from Sir Wu," Yun Yang began.
"What is it?" Wu Lie asked. "As long as it’s something I can do and doesn’t go against the nation’s law, I won’t hesitate to help."
"It’s… Shen Yus.h.i.+. How much does Sir Wu’s know of this person?" Yun Yang said.
Once Wu Lie heard his words, he frowned.
Shen Yus.h.i.+ was the deputy minister of the Board of Punishments, the first authority in the board right after Wu Lie. This person carried himself with a low profile, however, just like a shadow. He did his work diligently but he never showed himself, never taking any credit.
There were few records about this person.
In fact, the Nine Heavens Dictum’s recorded information of Shen Yus.h.i.+ held nothing eye-catching as well. If Mi Kongqun had not exposed him, it was impossible to a.s.sociate this person with being a Four Seasons Tower’s spy. Yun Yang was doubtful of the fact as well.
He could not simply kill someone just because Mi Kongqun said so… What if he mistakenly killed an innocent person?
Wu Lie hummed thoughtfully before saying, "Shen Yus.h.i.+… May I ask the reason for Lord Supreme Wind suddenly asking about this person? Is there anything wrong with him?"
"Honestly, I suspect this man to be related to the ambush we suffered in Tianxuan Cliff," Yun Yang answered.
Wu Lie was taken aback, replying, "So Lord Supreme Wind also suspects this person… My lord must have put much thought into this."
"Also?" Yun Yang questioned in a low voice, "What does Sir Wu mean?"
Wu Lie shook his head bitterly. "Shen Yus.h.i.+ is careful and keeps a low profile in what he does, never doing anything that could bring him into the limelight. Whatever he does, there is no greed for merit and promotion. Even when the achievement is his, he gives it out however he can and thus enjoys a good reputation among his colleagues."
"Even when someone among the colleagues gets promoted using him as a stepping stone, he has no complaints. Staying in the same position for several years, he’s still calm and gentle, not at all impatient about it. Occasionally, he’d be implicated by the others and get demoted; even then, he does not grumble… Rather than calling him a good old man with no temper, he’s more like a living saint."
Wu Li continued, "But this old man has been suspecting that this person carried a gigantic secret with him."
"How so?" Yun Yang asked. He vaguely knew what Wu Lie was suspicious of from his description but it would not hurt to gather further evidence.
"This old man has been in criminal law for so many years now. I know deeply that in this world, as long as one’s a man, he shall err and he shall have his mistakes. But this Deputy Minister Shen Yus.h.i.+ has been too perfect."
"He has no ambition for official t.i.tles, wealth, reputation, nor serving the people…"
"It’s like he’s almighty… He’s reluctant to show any results regardless of what he does and if he did complete something worthy of merit, he’ll push everything to others… He’s not keen on getting promoted and being wealthy…" Wu Lie continued.
"I’ve thought that perhaps he’s an altruist, only knowing how to benefit the people without asking for power nor fame but I realized that this isn’t the case from some incidents I"ve witnessed."
"So sometimes I think, why did this person become an official for so many years without chasing for fame nor benefiting the people?"
Wu Lie questioned, "Is there really an official without any aim in this world? One who is an imperial court official at that too?"
Yun Yang thought about what he said and asked, "Has Sir Wu investigated this person?"
"Yes." Wu Lie chuckled morosely and said, "Shen Yus.h.i.+ was a.s.signed to me as an a.s.sistant back then. This old man has always been cautious, so how can I now check if my a.s.sistant is clear? So I began investigating."
"But one and a half months later, all the men from the Board of Punishments whom this old man had sent had all died in an untimely fas.h.i.+on, without exception."
"It was also then that this old man’s wife was harmed."
Fury and indignation flowed through Wu Lie’s eyes.
"But Shen Yus.h.i.+ was still my a.s.sistant, respectful and courteous towards me. If there was an order, he still did his best to fulfill it… All those who died had a reason of death, whether it be coincidence or killed by someone strong or… Anyway, none of their deaths had anything to do with this Sir Shen!"
"Yet when this old man investigated meticulously himself, I confirmed that the only similarity among these people was that they were investigating Shen Yus.h.i.+."
"This old man reported it to the imperial court then, and asked the Board of War’s Grand Commandant to a.s.sist in the investigation…"
The muscles on Wu Lie’s face twitched, a deep hatred shone from his gaze as he said, "It was that night that this old man’s son was stricken with an ill fate."
"There still isn’t any evidence. But since that moment, he’s been under my nose for all these years; he was promoted when this old man was promoted and has been this old man’s a.s.sistant ever since…"
A violent sense of helplessness wracked Wu Lie. "This old man has even erred intentionally to ask for a demotion, wanting to become a local officer instead to rid myself of this person. Who would have known that he’s actually become my adviser after a few days; the procedures are formal and frank, not a single loophole exists…"
"When this old man couldn’t take it anymore, and His Majesty coincidentally needed someone, this old man went back to the Board of Punishments. But it’s been only three days before he came back with me and became my a.s.sistant once more… His Majesty is benevolent with his grace and promoted this old man to the Board of Punishments’ President but that Shen Yus.h.i.+ has followed suit to become the Board of Punishments’ Deputy…"
"There aren’t any traces of unnatural manipulation in everything. With my experience, this is absurd. If they weren’t what this old man has experienced personally but was told by a third party, I will never believe it…"
Wu Liu looked conflicted as he continued, "This old man knows well that the polite and respectful man who’s never left my side is my greatest enemy who’s harmed my wife and son – a reckless criminal who disregards the empire’s const.i.tution, but I can’t do anything to him. I can’t avoid him, I can’t seize him, I can’t investigate him nor can I kill him…"
"I can only watch him stroll back and forth before me every day…"
"Even when I feel like walloping him with the excuse of being drunk, I couldn’t possibly win… This old man is powerless…"
Wu Lie heaved a deep sigh. "I don’t know if Lord Supreme Wind can understand this old man’s feelings…"
Yun Yang could not help rubbing his hands against his face, equally speechless. Hearing what Wu Lie had to say, Yun Yang felt gooseb.u.mps raking through his body.
Shen Yus.h.i.+ was really something… He could be as vicious to this point… No one could even compare.
Harm be upon your wife and your son, then before you shall I appear every day, following you wherever you go. I love seeing your helpless look despite having so much hatred towards me…
Yun Yang decided there and then; I will kill Shen Yus.h.i.+.
Perhaps some people would lie and make use of someone else to get rid of their enemy but they could never be Wu Lie!
Since Wu Lie said that this person was problematic, it had to be true.
Yun Yang trusted Sir Wu Lie unreservedly.
It was also because of this trust that it was no longer of priority whether or not Shen Yus.h.i.+ was from the Four Seasons Tower.
"Looks like this Shen Yus.h.i.+ is really someone conniving, controversially so!" Yun Yang replied.
Wu Lie agreed, "It’s for sure that this person is questionable but I have no evidence to convict him What can I do to him? And I believe that if we sanction this man rashly, he could pull countless stacks of evidence, witnesses, and proof from all aspects to show that we’re wrong. There will also be countless influential officials to back him up!"
Yun Yang replied with a faint smile, "Sir Wu belongs to the law, it speaks well of you to speak of evidence but I… I am not someone who moves with the law."
He looked at Wu Lie and chuckled softly.
"I never had need of evidence to kill someone."