There was no moon tonight. The sky was filled with stars, shining brightly.
The Academy.
The Outer Yard took up a large area, ten times the size of the forbidden grounds in the back of the mountain. This was because not only did this place train cultivators, but all the scholars in the world also studied here. So the Outer Yard had soldiers patrolling to protect the students.
Because Emperor Wu had abolished the two religions and the imperial examinations, scholars had lost their former status. This was the only way for scholars who had no cultivation talent but could write good essays. The Academy had a three year education system. Those who could enter the Academy, even without cultivation talent, were among the best of the students. The students who graduated from the Outer Yard would undergo the Palace Examination, and then their results would be distributed to the counties.
As the saying went, there was no first in literature and no second in martial arts. The Palace Examination did not have rankings, but high, middle, and low.
However, due to the lack of aptitude for cultivation, even if they had excellent results, they could only be appointed as a county magistrate at most. If they wanted to continue moving up, they would need to have practical abilities. Only with the recommendation of a superior would they be able to improve.
Among them, those who climbed step by step and finally returned to Yongling were rare.
But the Academy had a legend. After graduating from the Academy as a student, he returned to Yongling in just three years. In the process, his true name had awakened, and he returned to the Academy to become an instructor. His name was Chang Shan.
Chang Shan had returned to the Academy for ten years. He had taught at the Academy for ten years, but had not been promoted to an instructor of the Inner Yard. This was his greatest regret and pain. His qualifications were more than enough, but the Academy had no intention of arranging for him to be promoted.
The Buddha Wisdom Painting had become an instructor of the Inner Yard as soon as he arrived. He could be said to be the pride of the heavens. Chang Shan, this grassroots legend, had suddenly become dim and was secretly mocked by many of his colleagues.
It was common knowledge that the earlier a cultivator awakened their true name, the greater the benefits and the higher their future achievements.
Chang Shan had awakened his true name at twenty-four. He was too old, and people had not thought highly of him. The legend of the past had become the joke of the present.
The Private Yard was a group of residences for the Outer Yard instructors. It was a group of connected yards that were smaller than the independent yards of the Inner Yard.
Chang Shan's yard was not particularly good among the instructors of the Outer Yard. In terms of status, he was the first of the Outer Yard instructors, but in terms of treatment, he was much worse than some of the more experienced instructors.
After all, the academy had been established for a long time, and the oldest instructor of the outer yard was already in his seventies. Even if Chang Shan had complaints, there was nothing he could do.
Due to all the above reasons, as well as the new student who had entered the academy, Chang Shan's mood could be said to be terrible recently.
As a matter of fact, he emerged from his meditative state once again.
His agitated state of mind made it impossible for him to calm down.
Through the window, he gazed at the starry sky and began to think about his future.
In fact, if he was in the officialdom, he believed that he would have already made a name for himself. He had long since heard of how strict the selection of the instructors of the Inner Courtyard was, but he did not expect it to be to such an extent.
For the past ten years, he had been conscientious and conscientious. No matter how big or small the tasks assigned to him by his superiors were, he would always handle them in an orderly manner. He thought that he had already done his best, but the Mountain Chieftain seemed to not notice.
Perhaps, he had already forgotten about me.
Chang Shan laughed at himself. His heart was very tired from persevering until now, but when he thought of that peerlessly beautiful face, he told himself that he must persevere.
Yes, only by persevering and becoming an instructor of the inner court would he have the right to stand by her side.
Back then, she was originally his student. After she came out of the Inner Courtyard, she stayed in the academy as an instructor. Now, her status was a level higher than his.
He had never told anyone about the feelings in his heart. If they could not reach the same level, then he would seal it away and never think about it again.
"Have you heard? Lord Su Yu, Lord Su, was killed …"
At this moment, two fully-armed guards carrying lanterns walked in from the entrance of the private courtyard. They were patrolling at night as usual.
"What? That can't be. With Lord Su's cultivation, who could have killed him? "
Chang Shan frowned and was about to close the window.
"I heard that it was a foreign expert. However, when I came over for a change of guard, I heard that the killer's location had already been determined. He's in the Returning Justice Lane. It's only a matter of time before we find him. "
Hearing this, he paused and listened attentively.
"It's a pity that I'm on duty. Otherwise, I could join in the fun and pick up a cultivation technique or something. Then I wouldn't have to work so hard and be on duty here."
"You? Even if I give you a technique, what's the use if you can't cultivate it? "
"Haha, that's true. I'd better know my place and focus on patrolling."
Technique!
Chang Shan's eyes flickered. What he lacked the most right now was technique.
After thinking for a moment, he walked out of the bedroom and out of the courtyard. With a few flashes, he disappeared into the boundless night.
The two guards were about to pass through another entrance when they suddenly stopped. One of them looked back cautiously. Seeing that nothing was out of place, he shrunk his head and whispered, "Big Sister, he, he should have left …"
A black shadow suddenly jumped out from the bushes beside the road and landed behind the two guards. She laughed delicately, "Well done. You'll be rewarded when we get back. Now, quickly change your clothes. Don't let that annoying subordinate of Wang Yuanlang see you."
The two guards hid in the bushes, trembling, and hurriedly changed their clothes. The other one said with a bitter face, "Big Sister, it's so late. Why aren't you sleeping? Why are you doing this? Luckily, I have a good memory. I didn't forget what you taught me. If we were caught, we'd be in trouble. "
"What are you afraid of? I'm still here. Stop nagging and change."
"Big Sister, you have to be careful. Even if you're one of the top ten in the Academy, you'll be treated as a spy if you sneak into the private courtyard."
They changed their clothes, looked around, and quietly slipped away through the hole they had come in through.
The black shadow quickly entered Chang Shan's courtyard. It looked around but couldn't find a suitable place. Shaking its head, it pushed open the door and entered the master bedroom.
Starlight shone in through the window, and the objects in the room could barely be seen.
The black shadow took out an ancient book from its pocket. Ignoring its heartache, it placed it under Chang Shan's bed. Then, it jumped out of the window and disappeared into the boundless night.
…
Capital Governor's Office.
Looking at that bright smiling face, Yu Xingzhi felt all the blood in his body rush to his head. It turned into a towering rage that almost engulfed his reason.
He clenched his fists tightly. There had never been a moment in his life when he hated and resented someone so much.
It was this person who killed his own sister, touched the Dragon God Ring, and put him in a precarious situation.
However, he couldn't touch him. He absolutely couldn't touch him.
No matter what method he used to gain the girl's trust, he couldn't touch him.
Yu Xingzhi calmed down and said, "I wouldn't dare. I still need the Imperial Envoy's guidance."
Dong Qing glanced at him and didn't say anything.
Eunuch Hua covered his mouth and laughed. "That's right. His Majesty has always relied on Master Su Yu. I didn't expect him to die so mysteriously. I'm afraid he won't be able to rest in peace. His Majesty won't be able to eat or sleep well. Both of you must assist Master Yan and try to solve the case before daybreak. Don't let His Majesty down. I'll return to the palace to report."
After that, he walked away, twisting and turning.
Although Eunuch Hua had left, he left behind several elite guards. They were all experts in guarding the palace. The lowest rank among them was a cavalry colonel who led hundreds of troops. They were not ordinary guards.
Dong Qing said expressionlessly, "Solving the case is more important. Where does the Imperial Envoy want to start?"
The so-called Imperial Envoy was naturally Yan Li.
"Don't be anxious."
Yan Li stood up with a smile and walked out of the desk with his hands behind his back. Under the protection of a group of elite guards, he came to the hall.
He hadn't changed his clothes and still looked battered and exhausted.
But in just a few hours, his status had changed like heaven and earth.
Resisting the urge to break his neck, Dong Qing said coldly, "Eunuch Hua said to solve the case before daybreak. The Imperial Envoy doesn't have much time. If you continue wasting time like this, I'm afraid you'll be punished."
Yan Li rubbed his stomach and said with a smile, "Aiya, I've been busy all day and haven't eaten anything. I'm starving. Just in time, I'll have to trouble the two of you to buy me a bowl of beef noodles. "
Yu Xingzhi was furious. "Yan Li, don't push your luck!"
Seeing that he was about to pounce, a Thousand Guard Colonel blocked him and stared at him coldly. "An imperial order is an imperial order. Disobeying the Imperial Envoy is disobeying His Majesty. I'm afraid you can't bear the consequences."
Yu Xingzhi gritted his teeth. He knew that these people were Ji Zhiyuan's people and wouldn't give face to anyone.
He suppressed his anger and waved for someone to come over.
Yan Li said in a strange tone, "This matter is of the utmost importance. The two of you should trouble yourselves to make this trip."
"You …" Yu Xingzhi's eyes were red.
Dong Qing suddenly pressed on his shoulder and shook his head at him. He then looked at Yan Li and said, "You won't be happy for long."
Finished speaking, he turned and walked out.
Yu Xingzhi paused for a moment, then flicked his sleeves and left.
Yan Li smiled and waved his hand. "Remember to add more beef."
After the two left, Yan Shaoqun's eyes flashed. He came over and said, "This lowly official Yan Shaoqun greets Lord Yan. This lowly official didn't know Lord Yan's identity and offended you this morning. Please forgive me."
Yan Li looked him up and down and said, "I heard that you were the first to arrive at the crime scene?"
There was no hint of blame in his words.
Yan Shaoqun's heart moved and he said attentively, "Yes, this lowly official is willing to help Lord solve the case. The corpse has been transported back and the coroner should have come up with a result. Finding out the cause of death is the most important part of the investigation. Why don't we move to the morgue?"
The corner of Yan Li's mouth rose imperceptibly. He said, "Aren't you afraid that Yu Xingzhi will settle the score later?"
Yan Shaoqun said seriously, "It is my duty to be loyal to the ruler and maintain the peace of Yongling. Even if Lord Yu blames me, this lowly official will put solving the case first."
"Haha, interesting."
Yan Li smiled and walked out the door.
Yan Shaoqun was startled and hurriedly said, "Lord, the morgue is in the back yamen."
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