Lu Danzhi recalled his brother’s corpse – emaciated but peaceful amidst the roaring flames. He had always assumed his brother’s gaunt appearance was due to a prolonged illness, but now, doubts arose. “My brother looked wasted away, but his expression was peaceful. It didn’t seem like the agony of having his inner power forcibly taken.”
Hua Rongjian immediately asked, “Could he have voluntarily transferred his inner power to someone?”
“This…” Lu Danzhi sighed. “He might indeed do such a thing.”
Though the Cui clan had many descendants, most inherited water-element inner power due to genetics. However, truly gifted individuals were rare. Lu Danzhi quickly identified a likely candidate, “Cui Yichen, my brother’s eldest grandson.”
Cui Huling and Cui Huya were half-brothers, over twenty years apart in age. Thus, Cui Huling’s grandson was about the same age as Cui Huya’s son.
“Even if my brother transferred his power to Yichen, why would he attack the Crane Control Army?” Lu Danzhi knew nothing of the army’s recent troubles, but Hua Rongjian’s questions made him uneasy. “Rongjian, has something happened to the Cui clan?”
“You’re not a Cui anymore,” Hua Rongjian reminded him.
Lu Danzhi took a sip of wine and sighed, “Tell me anyway, or I might head to the Cui family compound tonight.”
Hua Rongjian was silent for a moment before agreeing, “Very well.”
…
The sun shone brightly, a gentle breeze blowing.
An Jiu, wearing the human skin mask, left the garden. Her appearance was now neither striking nor ugly, making movement much easier.
She retraced her steps for about two kilometers before looking back at the hilltop. Her easy escape was likely no coincidence.
With time to spare, An Jiu wandered the city.
As she explored, An Jiu realized she had been deceived. Young women in colorful attire strolled the streets in groups, contrary to Hua Rongjian’s claim that women couldn’t freely wander outside. Reflecting on the route Hua Rongjian had taken her earlier, she realized those areas were likely high-end, and unaffordable for common people. Only servants from wealthy households frequented those places, explaining the lack of women.
The Song Dynasty had no rules forbidding women from going out. Only strict noble families rarely allowed their daughters to appear in public, mainly to distinguish them from common women.
“Bastard,” An Jiu cursed under her breath, heading towards the government office.
After half a month, she stood before its grand doors once again.
She had a clear sense that beyond this threshold lay a potential abyss, but remembering Mei Jiu’s dying words, she stepped forward.
A guard at the entrance stopped her. “This is a restricted area. No unauthorized entry.”
An Jiu produced a token from her robe.
Seeing the token, the two guards paled slightly, quickly apologizing. One said, “Please enter, Secret Envoy.”
Inside, a minor official guided her while the guards hurried to report her arrival.
As An Jiu neared the main hall, a middle-aged man in red official robes emerged from a side hall. “Forgive me for not greeting you earlier, Secret Envoy.”
An Jiu’s gaze lowered slightly, and the man immediately understood, dismissing others and personally escorting her to his study.
“A Vice Commander of the Crane Control Army gave me this token, saying that with it, you could send me to join the Crane Control Distant Army,” An Jiu placed the token before him.
The Prefect’s expression relaxed slightly, his attitude still polite but more natural than before. “I see. Please rest in the office for a moment. I’ll send word to the Crane Control Army, and they’ll send someone to escort you. Did the Secret Envoy inform you which unit you’ll be joining?”
An Jiu held the Divine Martial Army’s token, but to be certain, he confirmed once more.
Chu Dingjiang had only advised against choosing the Imperial Guard, saying nothing else. An Jiu had already decided, on “The Divine Martial Army.”
“Very well,” the Prefect called out, “Someone come here.”
“Yes, sir,” a yamen runner entered.
“Take her to rest for a while,” the Prefect instructed.