Chapter 290: Twelve Hours in the Japanese District (1)

Chapter 290: The Twelve Hours of the Wakou District (I)

This is a miniature Huangliang dreamscape fashioned into an interrogation chamber.

The room’s visual light is grim, its sensory temperature biting, walls adorned with an array of torture implements, their surfaces mottled with dried blood and fresh crimson still trickling down.

The sole furniture—a plain, solid wood long table, and four chairs arranged symmetrically.

Guiwang Da does not seem to be here for the first time; he knows this place intimately.

He pulls out a chair and sits, gazing across at two faces veiled in thick, swirling black mist.

“Is the visitor truly Can Shan Cheng’s Jin Yi Wei Hundred Official, Guiwang Da?” one of the ‘black-faced men’ scribbling notes asks.

“If I were not Guiwang Da, how could I have linked here?”

Guiwang Da rolls his eyes, impatient. “Speak plainly. I’ve no time for your procedures.”

“Insolent! You stand before the Thousand Official’s internal inquiry. By Jin Yi Wei law, your Hundred Official status is suspended. Understand—your neck is already in the noose!”

The scribe ‘black-faced man’ slams the table, voice rising.

Guiwang Da lifts his gaze lazily, pupils glinting with mockery. “New recruit? First time conducting an inquiry?”

“What do you mean?”

The ‘black-faced man’ freezes, momentarily thrown.

“The number of times I’ve been here exceeds your visits to the mixed hall. These scripts might intimidate the Imperial mainland’s Hundred Officials, but spare me the theatrics. Besides, guilt is not yet proven—perhaps I’ll soon be not only innocent but honored.”

Guiwang Da smirks, eyes narrowing. “Seeing you clutch that brush, your rank is but a minor flag. To rise in the Thousand Official’s office, you’ll eventually answer to the other major city offices. Are you so rigid you fear offending us Hundred Officials? When you arrive, I’ll ensure they treat you well.”

“I—I…”

The scribe’s wrist trembles; ink drips from the brush, staining the paper with an ugly blot.

A hand reaches out, taking the brush from the young Jin Yi Wei’s grasp.

“You disconnect first. Leave the rest to me.”

“But sir, protocol demands multiple interrogators.”

“Of course, rules must be followed. How else to proceed?” Guiwang Da crosses his arms, gaze darkening.

The ‘black-faced man’ pats his shoulder, tone softening. “This brute is the Wakou District’s Hundred Official Center’s most petty, vengeful soul. Press further, and even masked by authority, he’ll deduce your identity from your accent and habits. Fear not his retaliation?”

“Enough. If Lu Chu blames me, Qian Fengting will bear it.”

Though spoken, the young Jin Yi Wei hesitates. Only when he sees Guiwang Da’s sinister smile does he rise, bowing deeply. “Then I trouble you, Qian Hundred Official.”

He bows, his form flickering, vanishing from the Huangliang dreamscape.

Now only two remain seated opposite each other.

After a silence, Guiwang Da breaks it first.

“Never thought you’d handle this inquiry personally, Qian. Our Lu Chu truly means to drown me in filth.”

The ‘black-faced man’ sweeps away the black mist, revealing a refined, gentle face.

“Enough of your sarcasm, old ghost. Though under Lu Chengjiang’s jurisdiction, whose subordinate am I? Do you not know?”

Guiwang Da straightens, eyes darting. “You’ve lost your mind? Speak such words here?”

Qian Fengting chuckles. “Fear not—this is my self-crafted inquiry dreamscape. No one else listens.”

“Still, beware. Lu Chengjiang’s no saint.”

“Be he wicked or not, he’s but a deputy. With Su Chu above, the Wakou District answers to none but him.”

Here, Guiwang Da’s face twists in distaste. “One rotten mouse spoils the broth. Why does the Thousand Official ignore Lu’s vendetta against our brothers?”

“The Thousand Official has his burdens. Others shelter under Bei Zhen Fu Shi’s vast tree—unless they hold his fatal flaw, none dare move against him.”

Guiwang Da sighs, understanding. “The Thousand Official hasn’t returned from the Imperial mainland yet?”

“No. He’s likely enduring last year’s merit review at Bei Zhen Fu Shi. Expect no swift return.”

Qian nods. “But rest assured—the master knows what’s happened. Else why would I volunteer for this?”

“This affair is no simple matter.” Guiwang Da’s tone grows grim.

“When the Hong Hu are involved, when is it ever simple?”

“That fool, Huang Shi Qiu He, is likely been purged too.”

“Expected. The old martial order—evolved minds were never their strength. Any of the Horizontal Order’s threads could strangle them.”

Qian chooses his words carefully. “This time, we can’t simply toss them into the Imperial Prison and slowly extract evidence.”

Guiwang Da frowns. “You fear backlash from Huang Shi’s headquarters?”

“Not that. These Wakou folk—what’s wrong with them? They’ve gone meek as quails, abandoning even gray trades, all sweet obedience, as if reformed.”

Guiwang Da frowns. “Then what troubles you?”

“The Imperial mainland.”

Qian’s voice hardens. “This matter has seeped into the mainland’s Huangliang dreamscapes. Fragments of light and shadow spread everywhere, causing grave harm.”

“The Wakou dreamscape was sealed—how did it leak? What use is the Qin Tian Jian?”

“Sealed? What use against Hong Hu? They’ve a thousand tricks to magnify this. Preventing the people’s dreams is more crucial than preventing a river! Now, your Can Shan Cheng office’s reputation has reached the court’s ears. The Military Command has issued a decree for a thorough investigation.”

“Any fool sees the scheming here. Are the Military Command’s seat-warmers blind?”

“Primarily, on the day of Xin Dan, the Empire just announced expanding the Wakou District’s educational reforms. At such a pivotal moment, the Military Command must offer the court an explanation.”