Ming Empire Imperial Capital – Shentong
The Ming Empire's capital is massive, ten times larger than Ren County's capital city. It consists of eight cities, each the size of Ren County's capital, built in a circular formation surrounding the royal palace complex. In the westernmost city, a large mansion stands.
Within the mansion's training field, Kanoru is sparring against Asuna, Gu Mingzhu, and Mika. Mika advanced to a middle-ranked samurai during their ten-day journey to the capital, thanks to the horses they rode, which possessed traces of demon blood, allowing them to run without rest for around 20 hours. They arrived in the capital yesterday evening. Today, as the sun set, the three asked him to train them. Now, he is defending while they attack.
Asuna and Mika strike with their swords, but their sword skills are inferior to his, making it easy for him to predict their attacks by observing their body movements, as they all practice the same five-sword style. Gu Mingzhu stays at a distance, casting the Avatar spell – 'Rose Lady'. In her place stands a green woman formed of vines, adorned with roses as her clothing. The woman is only slightly taller than Gu Mingzhu, as she is still a middle-ranked warlock, having drawn only a single middle-ranked spell in her mind. Only after drawing two more middle-ranked spells and connecting them will the Avatar spell display its full power in her realm.
They fight for another half hour before stopping. Gu Mingzhu cancels her spell, making the Rose Lady vanish, revealing her figure. She asks, "How were you able to dodge when I attacked from behind?"
Asuna, sheathing her sword and taking a towel from a maid to wipe her sweat, says, "You forgot he can sense movement in the wind."
Gu Mingzhu frowns. "But the arrow was from my 'Silent Arrow' spell. It hides the wind movement around the arrow."
Kanoru replies, "It still leaves vibrations in the air as it travels. I can sense the disturbance and determine where the attack is coming from—for now."
He was able to detect the obscured vibration thanks to Bai Yue's mother's advice, which led him to focus on comprehending 'nature-sound' first. As they talk, they walk back into the mansion.
---
Late at night, inside Asuna's mother's room, Kanoru sits in a chair while Asuna sits beside her mother, her face filled with worry.
Kanoru says, "No need to worry. Even if the '100 Herb Pill' isn't found, your brothers have already sent men to retrieve the gallbladder of a golden snake."
Asuna, her voice trembling, says, "But who could harm my mother? She was preparing to advance to the Spirit Realm. Our world needs Spirit Realm cultivators to fight the invaders, yet someone targeted my mother. Are they connected with the invaders?"
Kanoru doubts it. If the attackers were connected with the Greyrose Circus, they would have either captured or killed her mother. Instead, they used a poison that merely put her into a deep sleep without endangering her life.
He says, "They're not connected. If they were, your mother's poisoning wouldn't have been so quiet. They simply want to delay her breakthrough to the Spirit Realm."
Asuna's eyes narrow. "But they killed Bai Yue's father. He was also on the verge of advancing."
Kanoru shakes his head. "I don't think it was the same group. They were too well-informed. They knew when your mother was arriving in the capital from Shuiyun County. If they were linked to the Greyrose Circus, they would have known Bai Yue's mother was Shui Xueling. Killing her husband would have exposed them, drawing attention and stirring a hornet's nest."
He recalled that not many people in Ren County or beyond knew Bai Yue's mother was Shui Xueling. The assassination of her husband, however, had pointed toward Seventh Prince Wen Min, who was one of the three parties investigating the 'Nine Nether Palace's' main branch in Ren County. The other two were the 'Six Gates' and an unknown third party.
They remain in the room for a few more minutes before leaving. Outside, they see a servant walking through the corridor.
Asuna calls out, "Are my brothers back?"
The servant replies, "Yes, they're in the dining room, having dinner."
Asuna signals the servant to leave, then glances at Kanoru. "Let's check on them. They left at dawn and came back so late."
Kanoru nods and follows her.
---
Kanoru walks behind Asuna as they enter the dining room, where her two brothers are eating.
Asuna asks, "Brothers, why are you so late? Did something happen?"
The second brother, Yun Ming, starts, "Sister, you don't—"
But Yun Feng interrupts, "Nothing happened, sister."
Asuna frowns. "Brother..."
Yun Feng smiles faintly. "Sister, no need to worry. You should roam and enjoy the capital's splendor. We don't know how long you'll be here."
Asuna protests, "How can I enjoy myself knowing my brothers are in trouble?"
Kanoru interjects, "Brother, we're family. If we can help ease your burden, tell us."
Yun Ming looks at Yun Feng, then says, "Brother, we can't solve this problem on our own. They might be able to help."
Yun Feng shakes his head. "They know nothing about the capital. How can they help us?"
Yun Ming insists, "We know the capital well, yet we still can't find the culprits. Their fresh perspective might offer a clue."
Yun Feng sighs and signals Yun Ming to explain.
Yun Ming starts detailing the case. It began four months ago, with people disappearing every other week. Occasionally, the corpse of one of the missing would be found—drained of blood. At first, it drew little attention, as disappearances and murders were not uncommon in the massive capital. However, when the number of bloodless corpses began to rise, even low-ranked warlocks were found among the victims. The growing scale of the case eventually reached the royal palace, and the brothers were summoned to investigate.
After he finishes, Yun Ming asks, "Can you help us find any clues about the culprits?"
Kanoru says, "Can I accompany you when a fresh corpse is found?"
Yun Feng eyes him warily. "Why?"
Kanoru replies, "To see if I can find any clues."
Yun Ming, clenching his fists, curses, "Damn the Xie family. They've made this mess even worse."
Asuna asks, "What did they do?"
Yun Ming scowls. "They accused us before the Emperor, saying the case spread because of us."
He explains that there are four division leaders in the 'Black Ice Guard'. Their family traditionally holds one of the positions, but the Xie family is scheming to oust them. The Xie family controls one division leader, is related to another, and is allied with the third, leaving only Yun Feng's position preventing them from taking over the entire 'Black Ice Guard'.
Yun Ming continues, "When brother left the capital, and I followed him shortly after, the Xie family's division leader also left two weeks ago, using the excuse of investigating another case. The very next day, the Xie family raised the matter in court, accusing us of abandoning our posts and failing to solve Mother's case. They claimed we should have returned the moment we learned no division leader was in the capital. Now, the Emperor has given us only one month to solve the case or resign from our positions."
Asuna's face darkens. "If we lose the division leader position, our influence in the capital will crumble."
Kanoru nods, thinking to himself—he has to help them.