Chapter 1 The Imperial Capital Yamen

Inside the Imperial Capital Yamen.

Jiang Chen sat upright in the main seat, attending to the ministers below.

His cold, stern gaze sent shivers down their spines.

"Reporting, Your Majesty, several more female corpses have been discovered west of the city, their internal organs all hollowed out, the same as the dead woman in the lake!"

"Your Majesty, commoners have come to the yamen to petition, saying, saying the court is incompetent and demanding justice for their daughters!"

"The current Imperial Capital is in a state of panic, urgently needing suppression and denial of rumors!"

"..."

Listening to the reports from below, Jiang Chen's expression grew increasingly grim.

He hadn't expected that in just a few days, this foreign gu master would create so many homicides in the Imperial Capital; it was simply outrageous!

Moreover, the fact that so many disturbances had occurred without attracting the yamen's attention meant someone in the court was definitely covering for him.

Realizing this, a chilling killing intent flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes: "Disperse those troublemaking commoners, but be careful, don't hurt anyone."

"This unrest is likely incited by someone with ulterior motives. If we take harsh measures now and cause deaths, we'll fall into the trap of the person behind the scenes!"

"Be careful when you handle this, understand?"

His calm tone conveyed immense authority.

All the officials present stiffened, respectfully acknowledging his orders, not daring to disobey Jiang Chen's will.

Some higher-ranking ministers, in addition to obeying, also had some vague guesses in their minds.

Recalling His Majesty's recent imprisonment of the three princes, some rebellious thoughts arose in their minds, and the color drained from their faces instantly.

*Hiss*, the Imperial Capital, it seems, is about to change!

Just as the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense, Jing Yue, who had been dispatched by Jiang Chen to investigate the whereabouts of the foreign gu master, flashed into the hall.

Her pretty face was stern as she said, "Reporting, Your Majesty, the villain's clues have been found!"

"According to reports from scouts, a foreign merchant has rented a residence in the western suburbs of the Imperial Capital. Now the Five Cities Military Commission and the Ministry of Justice have sent people to clear the area, awaiting your instructions."

*Swish!*

Jiang Chen stood up abruptly, his handsome face filled with endless coldness: "Lead the way, I will personally capture this damned thief and make him regret coming into this world!"

With that, he strode out the door.

A crowd of ministers, imperial guards, and Ministry of Justice yamen runners surrounded him, their momentum terrifying!

It was already dusk, and there were few pedestrians on the streets. Vendors had also packed up their goods, preparing to go home.

The vacant official road was perfect for Jiang Chen and his party to travel on, and they accelerated, speeding along the unobstructed road.

...

Western suburbs of the Imperial Capital.

This place was where commoners gathered, with narrow streets and alleys, and each household piled up debris in front of their doors, making it difficult to find footing.

But in this residential area, there was one household with an unusually clean front, as if no living creature resided there, out of place with the surrounding neighbors.

Jiang Chen's face was grim as he waved his hand, signaling the crowd behind him to surround the small courtyard.

But even with such a commotion, the courtyard remained quiet, without even a word of inquiry.

The abnormal situation made everyone even more vigilant.

Jiang Chen did not have so many concerns. He kicked open the door and rushed in with the imperial guards.

He saw a refined-looking middle-aged man under the eaves of the small courtyard, calmly tidying up medicinal herbs. Hearing the commotion, he turned around calmly and said, "Esteemed officials, may I ask what brings you to my humble abode?"

The polite words, coupled with a gentle expression, made people instinctively feel good, but Jiang Chen could see the coldness and indifference deep in those gentle eyes.

The way this person looked at them was like a butcher looking at the pork on the chopping board.

There was not a trace of human emotion, as if he were a demon in human skin. Coupled with the strange tattoos he showed outside his clothes, Jiang Chen was almost certain.

He, was that foreign gu master!

But thinking that this person was good at using poison, Jiang Chen did not act rashly, deciding to stabilize the person first and then strike when he was unprepared.

He immediately softened his expression and said, "In recent days, several young girls have disappeared in the Imperial Capital, and according to eyewitnesses, it was done by someone from beyond the borders."

"As a foreign merchant, you are highly suspicious. Come with us!"

Hearing this, a glint flashed in the refined man's eyes, quickly hidden, as he cried out, "Esteemed officials, although I am from beyond the borders, I am just an ordinary merchant!"

"I came to the Imperial Capital to do business this time, and I also have a road permit issued by the government. I am just an honest and law-abiding citizen, and it is impossible for me to be involved in homicide! You must have misunderstood!"

As he spoke, he approached Jiang Chen and took out a silver ingot from his purse, his intention to bribe obvious.

Obviously, this foreign gu master disguised as a traveling merchant did not know that he had been exposed, thinking that he could get rid of suspicion with money.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen did not expose him, pretending to be greedy for money as he approached, secretly scrutinizing him.

Suddenly!

A fierce murderous aura flashed in his eyes!

Because he smelled a familiar fishy fragrance on this merchant, the smell that came from the wound after Consort Shu was poisoned!

Sure enough, this guy was an accomplice of those rebellious thieves!

A hint of ferocity flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes, and he laughed in anger, "You think you can get away with this little bit of silver?"

Hearing this, a fierce light also flashed in the eyes of the foreign gu master disguised as a traveling merchant, but he quickly hid it, and said with a smile, "Esteemed official, I only have this little silver on me. Can you, can you please be lenient?"

Jiang Chen patted him on the shoulder and said lightly, "If you don't have silver, you can use something else to offset it."

"I just happen to have taken a fancy to something of yours. As long as you are willing to give it, I will let you go!"

While speaking, Jiang Chen inconspicuously waved his hand, signaling to Jing Yue behind him to prepare to attack.

At this time, the foreign gu master's attention was attracted by Jiang Chen's words, and he said with a smile, "You jest, sir, I am a pauper. How can I have something valuable that you can fancy?"

Jiang Chen looked at him deeply, and the hand holding his shoulder exerted force: "Why not? I am very fond of your head!"

After speaking, without waiting for the foreign gu master to react, he shouted, "Go!"

Instantly, Jing Yue, hidden in the dark, appeared like a ghost, appearing between the two of them, and in the blink of an eye, she captured the foreign gu master and unloaded his limbs.

For this kind of enemy who is good at using poison, he must be killed with one blow, otherwise the consequences will be endless!

Jiang Chen followed closely with a supplementary blow: "Damn dog, do you think I don't know your identity?"

"My people have long reported the news of a foreign gu master entering the capital. Did you think you could fool me with these disguises?!"

Speaking, as if he was extremely angry, Jiang Chen raised his foot and kicked the foreign gu master in the face, coldly saying, "Also, you were the one who cooperated with the Mei family to poison Consort Shu, right?!"

The foreign gu master was kicked until his eyes were dizzy and his brain was buzzing. It took him a long time to recover, and he begged for mercy: "Your, Your Majesty, please spare my life, I know a lot of inside information..."