Chapter 26: Marquis Yuan

In a single night, more than a dozen of Jiangting’s lowest underworld factions—brothels, gambling dens, docks—were wiped out, leaving nearly two hundred dead. Just imagining that blood-soaked scene sent a chill down Zhou Kuian’s spine. If his previous fear of Su Yi stemmed from the reputation of the Origin Demon Sect and the poison in his veins, now Zhou Kuian was even more terrified of Su Yi himself—a ruthless killer who showed no hesitation in taking lives.

So many people perished overnight that the city magistrate of Jiangting was thrown into utter chaos. Fortunately, initial investigations revealed that none of the dead were decent folk; they were all infamous scoundrels whose demise the common people openly celebrated. With no powerful backers implicated, the magistrate secretly breathed a sigh of relief and ordered his subordinates to pursue the matter, hoping to provide a swift report to his superiors.

Since many of the murders had occurred within the jurisdiction of a certain inspector distantly related to Zhou Kuian, he—donning the official’s uniform he wore in name only—was uncharacteristically summoned to the constabulary, where he endured a fierce dressing-down in front of his peers.

Yet all present knew perfectly well that a case involving so many deaths would likely become another unsolved mystery, fading into oblivion. The inspector and other implicated officials would inevitably suffer some consequences, but nothing more.

As night fell again, Zhou Kuian was like an ant on a hot pan, desperately hoping the masked man would not go on another killing spree. Otherwise, he feared, the hornet’s nest would be truly stirred—whether the masked man survived or not, Zhou Kuian would almost certainly be caught up in the fallout.

Amidst his anxiety, Zhou Kuian suddenly heard the swish of robes. Looking up, he saw Su Yi, face masked, descending from the wall.

“Greetings, Master,” Zhou Kuian hurried over and bowed.

“No need for formalities,” Su Yi waved a hand, taking a seat in the main hall. He then inquired about the aftermath of the previous night’s events.

Zhou Kuian quickly relayed all the news he’d gathered that day.

“Master, your thunderous methods in cleansing those lawless criminals have not only delighted the people, but have also pleased the authorities. The imperial court has always been wary of martial offenders, and your actions align well with official interests. Once the turmoil passes, I believe the matter will be quietly swept under the rug.”

Su Yi nodded, understanding well enough. Since ancient times in this world, martial artists who defied the law had been too numerous to count. Sect and clan interests were intertwined with every facet of society, and the court had no effective way to control it. Over time, as long as such feuds did not go too far or involve ordinary citizens, officials preferred to turn a blind eye, even wishing that martial artists would kill each other off to reduce their number.

Had the deaths not been so numerous and so public, with witnesses too many to silence, the authorities would likely have ignored it altogether.

When Su Yi made no comment after listening, Zhou Kuian ventured cautiously, “Does Master have any plans for tonight?”

“I have important business tomorrow. Most of those with clear records of evil on your list were dealt with last night; that should be enough to deter the rabble. For now, let this matter rest.”

Zhou Kuian’s heart leapt with relief. If the masked man continued to kill and clashed with the more deeply rooted factions, the city of Jiangting would be thrown into chaos.

“By the way, where are the mistress and servant I saved last night? Go and bring them here,” Su Yi recalled Lu Xiangling and Lin Yu.

“Master, I settled them this morning in the west wing of the rear courtyard. I will have the servants summon them at once.”

Soon, the mistress and maid appeared together. Seeing their masked benefactor, a trace of joy broke through the worry on their faces. After they greeted him and took their seats, Su Yi spoke.

“Miss Lu, last night you mentioned wishing to seek refuge with your aunt in Yuanyang. It is three hundred li to Yuanyang, a journey fraught with risks through lakes and forests. What are your plans?”

“To be frank, sir, my aunt is the wife of the current Marquis of Yuan. After this ordeal, I intend to write a letter and send someone to Yuanyang to inform her of what happened, and ask her to dispatch an escort to Jiangting to fetch us. Until then, I must trouble you for shelter a while longer,” Lu Xiangling said, a hint of embarrassment on her face.

“Marquis of Yuan? Did you say your uncle is the current Marquis Xiao Hongfei?” Zhou Kuian, who had been listening absent-mindedly, suddenly interjected.

“Yes, do you know my uncle?” Lu Xiangling asked in surprise.

“Heh, not personally. But your uncle was quite the notorious playboy here in Jiangting in his youth.”

Zhou Kuian then digressed, and through his account Su Yi learned that the Marquis of Yuan, Xiao Hongfei, was descended from the founding generals of the Daxing dynasty, whose family held inherited lands around half of Yuanyang. Xiao Hongfei was the third legitimate son of the previous marquis, and with no hope of inheriting, he gained a reputation for wildness while studying in Jiangting, embroiling himself in many incidents that entertained the townsfolk.

It was only a year ago, after his two elder brothers died in quick succession without heirs, that the old marquis—grief-stricken—soon passed away himself. Thus, in a dramatic turn of fate, Xiao Hongfei inherited the title, an event that had caused quite a stir in Jiangting.

Though Lu Xiangling had never met this uncle, being discussed openly like this clearly made her uncomfortable. Zhou Kuian, seasoned as he was, noticed the shift in their expressions and finally fell silent.

“My apologies for my loose tongue, Miss Lu. Please don’t take offense.”

The two women’s faces softened slightly. Meanwhile, Su Yi’s mind was at work. According to what the system had imparted about this world, the descendants of Daxing’s founding generals often held not just titles, but real military power in their regions. Could the Marquis of Yuan be one of them?

“Zhou Kuian, do you know what military post the Marquis holds?”

Why is the master asking about this? Zhou Kuian thought it odd, but answered respectfully, “Master, as I understand it, the Marquis of Yuan is the Commander of the Suiyang Navy.”

Su Yi’s expression remained calm, but his mind raced. To the south of Jiangting lay the vast Suiyang Lake—the only waterway for Chi Lingxiao’s young son and his party to return home to Guangyang. Since Lu Xiangling’s aunt was the Marchioness, it would be a waste not to use this connection to secure the Marquis’s protection for their journey!