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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 10: Lin Feng's Imprisonment
The next morning, as dawn broke, urgent knocking echoed from the noodle shop.
"Who is it? Can't I even sleep in on the weekend?"
Lin Feng threw on a robe and opened the door, surprised to find Mo Mo standing there.
"What are you doing here?" Lin Feng asked.
Mo Mo's face was serious as she replied, "Where is the princess?"
"She went back last night," Lin Feng responded. Noticing the anxious look on Mo Mo's face, he quickly added, "She didn't go back, did she?"
Mo Mo shook her head. "I haven't seen her since last night. Even General Huo is missing."
"How could this happen?"
Lin Feng was puzzled, thinking to himself: She wouldn't have done something reckless, would she? No way, she's too vain for that.
Mo Mo looked at him reproachfully. "What did you do with the princess last night?"
Lin Feng recounted the events of the evening. After hearing his account, Mo Mo's expression turned furious. "At that time, the princess was severely drained of Vital Energy. You just let her leave alone like that?"
"I gave it to her; she doesn't need it," Lin Feng said, feeling guilty. At that moment, he realized he should have seen her off last night.
"Just because she doesn't want it doesn't mean she doesn't need it, Lin Feng. You really disappoint me."
With that, Mo Mo turned angrily and walked away. As she stepped outside, she paused and said, "Return the princess's armor."
"Oh." Since it wasn't his to begin with, Lin Feng had never considered keeping it, so he handed it over with both hands.
Mo Mo snatched the Golden Dragon Armor from him and said angrily, "If anything happens to the princess, I will never forgive you in this lifetime."
Watching Mo Mo leave, Lin Feng felt a sense of loss. He stood there for a moment, pondering, then murmured to himself, "No, I need to go out and look for her."
Just as Lin Feng was getting dressed and preparing to leave, a group of officials clad in brocade blocked his path. From their attire and swords, they bore a resemblance to the Tang Dynasty Lingwei Office.
"Ye Rong from Dusi Mansion. By order of the Governor, I request Lin Feng to return and assist with an investigation," Ye Rong said coldly.
Lin Feng was bewildered and asked, "What investigation?"
"The eldest disciple of Yangzhou Liuyun Sect, Sima Shangshan, has been killed. There is evidence linking you to the case," Ye Rong replied.
"What? Sima Shangshan was killed?"
Lin Feng was shocked, a wave of discomfort washing over him. Despite their argument the night before, he regarded Sima as a brother. They had fought side by side on the battlefield and shared a bond deeper than life itself.
As Lin Feng watched Ye Rong leave, an unsettling feeling grew within him.
Just moments before, Tang Jiner had approached him to inquire about the situation at the border, and now Sima Shangshan had arrived just in time to witness him embracing Tang Jiner. Then Sima Shangshan was killed, and Tang Jiner went missing.
Was this all just a coincidence? How did Tang Jiner suddenly learn about the border affairs? Mo Mo certainly wouldn't have told her. In Great Zhou Capital, aside from Mo Mo, who knew the truth, no one else could possibly be aware of everything that had transpired.
"Who is behind this scheme?" Lin Feng thought, clenching his fists tightly as a murderous intent flickered in his eyes.
The Duwei Mansion was similar in nature to the Tang Dynasty Lingwei Office; it was an institution directly under the jurisdiction of the Martial Emperor. It had the authority to intervene in significant matters both within and outside the court and could act first and report later.
As a representative of the Lone Moon Sect Disciple, Lin Feng attended the Central Plains Gathering. The Duwei Mansion maintained a respectful demeanor towards all sect disciples and did not immediately throw Lin Feng into prison.
Ye Rong led Lin Feng through the winding corridors of Duwei Mansion until they finally reached the back courtyard. The expansive courtyard contained only one enclosed room.
The entire room was forged from iron-colored metal, with a door but no windows.
Ye Rong locked Lin Feng inside the Iron Room with a resounding bang and left with the others.
Inside the Iron Room, Lin Feng paced back and forth, deep in thought. He was increasingly worried about Tang Jiner. If this was all part of a conspiracy, then given Tang Jiner's status, she would be a primary target of this plot.
"At least Huo has also gone missing. That suggests Huo might be with the princess. I can't stay here; I need to find a way out."
Lin Feng touched the walls of the Iron Room, feeling their thickness. He couldn't tell what material it was made from, but it was exceptionally hard. He attempted to strike the Iron Room with his fist, but it didn’t budge an inch; only a deafening roar echoed within its confines.
"The material of the Iron Room is somewhat similar to that used in the Lock Veins designed to confine the Walker. It seems difficult to break through. Even if we manage to break in, there are likely guards outside the Iron Room. What should we do now?"
Two hours later, the door of the Iron Room opened, and a dignified woman in white gracefully walked inside. She was Cold Rain, the mistress of Dusi Mansion.
Cold Rain looked at Lin Feng and asked, "Why did you kill Sima Shangshan, the eldest disciple of Flowing Cloud Sect?"
"I didn't," Lin Feng replied, his tone somewhat subdued. If this was all a conspiracy, then he was the one who had unwittingly uncovered it. The death of Sima Shangshan was indirectly related to him, and Lin Feng felt uneasy about it.
"My people found out that last night at the hour of the dog, Sima Shangshan left his residence and went to Flying Fish Alley Lanzhou Noodle House. He had a fierce argument with you before leaving and died at the hour of the rat."
"From his corpse, it appears that the fatal blow was delivered through physical attacks—punches and kicks. Based on the first trial of the Jiu Zhou Gathering, among all the disciples who passed, you are the only one exceptionally skilled in physical combat."
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng thought to himself that Dusi Mansion truly had its eyes everywhere; they were well aware of his movements. Instead of answering directly, he countered, "Is this what you consider evidence of my guilt? Then what motive would I have?"
"To steal a woman," Cold Rain replied succinctly.
Lin Feng scoffed, "Is that such a ridiculous reason?"
"Many cases stem from absurd motives," Cold Rain said quietly.
Lin Feng did not wish to argue with her. He stated, "I did not kill him. If my guess is correct, this has been premeditated by someone for a long time. Their goal is not just to eliminate Sima Shangshan; their greater target is Princess Jian'an of the Tang Empire. My lady, please send someone to investigate quickly throughout the city. Princess Jian'an has been missing for a night; if something happens to her, it would be difficult for the Martial Emperor to explain to the Tang Emperor."
"Impudent! The majesty of His Majesty cannot be defiled by someone like you!" Cold Rain scolded coldly, her eyes filled with an intimidating chill that made Lin Feng feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
After Cold Rain finished speaking, she turned and left. Half an hour later, she returned.
Cold Rain quietly looked at Lin Feng, as if contemplating something. "As for Gaojing, there have been several battles involving strong practitioners from the Enlightenment Realm. Princess Jian'an of the Tang Empire has indeed gone missing. The last place she visited before her disappearance was Lanzhou Noodle House, and the last person she met was you."
Lin Feng nodded. "Yes, it's obvious. The one scheming against me knows me very well. He definitely comes from Yang Prefecture. It's not just a simple framing; he might be trying to ignite a war between the Great Zhou and the Great Tang."
"My lord, please send someone to search the entire city immediately for Princess Jian'an's whereabouts. If something has happened to her, it would be exactly what someone else intended," Lin Feng requested once more.
Cold Rain said nothing and silently turned to leave.
"My lord, when can I leave here?" Lin Feng shouted towards the departing Cold Rain.
Cold Rain left without answering.
"Jin'er, please don't let anything happen to you. I hope the people from Dusi Mansion can find you soon. It's all my fault; I should have sent you back earlier. How could I let you leave so heavily injured? Jin'er, I'm sorry."
Lin Feng furrowed his brows, filled with regret. He worried for Tang Jin'er’s safety and paced back and forth anxiously, growing more restless with each passing moment until he couldn't help but strike the wall of the Iron Room in deep self-reproach.
After Cold Rain left, she did not return. The door of the Iron Room opened again, and Lin Feng heard a familiar voice.
"Lin Feng," Lin Miaomiao called out.
Seeing Lin Miaomiao and Magenta together, Lin Feng asked, "What brings you here?"
"We woke up and found you missing. After some inquiries, we learned that you were imprisoned. We had to ask Elder Yue to pull some strings so we could visit you in Dusi Mansion. What exactly happened?" Lin Miaomiao asked anxiously.
Lin Feng sighed, his face filled with sorrow. "We fell into a trap. Sima Shangshan was killed, and the princess is missing."
Lin Miaomiao gasped in shock. "Sister Jin'er is missing?"
Lin Feng nodded. "Miaomiao, you need to go back and find Tu Gang Master. He knows many people and can help us locate the princess."
"Okay."
Lin Miaomiao turned to leave but stopped to ask, "How did you get caught?"
"I was the last person seen with them, and I had an argument with Sima Shangshan. Now I'm a suspect. Miaomiao, don’t worry about me; hurry back and get Tu Gang Master’s help," Lin Feng urged.
"Alright, take care of yourself. I'll find a way to get you out."
Lin Miaomiao and Magenta left, and their first task was to find Tu Yu to help them investigate Tang Jiner's whereabouts. Then Lin Miaomiao headed to Solitary Moon Mansion, where she found the two elders.
"Elders, I implore you: now that Lin Feng has been captured, please think of a way to rescue him," Lin Miaomiao pleaded.
Elder Yue looked troubled. "If he were captured by the city guards, we might have a chance to get him out. But he was taken by Dusi Mansion, under Cold Rain's direct orders. This complicates matters."
"Dusi Mansion is under the Martial Emperor's authority; whatever they do is sanctioned by him. Trying to rescue Lin Feng will not be easy."
“Cold Commander is notoriously cold-hearted and unfeeling, completely indifferent to familial ties. Once someone falls into her hands, there’s never been a case of them getting out through connections; it all depends on Lin Feng's luck now,” Elder Yue sighed.
Magenta couldn't help but say, “Are we just going to watch as the young master is imprisoned and wronged?”
“The Cold Commander can arrest anyone. In Gaojing, only the Martial Emperor has the authority to order a release; even the Queen cannot intervene. We have no way out unless our master comes personally. The Martial Emperor would surely give our master face,” Yue Zhuofeng replied.
Lin Miaomiao's expression grew increasingly serious. The name Cold Rain was indeed formidable.
After Sword Saint Lin Bai, several extraordinary cultivators emerged: from Azure Cloud Sect, Cold Rain; from Qijian Pavilion, Qi Wan'er; from Gaojing Family; and Second Demon General Xiao Mi.
These four were not from the same generation of Nine Provinces Gathering disciples, yet they all claimed the top spots at the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference.
Another commonality among these four was that they were all women, stunning beauties who could captivate a nation. (To be continued...)
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