BING XIAN KNELT GRACEFULLY within the carriage.
She was no stunning beauty, but she was serene and elegant, her refined bearing more than compensating for anything her features lacked. Those who encountered her were often captivated by her presence long before noticing her face.
In truth, this was the fruit of Bing Xian's training in the Hehuan Sect's arts. She understood her strengths lay not in physical beauty, but rather in her graceful demeanor, enchanting voice, and the way her every smile or frown exuded a calculated charm. This was not the kind of beauty a person was born with, but the type honed through careful practice.
Over the past few years, she'd traveled to every corner of the land and met countless people from all walks of life, from nobles to commoners. Outside of the few top-class experts, she could sway the hearts of anyone with the skills she'd cultivated.
Cui Buqu was a glaring exception.
This was true even now. Bing Xian's movements looked ordinary, but in fact, every shift of her hand and glance of her eyes were laced with the Hehuan Sect's charm techniques. Yet Cui Buqu, despite not knowing a lick of martial arts, remained composed and clear-eyed, utterly unaffected.
Bing Xian sighed. Had Cui Buqu been born with a heart of stone?
She had a long way to go in her martial arts, but even so, she'd never felt deficient when facing peerless experts far above her. She knew precisely how wide the gap between them lay, as well as how to leverage her strengths to compensate for her shortcomings. But with Cui Buqu, who knew no martial arts, she didn't know where she stood.
If Bing Xian wished to kill Cui Buqu, she needed only one hand and one second. Cui Buqu would be dead before Feng-er and the others noticed. But there were many things in this world that couldn't be resolved through murder. Cui Buqu was like a deep pool, impossible for her to fathom.
"Cui-langjun, you look much thinner since our last meeting," Bing Xian said gently. "Government work is endless; you must take care of yourself."
Cui Buqu smiled. "Thank you for your concern. In contrast, your complexion has grown only more radiant; I trust your martial arts have improved by leaps and bounds."
Though she knew he couldn't possibly perceive the charm techniques she was using, Bing Xian felt a pang of embarrassment under Cui Buqu's sharp gaze. She dispensed with her probing and spoke candidly: "During the recent swordsmanship contest, I had the opportunity to observe the skills of various sects and gleaned some valuable insights. But I'm still far from reaching the level of Deputy Chief Feng."
Cui Buqu returned her candidness with his own. "I won't hide anything from you, Bing Xian-guniang. This case is perplexing, and we've made no headway. I'd like to ask for your assistance for a few more days."
Bing Xian considered this. "I assume these 'few more days' won't be so few."
"You're perceptive indeed. If this case remains unresolved when we return to the capital, I must invite you to accompany us."
Bing Xian's smile remained unchanged, but the warmth had faded from her eyes. Her brows pinched slightly in unhappiness. "You suspect I'm the murderer? If I was, why would I throw myself into the net?"
Cui Buqu smiled faintly back at her. "Of course I believe you, Bing Xian-guniang. But I've handled too many cases where the murderer acted contrary to expectations and turned themselves in. This case has claimed more than fifty lives, including agents from the Zuoyue and Jiejian Bureaus. Even if only out of an excess of caution, I must insist. I hope you understand."
His tone was gentle as could be, yet he left no room for negotiation. Wrapped in his heavy cloak, the Zuoyue chief appeared pale and sickly, but his attitude was imperious.
Bing Xian sighed softly. "And what if I refuse?"
Cui Buqu remained unfazed. "Then I'll simply have to compel you to stay."
"As far as I know," Bing Xian said slowly, "none of the Zuoyue Bureau's experts are with Cui-langjun at the moment. These are all Deputy Chief Feng's subordinates. Are you so sure he will help you detain me?"
Cui Buqu was silent, but his meaning was clear: You cannot leave. You're free to try.
Bing Xian gave him a small, disbelieving smile, then floated gracefully out of the carriage. Her speed was remarkable, her garments fluttering like a celestial maiden's. In an instant she was several yards away.
She wasn't the strongest martial artist, but her skills placed her among the jianghu's elite. The Zuoyue guards beside the carriage immediately moved to stop her, to no avail. Right behind them were Pei Jingzhe and Qin Miaoyu, but they were a step too late as well, soon left in Bing Xian's wake.
Bing Xian breathed a silent sigh of relief. As she'd thought, no one here was capable of seizing her. She'd wanted to avoid conflict with Cui Buqu if possible. But this case was complex; it would take more than a couple of days, and she needed to return to her sect. Thus she chose the lesser of two evils. As long as Feng Xiao didn't intervene, she could leave without issue.
A figure appeared in front of her.
He walked with his hands behind his back, his pace leisurely, as if merely out for a garden stroll. As if he'd been waiting for her.
Bing Xian was stunned—she hadn't even seen him move—but she couldn't stop now. "Deputy Chief Feng," she said with a sigh.
"Running like this only makes you look guilty, you know." Feng Xiao sighed as well. His tone was earnest. "It's cold out here, so don't waste my time. Go back."
"And when did the Jiejian Bureau become Cui Buqu's henchmen?" asked Bing Xian, her voice as gentle as ever. "To think there's someone even the arrogant Deputy Chief Feng must submit to."
Feng Xiao's tone was equally light. "Arrogant isn't exactly a compliment. Are you trying to flatter or provoke me? The deputy chief of the Jiejian Bureau might not kill without a cause, but as a demonic practitioner, I need no reason at all to take your life."
Bing Xian was silent for a moment. Suddenly she smiled. "Since both you and Cui Buqu have said your piece, I have no choice but to obey. I hope you will solve the case quickly and prove my innocence."
With that, she turned and walked back toward the carriage.
When it came to adapting to their circumstances, no one was better than demonic practitioners. Bing Xian was true to type: The moment she realized the odds weren't in her favor, she compromised. She knew she was no match for Feng Xiao—there was no need to test it.
She had failed to anticipate this shift between Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao. Last time she'd seen them, they had clashed like oil and water, yet since then, they had developed some tacit understanding. It was a stark change.
Qin Miaoyu smothered her laughter as Bing Xian docilely mounted her horse.
Feng Xiao returned a moment later. He leapt into Cui Buqu's carriage just in time to see Cui Buqu give him a thumbs-up.
"The leap you performed just now, Deputy Chief Feng—truly majestic!" he said sincerely. After all, compliments cost him nothing. "It's only a shame my neck isn't long enough for me to have seen it more clearly, or I would surely have branded your grace and poise into my heart."
Feng Xiao arched a brow. "You think you can fob me off with a single compliment?"
"Then how about I throw in a couple more?"
Feng Xiao put a hand to his forehead. "Perhaps I overexerted myself earlier; I suddenly feel faint. I should probably rest early when we return. Of course I'll tell Pei Jingzhe and the others to keep a close watch in my stead…but if Bing Xian hears of this, she may take the chance to flee in the night. I fear I won't be able to stop her."
He rose to step off the carriage, only to feel a tug at his sleeve.
Cui Buqu was glaring at him. "Please stay for a moment, Deputy Chief Feng. We need to talk."
"Standing out in the wind has made me dizzy," said Feng Xiao. "I don't trust myself to walk at the moment."
Cui Buqu ground his teeth. "Allow me to give you a massage."
"My mouth hurts from talking so much," said Feng Xiao innocently.
They locked eyes for a long moment until—grudgingly—Cui Buqu conceded. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Feng Xiao's lips.
Feng Xiao remained still, his eyes dark and clear. He resembled an innocent lamb caught in the clutches of a villain, the helpless maiden captured by the ruthless tyrant.
Laughing in anger, Cui Buqu bit down, catching Feng Xiao off guard. Feng Xiao yelped in pain and shrank back, covering his mouth. He stared pitifully at Cui Buqu.
Cui Buqu was about to tell him to drop the act; it wasn't as if anyone could see it. But at that moment the sound of Pei Jingzhe's voice carried through the walls, followed by its owner lifting the curtain and leaning in.
"It's getting late, sir. The relay station might not have any hot meals ready, so I'll go on ahead and ask—"
He froze, staring at Feng Xiao, whose disheveled clothing and swollen lips put him in mind of a frightened rabbit. Cui Buqu's expression was hard, his gaze fierce, the picture of a ruffian in the middle of forcing himself on a woman.
Feng Xiao straightened his clothing and murmured, "Go then."
At being made to witness this, Pei Jingzhe felt he'd suffered a great injustice. He'd yet to return to his senses, but his body was already following Feng Xiao's command, humming an acknowledgment and spurring his horse forward. His thoughts would likely remain a mess for a while.
Feng Xiao tutted coquettishly at Cui Buqu. "Look what you've done. Now even the kid knows."
"My apologies." Cui Buqu's face was blank. "You are simply too enchanting; I momentarily lost my mind."
Feng Xiao sighed. "Understandable. Those who are exceptional will always be coveted by others. Isn't that so?"
Cui Buqu was silent for a spell. "Yes."
A hundred twists and turns and a thousand vexations lay behind that one-word reply—a perfect reflection of the feelings of Chief Cui, bound by their circumstances and unable to speak the words that hovered on the tip of his tongue.
Feng Xiao studied him, then chuckled. "All right, I won't tease you anymore. I truly am tired. I'll rest for a while; wake me once we get there."
So saying, he really did lie down and close his eyes in feigned sleep, no longer making trouble. Cui Buqu recalled how Feng Xiao had been at death's door after his qi deviation, utterly helpless, and his brow furrowed.
Their party had searched Yandang Mountain Estate from top to bottom and looked over dozens of corpses. They had grappled with a perplexing case while braving the biting wind, and everyone was exhausted. When they finally spotted the bright lanterns at the relay station's entrance, relief washed over them.
The staff at the station had been notified of their approach, and hot water, food, and even bedding were ready. The attendants ushered everyone into the back courtyard to rest.
Cui Buqu had scarcely stepped inside before a Zuoyue guard appeared at his elbow with a letter from the capital. The bureau's seal indicated that it was urgent.
Zhangsun Bodhi knew Cui Buqu was out in the field. He was comfortable managing routine matters on his own; he'd never send an urgent message unless some truly thorny problem had arisen. If Zhangsun thought something tricky, it was sure to be enormously difficult to deal with and require his immediate attention.
He unfolded the letter, which contained only a single line: Murder case in the capital. Please hurry back if possible.
Another murder case.
What kind of murder would require a deputy chief of their bureau to personally pen an urgent letter? Zhangsun's message suggested two things.
First: This case was beyond anything the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review could handle.
Second: There was something peculiar about the case, possibly related to the Zuoyue Bureau.
Cui Buqu frowned.
Not long after, Qin Miaoyu came over with the half bowl of lotus seed soup. "Cui-xiansheng," she said. "This soup isn't poisoned."