Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Four: Turning the Verdict

I possess a sword that can cleave immortals; with a flying blade in hand, I can sever gods and spirits—a man such as I is unmatched in the world. Even should I bear the weight of the Abyss and support the Primordial Imperial City, I would still be able to vanquish all the buddhas and immortals beneath heaven.

How slick! Chen Changan could picture it all in his mind’s eye. This was exactly what he had been waiting for, but as a young man of education and virtue who had completed nine years of compulsory schooling, he restrained his wild delight, feigning composure as he said, “Thank you, Sister Peach Blossom.”

With the air of one for whom such things are as fleeting as clouds, he accepted the bamboo token with a clean detachment, tucking it into his hair. Almost instantly, his soul quivered as if struck by lightning, and two words emerged in his consciousness: Peach Enticement.

It was a secret art of Peach Blossom, obtained at random—just two words, yet the method of its application and every minute detail were seamlessly imprinted in his mind, as if innate.

At that moment, Peach Blossom added, “If you’re in a hurry, you may go out into the courtyard now and contemplate. The Fragrant Courtyard is a place blessed with abundant spiritual energy—you’ll achieve twice the result with half the effort.”

Delight flashed across Chen Changan’s brow, only to dim soon after. “I’ll try it later. I have to return quickly, or I’ll lose my head for being late.”

Peach Blossom covered her mouth and giggled. “There’s no need to worry. The Fragrant Courtyard exists within the rift of yin and yang, entirely separate from the flow of time outside.”

“No matter how long you remain here, when you leave, time will resume from the moment you entered.”

“Then can’t I just never leave? Why would I fear being executed?” Chen Changan blurted out.

Peach Blossom shook her head gently. “That’s not possible. Only your consciousness, or rather, your soul, entered this place. If you do not leave before your allotted time runs out, your soul will be forever lost, cast beyond the Six Realms.”

“But next time you come, you’ll be able to enter with your physical body. Of course, you’ll still have to leave before your time is up.”

“Uh…”

Several thick lines formed on Chen Changan’s forehead. “Farewell then! I’d better go out and study the flying sword technique on this bamboo token!”

Suppressing a trace of reluctance, he turned and left the room, stepping into the courtyard. He eagerly unfolded the Chronicle of the Fragrant Courtyard, scanning it with his mind.

Current Favorability: Peach Blossom—27%!
Loneliness Relieved: 21%!
Gift Obtained: Flying Sword Immortal-Slaying Token!
Time Remaining in the Fragrant Courtyard: 12 hours!
Secret Art Acquired: Peach Blossom—Peach Enticement!

“Good thing I didn’t get impulsive just now and try to sleep with her. With a favorability of only 21, I probably couldn’t even steal a kiss. Next time, I’ll have to compose a few more poems about peach blossoms to make her wet.”

After indulging briefly in such thoughts, Chen Changan composed himself and sat cross-legged beneath the peach tree in the courtyard. He placed the bamboo token calmly in his palms, centered his spirit, held his breath, and began to meditate.

As the energy within his body began to stir, a mysterious warmth gathered in his abdomen and did not disperse, making his whole body feel lighter. The sensation was akin to reaching a climax in life.

To avoid his soul dissipating beyond the Six Realms, he kept a watchful eye on the Chronicle of the Fragrant Courtyard, never relaxing his vigilance as he cultivated.

When only half an hour remained, Chen Changan rose to bid farewell, retracing his steps and pushing open the main gate of the Fragrant Courtyard. Without surprise, the world spun violently as an oppressive force bore down on him. After a bout of dizziness, time snapped back to the instant the execution token hit the ground.

“The hour is upon us. Execute!” The execution officer raised his hand and let the token fall with a clang.

“Wait, sir! Wait! I can find Princess Changning!”

“Sir, I can find Princess Changning!”

In the very next moment, Chen Changan’s anguished shout echoed across the execution ground, enveloping the entire scene. The two executioners exchanged bewildered glances, looking toward the execution officer.

The officer's name was Wang Wenbo, a fifth-rank official under Li Shu, the vice-minister of the Office of Criminal Punishments. He squinted up at the sweltering sun, impatience writ across his brow as he snapped, “What are you standing there for? Get on with it—behead him!”

Hearing this brainless order, Chen Changan mustered all his strength. “Sir! I truly know where Princess Changning is!”

“Shut up, you blind fool! Can you not cause a scene? Compose yourself. Babbling nonsense at a time like this will only get you flogged and your corpse desecrated by the court!”

“Everyone dies in the end—don’t let your fear of death drive you to greater trouble, understand? The Su family having a son-in-law like you is like a fish leaping into boiling oil!”

“Ah!”

Nearby, Su Qingtang—his father-in-law, whose pant legs were stained with an unsavory liquid—bit his lip with chattering teeth, whimpering as he scolded.

“Silence!”

Though blind, Chen Changan gauged Su Qingtang’s position by sound and, without hesitation, swung his shoulder sideways, knocking him out.

He then fixed his attention on the execution officer and activated the secret art, Peach Enticement, appealing once more, “This criminal really can find Princess Changning. Please, sir, believe me!”

Unseen, a faint peach blossom scent wafted toward Wang Wenbo, subtly influencing his mind. Instantly, the officer’s stubborn resolve melted; excitement lit his features as he stood. “This young man is so handsome—he must be innocent! Everyone, stop! No one is to behead him. I will report to Master Li before any decision is made.”

With that, he hurriedly donned his gauze cap and dashed off toward the Office of Criminal Punishments, leaving the others in confusion.

...

The Immaculate Hall was the office of the highest authority in the Office of Criminal Punishments. There, Vice-Minister Li Shu sat, brows tightly knit as he pored over documents, his long and narrow face shadowed with gloom.

Beside him sat a man and a woman.

The man was Wu Yuanheng, Vice-Minister of the Department of Investigation. He wore a tall black gauze cap and a dark green robe that did little to conceal his corpulent figure. His face was stern, his hands folded within his sleeves, exuding an air of unyielding silence.

The woman was Hua Mulan, Vice-Minister of the Department of Apprehension. Her short hair hung to her shoulders, a slanting fringe just brushing her brow and obscuring half her fine features. She sat upright, idly studying her palm in distraction.

All three departments fell under the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice: the Department of Investigation for solving cases, the Office of Criminal Punishments for detention and executions, and the Department of Apprehension for capturing criminals.

It was a rare occasion for the heads of all three departments to gather in the Immaculate Hall. Silence hung heavy in the air until, unable to bear it any longer, Hua Mulan spoke. “Aren’t you two going to say anything? Waiting here won’t solve anything. If we don’t find the princess in three days, we’ll all be dismissed and investigated.”

Li Shu twisted his thin brows tighter, his voice grim. “Say what? We searched for miles from the spot where the princess vanished, found nothing. What else is there to say?”

“The Celestial Masters have investigated in case of supernatural involvement, the Black Cloaks and Blue Flower Guards have all been mobilized, yet we have no leads. It’s a headless mystery!”

The two exchanged glances, then both turned toward Wu Yuanheng, who sat with eyes closed, unmoved.

At that moment, a clerk hurried in and knelt to report, “Master Li, Execution Officer Wang Wenbo requests an audience. He claims a man named Chen Changan can find the princess.”

“What? Is that true?” Li Shu sprang to his feet.

Hua Mulan’s eyes narrowed. “Chen Changan?”

Still slumped in his seat like a lump of dough, Wu Yuanheng slowly opened his heavy eyelids.

Suppressing his inexplicable excitement, Li Shu said, “Send him in, quickly!”

“Yes, sir!”

The clerk departed, and soon a sweat-soaked Wang Wenbo rushed into the hall. Before anyone could question him, he bowed and spoke urgently, “Honored sirs and madam, Chen Changan, who is being executed outside the Meridian Gate, says he can find Princess Changning.”

The three officials’ gazes met, drawn together by a shared thought. Hua Mulan frowned. “Who is Chen Changan? What crime did he commit? Wasn’t Su Qingtang the one to be executed?”

Li Shu propped his chin in thought, unable to respond until Wang Wenbo’s reminder jogged his memory. “Ah, it’s him—Su Qingtang’s son-in-law. Due to implication, he was originally destined for the palace as a eunuch.”

He added, “But because he’s blind, Chief Steward Wang Liansi rejected him, so he’s to be executed alongside Su Qingtang.”

Hua Mulan, roused from her lethargy, scoffed, “A blind son-in-law, implicated by association—of course he’s terrified of being beheaded. He’s just spouting nonsense to save himself.”

“If all of us couldn’t find the princess, how could a blind son-in-law manage? Ridiculous!”

Li Shu’s anger flared. “Wang Wenbo, use your head! Don’t report such nonsense to me again. As the execution officer, it’s already time—why isn’t the criminal dead? Are you seeking punishment yourself?”

Wang Wenbo trembled with fear, yet some strange force compelled him to speak firmly. “Master Li, Chen Changan truly can find Princess Changning—please reconsider.”

Li Shu stared in disbelief at his usually timid subordinate. Who had given him such confidence? Could it be that this blind son-in-law really had a way?

Hua Mulan snapped, “Wang Wenbo, you may not be under my department, but you are an utter fool! Guards, remove him!”

The guards moved to act, but Wu Yuanheng’s deep voice cut in. “Wait. Stay the execution. Bring the man here.”

Hua Mulan’s beautiful face stiffened. “You believe such madness?”

Wu Yuanheng’s expression remained blank. “What else can we believe at this point? Perhaps it’s madness, or perhaps...”

He left the sentence unfinished, for even he felt the odds of success were infinitesimal.

Hua Mulan looked to Li Shu, intent on objecting. “If the three departments working together can’t find a lead, what hope is there in a blind son-in-law? He’s just babbling out of terror—don’t harbor such fantasies!”

Li Shu gave a long sigh, recalling how Wang Wenbo, once so meek, now stood with such resolve. He waved a hand. “Stay the execution. Bring him in!”

Hua Mulan was left speechless.

“Yes, sir!” Wang Wenbo accepted the order and departed, vanishing as swiftly as he had arrived.

In the Immaculate Hall, Hua Mulan’s nostrils flared as she grumbled, “Why does it smell faintly of peach blossoms in here? Don’t you two smell it?”

“No,” Li Shu replied.

Wu Yuanheng, plump and immovable, shook his head.

Hua Mulan thought, Is this targeted at me?