IDWBE -Chapter 188 Chen Ying

He was the Commander of the Southern State Secret Guards, a man whose single stomp could shake the region—a prominent figure!

Even the Southern State Provincial Administrator, Wulin, would yield some respect upon seeing him.

And yet—

You, a mere minor constable of Sanhe, at most a petty official—not even a proper officer—how dare you casually chop someone’s head off?

Where did such audacity come from?

Whether it’s the imperial court or the Secret Guards, if they pursue it later, who could protect you?

Who would dare protect you?

What shocked them the most was—was a seventh-rank officer really so worthless in Sanhe?

A blind man waves a stick, and a seventh-rank officer surrenders so easily?

Keep in mind, even Jiang Chong, Commander of the Secret Guards, was only peak eighth rank!

“Are you blind? What are you standing there for? Hurry and carry him out and bury him!”

The innkeeper, irritated, shouted at his assistants.

When the two helpers carried the corpse outside, they saw the still-dripping blood on the floor. One of them shouted, “Go to the main street, find some coffin planks, secure it tightly so the wolves don’t eat it, then place it in the backyard for now. Don’t bury it yet!”

The deceased was no ordinary person—he was the Commander of the Southern State Secret Guards!

If they buried him carelessly and the Secret Guards came looking, how could the innkeeper explain?

Better to leave it for now.

Who cares if it stinks or not?

All that mattered was hoping the heavens and the Secret Guards wouldn’t vent their wrath on him!

After all, this had nothing to do with him at all.

Truly, when immortals fight, mortals suffer.

The two helpers placed the corpse at the doorway and went off to get coffin planks.

“Carry him farther!”

The innkeeper, holding his nose, stomped and cursed.

The helpers silently moved the body to the other side of the street and went to buy planks nearby.

“Calm down, innkeeper,” The middle-aged man dressed as a merchant said, bowing slightly. “It’s my first time in Sanhe. I’m not familiar with all the customs. Are the laws here really that strict? Killing deserves death, with no leniency at all?”

“Is this corpse real?”

Another said, “Look at his head—smooth and flawless. Captain Chen’s swordsmanship has improved even further. Soon he might reach eighth rank.”

Before the innkeeper could reply, a bare-chested man interrupted, “Sanhe’s laws are no joke. The prince himself said it—disrespecting Sanhe’s laws is disrespecting him. Disrespect him, and he’ll make you cry. Killing deserves death. Theft, fighting, provoking trouble—all are punished by forced labor, no exceptions. You’ve heard of Wang Cheng, right? His son Wang Xing wasn’t exempt. Once reckless, after the prince arrived, he nearly got destroyed…See this road? All built by forced laborers. Two meals of porridge a day, working daily—it’s no life at all.”

Those nearby laughed along.

The merchant laughed too, then added, “The prince is an interesting man, though this is just hearsay.”

Seeing the crowd’s reaction, he hesitated, ultimately didn’t finish.

“I know what you mean,” A young man dressed as a scholar played with his cup and said calmly, “Even the prince has said, if you’re neither cultured nor skilled, knowing nothing, you’re useless. If every fight needs him to intervene, Sanhe’s days are numbered.”

The inn erupted in laughter again.

“Yes,” An old man said, laughing, “Our prince is so noble. If he had to personally intervene in every fight, then what use are the guards and officials? Clearly, they’re useless. Sanhe is destined to be at others’ mercy.”

“That’s right,” The merchant laughed. “Only, this constable was a bit too decisive. The Southern State Secret Guards’ Commander died here—this won’t go easily.”

The old man snorted, “So what? Ayu was fierce, yet our Sanhe men smashed him to pieces. No matter how strong the Secret Guards are, can they be stronger than Ayu? The old man may be old, but having been a common laborer, he saw it himself—Ayu’s head fell like a watermelon. Even if the Secret Guards come, their heads will fall too.”

Mentioning Ayu stirred more discussion. Many in the inn had been laborers!

The innkeeper couldn’t say a word and personally carried the glaring corpse outside.

When he returned, the blood on the stone floor had been cleaned. He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Still, a faint stench lingered. He poured several bowls of wine on the floor, had the helpers clean again, finally masking the odor.

The next morning.

Lin Yi had just gotten up and saw Chen Xinluo kneeling at the door.

Yawning, he ignored him, washed up, and while eating said, “What is it so early? Stand up—looking down at people is tiring.”

“Your Highness, I have killed someone.”

Chen Xinluo remained kneeling, his voice low.

“You constables deal with killing and offending people,” Lin Yi finished chewing, then added, “It’s not like you’re little white rabbits. Killers are killers—what’s so strange about it?”

“I have killed Jiao En, Commander of the Southern State Secret Guards,” Chen Xinluo said quietly. “Without informing Master Shan, I simply beheaded him.”

“The Commander of the Southern State Secret Guards? Quite the official,”

Lin Yi said, puzzled. “He came to Sanhe?”

“Indeed,” Chen Xinluo explained. “The day before, on Xiao Chun’s wedding at Sanshui Teahouse, Jiao En killed the bride, Chen Ying. According to Sanhe law, killing deserves death. I acted on my own and cut off his head.”

“Chen Ying?”

Lin Yi frowned. “Who is she, that the Commander himself comes to kill her?”

“Chen Ying is Jiang Chong’s adopted daughter,” Qi Peng interjected, “A traitor of the Secret Guards. Jiang Chong wanted her gone.”

Ever since the hall steps were leveled, he could push himself into the room in a wheelchair without assistance.

Lin Yi impatiently said, “Say everything at once. Don’t answer me piece by piece.”

“Yes,” Qi Peng smiled. “Chen Ying’s entire family was killed when she was young. Only she survived. Jiang Chong adopted her. Trained by famous teachers in music, chess, calligraphy, painting—mastered everything. By eighteen, she reached fifth rank and later joined the Secret Guards. Loyal to Jiang Chong, she served him faithfully. By chance, she discovered that those who killed her family were connected to Jiang Chong. Unable to seek revenge, she escaped to Sanhe.”

“By chance?”

Lin Yi smiled. “Where in the world are there so many coincidences?”

“Your Highness is wise,” Qi Peng said. “I was the one who informed Chen Ying. I didn’t expect her to come straight to Sanhe. Chen Ying, as a thousand-man officer of the Secret Guards, knows countless secrets. Letting her escape would be an immense loss. Jiang Chong would stop at nothing to kill her.”

Chen Xinluo looked at Qi Peng in surprise—so that was part of the story.

“I see,” After finishing breakfast, Lin Yi took a towel from Xiao Xizi and wiped his hands, patting his belly. “Then Jiao En chased after them… and died just like that?”

“I admit my fault!”

Chen Xinluo lowered his head further.

“What fault?” Lin Yi said. “You killed him. Could he have survived?”

Chen Xinluo worried, “Perhaps the Secret Guards and Sanhe cannot reconcile. All this is my fault. I’m willing to die to apologize.”

“You speak useless words,” Lin Yi said calmly. “I’ve never had good relations with Jiang Chong. Let him do what he wants. Besides, I’m not afraid of even Jizhao Nunnery—how could I fear his Secret Guards? Do you underestimate me this much?”

“No, Your Highness!”

Chen Xinluo kowtowed repeatedly.

“Stop!”

Lin Yi hurriedly intervened, looking at his bleeding forehead, increasingly annoyed. “You all know my temperament. Don’t annoy me. Do what needs to be done. Besides, Jiao En didn’t come alone. Find the rest. Kill who must be killed, assign forced labor to who must—let them understand, Sanhe is not a place to act arrogantly. Also, remind yourselves—don’t tarnish my authority.”

“Yes!”

Chen Xinluo finally breathed a long sigh. “Seven have been executed. Six remain. I’ll find them all and make sure none escape Sanhe.”

Lin Yi suddenly asked, curious, “Chen Ying lived in Ankang City, experienced and skilled. What charm does Xiao Chun have to win her heart?”

Qi Peng smiled. “Xiao Chun was ordinary-looking. He grew up helping at a teahouse run by Yu Sanshui. Later, when Your Highness opened a school, he attended there. No special talent, only learned some literacy in two years. Last year, Yu Sanshui opened a teahouse, and he managed it at home. But he had talent in martial arts. Chief Hong personally trained him. By nineteen, he reached sixth rank.”

Chen Xinluo said, “Compared to him, I and Commander Shen are not as talented.”

Lin Yi frowned, sensing something odd. “Chen Ying is older than Xiao Chun?”

Qi Peng smiled, “Five years older.”

Lin Yi said, “To have one’s bride killed on the wedding night—truly unlucky.”

Chen Xinluo said, “Jiao En was a sword expert, peak seventh rank. Xiao Chun alone couldn’t match him. Together, the couple managed to injure him, but Chen Ying still died.”

Lin Yi sighed, “Console him properly. Anyone would feel terrible in such a situation.”

He waved them aside.

Morning sunlight revealed all its power.

Lin Yi, having just dressed, immediately undressed.

Bare-chested, legs exposed, sitting in the shade, trying to feel the cool breeze.

Alas, futile.

Just as he reached for a peach, his hand touched nothing. Looking up, he saw a monkey on the roof, holding the peach and eating it.