IDWBE -Chapter 55 Killing One in Ten Steps

He didn’t believe in the existence of truly kind-hearted people. If he wanted information about Du Sanhe, someone would conveniently deliver it to him!

“Therefore, I feel the messenger poses an even greater threat to Your Highness,”

Wang Qingbang, who usually lived by the motto “Speak not of homeland or state, let your heart dwell only in pleasures”—remarkably spoke another sentence after his demotion.

“I fear that in front of such a person, secrets cannot be kept,”

Everyone dislikes having their undergarments exposed, and even the usually carefree Lin Yi felt some unease. “The messenger must be found. Lord Wang, among you esteemed elders, is there anyone skilled in such investigations?”

Without hesitation, Wang Qingbang replied, “Of course, Lord He Jixiang. Though his eyes are now weak with age, he once served as Governor of the Capital Troops. The older he gets, the sharper he is. With him involved, nothing could be better.”

At that, he couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Years ago, it had been he who petitioned the Emperor to cancel He Jixiang’s exile. He had never expected that fate would eventually turn on him, and he too would be demoted.

Old grudges run deep, and the two men had always kept their distance. Yet now, since the Prince was in need, Wang Qingbang had no choice but to recommend him.

“Forget about this elder,”

Lin Yi slapped his thigh and called out toward the outside, “Bao Kui, where are you?”

“I’m here, Your Highness!”

Bao Kui, who had been on duty outside the door, came running. “Give your orders, Prince.”

During Shen Chu’s absence, Bao Kui had temporarily served as the captain of the guards. With Shen Chu back, he could no longer hold the captain position, but was promoted to deputy captain—a significant rise.

Lin Yi said, “Go find Mr. He. You and Sun Yi coordinate with him. Bring this messenger to me. If they aren’t found within a day, I will not rest for even a single day.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Bao Kui bowed and left.

After a full day of sun, the lingering stench of stagnant, rank water finally lessened.

The tributary of the Xi River that ran through the garden of the residence had lost its usual clarity.

Though it had been cleaned several times, the water was now murky, carrying debris—clothes, branches, even animal corpses—through the courtyard walls.

The servants poked sticks and bamboo poles into the culverts beneath the walls, trying to push the debris along with the current. As long as it left the residence, they were done.

Lin Yi pinched his nose and scolded, “This won’t do. Pull the corpses out, bury them deep, sprinkle lime.”

The servants dared not disobey. Sticks couldn’t pull the bodies easily, so someone volunteered to go into the water and retrieve them.

“No, make a net. Isn’t a net enough?”

Lin Yi raised his voice, “If you get infected, I won’t heal you. At most, I’ll burn your body and return the ashes to Ankang.”

Terrified, the servants hurried to make a net out of sacks.

Lin Yi, who had initially planned to fish here, threw his rod to the ground in frustration and turned to leave.

Mingyue quickly picked up the rod and ran after him.

Shen Chu, supporting himself on crutches, saw Lin Yi storming toward him and quickly dropped to his knees, “Your Highness!”

Lin Yi snapped, “Still sore in the butt? I hear they hit you lightly and you complained? You people are masochists, aren’t you?”

Instead of being offended, Shen Chu grinned and cupped his hands, “Thank you for your favor, Your Highness! I am not afraid of death!”

“Death? You want me to raise a wife and children for you?”

Lin Yi scoffed, “Dream on.”

The surrounding guards couldn’t help but cover their mouths to laugh.

Shen Chu chuckled awkwardly, “That’s your mercy, Your Highness.”

“Mercy?”

Lin Yi shook his head, “Who doesn’t have a dozen or more family members? You kick the bucket and want me to wipe your ass? Don’t be greedy. Live for yourself first. Train your martial skills well, and no one will kill you easily. That way, you won’t cause me trouble.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The guards knelt in unison, voices clear and resolute.

Lin Yi nodded, then casually asked Shen Chu a few questions.

Shen Chu briefly recounted the recent sea expedition—bad luck, insufficient skill.

After reporting, he pledged loyalty, “I will reach eighth rank as soon as possible! I will no longer disappoint Your Highness!”

“Ambition is good. When your martial skills improve, the world is yours,”

Lin Yi shook his head in a playful manner, “Ten steps to kill a man, a thousand miles with no trace. Task done, brush off the dust, conceal your life and name.”

He casually recited from The Knight-Errant’s Song.

Ten steps to kill a man, a thousand miles with no trace!

What audacious spirit!

It stirred the hearts of all the guards.

Then, Lin Yi continued, “In my lifetime, I may never have the chance to ‘gaze at the nine heavens, wield my sword to the edge,’ but I believe in you. Work hard.”

As his figure receded, it seemed larger and larger to them.

Suddenly, Hong Ying appeared without warning.

“Grand Steward.”

The guards responded nervously.

Hong Ying’s shrill voice rang out, “Did you hear the Prince clearly? Ten steps to kill a man, a thousand miles with no trace. This is the Prince’s expectation of you. You are still a long way from this—work diligently and do not disappoint the Prince.”

The guards looked confused.

Expectation?

When had the Prince ever expected anything of them? This was clearly encouragement!

One guard nervously admitted, “My talent is limited. Even Miss Mingyue said that I may never reach fifth rank in my lifetime!”

“The Prince said, ‘Nothing in the world is difficult if one puts their heart into it,’”

Hong Ying frowned, “But you really are fools. If you take too long to mature, you’ll delay the Prince’s affairs.”

The guard brightened, “Wise words, Grand Steward! Even if I reach fifth rank, it will likely take a lifetime. Someone like you, with exceptional talent, could do it in a year, or even less!”

Hong Ying nodded without comment and turned to leave.

After the rain cleared, the road construction resumed.

Lin Yi found the progress too slow.

They still hadn’t crossed Baiyun Mountain, not yet reaching the foot of the opposite peak.

Bian Jing said, “Prince, mountain paths don’t need cement, but they are rugged and sheer. Carving them manually requires great effort.”

Lin Yi watched as craftsmen hammered at the cliff base with iron chisels, waiting a long while for a single rock to fall.

At this rate, it would take until next year to finish.

“Try stacking firewood at the cliff base, heat the rocks, then pour water when ready!”

Lin Yi recalled reading this in some web novel—thermal expansion and contraction?

“Let’s just try.”

“Heat the rocks, Your Highness?”

Bian Jing thought he misheard.

Lin Yi asked, “Is limestone considered rock?”

Bian Jing nodded, “Of course. But the rocks of Baiyun Mountain are not limestone; they are—”

“Try if they break,” Lin Yi interrupted.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Bian Jing rallied the craftsmen to gather branches and debris, stacking them under the cliff.

Soon a roaring fire ignited.

They fetched water from a nearby mountain stream using wooden buckets.

Lin Yi pointed at a strong guard, “You, pour water on the rocks—but not directly into the fire. Pour on the stones to the right of the fire. Keep your distance, or the rocks could fall and bury you alive.”

The guard carried the bucket, approached carefully, and felt the intense heat from afar.

Taking a deep breath, he poured the water on the cliff stones and quickly retreated.

Others approached curiously.

“There’s a crack! The stone is splitting!”

Someone shouted.

The crowd erupted in disbelief.

Bian Jing, peering through his old eyes, joyfully said, “Your Highness, the rock actually split! Brilliant!”

“Brilliant, Your Highness!”

Over a hundred craftsmen knelt together, their voices echoing through the valley, resounding for a long while.