TGCFNM -Chapter 145 Bai Hu

Outside, the rain gradually grew heavier, and the steady, regimented sound of approaching footsteps drew closer step by step.

Chu Ling tilted her head to glance at the others, then looked at Shangguan Shi and asked, “What are they afraid of?”

Shangguan Cheng muttered, “At first, I was afraid too… but you’re scarier.”

Shangguan Shi said in a low voice, “The Qingqi Army wields a lot of power. If anyone provokes them, they can take action. And now that their leader has passed away, each of them is holding back a lot of pent-up anger.”

Chu Ling turned her head away, letting out a cold snort in his heart: quite the show of force.

Even Ghost Scholar’s expression darkened slightly.

Soon, someone entered.

At the front was a woman with a white cloth wrapped around her forehead. She was neatly dressed and carried a pair of swords on her back. She glanced around as she entered, her gaze lingering briefly on Chu Ling’s face.

Immediately after, the others carried in a coffin.

The woman gave a direct order: “In the main hall, I want to pause the coffin here.”

“Yes.” The yìchéng (post station officer) hurriedly replied and waved to have the tables and chairs cleared away.

Once the main hall was empty, the heavy black wooden coffin was set down. The bearers all looked grief-stricken, their clothes still dripping wet from the rain.

The woman instructed, “Take turns keeping vigil yourselves. When the rain stops tomorrow, we’ll continue the journey.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Then the Qingqi Army entered, and the main hall gradually began to fill. The woman looked at the yìchéng and said, “Allocate some rooms, prepare hot water. Also, in the future, let them eat in their rooms—don’t let them come down to the main hall.”

“Miss Nangong, isn’t this inappropriate?” a man stepped forward. “They are all serving the court, and the journey here was tiring for them as well.”

The woman frowned. “I’m only assigning some rooms, not taking everything.”

“Then follow the principle of voluntary choice. We can’t let people think the Qingqi Army is abusing its power,” the man said.

The woman’s expression turned slightly cold. “If they don’t get proper rest, how can they travel tomorrow?”

The yìchéng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, stepped forward, and forced a smile. “Perhaps… perhaps I should ask them to see what arrangements would be convenient for both the Qingqi Army and the honorable guests.”

“Go ahead,” the man said.

The yìchéng nodded and walked over to Chu Ling and the others, explaining the room arrangements.

The Qingqi Army wanted rooms—who would dare refuse? They immediately began discussing among themselves.

In the end, the men who were familiar with each other shared one room, the two Shangguan brothers shared a room, the guards squeezed into another… and after some arrangement, they actually managed to get ten rooms in total.

Shangguan Cheng, puzzled, pointed at Chu Ling and asked, “Why don’t they assign rooms for him?”

The yìchéng forced a smile. “I… I don’t dare.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow and gave Shangguan Cheng a threatening look. After all, she was using the Bìhǔ token—how could the yìchéng assign rooms for them?

Shangguan Shi suddenly pressed down on Shangguan Cheng’s head and awkwardly laughed, “My brother… just likes to joke.”

But Shangguan Cheng’s voice had been loud, and many people turned to look. The woman from the Nangong family, along with the man who had been arguing, also stepped forward.

The woman looked at Chu Ling for a long moment, then at Wan Sanjin and Su He, and finally nodded decisively. “Chu Ling… Lord Chu.”

Chu Ling was surprised. “You recognize me?”

“I am Bai Hu,” the woman said.

Chu Ling’s eyes widened. “You’re all showing your faces now?”

Bai Hu nodded. “By imperial decree—the Qinglong has returned to Prince Ruì, the Black Tortoise is with Prince Sù, the Vermilion Bird follows Prince Qí. I’ve temporarily returned to the Nangong family, but I am not under their command.”

Chu Ling was astonished and asked, inexplicably, “Is it okay for you to tell me this?”

“Good. Every time the Qinglong mentions you, he grits his teeth in hatred. That makes me happy,” Bai Hu said seriously.

Bai Su froze. “Now that the Four Symbols Death Warriors no longer hide, that’s one thing. But why openly declare their identities? Isn’t the emperor’s decision a bit… strange?”

The Ghost Scholar was silent for a moment before saying, “The emperor probably wants the succession struggle to be out in the open—fair and impartial.”

A man nearby looked at Bai Hu curiously. “Miss Nangong, haven’t you said too much?”

“Not at all. I want Lord Chu to investigate a case,” Bai Hu said, then pointed at the black wooden coffin, enunciating each word: “Investigate the murder of Nangong Jue.”

Chu Ling tilted her head to look. A man in dark clothing was standing there, his expression calm and eyes sharp. There was a hole in his chest—he had been pierced through the heart by a sharp weapon.

Chu Ling pressed her lips together. The ghost had seen everything. Even if she didn’t want to, she had to investigate.

“First, I need to perform a post-mortem. Do you mind, Nangong Baihu?” Chu Ling asked.

Bai Hu: “…My name is Nangong Jing. ‘Baihu’ was given by the emperor.”

A man stepped forward to protest: “Lord, he is already dead. Why cut him open for a post-mortem? Won’t that disturb his spirit?”

“If catching the murderer will give my elder brother peace, then that’s what matters,” Bai Hu said coldly, glancing at the man. “Whoever can command me, whoever can oppose me—be it you or the Azure Cavalry—go ahead.”

The man fell silent, sighed, and stepped aside.

The rest of the Azure Cavalry exchanged glances, and in the end, could only nod in agreement.

Chu Ling walked over and asked quietly, “Who is he?”

“Chen Lan, my elder brother’s deputy,” Bai Hu said.

Chu Ling narrowed her eyes. “Your elder brother is dead. Does that mean the leadership of the Azure Cavalry falls to him?”

Bai Hu shook her head decisively. “No. It will only go to another son of a prominent family.”

Having asked her questions, Chu Ling looked at the crowded hall and asked, “Do you want to return to your rooms, or stay here? Once we confirm things, don’t wander about.”

Everyone looked at each other and chose to stay.

Shangguan Cheng tried to leave but was pressed down by Shangguan Shi.

Chu Ling looked at the station master and asked, “Any folding screens? Or something to block the view?”

The station master hurriedly replied, “Yes.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Station Master, use a screen to hide the coffin. Lord Wan, find a few willing Azure Cavalry soldiers to pry it open.”

“Coroner Su: perform the post-mortem.”

Immediately, everyone got busy. Soon, the station master brought in the folding screens and hid the black wooden coffin.

Wan Sanjin gathered some men to begin prying it open.

A strong stench of decay immediately wafted out. The people in the hall covered their mouths, groaning and complaining.

Chu Ling shouted to the station master, “Burn some mugwort to clear the smell.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Su He covered his mouth and nose, carrying his tools, and stepped behind the screen.

At the same time, Nangong Jue came to Chu Ling’s side. He saw the three human ghosts and a dog ghost standing with her.

“Living people actually raising ghosts?” Nangong Jue was shocked. “Is this some kind of malicious ritual?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Cui Xi said, hands on her hips, pointing at Nangong Jue. “It’s because my lord has a kind heart, and he wants to seek justice for the ghosts, that’s all.”

Nangong Jue sized up Cui Xi. “You’re just a maid, yet your tone is quite bold.”

Cui Xi snorted. “We’re all ghosts here—who’s superior to whom?”