Chapter Twelve: Rain of Swords

Upon hearing the cold rebuttal, Zhu Yu smiled and began to recite the effects of the Black Jade Broken Bone Salve: "Black Jade Broken Bone Salve! The secret medicine of the Vajra Sect of the Western Regions, its properties are truly miraculous. If an ordinary person's limbs or joints suffer severe injuries leading to disability, applying this ointment allows the wounds to heal, gradually restoring normal function. If the injury has lasted a long time and the bones have already healed improperly, one must first break the bones again; after applying the salve, the bones will recover, enabling normal movement once more."

As soon as he finished speaking, the other five present, aside from Zhu Yu, all showed expressions of joy; Zhuge Zhengwo even directly bowed and asked, "Such a wondrous secret medicine exists in this world! May I ask, Your Majesty, where did you hear of this? Is the information accurate? And, as you said, you do not possess the medicine at present—where might it be found?"

"You need not concern yourself with the source, but rest assured of its accuracy. As for its current location, I only have a vague idea. Such a miraculous item must be brought into the palace, and when the time comes to retrieve it, you'll likely be involved," Zhu Yu replied with a smile.

The five, save for Ruthless who sat in a wheelchair, all knelt on one knee and spoke in unison, "We are willing to brave fire and water for Your Majesty, to sacrifice all without hesitation!"

Listening to their respectful words, Zhu Yu felt a bit lightheaded, yet did not forget the purpose for which he had summoned Zhuge Zhengwo.

"There is indeed a matter I wish you to handle—it shall be the first case you lead under the Six Gates."

"Your commands, Your Majesty," Zhuge Zhengwo said, bowing respectfully.

"The massacre of Prime Minister Zhang Hairui's household—Zhuge Zhengwo, are you familiar with it?" Zhu Yu asked.

"I have heard of it, Your Majesty. It is said to be the work of the assassin organization Black Stone. Their influence is vast, rumored to affect official appointments across the realm; their true power is unfathomable," Zhuge Zhengwo replied, frowning.

"Indeed, your information is correct. It was Black Stone," Zhu Yu confirmed.

"I understand. May I ask, Your Majesty, do you intend to move against the Black Stone organization? I fear the Six Gates alone may not suffice."

As Zhuge Zhengwo spoke, Zhu Yu was about to reply, but something came to mind. He turned to the other four—Cold Blood, Ruthless, and the rest—and said, "You four, guard inside and outside the hall, ensure no one approaches, no one eavesdrops."

Cold Blood, Ruthless, and the others exchanged glances, bowed in acceptance, and dispersed to secure the Imperial Study.

Seeing this, Zhuge Zhengwo was puzzled and asked, "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this? Chancellor Cai has already been executed; surely the palace is now quite safe."

Zhu Yu smiled and shook his head, not answering Zhuge Zhengwo, but saying, "I do not want you to eliminate Black Stone. I want you to find their leader. And I want Rama's remains."

"The leader of Black Stone is called the Wheel King. He is extremely mysterious, his martial arts unfathomable. Apart from his name, nothing about him is known. It is rumored that one of Black Stone's three top assassins, Drizzle, found Rama's remains at Zhang Hairui's house, then defected, and has since vanished," Zhuge Zhengwo recalled and reported.

"I suppose you didn’t hear that from idle gossip on the streets," Zhu Yu teased, then continued, "Drizzle must also be found—I have use for him. There’s a doctor in the capital, nicknamed Ghost Hand, skilled in cosmetic surgery; Drizzle will surely seek him out. You may investigate there.

As for Rama’s remains, Drizzle buried them in a temple somewhere in the capital. Which temple, you must send men to discover.

The most crucial target is the Wheel King—he is a eunuch! He is here in the palace! I want you to find him as quickly as possible!"

These words utterly shattered Zhuge Zhengwo's perception of Zhu Yu. Was this the emperor previously imprisoned by Chancellor Cai? Where did he get such information?

Noticing Zhu Yu's gaze upon him, Zhuge Zhengwo’s mind raced. He spoke, "Your Majesty, if this information is true, and the Wheel King is a eunuch within the palace, perhaps this matter is best handled by the Eastern or Western Bureaus."

"No! You must not speak of this to anyone!"

At Zhuge Zhengwo’s suggestion, Zhu Yu immediately interrupted, uncharacteristically agitated.

Seeing Zhuge Zhengwo’s confusion, Zhu Yu decided to reveal everything.

"Do you know why I have trusted Cao Zhengchun, Yu Huatian, and Liu Xi so much since ascending the throne?"

"Because their martial arts are exceptional," Zhuge Zhengwo ventured, though he wasn't certain.

"No, because they are eunuchs! Because they can never claim the throne themselves! Their only reliance is the emperor!

Though they wield great power and could support puppet emperors, they can never be truly united. So long as I am on the throne, I alone decide their fate, regardless of their martial prowess!" Zhu Yu spoke passionately.

"Your Majesty is truly wise," Zhuge Zhengwo thought, his opinion of Zhu Yu changed yet again, and he felt that the empire's prosperity was now within reach.

Zhu Yu ignored Zhuge Zhengwo’s flattery, instead fixing his gaze on him and speaking deliberately:

"It is rumored that one can comprehend Rama’s Divine Art from his remains, and that this art allows limbs to regenerate! Do you realize what this means? If word of this spreads, I will have no one I can trust in the palace—no safe haven anywhere in the world!"

Zhuge Zhengwo was stunned, the phrase 'limb regeneration' echoing in his mind. He knew well what those words meant: if news of this leaked, the country would be plunged into chaos.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to uncover the Wheel King's identity. Not a single word of this shall escape. If it does, I will present my head in apology!" Zhuge Zhengwo prostrated himself, swearing an oath.

"I hope your investigation proceeds smoothly. Go now."

Watching Zhuge Zhengwo’s head pressed to the ground, Zhu Yu felt much more at ease.

After Zhuge Zhengwo and the four others withdrew, Zhu Yu felt a touch of boredom, so he summoned Grand Eunuch Wu to enjoy the blossoms in the Imperial Garden. Yet something nagged at him, as though he’d forgotten something.

He glanced back by chance and saw Grand Eunuch Wu trailing at a distance, hesitant to disturb his leisure. Suddenly, Zhu Yu recalled what he’d forgotten.

Yu Huatian!

He had completely forgotten about him, and now, glancing at the sky, it was already nearly nightfall.

Zhu Yu quickly beckoned Grand Eunuch Wu to summon Yu Huatian.

A long while passed, and Zhu Yu grew impatient before finally seeing Yu Huatian staggering toward him.

Zhu Yu frowned, and when Yu Huatian approached, he asked, "Who are you putting on this act for? Your martial arts are among the finest. You’ve knelt for barely two days—is this an attempt to win my sympathy?"