Later that day, Yang Jian sent his physician apprentice with a message to his second brother. He noticed she was waiting behind a small bush in the garden of his 4th Western Palace. She walked towards him, pretended to fall, then slipped a message in his pocket before thanking him for helping her and leaving. Yang Lei noticed it immediately and quickly went to his private chamber before locking the door and opening the rolled message. The world went silent around him as his eyes traced the letters, his breathing heavy.

  “Second brother, once you open this letter, make sure to memorise every word before burning it.

  I know you have your doubts about what happened, but you mustn’t act irrationally. You are the only one left who can assist little brother in the briefings. Keep your eyes and ears open to everything. Many masks will fall, and many ill intentions will surge now that the strongest tongue is absent. You said before you wanted to help me bring down the snake, and now, I am requesting this help.

  Tomorrow morning, a great arson will happen again. When you discuss it, try to blame the invisible master of the underworld. Don't go overboard. Just throw the word and watch. I have everything ready, and I ask you to trust me. Even if I am bedridden, my shadow is still strong enough to scare the scum we are against.

  Love you, Lei’er”

  Yang Lei read the letter multiple times before burning it with the candle in the room. He went to bed that night, thinking, “Eldest brother, I know that the ends justify the means to you, but please don’t slip far into the darkness.”

  At midnight, the thick clouds covered the moon, throwing the entirety of Lijiang into darkness. Several servants ran towards their masters’ chambers, their hands slamming the doors with panic. “Multiple watchtowers are on fire.”

  Everyone hopped out of their beds: Yang Feng & Lei, Xian Shang, and even Wen Zi Shan were summoned. They all stood side by side, observing 3 watchtowers engulfed in flames. Wen Zi Shan turned to the standing guards, shouting, “What the hell happened here?”

  One of the guards was trembling as he bowed, his voice a mixture of panic and nervousness. “We…We don’t know yet, grand marshal. Everything was normal until a barrage of fire arrows was fired at the watchtowers. The wooden pillars and roof caught fire quickly.”

  Xian Shang’s eyes were red with fury. “Who would have the courage to attack the imperial palace? Are they courting death?”

  Yang Feng waved his arm, shouting angerly “Grand marshal, this is too much. Whoever did this must be the ones who set my brother’s palace on fire. I don’t care anymore. Flip this goddamn city upside down till you find these bastards.”

  He then turned to enter the palace again. Lei was walking beside him, sweating while thinking, “Eldest brother, this is too much even for you.”

  At the same time, on the eastern border of the empire, a large mountain range expanded like a chain, separating the empire from the lands behind it. Qing Cang wore a thick cloak covering himself, followed by two of his men and 2 camels that carried several thick wooden boxes. He whistled as they approached the mountains. “We are almost there.”

  One of his men was looking around him. “Boss, we'd better hurry before any border patrol spots us.”

  The other man laughed, “Screw you. Did you forget that I am your lead? This area is so muddy and rocky. The border patrol won’t pass from here.”

  Qing Cang turned to them with a stern look. “Shut up, you two. We are here on a mission from the master. If we failed because of you, I will make sure to feed you to wild animals.”

  They both stopped talking instantly. Qing Cang shifted his attention to the mountain, his eyes full of excitement. “Ah, the mountain range. Where the Wu tribes or the mountain people live. We just need a little spark. And what is better than a fake promise?”

  The dawn that followed was grey and choked. The emperor didn't even wait for the official start of the morning briefing. He sat on his throne, his knuckles white as he gripped the armrest, his eyes red from the lack of sleep. Wen Zi Shan looked like a man who had aged ten years in a single night. His military prestige was burning along with those towers. Beside him, Xian Shang was uncharacteristically quiet, his mind likely racing to figure out how to spin this catastrophe to his advantage. Multiple ministers and the 2 marshals were present as well. Wen Zi Shan stepped forward and bowed. “Your majesty, the situation is spinning out of control. I request permission to order a curfew and a massive scale search by the army legions themselves.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Xian Shang stepped forward too, his eyes narrowing as he thought, “Wen Zi Shan, you idiot. Since when have you moved without telling me? Too many troops in the city will mess up my next plan. His voice rose with authority, “Grand marshal, you already have army troops who searched for the perpetrators the first time. Are you planning to flood the city with army soldiers?”

  Wen Zi Shan turned to him, “The fire last night was a slap to the face for all of us, for his majesty’s authority, your government, and my army. We need the response to be swift and strong.”

  Xian Shang “Response against whom? Do you even have a suspect in mind? Or will you just search every house and create unnecessary chaos?”

  The two of them stood face to face, their alliance slowly fading as their eyes screamed of anger and mistrust. Yang Lei observed them, remembering Jian’s letter: Just throw the word and watch.

  "Your Majesty," Lei began, his voice echoing in the silent hall. "The Grand Marshal’s men are searching for criminals, and the Prime Minister is searching for rebels. But perhaps we are looking for the wrong kind of enemy."

  Feng turned his bloodshot eyes toward his brother, "What do you mean, Second brother?"

  Lei continued, his voice dropping. "Is anyone familiar with the rumour of the invisible master of the underworld?”

  All eyes shifted to him. Mo Yuan replied, “Advisor Yang, you mean the rumour that speaks of a master that all underground gangs answer to? The ghost that keeps order even in the underworld?”

  Yang Lei nodded slowly, his words hanging in the air like a curse. Xian Shang’s eyes flickered. For a second, his face fell, and a flash of genuine uncertainty crossed his face. Wen Zi Shan let out a harsh, nervous laugh. "A ghost? Advisor Yang, we are men of war, not children listening to campfire stories!"

  Yang Feng slammed his fist onto the arm of the throne. "If a ghost can burn my watchtowers, then a ghost can be executed! Marshal, I want the underworld turned inside out!"

  Xian Shang approached the throne, his eyes cast down. “Your majesty, please control your anger. We need to think rationally. Advisor Yang, what makes you sure that this rumour is even real? And it's not a bluff the gangs are calling to hide or to spread unnecessary fear among the commoners?”

  Yang Lei didn't answer and looked at him. He didn't know what to tell next, but Wen Zi Shan stepped forward, his voice loud with objection. "Your majesty, I heavily disagree with the prime minister's question. The recent events highly suggest that there is a powerful figure in the dark who is maybe orchestrating all of this."

  Xian Shang's hands were trembling, his voice barely steady. "Gentlemen, you can't let a rumour dictate the decisions in the throne room. We would be wasting precious time searching for someone who isn't even real. The two major gangs in the city are at each other's throats. And their fights resulted in casualties multiple times. How could they be working together?"

  Wen Zi Shan pointed at him, his voice suspicious, "The prime minister is losing his cool and isn't thinking straight. All fingers point to a single genius behind the curtains."

  Xian Shang's face was red, his mind racing with thinking "The one behind the curtains is that burned bastard Yang Jian. He is trying to divert our attention from him to a non-existent ghost". He took a deep breath and spoke up, "As the prime minister of the government, I disapprove of the army's entry into our city."

  Yang Feng interrupted him as he stood up and pointed at Wen Zi Shan, "By the powers of the throne, I order the grand marshal Wen Zi Shan to search the entire city. Use as many troops as you see necessary. I want the bastards behind such disrespect arrested and executed."

  Wen Zi Shan and his marshals bowed. Yang Feng continued, "Minister Sou.”

  Sou Mo took a step forward and bowed. "Yes, your majesty."

  Yang Feng looked at him. “The new searching troops will need horses and maps for the various parts of the city. Make sure to provide it to them. You will work closely with the Grand Marshal and his troops to weed out those criminals."

  Sou Mo nodded quickly. "Yes, your majesty. You can count on me."

  Xian Shang’s face darkened as he approached the throne. "Your Majesty!" but Feng interrupted him. "That's my order, Xian Shang! You may be the Prime Minister, but I am the emperor, and you still answer to me. Am I clear?"

  Xian Shang continued: "Your Majesty, you are going to throw the capital of the empire into complete chaos. The troops will flip the capital upside down, and the citizens will not take kindly to such a violation.”

  Wen Zi Shan straightened up and looked at him, "You don't need to worry, Prime Minister. I will order my men to search humanely and safely. No one is going to be hurt."

  Yang Feng walked down to them, his voice full of authority. "Begin the search now, Grand Marshal, and I am waiting for the results. You are all dismissed."

  He swept through the crowd of officials, the sound of his robes the only noise in the hall as they dropped to their knees in a silent, tense bow. Yang Lei followed his brother outside, his mind still heavy with that duty, his eldest brother entrusted him with.