Chapter 22: The Wretched Man in Black

After a long pause, Ye Ming spoke in a low voice, “Very well, I understand. Hurry back now, don’t leave any evidence behind. If something happens, I might not be able to save you in time.”

“Please don’t worry, Master. Actually, there’s another small matter I was sent here for, on orders from the Celestial Net Institute—to investigate Batai,” Zhang Jin replied with a respectful bow.

“Batai? A mere county magistrate has caught the eye of the Celestial Net Institute?” Ye Ming frowned, sensing something unusual.

“I’m not sure of the details myself, Master. I’m just probing, and will report back afterwards.”

Though Ye Ming looked burly and rough, his mind was sharp and meticulous. “It’s more likely they’re testing you.”

No sooner had he spoken than Ye Ming vanished from sight. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared, clutching a man dressed in black.

“If I hadn’t carefully searched for his aura, I wouldn’t have noticed him at all. The Celestial Net’s spies are getting better and better,” Ye Ming said, his right hand gripping the black-clad man’s throat. The spy’s eyes were filled with terror and shock, clearly unable to comprehend how he’d been discovered.

Zhang Jin’s face darkened. He hadn’t noticed a thing—he’d been followed all this way. The Celestial Net Institute was still investigating him!

“Ye Ming! Do you dare kill me?!” The spy showed no fear, and his gaze grew fierce, confident that Ye Ming wouldn’t dare act.

A sharp crack rang out.

Before the spy’s expression could change, his head lolled, his neck snapped.

“Those who seek death, I’m always happy to oblige,” Ye Ming said, flicking his hand and tossing the corpse aside.

Zhang Jin swallowed hard. The Celestial Net’s spies were shrouded in mystery, invisible within the Institute itself, and under the direct control of the Headmaster. It was said each of them had strength above the Sword Sovereign level, excelling in espionage and assassination.

Yet such a man had been detected by his teacher, and killed with a single hand. Were Sword Sovereigns so feeble before his master? The gap was terrifying.

“This is troublesome. Best not to return to the Celestial Net Institute—better leave Taijing altogether,” Ye Ming said quietly, gazing at the corpse. Was the Institute truly growing restless, or was this merely another test for Zhang Jin?

Zhang Jin bowed to Ye Ming. “Please don’t worry, Master. I’ll handle things cleanly.”

“No matter how cleanly you deal with it, the Institute will never trust you. The disappearance of this spy will make you their target, and no one will believe your explanations.”

“But… I worked so hard to enter the Celestial Net Institute, hoping to bring you useful information.” Zhang Jin understood the dangers, but could not resign himself to the thought. Years of toil, now undone in a moment. He’d been too hasty—he should have used another way to alert his teacher.

Everything had gone too smoothly these past years, and he’d lost his vigilance!

“The information you’ve given me today is enough. It’s just as well—Taijing is too deep a sea. Go elsewhere,” Ye Ming said.

Zhang Jin bowed his head in silence, overcome by guilt.

“Master… rest assured. Your student will become even more useful in the future!” Zhang Jin knelt and kowtowed three times to Ye Ming, then disappeared into the night with the corpse.

Ye Ming sighed softly. This farewell might last a very long time.

As he stood lost in thought, a white figure floated out from the darkness, nearly scaring Ye Ming out of his wits.

Who would wear white in the middle of the night and sneak around like a ghost?

“You missed one,” the newcomer said—none other than Dongmen Meng. Her husband sneaking out in the dead of night, she had followed him. If he dared go to a brothel, she would break his legs and keep him locked up at home forever!

Ye Ming patted his chest, still startled. “Mengmeng, are you trying to scare me to death?” He only used such an affectionate name when no one else was around.

But Dongmen Meng was holding someone in her hand—a black-clad man who could only protest in silence.

“Carelessness brings disaster. Why are you always like this?” Dongmen Meng scolded, tightening her slender fingers as though venting her anger.

The black-clad man rolled his eyes, thinking, “If you two want to quarrel, at least don’t joke with my life!”

Ye Ming nodded, humbly accepting his wife’s admonition. “You’re right, Mengmeng. If I didn’t have a wife like you, I’d have been ambushed a thousand times already.”

“Glad you realize it!” Dongmen Meng snorted, her grip tightening.

Another sharp crack rang out.

The black-clad man stared at Dongmen Meng in disbelief—what a ruthless woman! If you have a temper, take it out on your husband, not me! You didn’t even ask a question before snapping my neck!

“Clean things up and come home. There are still plenty of secrets you’re keeping from me!” Dongmen Meng shot her husband a glare before vanishing into the night.

Ye Ming let out a long breath, squatted down beside the body, and gently closed the man’s eyes.

“To die by this woman’s hand, you should count yourself lucky,” he murmured.

No sooner had he spoken than his ear was suddenly twisted.

“Ow, ow, ow…”

“So I’m a ruthless woman, am I?” Dongmen Meng had doubled back, catching Ye Ming off guard. Her cunning was truly remarkable.

“No, you’re the woman I love most.”

“Liar! Wait till we get home—I’ll teach you a lesson!” Dongmen Meng was truly fierce, a terror to behold.

“Wait—the bodies aren’t taken care of yet.”

“Let them see. Who dares provoke the two of us?” Dongmen Meng declared with swagger, dragging Ye Ming home by the ear.

It looked like Ye Ming was in for a rough night.

The next morning, both children noticed their father had two black eyes.

Mother was truly ferocious—father was pitiful indeed.

With such a vivid example before them, Ye Kun and Ye Qin resolved that when they grew up, they must find gentle wives—never anyone like their mother, or they’d be bullied to death.

Taijing, the city beneath the sage’s feet, was astoundingly prosperous, especially at night. The city truly came alive after dark, its dazzling lights making the citizens feel as though they dwelled in an immortal realm, free and carefree.

But in a certain sinister building, hurried footsteps broke the peace of a lonely corridor.

“Headmaster!” A man knelt at the door, his voice tinged with fear.

“What is it?”

“The spy sent to investigate Zhang Jin—his life token has gone dark.”

Silence filled the room, making the man’s heart pound all the harder. This was the master of the Celestial Net Institute—second only to the ruler himself!

“I am aware,” came the reply.

“How should we deal with Zhang Jin?” The man hesitated, but forced himself to ask.

“If he doesn’t return, let it go. If he does, kill him.”

“Yes, sir! Should we investigate the spy’s death?”

“No need.”

“Yes, sir! I will see to it at once.”

“Wait.”

The man had just risen to his feet, but quickly knelt and saluted again.

“Must you report every detail to me? What use are you, then? Go and accept your punishment.”

“At once, Headmaster!” the man replied, rising and hurrying away, not daring to show the slightest sign of disrespect. A spy had infiltrated the Celestial Net Institute—he, as the master’s subordinate, could not escape responsibility.