Chapter 162: Killing Machine

“What were they transporting?”

Xuan Yi shook his head. “They were all packed in hemp sacks; it’s impossible to tell what they are. Those people are extremely cautious; your subordinate did not dare to approach.”

“Keep watching. Be careful, and do not let them notice you.”

Qi Shuo had arranged to meet Lin Hao.

“Is there news?” As soon as they met, Lin Hao asked impatiently.

For the past two days, her mind had been entirely focused on Chen Mu, who had suddenly appeared in the capital. After pondering for a long time, she had even begun to suspect whether the person she was looking for was related to Chen Mu; otherwise, why did all the coincidental encounters happen on Changchun Street?

“I found the person's whereabouts.” Qi Shuo explained the situation in detail. “The location of their planned operation should be on Jinxiu Street. They have been scouting Jinxiu Street for the past few days.”

“No wonder they live near Changchun Street. Transporting unknown items to their residence and planning to act on Jinxiu Street... their goal is to sabotage the relationship between Great Zhou and Yuli—” Lin Hao analyzed, her eyes filled with horror. “They aren't planning to blow up the Yuli envoys on Jinxiu Street, are they?”

Jinxiu Street was the road the government had been focusing on renovating recently, and it was the mandatory route for Yuli envoys.

Qi Shuo raised an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting—gunpowder?”

Lin Hao nodded, her heart racing. “I don't know if there are high-ranking individuals among the Yuli arrivals, but even if they are just ordinary envoys, an incident occurring on the streets of the Great Zhou capital would be enough to turn Yuli and Great Zhou into enemies.”

“Makes sense.” Qi Shuo agreed, but then raised a question. “How did you think of gunpowder?”

Gunpowder had existed in Great Zhou for a long time, but it was primarily used for fireworks and firecrackers; it was rarely used as a lethal weapon. Firstly, it was difficult to manufacture; secondly, its power was limited; and thirdly, it was easily discovered if carried outside of a battlefield environment.

“It was just my first reaction. Does the Heir Apparent remember the incident where the Heir of Marquis Pingjia made a fool of himself? It was caused by the sudden explosion of firecrackers that startled him,” Lin Hao quickly found a reason.

In reality, it stemmed from her understanding of her teacher.

Master Mingxin was a person of great talent. To help Emperor Pingle reclaim his kingdom, she had turned the gunpowder used to create beautiful displays into a highly powerful killing tool. Lin Hao had once seen with her own eyes how a loud explosion of gunpowder turned a lively little pig into roasted pork.

If it could blow up a pig, it could certainly kill a person.

This was the true reason why her first reaction upon hearing the news brought by the Prince Jing's Heir was gunpowder.

“Actually, whether it is gunpowder or something else, it is certain that these people plan to act on Jinxiu Street.” Qi Shuo stated his long-considered plan. “If the goal is simply to stop this conspiracy, it will be quite easy, regardless of whether these people live or die.”

“How?”

Qi Shuo smiled. “We just need to let Cheng Maoming, the Commander of the Jinlin Guards, know about this. Cheng Maoming has offended the Crown Prince; he won't refuse such a piece of credit to stabilize his position in the Emperor's heart.”

“If it is convenient for you, Heir Apparent, please reveal it to Lord Cheng,” Lin Hao said without hesitation.

Qi Shuo gave her a deep look.

“What is it?”

“Then the fate of these people likely won't be very good.”

Lin Hao’s expression turned strange. “For people who act solely for their own selfish interests without regard for the lives of the common people, isn't a bad end well-deserved?”

Did the Prince Jing's Heir perhaps feel some lingering compassion?

Qi Shuo silently took a sip of tea.

*I see. He's just protecting that young man who was following her.*

“I will find an opportunity to confirm exactly what they transported to their residence, and then I will inform the Jinlin Guards.”

“Then I shall trouble you, Heir Apparent.”

“You're being too formal.”

Lin Hao's heart skipped a beat as she heard the man across from her say, “As long as they are people of Great Zhou, they should not turn a blind eye.”

“Yes, you are right, Heir Apparent,” Lin Hao echoed without changing her expression, while inwardly despising herself.

It was distressing; ever since the Prince Jing's Heir had expressed his feelings, she couldn't help but overthink things.

“Besides, this is something you care about.” The handsome young man had a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, his voice like a clear spring flowing past the girl's ears.

Lin Hao took a large gulp of tea.

Confirming what those items were was extremely difficult. Those people ensured that at least two people always remained at the residence, maintaining a strict guard.

Fortunately, Qi Shuo had enough patience and finally found an opportunity.

On this day, of the two people staying at the residence, one had an upset stomach and was running to the latrine one after another. The task Qi Shuo gave Xuan Yi was simple: quietly steal away most of the straw paper. That person rushed into the latrine like a gust of wind, only to find there wasn't enough paper when the time came.

Helpless, he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Lao Liu! Hurry and bring me some straw paper! I'm out!”

Lao Liu, looking disgusted, cursed under his breath as he went to deliver the paper.

Qi Shuo took the chance to slip inside and quickly opened a hemp sack. He saw layers of wrapping inside, and there wasn't enough time to inspect it thoroughly in such a short window.

The person delivering the paper could return at any moment. He swiped his finger across the contents, and his fingertip came away stained with black dust—something had leaked from inside. He held it to his nose and sniffed, detecting a faint, peculiar, and foul odor.

It was the smell of sulfur!

With this discovery, Qi Shuo immediately retreated. Just as he had hidden himself, Lao Liu returned.

Lao Liu glanced inside and then sat back down on the chair by the door to rest.

He looked inside out of caution, but psychologically, he clearly wouldn't think that someone had entered to investigate in the brief moment he was away delivering paper.

Upon returning, Qi Shuo instructed Xuan Yi, “Continue watching. Do not alert the enemy.”

“Your subordinate understands,” Xuan Yi replied calmly, though he was wailing inwardly.

He shouldn't have complained about watching from a distance being boring; following the Heir Apparent in today was certainly not boring, and even now, his nose was full of the smell of the latrine.

Qi Shuo first returned to the manor to change his clothes before heading to a teahouse not far from the Jinlin Guard headquarters.

The person sent to the Jinlin Guard headquarters to deliver the message was the manservant, Chang Ning.

“The Heir Apparent is looking for me?” Cheng Maoming was somewhat surprised to receive the message, and he couldn't help but think of the case involving Lin Chan's kidnapping.

The true culprit of that case had been pinned on Zhao Helin. It was easy to deceive the officials and nobles, but the Prince Jing's Heir and Cheng Shu, both of whom were deeply involved, might harbor suspicions.

But what surprised Cheng Maoming was that neither Cheng Shu nor the Prince Jing's Heir had approached him again after the incident, as if they had no doubts about the outcome.

Could it be that the Prince Jing's Heir had only just realized something and was now starting to suspect?

Originally, there was no overlap with the Lin Chan kidnapping case, so he could have used the excuse of being too busy to meet. But now, it wouldn't be appropriate to do so, as the Prince Jing's Heir and Cheng Shu had helped during the investigation.

Speculating on Qi Shuo's intentions, Cheng Maoming prepared a mouthful of excuses before heading to the teahouse.

“I wonder what business the Heir Apparent has with me?”

“Has the Grand Commander been quite busy lately?” Qi Shuo asked with a smile.

“There is plenty to do, especially since the Yuli envoys will be arriving soon. Although our Jinlin Guards don't need to maintain the capital's security like the Five City Military Command, we still need to pay more attention.”

Qi Shuo nodded. “What the Grand Commander says is correct. That is also what I think.”

Cheng Maoming froze.

The Prince Jing's Heir's words were interesting—what use was it for him to think that?

Was he just trying to act friendly for no reason?