Monarch Night

"First seize these two assassins and keep them under strict guard!"

Captain Fang’s utterly unreasonable way of handling it was, in fact, quite satisfying.

But in the eyes of steady, experienced men like Qi Lie and Han Baiji, who didn’t know the inside story, it was undeniably a bit too reckless.

They knew he wanted to avenge Ju Xiu Shui, and they knew he held a Life and Death Order in his hand.

But... he couldn’t just ignore reason altogether.

After all, they were descendants of meritorious heroes, a house of glory.

Even though in recent years they had no new achievements or contributions, their ancestors sacrificed for the Continent—was he really not going to give them even a shred of face?

If people could take revenge so unreasonably, what kind of world would this become?

If this were acceptable, would we even need Inspector Fang to avenge us? Whoever we had a grudge against, we could just go straight to their door and kill them!

Fearing above all that Fang Che might make a mistake, Han Baiji pulled Fang Che aside and sent a voice transmission: "Captain Fang, I know you want to avenge Xiu Shui, but... but doing it this way really is a bit reckless."

His face was full of worry.

The Guardian had finally obtained a Life and Death Order, able to strike at evildoers without restraint; though Han Baiji wanted nothing more than to avenge Ju Xiu Shui, he absolutely did not want someone like Fang Che to fall here over this matter.

If the Lin Family appealed for justice, and countless Merit Families stirred up public outrage and attacked together, this matter would truly blow up, and by then Fang Che might not even be able to protect himself.

That would be far too great a loss.

Fang Che sent back a voice transmission: "Master Han, be at ease, I have my reasons. And this matter... the reason Ju, the Chief Steward was killed also has hidden circumstances. She had uncovered a great deal about the Lin Family... but I can’t tell you the specifics right now."

Fang Che had no way to explain the source of his intelligence.

So he simply turned his hand and pushed all the credit onto the already departed Ju Xiu Shui.

This was also the only thing he could do for her besides avenging her.

Moreover, Fang Che truly believed that Ju Xiu Shui had definitely discovered something.

If not, then for that minor conflict outside the restaurant entrance alone, the Lin Family would absolutely not have taken such an extreme risk to strike at a Guardian of the Great Hall!

Fang Che had once served as Chief Steward in Baiyun State.

He knew very clearly how much weight the Chief Steward’s post carried.

And before Ju Xiu Shui died in the line of duty, she had persistently insisted on investigating the Lin Family. At that time, the Lin Family was just like it is now, still a Merit Family, a house of glory.

Why did Ju Xiu Shui insist on investigating them?

There had to be solid reasons behind it!

So Fang Che felt that placing this credit directly on Ju Xiu Shui was not only what he ought to do, but that even if Ju Xiu Shui’s spirit in the Netherworld knew of it, she would never feel he was wronging her!

Hearing Fang Che say this, Han Baiji suddenly saw the light.

He stomped his feet again and again, sighing: "That silly girl, if she’d found something, why didn’t she tell me? Since there were reasons, I, this old man, should have followed her every day, protecting her safety... Ai! That girl, such a stubborn fool..."

As he spoke, his eyes reddened.

Fang Che gave a soft sigh: "It was only conjecture, with no solid evidence; how could she report it to you?"

Han Baiji sighed repeatedly, feeling as if his throat were blocked.

"It’s also only because I had deep ties with her lover, Zuo Guanglie, and knew the private code between them, that I was able to find a few clues in Ju Xiu Shui’s effects... otherwise, I too would have been kept completely in the dark."

He said heavily, "When this matter is settled and it comes time to assess Ju Xiu Shui’s merits and achievements, we’ll still need you, her old superior, to come forward. I’m, after all, not in the best position to do that."

With these words, Fang Che had essentially washed his hands of the matter completely.

And he had also passed this task on to Han Baiji.

"That is true! Don’t worry, leave this to me!"

Han Baiji said tearfully, with a sigh: "No matter what, this old man must do his utmost to fight for posthumous honor for that girl!"

His whole bearing seemed to suddenly age by several years.

He kept muttering under his breath: "Silly girl... silly girl... with something this big, why wouldn’t you tell me..."

Fang Che took the chance to raise his request: "Regarding her being buried together with my Brother Zuo, I must ask Master Han... could you..."

After seeing that painting in Ju Xiu Shui’s residence, Fang Che’s desire to accomplish this matter for the two of them had only grown stronger.

Han Baiji’s mood sank low; his voice trembled as he sighed: "Back then, when Xiu Shui’s demeanor changed and she grew depressed and withdrawn, I investigated and only then learned of her relationship with Zuo Guanglie; ever since Zuo Guanglie’s death, Xiu Shui has hardly ever smiled..."

"After her last trip to Baiyun State to pay respects at his grave, she came back a different person altogether... This child is foolish, with a single track mind; once she recognizes someone, she won’t change her heart for life. Since the two of them were mutually devoted, as an elder I naturally have to do my utmost to see them fulfilled."

He looked at Fang Che and asked earnestly: "That brother of yours, Zuo Guanglie—what kind of man was he in life? I don’t want Xiu Shui to reach the Netherworld only to still be bullied by him..."

Fang Che said: "Zuo Guanglie’s character was known to everyone in the Baiyun State Guardian Hall, and... his cultivation was not as high as Ju Xiu Shui’s... If they really came to a marital spat, the one taking the beating would definitely be Zuo Guanglie."

Han Baiji nodded, somewhat comforted, and said: "Then I can be at ease."

On the surface, what the two of them were talking about still carried a trace of humor.

But with Zuo Guanglie and Ju Xiu Shui—this pair of ill-fated lovers—involved, neither of them could bring themselves to smile.

They discussed everything from start to finish with solemn faces.

After a few sighs, Han Baiji finally shuffled off toward his own War Hall to attend to his duties.

This elder, who had fought in the Guardian Hall for a lifetime—even in old age his frame was still burly, his temper fiery as flame, his face bristling with Qiu Ran whiskers, his presence overwhelmingly imposing.