Chapter 18: The Dark Bureau

The sun rose in the east, and the vast city was filled with the distant tolling of morning bells. Around the Mingyu Pavilion, a throng of wanderers from all corners of the land had gathered, each seeking a way to make a living.

Ye Jingtang, mounted on a black horse, rode through the bustling streets and alleys, finally stopping before an unmarked government office near the Mingyu Pavilion.

This Black Bureau was quite large. Outside its main gate was a small square with a flagpole—not for banners, but for hanging severed heads. In the martial world, it was even called the "Hanging Heads Black Bureau."

Known as the "Palace of the King of Hell," the Black Bureau operated under the private guard of the Prince’s mansion, outside the jurisdiction of the Six Ministries. It did not handle lawsuits or hold court, and ordinarily, no visitors came by. Only two constables stood guard at the entrance.

Ye Jingtang presented his badge and was promptly invited inside.

Within the gate was a regular main hall, flanked on both sides by holding cells, but no guest quarters.

After a brief wait behind a screen wall, two figures emerged from the back of the hall. Leading them was Shang Jianli, known as the "White Impermanence." Unlike his rough appearance yesterday as a wandering martial artist, today he wore a refined azure robe.

By the way, nicknames like "White Impermanence" and "Six Evils" were originally derogatory terms from the martial world, but their formidable prowess had turned them into titles of respect.

Shang Jianli was a formal military officer, receiving a fourth-rank salary. He most likely disliked the grim nickname "Death's Harbinger" and wore blue instead of white to avoid association.

Following Shang Jianli was Wang Chihu, a bearded man who waved warmly from a distance.

“Brother Ye, you really lack loyalty. A few days ago, you acted poor, but it turns out your family owns the entire Tianshui Bridge. I was about to lend you a hand...”

Ye Jingtang stepped forward, clasping his hands in respect. “Lord Shang, Commander Wang, it truly humbles me to be greeted in person.”

Wang Chihu smiled cheerfully. “Good to know you’re humbled. As the eldest son of the Shao family, if you injured Captain She and don’t go to the Jinping Pavilion to make amends with a dozen young ladies, how do you expect to survive in the capital?”

“Of course. I accidentally injured Captain She yesterday and have yet to apologize. Perhaps we could invite him now to join us at the Jinping Pavilion?”

Glancing subtly, Ye Jingtang realized Shang Jianli was quite young, barely in his early thirties.

Internal martial artists only grow more formidable with age; to have earned such a fearsome reputation at this age was truly remarkable.

Shang Jianli’s demeanor was cool and distant, yet he showed a slight smile at Ye Jingtang.

“I’m not fond of wine or women. She Long still needs a few days to recover. Once the bureau disperses, Young Master Ye can accompany Commander Wang. Your visit—is it to seek an audience with Prince Jing?”

“I am but a commoner and dare not disturb Prince Jing. If he favors me, it is my honor. I merely hope to offer whatever humble assistance I can, to see if my martial skills might serve the court.”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Shang Jianli’s eyes gleamed with approval and he immediately led Ye Jingtang toward the rear office.

“Prince Jing will surely be pleased. The martial world is vast, and the Black Bureau’s authority is ambiguous. The official courts cannot handle the dirtiest, most exhausting cases, so they all fall upon the Black Bureau’s shoulders. The constables simply cannot keep up...”

After a brief chat, Shang Jianli led Ye Jingtang into a main chamber.

Rows of bookshelves filled the room, and the western wall was plastered with nearly a hundred wanted posters. At the very top, one was set apart, bearing the name “Xue Baijin.”

The name was unfamiliar, but a quick glance at the details startled Ye Jingtang—Xue Baijin, known as the “Master of the Ping Tian Sect.”

The Ping Tian Sect was infamous, founded by remnants of the previous dynasty. They held out stubbornly on Mount Nanxiao, refusing to surrender for sixty years after the country's fall.

Their leader ranked first among the Eight Pillars and fourth across the land, known as “Invincible Below the Mountain.” In the secular martial world, he had no rivals, save for three ancient cultivators dwelling atop the mountain.

Standing before the wanted poster, Ye Jingtang felt it was merely a token display.

Wang Chihu, likely catching Ye Jingtang’s thoughts, teased, “Even Ksitigarbha shakes his head at this list; no one dares take these cases. Brother Ye, want to give it a try?”

“These are all heavenly generals. I wouldn’t dare provoke even the lowest on this wall. Commander Wang, please spare me the jokes.”

“A man must have ambition,” Wang sighed. “That dog Xue Baijin is no good man. Once, the most beautiful woman in the martial world, the ‘Moon Palace Goddess,’ was admired by countless heroes for her unmatched grace in blue beneath the moonlight. Even today, women in the martial world prefer blue over red.”

Ye Jingtang, unfamiliar with the tale, asked, “Was this heroine harmed by the Ping Tian Sect leader?”

“If she were harmed, I’d at least respect Xue Baijin for not succumbing to lust. Legend has it the ‘Moon Palace Goddess’ was a chivalrous wanderer who accidentally crossed paths with Xue Baijin and became his wife.”

“Did he abduct her?”

Shang Jianli, standing nearby, shook his head. “Don’t listen to idle gossip. The Ping Tian Sect has stubbornly defended Mount Nanxiao for a full cycle of sixty years, refusing to surrender. They are undoubtedly traitors seeking to restore the old dynasty, unforgivable criminals. Yet they embody a certain ‘loyalty and righteousness’ that draws many in the martial world to their cause. Such a formidable leader wouldn’t stoop to despicable acts like abducting women.”

Ye Jingtang nodded thoughtfully.

Fearing misunderstanding, Shang Jianli added, “Of course, I don’t say Xue Baijin is a good man—only that he is slightly more bound by martial codes than the utterly evil ‘Green Bandits.’ To the court, all are traitors beyond pardon. If martial folk were like Yuxu Mountain or Junshan Terrace, loyal to the court, or like Honghua Tower and Shuiyun Sword Pool, law-abiding, the world would be peaceful already.”

Wang Chihu, bold as ever, chimed in bluntly, “Those who recognize the rulers’ injustice but dare not defy their decrees are unworthy of the title ‘heroes.’ If everyone had enough to eat and drink, who would wander the martial world risking their necks? To me, the unruly martial folk are a problem of the top three rows in the Taiji Hall, not of their own backbone.”

?!

This was not just a conversation killer but a soul crusher.

Shang Jianli turned and walked off as if hearing nothing.

Ye Jingtang was stunned but mustered the courage to ask, “May I ask, Commander Wang, who is your father?”

Wang Chihu’s face brimmed with pride. “My father is Duke Wang Yin, the Defender of the Nation. Prince Jing is my cousin. Impressive, isn’t it?”

Ye Jingtang had not guessed this, no wonder he was so fearless. He bowed respectfully.

“Very impressive; I have been blind.”

“Not at all...”

Shang Jianli seemed accustomed to Wang Chihu’s brashness. Moving to the shelves, he pulled out a pile of files and handed them to Ye Jingtang.

“Young Master Ye, these are cases currently handled by the Black Bureau in Yunzhou’s jurisdiction. Pick whichever you like. Since you are not a bureau officer, by protocol, any reward will be sent directly to your residence, and the credit will be recorded under my name. I hope you don’t mind.”

In other words, this was outsourcing. Due to the overflow of martial folk in Daliang, the bureau was understaffed, making such arrangements common. The wanted posters were part of this system.

Ye Jingtang had come to the Black Bureau to establish connections. Talk alone would not suffice, so he took the stack and began reviewing the files.

Shang Jianli was unreserved—every case was major!

The perpetrators had nicknames like “Heart Gouger” and “Skin Peeler Scholar,” clearly notorious villains. Their martial evaluations ranged from “top-tier experts, suspected grandmasters” to “ruthless and cunning, handle with care.”

After flipping through several pages, Ye Jingtang’s expression grew uneasy.

“Are there any simpler ones? I’ve just entered society... cough... the martial world. These tasks seem a bit beyond my ability...”

Shang Jianli gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder.

“Young Master Ye nearly severed She Long’s arm. You’re far from a grandmaster, but not far off either. Sending you after petty thieves for a few taels of silver would be an insult. The Black Bureau has no such simple cases. Since you’re here, pick any. If you solve it, you rid the people of harm; if not, no matter.”

Ye Jingtang persevered and finally found one involving a thief—the notorious bandit “Wingless Owl” of Yanzhou. Known for exceptional lightness skills but not high combat strength, he was recently spotted sneaking into the Imperial Stele Pavilion, rumored to be searching for something, and likely still in the capital.

Wingless Owl was wanted for several murders. Although dangerous, thieves rarely had overwhelming fighting ability, so the risk was relatively low.

Ye Jingtang intended to accept this case but then noticed the thief’s record—the Wingless Owl had famously stolen from the Yanshan Jieyun Palace!

Ye Jingtang was astounded. He never imagined a thief who could rob one of the Eight Pillars.

Though not especially dangerous, this thief’s audacity and ability to evade capture made him a formidable target.

Other cases were far riskier. After careful consideration, Ye Jingtang decided to take Wingless Owl’s file.

“I lack experience in combat. I’ll give this one a try. If I fail, I hope Lord Shang won’t blame me.”

“The bureau is still investigating. Do your best. Even if you fail to capture him, finding his whereabouts will still earn a good reward.”

“Should I bring him in alive or dead?”

“All criminals pursued by the Black Bureau have major cases and are dangerous and cunning. Except for a few with special status, anyone who can be killed on the spot should not be spared. The bureau has lost many brothers before because of mercy. Young Master Ye, do not be soft-hearted.”

Ye Jingtang nodded slightly, accepted the mission, and then added, “I have a passion for blade techniques. Lord Shang mentioned the ‘Heavenly Unity Blade’ master Qiu Tianhe yesterday. I’ve heard he is a blade grandmaster. Might it be convenient to introduce me to him?”

Having witnessed Ye Jingtang’s blade skills, Shang Jianli was curious but unsurprised by his interest in a famous blade master.

Ye Jingtang’s family background was clear. Inside the Black Bureau, he posed no threat of prison breaks or killings. Shang Jianli turned and led the way.

“Come. I’ll take you to meet him. Qiu Tianhe is a renowned blade grandmaster. If he can offer Young Master Ye a few pointers, it will be an invaluable benefit.”

Ye Jingtang had not expected such straightforwardness. He followed respectfully, clasping his hands.

“Thank you for your kindness, Lord Shang.”

“It’s a mere trifle, nothing to mention.”