Exposed

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At the banquet, the crowd was noisy and lively. The Prime Minister’s presence was long absent; only a messenger had come to tell the guests to feel at ease. Originally, aside from a few high-ranking officials who disregarded etiquette and urged each other to drink, the somewhat reserved guests began to speak freely, gathering in groups without disturbing one another. Naturally, no one paid attention to the figure of a young man in the corner. But as he turned, someone suddenly called out to him, surprising Zhang Ling, who had felt overlooked until now.

Turning to find the source of the voice, he saw Lu Hongyan raising his cup with a nod and smile. Zhang Ling approached him, and the Minister Lu chuckled softly, “You’re Zhang Ling from Chengdao Academy, right?”

Zhang Ling felt puzzled but nodded calmly and asked, “May I ask who you are, sir?”

Minister Lu shook his head with a smile. “Truly interesting. You deceive a man’s son yet do not recognize his father. Chengdao Academy indeed has someone as arrogant and ignorant as you.”

Zhang Ling narrowed his eyes and asked, “Lu Hongyan?”

Minister Lu nodded. Zhang Ling then inquired, “Is this a case of the young challenging the old? Are you here to back your son?”

Minister Lu silently raised his cup. Zhang Ling, without hesitation, recognized the man’s great talent. He was neither angry nor annoyed, even interested in drinking. Naturally, Zhang Ling would not refuse. They poured wine and drank together. After swallowing the wine, Minister Lu lowered his head, pondering briefly before suddenly lifting it and smiling, fingers neatly held together. “Such spirit—a balance of dignity and calmness at all times. All the disciples I have seen at the academy are like you. In officials, talent and wisdom are indispensable. For senior officials, no matter the storms they face, they can remain composed. The academy nurtures both qualities. And you are the most special of all. Others throw themselves wholeheartedly—some join the military once their skills mature, others, like Ren Pingsheng, seem to be a group of drunken buffoons but ultimately harbor great ambitions. You, however, are different. You have a calculating heart yet remain detached from affairs. You are neither a player in the game nor the one moving the pieces—you watch silently, waiting for the right moment to seize an advantage. Others cannot see what you truly desire.”

Zhang Ling leaned in and whispered, “What exactly do you want to say?”

Minister Lu laughed heartily. “Nothing much. I just wanted to ask if you would be interested in joining my service? Of course, I would not ask you to do anything. If there’s a need, I will do my best to help. Ultimately, the choice to stay or leave is yours alone.”

Zhang Ling sneered, “Minister Lu, this is how you deceived the top-ranked master Han Yan, isn’t it? Honestly, your tactic is clever. For a warrior who has reached the highest rank, the state of mind is crucial. Most are proud and have their own code of conduct. Even if others help them, they remember the favor deeply. Once you make a move, there is no hesitation, and they won’t leave before repaying the debt. Minister Lu, you have a good grasp of that man’s nature. But sorry, I am shameless enough that your trick won’t work on me. The academy is already large, and I have no intention of seeking another path for now.”

Minister Lu was visibly surprised. “Good, very good. What you say is true—this is indeed my usual method to retain guest officials. But Han Yan is an exception; I always exchanged sincerity for sincerity with him. Though you have declined, my offer stands. When you visit the Lu Residence in the future, the treatment will be the same. At least, do not become an enemy.”

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Zhang Ling cupped his hands. “That is my wish as well. Does Your Excellency have any further matters?”

Minister Lu raised his cup again and smiled. “Your guidance to my son that day has made him more restrained now. I owe you thanks for that.”

Minister Lu drained his cup and said, “Well then, nothing else.”

Zhang Ling returned to his seat. After another quarter of an hour, the long-awaited Prime Minister finally appeared. Only then could Zhang Ling move to take action. Otherwise, a young man glancing anxiously about the Prime Minister’s residence might be mistaken for a drunken troublemaker, and if caught by the suspicious Prime Minister, it would not be easy to explain.

The Prime Minister approached the main seat, and the entire hall fell silent with joyous smiles, raising cups in toast.

The Prime Minister stood and returned the toast, saying, “Thank you all for attending my birthday banquet today. Please feel free to drink and converse.”

The music and dance flourished, guests laughed and drank heartily, attendants busied themselves with endless chatter, fetching wine and food in and out. The Prime Minister hosted the feast, toasting and chatting with various high officials, too occupied to oversee the entire hall—much less notice a lone youth quietly slipping away from the banquet in suspicious fashion.

Earlier at the banquet, Zhang Ling had simulated his route in his mind—whether to climb high and scale walls or detour to avoid detection. Initially, he pretended to look for the restroom, observing the flow of people to confirm his plan. Finally, he found an unnoticed path leading to the Prime Minister’s study. Seeing no one aware, he stealthily entered. After some searching, he returned to the original spot, testing every obvious and hidden mechanism, but to no avail.

Zhang Ling bowed his head in thought: If not in the study, could it be in the bedroom?

He first observed the surroundings outside to ensure no one was present before stepping out. He even recalled how he had entered earlier, making sure to close the study door to exactly the same degree as before, at last confident to proceed to the main bedroom. This took extra time, but he moved silently. In his heart, he could only pray that the Prime Minister, busy with social obligations, had not noticed his prolonged absence.

Just as Zhang Ling was about to push open the door, a voice came from the eaves above: “Who are you?”

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The door was half-opened when Zhang Ling was discovered. His heart sank instantly. After a moment of stunned silence, he quietly closed the door and stepped back a yard, looking up at the man sitting on the eaves.

The man held a wine jug taken from the banquet, one hand supporting him as he reclined, head tilted back in wild abandon, carefree and unrestrained. He had never bothered to look at the young man below, now changed in appearance. In his eyes, this scheming youth was nothing more than a trivial insect—a mere pest easily crushed with a casual hand. Hence his leisurely posture.

Zhang Ling looked at the man—it was the same figure who had appeared at the floating boat poetry gathering, inquiring about Ren Pingsheng. If his guess was right, this man was a top-ranked guest official at the Prime Minister’s residence. Suppressing the impulse to act, Zhang Ling calmly asked, “May I ask your honorable name, sir?”

The dissolute man shook his head. “I asked you first. You speak first.”

Zhang Ling self-mockingly replied, “A nobody, unworthy of your recognition.”

The man chuckled lightly. “A nobody? Anyone who dares to sneak into the Prime Minister’s residence is no nobody. And to be so composed when caught—are you resigned, ready to surrender, hence this relaxed attitude? Or do you have a backup plan?”

Zhang Ling said, “Before you, I know I cannot resist. If you have questions, I will answer honestly. I only ask for your mercy.”

The man asked, “Good. Then tell me—who sent you? And what was your mission?”

Zhang Ling lowered his head and pondered. “It was...”

The man gazed into the distance leisurely, suddenly letting out a cold laugh. Having already sensed the hidden danger, he slapped a brick in his hand and somersaulted to dodge. At the same time, he casually pinched a flying needle that came from behind between his fingers.

With a palm extended toward his pupil, the flying needle halted an inch from his hand, waiting to sever the energy flow. Then he caught it with the other hand. Finally, another flying needle descended from above, aiming for the crown of his head. The dissolute man seemed too lazy to dodge, allowing the needle to pierce his scalp. When he reached up to take it out, not a drop of blood appeared.