Autumn wind, autumn rain.
Su River.
Mist shrouded the river's surface as a black-canopied boat sped toward the shore.
Zhou Yi stood at the bow, lightly poling with a long bamboo shaft, unable to hide the disappointment on his face.
A few days ago, he had received word from the Brocade Guard that a white jade spirit turtle had appeared along the banks of the Su River. It was a legendary auspicious beast, and Shenjing was not far away, so Zhou Yi had taken leave to investigate.
After going through no small trouble to catch the white jade spirit turtle, it turned out to be another fabricated omen!
"Whoever came up with this idea was quite the talent. Thin sheets of white jade had been set into the turtle shell, with Bagua patterns specially carved into them."
Zhou Yi had to admit that the forger's craftsmanship was superb. The jade and turtle shell blended seamlessly together; ordinary people would never spot the flaw.
The maker of the auspicious omen was still spreading rumors, building momentum for the white jade spirit turtle's appearance. Now that Zhou Yi had cut in ahead of him and fished up the spirit turtle to stew it, he wondered whether another one would be made later.
Su River dock.
The rain had stripped it of its usual clamor.
Zhou Yi brought the boat ashore and saw sturdy soldiers in full armor inspecting every vessel, large and small.
"Imperial Guards! What upheaval has happened in Shenjing?"
Unlike the Capital Garrison or provincial troops, the Imperial Guards answered directly to the emperor. Under ordinary circumstances, they would not be doing such tedious labor.
Zhou Yi showed his Heavenly Prison badge. Over the years, the name Young Master Zhou had become quite well known in Shenjing, so the Imperial