Confidential

In the Imperial Capital, when it came to the strictness of security, the Commander-in-Chief's Mansion ranked first, and Di Lin's residence came second—hardly surprising, given that he had so many enemies even he couldn't count them all.

That night, when Zichuan Xiu went to visit Chief Inspector Di Lin, even though he had presented his Deputy Commander's officer ID, the dutiful military police still searched him again and again, so thoroughly that Zichuan Xiu protested indignantly, "Do you want to search my underwear too?" The other side answered with great humor, "No need. We didn't bring gas masks."

Lin Xiujia opened the door. She cried out in delighted surprise, "Axu! It's you!"

Zichuan Xiu stared foolishly at her flower-like face. The delicate beauty she had possessed as a girl was now enhanced by the radiant glow of a married woman. Then his gaze dropped, and he noticed that her lower abdomen had begun to swell slightly. She was pregnant.

For a moment, his heart filled with a feeling both real and unreal, like a dream and an awakening.

He gave a dry cough. "Ahem! Sister-in-law." The feeling was too complicated for words.

Lin Xiujia was sincerely delighted by his visit. She led him into the house and said, "Your big brother just went out somewhere. Wait for him in the study first. He'll be back soon!"

Zichuan Xiu replied politely, "No need. I'll just wait in the living room."

Lin Xiujia shook her head, gesturing toward the living room with her lips and making a pretty, mischievous face. Zichuan Xiu looked over and saw that the room was already packed with people. Judging from the stars glittering on their uniform shoulders, they were all family officials of considerable rank, yet he did not recognize a single one.

Zichuan Xiu gave a wry smile. "All right." He politely nodded to the people in the living room, then followed Lin Xiujia into Di Lin's study, unaware of the resentful expressions behind him: Who was this brat? We'd been waiting so long without even a cup of tea, while he strutted straight into the study!

In the study, Lin Xiujia invited Zichuan Xiu to sit while personally brewing tea and serving pastries—work normally handled by servants.

Zichuan Xiu asked in surprise, "There are so many guests. Is it always like this?" In his impression, it did not suit Di Lin's proud and aloof nature.

Lin Xiujia smiled. "There are usually even more! Your big brother already sent one group away tonight. But the Inspectorate suddenly said there was an urgent matter and pressed him to hurry back, so he had those people wait here."

"Oh, what do they all want with Big Brother?"

Lin Xiujia curled her lip in disdain. "Who knows? They're probably all here to pull strings and make connections, aren't they? Ever since he became this damn Chief Inspector, he hasn't had a single peaceful day. There are always visitors!" Though her tone was complaining, her expression was satisfied. A wife shared in her husband's glory; what wife would not want her husband to hold great power and earn the respect of others?

Zichuan Xiu blushed. Although he knew Lin Xiujia had not meant him, he himself had come here precisely to pull strings and make connections.

Lin Xiujia did not notice his embarrassment at all. "Honestly, those filthy officials just won't leave, and they're so irritating. You're an old friend of ours, yet you never come visit! Even Sterling has come several times, but you've never come even once. Things aren't like before now. You don't have to worry about Yang Minghua finding out."

Zichuan Xiu had no answer. Clearly, Lin Xiujia still did not know about the conflict between him and Di Lin during the Bloody Night of the Imperial Capital. He smiled. "I've been busy all this time—but I'm here now, aren't I?"

"All right, enough about that. Axu, you're not that young anymore. You're almost twenty, right? Di Lin says you've never had a girlfriend. That won't do. Tell your sister-in-law what kind of girl you want, and I'll introduce you to someone."

Zichuan Xiu dearly wanted to say, "Someone like you!" But when the words came out, they became, "I haven't thought about that yet, so you don't need to worry about it, Sister-in-law."

Lin Xiujia looked at him teasingly—that crafty expression was exactly the same as when she had been a girl, and it made Zichuan Xiu's heart ache. "I know. You have a model in your heart. Your standards are high, and ordinary girls don't catch your eye." She lowered her voice and asked:

"Is it that little girl, Ning, from the former Commander-in-Chief's family? If you're too embarrassed to ask, I can help you!"

Zichuan Xiu sprayed out every mouthful of tea he had just drunk. He coughed repeatedly and hurriedly waved his hands. "Absolutely not! I appreciate the kindness!"

Just then, a servant entered and whispered something into Lin Xiujia's ear. She frowned. Zichuan Xiu seized the chance to say, "Sister-in-law, if you have something to deal with, go ahead. I'll wait here."

Lin Xiujia hesitated before saying, "All right, make yourself at home! You can find something to read. I'll be right back—but I suppose your big brother should be back soon too."

Lin Xiujia left the study and casually shut the door behind her, showing just how much she trusted Zichuan Xiu.

As he watched her back disappear, Zichuan Xiu wore an indescribable expression. He turned around and examined Di Lin's study. Sitting down at the desk, he saw a photograph in the most prominent spot: a group picture of Di Lin, Sterling, and himself at the Far East Military Academy. The three of them had their arms around one another warmly. Zichuan Xiu stood on the left with a cheeky grin; Di Lin was in the middle, striking a cool pose; Sterling was on the right, smiling gently. Somehow, that arrangement seemed to foretell a certain cruelty of history.

The background was a peach grove. It was spring, with crimson petals drifting slowly down from the sky. Zichuan Xiu remembered now. It had been on that spring day that they had met Lin Xiujia together.

On the back of the photo was a poem inscribed by Sterling: "The flowers are in their spring, and so are we in our youth!" The handwriting was vigorous, with the signatures of Zichuan Xiu, Sterling, and Di Lin underneath.

Sterling and Zichuan Xiu each had a copy of the same photograph. Zichuan Xiu had not expected Di Lin to treasure it so deeply, placing it at the very center of his desk. A warm feeling flowed through his heart.

Zichuan Xiu did not touch the documents on the desk. He rose and walked to the window, drawing back the curtains to admire Di Lin's garden.

Light from the study spilled into the garden, and Zichuan Xiu saw two people talking deep within it. One was Di Lin. The other gave Zichuan Xiu a small shock: Fang Jin, commander of the Black Flag Army.

Both men were experts. They sensed him at the same time and turned to look over. Di Lin calmly glanced at the light from the study, then turned back and continued speaking.

Zichuan Xiu gently lowered the curtain, but in that instant, Fang Jin's panicked expression had already been deeply imprinted in his mind. Why was he here? Hadn't he said he was ill and recuperating at home?

After a while, Zichuan Xiu heard a burst of noise outside, with many voices speaking at once. "Ah, Chief Inspector, you're back!" "Working overtime this late at night, you've really worked hard, sir!" "Greetings, sir! This subordinate is..."

Di Lin smiled as he responded to each guest in the house. Lin Xiujia came forward to help him remove his military coat and reproached him affectionately, "What happened? Why are you back so late? Can't you see so many people have been waiting for you?" Then she whispered in his ear, "Get rid of them quickly. Axu is waiting for you in the study."

Di Lin gave a slight nod and announced loudly to the crowd, "Sorry to have kept you waiting, gentlemen. My apologies. But there is an urgent matter assigned by the Commander-in-Chief that must be handled tonight..."

Everyone immediately showed understanding. Not at all, not at all—their matters were not urgent in the slightest! Naturally, the Commander-in-Chief's affairs took priority! They all took their leave.

Di Lin gave Zichuan Xiu an apologetic smile. "No choice."

Zichuan Xiu teased him, "Of course! Chief Inspector Di bears the burdens of the nation and has countless duties every day!"

Di Lin shook his head. "It was better before. Lately, I've been busy beyond belief! Mainly because those newly assembled militia troops have terrible discipline. They drink all day, get into brawls, and even steal and harass women. It's a complete mess. The Imperial Capital's crime rate this month is five times higher than last month—you know, whenever a case involves a soldier committing a crime, Zhibu Shao sends it to the Inspectorate for us to handle!"

Zichuan Xiu said righteously, "Their unit commanders should be held accountable! How do they lead their troops?"

Di Lin replied without changing expression, "Well said! The unit responsible for the most incidents is one called Xiu Battalion. Half the drunken disturbances, brawls, and harassment of women were committed by them—tomorrow, I'll summon their unit commander and get to the bottom of it!"

Zichuan Xiu immediately did not dare make another sound.

Lin Xiujia bent over laughing at the side. Di Lin put an arm around her and gave her a light kiss. Embarrassed, Lin Xiujia pushed him away. "Don't! Axu is still here! You're a big brother teaching your little brother bad things!"

"What are you afraid of? Axu isn't an outsider! Besides, what hasn't he seen?"

Zichuan Xiu cried from the side, "Oh, I can't take this! I'm very innocent. I can't handle a scene like this!"

"Fuck off, putting on an innocent act in front of me! Weren't all those dirty books from childhood borrowed from you?"

Lin Xiujia listened beside them with delight. "You two chat slowly. I'll bring you some wine and food—Axu, have you eaten?"

Di Lin said, "He has!"

Zichuan Xiu said, "I haven't!"

Di Lin instructed her, "Remember, later you only need to bring one pair of chopsticks!"

Zichuan Xiu immediately said, "Right! I'm used to using a spoon and knife and fork."

The wine and food were quickly laid out. Di Lin said to Lin Xiujia, "All right, hurry off now. You don't need to stay here with us—otherwise, someone might drink half a cup of beer, claim he's drunk, and take the chance to molest my wife!"

Zichuan Xiu protested, "Do you distrust me that much!?"

Di Lin replied without hesitation, "Yes, I distrust you that much!"

Lin Xiujia beamed like a flower. "I haven't seen Di Lin this happy in a long time—you two talk slowly. Call me if you need anything."

As they watched Lin Xiujia leave the study, the smiles vanished from both their faces at the same time.

Di Lin slowly asked, "You saw it?"

The question came out of nowhere, but Zichuan Xiu immediately understood that he meant the conversation with Fang Jin in the garden. He shook his head vigorously. "No, I didn't see anything!"

"You saw it." The question had become a statement.

Zichuan Xiu had no choice but to admit it. "Yes, I saw it." He looked around. "Don't tell me you've already hidden three hundred axemen behind the banquet, waiting for the host to smash his cup as a signal?"

Di Lin burst out laughing, smashed the cup in his hand with a clatter, and smiled. "The axemen's ears aren't very sharp—Axu, you have something on your mind. I can tell."

Zichuan Xiu admitted honestly, "Yes."

Di Lin gazed at him and said softly, "Luo Bo?"

Zichuan Xiu was astonished by Di Lin's sharp judgment. He asked back, "You know?"

Di Lin smiled. "How could I not? I signed the warrant for his arrest. That bitch Lin Bing came to bother me more than ten times, but I ignored her."

Zichuan Xiu asked directly, "Can he be saved?"

Di Lin pondered for a long time before slowly uttering a few words. "I'll do everything I can."

Zichuan Xiu could not help asking, "Really?" The moment it left his mouth, he regretted it.

Sure enough, Di Lin was already sneering. "A person really ought to be honest! I only lied to you once, and it seems you won't forgive me for the rest of your life."

Zichuan Xiu fell silent. He understood Di Lin's meaning: what had happened that night during the Bloody Night of the Imperial Capital had cut a crack into their once-unbreakable friendship. Just now, everyone had deliberately or unconsciously avoided that crack, trying to mend their friendship, but in the end, they still had to confront that painful memory bare-faced.

There was no way to explain such things. He could only raise his cup in a toast to Di Lin. Their cups clinked, and they drained them in one gulp.

Di Lin exhaled the scent of wine. "In this world, if you lack strength, you can't even pull up a blade of grass from the ground! Much less survive!" He looked at Zichuan Xiu. "My strength is that I am ruthless enough!"

Zichuan Xiu listened quietly. He knew Di Lin was not saying this only for him to hear, but also for himself.

"My high position today was built on the corpses of more than a hundred thousand family soldiers and several million demons! In the Far East, when people mention my name, Di Lin the Asura King, even children don't dare cry out loud!"

"I know you and Sterling are benevolent gentlemen, righteous men, loyal to the family—but what good does that do? Look at Ge Yingxing in the Far East. Loyal enough, wasn't he? But see how that old fox Zichuan Canxing repaid him! Enter the Sacred Spirit Hall? Fuck that! Why doesn't he go in himself?"

As Di Lin spoke, he drank fiercely. These words had clearly been bottled up inside him for a long time. "When you saw Fang Jin with me, did you find it strange?"

Zichuan Xiu nodded. "Yes." But he did not ask why.

Di Lin's eyes turned crafty. "Let me test you with a question: what was one recent thing that should not have happened, but did? A hint—it was something major!"

Zichuan Xiu answered without hesitation, "Yang Minghua's defeat and downfall—since he dared openly demonstrate his power, he shouldn't have collapsed so easily!"

Di Lin slapped the table. "Correct! Do you remember what I told you at the Commanders' Office? For Yang Minghua to openly rebel, he had to meet two conditions. First, divide the Far East Army from within. Second, bribe and win over either Ming Hui or Fang Jin. Looking back now, Lei Hong's rebellion fulfilled the first condition."

Zichuan Xiu's eyelids twitched. "The one who was won over was...?" An ominous feeling rose in his heart.

Di Lin said calmly, "When I searched Yang Minghua's house, I found Fang Jin's letter of allegiance to him."

Zichuan Xiu shouted, "Impossible!"

"That night, Fang Jin had also stationed more than ten thousand Black Flag Army soldiers in ambush outside the city. But my troops entered the city first. Seeing there was no chance, he secretly withdrew."

Zichuan Xiu still shook his head, unable—or unwilling—to believe that Fang Jin, the senior officer and mentor he had respected since childhood, who had always cared for him so dearly, the brave and forthright fierce general, could be Yang Minghua's lackey. Emotionally, he would rather believe that Ming Hui had been bought off.

"Actually, we should have seen it at that meeting: two senior Black Flag Army officers had died, yet hot-tempered Fang Jin did not immediately fall out with Yang Minghua. He even needed Ge Yingxing of the Far East Army to stand up for them. It was extremely abnormal, but everyone was too worked up at the time to notice."

Recalling Fang Jin's performance that day, Zichuan Xiu had actually already believed Di Lin. "Why didn't you expose him?"

"This matter is top secret. Even Luobo Minghai doesn't know—why should I expose him? Zichuan Canxing shows no mercy to anyone who colludes with Yang Minghua. If this came out, a whole lot of heads would roll. Wouldn't it be better to leave those heads where they are and have them work for me?"

Zichuan Xiu stared at Di Lin with wide eyes. "You're blackmailing him? And he agreed?"

"He has no other path." Di Lin said understandingly, "I know you respect Fang Jin greatly, but he chose the wrong side himself. He can't blame anyone. The world isn't a playground. There is no such thing as starting over—it's the same for everyone!"

Di Lin seemed to be implying something. Zichuan Xiu pressed, "It's the same for everyone?"

Di Lin did not answer directly. He walked to the window and said, "There are things I only vaguely learned after reaching the position of Chief Inspector. The Inspectorate has always secretly maintained a Seventh Division. This secret department specifically monitors powerful ministers and generals. They plant agents beside nearly everyone they consider worth watching. Back then, Yang Minghua used Xiao Long's Seventh Division to gather intelligence and control the family from top to bottom. Likewise, Zichuan Canxing has his own intelligence network, likewise planting spies beside officials large and small throughout the family. That includes you. Among the subordinates you trust most are people from both sides. Their names are..."

Zichuan Xiu immediately cut him off. "These scrambled eggs are pretty good. Try some."

Di Lin stared at Zichuan Xiu. "You already knew?"

"This soup is too salty—ever since she married you, Lin Xiujia's cooking has gotten worse!"

"How did you know?"

Zichuan Xiu could only sigh. "She isn't a decorated general, nor was she born into nobility. How could she become a Vice Banner Captain at such a young age and then happen to be assigned to serve beside me? And that pretty boy had never even been on a battlefield. He doesn't know shit, so how could he hold a staff position? One look told me someone had arranged it behind the scenes."

Di Lin smiled. "I've really been underestimating you all along. So you knew already—do you want me to handle them for you? I guarantee it'll be clean and leave no trace." When he said "handle," he showed his white teeth, with a trace of killing intent in his smile.

Zichuan Xiu put on an innocent expression and asked, "Handle? Handle what?"

Di Lin said, "I almost forgot you don't like killing people. There's another way: I can expose them as Yang Minghua's remnants, and you can protect them. That'll ensure they become utterly loyal to you from then on."

Zichuan Xiu shook his head. "No matter what they were before, that night, they broke with Yang Minghua through their actions and atoned for their crimes. If they are exposed, even if I don't mind, they won't be able to serve under me with peace of mind. Then I would lose two outstanding subordinates."

"They have only one identity now: they are the direct subordinates of Zichuan Xiu." He paused, staring straight into Di Lin's eyes. "My most loyal subordinates." It was undoubtedly a warning, warning Di Lin not to harass them.

Di Lin also fell silent for a long time. Finally, he said, "I'm not as good as you, Axu."

Zichuan Xiu said sincerely, "Big Brother, I've always been proud of you."

Di Lin laughed heartily. "Hearing you call me Big Brother again is the happiest thing for me!" He sat back down.

Luobo Minghai wants my life with all his heart. I have to cultivate my own power to protect myself, using every means possible. Though I am confident I won't lose to him, the world is unpredictable—who can say for certain? If that day truly comes, Lin Xiujia and the child in her belly will be entrusted to you."

Zichuan Xiu was deeply moved. Di Lin knew that he disliked political struggles, and he did not use their years of friendship to force him into joining. Though Di Lin was cruel and merciless toward others, his feelings toward him were utterly sincere.

Zichuan Xiu drained the wine in his cup and made a solemn promise. "I promise you, Big Brother. So long as I live, I will never let Lin Xiujia or her child suffer even the slightest harm."

Di Lin gratefully held out his hand. The two clasped hands tightly, their gazes turning together toward the photograph of the three of them on the table. Amid the falling blossoms, three friends bound by life and death held one another close. For a moment, both their thoughts returned to those days at the Far East Military Academy, filled with vigor and hope...