Incense smoke drifted through the rear hall of the Jinling Prefectural Office.
The atmosphere on either side of the long redwood table was drawn as tight as a bowstring.
Seated in the principal seat was the Jinling Prefect, his fair face marked by puffy eye bags. His fingers absently twisted his beard, and his eyes flickered uneasily.
Beside him sat the Assistant Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture. His square face was drawn taut, his lips pressed into a thin line. Several local officials sat below them, all hanging their heads in silence. Not one dared speak.
The Zheng Chiliarch from the Commandery Commandant Office was also present. His back was ramrod straight, but the knuckles of the hand resting on his sword hilt had gone faintly white. His expression seemed grim, yet his eyes were filled with helplessness.
He stole a glance at Li Yan and Wang Dao Xuan seated opposite him. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back down, his chest tight with pent-up frustration.
"Y-Young Master Li."
The Jinling Prefect cleared his throat and forced out a smile. With the characteristic drag of officialese, he said, "The matter at Locust Tree Village is horrifying. I, too, was heartbroken when I heard of it. However, this matter is of great importance and involves evil cultists. The Commandery Commandant Office will naturally investigate it together with the Mystic Sect lineages."
"Young Master Li, you acted out of righteousness and uncovered the cause of Tian Chiliarch's sudden death. I will certainly memorialize the court and request merit for you. As for the case of the Lin Family trading house..."
He drawled out the last words and looked toward the Assistant Prefect.
The Assistant Prefect immediately picked up the thread,