Improvised Performance

These words were both flattering and complimentary to Lin Yu, putting on a good show, and also clearly stating his own position, without losing the demeanor of a Great Tang official and the County Lieutenant of Chang'an.

One had to admit, Su Wuming was better at talking than Lu Lingfeng!

The corners of Lin Yu's mouth under his mask curved slightly.

At the same time, seeing his cousin finish bowing to Lin Yu and preparing to bow to himself, Su Haoming sighed inwardly. He immediately sheathed his sword and stepped forward to help his cousin up.

Su Wuming was slightly stunned, then his face showed joy, as if he thought his words had moved the two of them.

Little did he know, Su Haoming just didn't want to see his cousin bow to him like this!

This action was naturally not in the script.

Or more accurately, they didn't have a script at all; everything was improvisation.

This level of acting was naturally no challenge for Lin Yu.

His expression remained unchanged. He glanced at Su Wuming and said indifferently, "County Lieutenant of Chang'an... Could you be that Duke Di's disciple, Su Wuming?"

Su Wuming was stunned again. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "That's right, it is I. Does Your Excellency have an old connection with my master?"

Lin Yu glanced at him with interest and said, "Could it be that I've only heard of your name?"

Su Wuming chuckled, "Your Excellency is joking. Although I am the County Lieutenant of Chang'an, I have only been in office for a short time and have not yet achieved any outstanding accomplishments. The only thing worth being known by Your Excellency would be my identity as my master's disciple!"

"As expected of Duke Di's disciple!"

Lin Yu exclaimed, then exerted force with his hand, knocked Yuan Lai unconscious, and threw him towards Su Wuming.

Su Wuming was startled and quickly caught Yuan Lai with Jia Bantou, pinning him to the ground.

"For Duke Di's sake, I won't make things difficult for you today."

With that, Lin Yu strode towards the many black-clothed people ahead.

The black-clothed people remained silent on the surface, but their feet unconsciously moved, clearing a path for Lin Yu.

Su Wuming straightened up and cupped his hands, saying earnestly, "Thank you, Your Excellency, for your magnanimity... May I still ask Your Excellency's name?"

"...Huanyu, White Jade City."

Su Wuming was stunned. Was this a name?

No, it sounded more like a Buddhist or Taoist name!

Lin Yu did not explain further. He merely looked at Su Haoming beside him and said indifferently, "Yu Hao, come quickly."

Su Haoming was stunned for a moment, then realized. This must be the codename Lin Yu had given him!

Yu Hao...

Not bad, sounds good!

Su Haoming thought to himself, while simultaneously draining the last of his Magic Power, barely managing to execute half a move of Stepping on Void to Ride the Wind.

In an instant, Su Haoming's figure seemed to merge with the wind, descending at a speed that defied the laws of physics. He landed behind Lin Yu, calmly following him forward.

Passing through the Black-clothed people on either side, only Lu Lingfeng and three Jinwu Guards remained ahead.

"General of the Guards!"

A Jinwu Guard beside him called out softly. The young and proud General of the Guards finally reacted, immediately clearing the path and watching the two passing by with a complex expression.

"Ch-- "

With the sound of stone grinding, the Stone Door inexplicably opened on its own.

Lin Yu and Su Haoming stepped inside, gradually disappearing from everyone's complicated gazes.

Only after their figures had completely vanished did everyone, including Su Wuming, breathe a sigh of relief.

He glanced at the silent Black-clothed people, snatched the long saber from Jia Bantou, and held it to Yuan Lai's neck, shouting angrily:

"Yuan Lai is here, surrender and live!"

The rest of the group reacted, shouting in unison: "Yuan Lai is here, surrender and live!"

The many Black-clothed people, who had not yet recovered from Lin Yu's mental pressure, heard Su Wuming and his subordinates' shouts. They silently threw down their weapons, showing no intention of resisting.

Seeing this, Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming finally relaxed.

They exchanged a look across the distance. Su Wuming nodded and waved, ordering the Chang'an Catchers to help.

Lu Lingfeng, along with three Jinwu Guards, maintained vigilance on the spot. Once reinforcements arrived, they would advance together to confiscate weapons and bind prisoners.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming finally had a moment to talk.

They stood silently before the Stone Door, their backs to the busy Chang'an Catchers.

A moment later, Lu Lingfeng broke the silence.

"The one wearing the white jade mask admitted to having a past with Duke Di. As Duke Di's disciple, County Lieutenant Su, who served by Duke Di's side for many years, have you ever heard of such a person?"

...I really haven't!

Just as Su Wuming was about to shake his head, he suddenly remembered his cousin's predicament, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

If there was anyone over the years that even he couldn't understand, it was the expert behind his cousin!

If Master truly found that expert back then and befriended him, but later chose to conceal the truth for some reason, it's not entirely impossible!

Seeing Su Wuming's hesitation, Lu Lingfeng sensed something.

"Su Wuming, do you really have a clue?"

"..."

Su Wuming snapped back to attention and shook his head, "It's not really a clue. I just remembered some of Master's experiences back then. Master always kept his word when it came to important promises. With just these memories, I can't get any important information."

"Compared to that, I'm more interested in the poem they recited when they appeared..."

"The Eastern Jin scholar Bao Puzi, in his Zhong Zhong Shu, states that the Primordial Beginning Heavenly King resides above the center of the heavens, named Jade Capital Mountain."

"The Records of the Grand Historian - Annals of Emperor Wu also records that during the time of the Yellow Emperor, there were Five Cities and Twelve Towers to await divine beings during the Qiqi period, named 'Welcoming the Year'."

"The saying 'White Jade Capital in the heavens, twelve towers and five cities' should originate from these two allusions."

Lu Lingfeng said slowly, "What about the last two lines?"

"..."

Su Wuming fell silent. After a moment, he sighed, "The artistic conception of these four lines is profound and their aura is extraordinary, certainly not penned by an ordinary person. Someone who can write such words, even if not an immortal, at least possesses the state of mind of a poet immortal!"

It was clear that Su Wuming did not want to answer the question directly.

Lu Lingfeng frowned, "Do you really think they are gods?"

Su Wuming shook his head, "No, of course not. There are no gods in this world. I used to think so, and I still do."

Lu Lingfeng retorted, "Then how do you explain their methods?"

Su Wuming fell silent. After a moment, he looked up, "General of the Guards, you are a martial artist. What do you think?"

Lu Lingfeng shook his head, "In my opinion, their methods are definitely not martial arts. I've practiced martial arts for over twenty years, and I'm confident that even if I were the best in the world, I could at least exchange a few blows. But these two people..."

Although Lu Lingfeng didn't finish, his meaning was clear.

The two looked at each other and fell into silence.

"Huanyu, Yu Hao, White Jade City..."

Su Wuming sighed, "The world is vast and full of wonders. The ancients truly did not deceive us!"

He then lowered his voice, "Since ancient times, tales of immortals and gods have been the source of chaos for the imperial family. Although the General of the Guards is under the Crown Prince, it's best not to reveal everything about today's events, especially those last two lines of poetry..."

Lu Lingfeng understood, "I naturally know that!"

"The General of the Guards is truly a pillar of the nation!"

Su Wuming first offered a compliment, then lowered his voice again. "As for the matter of White Jade City, if the General of the Guards is interested, you and I can cooperate and investigate in secret."

Lu Lingfeng frowned. "You want to secretly form a faction with me?"

Su Wuming said helplessly, "What faction? It's just investigating a case, why make it sound so serious!"

Lu Lingfeng eyed him suspiciously, then after a moment, he nodded lightly.

At the same time, on the stone platform above the cave, Lin Yu and the other person, who had returned after leaving, were eavesdropping on their conversation.

Hearing Su Wuming wanted to investigate White Jade City in secret, Su Haoming couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. He turned to Lin Yu and said, "Brother Lin, isn't our act... a bit over the top?"

"Over the top with what!"

Lin Yu said with great interest, "Think about it, the most mysterious, most powerful behind-the-scenes boss that the protagonist group investigated for a whole season turns out to be the protagonist's cousin who he spends his days with. Isn't this development classic enough?"

Su Haoming quipped, "It's cliché!"

Lin Yu said seriously, "Never mind whether it's cliché or not, just tell me if you're interested!"

Su Haoming thought about it carefully and had to admit that this plot development was indeed quite satisfying for him.

However...

Su Haoming shook his head. "Even if we're going to arrange a Big Boss, it should be you, Brother Lin. I can be your right-hand man. If you make me stand in the center, I can't handle it!"