The Seventh Prince Wasn't In?

Of course, that was the right idea. It was just that the process probably wouldn't go quite as they expected.

"Brother Ye, the carriage is here."

"Mm. Let's get in."

After glancing at the crowd of onlookers and the Lan Guards pushing through the crowd toward them, only to be stopped by the Qing Guards, Fang Yue, Tian Rui Chi, and the others filed into the carriage.

Hai Dongye immediately mounted his horse and rode ahead to clear the way for Fang Yue and the others.

The Qing Division held a fairly respectable position in the Capital. It was one of the four great official organizations.

Even the white-clad Qing Guards commanded great respect among the common people, who would never dare offend them lightly.

With Hai Dongye clearing the way, the carriage carrying Fang Yue and the others traveled without obstruction.

Inside the carriage, Jing Yan, Tian Rui Chi, and the others occasionally lifted the curtains to look at the scenery outside.

Fang Yue wasn't particularly interested. He stared at the Soul-Snatching Jade Pendant in Tian Rui Chi's hand and said, "There's something wrong with the item your master gave you."

"Yes."

"...Aren't you going to look into it? With Old Helmsman dead and the Cold River Giant Ship destroyed, you'll be held responsible when the blame comes down."

"...Master wouldn't harm me. The Seventh Prince will protect my life, too."

"But if you tell them what really happened..."

At those words, Tian Rui Chi suddenly looked up and stared into Fang Yue's eyes. Then he slowly shook his head.

"Master is more important than me."

"...Fine. I won't bring it up again. Let's discuss something else. Suppose—just suppose—we'd offered the Soul-Snatching Jade Pendant to Old Helmsman as a bargaining chip. According to your master's plan, we would've gone