Entering the River

Qi Dachun was completely baffled by the young master's words.

But Zeng Anmin had already reached the doorway, so he quickly followed.

"Shen Jun pays respects to the Left Clerk."

At the outer gate, Shen Jun stood in white robes, his slightly thick brows drawn in deference, his gaze toward Zeng Anmin carrying respect.

"No need for formalities. Do you still remember what I said when I saw you yesterday?"

"I have come precisely because of yesterday's words."

"Mm. Let's prepare to leave."

Just as Zeng Anmin was speaking with Shen Jun, a burly man strode in from outside.

Seeing Zeng Anmin, the man's expression also turned respectful as he said:

"Young Master Zeng, what about that horse?"

This burly man was none other than Wang Daoyuan, the one whose horse Zeng Anmin had borrowed yesterday.

Zeng Anmin looked at Wang Daoyuan, a faint, ambiguous smile curling on his face:

"The horse is in the back courtyard, but there's no rush for now. First, accompany this official on a case."

He currently had no suitable subordinates, and temporarily calling for men from his father... would likely leak word.

So Wang Daoyuan was a rather fitting choice.

"Ah?" Wang Daoyuan's face was blank with confusion. He had only come for his horse and never imagined he'd be roped into service on the spot.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Daoyuan's expression turned troubled as he asked:

"Might I ask where we are going to handle the case?"

Zeng Anmin didn't answer directly. Instead, he glanced sidelong at Shen Jun.

Shen Jun understood. He cleared his throat and said to Wang Daoyuan:

"On a wild mountain not far outside Liangjiang Prefecture City—there may be traces of my uncle. If we go now, we can return by evening."

The matter of Shen Jun's Aunt Murder Case being cracked by Zeng Anmin and transformed into Shen Liu's disappearance case...

had already spread through the Xuanjing Division in Liangjiang Prefecture City since yesterday.

Wang Daoyuan had naturally heard of it.

He had personally witnessed Zeng Anmin solve Zhang Lun's case on the spot, so he was naturally in awe of his investigative abilities.

"Well... this subordinate needs to go back and report. If I'm caught for dereliction of duty, it would be a disaster."

Wang Daoyuan cast a cautious glance at Zeng Anmin.

"Mm."

Zeng Anmin nodded lightly:

"We'll wait for you at the dock."

"Yes!"

At the dock.

A small boat had long been waiting by the riverbank. Onboard were food and wine, giving off a leisurely, carefree air.

"You've been thoughtful."

Seeing the little boat by the river, Zeng Anmin raised an eyebrow at Shen Jun.

"My family is in this line of work, so naturally I know what to prepare for a trip."

Shen Jun smiled modestly and extended his hand: "Please."

"Be careful, young master."

Qi Dachun looked around with extreme vigilance, carefully supporting Zeng Anmin as he boarded the boat.

Zeng Anmin had not worn his official robes this time, only a casual blue garment. He bore a strong resemblance to his father in appearance, and though his clothes were unassuming, he still carried an air of grace.

Shen Jun, having been pampered at home since childhood, also exuded an air of wealth and refinement.

As for the tall and sturdy Qi Dachun and the plainly dressed Wang Daoyuan, they paled in comparison to the other two.

Once all four were seated on the boat, Qi Dachun blinked.

He looked around and asked, "Where's the boatman?"

Zeng Anmin didn't answer. He just shot a sideways glance at Wang Daoyuan.

Wang Daoyuan immediately caught on and quickly said, "I'll do it! I'll do it!"

With that, he stood up, grasped the oar, and slowly steered the small boat away toward the shimmering, rippling river...

Zeng Anmin and Shen Jun chatted on the boat, rambling about this and that.

What truly earned Zeng Anmin's admiration was that Shen Jun actually had some substance in his head.

In his early years, he had studied and was once a student of the Shuidu Academy.

It was only later, due to his family's business affairs, that he didn't continue his studies.

"What a pity. If Younger Brother Shen had been willing to keep studying, he might have climbed the clouds of success."

Zeng Anmin clicked his tongue, a trace of regret on his face.

"Heh, there are a thousand roads in this world—which one can a man truly choose for himself?"

Shen Jun shook his head with a faint smile and dropped the subject.

Wang Daoyuan was now drenched in sweat. He caught his breath, pointed ahead at the faint outline of a barren mountain showing a hint of green, and cut in with a question:

"Is that the place?"

Shen Jun turned his head, gazing into the distance for a long while.

Then his face showed certainty:

"That's the very little Wild Mountain. The waters here are vast and open—unless someone deliberately sought it out, it would be hard to find. If my Uncle truly meant to hide, this would be an excellent choice."

Zeng Anmin cast a calm glance toward that small mountain.

The little peak was surrounded by water on all sides.

Even with just a rough look, one could sense the vitality on the mountain.

A truly fine place to build strength for rebellion.

Zeng Anmin praised it inwardly, but his face remained expressionless: "Move in closer."

"Yes."

Wang Daoyuan's face was utterly respectful as he tirelessly steered the boat.

Before long, the small mountain was right before their eyes.

"Small as a sparrow, but all its organs complete."

Once close to the mountain, Zeng Anmin raised an eyebrow and, with Dachun's help, stepped onto the shore.

He looked up and took in the scene: green trees and flowing water on the mountain, and even a few wild rabbits scurrying about, leisurely nibbling on weeds.

Shen Jun and Wang Daoyuan disembarked together. Gazing at the environment within the mountain, Shen Jun's voice carried a note of recollection:

"This mountain was named Water Cloud Island by my Uncle. Though I only came here as a child with him, the memory is deep."

"Mm. Let's go up and have a look. Keep our movements hidden."

Zeng Anmin surveyed the not-too-tall hill and cast a warning glance at the other three.

"Yes."

No one dared say, "What else to say?" They all knew they were on a case now, and their faces turned serious.

When the four of them climbed the hill, a wide-open vista suddenly spread before their eyes.

A vast stretch of flat land appeared, forming a valley with an expansive view.

"Whoa!" Zeng Anmin lay flat on the hilltop, only his head peeking out.

As his gaze touched the scene in the valley, his Phoenix Eyes narrowed slightly.

There weren't many people in the valley—about two or three hundred—all moving things about with numb expressions.

He could see the busy figures inside, going "crack-crack" as they worked.

Several squads of armored men held whips, driving the laborers.

But what truly sent a chill down Zeng Anmin's spine was that nearly every one of those armored men had a sizable firearm tucked at their waist!!

Seeing this, Zeng Anmin's gaze turned sharp, and his voice carried a hint of coldness:

"Prince Jiang's ambitions are vast indeed."

"What do we do now?" Shen Jun's palms were sweating with tension as he looked guiltily at Zeng Anmin.

He had thought his Uncle was in league with the man below.

"Leave first. Don't startle the snake."

Zeng Anmin's eyes flickered, and he quietly retreated down the hill.

The others dared not delay and quickly followed him down.

But just then, an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out across the river.

"Heh, since you've come, why not stay and be guests?"

"What's the rush to leave?"

The four of them instinctively looked toward the riverbank.

There, a small boat was drifting leisurely forward, and an Old Man on board wore a kindly smile.

The Old Man's back was slightly hunched, his face crisscrossed with wrinkles, and his plain cloth clothes were extremely simple.

If one didn't know, they might take him for some old farmer.

But his seemingly murky eyes occasionally flashed with a glint of sharpness, giving off an unfathomable air.

In his hand, he held a black feather fan, sitting leisurely on a small stool at the bow, looking at Zeng Anmin and his companions with a mocking expression.