Night was as dark as ink. Xi's slender figure slipped over the wall and quietly merged into the silent streets of Langya County.
Cold raindrops struck her face, but they were nothing compared to the storm raging in her heart.
A Wandering Knight... A Mohist School Wandering Knight had actually infiltrated Great Qin's law enforcement system and become a guard?
The news was shocking, yet beyond doubt.
That strange mechanical weapon, his manner—vaguely matching the rumored style of Wandering Knights—and, above all, the deep, indescribable tenderness in his eyes as he recounted those tragic stories... It all confirmed this astonishing news.
And he was so handsome!
When he had removed the human-skin mask from his face, even Xi, who had seen the peerless beauty of Shark Persons, couldn't help but marvel.
Someone this handsome couldn't be a bad person, could he?
Definitely not!
She had to report this to her master as soon as possible!
A Mohist School Wandering Knight who had infiltrated the Law Eye system could cause more damage and bring more uncertainty than ten or a hundred assassins operating in the open.
For her master's grand plan, this might be an excellent opportunity to exploit...
Xi quickened her pace, her heart pounding with excitement.
Inside the house, Chen Jin had talked until his mouth was dry. At last, he stopped.
He glanced at Xi, who was hard at work in the water tank. He had just told her the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, and she had gotten deeply caught up in it. Now she was working diligently.
At that moment, she was wholly focused on twisting the threads. The shuttle slipped between her fingers as if she were weaving every unspoken emotion into the Shark Silk, light as mist.
"Good. Keep it up," Chen Jin encouraged her calmly.
"Mm-hmm! I'll do my best!"
He walked over and sat down on the bed. He didn't lie down right away, but slowly closed his eyes.
His consciousness sank into the depths, and he opened the dark, withered Pre-Qin Bamboo Slip.
"Organize today's observations: suspected operating methods of the Law Eye, guard structure, observations of everyday life, Shark Person traits... Pay special attention to the [Judicial Interpretation] section. Compile everything into <Human-Bingzi-Twelve (Qin): Basic Observation Report (1)>. Price... tentatively set at 100 Yanfu Points."
The information he had access to so far wasn't very sophisticated and mostly scratched the surface, but there were many Yanfu Walkers, each with different needs.
Perhaps some newcomer who had just arrived, or someone interested in the Qin Law system, would be willing to spend this little bit of money on a reference.
Even a mosquito's leg was meat. He was in desperate need of income.
The enormous expense of 5,000 Yanfu Points to enter this Fruit had nearly drained his savings. Any small amount of income was precious.
After arranging the sale, his thoughts didn't stop. Instead, he began reviewing every detail of the day.
It was a habit he'd held to without fail since taking on his first undercover mission. Reviewing each operation helped him find oversights, adjust his plans, and stay alive.
His final thought settled on Squad Leader Wang Wu's meaningful gaze.
Everything tonight had seemed to go smoothly. Convincing the team to keep the Shark Person hidden also fit "Heifu's" greedy, profit-seeking persona, and for now, the situation was under control.
During the day, he had indeed pieced together a general picture of "Heifu" from the guards' scattered conversations: greedy, stingy, fond of gambling, and occasionally given to boasting about his romantic exploits—a typical low-ranking soldier and rogue.
Wang Wu, on the other hand, had a very different reputation.
Upright, strict, even somewhat old-fashioned.
There were also vague rumors that he was related to the famous general Wang Jian.
Yet after completing Qin State's great work of unification, the famous general Wang Jian had retired at the height of his success and disappeared. No one could verify the rumors.
If... if Wang Wu really was related to Wang Jian, even distantly, would he care about the "petty profit" of hiding a Shark Person?
Those pearls and Shark Silk might be a windfall for ordinary soldiers, but for someone who might have powerful connections and lofty ambitions, would they be worth the enormous risk of violating Qin Law—and tolerating one of his subordinates engaging in such a "borderline" act?
What exactly had Wang Wu meant by that meaningful look?
There was too little information.
Chen Jin sighed softly to himself.
No matter how clever a mind was, it couldn't reconstruct the whole game through a fog.
He could only plan based on the worst-case scenario—assume Wang Wu had ulterior motives, and assume this apparently smooth situation concealed an unknown danger.
He slowly opened his eyes and took one last look at Xi, still working diligently, then blew out the oil lamp.
For now, he might as well sleep.
Only with his strength restored could he face whatever tomorrow might bring.
In the dead of night, the only sound in a mansion in Langya County was the occasional clear chime of the copper bells hanging from the eaves, stirred by a passing breeze.
Cen Qing carefully settled her husband, who had worked hard all evening, into bed.
Looking at his peaceful sleeping face, she gently brushed her slender fingers over his furrowed brow, as though she could smooth away all the worries brought on by his duties.
Only after his breathing had grown long and steady did she quietly rise. Like a soft wisp of cloud, she drifted toward the depths of the estate.
Her home was far grander than that of any ordinary wealthy household.
The estate covered a vast area, with pavilions and towers arranged in elegant harmony. They were built from precious golden-thread nanmu and agarwood, their carved beams and painted rafters exquisitely detailed.
Covered walkways wound between buildings, and upturned eaves connected a series of carefully tended courtyards.
Night pearls set into the pillars cast a soft, clear glow, blending with the stars overhead to light the path to the gardens beyond.
The air held the faint, elusive fragrance of dragon's-blood incense from the deep sea.
Alone, she stepped onto the jade walkway leading to the ornamental pond.
All was silent around her. Only the water lilies in the pond quietly bloomed beneath the moonlight.
Leaning against the carved railing, she slipped off her silk shoes and dipped her smooth, jade-white toes into the cool water.
The next moment, a wondrous transformation began.
A hazy glow spread from her feet as they entered the water. Fine, translucent pale-blue scales appeared on her skin, quickly extending and merging. In an instant, her legs became a fish tail shimmering with moonlight and the luster of pearls.
She let out a soft, contented sigh. Her tail fin swayed gracefully, sending gentle ripples across the water as she enjoyed this brief, precious stillness that belonged to her alone.
Although the entire economic lifeblood of Great Qin was under the strict surveillance of the "Law Eye," and the Spirit Coin system was tightly controlled, even if she were reduced to the most primitive form of barter, how could she—a Shark Person princess with control over the means of producing hard currency such as pearls and Shark Silk—ever truly live in hardship?
Every inch of luxury in this estate spoke for itself.
Just then, ripples spread soundlessly from the center of the pond.
A head cautiously emerged from the water. It was Xi, who had returned.
Floating on the surface, she kept her voice low as she reported everything she had seen and heard at "Heifu's" home to Cen Qing, without leaving out a single detail.
Cen Qing listened quietly, her peerlessly beautiful face showing not the slightest ripple.
She continued swishing her tail until Xi had finished her report and looked at her expectantly. Only then did Cen Qing give a slight nod.
Cen Qing fell silent for a moment. "Thanks for your hard work. Go and get some proper rest. Don't mention today's events to anyone else."
She paused, then continued:
"Once I've prepared a generous gift, I'll go there in person to express my thanks."