The Skinner

The two most esteemed women at the banquet both had their eyes on Li Chen Zhou, filling Wu Jie with jealousy.

Before Li Chen Zhou could respond, Princess Xuan Yi retorted, her eyebrows raised in anger, "Real talent isn't necessarily on display, is it? Some people haven't even produced a single decent piece, yet they're here criticizing others!"

Princess Xuan Yi's response made Wu Jie's face fall. He retorted, "I heard on the way here that the Princess and Li Chen Zhou shared a carriage. It seems the relationship is indeed quite extraordinary."

Before Princess Xuan Yi could speak, Eunuch Cao beside her pointed at Wu Jie and angrily shouted, "How dare you! What kind of thing are you to slander the Princess?"

Only then did Wu Jie realize that she was a princess. He quickly knelt down, and Nangong Yue quickly interjected, "Please forgive him, Your Highness. Young Master Wu merely misspoke."

Princess Xuan Yi coldly snorted and ignored him.

However, in front of everyone, Wu Jie had completely lost face. Even the look he gave Li Chen Zhou was filled with resentment, planting a seed of hatred.

Li Chen Zhou paid no attention to his provocation, instead turning his gaze to a man with delicate features standing next to him.

The moment their eyes met, Li Chen Zhou's mind was filled with a "Ding... System notification: Traces of The Skinner detected."

Eunuch Cao's angry shout had made the atmosphere tense. Nangong Yue spoke again, "Today is a poetry gathering; let's not spoil the mood. How about a 'Flying Flowers Game,' using the word 'moon' as the theme, to add some fun?"

Everyone began to agree, but Li Chen Zhou's attention remained fixed on that one person.

The handsome, effeminate man noticed Li Chen Zhou's gaze.

After whispering a few words to Wu Jie, he turned and left.

Seeing the effeminate man leave, Li Chen Zhou said to Princess Xuan Yi, "I'm going to the restroom."

"How troublesome. Hurry back," Princess Xuan Yi said with displeasure.

The effeminate man quickened his pace as soon as he exited. Li Chen Zhou followed closely behind.

Seeing the man turn into an alley, Li Chen Zhou followed. Just as he was about to turn the corner, a hand struck out, hitting Li Chen Zhou. The Golden Bell Shield manifested, creating ripples upon impact.

Missing the strike, the attacker quickly retreated.

The attacker withdrew his hand, pretending to only now recognize Li Chen Zhou, and feigned surprise. "Oh, it's Young Duke Li! My apologies, I thought it was some kind of thug. Why isn't Young Duke inside with the Princess? What are you following me for?"

Li Chen Zhou stared at him and sneered, "There's no need to pretend at this point, is there? The Skinner."

At that moment, the moonlight in the alley was obscured by dark clouds.

Li Chen Zhou's words clearly startled the man. He quickly replied, "Young Duke, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

Li Chen Zhou said nonchalantly, "It's fine. You'll understand once you're in the Imperial Prison."

The man scoffed, "I've long heard of Young Duke's remarkable swordsmanship. I'd like to learn a thing or two, but I wonder how much of Young Duke's strength can be displayed today without a sword."

"Then try me," Li Chen Zhou said, closing the distance. Soaring Illusionary Steps was used to its fullest, instantly transforming into seven afterimages that surrounded The Skinner.

Seeing Li Chen Zhou's incredible movement technique, the man was shocked. A small knife appeared in his hand, brandished in a dazzling display.

The knife handle was wrapped in semi-rotten human skin, emitting a fishy stench—exactly like the skinning weapon recorded in the Brocade Guard's case files.

Li Chen Zhou directly used his physical body to withstand the small knife.

The two exchanged several blows, the Sanskrit characters flowing and colliding with the small knife, producing the sound of metal clashing.

Li Chen Zhou stopped holding back. The moment they exchanged blows, he roared, "Soul Absorption Art!"

The man was caught by Li Chen Zhou's Soul Absorption Art and couldn't break free. All the internal force and essence of his body surged towards Li Chen Zhou.

Seeing that enough time had passed, Li Chen Zhou struck the man's chest with a palm. The man coughed up blood and flew out, utterly weakened.

Just as Li Chen Zhou was about to capture him, a graceful figure attacked him. Without even turning his head, Li Chen Zhou struck out with a palm, the deep internal force sending the figure staggering backward.

"Young Duke, I invited you to the poetry gathering today, yet you injure my guest. Is that appropriate?" The voice was gentle and alluring. It was Nangong Yue.

Nangong Yue had noticed Li Chen Zhou's strange gaze towards the effeminate man at the poetry gathering. Seeing them both leave, she followed.

"Miss Nangong, it's best if you don't interfere. He's my suspect. Be careful I don't accuse you of harboring a criminal," Li Chen Zhou said mercilessly.

"Young Duke is joking. Gu Wen is the Emperor's personally selected Tanhua. How could he be a criminal?" Nangong Yue didn't back down.

"That's even more reason. The Brocade Guard's duty is to monitor all officials, so Miss Nangong, please do not obstruct official business." Li Chen Zhou continued to walk towards Gu Wen.

Nangong Yue was about to attack when Li Chen Zhou stopped her. "Miss Nangong, don't be unreasonable. If you attack again, I won't be polite."

Nangong Yue was shocked. What had happened to her former simp?

However, from the exchange she just had with Li Chen Zhou, she knew that she was no match for him. Acting rashly might be disadvantageous.

"Young Duke, I will report today's events to my father truthfully. I will make sure my father seeks justice before His Majesty," Nangong Yue threatened, unwilling to give up.

"Suit yourself." Li Chen Zhou carried Gu Wen like a dead dog and headed towards the Brocade Guard's Imperial Prison.

Nangong Yue, seeing Li Chen Zhou's attitude, stomped her feet in anger. After returning, she had no mood to study poetry or anything else.

But because Princess Xuan Yi was still there, she could only keep up appearances.

Li Chen Zhou carried Gu Wen, using Soaring Illusionary Steps to its fullest, and rushed to the Imperial Prison. He casually tossed him to Yan San.

"Oh, Lord Li, you've brought another newcomer," Yan San said, stepping forward to receive the man.

"This is The Skinner. His identity is a bit special. Interrogate him first, but don't let him die. I'll come back later tonight," Li Chen Zhou said before leaving.

"Leave it to me," Yan San said, dragging the man into the Imperial Prison.

Leaving the Imperial Prison, Li Chen Zhou rushed towards the Nangong residence at an extremely fast speed.

Princess Xuan Yi was complaining, "Why is Li Chen Zhou taking so long for a trip to the restroom?"

As she spoke, Li Chen Zhou walked in.

"Why are you only coming now? It's almost over," Princess Xuan Yi pouted.

"That's perfect, I'll escort you back," Li Chen Zhou said with a smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.

"Miss Nangong, you all continue. I'll be leaving with Young Lord Li," she said, bidding farewell and preparing to leave.

"Farewell, Miss Nangong," Li Chen Zhou said, smiling at Nangong Yue.

Seeing Li Chen Zhou's smile, Nangong Yue felt extremely humiliated.

She reluctantly forced out, "Respectfully seeing off Your Highness."

Leaving the Nangong residence, they embarked on the road back to the Imperial Palace under the moonlight.

Halfway there, Eunuch Cao suddenly spoke up. "Young Duke, it seems your friends are looking for you. Do you need this one's help?"

Along with Eunuch Cao's reminder, Li Chen Zhou also noticed someone in the shadows. However, Eunuch Cao's reminder instantly made him realize that Eunuch Cao was not simple, and he even noticed that the two palace maids beside him had also entered a state of alert.

"No need, I'll leave the princess to Eunuch Cao," Li Chen Zhou said, knowing who was coming.

"Young Duke is too polite, it is this one's duty," he said, continuing to escort Princess Xuan Yi back to the palace.

The princess also reminded him, "Be careful."

Li Chen Zhou sighed inwardly. As expected of the royal princess, none of the people around her were simple.

Watching the princess leave, Li Chen Zhou spoke, "Everyone, come out. How long are you going to hide in the dark?"