Li Chunfeng had spent this time lost in the pleasures of the flesh, utterly unaware of what had happened in the outside world.
So when the Six Gates constables told him everything about the name Treading the Moon and the earthshaking cases that had occurred in the capital over the past two days, Li Chunfeng felt a chill at his neck. All color drained from the face that had been so arrogant and overbearing moments before.
He knew better than anyone how many evil deeds he had committed over the years and how many innocent young women he had harmed. He had simply relied on the duke's overwhelming power and never given the lives of those ants a thought.
But now, an elusive outlaw who specifically targeted powerful nobles had called him out by name and demanded his head. How could he not be afraid?
That fear, however, did not last long.
His father, Li Jun, the Duke of An, soon received the news.
The duke flew into a thunderous rage. At his command, men from the Arrest Bureau and the Military Patrol Office rushed over and surrounded the entire Duke Anguo's Residence so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through.
Before long, Lin Hong, head of the Lin Family, Zhang Bo, minister of revenue, and other powerful figures in the capital also arrived after hearing the news. As they looked at the arrogant words on the wall, every face turned grim.
"Arrogant! Outrageously arrogant!" Zhang Bo pointed at the wall, his finger trembling with anger. "First this scoundrel robbed the grain, then he stole the silver. Now he even dares openly leave a message threatening murder. Does he mean to overturn the heavens?"
Lin Hong's face was dark as water. "This fellow acts without any restraint. If he dares leave a message on the Duke Anguo's Residence wall today, tomorrow he'll dare commit murder at any of our residences. He absolutely cannot be allowed to live. He must be rooted out, or he'll become a grave threat close to our hearts!"
The proposal immediately won the unanimous agreement of all the influential families present.
Li Jun immediately gave his orders. "Pass on my command: all servants and guards in the residence are to patrol day and night, without a moment's slack! Also, gather all the skilled fighters in the residence to guard the young master closely. I'd like to see how he takes my son's head three days from now!"
Watching his father deploy the men, with officers and soldiers standing all around him, Li Chunfeng gradually lost his fear and grew much calmer. As he saw it, with his father and so many others there, he was sure to come through unharmed.
Just as everyone was discussing how to arrange the defenses, a clear young woman's voice rang out.
"My lords, this junior has something to say."
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a plainly dressed, graceful and lovely young woman standing behind Cheng Ming. It was Cheng Zhiwei.
By rights, this gathering was full of the capital's most powerful figures, and a mere green girl like her had no place speaking. But out of respect for Divine Eye Cheng Ming, no one spoke up to rebuke her.
Li Jun frowned. "What insight do you have, young lady?"
Neither servile nor arrogant, Cheng Zhiwei swept her gaze around the courtyard before speaking. "Judging from the first two cases, this man's movement technique is strange, and he is exceptionally skilled at concealing his tracks. He is especially adept at hiding in darkness and can evade the senses of ordinary people, so ordinary patrols will likely have difficulty stopping him."
She paused, her voice growing a little clearer. "To ensure nothing goes wrong, why not hang lanterns throughout the residence, especially along the courtyard walls, rooftops, corridors, and other such corners? Make sure the entire residence is as bright as day, without leaving the slightest shadow or blind spot. Only then can we restrict his hiding places as much as possible and leave him nowhere to hide."
At those words, everyone's eyes lit up.
"Excellent!" Lin Hong could not help clapping his hands in praise. "Miss Zhiwei, you truly are as attentive as a hair is fine and thorough in your thinking. A splendid plan!"
Li Jun nodded as well and immediately ordered the steward to carry it out.
Cheng Zhiwei smiled faintly, then stepped back.
But her actions had drawn Li Chunfeng's attention.
He openly looked Cheng Zhiwei up and down. Her lovely features and quiet, graceful bearing set his heart ablaze, and he wanted nothing more than to drag her into bed and ravage her then and there.
Cheng Zhiwei was exceptionally perceptive. She immediately noticed the malice in Li Chunfeng's gaze and could not help knitting her delicate brows. Then she lowered her eyes without showing any reaction and moved behind her grandfather.
With the matter settled, everyone got busy.
Cheng Ming noticed that something was wrong with his granddaughter. When no one was nearby, he asked in a low voice, "Zhiwei, what's wrong?"
Cheng Zhiwei hesitated for a moment, but finally could not help asking, "Grandfather, Li Chunfeng dared look at me so rudely in front of so many people. Clearly the rumors going around are true, and he really is overflowing with wicked deeds. By advising him like this, aren't we... helping a tyrant do evil?"
Seeing the earnest look on his granddaughter's face, Cheng Ming's smile gradually faded. He said solemnly, "Zhiwei, you must remember that we are constables. A constable's duty is to catch bandits and thieves and uphold the law. As for how offenders should be dealt with, the law will judge them. We have no right to interfere."
He lowered his voice. "I know you have a very poor opinion of Li Chunfeng, but no matter what kind of man he is, he is not a criminal until the law finds him guilty. And it is certainly not the place of a thief and outlaw to judge whether he lives or dies. Do you understand?"
Cheng Zhiwei nodded silently.
Seeing this, Cheng Ming sighed inwardly and gently patted his granddaughter's shoulder. "Don't think too much about it. Just do our own jobs well. The officials at court will take care of the rest."
"I understand, Grandfather." Cheng Zhiwei forced a smile.
But after Cheng Ming turned to go and assign the men, Cheng Zhiwei looked at the brilliantly lit duke's residence, filled with the clamor of voices, and a trace of bewilderment she could not shake still flickered in her eyes.
She murmured to herself, so softly that only she could hear, "The law... but how many people in this world still believe in the law?"
The sensational news that "Moon-Treading Great Hero" had left a message at the Duke Anguo's Residence, declaring that he would take the head of the villainous young master Li Chunfeng in three days, swept through the entire capital in an instant.
The powerful and the common people had completely different reactions to the matter.
Even those noble and influential families who privately looked down on Li Chunfeng's actions saw it as a conflict among themselves. Even if he was to be punished, they should be the ones to do it. It was not the place of some jianghu nobody of unknown origins to tell them what to do.
Among the common people, meanwhile, excitement was mixed with deep worry.
They were thrilled that a hero had finally dared to stand up and rid the people of this scourge, but they were also afraid that the Duke Anguo's Residence would surely lay a net from heaven to earth. The Moon-Treading Great Hero's undertaking was likely to bring far more danger than good.
Whatever their attitude, the matter became the focus of discussion for everyone, from the imperial court down to the streets and alleys.
In a dilapidated corner of the capital, the young woman Li Chunfeng had just toyed with lay on her bed like a statue of wood or clay, neither eating nor drinking, intent only on dying.
Just then, the girl's mother came to the bedside and said softly through tear-filled eyes, "Daughter, if you want to cry, let it out. A hero is going to seek justice for us."
"Even if you really want to go, let's wait three more days. Then we can see with our own eyes what happens to that beast before you go, all right? I'm begging you."
Hearing this, the girl on the bed, her eyes empty, finally moved slightly. A scalding tear then slid down her pale cheek.