Chapter 38: Obstacles in the Prison, Perils Abound

Chapter 38: Blocked at the Prison, Peril at Every Turn

Night had fallen, the sky oppressive and heavy as if heralding an imminent storm.

At the entrance to the Ministry of Justice prison, several figures dressed in black stood as motionless as statues, their cold, piercing eyes fixed upon Lin Shiya. Danger radiated from them, like panthers lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.

Lin Shiya knew all too well—this was no coincidence. Vice Minister Zhang, or rather the power behind him, could no longer wait to stop her. She drew a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. This journey was fraught with peril, but she had long been prepared. For her brother, for her family, for the truth—she would not retreat.

With her head held high, she strode resolutely toward the prison gates. The men in black immediately stepped forward, blocking her path. The air was taut with tension, as if a string pulled too tight and ready to snap.

“Halt! Who goes there?” one of the men barked harshly.

Without a trace of fear, Lin Shiya produced her top scholar’s token, her tone steady and carrying an undeniable authority. “I am Lin Shiya, newly appointed top scholar, here under imperial orders to investigate. Do you dare to impede me?”

The men were clearly startled, not having expected her to be the newly honored scholar. Their hesitation was evident. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Shiya swept past them, her stride long and unyielding as she entered the prison.

Inside, the cells were damp and dark, the air thick with the stench of rot—nauseating and oppressive. Lin Shiya forced down her discomfort, following the narrow corridor deeper within.

“Such an illustrious guest gracing our humble abode—the top scholar herself!” A mocking, sing-song voice echoed down the hall.

Raising her gaze, Lin Shiya saw Vice Minister Zhang standing not far away, a fake smile plastered across his oily, fleshy face. His small, cunning eyes gleamed with deceit.

“Vice Minister Zhang flatters me,” Lin Shiya replied coldly. “I am here today to visit my elder brother. I hope you will be accommodating.”

“Accommodating? But of course,” Zhang replied, his lips curling in a smile that did not reach his eyes. “However, there are rules to be followed in this place—not just anyone may visit a prisoner.” He deliberately drew out the last word.

Lin Shiya could tell he was deliberately making things difficult for her. Suppressing her anger, she replied icily, “Vice Minister, my time is precious. Let us speak plainly and not waste each other’s time.”

Zhang chuckled dryly, dragging his words. “Top Scholar Lin, your brother is accused of treason—a crime far from ordinary. It will not be easy to see him...”

“What is it you want?” she pressed.

Leaning in, Zhang lowered his voice. “There are some things, my lady, that you would be better off not knowing. Lest...” He trailed off.

But before he could finish, Lin Shiya let out a cold laugh, her gaze sharp as a blade. “Vice Minister Zhang, I am here under imperial command. Your repeated attempts to hinder me—what are your intentions? Unless, perhaps, you too are involved in my brother’s case?”

His expression flickered, but he quickly masked it and tried to appear composed. “You jest, Top Scholar. I am simply following protocol. How could I possibly obstruct you?”

“Protocol?” Lin Shiya’s tone was frigid. “I would very much like to see what sort of protocol allows the Ministry of Justice to interfere with the newly appointed top scholar.” With that, she drew a golden token from her sleeve—the Emperor’s own gift, a symbol of royal authority.

At the sight of the golden token, the surrounding wardens all knelt, their voices echoing as one: “We greet the esteemed Top Scholar!”

Vice Minister Zhang’s face darkened considerably. He had not expected Lin Shiya to bring the imperial token. He knew that to obstruct her now would be to defy the emperor himself—a far graver crime.

Gritting his teeth, he forced a smile. “Since you bear the imperial token, how could I dare stand in your way? Please, proceed.”

Lin Shiya snorted coldly and strode deeper into the prison. Zhang remained where he stood, his face clouded and his eyes filled with venomous malice.

In the dim, damp cell, Lin Shiya found her brother, Lin Da. Though imprisoned, Lin Da still exuded uprightness and strength. The moment they met, a flood of emotions surged between the siblings.

Lin Shiya asked after her brother’s well-being and updated him on the progress of her investigation. As they spoke quietly, a shadow slipped silently to the cell door.

Clad in black, the figure’s hand gripped a gleaming dagger, his eyes cold and merciless—a messenger from the underworld itself. Step by step, he advanced, the blade catching the meager light, the air filling with the chill of death.

“Look out!” Lin Da cried, throwing himself at Lin Shiya to shield her from the deadly attack.

In that split second, the assassin’s dagger flashed toward Lin Shiya’s throat.

“Courting death!” A low, menacing voice rang out in the cell.

A dark figure dropped from above, landing squarely before Lin Shiya. It was Murong Fu.

With movements as fluid as flowing water, he caught the assassin’s blade with ease. In a flurry of lightning-quick strikes, the two exchanged blows—the assassin’s every move lethal, but Murong Fu remained composed, effortlessly parrying each attack.

Cramped by the cell’s confines, the assassin’s movements were hampered and he soon found himself at a disadvantage. Seizing the moment, Murong Fu struck his opponent squarely in the chest. The man grunted, thrown back against the wall before crashing to the ground.

Lin Shiya had been prepared. In the chaos, she slipped into a concealed corner of the cell, as she and Coroner Wang had planned. Piles of clutter shielded her from view, and the assassin could not find her. He hacked and slashed wildly, striking only empty air, nearly tripping over the scattered debris in his frustration.

“Brother!” Lin Shiya rushed to Lin Da’s side while Murong Fu kept the assassin occupied.

Though weakened, Lin Da’s eyes shone with resolve. “Shiya, you must be careful. This case is tangled deep—there is powerful force behind it…” He lowered his voice urgently. “I heard from others in the prison—on the day the confiscated silver was escorted...”

Before he could finish, the assassin closed in once more. Murong Fu blocked his path, the two locking in fierce combat again.

Lin Shiya squeezed her brother’s hand, worry and reluctance plain in her eyes. “Brother, wait for me. I will uncover the truth and save you!”

While Murong Fu and the assassin dueled, she quickly hid a cloth bundle Lin Da pressed into her hands. Whatever it contained, it was of great importance.

“Go, quickly!” Lin Da urged. He knew staying would only endanger his sister further.

Lin Shiya cast him a long, searching look before turning to leave, her departing words echoing in the cold, dank cell: “Don’t worry, brother—I will return!”

The assassin made to pursue her, but Murong Fu blocked his way with unyielding ferocity.

“Your opponent is me,” Murong Fu said, his voice icy, his eyes ablaze with murderous intent.

Lin Shiya hurried out of the cell, exchanging a glance with Coroner Wang waiting outside. He nodded ever so slightly—all was ready.

As Lin Shiya approached the main gate of the prison, Vice Minister Zhang appeared suddenly, blocking her path.

“And where might the top scholar be hurrying off to? The investigation isn’t over yet…” he said, his smile sinister, his eyes glittering with malice.

Lin Shiya stopped, fixing him with a frosty stare. “Master Zhang, some things are better left unknown…”

She walked quickly on, her steps resolute and swift. As she moved, she sorted through the clues in her mind. Her brother’s words had been like a key, unlocking a door in her heart.

She recalled the haphazard piles of old account books in the prison’s corners—something about them had struck her as odd. While seemingly random, they might yet conceal critical evidence.

Her instincts sharp, she had already noticed the prison’s strange layout—certain neglected corners filled with old objects that did not belong. The handwriting in these account books was markedly different from the official records—hurried, sloppy, as if jotted down in haste.

Without drawing attention, Lin Shiya committed these suspicions to memory. She quickened her pace through the labyrinthine corridors, each step taken on the edge of shadow.

She remained vigilant, sensing that she was being watched, but betrayed nothing and took greater care to mask her movements.

Reaching the storeroom, she leafed casually through the old ledgers, her gaze as sharp as a hawk’s. She found the records in disarray, many entries obviously altered, crucial details of silver’s whereabouts wiped clean—impossible to trace.

A chill ran through her. She was now certain—a great secret was hidden here. She swiftly copied down the suspicious entries, concealed them in her sleeve, and returned the books to their place.

Steadying her breath, she calmed the excitement in her heart. She was one step closer to the truth.

She reached the prison entrance. The night wind was cool on her skin, sending a shiver through her body, but within, the fire of determination burned ever brighter.

She caught a glimpse of Coroner Wang, who nodded in readiness.

Exhaling slowly, Lin Shiya prepared to leave this grim place. But just as she was about to cross the threshold, a cold voice halted her.

“Top Scholar Lin, where are you off to at such an hour?”

Vice Minister Zhang stood blocking the exit, his corpulent form filling the doorway, his face twisted in a treacherous smile. Behind him stood dozens of wardens, their swords and sabers drawn, eyes hard and ferocious, as if ready to tear Lin Shiya to pieces.

She came to an abrupt halt, lifting her gaze to meet Zhang’s with eyes as cold as ice. She knew it would not be easy to escape.

A faint, enigmatic smile played at her lips as she replied, “Master Zhang, there are some things you are better off… never knowing.”