Chapter 006: The Man in Black

Sima Dekan could see Pei Li's tightly pressed lips and the suppressed anger beneath his heavy black cloak. Pei Li hailed from the prominent Pei family of Hedong and had already served as an advisor to Yang Guang, the Duke of Yanmen, during the Northern Zhou period. Now, after twenty years of accompanying the Prince of Jin, his credentials were not something that could be easily provoked. However, Sima Dekan sensed that Pei Li's anger today was not merely directed at him; amidst his irritation, Sima Dekan vaguely perceived a certain underlying unease within him, as if there was a genuine tension and a near-fearful emotion lurking deep in Pei Li's heart.

To be precise, these individuals never realized it until their death

Oh, although the dead cannot speak, they can still convey a great deal of useful information. Sima Dekan said coldly: "Who are these men in black? Why are they here? And who is the one that killed them? Do we know any of this?"

The black-clad individuals who could command the attention of the Prince of Jin are certainly not ordinary figures, yet at this moment, they have all been killed here. Yangzhou, this is the territory of the Prince of Jin, who is stationed in Yangzhou and commands the forty-four prefectures of Jianghuai. Now, with unidentified forces intruding, the situation was already significant. However, this group has now been unknowingly killed here, making the matter increasingly complex.

Yang Wei finally understood Sima's words. Since the ninth year of the Kaihuang era, when the Sui Dynasty dispatched 520,000 troops to annihilate the Chen Dynasty, and in the tenth year of Kaihuang, when the southern regions revolted, after Yang Su and Shi Wansui pacified the south, Prince Jin stationed in Yangzhou, commanding the forty-four prefectures of Jianghuai, to maintain peace in the south. Over the years, the southern regions had long submitted; although there were still some bandits and thieves, they were merely minor nuisances, and certainly no group of bandits could suddenly capture this mysterious force that had infiltrated the outskirts of Yangzhou, let alone silently kill them. Ordinary bandits simply did not possess such capabilities, and from the scene, it was evident that these individuals had not been disturbed after their deaths, as the weapons were still laid out just as they were.

At just eighteen years of age, Sima Dekan has already become the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard, which is quite remarkable. It must be said that this is largely due to the favor bestowed upon him by his father, allowing him to attain such a position at such a young age. However, while his entry into the military was facilitated by his father's influence, his current achievements are undoubtedly a result of his own hard work. At the age of fifteen, he had already been stationed at the Great Wall's border, and during his first venture north over the wall to engage in battles against the Turkic tribes on the grasslands, he felt weak and unsteady. Looking back now, he cannot help but find it amusing. Yet, during his two years at the Great Wall's border, he gained experience from over a hundred patrols across the grasslands, and he has long since become fearless in that wild frontier. Logically speaking, a small grove on the outskirts of Yangzhou in Jiangnan, with more than ten corpses, should not make him feel tense.

Since the crows are already dead, let us return. As the last rays of the setting sun gradually fade into the western mountains, the surrounding trees grow increasingly dim, Pei Li could not help but speak.

"Governor Yang, please examine this carefully with me to see if there are any clues. Perhaps we can uncover the identities of these men in black, or determine who killed them"

The Prince of Jin has ordered us to investigate the whereabouts of the men in black, and we have now found them. Yang Wei, having received a signal from Pei Li, spoke up: "Now that they are dead, it seems that no one will escape. At this moment, it is not the most important thing to determine who killed these people; rather, we should first take these bodies back to report and await the Prince of Jin's instructions for our next course of action"

He turned his gaze towards Yang Wei, who was also a governor, but without the title of "Kuzhen," thus he was merely an ordinary captain of the royal guard, commanding fifty bodyguards. However, Yang Wei also hailed from a noble family, being the eighteenth in line of a branch of the illustrious Yang clan of Hongnong, one of the top aristocratic families in the Sui Dynasty. He was a handsome eighteen-year-old youth, the same age as Sima Dekan, born in the founding year of the Sui Dynasty, with black eyes and graceful demeanor, though he was somewhat slender. He maintained a good relationship with Pei Li, but also got along reasonably well with Sima Dekan. At this moment, he was riding a robust black Hetao warhorse, significantly taller than Pei Li, who was mounted on a smaller Khitan horse. He wore black deerskin boots, a black cloak, and black bright armor. Originally, he, like Sima Dekan, served as an imperial attendant in Daxing City, having joined the royal guard of the Prince of Jin in Yangzhou for less than half a year. However, given his background and experience, it would not be long before the title of governor would be accompanied by the name "Kuzhen."

Sima Dekan also vaguely felt a sense of kinship; he was not a mere secretary or aide to the Prince of Jin like Pei Li, but a true military general. His family could be considered a lineage of military officials, as his father had once been a governor during the Northern Zhou dynasty. However, his father passed away early, and the family fell into poverty during his youth. At that time, he was frail and could only support his family by apprenticing as a butcher. Later, a monk named Shi Can, who had an affair with his mother, took him back to his home to raise and educate him, teaching him to read and write. This allowed him, as he grew older, to inherit his father's profession and become a soldier in the provincial army. Due to his outstanding performance, he later entered the palace as an attendant and was eventually transferred to the Prince of Jin's residence, rising to the position of Grand Governor, commanding a guard of two hundred men. His military background and childhood experiences made him stronger and led him to look down on individuals like Pei Li, who, lacking physical strength and relying solely on their noble birth, could achieve the position of a Kuzhen Grand Governor through poetry and scholarly pursuits. He had worked hard to become a Grand Governor, leading two hundred guards, while Pei Li, merely a pedantic scholar, had also been granted the title of Kuzhen Grand Governor. It is important to note that being a Kuzhen official in the royal court is not equivalent to being a personal guard. Kuzhen officials must come from prestigious families and possess various talents, regularly inspecting the guards and holding significant powers such as participating in literary discussions and military affairs. In terms of power, Pei Li's position as Kuzhen Grand Governor far surpassed that of his own as Grand Governor.

There are a total of 18 people, both men and women, consisting of 16 men and 2 women, all of whom are under the age of 40 said Yang Wei

Sima Dekan and Yang Wei were both assigned to the Jin Wangfu after having served as attendants at the Daxing Palace. However, many people are unaware that prior to their roles at the Daxing Palace, they shared two years of experience guarding the Great Wall. Despite Yang Wei's current appearance as a dashing young nobleman, during their time at the border, they actually endured a very harsh lifestyle, living off the land, eating raw meat, and often spending more than half a month wandering outside the fortress. Both young generals are, however, experienced military officers.

The most striking piece of attire he possesses is undoubtedly the eight-foot-long spear, which took three years to craft and was made from extraordinarily expensive materials. Moreover, it was created by the renowned spear master, Master Yuwen, from Daxing City. Held in hand, it towers over a person, robust and formidable, standing out from the crowd. "I dare say, this spear is definitely worth a hundred gold pieces!" On more than one occasion, the guards of the royal residence expressed their envy for this fine spear while drinking. Pei Li is well aware that a top-tier spear personally crafted by Master Yuwen is worth at least a hundred gold pieces, if not more. In fact, the spear's greatest value lies not in the spear itself, but in the fact that it was personally made by Master Yuwen. Every spear crafted by Master Yuwen is a masterpiece, eagerly sought after by nobles and generals alike. The ability to have a spear crafted by Master Yuwen clearly indicates the distinguished status of Yang Wei, a distant royal relative. However, Yang Wei does not place excessive value on this spear, often lending it to friends among the guards. As a result, although he is relatively new, he is quite popular among the guards.

A gust of evening wind blew by, causing the branches to rustle, while Pei Li's warhorse anxiously pawed at the ground with its hooves. "Governor Yang, who do you think killed these people?" Sima Dekan's brow furrowed even more deeply, his hand tightly gripping the hilt of his broadsword.

Yang Wei opened a corpse, looking at the pool of blood on the ground that had stained the earth a deep crimson black, shaking his head, "No, this is indeed the place where they were first ambushed."

Upon hearing this, Sima Dekan rolled his eyes and glanced at the dimly lit forest. "The most urgent matter now is to confirm the identities of these deceased individuals. If they truly are the mysterious figures in black who infiltrated Yangzhou earlier, then we must hasten to uncover who killed them. This is Yangzhou; the sudden death of these mysterious figures here is a dereliction of our duty. Commander Pei, are you perhaps feeling afraid?" This is Yangzhou; the sudden death of these mysterious figures here is a dereliction of our duty. Commander Pei, are you perhaps feeling afraid?

Pei Li was not angered by this taunt. Although he was over forty years old and held the title of True Commander of the Jin Wangfu Treasury, he did not attain this position through martial prowess. Instead, he was born into the prestigious Pei family of Hedong and became a personal guard to the prince, Jin Wang, due to his literary talents. Being ten years older than Jin Wang, he had accompanied him on numerous military campaigns; however, it was rare for him to stand amidst such a scene of brutal carnage and corpses. "A group of dead people is not worth wasting time on"

Sima Dekan nodded, "These individuals have their weapons at hand, including sabers, long swords, and bows, yet none of them have picked up their weapons. Look at this person; there is a loaded crossbow right beside him, yet he has never picked it up."

Perhaps they are sleeping, and then encounter a raid

Sima Dekan appeared to be deep in thought, his brows slightly furrowed, as he raised his head to scrutinize the gradually darkening twilight

The several royal guards accompanying them saw the two officials arguing again and couldn't help but shake their heads in silence. Since leaving the Governor's Office in Yangzhou, these two had been at odds with each other, but they did not expect that they would start clashing so soon again. Governor Yang Wei quickly spoke up: "Perhaps we can first check the scene; we might discover some clues. Perhaps these men in black are the mysterious figures reported to have infiltrated Yangzhou by Prince Jin earlier."

However, today is somewhat of an exception. Standing in this small grove scattered with corpses, the evening breeze gently blows, always giving him a chilling sensation that raises the hairs on his neck

This is too strange! Even Pei Li couldn't help but exclaim in surprise at this moment. "They actually have no power to retaliate?"

"Thieves do not leave empty-handed. If they are bandits or robbers, there is no instance of murder without the theft of valuables. These men in black are well-equipped, yet they took nothing. This is highly unusual"

Sima Dekan asked: "Have you heard of any formidable bandits appearing near Yangzhou during this period?"

It may just be a vendetta in the martial world; bandits, horse thieves, and water pirates are all possibilities. Such incidents occur every day and are nothing extraordinary. "Pei Li said somewhat casually, "What does it matter who these dead people are.

Sima Dekan felt it, and Pei Li had sensed it even earlier. At this moment, Pei Li felt as if he were being watched by a cold gaze, yet after careful observation for a long time, he found nothing. He now wanted to turn his horse around immediately and return to Yangzhou City. However, such words were difficult to utter, especially in front of Sima Dekan, with whom he had always been at odds.

Could it be that this is not the place where they died, but merely where their bodies were discarded after death? Pei Li felt increasingly uneasy in his heart

Their bodies are all scattered, and none of these individuals are even holding weapons

Perhaps it is the bandits

"Are you scared by the dead?" The Grand Commander Sima Dekan said with a cold snort, a hint of a smile on his face.

"All these crows are dead," Pei Li pointed out, "I believe we should return to Yangzhou immediately to report this matter to Prince Jin and let him handle it"

Since receiving the command from Prince Jin, this team of fifty cavalrymen set out from Yangzhou City overnight. For three consecutive days and nights, they have been relentlessly pursuing and searching for the group of black-clad individuals that had suddenly infiltrated Yangzhou. Despite their efforts over the past few days, they had found no trace at all. However, today, they unexpectedly came across the bodies of this group of black-clad individuals. Eighteen black-clad men lay quietly in this small grove, already devoid of life.

Yang Wei moved out Jin Wang, and Sima Dekan and Pei Li exchanged a glare at each other, ceasing their argument