Prologue

Yue Lengqiu said faintly: "The Emperor originally intended for the elder to spend his twilight years peacefully here, but this time he was harmed right under your noses... The Emperor is extremely furious; if the murderer cannot be found, the futures of both of you will undoubtedly be in jeopardy, and I, Yue Lengqiu, fear that I will not be able to keep my head either"

"Shut up!" The city gate officer rushed forward, his face filled with anger, yet his eyes betrayed a hint of fear. He kicked the new recruit squarely in the chest, causing the recruit to cry out in pain, "Ah!" and fall to the ground.

The master of Fangyuan is the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Lord Fang. This Lord Fang's life can be described as legendary, having made countless contributions to the rise of the Great Qin Empire. After retiring in his later years, he moved to Weiling City in the south to enjoy a peaceful life, tending to flowers and plants. His residence was constructed over a period of two years at the personal command of the current Emperor, as a tribute to Lord Fang's achievements for the Great Qin Empire. Moreover, the four characters "Fang Jing Yang Xin" inscribed above the entrance of Fangyuan were also personally written by the Emperor and engraved there.

Liu, on the other hand, is a young woman in her early twenties, with a plump and curvaceous figure, striking beauty, and enchanting charm. Although her complexion is somewhat pale, it only enhances her delicate and captivating appearance

Yue Lengqiu stood up, picked up the teapot on the table, walked over to the young servant, crouched down, and gazed at him, saying lightly: "This is a pot of boiling water. I have never been fond of excessively cruel punishments, but if this pot of water were to be splashed on your face, I believe you would wish for death rather than life." He glanced at the trembling figure of Liu, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Isn't it true that you rely on this face to be liked? Do not deny my speculation; among all the people in the hall, you were the only one who appeared dazed, occasionally stealing glances at Madam Liu, and the cold sweat on your forehead has not ceased... Therefore, I believe you must know what happened that night!"

Yue Lengqiu pondered for a moment and asked, "When you left the room, had the old minister already passed away?"

The five subordinates of Yue Lengqiu dismounted simultaneously, each with a hand resting on the sheath of their Liuyun blades, following closely behind.

Yue Lengqiu pinched the young servant's chin, staring into his eyes: "Tell me what happened that night. As long as you speak honestly, I can offer you a substantial sum of silver, ensuring that you will live comfortably for the rest of your life. You can choose to leave and never return... You should believe that I have this capability"

Yue Lengqiu said calmly: "But you just said that nothing has moved in this room!"

Hearing the discussions of a few people nearby, a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He did not linger, tossed a few copper coins onto the table, picked up a black package beside him, and leisurely exited the teahouse

The young servant shook his head and said: "I do not know anything else. My lord, I have not concealed a single word of what I know, I kindly ask you to spare me this time!"

Yue Lengqiu waved his hand, and the five subordinates following him immediately dispersed, beginning to search in various corners of the courtyard.

At that moment, I was truly terrified. It seemed they exchanged a few words, but I was too preoccupied to remember everything. The young servant wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, saying, "Later, I heard the old master say that the item had already been given to him and asked who the assassin was, but the assassin did not answer. Then... then I saw the old master suddenly collapse to the ground from under the bed. The old master... when he was dying, his eyes... his eyes saw me hiding under the bed... Then I saw the old master suddenly collapse to the ground. The old master... when he was dying, his eyes... his eyes saw me hiding under the bed...!"

"Flowing Cloud Blade?" Lao San's expression changed drastically, and his eyes revealed a look of terror: "Lieutenant Liang, are you saying... they are... they are...!" His voice trembled, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words

In the middle of the night, after the old master and the sixth lady had gone to bed, I initially intended to leave after the old master fell asleep, but... but then the assassin appeared. It seems that recalling the events of that night filled the young servant's face with terror: "I couldn't see clearly what was happening from under the bed; I only heard the old master call out once, and then there was a long period of silence. I was terrified and didn't know what had actually happened. After a while, I finally heard the assassin demand that the old master hand over an item!"

The young servant nodded slightly, then immediately shook his head and said in a trembling voice: "My lord... my lord's chest is covered in blood, he cannot move, but... but he is still breathing... and...!" At this point, he could not continue speaking.

Immediately, a member of the Divine Garment Guard swiftly stepped forward, reached out to grasp the man's arm, and forcefully pulled him inside. Another member of the Divine Garment Guard approached and quickly closed the main hall door. In an instant, the spacious main hall was left with only Yue Lengqiu and his group of six, along with Liu and the man. As the door closed, the entire hall was suddenly shrouded in darkness.

At dusk, the city gate of Weiling City has not yet closed, and people continue to come and go in a steady stream. At this moment, the gate officer is leaning against a small chair under the city wall, picking at a few small pimples on his neck with one hand while gazing at the setting sun on the horizon. In half an hour, he will close the city gate, and after the shift change, he plans to go to Yanluo Workshop for a few cups of flower wine and find his beloved girl to exchange skills.

... ...

Yue Lengqiu's eyes flashed with a cold light as he spoke in a deep voice to the young servant: "I do not care about the relationship between you; tell me, what exactly happened that night?"

Such a person is undoubtedly an extraordinary individual, being the governor of Weiling Prefecture. In the past, he also received the favor of this esteemed elder, which is why in this city, Old Master Fang is regarded as a figure akin to the retired emperor. Every word he utters in Weiling City is treated as if it were a sacred decree.

As the crowd saw the galloping horse, they hurriedly dodged aside. Some soldiers shouted, "Halt and submit to inspection! How dare you charge through the city gates? Are you attempting to rebel?"

It is evident. Mr. Sun stroked his beard and said, You should take a look; this time, elite soldiers have been dispatched from the garrison. If it were a usual matter, how could such a display be warranted

No ! ''

Shunping Avenue is an important thoroughfare in Weiling City. Following this avenue straight to the end leads to the most magnificent residence in Weiling City, which the townspeople refer to as "Fangyuan"

Yue Lengqiu walked to the edge of the brocade couch and saw the body of the late Master Fang placed on the bed. It was evident that he had been dressed in respectable brocade garments after his death, his face slightly bluish, and his muscles had already stiffened.

The leader is only about thirty years old, with fair skin, very light eyebrows, and thin lips. There is no expression on his face, yet his pair of eyes carries a hint of a chilling aura, sharp and cold like a sword.

Captain Liang sighed, saying: "Who says otherwise? In this world, is there anyone else who dares to wear the Flowing Cloud Blade? The one in the lead wears red boots; you should know what that signifies, right? If he merely raises a finger, we will all lose our heads...!" Pointing at the new recruit on the ground who was moaning in pain, he said: "If I really have to die, the first thing I will do is to skin this bastard alive!"

Inside the main hall, there was a profound silence. Yue Lengqiu sat leisurely in a chair, holding a teacup and savoring the tea. Behind him stood five divine guards, as cold and imposing as icebergs, each with an expressionless face and sharp gazes. Ordinary people would not dare to meet their eyes, which carried a chilling aura.

Yuan Buyi cast a fierce glance at Yue Lengqiu, while Song Yuan let out a sigh, and they all proceeded to leave.

Since four days ago, the entire estate has been tightly closed at all four gates, and elite soldiers have been dispatched around the residence, preventing any unauthorized individuals from approaching this estate

Yue Lengqiu said expressionlessly: "Commander Yuan indeed comes from a military background and does not understand how to investigate a murder case... It seems that Lord Song has entrusted the matter to the wrong person"

The six riders arrived at the city gate in the blink of an eye, showing no intention of stopping, and disregarding the fact that there were people blocking the gate. Among the six, someone coldly shouted, "Everyone get out of the way!"

The man trembled like sifted chaff, kneeling on the ground, and said in a quavering voice: "My lord, I... I am innocent...!" He was dressed in blue, no more than eighteen or nineteen years old, with a handsome appearance, and from his attire, it was evident that he was a young servant from the surrounding area.

Yuan Buyi was taken aback for a moment, and then a hint of displeasure appeared in his eyes as he said: "It was merely moving the late elder's body from the ground to the bed, and there was no other disturbance. Is Captain Yue being too particular?"

Is she not dead

The gatekeeper raised his hand, signaling everyone not to act rashly. However, the new recruit, lacking understanding of the rules, had already shouted loudly, "Everyone, stop your horses!"

The few individuals were whispering to each other, while at another table not far away sat only one tea patron, dressed in gray cloth attire, who, despite being in a tea house, was also wearing a conical hat

Although Liu's eyes were filled with terror, she still pretended to be calm and said: "I... I do not understand your meaning. That night, suddenly an assassin appeared, and I... I fainted from fright. When I woke up, the master...!" At this point, her eyes reddened, and she began to choke up.

The gatekeeper immediately rose to his feet, casually grasping the saber at his side, his face showing a hint of anger. However, as the steed gradually approached the city gate, a look of surprise and suspicion appeared on the gatekeeper's face.

Song Yuan and Yuan Buyi both changed color in an instant, exchanging a glance filled with terror, and cold sweat broke out on their foreheads in an instant

... ...

The six riders arrived at the main gate of the square, and the soldiers guarding the entrance immediately tightened their grips on their swords. The riders reined in their horses, and the leader raised his head to glance at the large plaque above the gate inscribed with the four characters "Fang Jing Yang Xin." With a gentle wave of his hand, one of the knights urged his horse a few steps forward and took out a black copper plate from his bosom, which simply bore the two characters "Shen Yi."

Then the third brother frowned and said, "Where does this... this statement come from?"

Yue Lengqiu turned to glance at Yuan Buyi and said lightly: "Commander Yuan, was the old man murdered on this bed?"

The gatekeeper, in a fit of rage, kicked at the new recruit and shouted, "Who told you to take action? If you want to die, that's one thing, but do you want to endanger everyone else? Just because you have a head, do you think you can go mad here?"

Seeing the young servant beside her continuously bowing and pleading, the young woman's voluptuous body began to tremble slightly. She tried to maintain her composure, yet the terror in her watery eyes could not be concealed.

The young man recalled the strange gaze of Old Master Fang at the moment of his death, and he couldn't help but shiver all over; that chill from that night seemed to have returned to his body once more

"Can clues be extracted from her words?" Yue Lengqiu inquired swiftly

... ...

Upon hearing this, Liu's body went limp, and she fell to the ground, her complexion extremely pale

The teahouse is not large, but there are quite a few guests inside, all whispering to one another. Many passersby on horseback outside have also noticed this, prompting someone to shake their head and sigh: "It seems that something significant is about to happen in our Weiling Prefecture"

Yue Lengqiu slowly stood up, clasping his hands behind his back, and walked back and forth a few steps, deep in thought. At this moment, the sun had already set, and the room was shrouded in darkness, creating a very eerie atmosphere. He murmured to himself: "Six dragons gather troops... Bodhisattva opens the door... What does this have to do with the old minister's murder? Why did the old minister say such a thing before he died?" He was filled with doubts.

Upon entering Fangyuan, Song Yuan has already stated: "After the incident, we immediately sealed off Fangyuan. There are fifty-eight individuals within Fangyuan, none have left, and they are all now under control."

A sudden clatter of hooves echoed from the official road outside the city, resounding thunderously and deafeningly. The gatekeeper immediately furrowed his brow and looked towards the sound of the hooves, only to see dust swirling on the official road as several tall horses galloped towards this direction like a tempest, their momentum exceedingly formidable

Yue Lengqiu smiled faintly and instructed a member of the Divine Garment Guard: "If they wish to leave, arrange for their departure, ensuring that no one can find them again...!" He turned his head and glanced at Liu's charming face, calmly saying: "Rest assured, I will ensure that you will never be separated."

The soldiers nearby, upon witnessing this, exchanged glances with one another. However, an older soldier hurriedly stepped forward to intervene, advising: "Lieutenant Liang, he has just arrived and is not familiar with the situation; do not hold it against him... If you were to truly harm him, it would be difficult to explain to the higher-ups!"

After six riders clad in purple cloaks entered the city, they continued to dart through the streets and alleys like lightning. As they passed a teahouse, the head of the teahouse owner was just peeking out. Once the six riders sped by, the owner finally withdrew his head back inside.

Yuan Buyi furrowed his brow and said: "Interrogation? The Sixth Lady is still in a state of shock; after all, she is the widow of the elder. How can we possibly proceed with the interrogation?"

A middle-aged man in a gray shirt nearby also lowered his voice and said: "Did you see those knights who just passed by? These hawks and dogs have come to Weiling Mansion, do you think this matter is still small?"

Song Yuan and Yuan Buyi both had very serious expressions and immediately said: "Captain Yue, please follow me!"

The young servant said cautiously: "It seems to be... six... six dragons gathering troops... six dragons gathering troops...!" A look of distress appeared on his face as he strained to think of something, and finally remembered: "It is six dragons gathering troops, the Bodhisattva opens the door!"

The young servant's body jolted, and he hurriedly said: "Moreover, when I left the house, I heard... I heard the old master say something extremely... extremely strange!"

Lao San cautiously said: "I also feel that they are not to be underestimated, but... they left too quickly, and I couldn't see clearly what exactly they were all about"

Only those six riders swept past like the wind, charging straight into the city gate. The new recruit drew his sword and swung it at the last rider, unaware that the man reacted much faster than he did. Just as the recruit's large blade came down, the man's whip lashed out like a venomous snake, striking fiercely on the recruit's shoulder. With a sharp "crack" sound, the recruit let out a cry of agony as his shoulder blade was brutally shattered by the blow. The rider's eyes glinted with a coldness akin to a blade, and amidst the thunderous sound of hooves, he had already retracted his whip and followed his companions away.

Yue Lengqiu turned to Liu and asked, "At that time, could you see the situation clearly?"

"Did you not see the flowing cloud blades at their waists?" Lieutenant Liang said, clenching his fist, "Can you see what color the boots of the leader are?"

Yue Lengqiu smiled coldly and directly said to Song Yuandao: "Lord Song, please summon everyone in the vicinity to the main hall. Commander Yuan will not conduct the interrogation; I, Yue, will handle it!" After saying this, he turned and left the room.

The people entering and exiting the city gate were all taken aback, as the scene that had just unfolded was truly astonishing. However, they could not comprehend why the guards at the gate did not pursue the group of knights who had recklessly charged into the city, yet instead turned against their own people.

The teahouse manager said softly, "Mr. Sun, do you truly believe that something significant has occurred within the square?"

Yue Lengqiu turned to one of his subordinates, who had already bent down and respectfully said: "The courtyard has been thoroughly inspected inside and out, and no significant traces have been left. However, there is a very shallow knife mark at the bottom of the window latch, and I am certain that the assassin entered through that window. Yet, there are no traces of the assassin left inside the room, and there are no other marks on the windowsill... The assassin's skills are exceptional, and they are extremely cautious, leaving no traces!"

Mr. Sun smiled faintly and said, "Even if it is a murder case, it is still an extraordinary one. You may not have noticed, but in recent days, both the governor and Commander Yuan have been spending all their time at Fangyuan. These two have never had a good relationship and rarely come together, yet this time they have joined forces... Hehe, it won't be long before a sensational event is likely to spread out."

Song Yuan and Yuan Buyi both belong to the ranks of high-ranking local officials. In terms of official position, they are undoubtedly higher than Yue Lengqiu. However, at this moment, they appear to show great respect towards Yue Lengqiu

The people inside and outside the city gate also saw the rider galloping towards them, and they hurriedly dodged. However, the more than ten weary soldiers at that moment were invigorated, each gripping the handles of their swords tightly

The gatekeepers were mostly lethargic and lacked spirit, yet among them was a young soldier who diligently inspected the vehicles and goods entering and leaving the city. Those familiar with such situations understood that this conscientious young soldier was undoubtedly a newly assigned recruit, as seasoned veterans would not possess such leisure and dedication.

Liu was both afraid and embarrassed, turning her head away, not daring to look at the young servant

The crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to leave, when suddenly Yue Lengqiu raised his hand and pointed at one of the men, saying: "Keep him here!"

And what?" Yue Lengqiu said sternly

The young servant, drenched in cold sweat, said, "I truly do not know, and the assassin did not say anything either. I only heard the old master ask once what the assassin wanted, but the assassin replied that the old master was pretending to be confused..."

Upon hearing this, Liu's eyes revealed a hint of tenderness, and she slumped softly to the ground, saying: "It was... it was I who seduced him first... this matter... this matter has nothing to do with him...!"

As they traversed the surroundings, they soon arrived at an elegant small courtyard, stopping outside a finely crafted house. Song Yuan spoke softly, "The remains of the elder are placed inside. Since learning that Captain Yue would come to investigate this matter, guards have been stationed here, and no one has entered. " After a pause, he added, "This is also the scene of the elder's murder; it is... it is the courtyard where the elder's sixth concubine, Liu, resides"

Other... I really don't know about the others. The young servant repeatedly bowed his head and said: "I know to stay in that room. If I were discovered, I wouldn't be able to explain anything, so... so I ran out by myself. It was deep in the night, yet... yet no one noticed. My lord, every word I say is true, I dare not deceive you. You have shown great mercy and spared my life...!"... yet no one noticed. My lord, every word I say is true, I dare not deceive you. You have shown great mercy and spared my life...!"

Please wait a moment, sir! Upon seeing the bronze medal, the guard immediately changed color, hurriedly saluted, and then quickly turned to report.

Then Liu said: "My lord, you just mentioned that as long as we speak the truth, you will... you will allow us to leave and soar high...!" After this incident, Liu knew that she could no longer stay in Fangyuan. If Yue Lengqiu truly kept his promise and granted a large sum of silver, leaving with this young man would indeed be an excellent way out.

Liu's face was pale, biting her red lips. After a moment of thought, she finally said: "At that time, I was just about to attend to the master for his rest. The old master had just lain down and closed his eyes for a short while when suddenly the curtain was lifted. I only saw a person wearing a bamboo hat, holding a knife against the old master's throat... I... I fainted from fright at that moment, and I have no idea what happened afterward"

The guard called to open the main gate and whispered a few words to the person inside. Soon after, the person inside quickly went to report. Before long, a sound of footsteps could be heard as a group of people emerged from the residence. Leading the group was a man in official attire, nearly fifty years old, accompanied by a robust man dressed as a military officer, clad in black armor. The two quickly approached, and the leading man cupped his hands and said: "May I ask if this is the esteemed Captain Yue of the Divine Clothing Guard?"

Yue Lengqiu held a teacup in his left hand, while his right hand gently brushed over the surface of the tea with the lid, and he said softly: "Speak, what happened that night? I do not have much time to waste on you. Although you have not experienced the punishments of my Divine Guard, you must have heard of them... Lady Liu, with her delicate figure, enchanting beauty, and skin as pure as ice and snow, I do not wish to see such a beautiful body subjected to even the slightest defilement"

Yue Lengqiu nodded slightly and walked into the inner room on the side. The room was deathly silent, yet the furnishings were quite luxurious. The most eye-catching piece was a brocade couch with a pink canopy. A strong fragrance lingered in the air, mingled with a lingering smell of blood.

Yue Lengqiu's eyes flickered with a cold light as he asked the young servant, "Please continue, what happened next?"

... ...

Yue Lengqiu murmured to himself: "Six dragons gather troops, the Bodhisattva opens the door? What does this mean?" He grabbed the little servant by the collar and asked coldly: "Did he say anything else?"

Six knights wore curved swords at their waists, with the scabbards engraved with flowing clouds. Except for the leader, who wore red boots, the other five were all dressed in blue long boots

The teahouse manager walked over and sat down at a small table, where three scholars in long gowns were already seated. One of them lowered his voice and said, "I just heard someone mention that General Feng and his thirteen bodyguards were harmed by the people of Xiliang. This matter has not yet subsided, and now something like this has happened in Weiling Prefecture. It seems that this year is not going to be a good one."

The new recruit's broadsword has already fallen to the ground, his left hand clutching his shoulder, his face filled with expressions of pain. Amidst the shock of the other soldiers, one soldier has already shouted: "Brothers, these are rebels, let us pursue!"

The mottled walls of Weiling City are bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, exuding a solemn atmosphere. As one of the four famous cities in the world today, Weiling City has a history of over 300 years. It was built on the banks of the Huijiang River, with the Qiyun Mountain as its backdrop. The scenery is picturesque, the climate is pleasant, and it is also a favored place for many retired court officials to spend their twilight years.

Although there are only six riders, their imposing presence surpasses that of a hundred. The six riders are uniformly clad in purple cloaks, wearing square purple hats atop their heads. The cloaks billow in the wind, creating a resounding sound, exuding an extraordinary majesty

The young servant hesitated for a moment and finally said: "That night, the old master... the old master was resting in the room of the Fourth Madam, so... so I went to the Sixth Madam... to the Sixth Madam's place...!" His face was filled with terror, and after a pause, seeing that Yue Lengqiu was looking at him coldly, he continued to speak in a trembling voice: "But the old master suddenly came to the Sixth Madam's room in the middle of the night, and at that time, I had no way to escape, so I could only... I could only hide under the bed...!"

Yue Lengqiu appeared to be leisurely savoring his tea, yet his sharp, eagle-like eyes occasionally swept through the crowd. After an indeterminate amount of time, Yue Lengqiu finally said, "The Liu family will stay, the rest may leave for now"

... ...

Yuan Buyi's expression suddenly changed, revealing his anger, while Song Yuan also frowned slightly. Before they could speak, Yue Lengqiu coldly said: "The posture, injuries, and even the expression of the old man at the time of his murder could all be clues, but all of this has already been destroyed by you!" He then asked: "Was that Liu present at the scene when the old man was murdered?"

Yue Lengqiu remained silent from beginning to end, while Fang Yuan and the others were as quiet as cicadas in winter, with no one daring to make a sound. These individuals hailed from the residence of the Minister of Revenue, and most were well-versed in the affairs of the officialdom. They understood the identities of Yue Lengqiu and his companions, and in the presence of the Divine Clothing Guard, anyone would feel a sense of impending death.

"No!" Yuan Buyi replied from the side, "After the old gentleman was murdered, I immediately reported to the governor's office. Lord Song decisively sent me to investigate. I can confirm that there has been not the slightest movement in the arrangement of the room!"

The one dressed in official attire is Song Yuan, the governor of Weiling Prefecture, and naturally beside him is Yuan Buyi, the military commander of Weiling Prefecture.

Yuan Buyi immediately said, "No!" pointing to a table in the room, he continued, "When we arrived, the body of the old gentleman was lying under the table!"

Yue Lengqiu stepped forward to push open the door, taking a look around. The main hall inside was orderly and there was nothing unusual. He glanced at Song Yuan and asked, "Have the arrangements inside not been moved at all?"

Lieutenant Liang, still seething with anger, exclaimed, "Old Third, do you realize that we might all be implicated by this bastard? We could very well lose our heads over this!"

... ...

... ...

"Old Three, you are also a veteran; how can you truly be so blind?" Lieutenant Liang said with a bitter smile, "Did you not see what kind of people those were? People like us cannot afford to offend them. In the end, we wouldn't even know how we died."

Could it be that a murder has occurred in the Fangyuan area? another person said softly

Yuan Buyi understood that this matter was of great importance. Although he was very dissatisfied with Yue Lengqiu's attitude, he still patiently said: "That night, the elder was resting in her room, so she was naturally present at the scene"

Yue Lengqiu, however, seemed disinterested in watching a woman perform her frailty here. With a gesture, the attendant behind him was immediately seized by one of the Imperial Guards, who gripped one of the attendant's wrists with one hand and pressed down on his shoulder with the other. With a violent tug, a sharp crack echoed as the attendant's shoulder bone was brutally dislocated. The heart-wrenching scream sent chills down the spines of those who had just stepped outside, while Liu Shi turned pale, her face ashen, her delicate body swaying as if about to collapse.

The young servant, enduring excruciating pain, glanced at Lady Liu and finally said: "My lord, I... I truly love Lady Liu. For her, I would... I would be willing to give up this life...!"

"Strange words?" Yue Lengqiu furrowed her brows tightly and squatted down again, "What words?"

Yue Lengqiu stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and coldly asked: "Is there anything else?"

The late autumn is bleak and cold, with the slanting sun casting its evening glow, the afterglow resembling mist, and a smoky red hue permeating the space between heaven and earth

"Hand over the item?" Yue Lengqiu tightened her brows slightly, "What item?"

The square garden was constructed at the behest of His Majesty the Emperor, and the project is vast, covering an extensive area. Naturally, its main hall is exceptionally spacious; even with fifty to sixty people standing inside, it does not feel the least bit crowded. However, the family members of the elder statesman clearly have not yet recovered from their grief, each displaying a look of sorrow, creating a scene of deep lamentation within the main hall.

The leader dismounted and clasped his hands, saying: "It is indeed Yue Lengqiu!" He was surprisingly succinct and directly asked: "Governor Song, where is the old man now?"