33 A Fate-Sealing Dossier! (1/2)

Ever since the Nine Supreme’s case last year, on the ninth of the third month, Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan had virtually turned into an insomniac. Each night, his thoughts would run wild as ideas and speculations washed over him like the rising tide; he could only sigh in melancholic agony. The death of the Nine Supremes was a scheme of the highest order, so colossally large that his heart pounded with anxiety each time he thought about it.The year-long investigation, be it out in the public or privately, had only yielded a few small fish that barely qualified as an appetizer.

“There has to be a traitor, a powerful figure in the military; the same holds true for the imperial administration. As for the nobles…” Each time the Old Marshal contemplated the situation, his head felt like exploding. “I’m certain there would be conspirators from the other empires as well!”

“Marshal, are you not asleep yet?” Sir Wang came in from under the moonlight.

“With matters as complicated as they are, with the internal issues going on and external forces at play, how could I possibly fall asleep?.” Qiu Jianhan gave a heavy sigh and asked abruptly, “Have you made contact with them?”

“No.” Sir Wang frowned worriedly. “Those people refused to keep in further contact. Since the rejection of our last attempt to reach out to them, they have all suddenly disappeared; vanished from the very surface of this earth.”

The Old Marshal groaned, “If we don’t obtain vengeance for the Nine Supremes, these people are highly unlikely to come out in the open.”

Sir Wang kept quiet for a few breaths before he said, “Nonetheless, there are quite a number of hints revealing that these people are still actively pursuing their course.”

“But of course. They would not forsake the revenge they seek as long as the deaths of the Nine Supremes go unsolved.” The Old Marshal was hardly surprised as he continued, “Labyrinth of Nine Heavens Intelligence – they had originally divided their territories into nine segments, each claiming one, but the death of the Nine Supremes has caused these nine heavens to merge into a single iron plate!”

“They won’t listen to anyone other than Nine Supremes!” Old Marshal continued, “Their refusal to cooperate now heralds their gradual exit from the imperial court. Slowly, they would become an underground force in the martial arts world; albeit one to be regarded highly in Tianxuan Continent. I really can’t say how this will turn out.”

Sir Wang looked as if he was about to voice his thoughts, but caught himself at the last minute.

“What does Brother Wang wish to say?” Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan asked.

“I could be wrong,” Sir Wang continued, “However, I can’t help but feel that the Labyrinth of Nine Heavens Intelligence is still taking orders from someone... still under the control of a strong and powerful force.”

“What?” The Old Marshal immediately sat upright. “What proof do you have?”

“Allow me to elaborate. When they were alive, each of the Nine Supremes had a team of their own. These teams had always only belonged to each individual and their intricate crossover was what made the Labyrinth of Nine Heavens Intelligence.” Sir Wang continued slowly, “But this Labyrinth of Nine Heavens Intelligence also chooses their own leader within each team, which also means that there are successors after the Nine Supremes.”

“If they were without a figurehead, these nine teams would definitely have crumbled and would never have merged into a single slab of iron.” Sir Wang spoke, “It is almost like nine different clans. Which clan leader would be willing to take orders from another clan leader? Yet, nobody in these nine teams has done anything foolish or rash. This means that there must still be a force above them that keeps them in check!” Sir Wang’s eyes shone with excitement. “They wouldn’t have avoided our attempts at contact otherwise.”

The Old Marshal’s eyes began to brighten with enthusiasm, as his body trembled. “Could it be that the Nine Supremes are not dead yet?”

“Sir, that is impossible.” Sir Wang’s words robbed the Old Marshal of his momentary hope and he collapsed back into his chair like a deflated balloon. “But there must be another arrangement, I’m absolutely sure about this.”

Sir Wang went on speaking, “The most likely explanation has to be that His Majesty the Emperor has assumed control. Yet another possibility would be that they have appointed a general leader after the Nine Supremes. I don’t believe there is any other possible explanation other than these two.”

“His Majesty the Emperor…” the Old Marshal sighed, “His Majesty has already spat blood and fainted on three separate occasions when it comes to matters concerning the Nine Supremes. Never mind, I will look for a chance to discuss this with His Majesty.”

Just as Sir Wang was about to reply, the sound of a fluttering robe suddenly whispered in the air.

Swoosh!

A silhouette flashed across the sky above the marshal’s residence.

“Who goes there?”

“How dare you!”

The guards reacted with lightning-fast reflexes; they charged towards the sky in pursuit of the intruder. Within an instant, a large group of people was piled up on the roof.

“Too late.” Sir Wang’s expression was dark. “Whoever, it was, he got away.”

“Marshal, someone threw in a parcel.” A very burly guard made entirely of broad shoulders and a thick waist walked over with large strides. “Looks like there are papers inside.”

“Qiu Dao, open it,” Sir Wang ordered right away.

“Yes, sir.” Qiu Dao tore it open without hesitation and a heavy dossier dropped out.

“The packet isn’t poisoned, and there’s nothing else within.” Qiu Dao quickly gave it the once over.

“Bring it over to me,” said the Old Marshal.

On the dossier was a tiny symbol. Trembles ran through the Old Marshal’s entire being as he took hold of it. The symbol was comprised of nine stars dotted by ink that formed a circle. Right in their center was affixed a strange symbol that looked like a burning flame.

“Nine Heavens Dictum!” Sir Wang almost shouted, his eyes wild with excitement.

“It’s the Flame Dictum of the Nine Heavens Dictum Lords.” Old Marshal Qiu took in a deep breath. “A pity it wasn’t sent by Supreme Flame himself. If it was, the flame would be in red.” The expression on his aged face suddenly took on a razor-sharp edge. “Since the Nine Heavens have sent a dictum, there must be something of great import inside. I shall take a closer look at it.”