C1 (1/2)

The night was deeper.

A crescent moon in the horizon was like a hook.

The leader's name was Lu Zhinan, he was around twenty years old, with a heroic air around him, yet there was gentleness mixed within, he did not seem to be overbearing. He was the only son of the Grand Princess Han-shan, Marquis An Ping of the Emperor Yongle's Imperial title. He had been instructed to know from the third rank Embroidered Uniform Guard that he was in charge of the Southern and Northern Secrets Division.

”Young duke, we've run for two days and are already tired. Why don't you rest here for the night and continue tomorrow morning?”

The one who spoke was Liu Cheng from the Fourteenth Department of the Jinling's Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Lu Zhinan looked around and frowned: ”In the wilderness, a temple is nothing, it's really strange.”

Liu Cheng placed his hands on his waist, and said casually: ”What's there to be surprised about? The temple was built in the wilderness, far from the secular world. From the looks of it, although it does not have a large structure, it is not abandoned and has not been abandoned.

While they were talking, the temple door creaked open.

An old monk with a head full of white eyebrows appeared from the shadows. He was wearing a coarse monastic robe and was holding a wind lantern.

”I did not know that the various officials would come today. This old monk has come far to welcome you. Please forgive me, please forgive me.”

Liu Cheng cupped his hands and said: ”Greetings, Zen Master. We were on our way late at night and missed the station. I wonder if we could spend the night at your temple? ”

The old monk lowered his eyebrows and said with a smile, ”All living beings are destined to meet. ”My lords, please follow this old monk.”

”Thank you, Zen Master.”

Just as Liu Cheng was about to enter the temple, he was stopped by a raise of his hand.

”Hold on.”

Liu Cheng raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked, ”Young Marquis, what's wrong?”

Lu Zhinan pursed his lips, the glint in his eyes gradually becoming deep and dark. She seemed to see strands and strands of black fog circling and lingering around the temple, and the old monk's thin back, was unusually light.

”There's something fishy going on here, we have to be on our guard.”

Liu Cheng laughed loudly: ”Young Marquis, are you scared by the Zhenjiang City's case? Does everyone look like the culprit? ”Be at ease, we have a dozen men here. Just with him as a small temple, what kind of waves can a few monks create?”

Lu Zhinan was gentle and magnanimous, even though he was of noble birth and held great authority in the Imperial Secret Service, he had never been arrogant and despotic, looking down on everyone else. came from a martial general family, had an impatient temperament and an arrogant heart. Adding that he had been in the Imperial Secret Service for many years, he knew Lu Zhinan's personality well and was not afraid of him.

Liu Cheng waved his hands, and shouted to the field officers in embroidered clothes behind him: ”Brothers, let's go. He gnawed on the dried rations as his mouth began to bubble. He then asked the old monk to prepare some fast food for us … ”

Lu Zhinan secretly sighed, and could only follow along.

The old monk led the military officers in silk clothing through the patio and into the side hall. He pushed open the door, then stood to one side and said, ”Ladies and gentlemen, please enter.”