C100 Shen Huiyang (1/2)
100 - Shen Jingyang
Shen Jingyang and Yu Yin continued on their way through the Qing Qiu Mountains without stopping. In their hands, they held the deadly clue that could lead to death in the Hundred Miles Bamboo Forest — that piece of black clothing. In the entire QIng Qiu Mountains, if one wanted to find the origin of certain clothing and clothing in the shortest amount of time, they would have to go to a certain place — the Raccoon Clothing Workshop. Yes, the racetrack. For thousands of years, the entire Qingqiu Mountains had been given to the racetrack shop to wash and sew. During the years, the racetrack shop had come into contact with tens of thousands of different kinds of clothes, such as clothes, silk, knitting, leather, coarse cloth, and hemp. In the Raccoon Workshop, it was easy for an ordinary raccoon maid to tell which clothes came from which. This was natural, and moreover, a duty. This was just like those blacksmith shops on Jade Wall City's Iron Street. After years of dealing with various metal products, they would be able to find out that the blacksmith had made any metal utensils.
Even though he was familiar with the material, he was disappointed to find that Shen had caught up with him. He showed the piece of black cloth to the people at the racetrack. No one could tell where it came from. It was said that they had spent more than sixty years at the racetrack, and that they could tell exactly where they came from with a single glance or touch of any clothing from the Green Hill. However, this time, after they examined the black clothes for a long time, they looked at each other in dismay. Then, they shook their heads, indicating that they were powerless. He deduced from this that even the most experienced person did not know where this cloth came from. There was only one possibility, and that was that this cloth did not originate from the mortal world! It was a serious matter, and guessing out of thin air would only mislead the truth. Now, there was still a place to go — Jade Wall City. If even Jade Wall City was unable to determine this, then it would truly confirm his guess.
At this season, grass and birds flew about, trees bloomed, and the scene was filled with vitality. Shen Jingyang remembered that the year he had met Yu Yin was also a warm and warm spring. The door of Feng Chen Court slowly opened and a clever and pure figure peeked out. It was Yu Yin. Suddenly, ten-odd years passed by in a flash. Time slipped away from their fingers, from their hair, from their brows, without leaving behind the slightest trace or texture. It had been more than ten years, and the two of them had learned to help each other out. Unfortunately, he still hadn't given her the right name.
It was just that at this moment, Shen Yushi had no time to sigh with emotion. This time, they had returned from the Raccoon Clothing Workshop and were rushing to Jade Wall City. Shen Jingyang knew that although he had handed all the clothing in the Qing Qiu mountain to the Raccoon Workshop to be washed and sewn, if one were to say that it was only Jade Wall City that produced clothes, then it would be ”four clothes in the world, three jade walls”. Over the years, Jade Wall City had produced all kinds of clothes worn by the people of Qing Qiu, and in Jade Wall City, the Murong Family was the biggest clothing department, covering the majority of Jade Wall City's clothing business. Perhaps, if he went to the Murong Family's clothing department, he would be able to uncover the secret of the black robes.
A tea house stood in the middle of the road, where passers-by rested and talked and laughed. Shen Jingyang and Yu Yin also felt tired and thirsty, so they stopped and walked into the tea house. Before he could settle down, the waiter brought over a pot of tea that had just been brewed. The silver and enamel porcelain teapot was stained with traces of old age. The pattern on the teapot was already somewhat blurred, but it still emitted a chilly tea fragrance. Two bowls of bright tea were placed on the table. A white mist was rising, refreshing the heart and soul.
”Sunlight, are we really going to the Murong Family's clothing department?” Jade Yin asked worriedly.
Shen Jingyang, of course, understood where Yu Yin's worries came from, ”Of course we have to go. This is our only remaining chance. How can we know without touching her?” Shen Jingyang raised his bowl and gulped the tea down. The refreshing fragrance of the tea wafted into his mouth. It was so refreshing that it almost surpassed the spring color of the jade wall. He continued to gulp down the tea.
”But … then what about Mayor Murong's personality …” ”Will he tell us …”
Shen Jingyang laughed out loud and said clearly, ”Sigh, those are just rumors. Mu Rong Kongming is a sensible person after all. Moreover, his daughter, Lin Lang, has been dead for more than ten years. If he had been immersed in the sorrow of the past, how could the people in Jade Wall City have handled it so perfectly?”
”What if he still has that violent attitude from before and blows us out?” It seemed that Yu Yin was still worried.
”That's possible,” Shen Jingyang said as he took another two sips. At this point, he had already reached the bottom of the bowl, ”Then we can only move him, Yi Cheng. After all, he had been in charge of the clothing department for many years.”
Shen Jingyang stood up and said, ”There's no use worrying about it now. We'll know when we see him in person, but I believe Mayor Murong is a very righteous person. He'll definitely help us unravel this mystery.”
Jade Wall City was bustling as before, with an unending stream of people flowing inside. The wide streets were paved like flowing water, and they were filled with a strong sense of business and color, vaguely showing the luxurious lives that people yearned for. Perhaps this was the charm that attracted the thousands of people to come here after a long and arduous journey in Jade Wall City.
The two of them followed the stream of people and walked shoulder to shoulder, suddenly remembering the first time they set foot in Jade Wall City. That year, when he was chased away from the Tai Hua Altar and lost his soul and his money, the Jade Wall City was the one who accepted him into this city, preventing him from leaving a corpse in the wilderness. So, after all these years, he was still grateful towards Jade Wall City and he was moved by its tolerance towards a impoverished and ignorant youth.
Unknowingly, the two of them had arrived in front of the Mu Rong Residence. It was a magnificent and luxurious garden, which was also Mu Rong Kongming's mansion in Jade Wall City. Standing at the entrance of the mansion, he looked at the tall and imposing entrance, and felt a sense of wealth, mystery, and solemnity seeping out from within the mansion. If he hadn't personally witnessed it, how could Shen Lianyang be able to connect such a primitive and tragic event like Lin Lang being forced to marry and jump off the cliff with his dignified family? It wasn't a good thing to be born into such a wealthy family. Within the mansion, there were many hidden hardships that ordinary people couldn't sense, but only the Murong Family knew about it. It seems that the happiness of life is not only measured by money and wealth.
”Xiangyang, what are you thinking about this time?” Yu Yin urged, interrupting his train of thoughts. ”We've been standing outside the door for a long time. Why haven't we entered yet?”
”Of course!” Shen Huanyang strode like a meteor to the entrance of the mansion. He gripped the huge bronze bracelet on the door tightly. ”Dang Dang” Several knocks resounded on the door, and the mansion's door opened with a clang. A servant standing in front of the door bowed and asked: ”May I ask if you are Young Hero Shen, if you are unable to welcome me, please follow me!”
Shen Jingyang and Yu Yin looked at each other in shock. How did the Murong Family know they were coming? Shen Tianyang's heart trembled as he felt slightly panicked.
The two of them followed the servant through the front gate into the courtyard. They entered the verandah and turned to the quiet and serene back courtyard. The fake mountains, pavilions, pavilions, and flowing water were all present. Shen Jingyang had gotten used to Taixuan's atmosphere, the unique characteristics of the twelve pots, and the bustling of Jade Wall City. Now that he was close to the Murong Mansion, he finally understood the beauty of fine craftsmanship, the supernatural craftsmanship.
After passing through the winding pavilions and pavilions, he finally arrived at the main hall of the manor. Shen Jingyang clearly discovered that the middle-aged man sitting in the main seat was Murong Dawn. This was Shen Jingyang's first time seeing Mu Rong Kongming ever since the Jade Wall Cliff incident. Although he tried his best to maintain his usual shrewdness, he couldn't hide the white hair at his temples and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. After so many years, his body had also become slightly fat. He was no longer the lean and tall City Lord like before, but more like a benevolent old man who had experienced many hardships.
”City Lord Murong, your elegance is still gone!” Shen Jingyang slowly walked up to him and said, ”I am Shen Jingyang, and this is my colleague, Yu Yin. I have a request for you today.” Saying this, Shen Jingyang pulled Yu Yin, who was still looking around, to bow deeply.
After a long while, Shen Jingyang still did not receive Mu Rong Kongming's reply. He lifted his head and stood straight, but Mu Rong Kongming remained unmoving. His gaze was tightly fixed on Yu Yin as he muttered, ”If Lin Lang is still alive, she should be this big …” It was as if they were talking in a dream, causing fear to well up in their hearts.
Yu Yin looked at Murong Kongming in panic. ”City Lord Murong, he died …” ”I can't come back to life, I hope you can …” She was so nervous that she stuttered as if she did not know what to say.
Shen Jingyang was about to explain when Mu Rong Kong Ming suddenly stood up and walked steadily towards the two of them. ”Young Hero Shen, what may I do for you today?” He was like a completely different person from before. His color was bright and he once again returned to his appearance as the City Lord.
Shen Jingyang hurriedly opened his mouth and asked, ”Mayor, I would like to ask you about the origin of a piece of clothing. I would like to know where it came from?”
Mu Rong Kongming was slightly surprised. ”Oh? Is this dress special? ” He nodded slightly and habitually put his hands behind his back. ”Why don't you go to the Raccoon Workshop? They're the only ones who can identify clothes.”
Shen Jingyang smiled in relief, ”We've already been to the Raccoon Clothing Workshop, so there's nothing they can do. That's why we're here to seek advice from the Mayor.”
Mu Rong Kongming nodded. ”What kind of clothes? Can I inspect them?” Shen Jingyang hastily took out a brocade sack. After opening it, he took out a piece of black cloth and passed it to Mu Rong Kongming.