emptycourtyard

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> “How?” A simple statement without adornments on a neutral face only highlighted its meaningfulness. Danlu thinned his lips. He had wanted to at least hide it until the day was over. “The pair was one of the headquarters’ drivers. A job came in for them to transport a man to Shangsuo Province and back, but both were later found dead and reported to the local magistrate. The coroner at the Shangsuo Prefectural Government Office identified blood loss from damaged throats.” His voice sank with his heart as he spoke. “The customer?” […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> The candles of the room were unlit. Books stacked to form a maze. Not just the texts from the old study, but materials he had Danlu bring over from the carriage service were also scattered about. In the middle of the darkroom, Xiyun absently stared at the closed door. His hand held nothing, unlike usual where a book was always found. He gazed down to an open palm. Closing it. Tightening it. Opening it. Finally, he sighed. The boy stood up and slid open the door to enter the courtyard. Danlu’s stepped […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> A small path weaved through the valley of bamboo. Within the clear green forest was a white stone tower, empty of people. Outside, Leung Lakse slouched against the building with a sword at his lap, absently gazing at nothing. The man’s brown hair pulled back in a knot, further sharpening his features. His eyes narrowed before he stood up and stepped forward, blocking the mountain path. “This is the final point of our sect’s mountain gate and you are not accompanied by a disciple-” Lakse began. Appearing from behind the foliage, […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> By morning, Principal Yao still remained at the site of the incident. The cat had slept on the rooftop, growling any time the Mayor’s Office or City Guards attempted to interfere with the Imperial Observatory’s investigation. As it pertained to the safety of a student, the role of overseer had fallen to her. They had completed most of the interviews and interrogations. The information offered by the suspected catalyst, the Black Fan Society, was particularly enlightening. The fact that a group of students considered becoming involved with gang conflicts as playing […]