Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Twenty-Three: A Game of Light and Shadow

The jungle was lush and dense, its boundaries lost to the horizon. The summer sun blazed fiercely, the shimmering heat distorting one's vision. Atop a distant poplar stood two figures, straight and unwavering. On the left was a man in loose robes, his arms ending in sharp talon-like gauntlets. To the right was the young Taoist, known as Master Fenyang, who had offered counsel at the mysterious residence the day before.

The man with eagle claws chided, “The Three Bureaus called him to investigate Xiaolian’s death, yet he’s here now. Clearly, he suspects a connection between the two cases. This Chen Chang’an is quite something. Sometimes I truly wonder if he’s really blind.”

He paused deliberately before continuing: “Your plan is ingenious, no doubt, but if Chen Chang’an or the people from the Three Bureaus discover the identity of the headless corpse, they’ll follow the trail back, and that could spell trouble.”

Only then did Master Fenyang speak. “Do you know why Chen Chang’an, blind as he is, could link Xiaolian and the headless corpse?”

The eagle-clawed man shook his head. “I’ve thought about it, but I can’t figure it out. Is it because they died at the same time?”

Master Fenyang shook his head. “If that were all, Chen Chang’an wouldn’t be nearly as frightening. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

“You have many deathsworn under your command, yet this morning, you sent the Scorpion—a man whose weapon leaves distinctive wounds. That’s how Chen Chang’an deduced the connection.”

The eagle-clawed man’s cheek twitched. “So that’s it… My apologies. The Scorpion’s weapon is indeed a flaw—far too recognizable.”

His arrogance, always present though rarely overt, now gave way to humility. “So, Master, what should we do next?”

“The secret of the record book is crucial for our future plans. This setup must succeed; we cannot let it be ruined again by that blind man named Chen.”

Master Fenyang drew a deep, meaningful breath. “Therefore, you must go to Huaiyuan Ward immediately.”

The eagle-clawed man’s eyes widened. “Go… to Huaiyuan Ward? Master, this isn’t the time for pleasure-seeking. I admit, sending the wrong man led to a flaw that let Chen Chang’an track us here. But now, at a critical moment, we must treat this seriously!”

“Hmph.” Master Fenyang’s lips curled in open contempt. “Now I finally understand why, after three years of your master’s scheming, he’s accomplished so little—his subordinates are all brainless.”

Ignoring any reaction, Master Fenyang continued, “So long as the headless corpse’s identity remains hidden, there will be no further complications. Now that the head is gone and the face unrecognizable, the only clue is Huaiyuan Ward.”

“If I’m not mistaken, this man was a regular at Spring Cloud House in Huaiyuan Ward. He must have had a flower token, or traces of rouge from courtesans, on him—a flaw left by your foolish deathsworn, the Scorpion.”

“Go at once and set fire to Spring Cloud House. Perhaps it can still be salvaged.”

At first, the eagle-clawed man’s expression showed some irritation, but as he listened to the clear logic, it turned into admiration.

“I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Master. I’ll see to it at once.” He cupped his fists and bowed.

Master Fenyang waved him off. “Since I’ve chosen to collaborate with your master, this is my duty. One more piece of advice: If you truly wish to seize Bai Wan’s domain, it would be best to remove Chen Chang’an as soon as possible.”

“At the very least, don’t let him join the court—don’t let him tru