Volume One: The Proctor and the Candidate Chapter Twelve: Sixteen Years Old, Seriously?

Just as Liu Botao finally came over to express his concern and praise to Huang Ming, a sudden commotion and the clamor of fighting broke out in a nearby courtyard. There was no need for further orders—at once, a large group of men rushed over to provide reinforcements, escalating the battle there before it quickly settled back into silence.

Soon, subordinates came running back to report one after another:

“Sir, there really is a secret chamber opened up at the bottom of a well in the rear courtyard of the post station. We’d barely descended when we startled two men hiding there, who immediately broke out in an attempt to escape.”

“Fortunately, I had made prior arrangements, so their path was blocked. One of them was particularly fierce, rampaging and injuring several of our brothers, but now they have both been apprehended!”

“Sir, judging by his appearance and his wounds, one of them is clearly the White Lotus heretic who was rescued in the capital. Who would have thought they would move so quickly—delivering him here and finding someone to treat his injuries all in a single day.”

Liu Botao did not explain the full truth of the matter. He merely nodded slightly, cast a glance at Huang Ming, and then said, “Have men conduct a thorough search of that secret chamber. There may be further discoveries. And keep a close watch on these rebellious felons—do not let them take their own lives, and above all, do not let them escape again!”

At this point, he finally let out a long breath, his mind settling at last. Though this prisoner rescue had caused no small disturbance, the outcome was perfect, even yielding further gains: not only had they captured several more White Lotus cultists, they had also rooted out a spy embedded within the authorities.

So long as they applied the proper methods back in the capital, they would surely extract more valuable intelligence from these prisoners, earning themselves even greater merit.

And truly, all the credit for this belonged to the young master by his side—Huang Ming.

This realization made Liu Botao turn to Huang Ming again, his eyes full of admiration. “Such talent—if you were to join the Embroidered Guards, your future would be limitless.”

Having set his mind on this, Liu Botao moved closer and said, “Young Master Huang, this success is entirely thanks to you. Have you thought about your future prospects?”

Yet Huang Ming’s reaction was somewhat unusual. Even as Liu Botao approached, he did not notice at first—his gaze was still fixed distantly on a street corner, lost in thought.

For as the soldiers came one after another to report, Huang Ming, standing among them, suddenly sensed something was amiss—as if he was being watched.

This was an instinct honed over years of investigating cases and clashing wits with desperate criminals—an instinct that was rarely wrong.

Without any hesitation, Huang Ming followed his intuition and looked across the still-chaotic street beyond the perimeter.

At the street corner, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a back that seemed oddly familiar.

That person had clearly lingered inconspicuously at that corner for some time, watching everything unfold. Only when the outcome was clear did he quietly slip away.

But before leaving, he had cast a distant, penetrating glance at Huang Ming, making the latter keenly aware of his presence…

Could it be him…? In Huang Ming’s mind emerged a not-quite-clear image—Ying Huo, Brother Ying.

The man who once held some acquaintance with the body’s original owner, who took advantage of his naivete, and who was the true mastermind behind this prisoner rescue!

Huang Ming was certain that this man was the most dangerous and formidable plotter in this string of events, and almost certainly a high-ranking figure in the White Lotus Society.

But, regrettably, he was not inside the post station—he had cautiously remained on the periphery. Otherwise, they might have landed a truly big catch this time.

Should he report this to them?

As Huang Ming considered this, Liu Botao’s question interrupted his thoughts, making him pause briefly before making up his mind—never mind. That man would surely have sensed the danger and already slipped away; with just these men here, there was no hope of capturing him.

Better to let things rest. After all, he was not an official himself; so long as his own name was cleared, that was enough.

Though many thoughts flashed through his mind, Huang Ming was quick to respond: “Thank you for your concern, Commander Liu, but I am still young and must abide by my father’s arrangements.”

This answer was only natural, and it made Liu Botao pause as he recalled that the young man before him was only sixteen—a veritable youth.

Why had he spoken to him as though he were an adult peer? It was simply that Huang Ming’s conduct had been so impressive, so calm and collected, that one instinctively overlooked his age…

“Haha, it seems I was a bit rash. Concerning your future, of course, it is for your honorable father to consider carefully before any decision is made.”

With a smile, Liu Botao added, “Still, having witnessed your abilities today, I cannot help but wish to recruit such talent. If you were to join the Embroidered Guards, I dare not promise too much, but one day your achievements would surely surpass mine—rising to great heights would hardly be a fantasy.”

“Sir, you flatter me. I have only done my small part and would not dare claim credit. As long as you and the other officials will clear my name, that is all I ask,” Huang Ming replied with humility.

Sixteen years old?

Commander Liu could not help but marvel inwardly.

It was one thing to be exceptionally capable, but to be so composed, never arrogant, never showing the least trace of pride—that was something even he, now past forty, could not always manage.

This young man was truly remarkable. If only he could be brought into the Embroidered Guards—he would surely become a great asset!

At that moment, Liu Botao was even more determined to recruit Huang Ming, and resolved to strongly recommend him to the Commandant upon their return.

What he did not know was that Huang Ming himself was somewhat tempted.

The Embroidered Guards might have a poor reputation, but they were, after all, a powerful organization. As for their current marginalization—that was only a passing phase. Once Lu Bing, the emperor’s milk-brother, rose to power, the Embroidered Guards would again become a force to be reckoned with.

If he joined before that, he would be counted among their own through hardship shared—and could secure a solid position.

More importantly, given his own background and abilities, he could not hope to take the imperial examinations and become a scholar-official—he could barely recite a few lines of the Three Character Classic, let alone sit for the exams!

Still, this was not a decision he could make for himself at present, so naturally he could not accept outright, and could only respond as he had.

Who knew—perhaps his father had even better plans in store for him?

Perhaps he might even be assigned to the Eastern Depot, which wielded even greater power than the Embroidered Guards.

Well, the Eastern Depot may have been run by eunuchs, but the officials and functionaries there were often hale and hearty men, many of whom were relatives of the eunuchs.

In that sense, Huang Ming was well suited to the role…