Volume Three: The Turmoil at Xuanwu Gate Chapter 100: Aftermath

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Hearing Li Shimin say that the Qin Prince’s residence had been attacked by assassins, Ming Yu was startled and exclaimed, "Who would be so bold as to dare attempt an assassination at the Qin Prince’s residence?"

Li Shimin shook his head and replied, "I do not know who sent them. There were dozens of them, all dressed in black with covered faces, killing anyone they saw. Their martial skills did not resemble those of soldiers but rather the ways of the underworld."

Ming Yu asked with concern, "Were there casualties in the residence? Is my aunt and my younger siblings safe?"

Li Shimin answered, "Fortunately, there were many guards and warriors from the Tiance Division present. After a fierce fight, about ten servants were killed and many guards were wounded. Luckily, the children and your aunt were unharmed."

Hearing that the children and Changsun were safe, Ming Yu finally relaxed and said, "Thank goodness, thank goodness. It’s good that no one was hurt. Were any of the assassins captured alive?"

Li Shimin sighed, "The assassins were fanatical killers, trained to die rather than surrender. Surrounded by the guards with no escape, most took their own lives. Thanks to the sharp eyes and quick hands of the Tiance warriors, two were captured alive."

Ming Yu continued, "Have you interrogated them to find out who was behind this?"

Li Shimin’s face turned grim as he clenched his teeth, "From the clothing and weapons on the dead assassins, we found markings belonging to the Qi Prince’s residence."

"The Qi Prince? Why does he appear everywhere! The one who orchestrated my kidnapping was also the Qi Prince!" Ming Yu frowned upon hearing it was again Li Yuangi.

"Hmm? How do you know that?" Li Shimin had already learned the whole story from a letter by Duke Dugu Wudu, but Ming Yu shouldn’t have known that.

Ming Yu’s hatred flared as he answered, "The men who kidnapped me told me the mastermind was a man named Yuwen Bao, a commander under the Qi Prince’s residence."

Li Shimin nodded, confirming the letter’s account was accurate, then asked, "What happened to the kidnappers?"

Ming Yu did not hide the truth, replying honestly, "I sent them all to meet the King of Hell."

Li Shimin looked at the charred ruins of the gambling den and was secretly impressed by Ming Yu’s ruthless methods and meticulous thinking—killing was not enough; he had to burn down the place to destroy evidence. After a moment’s thought, he asked, "Did you set the fire? What about the people inside? Were they all killed?"

Ming Yu sneered coldly, "Those beasts trafficked children, kidnapped and extorted, assaulted women, forced gambling and usury, utterly depraved—they deserved death to avenge their evil!"

Li Shimin was shocked that such atrocities happened right under his nose and quickly asked for the full story.

Ming Yu recounted everything in detail.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin nodded and said, "Well done! They truly deserved death. You were right to act, though your methods were harsh. But in urgent situations, heavy-handedness is justified."

Ming Yu scratched his head and smiled, "Yes, I think so too. Some say killing evildoers is an act of kindness."

"Killing evildoers is an act of kindness? Wise words, indeed," Li Shimin murmured repeatedly, nodding in admiration.

"However, since dozens of lives were taken, handling the aftermath properly will require your advice, Second Uncle," Ming Yu rolled his eyes, thinking that the words of the Living Buddha Jikong must surely have some merit.

"No matter," Li Shimin smiled and summoned He Jing, the patrol captain of Qunxian Alley.

The plump He Jing, sweating nervously, stood by. He never expected the Qin Prince himself to appear, realizing this young man’s backing was truly the Qin Prince. He silently thanked his lucky stars for not offending this youth earlier. When summoned, he hurried over quickly.

Li Shimin waved a hand, "You are the head of security here?"

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"I am He Jing, honored to serve under the Qin Prince, responsible for patrolling and maintaining order in Qunxian Alley."

"Hmm, He Jing, do you realize your fault? This Hongyun gambling den was a den of filth and villainy right under your watch. Did you not know?" Li Shimin’s face darkened as he reprimanded him sharply.

He Jing’s legs gave way, and he fell to his knees, wailing, "Spare me, Your Highness! I truly did not know. I am but a lowly patrol captain. Every shop here has powerful backers—I dared not offend any of them. Please have mercy, Your Highness!"

Li Shimin’s tone softened, "I understand your difficulties, but since it’s under your jurisdiction, you cannot shirk responsibility."

He Jing kowtowed repeatedly, begging, "Please spare me, Your Highness!"

"Rise. I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself," Li Shimin said, then explained, "The thieves fought among themselves over loot, killing each other off. They accidentally knocked over a candle, causing the fire. That’s the whole story. Are you clear?"

He Jing nodded eagerly, "Your Highness is wise! It’s only right!"

Ming Yu listened closely, thinking it truly pays to have power. What was initially a matter of dozens of lives ended with a few words from Li Shimin. After dismissing He Jing to handle the aftermath, Ming Yu leaned close to Li Shimin and whispered, "Second Uncle, now that this is settled, what about the Qi Prince..."

Li Shimin glared, "This is no place for such talk. We’ll discuss it back at the residence."

After settling affairs and sending two guards with Ming Yu’s token to fetch Xiaoshitou and the others out of the city, Ming Yu followed Li Shimin under guards back to the Qin Prince’s residence.

As soon as they entered, Changsun, eyes red, rushed out and hugged Ming Yu tightly, sobbing, "You’re finally back! Are you hurt?" She looked him over anxiously.

Ming Yu smiled awkwardly, "I’m back, see? Not a scratch on me!"

"You little brat! I told you not to go causing trouble! You must have gotten into trouble!" Seeing Ming Yu unharmed, Changsun relaxed, then grabbed his ear, baring her teeth, eyes wide with worry.

Ming Yu looked helplessly at Li Shimin, who gave him a resigned look, then cleared his throat, "I’ll go check on the interrogations."

After much effort and promises not to leave the residence again, and with Changsun’s insistence on assigned guards, her worries were finally calmed.

Once free from Changsun’s watchful eye, Ming Yu sighed deeply, feeling more exhausted dealing with her anger than fighting a battle.

Though tired and sleepy, Ming Yu was concerned about the assassins and found Li Shimin’s location to check on the interrogation.

Before reaching the courtyard, he heard the sharp crack of leather whips.

Entering the yard, he saw Li Shimin with a stern expression, accompanied by Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and others standing in the hall.

Two wooden stakes were set up with the assassins tied in painful bindings. Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda each wielded a rawhide whip, cracking loudly. Despite the cold, both were shirtless, steam rising from their heads as sweat dripped from their lashes.

Each lash caused the assassins to tremble with pain until the rawhide whips snapped in half. The two assassins rolled their eyes and fainted.

"Damn it!" Old Cheng tossed down his whip, wiping sweat from his brow. "Commander! These two are tough nuts—they’ve broken two whips but still insist they were sent by the Qi Prince!"

Niu Jinda gasped for breath, "Your Highness, we can’t continue. At this rate, not only won’t they confess, they might not even survive!"

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At that moment, Ming Yu arrived and asked, "Second Uncle, are these the two assassins? Didn’t we confirm they were sent by the Qi Prince? Why continue the interrogation?"

Li Shimin responded gravely, "Though all signs point to old Fourth Yuangi, I sense this is more complicated. If you were sending assassins, would you be foolish enough to mark their clothes and weapons with your own residence’s seal?"

Ming Yu thought it made sense and approached the two assassins to inspect them.

One was about thirty, with a full beard; the other barely in his twenties, pale-faced. Both were tied to stakes, beaten until their flesh was raw, clothes tattered, heads drooping in unconsciousness.

Ming Yu smiled at Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda, "Thank you, uncles, for your hard work. Rest now, I’ll give it a try."

Niu Jinda hesitated, "Ming Yu, you just escaped alive—better to rest. These assassins have strong wills; it won’t be easy."

Ming Yu replied, "I can’t rest while this matter weighs on me."

"Well, Old Niu, let the boy try. He’s cunning; maybe he’ll get something out of them," Old Cheng laughed, stepping back with Niu Jinda.

Ming Yu circled the assassins twice, thinking how to make them confess their master’s identity.

Repeating old tactics? Torturing them like Duan Hu? No, that wouldn’t do. They were not like Duan Hu. Besides, with those monsters, extreme measures might be justified—he had been alone then, and burned everything to cover tracks. No one knew what had happened.

But now, with so many witnesses—the Second Uncle Li Shimin still here, and scholars like Fang Xuanling present—it would be unwise to leave the impression of a cruel, bloodthirsty youth. After all, a scholar’s pen could write history and condemn him forever.

Ming Yu racked his brain. These fanatical killers had been brainwashed thoroughly; brute force might kill them before they talked. He needed another approach—psychological tactics.

With a sudden gleam in his eye, the plan formed.

He whispered it to Li Shimin, who nodded, "If they won’t talk, we can try your method. Desperate times call for desperate measures." He summoned the head of the guards, Li Junxian, instructing him to obey Ming Yu’s orders.

Ming Yu had Li Junxian position the two assassins at opposite ends of the courtyard, twenty or so yards apart—close enough to see each other’s movements but too far to hear whispers.

Then two basins of ice water were brought and poured over the assassin at the east end.

It was deep winter, bitterly cold. The shock of icy water on his head caused the man to scream in agony, trembling uncontrollably, lips turning blue-black.

Ming Yu paced slowly before the pale-faced assassin, asking, "Feeling good? If you don’t confess, I have even better fun in store for you!"

The assassin spat a blood-tinged mouthful, stubborn despite the pain, closing his eyes and remaining silent.

"Hmph, stubborn!" Ming Yu grinned and gave a thumbs-up, "I like your spirit—it means I get to have some fun!"