The Black Yamen, independent of the Six Ministries, can carry out a one-stop service of inspection, arrest, interrogation, and execution internally. The prison for detaining important criminals is located at the back of the yamen - to be precise, directly beneath Mingyu Tower.
Ye Jingtang followed Shang Jianli for a long time and gradually arrived near Mingyu Tower. He found that behind it was a large - scale mansion. Beyond the high walls, there were numerous pavilions and buildings, with lush vegetation, vividly displaying the luxurious and magnificent style of the imperial family.
"Is this the back gate of Prince Jing's Mansion?"
"The Black Yamen is the private guard of Prince Jing. Logically speaking, this is the outer residence of Prince Jing's Mansion, and the main gate of the Black Yamen is the back gate of the mansion."
Shang Jianli entered the underground stairs from the corridor. Those who could make the Black Yamen take action were no ordinary people, and most of them were killed on the spot without being allowed to live for a moment longer. There were not many people imprisoned in the dungeon.
As soon as Ye Jingtang entered the underground area, a gloomy and cold air rushed towards him. The passage in front was bottomless, and the oil lamps along the way looked like will - o'- the - wisps.
After walking about a hundred steps forward, they went down two floors until they came to a basement.
There were two jailers standing outside the basement. Inside, there were no windows on all four sides, and an oil lamp was lit. There was a small courtyard in the middle.
The small courtyard was covered with a fine - iron fence, which was connected to the wellhead with an iron lock. Each iron rod was as thick as a man's wrist. Just its weight alone was beyond the ability of an ordinary person to lift, let alone break through the iron lock.
Ye Jingtang came to the edge of the small courtyard and leaned over to look inside.
Below the small courtyard was a stone chamber with some daily necessities placed in it. A prisoner was sitting against the wall. The prisoner was relatively clean, but his hair was disheveled, and his hands and feet were bound with iron chains as thick as an arm. He had a large frame but was extremely thin.
As soon as Ye Jingtang showed his head from the wellhead, the disheveled - haired prisoner raised his head. There were some wrinkles on his face, and he looked about fifty years old. However, his eyes were bright and full of spirit, showing no sign of decadence, just like sitting at home and looking at a visiting guest at the door.
But after finding the face unfamiliar, the prisoner resumed his sitting - cross - legged posture and closed his eyes.
Ye Jingtang asked, "Is this Hero Qiu? Why is he locked up so tightly?"
"These things are just to prevent accidents and don't play a big role. What really locks him up is the 'Soft - Bone Incense'."
After explaining, Shang Jianli looked at the dungeon and said, "Qiu Tianhe, this is Young Master Ye Jingtang. He is also a saber - wielder. You might be interested."
In the dungeon, Qiu Tianhe opened his eyes again and said, "Come down."
Shang Jianli opened the wellhead and gestured with his hand, "Please."
"..."
Ye Jingtang didn't believe that with such tight locks, Qiu Tianhe could still pose a threat to him. So he didn't back down and directly jumped into the small courtyard.
Tap -
A soft sound rang out in the closed stone chamber.
Qiu Tianhe's eyes were originally calm, but in a fleeting glance, he saw the 'Li - Long Ring - Headed Saber' behind Ye Jingtang.
The shape of this saber was actually quite common in the martial arts world. Because the previous - dynasty's saber - technique grandmaster Kuangyazi had reached the top among saber - wielders, the saber he used was naturally imitated by later generations. There were a large number of such sabers on the market nowadays.
The saber technique of Junshan Terrace was called "The Order to Slay the Dragon", and its original intention was to slay this Li - Long Ring - Headed Saber.
However, there were many imitations, and there was only one genuine one.
People who were not familiar with it might find it difficult to distinguish, but top - level saber - wielders who had seen this saber before could recognize the saber more accurately than people!
Qiu Tianhe's expression and eyes did not change. He just looked at Ye Jingtang's face and said, "What a handsome young man. What do you want with this old man?"
Ye Jingtang didn't stand above him. He sat cross - legged on the ground about a zhang away from Qiu Tianhe, cupped his hands, and said, "I have long admired the name of Hero Qiu and just came to pay my respects."
"The saber is good. Show me a move so that this old man can see your skills."
Ye Jingtang didn't waste words. He pushed the saber behind his waist and held the handle in reverse.
Clang -
A cold light flashed in the stone chamber, bringing up a slight breeze that blew Qiu Tianhe's disheveled long hair.
Whoosh...
Ye Jingtang sheathed the saber, let go of the handle, and asked, "What does Hero Qiu think?"
Blue comes from the indigo plant but is bluer than the plant itself...
Qiu Tianhe's expression showed no difference. He just nodded slightly and said, "You are a great talent. If this old man were not trapped here, I would definitely like to have a discussion with Young Master Ye."
"Hero Qiu, you praise me too much. I have just entered the martial arts world and don't know much about the saber - wielders in the martial arts world. I only know about Xuanyuan Chao, Hero Qiu, Zheng Feng, and a few others. Can Hero Qiu tell me about these stories?"
Qiu Tianhe had already seen Ye Jingtang's identity. Although their saber - technique routines were completely different, the starting moves were exactly the same.
When Qiu Tianhe was young, he and Zheng Feng were both opponents and confidants. They had competed no less than a hundred times. He knew that the 'right path' that Zheng Feng had been hard searching for was the perfect move that this young man had just shown.
Zheng Feng didn't come, but the saber appeared in this young man's hand. It could only mean that Zheng Feng had gone ahead and reached the Naihe Bridge.
A trace of sadness at the passage of time flashed through Qiu Tianhe's eyes. Understanding Ye Jingtang's intention, he said, "Xuanyuan Chao is the current 'Saber Champion'. His life stories can be heard everywhere, so there's no need for this old man to repeat them. Xuanyuan Tian'gang has already withdrawn from the martial arts world and is not convenient to mention. As for Zheng Feng, he's a fool."
"Oh?" Ye Jingtang became more serious. "What do you mean by that?"
Qiu Tianhe looked at the small courtyard and said, "Come down and listen. It's not a secret."
Shang Jianli, who seemed interested in these old stories of the martial arts world, jumped down and landed silently behind Ye Jingtang, standing with his hands behind his back.
"This old man started practicing saber at the age of three. It has been fifty - two years until now. I have met many friends and opponents. However, except for Xuanyuan Tian'gang, all the others have turned to dust. Among these people, Zheng Feng was not outstanding, but he suited my taste and was a confidant."
Qiu Tianhe looked at Ye Jingtang and said, "Back then, Zheng Feng was as sharp and high - spirited as you. Unfortunately, he wasn't as handsome as you and was slightly less talented. Originally, this old man made an agreement with him that when our saber techniques reached perfection, we would first defeat that old man Xuanyuan and then have a decisive battle at Junshan Terrace to determine the current 'Saber Champion'. Unfortunately, Zheng Feng broke the promise first."
Ye Jingtang asked, "Why did he break the promise?"
"That kid Zheng Feng had a good relationship with Xuanyuan Tian'gang. He went to Junshan Terrace several times and got to know Xuanyuan Tian'gang's daughter, Xuanyuan Shuye. They developed a relationship."
Xuanyuan Shuye...
Ye Jingtang secretly frowned, feeling that this name was probably related to his surname 'Ye'.
"Zheng Feng was deeply in love and went to propose marriage. But at that time, the court was selecting palace maids. In order to seek wealth and rank, that old man Xuanyuan wanted to send Xuanyuan Shuye to the palace to become a concubine. To make his daughter obey the arrangement, that old man Xuanyuan deliberately provoked Zheng Feng and asked him to prove himself with a saber."
Qiu Tianhe let out a slight sigh and said, "At that time, Zheng Feng wasn't even a grandmaster. How could he be qualified to challenge that old man Xuanyuan? But he still drew his saber. That old man Xuanyuan never intended to marry his daughter to him. In order to make his daughter give up, he showed no mercy on the spot. Although he didn't take Zheng Feng's life, he must have made him a disabled person."
Ye Jingtang knew that his adoptive father had never married and had no children all his life. He was often drunk. Hearing this, his expression became solemn and he asked, "And then?"
"After that day, Zheng Feng completely disappeared from the martial arts world. This old man has never seen him again. Now, I'm afraid he has gone before me."
Hearing this, Ye Jingtang was slightly silent and then asked, "What happened to Xuanyuan Shuye in the end?"
Shang Jianli, standing behind him, answered, "In the second year of Chengan, the court selected good - family women to enter the palace. Xuanyuan Shuye was among the candidates. When the procession reached the border of Yunzhou, Qiu Tianhe rushed into the convoy, was stabbed eight times, and risked his life to kidnap Xuanyuan Shuye. Then he fled for his life and was hunted by the court and Junshan Terrace for nearly thirty years until last year when he was finally captured by the Black Yamen."
"..."
Ye Jingtang was shocked in his heart and looked at Qiu Tianhe in disbelief.
Qiu Tianhe showed a smile and said, "This old man and Zheng Feng were opponents and also confidants. After he disappeared without a trace, Xuanyuan Shuye secretly sent someone to find me and asked me to help find Zheng Feng's whereabouts and tell him that Xuanyuan Shuye would be waiting for him at the Naihe Bridge.
"This old man didn't know where Zheng Feng was hiding. I couldn't bear to see such sad things in the world, so I, alone with a saber, rushed into the wedding envoy's team and kidnapped Xuanyuan Shuye. Then I accompanied her to look for Zheng Feng for ten years. From the mountains and wilds of Tiannan to the desolate grasslands; from the eastern sea cliffs to the northwest deserts; I still don't know where he's hiding."
Ye Jingtang was silent for a long time and then said softly, "Hero Qiu, you are truly righteous."
Qiu Tianhe shook his head and said, "This old man also has something to be sorry for Zheng Feng. In those ten years, we traveled all over the mountains and rivers. Xuanyuan Shuye always followed. From full of hope to a heart as dead as ashes; from a young and beautiful girl to a woman with a weather - beaten face. This old man developed feelings over time and finally married Xuanyuan Shuye. Do you think this old man is a despicable person, young man?"
This was a sincere question. It seemed that Qiu Tianhe had always felt guilty.
Ye Jingtang didn't think his adoptive father was a heartless person. His adoptive father used to talk nonsense when drunk and often mentioned Qiu Tianhe, with a very positive evaluation. He couldn't have not known what happened later.
His adoptive father was injured by Xuanyuan Chao and couldn't give his beloved a happy life. He left in despair, perhaps thinking that this was the best result.
Since his adoptive father had made such a choice, as a son, how could Ye Jingtang judge the right or wrong of his elders?
"If Zheng Feng had changed his name and hidden his identity, he couldn't have not heard of what Hero Qiu did. Since Zheng Feng didn't say anything, no one else has the right to point fingers at Hero Qiu."
"Hehe..."
Qiu Tianhe laughed twice and said, "I'll talk about these things with Zheng Feng when I go down. Who's right and who's wrong can only be determined when we meet. Go. The affairs of the old - generation saber - wielders have nothing to do with you, a fledgling. I just hope you don't end up like Zheng Feng and let that old man Xuanyuan be the Saber Champion for another thirty years."
"Take care, Hero Qiu. I'll take my leave."
After saying that, Ye Jingtang stood up, saluted, and jumped out of the small courtyard with Shang Jianli.
Qiu Tianhe leaned against the wall and watched them until the iron fence was closed and the footsteps disappeared. Then he secretly sighed and said, "New generations replace the old... You've finally endured hardships and got a good son. But this old man has been punished by heaven. What kind of logic is this..."