Friends who often follow the light should know that Chu Liuxiang's *qinggong* (light-foot technique) is peerless, earning him the moniker of the Thief Marshal.
Yet today, an audacious transmigrator dared to openly impersonate our great Thief Marshal, brazenly infiltrating the Imperial Archives of Weiyang Palace in broad daylight to search for any clues.
Little did he know that the moment he crossed the threshold of the Archives, he was already being silently observed by hidden eyes, completely unaware.
Inside the Archives, Shen Zhao glanced at the five-story-high stacks of scrolls and immediately ascended to the fifth floor.
After some searching, he finally discovered the scroll he was looking for in a corner—*Records of Traitors of the Celestial Dynasty*.
As he opened it, the striking crimson characters of "Execution" sent a chill down his spine.
"These are the Empress's crimes, which the historian Sima Clan tried to record until their dying day. When the Empress ascended the throne, she slaughtered 3,784 members of the imperial clan to secure her position.
Another 49,233 officials, scholars, and noble families were implicated and became sacrifices in this struggle for imperial power..."
"Such a sweeping purge is truly rare in the Nine Realms. It's said that no emperor who leaves their mark on history was ever one to be trifled with."
Shen Zhao scanned the documents with practiced speed, memorizing their contents in an instant. He quietly returned them to their place, intending to search for other clues.
But the moment he turned, a sharp sword qi slashed through the air.
Shen Zhao dodged sideways and sprang up, only to be met by another sword qi aimed directly at his forehead.
"Egoless Realm, Eighth Grade? Such a powerful guardian in the Archives? The Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty's depth of power is truly unfathomable."
Seeing no escape, Shen Zhao raised his folding fan to block.
The fan ribs clashed with the sword qi, emitting a soft clang. Shen Zhao used the momentum to execute a swift movement, darting toward the open window.
"Little thief! Where do you think you're going?"
The Archival Guard wouldn't let Shen Zhao escape so easily and gave chase.
Just as Shen Zhao was about to leap through the window to shake off his pursuer, the open window suddenly slammed shut. Simultaneously, a massive iron cage descended from above.
*Boom!*
Shen Zhao dodged the cage a split second before it hit the ground, darting behind a row of bookshelves.
"You little rascal! How dare you cause trouble in the Imperial Palace? Surrender now, or you'll get a thorough beating when we catch you."
The Archival Guard moved stealthily among the bookshelves, his ears straining for the slightest sound.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhao hid behind a bookshelf, holding his breath and focusing his mind, while searching for a new escape route.
"You can't escape! Come out now!"
The guard's voice still echoed in his ears when Shen Zhao happened to look up and notice a hidden compartment behind a bookshelf, its material and color clearly different from the surrounding ones. His curiosity was piqued.
He immediately called out, "I deeply admire your dedication to duty, sir. If not for dire circumstances, I wouldn't have dared to trespass into this forbidden area of the Imperial City."
Hearing this, the guard rushed toward the source of the voice.
But with a sword thrust, Shen Zhao had already vanished from his original position.
"Why must you be so aggressive, sir? I mean no harm."
"Don't be ridiculous! Do you think the Archives is a public park you can come and go as you please?"
"May I ask your name, sir? I'd like to remember the hero's title."
"One of the Four Guards of the Imperial City—Zhu Que!"
Zhu Que spun toward the source of the voice, only to find it empty once more.
"You little vermin! You've grown bolder and more reckless, daring to desecrate the forbidden grounds of the Imperial City. Do you know that trespassing here is a capital offense?"
"If you don't speak, and I don't speak, then I don't have to die. What do you say?"
"Insolent!"
Enraged, Zhu Que leaped to a bookshelf, scanning the area for any sign of Shen Zhao.
"Don't get so worked up. Why don't we talk this through properly?"
"I'm an official, and you're a thief. What do you think we have to talk about?"
"Don't be so harsh. We've been fated to meet. Why not be honest with each other? Sit down, let's talk slowly, and clear the air. What do you think of that suggestion?"
"All I want to do right now is throw you in the imperial prison."
"Then may I ask one more question?"
"What is it?"
"How much do you get paid monthly for risking your life like this?"
"His Majesty's boundless grace provides me with several hundred Spirit Stones a month after all the subsidies."
"Just a few hundred a month? What are you risking your life for?"
"Insolent! How dare you!"
Zhu Que instantly flew into a rage. He spun around to face the voice, but Shen Zhao had already stepped forward.
Before Zhu Que could react, he felt a flash of cold steel, and a chilling sensation ran down his neck.
Shen Zhao had already sidestepped behind him, dagger held in a reverse grip.
Cold sweat poured down Zhu Que's face as he touched the icy sensation at his neck, his heart pounding with lingering fear. The scene replayed in his mind.
Shen Zhao had been nine body lengths away at the time. Though he should have been able to react, he never expected his opponent's speed to be as swift as lightning.
The critical moment came when, in the instant the blade plunged toward his neck, Shen Zhao shifted his grip from the blade to the flat of the dagger. Had he not done so...
Zhu Que shuddered, not daring to dwell on the thought. At his level of cultivation, he valued his life more than anyone, unless absolutely necessary.
"Friend, I truly meant no offense. I wouldn't have resorted to this desperate measure of sneaking into the Imperial Palace during the day if the situation hadn't been so dire. I beg you to look the other way."
Hearing this, Zhu Que's attitude softened slightly.
"But this is a forbidden area of the Imperial City. Guarding the Archives is my duty."
"Your duty is to ensure the Archives' records remain intact. Capturing thieves falls to the Imperial City Peacekeeping Bureau. Your actions here overstep your authority."
Zhu Que fell silent. Though the man was clearly twisting facts, there was a grain of truth to his words.
"So you're saying I was wrong to apprehend you?"
"No, you were right to apprehend me for trespassing in a forbidden area. But this matter shouldn't have concerned you."
"Besides, you can check the Archives Repository—is any case file missing?"
"Then what are you really here for?"
"The celestial anomaly that occurred at dawn today. You must understand what it means. I'm here to investigate it."
Zhu Que frowned. "The Imperial City has already dispatched investigators. How does that concern your unauthorized entry into the Archives?"
"Because I suspect this celestial anomaly is targeting the Empress. I must find clues to prevent a disaster."
"You mean this is an attack on Her Majesty?"
"Eighty percent likely."
Zhu Que fell silent again.
After a long pause, he sheathed his sword and addressed Shen Zhao. "What's your name?"
"Chu Liuxiang."
"You have one hour. After that, I don't want to see you anywhere near the Archives. Understand?"
"Thank you."
Shen Zhao bowed, and Zhu Que immediately descended the stairs.
The moment Zhu Que left, Shen Zhao rushed to the hidden compartment he had spotted earlier.
After much effort, he managed to open it. Inside lay a book titled *The Empress's Secret Records*.
As he opened it, Shen Zhao's pupils contracted sharply.
"Just as I suspected. Song Yanran is planting time bombs for herself. If this goes wrong, the entire Central Continent will be plunged into chaos!"
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