Warm to Burning Hot Wet Towel

In Yu Xiang, Ning Que looked at his soaked black academy uniform and unfurled his large black umbrella.
Killing those two was not overly difficult, but to act before the imperial court, especially the military, could react, and to silently kill the opponents, posed a certain degree of difficulty.
Huang Xing turned to ashes beneath the oil-paper umbrella, dying by one of his fire talismans.
As for Yu Shui Zhu, he died by the awakening talisman.
The awakening talisman was Grandmaster Yan Se's most powerful divine talisman. Before heading to the wilderness, Grandmaster Yan Se had imparted this talisman intent to Ning Que. However, because the talisman intent was profound and mysterious, Ning Que only truly grasped the essence of this talisman art a few days before breaking out of seclusion from the cliff.
Using vast righteous qi as a guide, the awakening talisman successfully cast by Ning Que was more like a simulation, and naturally could not be considered a divine talisman. Compared to the miraculous power of the awakening talisman cast by his Master Yan Se, it was far inferior. However, to silently cut a person into pieces of flesh in this spring rain was quite simple.
In the dark of night, Ning Que left the West City Gate with his umbrella. He first went to the Imperial City, found the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, Xu Chong Shan, handed over some matters, then returned to Si Shi Qi Alley.
Tang Tang looked at him, drenched from head to toe, her small face revealing worry and confusion.
Ning Que briefly explained a few things, then went to the back courtyard for a cold bath, after which he began to eat.
The candlelight flickered gently. Ning Que sat at a table in the front shop, gazing at the chaotic calligraphy piece Tang Tang had left from the previous year. He remained silent for a long time, recalling Xiao Hei Zi, who had died opposite the shop.
That was also a spring, also during a spring rain.
Before his death, Xiao Hei Zi had left an oil-paper list containing the names of those who had participated in the two massacres that year. Now Huang Xing was dead, Yu Shui Zhu was also dead; everyone on the list was gone.
However, two deserving individuals were still alive: Zhuo Er had not written their names on the oil-paper list, because he and Ning Que both knew who they were, no need to remember, nor would they forget.
Great Tang Prince Li Pai Yan and Grand General Zhen Jun Xia Hou.
Tang Tang walked behind him and said, "Will there be trouble?"
Ning Que said, "Even if... that old general can guess, he can't do anything to me."
Tang Tang was somewhat confused and asked, "Why such a rush?"
Previously, when killing Censor Zhang Yi Qi or Chen Zi Xian, Ning Que always had to investigate for a long time, then confirm that the imperial court was not paying attention to the matter, before striking like a thunderclap from a clear sky.
City Gate Guard Huang Xing and Yu Shui Zhu were important figures in the massacre that year. Ning Que had investigated for a long time, but his decision to act today still felt somewhat risky.
"Some people in the imperial court have guessed it was me."
Ning Que handed the chaotic calligraphy piece on the table to Tang Tang, signaling her to keep it, and said, "If I don't seize the opportunity to act today, it might be very difficult to find another chance later."
Tang Tang took the calligraphy piece and asked, "If I still have to go to the general's mansion tomorrow, I will go with you."
Ning Que shook his head and said, "No need. I have sent word to the Academy; someone will accompany me then."
...
...
Early the next morning, before the sour and spicy noodle shop could even open, several Great Tang military officials arrived outside the Old Pen Shop and knocked on the door.
Ning Que had long since prepared. He pushed open the door, looked at the official he had met on Vermillion Bird Grand Avenue yesterday, and said, "Does the General wish to invite me for another talk?"
That official's expression was much colder than yesterday's. He curtly said, "Please."
Having been "played" by General Xu Shi in the general's mansion last night, and then immediately leaving the mansion to kill two people—this was nothing short of a stinging slap to the face of the Great Tang military. Summoned again by General Xu Shi today, Ning Que was absolutely not surprised. He just didn't expect today's meeting place not to be the general's mansion, but the Great Tang military department.
Several carriages left Si Shi Qi Alley, followed Vermillion Bird Grand Avenue straight north, passed Jianshen Ward, and entered a vast, exceptionally quiet and expansive forest.
Ning Que lifted the window curtain and looked out. He could vaguely see a large, flat grassland behind the dense forest, resembling a border landscape, and couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
The Great Tang was founded on martial prowess, conquering north and south. The military department managed the Four Great Border Armies, various frost armies, and the Imperial Forest Army. It was the most powerful government office in the empire, and in the hearts of foreigners, the most terrifying place in the world.
This was Ning Que's first time visiting the military department.
He hadn't expected such a forest and grassland area next to Vermillion Bird Grand Avenue. It appeared simple and rustic, but in Chang'an City, where land was increasingly expensive, it was in fact extremely luxurious.
He also hadn't expected the Great Tang military department to lack any solemnity, with no high walls, watchtowers, or somber government offices. It was merely hidden within the green forest and grassland, consisting of dozens of independent pavilions.
These black-roofed, brightly tiled pavilions, some tall, some short, appeared disorderly but were intentionally arranged within the forest. Straight stone paths connected the pavilions for carriages to travel, appearing serene and tranquil yet without losing their imposing aura.
Several carriages sped along the stone paths through the grassland and forest, moving extremely fast. Officials on the stone paths, hearing the sound, moved aside, all casting unusual, questioning glances.
The carriages stopped before the tallest wooden pavilion, deep within the green forest.
Ning Que stepped out of the carriage and looked up. He saw that this wooden pavilion had three stories, with a loft on the top floor, similarly black-roofed and black-tiled. However, the style of its beams differed from other military buildings in the forest. The curves of its eaves were slightly bent like sabers, and its red crossbeams were straight like iron spears. A powerful aura directly permeated from within the pavilion.
In the loft of the third floor, an old man in court attire leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance, his expression indifferent, lost in thought.
Yesterday's conversation at the general's mansion, with the old man in casual clothes at home, was private. Today, however, at the Great Tang military department, with the old man in court attire, this conversation was no longer private, but an extremely serious, even dangerous, interrogation.
Ning Que entered the wooden pavilion, walked past the busy military officers and officials arranging files and border military intelligence, ascended the stairs, and as the environment gradually changed, reached the top floor loft.
Yesterday, it had rained heavily, washing away the frivolous beauty of late spring. The air in the loft was exceptionally fresh, and a slightly cold wind blew into the loft, refreshing his face.
Amidst the slightly cold spring breeze, General Xu Shi's slightly cold voice rang out.
"Do you know why the military department has pavilions but no walls?"
Ning Que slowly walked towards the railing, went behind the old man, and shook his head, saying, "I do not know."
Xu Shi turned around, looked at him, and said, "Because the mission of our Great Tang soldiers is to resist enemies beyond the national borders. If we allow the enemy to attack Chang'an City and surround the military department, then everyone might as well take a knife to their own throats and commit suicide. What's the point of fighting anymore? If that's the case, why does the military department need walls? As for this pavilion, it is to tell all Great Tang soldiers that they must possess the magnanimity and vision to encompass the world."
Ning Que said, "So it holds such profound meaning."
Xu Shi looked into his eyes and said coldly, "Our Great Tang fears no external enemies, only internal strife. The strongest fortresses always collapse from within first."
Ning Que said, "General, your words also hold profound meaning."
"There is no profound meaning at all; my words are very shallow."
Xu Shi said indifferently, "Yesterday's conversation with you was to warn you that the Great Tang needs stability, and internal strife cannot occur. You should prioritize the greater good and respect the law... Ning Que, you are a student of the Academy's second floor; surely you are not so dull as to misunderstand the meaning of my words."
Ning Que said, "The General's admonition yesterday deeply shocked me. Last night, upon returning to the Old Pen Shop, I had my maidservant fetch the Tang Law and read by candlelight all night. Indeed, I made great progress."
Xu Shi saw that he was still responding lazily as he had yesterday. The deep anger in his heart gradually accumulated, but the expression on his old face grew increasingly calm. He asked a question indifferently.
"Yesterday evening, when Huang Xing and Yu Shui Zhu died, where were you?"
Ning Que frowned slightly, seemingly recalling. After a moment, he replied, "I was strolling through the streets."
Xu Shi asked, "Yesterday evening, it rained heavily. What kind of strolling were you doing?"
Ning Que said, "I like bathing in the rain."
Xu Shi asked, "Yesterday at the West City Gate, a talisman master acted."
Ning Que said, "How audacious."
Xu Shi looked at him, his face expressionless, and said, "The number of talisman masters in the world is not very large. Especially talisman masters in Chang'an City, the Tianxu Department has records of them all."
Ning Que looked at him, smiled, and said, "Then the Tianxu Department must investigate quickly. Although the number of talisman masters is small, I don't think there are only one or two. The investigation might be quite troublesome."
Xu Shi said, "You are also a talisman master."
Ning Que replied, "What I know is indeed not little."
"According to reports, last night when the murders occurred, a young man in a black robe carrying a black umbrella appeared at the West City Gate."
Xu Shi silently looked at the black academy uniform on him.
Ning Que said, "I also carry a large black umbrella on my back. To say it, it does resemble me having gone to the West City Gate at that time. Unfortunately, there are many young men who like to wear black robes."
Xu Shi said, "But a young man in a black robe carrying a black umbrella who is a talisman master—besides you, who else is there in this world?"
Ning Que looked at him and asked, "Is the General suspecting that I killed those two officials?"
Xu Shi said unceremoniously, "Yes, because you cannot clearly state where you were at that time."
Ning Que suddenly asked, "Is the General presiding over a court case?"
Xu Shi said coldly, "Does this general not have that authority?"
Ning Que shook his head and said, "If I were still a small soldier in Wei City, the General would naturally have the authority to try me. It's just that after the Academy's preliminary examination, I transferred from military to civilian status. Even if I am suspected, only Chang'an Prefecture can try me. The General truly does not have this authority."
Xu Shi looked at him expressionlessly and said, "By His Majesty's imperial edict, the palace and the military department jointly manage the Tianxu Department. You are now a guest elder of the Tianxu Department. How can I not try you?"
Ning Que took out his Tianxu Department guest elder waist token from his waist, gently placing it on the railing of the loft, and said, "Last night, I went to the Imperial Guard Department to inquire. His Majesty agreed to my request to withdraw from the Tianxu Department the day before yesterday. It's just that this waist token temporarily remained on me. Now that I no longer need this waist token, the General cannot try me."
Xu Shi had not expected Ning Que to employ such tactics beforehand. His eyebrows furrowed tightly, then gradually relaxed, revealing a mocking and disdainful expression as he said, "You truly dare not let me question you."