I’m the Useless Counterpart to an Overachieving Transmigrator

UCTOOT CH86

That night was a haze of chaos.

In the early morning, while Shi Shu was still sound asleep, Xie Wuchi rose. He had attendants dress him in his crimson-purple official robes with broad silk sleeves, then stepped quietly out the door.

When Shi Shu woke, he hastily ate breakfast and went to find Lin Yangchun. Lin Yangchun had set up his medicine stall under an old tree in the market, taking pulses and seeing patients. The moment he laid eyes on Shi Shu, he asked, “Did you overindulge in lust last night?”

Shi Shu sputtered, “Huh? Old Lin, they say there are no secrets before a doctor, but aren’t your eyes a bit too sharp…”

Lin Yangchun replied, “The area under your eyes is dark, and your vitality is completely different from usual. As a physician, it is rather obvious to me.”

Struck as if by lightning, Shi Shu went silent for a moment before throwing himself into work. Lin Yangchun’s observation was quite a shock. Last night had indeed been excessively heated. He had no idea what it was about the word “boyfriend” that triggered Xie Wuchi, but in any case, Shi Shu had kissed him for so long that the roof of his mouth went numb. He had spent the whole time toying with the thing in his hand, and it was the first time Shi Shu had touched him like that.

Xie Wuchi was an intense man. Whether touching or being touched, the moment lust was ignited, reason evaporated in a heartbeat.

The rules in Shi Shu’s mind were growing blurry, while a lingering sense of wishful thinking grew. The mission mentioned by the system… why was it that when it came to Xie Wuchi, Shi Shu lost all sense of direction, his head filled with chaotic impulses?

The early summer sunlight fell across Shi Shu’s fair, handsome brow. If this continues… Shi Shu bowed his head to slice medicinal herbs, measuring prescriptions and collecting payments.

At that moment, the Yanzhou garrison was preparing for war to reinforce Feng Zhongshan. Riding at the vanguard, Xie Wuchi led the commanders out of the city, staying temporarily in the military camp to take stock of grain and provisions, debating matters of state. He did not return for several days.

Having not seen him for two or three days, Shi Shu couldn’t help mulling things over. While grinding medicinal powder, he thought: calling him a boyfriend felt like empty words; he truly felt nothing different.

“Why isn’t it like when other people date? The moment they have a label, they’re all sweet and affectionate.”

“Why does making it official feel no different from leaving it unsaid…”

While Shi Shu was muttering to himself, someone suddenly clapped him on the back: “Shi Shu!”

It was actually Du Zihan. He was sitting on a donkey cart laden with several large woven bamboo baskets, packed full of colorful fruits and vegetables whose skins glistened brightly in the sunlight. Wearing a conical bamboo hat, Du Zihan had tanned an entire shade darker.

“How did you get here?!”

“I brought you vegetables! Right now I look just like a country bumpkin coming into town to visit relatives with produce on his back. They dismantled one of the shanties against the wall in Bai Family Settlement, and a bunch of melon vines withered, so we picked a massive haul of squash. Figuring we couldn’t finish it all, I brought it over to you.” Du Zihan looked teary-eyed: “It’s been almost two weeks since I last saw you.”

“I missed you too, Zihan.” Shi Shu patted him on the back and turned to Lin Yangchun: “Old Lin, let me introduce you. This is another fellow townsman of mine, named Du Zihan.”

Du Zihan blurted out, “Could this be the Imperial Physician Lin whose name you used to peddle medicine? Forgive my disrespect, what an honor!”

Shi Shu: “…”

Lin Yangchun stroked his beard, gave a slight nod, and continued feeling pulses.

“Are you heading back tonight?” Shi Shu led the donkey to the roadside and tied it beneath a tree root. The little donkey kept trying to nibble the greens in the basket, stamping its hooves in frustration. Shi Shu picked out a small cabbage to feed it, then turned to ask Du Zihan, “It’s already afternoon. Can you even make it back to Bai Family Settlement? You might as well rest here.”

Du Zihan said, “I don’t want to go back. I specifically came to hang out with you for a few days.”

“Great, then you arrived at the perfect time,” Shi Shu grinned. “Imperial Physician Lin is short-handed. Once this medicine is wrapped, deliver it to the alley across the way. There are vicious dogs prowling that alley, so be extra careful!”

Du Zihan: “…”

Today wasn’t a major market day, so Lin Yangchun prepared to pack up early to dine with an advisor who had sent word to the barracks recommending him as an army physician. Leading the little donkey as the cart creaked along, Shi Shu made his way toward the General Commander’s grand residence. Shi Shu said, “Follow me. You can stay with me tonight.”

Arriving before the towering gates of the grand residence, Du Zihan tilted his head up to gawk: “He really is capable. What other modern person could climb to Xie Wuchi’s level? Truly calculating every trick and mechanism down to the bone.”

Shi Shu chuckled.

Du Zihan added, “Any transmigrator who follows Xie Wuchi gets to live in luxury. This guy is unbelievable. In a dog-eat-dog world, having power and influence really is best.”

Leading the donkey through the side gate, Shi Shu said, “Zihan, there’s something I want to tell you. Don’t freak out when I say it, and don’t scream: I have a boyfriend.”

Du Zihan gasped, “Huh?” Then his face lit up with delight: “It’s only been a few days and you’re already seeing someone? Who is it?”

Shi Shu said, “Who else could it be?”

Du Zihan: “…” His expression shifted gradually. “No way. You went with him? You really refuse to suffer even a single drop of hardship, don’t you!”

“…”

Shi Shu led the donkey to the water trough in the courtyard, tossed a luffa for it to chew on, and beckoned Du Zihan to head out for food: “You have a point, I suppose. Anyway, he and I are dating now, so I’m giving you a heads-up. After all, in this world, nobody besides you can understand us. Everyone else thinks we’re committing incest.”

Du Zihan: “I’m floored.”

“So I’m just part of your roleplay now, is that it?”

Just as Shi Shu was about to reply, he saw the steward hurrying outside in a fluster. Inquiring further, a commotion had broken out outside the estate gates. Shi Shu and Du Zihan walked to the entrance. Along the wide thoroughfare, a steed galloped swift as an arrow, flanked by numerous mounted guards. Broad sleeves fluttered in the gale, dark hair whipped by the wind, heavy hooves kicking up clouds of dust.

Banners fluttered atop the city walls as hooves clattered through the streets. Holding his riding crop in one hand, Xie Wuchi spurred his mount forward, pulling to a halt outside the residence gates in an instant.

Du Zihan whispered, “Your boyfriend is here.”

Attendants immediately rushed forward to take the reins and hold the stirrups of the tall steed. Xie Wuchi dismounted and smoothed his sleeves, radiating peerless authority. When his gaze swept across the courtyard, it happened to land on Shi Shu and Du Zihan standing together.

Shi Shu raised a hand, smiling awkwardly: “You’re back?”

Xie Wuchi said, “Tomorrow is a rest day. I rushed through these past two days of official business to clear my schedule.”

Shi Shu: “Zihan and I were just about to head out to eat and wander around. Do you want to come along?”

Xie Wuchi: “Alright. Let me change into casual clothes first.”

Having rushed back from the main camp in the stifling heat, Xie Wuchi was drenched in sweat. While he went to wash and change, Shi Shu and Du Zihan sat in the courtyard, lost in thought.

Du Zihan said, “If nothing else, this partner of yours acts quite a bit like a girlfriend.”

“…”

Shi Shu: “How does he act like a girlfriend?”

Du Zihan: “Waiting an hour for him to groom himself before heading out, pampering him, coaxing him, delicate and obsessed with looking proper.”

Shi Shu: “That’s not true. Why pick on him?”

“…”

They went to that same restaurant beside the temple. The branches of a large locust tree cast dappled light over the wooden beams and stairs. With the summer heat creeping in, it was a pleasant spot to cool off. There were few patrons at this hour, and barely anyone in the crowd had ever seen the General Commander’s face. The guards were dressed in plain clothes, while Xie Wuchi wore a simple robe embroidered with subtle dark patterns, following closely behind Shi Shu.

Xie Wuchi and Du Zihan had a lukewarm dynamic now: one showed no murderous intent, while the other was terrified of provoking him. In short, they coexisted in peace.

Heading upstairs, Shi Shu turned the word “boyfriend” over and over in his mind. Reaching this point with a man felt truly strange. Back in school, classmates used to joke loudly: Real men should do men… Well, here was a man being done by a man.

Reaching the second floor, Shi Shu chose a table by the window. He glanced at Xie Wuchi, then awkwardly looked away. The waiter stepped up to ask, “Three guests, what would you like to order?”

Shi Shu took the menu, handed it first to Xie Wuchi, then to Zihan, and finally looked it over himself, ordering two dishes.

Back home, his father had always ordered food this way: handed it to his mother first, then to Shi Shu, and finally ordered for himself.

Shi Shu looked at Xie Wuchi, then shifted his gaze: “Zihan, how are things between you and Song Sinan in Bai Family Settlement? Did he reflect on his mistakes properly?”

Du Zihan: “Pretty good. The seeds we planted have already sprouted. Turns out that little boss girl is named Xiaodong. Song Sinan had her mix in with a bunch of young boys to practice martial arts and swordplay every day, and most people can’t even beat her.”

Shi Shu: “My judgment didn’t fail me; I knew she had great potential.”

Du Zihan: “What about you? What have you been doing in Yanzhou all these days?”

Shi Shu took a sip of tea: “Just wandering around every day, then waiting to meet him when he gets off work.”

Du Zihan: “…”

Shi Shu’s ears flushed as he spoke: “Actually…”

With three modern people sitting together, discussing ancient matters felt unnecessary. Du Zihan asked, “Do you two count as getting together for the first time, or getting back together?”

Shi Shu: “…”

Shi Shu fidgeted incessantly, picking at his chopsticks, tapping his bowl, and looking out at the sky: “Ah, neither.”

This is so awkward, who could possibly understand! Heat surged straight to the top of his skull. If he hadn’t been sitting by the window, Shi Shu would have bolted on the spot, just like when someone confessed to him back in middle or high school.

“It’s getting back together, right? When we ran away, I said he was your ex-boyfriend, and you refused to admit it.” Du Zihan looked left and right.

Shi Shu ruffled his messy hair into a puffball. The back of his youthful hand was lean and pale, faint veins showing through fair, slender fingers.

Du Zihan had an epiphany: “Shi Shu, you were playing with me, weren’t you? Did you already have feelings for him when we fled?”

Shi Shu stole a glance at Xie Wuchi, who sat straight and proper, then looked away: “Can you change the subject? You keep saying things that make people uncomfortable.”

Shi Shu couldn’t very well bring up the climbing-into-bed plan, so he just stubborned it out internally.

Du Zihan said, “I could tell you two were a pair from the start.”

Shi Shu’s ears burned red. Back when he first entered college, whenever classmates started dating, people would tease them just like this. Shi Shu had usually been the one laughing along from the sidelines; now, it was his turn.

Shi Shu turned his head to steal a glance at Xie Wuchi. The relationship had been established rather haphazardly, and he couldn’t read Xie Wuchi’s mood either. Xie Wuchi’s collar was neat and noble, his slender fingers resting around the teacup, saying nothing.

What gives?

This counts as a boyfriend?

Xie Wuchi, give me a sign of life here.

A full spread of dishes was served, laden with meats and fish. Shi Shu gradually opened up in conversation with Zihan: “Which is better, Bai Family Settlement or Qin Village?”

Zihan: “Qin Village, obviously. What place beats Qin Village? Sunbathing on the beach every day, collecting shells, eating seafood and meat. But Bai Family Settlement is nice too; lots of people, so it’s less lonely.”

Shi Shu picked up a piece of steamed sea bass, removed the bones, and placed it into Xie Wuchi’s bowl: “I think Bai Family Settlement is decent too. At least it’s better than traveling on the road, right? During those six-plus months, we barely had a decent place to sleep.”

The two shared an unspoken understanding. Du Zihan said, “Back when they were rounding up refugees, we didn’t want to get caught, so we slept in a desolate mass grave for three days. You woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare, crying out in your sleep: ‘Xie Wuchi, save me!'”

“…”

Shi Shu had been smiling, but upon hearing this, he grabbed a steamed bun and shoved it into Zihan’s bowl: “Can’t you shut that mouth of yours?”

Xie Wuchi’s chopsticks paused as he held the fish meat. Du Zihan’s eyes darted around, taking a bite of the bun.

During that year apart, Shi Shu had naturally thought of Xie Wuchi. In fact, he had thought of him often, becoming considerably quieter. Later, finding that it ruined his mood, he forced himself not to think about it. Back then, Du Zihan had been baffled: “Is this how normal friends act? Cutting ties looks like going through a breakup.”

How could he not miss Xie Wuchi? He was the first person Shi Shu had met upon arriving in this world. They had shared a bed for an entire year. Kisses and hugs were expressions of intimacy; Xie Wuchi had always kissed and held him, and Shi Shu had grown used to it, regarding him like an older brother. Only after separating did he realize that back then, Xie Wuchi had gone to painstaking lengths just to keep from parting ways. Being with him felt safe; no matter the danger, Xie Wuchi had always shielded him.

Remembering everything from before, and the long roads Xie Wuchi had walked carrying him on his back, a swirl of complex emotions flooded his chest.

The deception had been real, the resentment had been real, and the affection had been real as well.

Shi Shu said, “Why keep bringing up that year? Eat up, tonight is my treat. I worked for Lin Yangchun for three days, so I have coin in my pocket now.”

Du Zihan didn’t mind, but another matter weighed on his mind. He raised a cup of wine to toast Xie Wuchi: “Brother Xie, I really don’t harbor any feelings for Shi Shu. We’re just good friends. Please spare me from now on, I will never get in your way.”

Xie Wuchi lifted his cup and clinked it against his.

Du Zihan asked, “Let’s talk about the modern world. What were your situations back home?”

Shi Shu: “My mom was a politics teacher, my dad was a university physical education teacher. That’s about it.”

Du Zihan: “Do you know how hard I studied just to get into graduate school? Passing CET-4 English was a struggle for me, but for the grad entrance exam, I pushed myself to a score of seventy! If I’d known I was going to transmigrate, I wouldn’t have bothered trying so hard.”

They had been here for nearly three years, yet bringing it up still brought a wave of irritation.

Shi Shu turned to look at Xie Wuchi: “What about you?”

Xie Wuchi said, “I like it here very much.”

“…”

Xie Wuchi continued, “There is no advanced telecommunication, and the masses are ignorant. If someone displeases you, a flick of a finger is enough to end their life. You can distort black and white, blot out the sky with one hand, and everyone obeys your will, revering you as a god. Harsh words never reach your ears. It is wonderful.”

Shi Shu: “…Xie Wuchi, you.”

Silence fell over the dining table for a moment.

Du Zihan asked in a low whisper, “Brother, what did you do in the modern world?”

Xie Wuchi: “Nothing in particular. Just dabbling.”

Du Zihan rested his head on his hand: “We had a rich guy in our dorm. You rich heirs truly give off the exact same vibe: polite and well-mannered on the surface, but deeply self-absorbed underneath.”

Shi Shu placed another piece of fish into Xie Wuchi’s bowl. In this world, no third person would ever know that Xie Wuchi had slashed his own wrists, weeping as he confessed his love.

In everyone else’s eyes, Xie Wuchi was haughty, conceited, and formidable; only Shi Shu knew the indulgent, fragile side hidden beneath.

Shi Shu rubbed his fair chin. The belly of the fish was the tenderest; he dipped a piece into the sauce on the plate and placed it in Xie Wuchi’s bowl. Du Zihan was already chatting about something else: “I don’t know why, but Brother Xie looks a bit familiar. Maybe I saw him before when checking tech news back home.”

The plates were cleared, and the evening air was pleasantly cool. Shi Shu hurried to settle the bill, and the three walked downstairs together. Now that summer had arrived, wooden clogs clattered briskly against the stone pavement, carrying an airy freshness.

When Shi Shu arrived at Dongling Park, many locals were out enjoying the cool breeze, sitting in rows beneath flower trellises sipping tea and gambling. Shi Shu brought Xie Wuchi to see the goldfish, then looked at the flowers and greenery.

Du Zihan marveled in delight: “This fish is gorgeous! It looks like a phoenix among birds! Shi Shu, how did you find this? Great eye!”

Shi Shu: “It’s alright. There are kingfishers here too, come take a look.”

Du Zihan: “So beautiful, stunning! Look at its beak. Are there snacks? I want to feed it.”

Shi Shu: “Someone also keeps a flock of pigeons guarded by a monkey. When you walk by, it tugs your sleeve begging for nuts…”

Du Zihan: “Ahhh, don’t touch me! I’m scared of monkeys!”

“…”

Shi Shu laughed heartily. Seeing Du Zihan being led off by the little monkey to buy peanuts, he looked back to find Xie Wuchi walking slowly, his simple white robes framed by floral shadows, exuding a solitary grace. He had been staring unblinkingly at Shi Shu, but withdrew his gaze the moment Shi Shu turned around.

Shi Shu understood immediately. Stepping in front of him, he walked backward: “What’s the matter?”

Xie Wuchi said, “You are having fun with him. You don’t need to mind me.”

A ripple stirred in Shi Shu’s chest. Reaching under his sleeve, he lightly scratched the back of his hand: “Are you unhappy?”

Shi Shu wasn’t conceited enough to bluntly ask, Are you jealous? Still, taking advantage of the sparse crowd, he slipped his hand forward and took Xie Wuchi’s in his grip.

After holding it for a few seconds, Shi Shu let go with flushed cheeks, sitting down beside Xie Wuchi in the pavilion. Xie Wuchi said flatly, “I am truly flawed. I can never restrain my possessiveness; seeing you with others makes me displeased, and my mood sours. In some ways, it is a psychological issue, an absence of security. I do not wish for you to go out, enjoy yourself, and still have to mind my expression.”

Shi Shu had been watching the goldfish, but let out a surprised “Huh?” upon hearing this.

Shi Shu: “Did someone say something to you?”

Xie Wuchi: “No. I am prone to overthinking such matters. I have always cared deeply about this: if I am not the center of attention, it unsettles me.”

Shi Shu: “…It doesn’t matter.”

Having said that, Shi Shu realized: Is this the kind of topic only couples discuss?

Xie Wuchi had truly changed. In the past, he would have worn a sour scowl, or dragged Shi Shu straight to his side to flaunt his autocratic control and possessive dominance. A thought flashed through Shi Shu’s mind, and he added without thinking: “No one is more important than you.”

Shi Shu stood up, only to find Xie Wuchi sitting motionless. He sat back down, meeting Xie Wuchi’s dark, fixed gaze.

Beneath the pale moonlight, after saying those words, Shi Shu noticed Xie Wuchi’s lips had turned pale. How had this haughty, conceited man, whose towering pride and pathological narcissism ran so deep, managed to utter those words back then, admitting total defeat?

Everyone is more important than me.

Just as Shi Shu was about to speak, Zihan returned holding a large handful of peanuts in his pockets, leading the monkey and shelling peanuts to feed it.

Shi Shu grabbed a few peanuts from Du Zihan’s pocket, cracked them open, and popped them into his mouth: “Spiced flavor. Want some?”

He offered them to Xie Wuchi, who replied, “No. Aside from proper meals, I do not care for snacks.”

“…”

Such a young master temperament.

Everything requires coaxing.

Shi Shu clicked his tongue softly. Fortunately, they were casually dating in ancient times where circumstances were limited to simple meals and wine. In the modern world, how impossible would Xie Wuchi be to court? Wealthy family, luxury estates, an elite background, his contacts overflowing with gorgeous men and women: how could anyone ever win him over?

Would someone have to rent a helicopter to rain down roses?

Thinking of this, Shi Shu felt that their arrangement a few days ago had indeed been hasty.

Regardless, they were dating now.

Shi Shu just sat there, unsure of what to say. Knowing Xie Wuchi was brooding, he waited until his sulking had lasted a while before asking, “Ready to go?”

Xie Wuchi stood up. The monkey had just finished eating, and Du Zihan emptied the remaining peanuts into its bib, patting its head: “Go on, run along and play.”

Dongling Park was said to be the burial mound of an imperial consort from the previous dynasty, now turned into a public park. Shaded and cool, it was a prime summer retreat. The three chatted as they strolled, as though browsing a street, entering a grove of bamboo. Walking ahead, Du Zihan glanced back, only to see Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi already holding hands.

Du Zihan wiped his face: Annoying.

Smug couples.

Shi Shu was a bit dazed himself. After holding hands for a bit, he let go; Xie Wuchi’s hand was too warm, prone to sweating and feeling awkward.

Yet the moment he let go, the man seemed unhappy again.

Young master.

The second Shi Shu left him behind, he cheered right back up, darting through the bamboo grove and returning with random knickknacks. Running around with Du Zihan, he reached a high grassy knoll.

Xie Wuchi called out, “Come back down. That is someone’s grave mound.”

Shi Shu jogged back down while Du Zihan shrieked in terror.

Still, Shi Shu was very obedient. Every time he ran off, he would return to Xie Wuchi’s side, sweat trickling down his pale nose, lips red and teeth white, chatting for a few moments before darting away again.

Only dogs need to be tested for obedience; humans do not.

Standing frozen, a voice surfaced in Xie Wuchi’s memory:

You despise your family the most, yet in the end, you turn into the exact same person. Trampling those you do not love, while controlling and testing the one you do, judging whether they obey, drilling them repeatedly when they step out of line.

You can train an obedient dog, but you cannot train an obedient human.

Love was used to control you and made you suffer, yet you turn around and use it to control others.

Xie Wuchi’s gaze locked in place. He recalled that lavish manor, the curated carpets, the woman sitting on the sofa beckoning him over. Night after night, whenever his mother summoned him, his palms would tremble in chronic fight-or-flight tension.

Do you love Mother the most?

At times, the young boy felt he loved the nanny who accompanied him for meals and sleep the most, the one who put on his socks, dressed him, fed him, carried his backpack to school, and brought him home. The language spoken at school differed from the one at home, though he could speak both. But school was filled with too many fools who constantly gave him sidelong glares. Because of this, he despised fools.

When the boy was upset after school, the nanny would lift him into the limousine, coax him to smile, feed him milk, take off his shoes, and once home, usher in private tutors one by one for extra lessons.

The boy confided everything in the nanny. Later, when his mother asked whom he loved most, he had answered honestly that he loved the mother who spent time with him. The consequences needed no repeating: nannies were dismissed in rapid succession, instructed to maintain distance from him. Starting from that young age, standing before the sofa each evening and awaiting that question filled him with dread.

During his early childhood, he had resisted a few times. The outcome was inevitably the woman bursting into hysterical tirades, hitting him, cold-shouldering him, weeping, and locking him in a dark room to starve for three days. Once pride took root, he said no every single day. One summer, he was locked away every night while attending classes as usual during the day. The nanny was forbidden to feed him; even when he asked, the replies were hesitant and cold.

Love was conditional: obedience earned affection, defiance earned none.

Later, he discovered that lying easily circumvented these confrontations. Once he started, it came more and more naturally. Eventually, lying became second nature; with his intelligence, it was effortless, and by his early teens, he saw through everything his family wanted.

In short, once he began lying, the household achieved temporary peace. Xie Wuchi picked up many vices. Whatever his family opposed, he examined, eventually developing into an exclusive homosexual. In contrast to the stifling family atmosphere, he indulged in stimulation, recklessness, debauchery, excess, and depravity.

Yet when it came to possessiveness, he had assumed he wouldn’t be so consumed by it.

As those inexplicable emotions welled up, Xie Wuchi realized he was still reacting too instinctively, overlooking his psychological defense mechanisms.

Leaves rustled in the bamboo grove. Xie Wuchi stood where he was, shadows veiling his face, a distinct coolness lingering in the summer night. Many people were driven by subconscious impulses, but while some recognized them, others remained blind. The human heart left traces; self-reflection was the only way to avoid acting erratically in the eyes of others.

Before long, Shi Shu jogged back: “What are you thinking about? Daydreaming?”

Xie Wuchi lowered his hand: “I want to head back.”

“Let’s go, it’s getting late anyway. Du Zihan!”

Du Zihan: “Done playing?”

“It’s late. We can come back tomorrow.”

The group walked through the park, heading back to the General Commander’s grand residence. Passing through the gates, Du Zihan went to stay in Shi Shu’s courtyard, while Shi Shu hesitated before stepping through the same door as Xie Wuchi.

In the quiet of the night, Shi Shu recalled their intimacy from the night before last. Having not seen Xie Wuchi for several days since, they hadn’t shared any physical closeness.

Entering the room, Shi Shu mustered his courage and hugged Xie Wuchi from behind.

Unexpectedly, the room was in a flurry of activity. Someone was waiting inside. Lin Yan hurried forward holding a letter: “My Lord, a secret missive from Eunuch Xu!”

Eunuch Xu was the personal attendant serving the current Emperor.

Acting as if nothing had happened, Shi Shu stood aside. Xie Wuchi opened the letter under the lamplight, glanced over it, and burned it to ashes over the flame.

“Sharpen the blades.”

In the eyes of the common people, Xie Wuchi was the champion of the New Policies, a virtuous and capable minister guarding the frontier. In officialdom, however, he carried another name: the Living King of Hell, the Body Collector. The tough nuts that ordinary officials couldn’t crack were handed to him to butcher; the people no one dared kill were left for him to slay. The reason was simple: he was ruthless, brilliant in execution, and utterly decisive.

Having read the letter, a dark shadow settled beneath Xie Wuchi’s eyes as he pondered.

Shi Shu waited for him to come to bed: “What happened?”

Xie Wuchi said, “His Majesty has ordered me on official duty, to go to Yunzhou and execute a few people.”