Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 388 - 387: Recognition

In the blink of an eye, the carriage arrived in front of the Immortal Castle. The two soldiers in guard uniforms stationed at the gate had already received the news and were on high alert, although they maintained a calm facade.

The coachman stopped the carriage indifferently. As soon as the carriage came to a halt, the curtain of the rear compartment was pulled back, and the person wearing a black veil hat emerged, carrying a wooden box in their arms. They jumped off and strode purposefully toward the gate.

The two soldiers quickly assumed a welcoming posture, opening the gate from both sides. They were prepared to greet this person as a true protector would, yet the person walked in briskly, giving them no chance.

The two exchanged glances and hurried to pretend to shut the gate while sneaking a look at the coachman to gauge his reaction.

The coachman just sat there quietly at the front of the carriage, motionless. In the twilight, it was even hard to tell if their chest was moving at all, lifeless like a figure not quite alive.

After scrutinizing the coachman, the soldiers paid no more attention to him. They slipped through the narrow gap of the gate and shut it firmly, staying vigilant and ready for any sudden happenings.

The person with the black veil hat wasn’t large and didn’t look particularly strong, yet their manner of walking with the wooden box revealed them as someone practiced in martial skills.

The person adeptly made their way through narrow paths, their waist pouch half-concealed by broad sleeves, swaying and occasionally appearing as they moved.

Turning a corner, they glanced through the veil at an incense burner in the corner, with smoke delicately rising, then withdrew their gaze, continuing without slowing down.

However, as they hurriedly turned a few more corners, their pace gradually slowed, finally coming to a complete stop.

"Come out," they suddenly spoke, addressing the empty road ahead. "What brave souls dare to usurp the Immortal Castle? If you’ve come this far, don’t just hide, show yourself.

I’m all alone, are you truly afraid of me?!"

Their voice was sharp and raspy, akin to claws scratching a smooth slate, penetrating yet slightly grating.

Their tone conveyed a calm confidence, even a slight disdain and mockery, as if they alone could handle the unknown intruders lurking in the shadows.

Yet, the wooden box remained clutched tightly to their chest, gripped even tighter as the surroundings felt more unsettling.

Their voice echoed through the quiet fortress, before the surroundings fell silent once more.

"What?!" The fake Castle Master sneered, "You dare act but not admit it? Are you afraid to meet me now?"

After a brief silence, a sudden clamor erupted, with many people rushing out onto the narrow path, blocking the way forward.

Even at the top of the high walls to the side, some well-prepared people had climbed up. Though they wore guards’ uniforms, anyone with eyes could tell they weren’t the usual ragtag bunch. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Seeing the path behind him was also filled with weapon-ready, vigilant people, he noticed many wore peasant work clothes but held weapons like swords and knives instead of farm tools.

Seeing this, he showed no fear, his eyes scanning through the veil, addressing them, "Who among you is in charge? Show yourself, tell me your purpose clearly, there’s no point in talking to underlings."

Among the crowd, Lu Qing stepped forward, smiling slightly at the fake Castle Master, "Your underhanded schemes are notorious. Yet, this time you seem pretty straightforward.

If that’s the case, today’s dealings shall be simple then.

You are surrounded front and back by our people. The entire Immortal Castle is under our control.

If you don’t want to waste time, neither do we. So let’s settle this quickly, surrender yourself without resisting. State your intentions for occupying others’ homes and enslaving innocents. If you redeem your actions, I might consider sparing your life."

As Lu Qing stepped out, the fake Castle Master couldn’t take his eyes off him through the veil. Zhu Yu, protected by amulets within the crowd, even recognized that the fake Castle Master was staring hard at Lu Qing.

The fake Castle Master remained silent for a moment before bursting into laughter, as if he’d just heard the world’s funniest joke.

"So it’s you! Didn’t expect to see you here at the Immortal Castle!" he remarked sarcastically, "But since it’s you, no need to talk of sparing lives!

If I fall into your hands, my fate is sealed—death is the only end."

"Oh? You recognize me?" Lu Qing, slightly surprised, raised an eyebrow, trying to see through the veil to discern the face beneath.

With his excellent memory, Lu Qing knew the fake Castle Master’s voice was unfamiliar, not someone he’d dealt with, good or bad, before.

The fake Castle Master ignored Lu Qing’s question, breaking into eerie laughter, "I am not one to be manipulated, nor forced to walk paths dictated by others.

Be it a path to life or death, the paths you offer are not ones I’ll tread."

Lu Yan edged forward, spotting their long-targeted goal, the culprit behind his men’s deaths, in front of him, his anger uncontainable, "Brother, why bother talking so much with him? We have the upper hand; he’s trapped, even if given wings, he cannot fly away!

Let’s seize him now, interrogate him harshly, I’ll personally avenge my men!"

The fake Castle Master had no particular reaction to Lu Yan, but turned around to survey those surrounding, "With so many here, not all must be yours?"