Amidst the clamor, the rain fell even more cheerfully. Inside and outside Shuntian Prefecture, the city gradually boiled with activity, yet within it, Qingshou Temple stood as always, solitary and unmoved, its high tower behind red walls gazing coldly upon the world. Whenever commoners approached Qingshou Temple, they would unconsciously hold their breath, lower their heads, and hurry past.

Suddenly, a loud buzzing sound erupted from within the temple, disturbing the misty rain, awakening spring dreams, and frightening a commoner carrying a shoulder pole so much that he fell to the ground, scattering steamed buns everywhere. The child he was leading seemed to sense the ominous air as well, and burst into loud wails.

The commoner looked fearfully at the temple, not bothering to pick up the buns. He clamped a hand over the child’s mouth, scooped him up, and tried to leave, but after only a few steps, he froze in place like a post, trembling all over.

At the end of the long street, a squad of men suddenly rushed out, their hurried steps thundering, and in an instant, they were in front of the commoner. Without exception, they all wore flying fish uniforms, spring-blade sabers at their waists, their expressions cold and stern.

The townsfolk at the street corner instinctively crouched down and lowered their heads, their faces filled with fear and astonishment. In the capital, there were many who did not recognize the emperor, but absolutely none who did not recognize these men.

The squad that had arrived was none other than the emperor’s own famed personal guards in the capital—Jinyiwei!

The leader bore deep wrinkles between his brows, like a scar left by a blade, and he gazed at the commoner with a sinister look. “Why are you running for no reason?”

The child, seeing such a scene, stared wide-eyed in terror, forgetting to cry. The commoner stammered, “I... I...” He trembled for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence.

The leader impatiently waved his hand. Seeing this, the commoner fell to his knees and cried out miserably, “Sir, spare me!” The man’s face remained icy, unmoved by the commoner’s pleas. He ordered, “Captain Carter, Adam Cooper, check this man’s background.” With that, he strode quickly toward Qingshou Temple.

The Jinyiwei surged after him like a tide, sweeping into the temple gates like a gale and vanishing from sight. Only then did the child burst into loud sobs.

The commoner trembled like a withered leaf in autumn wind, yet still desperately kept his hand over the child’s mouth. Just as the child’s face flushed red and he could barely breathe, a hand reached out in front of him.

The commoner cried out in alarm, “Sir, you...” He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, for the child also ceased crying, staring blankly at the grasshopper in that hand.

The grasshopper was green as grass, making the hand appear somewhat pale. The hand itself was delicate yet strong, holding the grasshopper gently and unmoving, calm as a mountain. Its owner’s face was also rather pale, as if he had not seen sunlight for days. When silent, he seemed shrouded in the dreamy haze of spring rain, but as he looked at the child, a smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his lips. The smile was gentle, as if dark clouds had parted and spring had returned to the world.

The commoner had never imagined a smile could so transform a person’s face, but he sensed the man’s kindness and was no longer afraid. The child clearly felt it too; after gazing at the grasshopper for a moment, he suddenly reached out to take it...

The commoner was anxious, but dared not stop him. The child took the green grasshopper and realized it was woven from iris leaves. Staring at the grasshopper made of iris leaves, the child’s tear-stained face broke into a smile, like a flower after the rain.

The child looked expectantly at the man, as if asking whether the grasshopper was a gift for him.

The pale-faced man merely nodded, then paid the child no further attention, instead asking the commoner, “What happened?” His voice was slightly hoarse, yet carried an indescribable calm.

The commoner collected himself and hurriedly replied, “Sir, I was just passing by here on my way to the market to sell some breakfast. I heard the bell ring and was so frightened that I fell. The bell at Qingshou Temple hasn’t rung in a long time... I was about to leave when I ran into you gentlemen... I truly am a law-abiding citizen, please investigate and see for yourself.”

A big-eyed Jinyiwei nearby said, “Captain Carter, I don’t think this man is a bad person.”

Captain Carter’s gaze shifted from the buns on the ground to the commoner, and he retorted, “How can you tell? Does he have it written on his forehead?”

The big-eyed Jinyiwei blushed and scratched his head, unable to help himself. “Well, uh...”

The commoner grew anxious again and pleaded, “Sir, I really am a good citizen. I’m originally from Gunan, and came here three years ago in accordance with the emperor’s order to move the capital. I’ve always made a living with small business...”

Captain Carter nodded and said, “Adam, write down his name and address, then let them go.”

The big-eyed Jinyiwei acknowledged the order. The commoner quickly reported his name and address, then led the child away. Captain Carter picked up a bun from the ground and said, “Clean up your things before you go.”

The commoner hurriedly gathered his pole and the scattered buns, and left with the child in a rush.

Captain Carter slowly peeled the skin off the bun in his hand, tore off a piece, and chewed it. Adam Cooper’s stomach rumbled, and he suddenly remembered that he had rushed here before his night shift rotation and hadn’t eaten, regretting that he hadn’t grabbed a free bun earlier. He grinned and said, “Qianhu sir, I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

Captain Carter looked at the temple gate and replied, “Nonsense.”

Seeing Captain Carter staring at the temple gate, Adam Cooper couldn’t help but look at the temple as well, and whispered, “Qianhu sir, the bell at Qingshou Temple really hasn’t rung in a long time. No wonder Lord Sullivan brought us here so anxiously to see what happened. What do you think actually happened?”