Chapter 1

In the twelfth year of the Zhenguan era, the Frost’s Descent.

Wing State Duke’s Manor.

In the quiet back garden, a silver magpie tree swayed in the wind, casting dappled shadows.

Under the tree, Qin Haidao, dressed in a white training robe, wielded a tiger-head spear with great vigor. His movements were fierce like a dragon emerging from a cave, roaring to the sky; supple like a giant python coiling around, moving smoothly and freely; swift like rolling thunder, creating a white wave of air; and slow like threading a needle, showing true skill in the details. His steps were fluid, graceful like a butterfly.

Three days ago, Qin Haidao was ordered to lead a team to attack a drug lord's base in the Golden Triangle. While completing the mission and withdrawing, they were ambushed by a third party. He stayed behind to cover the retreat and was hit by a missile, which brought him to the prosperous Tang Dynasty, where he possessed the body of Qin Qiong's legitimate son, becoming the young master of the vast State Duke’s Manor.

After absorbing the memories, Qin Haidao discovered that the original owner was only fourteen years old but was already 1.7 meters tall, with a strong and powerful body, just as masculine and handsome as his former self. He was also a military officer, a Qian Niu Bei Shen, a sixth-rank official. After his shift, he drank heavily with his friends Cheng Chumo and Wei Chi Baolin. On the way back to the manor, he was ambushed, which conveniently benefited Qin Haidao.

Qin Qiong had just passed away, and someone had already tried to assassinate his legitimate son, which made Qin Haidao extremely cautious.

Qin Haidao was not afraid of any enemy in close combat with cold weapons, but he was not skilled in horseback or infantry combat. Over the past three days, he had been practicing the spear and mace techniques passed down by the original owner during the day, familiarizing himself with this body. At night, he read military books hidden by Qin Qiong, carefully observing and cautiously dealing with the people in the manor. Thanks to the original owner's memories, he had not revealed any flaws.

Perhaps it was a benefit of crossing over, but his strength increased every day, far exceeding that of the original owner.

The tiger-head spear moved like a dragon, stirring up gusts of wind, humming and roaring.

"Ha!"

With a clear shout, the tiger-head spear pierced a wooden post as thick as two people could embrace, splitting it in half.

"Young Master! Young Master!"

At the same time, a pleasant voice rang out.

Then, a young girl ran over joyfully, her bright eyes and white teeth shining. A green lotus-patterned robe accentuated her graceful figure, exuding a touch of elegance and vitality, like a lotus bud about to bloom. Her eyes twinkled as if they were speaking.

Seeing the split wooden post, the girl exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, Young Master, you're so amazing!"

Qin Haidao also stared at the split wooden post, lost in thought. On the first day, the spearhead only pierced a small part of the post. On the second day, it pierced most of it. Now, it had completely pierced through and split the post. The force—was immense!

"Young Master, the steward requests an audience!" the girl added sweetly.

Qin Haidao put away his spear, took a deep breath, and relaxed his tense muscles. Looking at the girl, he felt a strange excitement. She was his personal attendant, He'er, who had been sold into the manor at the age of six and had taken care of the original owner's daily life. According to Tang Dynasty etiquette, she would also be his concubine in the future. Though she was just of marriageable age, she was already as beautiful as a fairy, and if she grew older, she might become a national beauty.

"Let's go!"

Qin Haidao placed the tiger-head spear aside, picked up a towel to wipe the sweat, and threw it on a wooden rack. He walked toward the front courtyard, instructing, "He'er, have someone prepare hot water."

"Sure!" He'er agreed and followed.

In the front courtyard, a middle-aged man was waiting anxiously, dressed simply with one arm missing. His eyes, however, were particularly sharp. He was the steward, Jia Youcai, the commander of Qin Qiong's personal guard, loyal and brave, who had lost his arm protecting Qin Qiong.

Being a fellow soldier, Qin Haidao had a good impression of the loyal and brave steward. He quickened his steps and asked, "Uncle Jia, what brings you here?"

Jia Youcai's face darkened, hesitating to speak.

Qin Haidao, skilled in micro-expression observation, knew that the matter was serious. He asked directly, "Uncle Jia, have the killers been found? Just speak up, I may be young, but I'm not afraid of trouble."

Jia Youcai then said, "The county office reported that the killers were found outside the city and have been killed. No identity could be determined. They claim that vagrants attacked the Young Master for money, and after leaving the city, they fought over the loot, with the winner fleeing with the money. The case is now unsolved."

"Do you believe this story?" Qin Haidao's eyes turned cold as he asked.

"Of course not."

"Who do you suspect?"

"The Wang family!"

Qin Haidao's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. According to the original owner's memories, the Tang Dynasty had five noble families and seven prestigious clans: the Li family of Longxi, the Li family of Zhaojun, the Cui family of Boling, the Cui family of Qinghe, the Lu family of Fanyang, the Zheng family of Xingyang, and the Wang family of Taiyuan. They were of the highest status, monopolizing the land, economy, culture, public opinion, and government of the Tang Dynasty, acting arrogantly and capriciously, even disregarding the emperor's authority.

A hundred-year emperor, a thousand-year noble family.

The five noble families and seven prestigious clans had existed for a thousand years since the Qin Dynasty, standing high above the founding nobles of the Tang Dynasty, who were their natural rivals. Could it be that because Qin Qiong had passed away, he had become an easy target for the noble families to show the monkey (the emperor) a lesson? Qin Haidao asked in a low voice, "Uncle Jia, why do you suspect the Wang family?"

"The county magistrate is surnamed Wang, a branch of the Wang family of Taiyuan, and there is suspicion of harboring the killers. However, there is no evidence, just speculation. Additionally, I examined the bodies, and each had calluses on their palms and thick calluses on their finger joints, signs of long-term martial arts practice. There are only two types of people: soldiers and assassins. Soldiers are registered and could not be untraceable, so they must be assassins. The Wang family has no shortage of assassins."

Qin Haidao nodded in understanding, pondering for a moment before instructing, "Uncle Jia, keep this matter quiet and investigate secretly. The person behind the assassination will likely try again. Spread the word that I am still recovering from my injuries and will not see any visitors. By the way, has there been any news from the emperor?"

Jia Youcai shook his head.

Qin Haidao understood, saying coldly, "My father has just passed away, and the tea has already cooled."

"I heard that the emperor is on a tour and has not returned, but the Wang family of Taiyuan is powerful, and even the emperor must be cautious. However, the emperor sent a royal physician, whom I politely declined on the Young Master's behalf, saying that rest was needed. The physician made a few perfunctory remarks and returned to report. However..."

"However what?"

"Young Master, the State Duke followed the emperor in battles, and many people have blood on his hands, especially the former crown prince, the old Sui party, and the noble families. These people still harbor resentment and dare not directly target the emperor. With the State Duke gone, the Young Master naturally becomes their first choice. In the future, you must be cautious. Also, the manor has little wealth left and may not have the means to investigate secretly. The servants, guards, and caretakers in the outer courtyard are gathering to leave, to reduce the manor's expenses."

Qin Haidao understood immediately. Qin Qiong was one of the emperor's most capable and loyal generals, with great achievements in defeating the old Sui and the Incident at Xuanwu Gate. However, in the eyes of the defeated former crown prince party and the old Sui party, he was a ruthless accomplice. Once he lost power, who else would they target?

After a moment's thought, Qin Haidao asked, "How much silver does the manor have left?"

"About a thousand taels. The manor's monthly expenses are over two hundred taels, which can sustain us for about six months."

Qin Haidao was surprised that the vast State Duke’s Manor was almost empty. He asked, "Does the manor have any income?"

"The manor relies on the State Duke's salary and rewards, barely enough to get by. Now that the State Duke is gone, it is uncertain how long the salary will last. There are two thousand acres of land and five hundred households, all brothers who followed the State Duke. The State Duke was kind and only collected a 20% rent to maintain the manor. This year, there was a drought, and the harvest was reduced by about 30%, making it impossible to pay rent..." Jia Youcai's face darkened, showing his helplessness.

Without a salary and no rent, it meant no income. The best solution was to cut expenses and increase income, but as a soldier, Qin Haidao empathized and could not abandon the warriors who had shed blood. Especially those who had fought alongside Qin Qiong. He immediately said, "How can the Qin manor act unrighteously and do something that would break hearts? Let's go and see."

"But..."

Jia Youcai wanted to say something but saw that Qin Haidao had already left. He felt a warm feeling in his heart and quickly followed. If possible, Jia Youcai did not want the old brothers to leave, but thinking of the manor's困境, his heart tightened.