Volume One: The Warden and the Student Chapter Forty-Nine: I Go to the Ministry of War to Find a Bodyguard

The White Lotus cultists have always been regarded as the most troubling source of unrest by the authorities in this era of peace and prosperity. In order to eradicate them completely, from the Ministry of Justice and the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the top, down to the local patrol officers and constables, all exert their utmost efforts, never letting a single suspicious person slip through their net.

Especially after the prison break orchestrated by the White Lotus cultists occurred in the capital just over a month ago, every law enforcement office has become even more vigilant, not daring to neglect their guard for an instant.

Now, not only have they apprehended several indisputable members of the White Lotus, but among them is an especially significant figure—naturally, this news was enough to invigorate the spirits of all the soldiers and officials involved.

The name "Glowing Star" had already been whispered throughout the land for decades. Legend held that the White Lotus had four great harbingers of calamity: Seven Killings, Breaking the Army, Greedy Wolf, and Glowing Star. Among these, in terms of the threat and destruction wrought upon the world, Glowing Star was by far the most formidable.

Yet this figure was notoriously elusive, always orchestrating from the shadows, rarely seen in person—indeed, the authorities could not even confirm whether Glowing Star was male or female. Thus, although this person topped the Ministry of Justice’s most-wanted list, they had long evaded capture.

No one expected that today, here, the head of the cult who had plagued the Ming court for decades would finally be caught!

Such an outcome was bound to send shockwaves through the capital, and undoubtedly, the various government offices involved in the operation—the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Northern City Garrison, and the Shuntian Prefecture—would be embroiled in disputes over credit and rewards.

Seated once more in the classroom, Huang Ming was, for once, somewhat distracted. The events of the day had been too harrowing, and the incident itself was no small matter.

Of course, how the offices would squabble over merit had nothing to do with him. What lingered in his mind was what he had finally learned from Yinghuo.

Yinghuo had not targeted him for revenge over past grievances. Rather, it was because Huang Ming had recently gained considerable fame, becoming something of a celebrity in the capital.

“As long as we take you hostage, we can threaten the authorities to release my brothers,” Yinghuo had replied when Huang Ming asked why he had been singled out.

A simple reason, but a practical one.

“Unfortunately, you made a mistake—chose the wrong person.”

Half a day had passed before Huang Ming could, from afar in the classroom, offer his own answer to Yinghuo.

He himself was no one of great importance; even if he really fell into their hands, the authorities would never agree to exchange the White Lotus prisoners in the imperial dungeon for him.

Besides, Yinghuo had chosen the wrong time to act—striking just when Huang Ming was under tight protection, leading to his own capture.

But this was, of course, good news for Huang Ming. At least now, with Yinghuo in custody, he no longer had to worry about being marked by such a terrifying foe.

At the same time, the incident served as a wake-up call: he truly needed to consider his own safety and find some reliable people to serve as bodyguards.

When he shared this thought with his friends, Zhang Han immediately offered advice: “It depends on what kind of person you want to secure your safety.”

“Naturally, someone trustworthy and capable.”

“No, I mean whether you want someone with official connections, or someone from the common folk.”

Zhang Han explained further, “Those with an official background are reliable and familiar, so you can use them with peace of mind, but there are some things you might not dare entrust to them. As for those from outside, though the quality varies, if you choose wisely, they can become your most trusted confidants.”

Such was the insight of one born to an influential family—clearly, it was advice born of experience.

Huang Ming pondered briefly, then smiled. “I don’t intend to engage in anything unspeakable. Safety comes first. If the person is reliable and skilled enough to protect me, that’s enough.”

“Then you should spend more time at the Ministry of War. You might find something there,” Zhang Han suggested. “These days, with the realm at peace, martial men seldom have opportunities. Those with a clean background will wait at the Ministry of War, hoping for a posting.

“Some, whose families are less well-off, end up taking work as bodyguards to support themselves. However, they rarely stay with one employer for long—at most a year or two before they move on.”

“A year or two is sufficient,” Huang Ming decided at once. “Tomorrow’s a holiday. I’ll go there and see if I can find someone suitable!”

…

The next morning, true to his word, Huang Ming set out with Yu Mo and two servants for the Ministry of War, seeking a bodyguard.

They were already within Zhengyang Gate, just a street away from the imperial palace and Forbidden City. Not only did the Ministry of War stand here, but many other important government offices as well—this was the very heart of the Ming realm.

Thus, there were almost no idlers on these streets. Those who passed by were either in official dress or in fine silks and brocades. Any ordinary commoner who drew near a government gate would be stopped and questioned on the spot.

Fortunately, Huang Ming was himself dressed in splendid attire, his bearing far from ordinary, so he moved unhindered. Even when he lingered outside the Ministry, he drew no more than a glance from the guards.

He, too, observed those coming and going, studying their clothing and demeanor. Anyone in bright, joyful, or indifferent spirits he quickly dismissed from consideration. Those whose steps were weak or heavy he ignored as well.

With such criteria, from morning to noon, Huang Ming managed to select only three candidates.

But when he approached each with a few probing questions, none worked out.

Anyone able to come to the Ministry of War already possessed a certain pedigree, some even having held positions of fifth rank or higher. They all had their pride and honor—how could they agree so readily to become someone’s bodyguard?

The third had nearly been convinced, but upon learning that Huang Ming’s father was a eunuch in the palace, he quickly changed his mind.

There was no help for it—the reputation of eunuchs was now so poor that, unless desperate, few would willingly enter their service.

“Young master, it’s already past noon. Why not eat first, and wait a while longer?” Yu Mo finally ventured.

Huang Ming was not discouraged. His gaze swept once more over a few men approaching the Ministry—when his eyes landed on one in particular, they suddenly lit up. “Let’s wait a bit longer.”

This was a man with long, well-formed limbs and a powerful stride, yet his footing was sure and steady. Just from his figure and movements, one could sense the strength that filled his frame—a man as lean and fierce as a hunting leopard.

What did not match his bearing, however, was his clothing—it was clean, but patched at the elbows and knees, a clear sign of straitened means.

What happened next at the Ministry gates only confirmed Huang Ming’s judgment—