Volume One: The Overseer and the Candidate Chapter Fifty-Three: Hard to Perceive One’s Own Place Within the Scheme

From the very beginning, Qi Changfeng had been puzzled by the matter, unsure whether he ought to voice his doubts. Now, seeing Huang Ming so amiable and straightforward, his own candid nature triumphed, and he decided not to hold back any longer.

Huang Ming was momentarily taken aback by his question. “You’ve been in Beijing lately, haven’t you heard about the attack that happened a few days ago?”

Qi Changfeng shook his head in bewilderment. He had been preoccupied with his own future and livelihood, paying little attention to other affairs.

Without concealment, Huang Ming proceeded to recount the various encounters and tribulations he had experienced. From his chance meeting with Yinghuo on his way to the capital, to being manipulated into a prisoner rescue incident, his own counterattack, and the subsequent twists and crises—all unfolded in simple narration.

As he spoke, Huang Ming himself felt a sense of astonishment. In just over a month, he had become so entangled with the White Lotus Sect that it would not be an exaggeration to call it disastrous. Had he not transmigrated, the original owner of this body would likely have met a miserable end, whether in the prisons of the Southern City Command or through the ensuing events.

Moved by this reflection, another question suddenly arose in his mind—a question he had not considered before: why had Yinghuo set his sights on him?

Was it, as Yinghuo had claimed, merely because Huang Ming had recently gained prominence, making him a valuable hostage to force the court’s hand?

“No, that can’t be,” he thought. “There are countless dignitaries in the capital, all more valuable than me. Why target me, especially when I already know his identity and appearance? Such a move is far too reckless!”

“What did you say, sir?” Qi Changfeng asked.

Only then did Huang Ming realize he had been muttering his doubts aloud. He decided to lay out his misgivings and speculations, then looked at Qi Changfeng. “Don’t you find something unreasonable about all this?”

Qi Changfeng furrowed his brow, pondering deeply before replying with caution, “At first glance, it seems fine, but the more I think about it, the more something feels off…”

“Exactly—why me? His goal was to rescue someone; since he failed to use me the first time and I recognized him, there’s no reason for him to risk exposure by pursuing me further.

“Especially since he’s clearly not seeking revenge. That makes his actions all the more illogical!”

As Huang Ming spoke, he wondered why he hadn’t noticed this inconsistency before. Was it because he had ultimately prevailed, causing him to overlook the irrationalities? Or was it that, believing himself to be the transmigrator and the protagonist, he assumed everything had to revolve around him?

Qi Changfeng now offered a bold conjecture. “Sir, is it possible that the entire affair was a scheme orchestrated by the White Lotus Sect?”

“How so?” Huang Ming’s eyes brightened, as if suddenly enlightened.

“I can’t say for sure, but since you feel there are significant doubts, the only explanation is that it was intentional—including Yinghuo’s capture.”

“Wait, let me think!” Huang Ming abruptly stood and began pacing the room, his mind racing, reviewing everything he knew as if flipping through slides in his mind:

It started with the prisoner rescue incident, triggered by the use of his carriage—they succeeded and pinned the blame on him. At the time, they likely knew little of his true identity and couldn’t have targeted him specifically.

Then came his unraveling of the clues and the reversal—this was their first mistake. But what if that mistake was deliberately made?

He prided himself on possessing investigative skills far beyond those of this era, but did that situation really require modern forensic methods? With the talents of the Ming dynasty’s investigative offices, would they truly miss such obvious flaws?

Given the gravity of the White Lotus Sect’s involvement, the Ministry of Justice, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and other agencies would surely deploy their best to thoroughly investigate. Any slip would soon be uncovered—perhaps only a day or two delayed.

And with the arrangements in Tongzhou, they likely intended to hide the rescued prisoner for quite some time.

Thus, his discovery of the truth behind the prisoner rescue became less significant.

Moreover, Yinghuo had been present at the scene that day, visibly so—only because Huang Ming failed to speak up in time did Yinghuo escape.

If this wasn’t mere oversight, but a deliberate move to allow himself to fall into the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Then, this time…

Even Huang Ming could easily spot the many unusual figures around him; how could the White Lotus Sect, risking capture, not foresee this? Such reckless action was tantamount to walking into a trap.

Especially Yinghuo—being so close to the scene, he should have concealed himself to ensure safety.

But what did he do?

He appeared atop the loft, and even after his own men failed, he did not retreat, remaining until Huang Ming recognized him and he was ultimately apprehended.

All of it seemed perfectly logical, as if it was only through Huang Ming’s efforts and a series of fortunate coincidences that such an important figure was captured.

But in reality… this was clearly a grand scheme laid by the White Lotus Sect!

The more Huang Ming thought about it, the more alarmed he became. His footsteps quickened, and when he finally stopped abruptly, beads of sweat had formed on his brow.

Now, one last question surfaced—one that both he and everyone else had overlooked. The switch at the Tongzhou courier station—was there really only a single insider among the station staff?

Was there no White Lotus infiltrator among the escorting team?

Or more directly, was there a deeply hidden White Lotus agent within the Embroidered Uniform Guard itself?

He, and that seemingly careless captive, Yinghuo—who may well have planned to be captured—what grand conspiracy were they plotting?

The more he dwelled on it, the stronger his unease grew.

Nearly two days had passed since the White Lotus members were taken into the imperial prison.

If they truly had a scheme, there was ample time for it to unfold!

Unable to contain himself any longer, Huang Ming spun around and strode outside, calling loudly, “Someone, prepare the carriage! I must go to the Commandery Office!”

The servants outside were startled, and Huang Zhong rushed over, his face full of confusion. “Young master, you’re going to the Commandery Office so late? It’s already dark, and the curfew is in effect.”

“It can’t be helped; this matter is urgent!” Huang Ming insisted.

Qi Changfeng quickly stepped forward, “Sir, why don’t I drive you? In Datong, I’m skilled with both horses and carriages.”

“Very well, let’s go.”

Huang Ming wasted no words, already striding toward the stables in the front courtyard.