The Golden Labyrinth's Silent Witness

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the sprawling palace of the Golden Labyrinth. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the distant hum of courtly chatter. In the grand hall, the Great Minister, Lord Jing, stood before the King, his face etched with concern.

"Your Majesty," Lord Jing began, his voice low and urgent, "there has been a murder in the outer courtyard. The guard on duty was found dead, and no one has seen the assassin."

The King's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through the room. "Who could be so bold as to commit such an act within my own palace?"

Lord Jing hesitated, then nodded. "It appears that the guard was killed by a poison arrow. The only person who had access to the courtyard was the Demon's Advocate, Master Yi."

Master Yi, the court's most revered legal advisor, was a man of few words and many secrets. His presence in the Golden Labyrinth was a testament to the King's trust in his judgment.

The King's face turned pale. "Master Yi is my most trusted advisor. How could he do this?"

As the King pondered the mystery, a figure emerged from the shadows, a figure cloaked in darkness. It was the Demon's Advocate himself, his eyes calm and steady.

"Your Majesty," Master Yi said, bowing slightly, "I have been accused of murder, but I am innocent. There is a silent witness who can prove my innocence."

The King's eyes widened in surprise. "A silent witness? Who is this person?"

Master Yi gestured to a figure standing at the edge of the room, a figure shrouded in silence and mystery. The King approached cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he took in the figure's serene expression.

"This is the silent witness," Master Yi continued, "a young girl named Mei. She was present in the outer courtyard when the guard was attacked. She saw nothing, but her presence is crucial to solving this mystery."

The King turned to Lord Jing, who had been watching the exchange with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Is this true, Lord Jing? Do you believe Master Yi's claim?"

Lord Jing hesitated, then nodded. "I have no reason to doubt Master Yi. The girl Mei is a known innocent, and her presence in the courtyard is well-documented."

The King nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Very well. We shall bring Mei to the court and question her."

Mei was led into the grand hall, her eyes wide with fear and wonder. The King approached her, his voice soft and reassuring.

"Mei," he said, "you are a brave girl. Tell us what you saw that night."

Mei's eyes darted around the room, her voice barely audible. "I heard a noise, a rustling in the bushes. Then I saw a shadow. It was a man, but I could not see his face. He shot the arrow and ran away."

The King's eyes narrowed. "Did you see anyone else?"

Mei shook her head. "No, just the man and the guard."

The King turned to Master Yi. "Master Yi, is there anyone in the court who could have had a reason to kill the guard?"

Master Yi's eyes flickered with a hint of mischief. "There is one person, Your Majesty, who had a reason to kill the guard. It is the Great Minister himself, Lord Jing."

Lord Jing's face turned ashen. "What are you saying, Master Yi?"

Master Yi stepped forward, his voice steady. "The guard was killed because he discovered Lord Jing's secret. The guard was going to expose Lord Jing's treachery to the King. Lord Jing, you killed him to protect your secret."

Lord Jing's eyes widened in shock. "You are lying, Master Yi! I am innocent!"

The King's face turned cold. "Is this true, Lord Jing? Have you been betraying me?"

Lord Jing's face twisted in a mixture of fear and defiance. "I have done nothing wrong, Your Majesty. I am loyal to you!"

The King turned to Master Yi. "Master Yi, what is your proof?"

Master Yi smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "The proof is in the Golden Labyrinth itself. The guard was killed with a poison arrow. The poison is rare and only found in the Golden Labyrinth. It was Lord Jing who had access to the poison."

The King's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through Lord Jing. "Is this true, Lord Jing?"

Lord Jing's face turned pale, his eyes filled with fear. "I... I... I did not kill the guard. I had nothing to do with it!"

The King nodded, his mind made up. "Lord Jing, you are under arrest. You will be questioned further."

As Lord Jing was led away, the King turned to Master Yi. "Master Yi, you have proven your innocence. Thank you for your loyalty."

Master Yi bowed slightly, his eyes filled with a sense of satisfaction. "Your Majesty, I am honored to serve you."

The Golden Labyrinth was once again a place of peace and order, but the shadow of the murder lingered. The King knew that the truth was only the beginning, and that the Golden Labyrinth was a place where secrets were hidden and the truth was often harder to find.