“The Skylight” is an organization composed of spies and assassins who answer directly to the emperor. No one knows how many of them there are, nor where they are hidden—yet no one doubts that their reach can extend to the ends of the earth. It was established single-handedly by President Lincoln when he was still the crown prince, and by now, its operations are tightly controlled and its rules strictly enforced.

The first leader of “The Skylight”—the man in the sapphire-blue robe—was once the “Master of the Four Seasons Manor,” and is now Mr. Carter Samuel Carter.

From the most secret affairs of the court to the dealings of common peddlers, it seems that nothing is hidden from “The Skylight.” Thus, a rule was set: any living person with a mouth to speak is not allowed to leave the Skylight. Once you enter, you cannot leave—unless you die, or you voluntarily request the “Seven Orifices Three Autumn Nails.”

The so-called “Seven Orifices Three Autumn Nails” means that seven poisoned nails are sealed with internal force into the seven most vital acupoints in the chest and abdomen. The meridians become blocked, martial arts are lost forever, the person is rendered mute, their limbs paralyzed, and they become a living corpse. After three years, the poison invades the organs, and they die.

Though they survive for three years, it is a fate worse than death.

Yet even so, there are still those who would rather become living dead than remain in the Skylight.

Three years of miserable survival is the greatest mercy granted by the emperor.

Now, Samuel Carter dismissed his attendants and returned alone to his small cell. He closed the door, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced slowly, deep in thought. Then he stopped, took out the small box containing the Seven Orifices Three Autumn Nails from the corner, and opened it. This fearsome object actually emitted a scent as cold and delicate as fallen plum blossoms. Samuel Carter took a deep breath, then reached out to undo his robe.

On the surface, he appeared tall and well-proportioned, but once his clothes were removed, his body looked shriveled, as if something had drained him dry. In the withered chest and abdomen, six of the Seven Orifices Three Autumn Nails were already embedded, nearly grown into the flesh, who knows how long ago they were driven in.

Samuel Carter looked down at his own body and gave a self-mocking smile. He picked up a small knife from the side, gritted his teeth, and reopened the skin that had closed around each nail. His movements were swift and steady, as if he were not cutting his own flesh. In no time, his entire chest was soaked in blood, and the nails that had been there for so long now looked as if they had just been hammered in.

Then, as if triggering some mechanism, he let out a muffled groan, then slumped limply against the wall, slowly sliding down, his body trembling uncontrollably. The last trace of color faded from his lips, his teeth chattered, and suddenly, with a violent spasm, his eyes opened slightly wider, then slowly closed, his head lolling to one side.

His face was pale and bluish, his body covered in blood, looking for all the world like a corpse.

It was not until the first light of dawn the next day that the person curled up in the corner of the cell twitched slightly, then slowly opened his eyes. The first time he tried to get up, his legs gave out and he nearly fell again; only on the second attempt did he barely manage to stand. He took out a handkerchief, dampened it, and carefully wiped most of the blood from his chest, closed his robe, picked up one of the Seven Orifices Three Autumn Nails, and put it away.

He took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked out.

Striding out of the cell and returning to the small courtyard of cold plum blossoms and white snow, Samuel Carter felt a refreshing fragrance wash over him, as if it easily cleansed all the blood from his body. He stood under a plum tree for a long time, leaned in to gently inhale its scent, and an unconscious smile appeared on his face.

He sighed softly and said in a low voice, “Attend me.”

A figure in black slipped out like a shadow and bowed, waiting for his orders. Samuel Carter took out a dark token and tossed it to him, saying, “Go summon Mr. Bennett. Today, he will accompany me to see His Majesty.”

The man in black took the token and disappeared without a trace, as if he had never been there at all.

Mr. BennettPatrick Bennett was promoted by Samuel Carter after he took control of the Skylight, and answered only to him. This man was capable and ambitious, and never hesitated to show it.

Sometimes, when Samuel Carter looked at him, it was like looking at himself a few years ago. Before long, Patrick Bennett arrived with the token, still a bit puzzled—after all, this was a group that shunned the light, and apart from Samuel Carter, the others rarely had the chance to see the emperor.

Samuel Carter said little, only kept him for breakfast. When he estimated that the emperor would soon finish the morning court, he finally gave the order: “Let’s go.”

They headed to the palace. Though Patrick Bennett did not know his intentions, he did not ask, simply following in silence.

The two of them arrived at the imperial study one after the other. President Lincoln was already there, and upon hearing of their arrival, immediately had them summoned in. After paying their respects, Samuel Carter took a bamboo scroll from his sleeve and presented it to Abraham Lincoln, saying, “Your Majesty, this is what you instructed last time.”