Chapter 324 - 225: Cui’s Yunqing Building
Chapter 324: Chapter 225: Cui’s Yunqing Building
The Hidden Guard, or rather, the White Tiger Guard.
The more Chen Yi came into contact with them, the more he felt their purpose in Shu State was unclear.
Like the dark clouds obscuring the bright moon outside his window, the secrets behind them remained shrouded.
For example, he had already confirmed that Hawk, Ge the Third, and the others wanted him to become an official, gain prestige, or secure a position within the Xiao Family.
They essentially wanted him to possess "prestige" and "power."
But what then?
Was he to be used as a puppet to control the Xiao Family, or something else?
If they wanted him to control the Xiao Family, the Old Master, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Wuge were three obstacles that could not be bypassed.
Unless the Hidden Guard made a move and killed those three, he would be unable to control the Xiao Family, no matter his official status or prestige.
Thus, after re-evaluating the Hidden Guard’s plans for him over the past few days, Chen Yi had a vague feeling that a crucial piece was still missing.
Then there were the Hidden Guard’s Lady Tiger and Simurgh Phoenix.
The former was hiding in the Bright Moon Building, her purpose unknown.
The latter hailed from the Qinghe Cui Family. Not only was her purpose for coming to Shu State a mystery, but her reasons for joining the White Tiger Guard were also strange.
Adding to that what Chen Yi already knew of the White Tiger Guard’s duties—specializing in infiltrating enemy nations and neighboring states, responsible for instigating defections and stirring up conflict.
Extrapolating from these duties, Chen Yi came to two possible conclusions.
First, the White Tiger Guard was treating Shu State like an enemy nation, intending to draw armies from other states to conquer it.
Second, they wanted to incite the Barbarian Race, Poshisu Country, and others to invade.
Regardless of their objective, it required Shu State to fall into chaos.
In other words, they needed to use the Xiao Family as a crowbar to stir up the entire state.
This was the most direct, effective, and fastest method.
’I’ll know their true purpose once I test it.’
With these thoughts in mind, Chen Yi cleaned up the mess in the Purple Bamboo Forest, returned to his room, changed into clean, comfortable clothes, and lay down on his bed.
He closed his eyes.
An immense, mountain-sized game board materialized in his mind.
On the board now were three more white stones than before.
One represented the Mountain Race, one the Celestial Sect, and the last represented Guiyun Academy.
Two Jianghu factions and a gathering place for scholars—all could be made to serve the Xiao Family through him.
There were also two new black stones.
The Five Poison Sect and the Bright Moon Building.
Because of Yan Fusha and her group, Chen Yi now directly associated the Five Poison Sect with the Jing State Liu Family.
As for the Bright Moon Building, there was little to say. They were classic pot-stirrers.
They would fight and kill for anyone who paid, simple as that.
As for the final black stone...
When placed, it would connect half the black stones on the board, forming a powerful position.
It represented none other than the financier who had previously paid Bright Moon Building’s Black Tooth to burn down the Three Towns.
In other words, the "Anti-Xiao Alliance" that Chen Yi had sensed.
However, he had only managed to uncover a few clues about them so far.
These included certain officials within the Inspectorate Office, the Governor’s Office, and the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, as well as some merchants in the East and West Markets.
As for who else was behind it, he had only seen the tip of the iceberg.
Staring at the game board, Chen Yi pondered for a long time before his mind stirred.
He actually picked up the black stone representing the "Hidden Guard," changed it into a white stone, and placed it on the "eight-twelve" position.
’The White Tiger Guard is one of the players.’
’They seem to have close ties and form alliances, but in reality, they exist outside the sphere of Shu State’s major family factions.’
’Therefore, just as they can become a pillar for those with malicious intent in Shu State, they can also be used by me.’
As Chen Yi calmly placed the stone, a smile touched his lips.
’My courage has grown quite a bit since my Martial Arts Cultivation improved.’
...
The night passed uneventfully.
Before dawn, the pitter-patter of rain echoed endlessly throughout Spring Lotus Garden.
It blended with the croaking of frogs.
As a cool breeze blew, Xiaodie changed into slightly thicker linen clothes. She tidied up the two wooden buildings efficiently before going to help Xiao Wuge get up and dressed.
For once, Pei Guanli was up early of her own accord, splashing barefoot in the puddles in front of the building.
Her cheerful laughter could be heard from time to time.
This caused Xiaodie, who was leading Xiao Wuge to the main hall and about to fetch breakfast from the kitchen, to glance over and say with a smile,
"Be careful you don’t catch a cold."
"I won’t, I won’t! A little rain and a few puddles won’t dare make me sick."
Pei Guanli waved a hand without looking back, continuing to hop and splash in the standing water. The bell on her chest jingled incessantly.
JINGLE JINGLE.
Hearing the sounds from outside, Chen Yi woke from his deep sleep.
He glanced at the sky outside the window. The clouds were still dark and the rain was steady, so he got up and stretched.
He had a lot to do today, so he couldn’t afford to sleep in.
After getting dressed, Chen Yi went downstairs, greeted Xiao Wuge, and pushed the door open to leave.
Xiao Wuge rubbed his eyes and followed him. "Brother-in-law, are you going out today?"
Chen Yi nodded casually. "I promised Fairy Tingyun yesterday that I’d go to Hundred Herbs Hall to discuss arrangements for the Celestial Sect disciples."
"Also, about your sister... the Old Master wants to see Boss Chen. I’ll go ask about it."
’Asking is pointless, though.’
’There’s no way my identity as Boss Chen Yu can be revealed anytime soon.’
’At least, not before Yan Sea and the others finish their tour of Shu State, and not before the plans to expand Hundred Herbs Hall are underway. I won’t appear as ’Chen Yu’ during this time.’
’During this period, it’s naturally impossible for me to meet with the Xiao family.’
’Not even the Old Master.’
Chen Yi knew the Old Master had already grown suspicious, suspecting that the owner of Hundred Herbs Hall was secretly helping the Xiao Family.
Under these circumstances, he didn’t need to be a genius to know that meeting the Old Master would inevitably lead to a round of questioning and probing.
So, for now, not showing his face was the best choice.
Xiao Wuge said "Oh," then hesitated. "Brother-in-law, can I go out with you?"