Chapter 401 - 254: Dragon Spear
Chapter 401: Chapter 254: Dragon Spear
A bit of color returned to Xiao Wan’er’s face as it bloomed into a smile. "If all goes smoothly, the academy should be built before the Spring Festival."
Chen Yi smiled and agreed, "That’s quite fast." He then turned to Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang to ask how the disciples from the Celestial Sect were adjusting.
Shen Huatang didn’t have much to say.
These past few days, she had been busy helping Xiao Wan’er with matters concerning the Medical Dao Academy.
In contrast, Xie Tingyun, the senior disciple of the Celestial Sect, was quite attentive to the matter.
She visited the residence where the Celestial Sect disciples were staying almost every day to check on them.
The situation was largely the same as what Wang Ji and Zhang Dabao had described.
Even if some disciples weren’t used to the local customs of Shu State, they were all willing to endure it for the sake of the silver.
Chen Yi had a clear picture of the situation. He planned to have Hundred Herbs Hall take its first step once Yan Sea sent word back about the conditions in Guangyuan.
Only by establishing branches of Hundred Herbs Hall all over Shu State could he resolve the Xiao Family’s shortage of silver coins sooner.
They made small talk for a few moments.
Xiao Wan’er brought up the incident in the West Market, frowning. "To think Jianghu People are committing murder in broad daylight right here in Shu State City. The situation this year is truly dire."
Chen Yi smiled impassively. "I heard that Spearman has a grudge against the people from Poshisu Country?"
"I don’t think so."
"Grandfather just sent someone to tell us that the residence will be on high alert for the next few days. He also told us not to go out unless it’s important."
After a pause, Xiao Wan’er looked at him and said, "You should be careful too, brother-in-law."
Chen Yi put down his bowl and chopsticks, nodding with a smile. "Guiyun Academy and Hundred Herbs Hall. I won’t go anywhere else."
He silently added a few more places in his mind.
’Like Spring Rain Building, Chuansi Street, the East Market, and so on.’
There was no helping it.
He wouldn’t be able to rest easy for a while.
Perhaps sensing his thoughts, Xiao Wan’er looked at him with her beautiful eyes and insisted, "You should still take more people with you when you go out. The residence has Armored Warriors."
"Don’t worry, I’ll be more careful from now on..."
Chen Yi agreed to everything, his gaze sweeping toward the Qingjing Residence.
He knew that the Old Marquis must have sensed something to increase the security in the residence.
However, it was more likely that Liu Hong’s side had made some unusual moves.
’Considering the time...’
’Liu Hong should be getting anxious by now, right?’
...
Chen Yi’s guess was correct.
After leaving the Governor’s Office, Liu Hong had just entered his inner residence when he coldly ordered someone to summon Liu Taoyao and Zhao Shichang.
In the study, he berated them for well over an hour before finally sitting down in the Grandmaster’s Chair, sipping his tea as he asked:
"Shichang, you’ve always been meticulous. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Zhao Shichang glanced at the profusely sweating Liu Taoyao, thought for a moment, then stepped forward, bowed, and said:
"My Lord, the men who appeared in Heiyu Lane today were the same mysterious Spearman and the ’Sword Madman,’ Liu Lang, who previously ruined our plans at the Bright Moon Building."
"Therefore, the most important thing right now is to find out why they killed Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao."
Hearing this, a trace of worry appeared on Liu Hong’s stern face.
"That is precisely what worries me."
"Those two killed Wen’er in Iron Wall Town, which indirectly caused the three hundred thousand taels of silver Wen’er was giving to Xiao Dongchen to fall into the Xiao Family’s hands, resolving their pressing financial crisis."
He paused, then looked at Zhao Shichang and Liu Taoyao. "I am truly worried that he is one of Marquis Xiao’s men."
Liu Taoyao opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when he remembered that he was the one who had failed to guard against "Liu Wu" yesterday, he was too embarrassed to speak.
Zhao Shichang, however, didn’t hesitate. He replied directly, "My Lord, I speculate that those two are likely not with the Xiao Family."
"Oh? And why do you say that?"
"If they were working for the Xiao Family and had overheard our conversation last night, they likely wouldn’t have directly killed Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao."
"Given the Old Marquis’s cautious nature, he would surely know that keeping Lv Jiunan alive would be more advantageous if he wanted to deal with you."
Liu Hong nodded slightly, his expression softening a little. "Correct."
"Before Xiao Fengchun died, if Marquis Xiao had discovered my collusion with the people of Poshisu Country, he would have certainly led men to arrest me himself."
"Under the current circumstances, he would indeed be more cautious. He would likely choose to capture Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao to force my hand."
At this, he turned his head to look out the window.
Beneath the high-hanging bright moon, he could only see a few points of light and a stretch of shadowy buildings.
"If Liu Wu and Liu Lang are not Marquis Xiao’s men, then why would they attack Lv Jiunan?"
Zhao Shichang said with some hesitation, "My Lord, that is also what I do not understand."
"Logically speaking, those two should have no grudge against you. Even if they dislike people from Poshisu Country, it shouldn’t have led them to kill someone right here in the Prefecture City."
"Moreover, Lv Jiunan had already stated that he was King Landu’s brother, yet he was still killed by that Liu Wu..."
He glanced at Liu Hong and, seeing no reaction, continued:
"I believe his actions are like malicious sabotage, or even..."
"Even what?"
"Even that he might be trying to deliberately infuriate King Landu."
Hearing this, Liu Hong’s brow furrowed slightly as he lowered his head in thought.
Liu Taoyao, who was beside them, asked, "Isn’t he afraid of King Landu coming to Shu State to kill him?"
Zhao Shichang shook his head gently. "King Landu is indeed powerful, but he can’t possibly come to Shu State alone."
"After all, Shu State is not far from the heart of the Central Plains. It would only take half a day for several Grandmasters to arrive."
"The moment he shows his face here, he will certainly be intercepted and killed."
He paused briefly, pondering. "If he wants to avenge this, his only option is to bring the horse bandits of the Peacock King Banner with him, but..."
"But if that were to happen, it would be tantamount to a full-scale invasion by Poshisu Country, which would give the Dingyuan Army reason to mobilize and deploy."
Realization dawned on Liu Taoyao’s face. "So he’s certain King Landu can’t come?"
"It’s possible, but King Landu won’t let this go so easily either."
After listening to their conversation, Liu Hong vaguely grasped a few suspicious points.
’King Landu, King Landu... and also...’
A flash of insight struck him, and he suddenly asked, "Shichang, have you considered Asutai’s disappearance in all this?"
Zhao Shichang froze for a second and subconsciously shook his head before it dawned on him.
"My Lord, are you saying..."
"That Asutai’s disappearance is also related to those two?"
Liu Hong nodded with a solemn expression. "The two incidents are too coincidental. I can’t help but be suspicious."
"But, but why would he do that?"
"Abducting Asutai, besides foiling your plans, My Lord, would only enrage the Left King."
"Exactly."
"Think about it. What will Left King Mu Hage do once he’s enraged?"
Zhao Shichang followed his line of thought. "He probably wouldn’t attack Mengshui Pass for an unfavored youngest son."
"The current internal strife within the Barbarian Race wouldn’t allow him to do so either."
"So, as a second-best option, his most likely course of action would be to vent his anger on that audacious band of horse bandits from Poshisu Country."
Liu Hong nodded upon hearing this, his face growing somber. "There’s more to this than meets the eye."
"If Asutai doesn’t return to the Barbarian Race soon, the Left King will likely send men to clear out the horse bandits along the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, which will in turn provoke the people from the Pirate Alliance."
"Add Lv Jiunan’s death to the mix, and King Landu will be forced to come to Shu State even if he doesn’t want to."
Liu Taoyao finally understood. "Father, does that mean we should find Asutai as soon as possible?"
Zhao Shichang immediately bowed and agreed, "My Lord, I will order a city-wide search at once. We must find him."
Liu Hong grunted in acknowledgment and added, "Also, the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office and the Imprisonment Department. First thing tomorrow morning, I will order them to apprehend the culprits as quickly as possible."
"Only by capturing Liu Wu and Liu Lang can this situation be de-escalated."
After discussing their plan, Zhao Shichang left first.
Liu Hong looked at Liu Taoyao, who was still kneeling on the floor, his face flickering between light and shadow in the dim candlelight.
Silence fell for a long moment.
Liu Hong then leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Now, do you understand your mistake?"
Liu Taoyao lowered his head and said remorsefully, "I was wrong. I beg for your forgiveness, Father."
"I won’t blame you, of course. I only hope this incident will teach you a lasting lesson."
"Yao’er, I watched you grow up."
"Over the years, you have matured a great deal in the Government Office and the residence, but you have one flaw—you are far too arrogant and self-willed."
Liu Hong looked at him, his face devoid of expression. "Just like last night."
"Liu Wu’s appearance was suspicious, yet you actually thought of recruiting him. Isn’t that laughable?"
Liu Taoyao’s face was filled with regret as he bowed low, his forehead nearly touching the ground. "Father, I know I was wrong."
"Ah, Yao’er, there is no turning back for either of us now."
"From now on, every step must be taken with caution and discretion. A situation like last night must never happen again."
"I will remember."
Hearing this, Liu Hong’s expression softened somewhat. He waved his hand. "Enough. Go back and assist Shichang."
"Yes."
Just as Liu Taoyao was getting up, Liu Hong suddenly gave another order. "Also, have Liu Tianming make a trip to Mei Village tonight. He’ll know what to do."
"Father, you... you’re going to use them?"
"An army is trained for a thousand days to be used in a single moment. It’s about time they got some exercise."