Chapter 413 - 260: The Pavilion Master Is Mad?
Chapter 413: Chapter 260: The Pavilion Master Is Mad?
The recent, crazy surge in Shu State’s grain prices was, for Chen Yi, nothing short of good news.
Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to say that from the moment he discovered the Ji State Trading Company, Lin Huai’an, and Liu Taofang were the "financiers" who hired Bright Moon Building to burn the summer grain in the Three Towns, he knew the rise in Shu State’s grain prices was irreversible.
Even with Lin Huai’an now dead, the various grain merchants hadn’t stopped their efforts.
Even with the public crying out in protest, even after their plan to frame the Xiao Family failed, they were still trying every method they could think of to drive up the price of grain.
All for the sake of a massive profit.
This alone revealed to Chen Yi the sheer greed of the people from the Ji State Trading Company.
But the greedy always get their comeuppance.
And if it didn’t happen naturally, he wouldn’t mind fanning the flames and giving them a spectacular "funeral."
With that in mind, Chen Yi changed into night clothes, threw on a raincoat and a bamboo hat, and left the Xiao Family estate, venturing out into the rain.
The night was dark, and the rain was torrential.
Icy rain cascaded down, shrouding the surroundings in a thin layer of mist.
Fortunately, Chen Yi’s cultivation had now reached Middle Fifth Grade. As his True Essence circulated, his five senses became extremely sharp.
Even while using the Meteor Butterfly Step, he could travel without a sound while simultaneously surveying all movement within a two-li radius.
He only slowed his pace after passing through a deep, narrow alley near the West Market, concealing his aura as he approached the house behind the tailor shop.
By now, it was late into the night.
The wide main street of the West Market was deserted.
Only a few lavishly decorated shops showed a glimmer of candlelight, casting a faint, yellow halo through the torrential downpour.
Chen Yi scanned his surroundings. Once he confirmed no one was around, he slipped quietly into the house.
Chen Yi listened intently for a moment. After confirming there was no sound coming from the tailor shop, he gently woke Zhang Dabao.
"Da—"
Before Zhang Dabao could speak, Chen Yi clamped a hand over his mouth and gestured under the candlelight from the eaves:
"Disguise me. And don’t make a sound."
Recognizing his face, Zhang Dabao breathed a sigh of relief. He nodded and went to get the necessary equipment.
Meanwhile, Chen Yi went to the window, his eyes fixed on the tailor shop ahead.
At this moment, the patter of rain on the roof tiles outside was quite loud.
He could only make out the faint sound of conversation coming from within.
"...hasn’t she arrived...?"
"Lady Tiger is taking her sweet time. She... must need to be covert..."
"Simurgh Phoenix, calm yourself."
"Lady Tiger’s status is unique. Give her some time. I’m sure she’ll be here soon."
’General.’
Chen Yi recognized the voice and silently mulled over the White Tiger Guard’s situation.
He had previously learned at the wonton shop that the White Tiger Guard’s Golden Banner Officer, General, wanted to meet with King Landu, and he’d intended to investigate the reason.
But things had taken an unexpected turn.
Because Lv Jiunan, Ge Muxiao, and the others were colluding with Liu Hong, he’d been forced to abduct them.
As far as Chen Yi was concerned, his actions were perfectly justified.
But from General’s perspective, his move had already interfered with the White Tiger Guard’s plans.
’I’d forgotten about that part.’
’If Lou Yuxue tells General about our previous cooperation, I probably won’t be able to get my hands on that grain.’
Chen Yi gazed thoughtfully out the window, mulling over his options.
It seemed he would have to find some way to get Lou Yuxue to make it happen.
He also needed to provide a reasonable explanation; otherwise, it would jeopardize his future plans.
’Silver coins?’
’Lou Yuxue certainly needs them, but she won’t take a bigger risk just for money.’
’Something else, then...’
An idea struck Chen Yi. He pulled up the sleeve on his left arm, revealing a corner of yellowed paper.
It was the secret letter Lin Huai’an had written to King Landu to arrange the sale of Zhu Hao’s ironware and ore to the King’s horse bandits.
’Perhaps Lou Yuxue would be interested in this.’
As things stood now, there was little point in Chen Yi holding onto the letter.
Lin Huai’an was dead and Lv Jiunan was his prisoner. No matter how desperately King Landu needed ironware, he wouldn’t choose this critical juncture to make a deal.
And even if he did...
Even if King Landu dared, the Ji State Trading Company and Zhu Hao would wait until the situation in Shu State stabilized before making their next move.
He might as well sell this information to Lou Yuxue. It might be enough to buy her help.
As he thought this, Chen Yi motioned for Zhang Dabao to start the disguise, all while keeping an ear on the activity in the tailor shop.
Just then, he heard a faint CREAK from the shop.
A door opened, then closed.
General asked, "You’re here?"
Lou Yuxue: "Lord, this subordinate has arrived late. Please forgive me."
Cui Qingwu’s voice rose slightly as she scoffed, "Lord Lady Tiger, you certainly put on airs. The Lord Golden Banner Officer summons you, and you still dare to dawdle?"
"The feeling is mutual."
"I heard you and Lord General parted on bad terms last time. An outsider might even think Lord Simurgh Phoenix was the Golden Banner Officer in charge of Shu State."
"Hah! A Golden... Don’t you try your little tricks to sow discord in front of me."
Hearing this, Chen Yi’s expression turned strange. ’Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu don’t get along?’
’This is really... going to be a headache for General.’
And indeed it was.
Just as Chen Yi had guessed, General was feeling rather helpless.
Lady Tiger was about to be promoted to Golden Banner Officer, meaning she would soon be his equal. He couldn’t be overly critical of her.
As for Simurgh Phoenix, she was the treasured daughter of the Qinghe Cui Family.
Her status was so exceptional that even the Pavilion Master was wary of her, to say nothing of a mere Golden Banner Officer like himself.
General waved his hand in resignation. "Enough idle talk."
"I’ve called you here today to inform you all of an important matter."
At this, Lou Yuxue stopped paying Cui Qingwu any mind. She shook the rain from her raincoat and said, "Lord, please speak."
Cui Qingwu, standing to the side, also fell silent. She turned slightly away, as if disgusted by the rainwater.
General took this in and sighed inwardly. He then asked, "Are there any leads on the matter I had you investigate?"