Chapter 454 - 279: Upper Fifth Grade
Chapter 454: Chapter 279: Upper Fifth Grade
The person Chen Yi was looking for was none other than Du Cang, the Grand General of the Poshisu Country’s Peacock King Banner who had previously met with Liu Hong.
For the past few days, he had been trying to find the man.
To that end, he had even snuck into Liu Hong’s mansion.
But the man named Du Cang seemed to have vanished into thin air.
He hadn’t shown his face anywhere in Shu State Prefecture City, nor had he met with anyone else from Poshisu Country.
Chen Yi was somewhat worried.
"Your White Tiger Guard has an extensive network in Shu State Prefecture City. Help me find him."
Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing slightly.
"The Grand General of the Peacock King Banner, Du Cang... He’s actually in Shu State?"
"Liu Wu, is your information reliable?"
Chen Yi grunted in affirmation. Seeing their expressions, he couldn’t help but ask, "You know of him?"
Lou Yuxue nodded, her expression growing serious.
"Du Cang is a very low-profile individual and seldom appears on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road."
"But within the Peacock King Banner, he’s King Landu’s right-hand man."
"His status is even higher than Lv Jiunan’s."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "You mean he’s very powerful?"
Lou Yuxue shook her head. "It’s not as simple as being powerful."
"He’s infamous within the Peacock King Banner for his viciousness. He’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals."
"It is said that when the Peacock King Banner was just starting to rise, Du Cang led his men to slaughter several of Poshisu Country’s small city-states in order to expand their power."
"They killed every adult, man or woman, and only spared the children under ten."
Lou Yuxue paused for a moment before Cui Qingwu added, "And he used a Black Magic Master’s Secret Technique to wipe the children’s minds."
"Those children have since grown up to become the core of the Peacock King Banner, known as the ’Jackal Army.’"
"Although Du Cang doesn’t personally lead the Jackal Army, I’ve heard they obey him implicitly."
"That’s why Du Cang was able to become King Landu’s right-hand man."
After listening, Chen Yi frowned slightly. ’Du Cang...’
’No wonder he was able to force Liu Hong to back down.’
’So it wasn’t just because King Landu had leverage over Liu Hong.’
"That name doesn’t sound like it’s from Poshisu Country, does it?"
Lou Yuxue nodded. "You’re right. Du Cang is from Great Wei."
"Oh? Then why would he follow King Landu?"
"His specific origins can no longer be traced."
"Our White Tiger Guard spies over there have only sent back fragmented information."
"Supposedly, Du Cang was once a stablehand for a family merchant caravan. He was seriously injured in an attack by horse bandits and was saved by King Landu."
"After that, he became the disciple of a Black Magic Master. It turned out he had an incredible talent for Black Magic, and in just fifteen years, he became a Black Magic Master of the Upper Three Grades."
’Upper Three Grades...’
Chen Yi nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like he won’t be easy to deal with."
’Of course, that just means he won’t be easy to deal with.’
’The Black Magic that Black Magic Masters specialized in certainly had its merits, but it also had glaring weaknesses.’
’At least, that was true for him.’
’But if Du Cang had other plans, things could get complicated.’
"Then I’ll leave it to you two to track him down."
"If you find any trace of him, please let me know. I’ll go pay him a visit."
Hearing this, Lou Yuxue hesitated before saying, "I know your Cultivation and Techniques aren’t weak."
"But Du Cang has been famous for years, and he has the Jackal Army to back him up. I’m afraid you won’t have an easy time facing him alone."
Chen Yi smiled. "Don’t worry, Miss Yuxue. I never do anything I’m not sure of."
"You..."
Before Lou Yuxue could finish, Cui Qingwu cut her off with a raised hand. "Instead of worrying about him, you should be worrying about yourself."
"Don’t forget, we still haven’t reported what we’ve been doing recently to the Lord General."
At this, she shot Lou Yuxue a sideways glance before turning to Chen Yi with a pointed remark:
"Or have you taken a fancy to this fellow? Want to run off and live happily ever after with him?"
Lou Yuxue froze, then her face flushed with anger. She glared at her. "Simurgh Phoenix, stop spouting nonsense!"
"If I’m wrong, why are you getting so flustered?"
"When did I get flustered? You—you’re being ridiculous!"
"Cat got your tongue? Heh..."
"To be fair, your taste isn’t half bad. ’Dragon Spear’ Liu Wu is one of the most notable Spearmen in Shu State in recent years."
"You’re still talking?!"
"I..."
Watching them bicker, Chen Yi shook his head helplessly, then rose and walked toward the door.
"I’ll leave these two matters to you, then."
"If you get any news on Du Cang, you can have someone post a notice in front of the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office. Just leave the line: *Where in this vast world can a soulmate be found?*"
"I’ll come find you when I see it."
As his voice faded, Chen Yi vanished from the meditation room.
Leaving Cui Qingwu and Lou Yuxue alone, glaring at each other.
「A moment later.」
Cui Qingwu was the first to look away, her gaze following the direction Chen Yi had vanished. "He’s gone. Sit down, let’s talk."
Lou Yuxue shot her a glare, then took a deep breath and sat down across from her.
"Whatever you want to say, just say it."
"Don’t you think Liu Wu’s plan is a bit too audacious?"
"Dealing with Lv Jiunan and Left King Mu Hage’s son was one thing; after all, they weren’t here for him."
"But everything that followed—framing the Ji State Trading Company, impersonating horse bandits from Poshisu Country and the Barbarian Race—every single one is a capital offense."
Cui Qingwu paused, looking at Lou Yuxue. "Why exactly do you value him so highly?"
"Or are you really planning to run off with him?"
Lou Yuxue snorted. "The fact that he was personally chosen by the Lord Pavilion Master is enough reason for me to take a few risks."
"That’s not enough."
"The Pavilion Master is far away in the Capital Prefecture. Any news he receives is already two or three days behind what we know."