Chapter 531 - 309: A Conversation Across Space with the Pavilion Master!
Chapter 531: Chapter 309: A Conversation Across Space with the Pavilion Master!
"Why don’t you do it yourselves?"
"There is something you don’t know, sir. Due to a few previous incidents, Assistant Governor Chen harbors quite a few misunderstandings toward our White Tiger Guard.
"If we were to come forward, it would only incur his displeasure."
"And it’ll be fine if I go?"
"At the very least, Assistant Governor Chen has heard of your recent actions in Shu State. He will merely assume that you have come on behalf of the Xiao family."
General lifted the teapot, filling both their cups more than halfway, and continued,
"You can rest assured, sir.
"Assistant Governor Chen is not only the eldest son of the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen family but also the Imperial Top Scholar appointed by the Holy Emperor himself. No matter how ruthless we might be, we could never scheme against him.
"Asking you to go this time is truly a helpless move on our part.
"After all, Assistant Governor Chen... well, his ambitions do not lie in the Imperial Court."
Chen Yi did not respond immediately upon hearing this. He stared at the man for a moment before slowly nodding. "Alright."
He understood.
The White Tiger Guard Pavilion Master wanted to use the Xiao family—no, he wanted to use the relationship between him, Chen Yi, and Chen Yunfan—to have an outsider like "Liu Wu" deliver a great merit to Chen Yunfan.
It seemed a bit convoluted, but Chen Yi was already certain that the White Tiger Guard was scheming around both him and Chen Yunfan.
If he was the "Fledgling," then what was Chen Yunfan?
A mythical roc soaring ninety thousand miles into the highest heavens?
However, there was one thing Chen Yi believed—Chen Yunfan’s ambitions truly did not lie in Shu State, nor in an official career. He also believed that Chen Yunfan absolutely did not care about the White Tiger Guard. How could someone who constantly talked about the Emperor on his lips ever obey the arrangements of the White Tiger Guard?
They exchanged a few more words of idle chatter.
Before Chen Yi could rise to take his leave, General took two items from his chest pocket and placed them on the table.
"This one on the left is the secret missive you previously handed over to Lady Tiger, as well as the ’evidence’ of Zhu Hao colluding with the enemy that our White Tiger Guard gathered in Shu State.
"As for this one on the right..."
General patted it and said meaningfully, "This is the share of the silver coins you rightfully earned from scheming against the Ji State Trading Company."
Chen Yi glanced at him, then looked at the two items covered in brocade cloth on the table. "Did Lou Yuxue tell you?"
"No."
General continued, "Lady Tiger cares... quite deeply about you, sir. Naturally, she was unwilling to leak the details of your cooperation."
"Simurgh Phoenix?"
General shook his head again.
"Neither of them said anything. It was only after receiving orders from the Lord Pavilion Master that I sent someone to investigate their recent actions.
"This silver was also prepared by Lady Tiger well in advance. I am merely taking the credit for her generosity."
At this point, a suggestive smile appeared on General’s face as he looked at Chen Yi.
"Did you know, sir, that Simurgh Phoenix originally intended to split this sum of silver equally only with Lady Tiger?
"But Lady Tiger couldn’t bear it and specifically diverted one million taels of silver from her own share to give to you."
Chen Yi shot him a look. The fingers resting on the table twitched slightly, and True Essence circulated, pulling the two items into his grasp. He then uncovered them one by one to inspect.
A stack of evidence.
Silver coins... two million taels?
Not waiting for him to speak, General smiled and explained, "The other one million taels is your remuneration for running this errand for the White Tiger Guard."
Chen Yi gave a noncommittal hum, tucking the items into his sleeve. He downed the rest of his tea in one gulp, then stood up.
"Say ’thank you’ to Lady Tiger for me."
General was slightly taken aback. "You aren’t going to go see her?"
Chen Yi turned and walked outside. "The purpose of this trip has already been achieved. What difference does it make whether I see her or not?"
He understood the underlying meaning in General’s words, and naturally, he also understood Lou Yuxue’s feelings. But his heart was only so big; it could no longer hold too many people. Moreover, this was between him and Lou Yuxue. How could he tolerate an outsider pointing fingers?
As for the purpose of his visit today—the silver coins, as well as preventing Liu Hong, Zhu Hao, and the others from lashing out like cornered beasts—it had indeed been accomplished.
The quiet chamber’s door opened with a CLICK and closed with another CLICK.
General opened his mouth, then broke into a bitter smile. "Did I just do a bad deed with good intentions?
"Sigh, the Lord Pavilion Master possesses unparalleled foresight. As a Golden Banner Officer, I truly cannot enter his eyes."
He naturally had some selfish motives for acting the way he just did. After all, Lou Yuxue was a spy for the White Tiger Guard and a core member about to be promoted to Golden Banner Officer. If she could form a marital tie with someone like "Dragon Tiger," it would be entirely beneficial and harmless to the White Tiger Guard.
Even if "Dragon Tiger" didn’t join the White Tiger Guard, if Lou Yuxue encountered danger in the future, could he possibly stand by and watch her die?
But it seemed this little trick had been seen through by "Dragon Tiger."
"I hope Lady Tiger doesn’t blame me for being a busybody.
"Yeah, it’s best if she knows nothing... I really don’t want to make an enemy of another Golden Banner Officer..."
General shook his head with a bitter smile. After calming down slightly, he took a secret missive from his chest pocket and began to read it. Upon it were clearly written a few lines:
[If he is unwilling, use the name ’Chen Yunfan’ to entice him.]
[If he is still unwilling, then this person cannot be used. I permit you to mobilize everything and kill him!]
General looked at those last two words with a helpless expression.
"Lord Pavilion Master, you say it so lightly, but do you know that ’Liu Wu’ can already fight those in the Upper Three Grades?
"And against ’Jackal’ Du Cang, no less..."
A reputation preceded a man like a shadow preceded a tree.
General considered himself to be merely on par with Du Cang. In a life-and-death struggle, it was hard to say who would win and who would lose. Coupled with the fact that on that night, "Liu Wu" not only killed Du Cang but also brought Xiao Wan’er back to the Xiao family completely unscathed. Adding those two feats together, General knew he was inferior. Even if he mobilized everything to kill "Liu Wu," he was afraid it would come at a grievous cost.
Fortunately, "Liu Wu" had agreed.
Thinking this, General stood up and made his way to the quiet chamber where Lou Yuxue was. Seeing her forcing a facade of calm, a smile appeared on his face.
"’Dragon Tiger’ was very satisfied. He took the money and left."
Lou Yuxue felt a wave of relief wash over her heart, but her face remained impassive. "Everything is up to your discretion, sir..."
...
Capital Prefecture.
In mid-September, the chill in the Northern Territory was much more pronounced than in the southern Shu State. As the fine, misty rain drifted down, it cast a dark sheen over the rows of blue-tiled roofs.
Only the Imperial City, with its red roofs, golden pillars, and exquisitely carved and painted beams, stood majestic and sweeping. Even in this dreary, rainy weather, it remained dazzlingly resplendent.
At this moment, within a study deep inside the Imperial City.
Mist curled up from the incense burner, filling the air with the rich scent of agarwood. Charcoal burned in the heating stove against the wall—smokeless, radiating steady waves of warmth.
Chen Xuanji, wearing a pale mask, sat upright before a Go board, holding a black piece between his fingers and hesitating to place it. Opposite him sat a middle-aged man dressed in dark brocade robes and wearing a Dragon Crown. He had a fair complexion and piercing eyes.
Stroking the beard at the corner of his mouth, the man spoke with a half-smile, "Xuanji, resign."
Chen Xuanji paused at his words, then firmly placed the black piece onto the board. "Your Majesty declares victory too soon."
The middle-aged man glanced at the board. His smile faded slightly as he shook his head.
"It’s always like this. Xuanji, with your level of skill in Go, I’m afraid you are close to breaking through to the Saint Realm, aren’t you?"
"I still need a bit more time."
"Heh. Break through as soon as possible. I am still waiting for you to decide for me whether that blade should swing south or strike north."
"Please be patient, Your Majesty. Within five years, I will ensure that your blade falls exactly where it should!"
From the corner of his eye, Chen Xuanji swept a glance toward the south. His gaze held neither sorrow nor joy, remaining completely tranquil.
He thought, "Qingzhou, let your father see what choice you will make."