Chapter 584 - 331: Reversed Moon Sword!
Chapter 584: Chapter 331: Reversed Moon Sword!
"The reason Du Cang and Yan Jingchen are considered equals in strength is actually because the Black Magic Secret Skill Du Cang cultivated is a Technique that specifically targets a Martial Artist’s ’God’.
"Ordinary Jianghu people have almost no chance of survival when they encounter him. The only exception is...
"Liu Wu is a freak."
Not just an exception, but a freak. General’s evaluation of Liu Wu also represented his apprehension toward the man. First, it was due to the Pavilion Master’s high regard for Liu Wu, and second, because Liu Wu’s recent life-and-death battles were truly eye-catching. General even suspected that Liu Wu was some old monster who hadn’t appeared in the world for a long time. Every time he made a move, he would use something new, rendering him completely fathomless.
Upon hearing this, Cui Qingwu felt a sense of sudden realization. She recalled the scene of her first encounter with Liu Wu—she had fought him and even emerged victorious. Compared to the current "Dragon Tiger", that encounter felt like an illusion. She wondered how, in such a short period, Liu Wu’s Cultivation could progress so rapidly. Or perhaps the person she initially met was not the same Liu Wu as now?
Cui Qingwu couldn’t figure out the reason, nor was she willing to believe in Liu Wu’s Martial Arts talent, so she had to drop the matter. Her remaining days in Shu State were numbered; she hoped she would have a chance to clarify this matter in time. Ignoring these thoughts, she moved past the brief interlude and straightforwardly asked about the identities of Liu Hong’s other accomplices.
"Sun Zhiguang of the Sun family... and others, as well as Zhu Hao’s younger brother, Zhu Lingchuan, who is Mr. Lingchuan of Guiyun Academy!"
Lou Yuxue blanked slightly. "He is also Liu Hong’s man?"
General hummed in affirmation. "Not only is he Liu Hong’s man, but he is also one of his strategists."
"Why... why would he be so close to Liu Hong? Logically, he should be helping Zhu Hao more."
"We’ll only know the answer to that after we capture and interrogate him."
"And what about Zhu Hao? He..."
Before Lou Yuxue could finish, General raised his hand and interrupted, "There’s no need to pay much attention to his side. He’s already a dead man."
To him, whether Liu Hong died or not was secondary, but Zhu Hao had to die.
"These are the people for now. Later, using the authority of the White Tiger Guard, I will have the Imprisonment Department cooperate. The two of you will take South Street as the boundary and act separately, one heading south and the other north."
"Understood."
Just as Chen Yi and Lou Yuxue thought the meeting was over, General continued. "There are two more things I need to remind you about."
"Please speak, my lord," Lou Yuxue said.
"The newly appointed Minister of War, Chen Xuanji, is about to inspect the Border Towns around the world. He will arrive in Shu State in a few days. By then, we need to purge the state of any riffraff."
Lou Yuxue opened her mouth to ask a question, but Cui Qingwu beat her to it. "Chen Xuanji? Uncle Chen returned from the Western Regions?"
General smiled and nodded. "It’s said he just returned three days ago. The Holy Emperor welcomed him personally and issued an edict at the court assembly, appointing Lord Chen as the Minister of War. The Pavilion Master specifically instructed us to ensure that Shu State remains stable for a while, lest we disturb that lord."
Cui Qingwu’s face revealed a hint of surprise, clearly not having expected this.
Lou Yuxue, on the other hand, thought of two other matters. She hesitated before saying, "My lord, this subordinate has a question, though I am unsure if I should ask."
General glanced at Cui Qingwu and chuckled softly. "You want to ask about the Chen family’s two young masters?"
"Yes... Chen Xuanji is now the Minister of War. If he learns of our schemes against his two nephews, wouldn’t we offend him?"
"Offend? What do you mean by offend?
"The White Tiger Guard is loyal only to the Holy Emperor. As for other courtiers... even the Nine Ministers are not allowed to interfere in our affairs.
"So what if we offend him?
"Does he really think the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family can stand against the White Tiger Guard?"
Hearing this, Lou Yuxue fell silent and tactfully closed her mouth. She had assumed that the Lord Pavilion Master had informed Chen Xuanji of the schemes against the two Chen family young masters. Now, it seemed things were far more complicated than she had thought.
Cui Qingwu had naturally realized this as well, but she didn’t care whether Chen Xuanji knew or not. Rather, she wanted to know what the White Tiger Guard—or the Holy Emperor—was truly plotting against Chen Yunfan. Previously, she had indeed hoped to help Chen Yunfan rise rapidly in rank to silence the wagging tongues in her family, which was why she joined the White Tiger Guard. But as of today, she increasingly felt that their scheme involving Chen Yunfan was far from simple. Under these circumstances, how could she dare to continue?
Seeing their silence, General waved his hand, gesturing for Cui Qingwu to leave first while keeping Lou Yuxue behind. Cui Qingwu looked at the two of them but didn’t pry, simply turning around and walking out of the tailor shop.
Once everything quieted down, the voices inside the tailor shop became faint, barely audible. Chen Yi turned his ear to listen for a moment, silently taking a few steps forward before he could finally hear the conversation.
"...forgive me."
"Since it’s the Pavilion Master’s instruction, there’s no need for you to act like this, my lord. It doesn’t matter if this subordinate waits a bit longer."
General chuckled a few times. "That is good.
"Chen Xuanji’s arrival is of great significance. The Three Towns Dingyuan Army, the Xiao family, and even Mengshui Pass should all be taking this seriously.
"Whether the White Tiger Guard’s years of planning in Shu State will bear fruit also rests on Chen Xuanji."
Lou Yuxue stared blankly. "Him?"
"The Lord Pavilion Master stated this in his secret letter. We only need to act according to orders for now; there is no need to ask too much."
"Understood."
General sized up Lou Yuxue, the smile on his face widening. "However, there is one thing I can tell you in advance.
"Although the Lord Pavilion Master asked you to temporarily remain in Shu State, he also mentioned his future arrangements for you.
"Jiangnan Prefecture."
Lou Yuxue’s body trembled, her pupils constricting slightly as she asked urgently, "My lord, regarding Jiangnan Prefecture..."
General raised a hand with a reassuring smile. "Rest assured, since the Lord Pavilion Master has said so, he must have arranged everything.
"Even if Jiangnan Prefecture already has one Jade Banner Officer and two Golden Banner Officers overseeing it, you don’t need to worry too much. You only need to take care of the affairs of the Bright Moon Building."
"Are you saying... the Pavilion Master has a way to make this subordinate an Elder of the Bright Moon Building in Jiangnan Prefecture?" Lou Yuxue asked hesitantly.
General shook his head slightly. "I don’t know." With that, he stood up. "You shouldn’t overthink it. Just wait for the Lord Pavilion Master’s orders."
"Understood..."
Not long after, General and Lou Yuxue departed separately, using the rainy night as cover to head straight for some of the noble families within the Prefecture City.
Chen Yi waited quietly in place until several lines of golden text floated before his eyes:
[Witnessed the Hidden Guard General and others receiving a secret letter. Reward: "Reversed Moon Sword" [Profound Tier], Opportunity +28.]
[Review: People arrived, voices were heard, but the scene was unseen...]
Upon reading this, Chen Yi finally let out a breath and quietly left the estate to return to the Xiao family. The night’s harvest was bountiful. The White Tiger Guard had already begun moving to apprehend Liu Hong’s accomplices, and it looked like the Jing State Liu Family was about to suffer a disaster. Mr. Lingchuan was indeed Liu Hong’s man, and before Xiao Jinghong could even interrogate him, the White Tiger Guard was going to take him down.
Furthermore, Chen Xuanji’s arrival in Shu State was deeply related to the White Tiger Guard’s schemes—even if General hadn’t explicitly said so. And lastly, Lou Yuxue was heading to Jiangnan Prefecture... Golden Banner Officer...
Thinking of this, a smile curled at the corners of Chen Yi’s mouth. It was a good thing Lady Tiger was leaving. At the very least, it indicated that the White Tiger Guard’s schemes in Shu State should be coming to a close. By then, as a live-in son-in-law, he would finally be able to enjoy some leisurely days.
Just as he was thinking this, Chen Yi paused mid-step. Another string of golden text flashed before his eyes:
[Daily Intelligence · Profound-rank Top Grade: At three quarters past Noon, Governor of Shu State Liu Hong will visit Duke Dingyuan Xiao Yuan. Reward: A small amount of Opportunity can be obtained.]
Hm?
Chen Yi’s brows furrowed instinctively as he gazed in the direction of the Governor’s Office. Liu Hong was going to see the old patriarch? Why? Especially right after his accomplices were being apprehended by the White Tiger Guard...
Various thoughts flashed through Chen Yi’s mind, only to be rejected one by one. He wondered, "Mutual destruction? A humble apology? Neither seems likely..."
Based on Chen Yi’s understanding of Liu Hong, sitting out waiting for doom was indeed not in his nature. It was just that with his Liu family members and accomplices either dead or captured, what could he possibly change by going out to see the old patriarch at a time like this?
DRIP DROP.
Rainwater pattered all around in the gloomy darkness, as if the night stretched endlessly into every corner. Meanwhile, on the chessboard in Chen Yi’s mind, Liu Hong and all the chess pieces connected to him were rising and falling.
After a long time, Chen Yi finally let out a heavy sigh, a hint of helplessness crossing his face. "As expected of someone who could climb to the position of Governor of Shu State. He truly has some courage."
There were not many choices left for Liu Hong. The old patriarch was in good health, his Cultivation had mostly recovered, and he had no fear of assassination by Liu Hong. At the same time, the Xiao family was already in an invincible position; there was no need for them to make a move against Liu Hong when they could just watch from the sidelines.
The old patriarch knew this well. Naturally, Liu Hong knew this too. Therefore, he only had one path left to take...