Chapter 114: Putting on an Act

Chapter114: The Acting Duel

Crack.

A sole black boot sank into a cesspit, sending up a spray of murky droplets.

Footsteps reverberated through the silent lane, startling the creatures that made their homes here.

Amidst a susurrus of stirring, a feral cat, scarred yet remarkably hulking, bared its fangs and vaulted over the head of a scavenging beggar.

Man and cat raised their eyes almost in unison, fixing them on the uninvited guest.

In this age, any man daring to don military garb and wear a long saber was not someone to be trifled with.

The beggar understood this was no mark for robbery; the wild cat, naturally, would find no supper here.

In silent accord, both man and beast averted their gazes, scrambling on all fours across the greasy, reeking ground to flee.

The movements were ungainly, the speed astonishing.

Beneath the night’s veil, the line between man and beast had all but vanished.

If Chengdu County were a vigorous, living body of flesh, the main streets would be the arteries sustaining life; these filthy, cramped alleys were capillaries clogged with thrombi.

The network was a labyrinth, its sole purpose to conceal filth and maintain the city’s veneer of prosperity.

Bluntly put, this was a barbarous zone beneath the law, perfectly suited for murder.

And equally suited for being murdered.

"Why choose a dump like this for a meeting?"

At the lane’s end, a mountain of flesh blocked the path.

Yu Kou hitched his robes with both hands, terrified of brushing against the surrounding filth.

For this high-born Daoist Master, even the occasional visit to a chain academy to peddle 'courses' to mundane fools greedy for immortality was the height of hardship.

Even clad in that Flying Fish uniform, he had never imagined setting foot in such a place.

Moonlight pierced through the slit of sky above the lane, shredding the darkness to reveal Li Jun’s angular face.

"My Lord, this lowly one was forced to choose this place."

"Now that Gu Yong is dead, Shu Dao Logistics is a dragon without a head. Countless eyes, open and hidden, watch me, seeking leverage to drag me under. It took every wit I have to arrange this meeting. I beg your forgiveness."

Yu Kou sneered. "Carousing in the Teaching Workshop counts as using your wits? I heard you nearly broke the head courtesan."

"Feigning incompetence to hide my tracks. Such petty tricks could never escape your discerning eye."

Faced with Li Jun’s clumsy flattery, Yu Kou chuckled, waving a hand before his nose.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard Chief Banner didn't linger on trifles. "Did you bring what I asked for?"

"If I hadn't, I wouldn't dare disturb you."

Li Jun produced an electronic dossier detailing the Gu family’s bribes from his robe and handed it over.

"It records every rare curio Shu Dao Logistics has handled since the recommendation process began. Most were tribute for Feng Huang, Keeper of Seals at the Ministry of Personnel’s Office of Merit Evaluation."

Yu Kou scanned the dossier, then sneered. "Lord Feng’s rank is modest, but his taste is exquisite. None of these can be found on the open market."

Li Jun strained his ears. The lane remained deathly silent.

They aren't here yet? He needed to stall.

Li Jun plastered on a fawning smile. "My Lord, one thing puzzles me. The Gu are a Tier Three Confucian aristocratic clan. Can this really topple them?"

"That depends on who wields the blade."

Yu Kou’s expression turned inscrutable. He shook the dossier. "If we Embroidered Uniform Guards submit it, it won't cause a ripple."

"But if Confucians wield it themselves? It becomes a razor-sharp knife."

"Court positions are finite—one radish per hole. Some radishes wither waiting for a hole. To plant your own, you must uproot another. This dossier is the perfect lever."

"Now, during the recommendation, everyone knows the rules, but they’re unspeakable. Expose them, and you become a target for all."

In the gloom, Yu Kou’s voice was a specter’s whisper, cold and penetrating.

"A man lives for face, a tree for bark. Reputation is priceless to these hypocrites."

"On the day of the formal recommendation, Wu Gong will produce this before everyone. The Gu will become a pile of dog shit. Tell me, how will Gu Xi respond?"

Li Jun mused. "The Wu use this trick; the Gu can too. Everyone flings muck, everyone stinks. End of story?"

"The first move is a masterstroke—accusation. The second is a blunder—retaliation."

Yu Kou looked smug. "The Gu won't have time to retaliate before the recommendation is sealed. Believe me?"

"I believe you, My Lord. However—"

Li Jun hesitated. "Won't the Daoist sects come for us if we destroy the Gu?"

Yu Kou narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing—whether moonlight or inner light, none could tell.

"You’ve been learning a lot lately."

Li Jun told him everything. "Gu Xi summoned me recently. He told me himself."

"He values you highly."

Yu Kou’s eyes burned. He flipped his hem, revealing the Flying Fish uniform beneath his brocade robe.

"I am first the Chief Banner of the Chengdu Embroidered Uniform Guard, second a Daoist retainer of the Qingcheng Group. Loyalty to the court is my duty. Let the Daoists be angry."

Loyal my ass. If Wei Ju'an, Chief Banner of Baoning, hadn't given me your file, you’d have fooled me.

Li Jun played along. "Your loyal heart mirrors the sun and moon, My Lord."

"Enough flattery." Yu Kou waved a hand. "Don't worry. The Gu falling just means the Qingcheng Group swaps one tool for another."

"When a tool breaks or disobeys, it’s replaced. They’ll be delighted."

Li Jun’s heart turned cold. The 'they' Yu Kou spoke of—surely the shareholders of his faction.

"But you," Yu Kou fixed him with a stare. "You killed Wu Jinfeng, then the 'Three Stripes' of the Chuan-Yu Gambling Meet. You’ve made a blood enemy of the Wu. Aren't you afraid?"

"Terrified. I’ve been jumping at shadows for weeks."

Li Jun looked abject. "So I beg you, My Lord, show me a way out."

"A way exists," Yu Kou clasped his hands over his vast belly. "If you dare walk it."

"The Wu saber is at my throat! If there's a road, I'll run!"

"Good. When the Gu and Wu clash, hide in my academy. It’s Qingcheng property; the Wu won't dare move there."

The words barely left his mouth when rustling footsteps sounded in the lane.

Faint, yet to their ears, it thundered.

"You got a tail?"

"How should I know!"

Yu Kou’s face went iron-gray. His gaze knifed across Li Jun’s face.

He found only blank terror.

It didn't look feigned.