Chapter 303: Afternoon

Chapter 303: Wei Shi

"You can rest assured, Xie Ge. Although this Feng Cheng Jian Yuan still has some standing within San Chuan Heavy Industries, our Jin Zhou Cheng Hu Suo is no pushover either. I'll definitely suppress the news about Lian Liu Yuan for you!"

Shan Xiao spoke, his eyes fixed on the object before him on the desk.

Upon the desk lay a grotesque, charred mechanical head, its surface blackened by fire.

The ruined eyes, left bare without eyelids, bulged in fury, making his scalp tingle with dread.

"However, Xie Ge, we are all in the intelligence trade, so you understand some difficulties. The commotion from this matter has grown too large; sealing the information is proving difficult."

Perhaps sensing the evasive tone in his words, Shan Xiao quickly added,

"Of course, this is certainly not our Quan Shan Cheng Hu Suo's responsibility. Feng Cheng Jian Yuan sought his own death. That blind fool dared to provide protection for Gong Qing Hong. When I find him, I'll crush his mechanical body!"

"Xie Ge, this news can't be suppressed for long. At most one or two hours, and San Chuan Heavy Industries will come knocking. By then, even these foolish Wa people will sense something amiss."

"Ah, fine, fine, I'll do my best to delay. Just don't blame me, you and that gentleman."

"Then be careful on your way, drive slowly."

After the transmission ended, Shan Xiao finally exhaled, his face still pale as he touched his neck.

*Pa.*

He suddenly slapped his own cheek, the sharp sound echoing in the empty office.

"Shan Xiao, Shan Xiao, you've truly lost your mind. How could you go mad and compete with those lunatics from Quan Shan Cheng for credit? Fortunately, you realized in time, or you might have shared the same fate as this Feng Cheng Jian Yuan."

Shan Xiao sighed, gazing at the head on the desk, murmuring,

"A great warrior of the Six Tigers, forging his sword technique like a thousand days under a hammer, hailed as the most promising young genius of the Feng Cheng family to ascend to the fifth rank of military order. Yet, in a state of mechanical heart overlock, he was beheaded by a single blade. Truly unbelievable."

"Who was that sudden Jin Yi Wei who appeared in Quan Shan Cheng? By all accounts, someone with such ferocity couldn't be a nobody. Yet why didn't we hear a whisper of this personnel shift in our other Hu Suo?"

Shan Xiao lay in a wicker chair, hands clasped beneath his nostrils, eyes downcast, his expression troubled.

Though the Jin Yi Wei of the nine cities in the Wa region operated independently, this land of poor mountains and foul waters was small enough that walls had ears everywhere. Important news was hard to conceal.

Especially such personnel changes—even if the receiving Hu Suo kept silent, the general headquarters of the Qian Hu Suo would usually leak some rumors.

Yet this time, he not only failed to learn of the ferocious warrior who had come to Quan Shan Cheng.

He still hadn't figured out why Xie Bi An had launched a surprise attack on Jin Zhou Cheng to capture a member of Hong Hu.

For a chief like Shan Xiao, this wasn't just negligence—it could cost him his life!

"Could it be... he's from Chongqing Fu?"

In his contemplation, a thunderclap struck Shan Xiao's heart, and he sprang upright from his chair.

"Perhaps that's the only possibility."

The more he thought, the more certain he became.

The incident in Chongqing Fu had caused quite a stir across the empire's southwest.

Though the Bei Zhen Fu Si had sealed the truth of the case and issued strict orders forbidding Jin Yi Wei from discussing it in private,

rumors—true or false—still spread like wildfire through the Jin Yi Wei system.

Though one couldn't reconstruct the full details from fragments, Shan Xiao knew one thing: the Jin Yi Wei who had driven Qin Wang to death hadn't perished!

Moreover, it was said that this Jin Yi Wei was precisely a warrior of the Wu Xu.

"Damn it, no wonder Kui Niu looked like a man who'd lost his wife after returning. I thought he feared Fan Wu Jue, but it seems this brat had already guessed his identity."

Shan Xiao now paced like an ant on a hot pan, agitated within the room.

"That man is a vengeful sort, daring enough to kill even the empire's feudal lords. What chance do I, a mere chief, stand? Besides, Jin Zhou and Quan Shan are not far apart. There will be future dealings. If he harbors resentment, how will I fare?"

"No, I must find a way to salvage my reputation."

Just as Shan Xiao hesitated over whether to pull out his own resources to apologize to Li Jun, a hurried knocking sounded at his ear.

"What's the knocking for? Speak if you have business!" Shan Xiao barked impatiently.

"Chief, it's bad. A crowd from San Chuan Heavy Industries has gathered at the Hu Suo gates. Leading them is Feng Cheng Xiu Luan, the head of San Chuan in Jin Zhou, demanding an explanation."

"An explanation? Let them seek the Bai Hu Daren. I have no explanation to give them here!"

Shan Xiao, distracted, hadn't listened to his subordinate's report, and dismissed him with a sharp retort.

Yet the moment the words left his mouth, his heart lurched. His figure darted forward, yanking open the door.

The Jin Yi Wei outside was startled by Shan Xiao's glowing eyes, instinctively stepping back. "What's wrong with you, sir?"

Shan Xiao, disregarding his dignity, urgently asked, "Is it Feng Cheng Xiu Luan from San Chuan?"

"Yes, yes." The Jin Yi Wei nodded.

A smile slowly curved Shan Xiao's lips. "And he brought many men?"

"Ah, yes."

"With a fierce demeanor?"

The Jin Yi Wei paused, then said hesitantly, "Not exactly, but he does seem angry."

"Then this is no friendly visit!"

Shan Xiao chuckled, patting the other's shoulder, "Notify the brothers, ready the weapons, prepare to quell the rebellion!"

"Ah?"

"What 'ah'? They dare surround the Jin Yi Wei Hu Suo—Feng Cheng Xiu Luan isn't plotting rebellion?"

Shan Xiao reached into the room and drew a Xiu Chun Dao. "You go notify them. I'll see what this Wa man wants from our Hu Suo!"

With that, he left the stunned Jin Yi Wei behind, rushing downstairs with eager steps.

His bearing seemed less like seeking an explanation than a starving hyena catching the scent of fresh flesh.

When Shan Xiao reached the Hu Suo gates, he was delighted by the scene before him.

San Chuan Heavy Industries truly dared to come knocking—this was like falling asleep only to have someone hand him a pillow.

Feng Cheng Xiu Luan, you are indeed my Shan Xiao's benefactor!

How could I fail to perform a heart-wrenching plea of innocence to honor my alias, "Old man becomes a demon, monkey becomes Shan Xiao"?

Recalling this, Shan Xiao shoved aside the Jin Yi Wei blocking his path, standing atop the steps, gazing down at the dense crowd below.

"Feng Cheng Xiu Luan, you dare bring men to surround the Jin Yi Wei Hu Suo. Are you seeking death? If so, speak now—I'll grant it immediately!"

*Zheng!*

The Xiu Chun Dao left its sheath, its icy gleam radiating lethal intent.

At the forefront of the crowd, Feng Cheng Xiu Luan had worn a calm smile when he first saw Shan Xiao appear. With the deep-set eyes and tall frame uncommon among Wa people, his presence was strikingly distinguished, a rare natural beauty.

Yet he hadn't anticipated that Shan Xiao, with whom he'd once maintained decent relations, would draw his blade so unhesitatingly.

Moreover, seeing the other's eager expression, he feared the next moment would bring a lunge to sever his head.

Feng Cheng Xiu Luan's smile stiffened. He quickly spoke to explain, "Shan Xiao, Chief, I came with no such intent."

"Yet you dare claim you're not plotting rebellion?"

Shan Xiao sneered. "Then what do you mean by bringing so many men?"

What's wrong with this man today? Why the hell isn't he playing by the rules?

Though Toyotomi Hideyoshi was puzzled, he sensed something amiss and immediately abandoned the harsh words he had prepared, instead speaking in a low voice:

"These are the family members of our Sanshō Heavy Industries employees. Today, their relatives were seized without cause by your household at Kōroku-en, and there was reportedly a fierce gunfight on the scene. They are deeply concerned, which is why they followed me here to inquire about the truth."

Shan Xiao had already realized these people were not Sanshō Heavy Industries' armed personnel, yet he had no intention of giving them face, shouting angrily:

"Toyotomi Hideyoshi, have you lost your mind? Do you understand where you are? This is a Jinyiwei yamen, not the garrison office of the Xuanwei Si!"

"Of course we have our reasons for arresting people. Do we need to explain ourselves to you?"

Shan Xiao's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing, "And do you not know what happened? In this city of Kanazawa, Sanshō Heavy Industries reigns supreme. Any disturbance, you know it before we do."

"Toyotomi Hideyoshi, I advise you not to use these women and children as shields. We are all reasonable people; don't play such disgraceful games."

Seeing the other's unusually firm attitude and the fact that he had publicly broken their tacit understanding, Toyotomi Hideyoshi furrowed his brow and after a moment's thought, waved his hand toward those behind him.

"All of you step back. I won't renege on what I promised you."

The silent crowd seemed to move slowly, but their feet were swift, scattering completely in the blink of an eye.

In truth, they had never wanted to come, nor dared to come to the Jinyiwei yamen.

What they cared most about wasn't the life or death of their family members detained by the Jinyiwei, but whether their family's position at Sanshō Heavy Industries could be preserved.

Now that Toyotomi Hideyoshi had spoken, they naturally dared not linger any longer.

In the blink of an eye, only Toyotomi Hideyoshi remained alone before the gates of the Jinyiwei yamen in Kanazawa.

His handsome face was clouded, no longer concerned with the other's dignity, he spoke coldly: "Shan Xiao, I've prepared a way out for you. Do you not intend to take it?"

Clang!

A cold blade flashed downward.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi stood motionless, calmly watching the embroidered spring dagger planted before his toes.

"Toyotomi Hideyoshi, I'll tell you the truth. Your Sanshō Heavy Industries has committed a grave offense this time. Not holding others accountable is already an act of mercy."

Shan Xiao lifted his head proudly, his expression haughty, slowly descending the steps until he stood before Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

"If you don't know what's good for you, I can have you thrown into the Imperial Prison right now! A hundred years, a thousand years, I'll make sure you get your fill."

"What grave offense? Why have I never heard this was a grave offense before?"

Toyotomi Hideyoshi frowned, letting out a cold snort: "We of Sanshō Heavy Industries have sent so many to earn merit for you. Now, because of one minor hawk, you turn your back on us?"

"It seems you don't know the truth either, Toyotomi Ken'en even kept it from you?"

"What truth?"

Shan Xiao sneered, leaning forward, close to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's ear, "Toyotomi Ken'en helped someone he shouldn't have, and offended someone he shouldn't have. That's why he must die this time."

"Ken'en is dead?! His head was severed with a single blade, clean and swift!"

Without giving the other a chance to speak, Shan Xiao reached out and patted Toyotomi Hideyoshi's shoulder, "As for the rest, you needn't ask. Even what I just told you, you'd best sleep on it tonight. By this time tomorrow, I can have the surviving Sanshō Heavy Industries employees sent back to you."

"But if you report this to your superiors now," Shan Xiao cut off the words, smiling without smiling at him.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi asked coldly, "If I report it immediately, will you kill them?"

"They're all skilled fighters, eighth or ninth rank. It's not easy to train one. To die here in this small yamen is truly a waste." Shan Xiao sighed lightly, "But unfortunately, their crime is suspected treason. According to the Great Ming Code, there's only one path—death."

"Shan Xiao, must you be so ruthless?"

Shan Xiao shrugged, "I can give them a chance to reform, but it depends on how you perform."

"To tear each other apart, we can no longer be friends!" Toyotomi Hideyoshi growled, his voice low.

"Is friendship more important, or your own life?"

Shan Xiao sneered, "I'm just a petty man, my eyelids too shallow to see beyond myself. But Toyotomi Hideyoshi, you're truly clever. I believe you won't tear apart with the Jinyiwei over a Toyotomi Ken'en, will you?"

Toyotomi Hideyoshi remained silent, only giving the other a deep look before turning resolutely to leave.

"Hey, wait."

Hearing the low call behind him, Toyotomi Hideyoshi turned back, his face dark, unsure of the meaning.

The next moment, a fist grew larger in his vision!

Bang!

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was struck back, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Shan Xiao.

The latter left only a graceful back view, picking up his steps as he ascended.

At the main gate of the yamen, Shan Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, proud and aloof, brushing shoulders with the late-arriving Kūniú, whose face was etched with regret.

In the underground torture chamber of the Senkō-in, in Edo Castle.

Zheng Kui entered again, looking at the figure curled within the blue electric light.

The synthetic skin on Guiwang Da's entire body had been burned away, revealing a dark mechanical body. His artificial eye's pupil was out of focus, clearly severely damaged.

"Guiwang Da, do you confess or not?"

Zheng Kui cautiously stood a zhang away, shouting loudly.

A head hanging from the table slowly lifted, revealing a terrifying skeletal face.

Guiwang Da's exposed teeth parted slightly. His vocal cords had been burned away, so he could only speak using the still-functioning voice mechanism within his body.

"I..."

Zheng Kui's expression brightened, "What did you say? Speak louder!"

"I said..."

Guiwang Da's hunched body suddenly straightened, and the electric arcs on his body instantly thickened, binding him tightly to the chair.

A cacophony of crackling sounds accompanied Guiwang Da's furious roar!

"Wait till I get out, I'll kill you first!"

Seeing the demonic mechanical body, Zheng Kui instinctively stepped back, his face darkening abruptly.

"You still want to die hard? I tell you, Senkō-in has just received news that Xie Bi'an, the head of the Kōroku-en Jinyiwei yamen, died in the pursuit of the hawk!"

"What the hell are you saying?! Say it again!"

The dark mechanical body, despite the lightning coursing over it, actually managed to rise an inch, its aura terrifying beyond measure.

This time, Zheng Kui no longer showed fear or cowardice, instead revealing a grim smile of relief, "Say it again, what can you do? Xie Bi'an is dead! Killed by you, Guiwang Da!"

The mechanical eye turned blood-red, casting the entire chamber in a bloody hue.

"It's Lu Chengjiang, it must be him! I won't let you go!"

The roar echoed, chilling to the bone.

"Guiwang Da, I tell you, if you confess now, the Lord of Senkō-in can send someone to support you, and your subordinates might still live."

The courage Zheng Kui had just mustered was scattered again by fear, he edged closer to the door.

"If you continue to resist, the next to die will be Fan Wuju!"

Having said this, Zheng Kui dared not look at the other again, quickly pushing the door open and exiting.

Outside, Lu Chengjiang's face was dark as ink, his expression grim beyond measure.

"Zheng Kui, you are nothing but a wretch—could even a prisoner reduce you to such a trembling husk?!"