Chapter 376: Dirty Heart

Chapter 376: Corrupted Heart

Osaka Castle lies to the south, along the bay's coast, in a secluded manor.

"Know the furnace, how has your second division's intelligence gathering fared? The thousand-household office's deadline for the case is not long, after all."

A man with a knotted net head leans against the manor's crimson wall, arms crossed over his chest, clad in plain martial attire, only a silver-threaded dragon emblazoned on his sleeve proclaims his status as the commander of the Brocade Guard.

"You've ordered a citywide lockdown and martial law—who among the phoenixes would dare show their face now? Besides, the master appears utterly unconcerned; why are you trembling?"

The respondent chuckles, giving a sideways glance toward the manor's interior.

"The lockdown order was executed only after the master's approval; if you have grievances, take them to the master—no need to whisper insinuations here with me."

The monitor replies with a cold face, hesitates a moment, then softens his tone.

"The two of us now stand on the edge of a precipice; countless eyes point and gossip from the shadows. You know this well. This is not the time for internecine strife. Our 'purge' is the first large-scale operation since our rise—if we fail to seize this chance and make a name for ourselves, how shall we ever hold footing within the hundred-households?"

The monitor's words strike at the very worry gnawing at Know-the-Furnace's heart.

Their ascent was not due to any remarkable merit, but merely to having ridden the three fires of the new hundred-household's appointment.

For a hundred-household to establish authority, the simplest and most effective method is to break the old hundred-household's cadre, promote and cultivate one's own confidants.

Within the 'one-up, one-down' shuffle, they sow discord, fragment potential power blocs, and in the reordering seize the dispatching authority.

Former small flags—Know-the-Furnace and the monitor—were the lucky beneficiaries of this process, while Huang Guan and Shi Yu were the pitiful sacrificial lambs.

Now, within the hundred-household, envy and resentment simmer, waiting to see them stumble; the number of onlookers is incalculable.

Thus, the monitor, whose first move in the opening chess piece has already gone awry, is frantic, yearning to achieve deeds that will solidify his position.

Know-the-Furnace, though pleased to watch his rival falter, also grasps the truth of 'when the lips are dead, the teeth are cold.'

Know-the-Furnace suppresses the contempt on his face, furrows his brow, and says, "Osaka, the premier city of the western Wok region, hosts a multitude of hidden phoenixes. Yet you know that many intelligence sources were built by Huang Guan himself; now he adopts a stance of 'no work, no reward,' and I have no good recourse."

"The same holds for the other sector; the subordinates of Shi Yu, one by one—"

The monitor abruptly cuts his words, cold light glinting in his eyes; from his sleeve a dragonfly-like creature takes flight, alighting on the eaves above their heads, its wings beating swiftly.

"Know-the-Furnace, I am a straightforward man; now I shall speak plainly—no matter the outcome of this 'purge,' I will not allow Shi Yu to remain in Osaka."

"I also think Huang Guan's presence hinders the second division's normal operation."

The two lock eyes and smile, each seeing the other's unmasked murderous intent.

"Since we all share such thoughts, the matter becomes easy to handle."

The monitor laughs, "Your intelligence minds are sharp—any clever ideas?"

"There are certainly plans; it depends on whether you dare to propose them."

"First, hear me out."

Know-the-Furnace, evidently having plotted ahead, replies without hesitation, "You weren't worried about failing the thousand-household's quota? Then we strike from here."

"Explain clearly."

Though Osaka's majority of agents were cultivated by Huang Guan, they are all 'no gain, no early' types. Now that Huang Guan has fallen from favor, they already scheme to change allegiance.

Despite being within the shielded chamber of the dragonfly, Know-the-Furnace still lowers his voice: "I have located a rank‑six phoenix's hideout; from what I know, he is a ferocious fellow, hard to subdue. Assign the task to the seventh rank, let Shi Yu lead his squad to capture him. In this erroneous intelligence, casualties are but the ordinary course."

The monitor's eyes flash bright; he muses, "What if Shi Yu survives?"

"Even if Shi Yu escapes this peril, the flawed report will tarnish my responsibility in the second division. Yet the informant who sold me this intel is one of Huang Guan's most trusted lines."

Know-the-Furnace narrows his eyes, "When I report to the hundred‑household master that Huang Guan harbors secret collusion with the phoenix, will he believe us?"

Before the monitor can answer, Know-the-Furnace presses, "If he believes, Huang Guan is doomed. If he does not, it means the higher powers are not yet ready to move against them; you and I need not rush to act."

"Thus, regardless of final success, we stand a great chance to eliminate one of them; the other, if sensible, will flee Osaka, and if not, we have ample means to coax him out."

Know-the-Furnace smiles coldly, "Even if fortune does not favor us, the result may be Shi Yu lives and Huang Guan walks free. Yet both their reputations will plunge to the abyss, and when we move to purge divisions one and two, there will be no obstacle."

Indeed, those who trade in intelligence possess truly corrupt hearts.

The monitor inwardly curses, his disgust and wariness for Know-the-Furnace deepening, yet his face erupts with astonishment and exhilaration.

"Then let us proceed as I said."

At that moment, the talisman ring on Know-the-Furnace's finger trembles.

A communication from within the Brocade Guard's network connects.

Know-the-Furnace's expression turns odd; he does not route the signal to the ear‑implant device, but, in front of the monitor, answers directly.

A beam of light projects, weaving a hook that forms Huang Guan's anxious, unsettled visage.

"Know-the-Furnace, where is the hundred‑household master now? I have critical news to report to him!"

Huang Guan cuts straight to the point, his tone rather imperious.

Know-the-Furnace replies, eyebrows knit together, "The master is presently receiving an important guest; you may convey the matter to me directly."

Huang Guan refuses, "No, this concerns something vital; I must present it personally to the master."

"Then you may wait."

Know-the-Furnace smirks coldly, raises his hand to cut the image.

"Hold on a moment."

Huang Guan's expression wavers; after a beat he grits his teeth and declares, "It is Shi Yu—he has defected!"

Beyond the screen, the monitor's lips curl upward in great delight.

Conversely, Know-the-Furnace's face darkens abruptly; this sudden twist upends his scheme, yet paradoxically hands the monitor a priceless boon.

"Are you certain?"

Huang Guan answers resolutely, "I am certain."

"Phoenix?"

"No, it is Inu‑yama."

The words trail off; Huang Guan's face bears a humble mien, his tone despondent: "Know-the-Furnace, you would not deny me even this final avenue, would you?"

Such humility, such pleading.

For countless years, Know-the-Furnace has never witnessed such submissiveness from Huang Guan.

Now, a surge of exhilaration and joy floods his heart, surpassing even the day he was proclaimed commander of the second division.

It was not a plan that faltered, but rather a double blessing arriving.

Know-the-Furnace smiles faintly, "The hundred‑household master is now in the southern outskirts"

His words are carried away by the night wind, crossing the crimson wall, threading through the imperial garden's Jiangnan-style rocks and foliage, until they vanish beyond the deepest courtyard.