Chapter 436: Zhai Muzhi

Chapter 436: Zhai Muzhi

"So it's Brother Xie." Zhao Changhe maintained an air of composure, affecting the aloofness befitting a superior like Wang Daozhong, and said coolly, "I've grown tired of the Central Plains and thought I'd travel around."

Though he used his inner energy to slightly alter his voice, the lack of practice was evident—it didn't quite sound like Wang Daozhong.

Fortunately, Xie Ruhai wasn't particularly close to Wang Daozhong; they'd only met a few times in earlier years, so the voice wasn't easy to distinguish. In truth, even to a close acquaintance, facial features might reveal differences, but the fact that he was mistaken on the street showed they weren't familiar.

Hearing Zhao Changhe's words, Xie Ruhai found it somewhat amusing. Word had it that this man had recently been captured, and it seemed he'd been released through some maneuvering. Naturally, he couldn't continue lingering under the noses of the Yang family and the Demon-Suppression Bureau; he'd either hole up in Langya or be "exiled" far away.

Now it appeared he was heading southwest.

Xie Ruhai chuckled, "Since Master Dao has come all this way, why not seek out Governor Zhai? Let us fulfill our duties as hosts."

Zhao Changhe thought to himself, who knows how close Zhai Muzhi and Wang Daozhong are? Only a fool would go. Besides, why would he want to stir up trouble? So he shook his head and said, "I have business in Miaojiang and don't wish to delay..."

He was about to utter some polite pleasantries, but then it struck him—why was he being courteous on Wang Daozhong's behalf? Wouldn't it be better to offend a few more people?

So he declared arrogantly, "Besides, Zhai Muzhi isn't worthy of my paying him a visit."

Beside him, Li Si'an wore an expression of utter disbelief, silently mourning for Wang Daozhong.

Wherever Zhao Changhe went, his own reputation for chivalry grew, his circle of friends expanded, while Wang Daozhong's name grew more tarnished, making enemies across both righteous and demonic paths. What kind of karma was this?

Xie Ruhai, on the other hand, found it perfectly normal. Top-tier aristocratic families had this kind of arrogance; even a random playboy might be more haughty than Wang Daozhong, let alone a man listed on the Earth Ranking. Unfazed, he said with a low laugh, "Then I won't disturb Master Dao's meal."

With a bow, he took his leave.

Zhao Changhe glanced at the restaurant nearby and said with a grimace, "Are we not going to be able to eat this meal?"

Li Si'an laughed, "Why do you say that?"

"If he reports to that Zhai Muzhi that Wang Daozhong is eating here, and Zhai actually comes to see him, won't we be exposed..."

Li Si'an chuckled, "If our information is correct, Zhai Muzhi has never met Wang Daozhong. They're from opposite ends of the country; without a connection, many people go their whole lives only knowing each other's names, never meeting in person. Do you think everyone roams the world like you do?"

"Huh? Aren't they about the same age, both from prominent families, both officials? Didn't they socialize when they were young?"

"Not everyone has met, especially in the isolated lands of Shu. Of course, our knowledge might not be complete; they could have private ties we don't know about." Li Si'an asked, "So, do you want to meet him? If you're investigating the mystery of the Sword Hut's disappearance, he might have some clues."

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment, then nodded.

The matter of the Sword Hut was too closely tied to Yue Hongling; if there was a chance to investigate, he had to try. At worst, they'd be exposed, and Li Si'an could just claim he was deceived by a stranger.

They entered the restaurant, ordered some wine and dishes casually, and had barely eaten a few bites when a commotion arose at the door. A hearty laugh rang out: "Brother Wang has come from afar—why not inform me, so I could welcome you properly? How distant of you."

Zhao Changhe keenly noticed that all the diners in the restaurant turned pale. Not a single one dared remain seated; they all stood up and retreated to the sides. The owner trembled uncontrollably.

This...

This wasn't the typical fear of an official; it was terror etched into their bones.

Even Li Si'an stood and bowed: "Greetings, Governor."

Zhai Muzhi nodded politely to Li Si'an: "Please, Fourth Master, be at ease."

He then sat down beside Zhao Changhe and said with a smile, "Brother Wang, how could you fancy such a humble establishment?"

Zhao Changhe looked at him.

He appeared to be a refined, elegant middle-aged man with a five-strand beard, handsome and charismatic—yet, against the backdrop of the scene, there was an undeniable chill.

Zhao Changhe leisurely nibbled on his appetizers without looking up: "Just passing through, leaving soon. When traveling, what's there to fuss about? You're busy with countless affairs, Brother Zhai; I wouldn't want to disturb you."

Zhai Muzhi seemed completely oblivious to the fact that Zhao Changhe had just said "Zhai Muzhi isn't worthy of my paying him a visit." He laughed heartily: "Since Brother Wang is here, no affair is worth a single hair of yours. Bring in the dishes!"

As he spoke, servants filed in from outside, carrying dishes in a steady stream.

Zhao Changhe was seated at a simple small square table; there was only room for a few dishes before it was full. The servants stood by, holding the remaining plates, steady as statues, not daring to move.

The dishes were mostly the kind that required countless rare birds to yield a single morsel of liver. Zhao Changhe recalled the desolation along the road.

The lives of aristocratic families and the suffering of the common people had always been two different worlds.

In truth, the Cui, Wang, Yang, and Tang families were likely no better, but they weren't so blatant—they didn't flaunt it. When Wang Zhaoling had once hosted the Hidden Dragon banquet, the dishes were fine, but they merely gave the impression of a wealthy household; they didn't seem excessive. Perhaps their family had moved beyond such nouveau riche displays.

But at their core, they weren't much different. The way Zhai Muzhi treated Wang Daozhong said it all—they were cut from the same cloth.

People like Fachi who followed Maitreya in rebellion—at least initially, not all were deceived. There was reason to rebel, and the Maitreya sect had its figures. The bandits and outlaws scattered across the land weren't necessarily born to be thieves. Xue Canghai had once built a stronghold in Wushan, his followers disciplined like an army, sharpening their blades—he was truly waiting for an opportunity.

How many others in the world were like Fachi and Xue Canghai?

Though Zhao Changhe respected Tang Wanzhuang's loyalty to the empire and her desire for peace, deep down he agreed with Zhuque Chichi's belief that rebellion was justified. He wished Tang Wanzhuang would retire to the countryside—a sentiment he'd never hidden from her, and she knew it. Perhaps that was why she hadn't truly given herself to him, and why she'd fled as soon as his wounds healed. That might be the real reason.

Oh, right—why hadn't he thought of that before? That must be the main reason, dammit...

These thoughts flashed through his mind as he maintained an air of worldliness, saying coolly, "Brother Zhai, you're putting me in a difficult position..."

Zhai Muzhi laughed, "Oh? Are you saying my hospitality is lacking?"

Zhao Changhe shook his head: "I'm heading to Miaojiang, where I'll have to endure hardship. If you spoil my palate, Brother Zhai, I might not want to leave."

Zhai Muzhi clapped his hands and laughed heartily: "Brother Wang worries too much. A man like you can never suffer hardship, no matter where you go."

"Oh?" Zhao Changhe said, "Brother Zhai must be quite familiar with Miaojiang. The Pacification Office there is under your jurisdiction, isn't it?"

"Not directly, not directly." Zhai Muzhi smiled. "But of course, if Brother Wang wishes to go, I can still be of some help."

Zhao Changhe deliberately asked, "I stirred up some trouble in Hongnong. Aren't you afraid of getting caught up in it, Brother Zhai?"

Though he spoke of the Hongnong affair, the essence was that the Wang family's rebellious intentions had been exposed. Why was Zhai Muzhi still being so warm? What was he after?

Zhai Muzhi seemed not to understand the implication, chuckling, "Every family has its sins. If you apologize to the Yang family later, Brother Wang, it might all blow over. The Wangs of Langya are an ironclad clan; who would truly hold a grudge against you?"

Zhao Changhe smiled faintly and raised his cup: "Then I'll ask Brother Zhai to mediate when the time comes."

"Of course, of course." Zhai Muzhi clinked cups with him and asked, "Brother Wang, what business do you have in Miaojiang? Is there anything I can help with?"

"I just want to get to know the southwestern Tusi and see if I can expand the family's trade. If you could make some introductions, Brother Zhai, that would be perfect."

"Easy." Zhai Muzhi handed over a token: "Take my token to the southwestern Pacification Office, and they'll show you some respect."

Zhao Changhe took the token and said with a smile, "I, Wang Daozhong, will remember this favor, Brother Zhai. If you ever come to Langya, I'll do my utmost to repay your hospitality."

Li Si'an nearly spat out his wine.

Then Zhao Changhe shifted the conversation, as if casually asking, "By the way, on my way here, I passed by Bashan and wanted to visit Shi Wuding, but I found the Sword Hut empty. What's going on?"

"We're investigating that too. The Sword Hut somehow emptied out silently, leaving the whole of Ba-Shu stunned. No one knows what happened." Zhai Muzhi laughed. "Actually, it's not unusual. If they discovered some excellent secret realm as a new sect base, moving the entire sect would be normal. If, after some time, Sword Hut disciples reappear in the martial world, the truth will come out. It's not worth spending much effort on."

Zhao Changhe fell into thought.

The Sword Hut had many members. If they truly moved the entire sect, the commotion would be considerable. For such a powerful force to relocate on a large scale, the governor of Shu Commandery couldn't possibly have been unaware—especially since many of his people were said to be unregistered disciples of the Sword Hut. Would they be so indifferent to their master sect's movements?

Zhai Muzhi's explanation was clearly covering for the Sword Hut.

Perhaps the reason the Sword Hut vanished so silently, with even the Demon-Suppression Bureau receiving news so belatedly, was that officialdom had been shielding them.

If so, the relocation might indeed have nothing to do with Yue Hongling. On the contrary, Yue Hongling stumbled upon some anomaly after their move and was targeted for elimination—hence the fight.

Could it be that it wasn't the Listening Snow Pavilion after all?

How had things become so complicated?