Chapter 155: Sudden and Unexpected Changes

Chapter 155: Hard Times

After writing another list, and with Liu Rong bringing back the herbs, Chen Yi sent Wang Ji and Zhang Bao back home.

Then he folded up the Xuanwu Subduing technique and leaned his ear to listen to the sounds around him.

Once he confirmed the area was filled with common folk, he slowly began a set of punches known as the Mountain-Crushing Fist.

Not for cultivation, but merely to loosen his tendons and bones.

Outside, the sky remained shrouded in dense clouds.

Yet the thunder and lightning had ceased, and the rain had lessened considerably.

In this not-too-large courtyard house, a steady series of dripping sounds echoed.

Some came from raindrops hitting the roof tiles, others from water pooling on the eaves dripping onto the stone slabs.

It added a certain liveliness to the surrounding quietude.

Chen Yi, however, paid them no heed, not even hearing the sounds as they seeped into his ears.

He continued punching the Mountain-Crushing Fist in the dimly lit room, his mind preoccupied with what came next.

The Liu family’s influence in Jingzhou was considerable.

Even the Xiao family, unafraid, would not easily engage in direct conflict with the Lius.

The same was true in reverse.

The Liu family, too, dared not openly confront the Xiao clan.

Just as when the Lius once sent someone who dared not brandish the Xinlin Hall banner, instead opening a Lotus Pavilion.

Their purpose was merely to test.

Not only to gauge the Xiao family’s standing, but also to probe the Liu Hong of Shu.

One overt, one covert.

Had it not been for Liu Jing seeking an audience, the Liu family’s test would have ended at the Lotus Pavilion, with no further developments.

But an end to testing did not mean no further steps.

Thus, the Bai Caotang must continue operating, and become a major ally to the Xiao family.

Yet on the surface, the Bai Caotang should only cooperate with the Xiao family within the prefecture city of Shu.

In other prefectures and counties, the Xiao family needed to remain hidden in the shadows.

“This matter Xiao Yan’er probably can’t handle alone; I suspect the Patriarch will get involved.”

Chen Yi deduced this much, realizing that Liu Jing’s influence over the Xiao family in Shu was limited to the left Imperial Censor Liu Hong alone.

After some thought, he decided to stick with his original plan: letting Yang Ye take the lead.

There might be some complications to navigate.

“As for those few hidden guards…”

As he pondered these matters, his spirit gradually relaxed, while his fists grew more fluid and powerful.

Having reached the pinnacle of martial arts, his Mountain-Crushing Fist and Hundred Flowers Palm had both been refined to mastery, their power far surpassing his earlier abilities.

Especially the Mountain-Crushing Fist.

Combined with the pinnacle of fist technique, each movement and form could press an opponent with sheer force.

Add to that his strong foundation, and his power reached the level of the Elephant Strength realm.

Any martial artist below his cultivation level couldn’t even block a single punch.

As for the Hundred Flowers Palm, it leaned toward agility, its techniques emphasizing flexibility and change.

A single palm strike could come from all directions, making it impossible to discern the true force.

Together, these two techniques were sufficient to face any martial artist below the third grade of the middle tier.

Even against those of the third grade of the high tier, he had a chance.

It was said that against martial artists of the sixth grade, he could still engage in battle.

Just like that night with Cui Qingwu.

Even when Cui was a level above him in the Dao realm, his cultivation was still a full level higher, allowing him to escape.

But if the opponent reached the fifth grade and had already mastered the Dao realm, he was no match.

At that moment, Chen Yi’s ears twitched.

He heard footsteps approaching from outside the door, loud and unhidden.

He immediately ceased his techniques, steadied his mind, and applied the Xuanwu Subduing Secret, suppressing the qi within his body.

Soon, the footsteps drew nearer.

In came Liu Rong, wearing a raincoat and conical hat, a long blade at his waist, and several bundles of herbs cradled in his arms.

He glanced at Chen Yi seated in the front, set the herb bundles down beside him, and bowed his head in salute:

“Met you again, Boss Chen.”

Chen Yi nodded slightly, waved his hand in invitation.

Liu Rong didn’t hesitate, sitting beside him with a smile:

“If you hadn’t come today, I’d have had to contact you through Wang the landlord.”

Chen Yi’s heart stirred slightly, asking: “Has there been any progress on that matter?”

“Progress… well, something like that.”

Then Liu Rong recounted, point by point, what had happened the previous night, to Chen Yi’s ears.

Including the “Paying the Flag, the Divine Buddha, and the Evil Spirits” in Shu, and that black-tooth fellow from the “Bright Moon Tower.”

From his words, the Bright Moon Tower resembled an intelligence network, not exactly upright in the martial world, nor simply categorized as demonic.

When he mentioned this, Liu Rong paused, a strange expression crossing his face:

“Originally, I planned to stage a full performance, having the black tooth recruit people to burn three towns. But I didn’t expect others to contact him, to set the three towns ablaze.”

“And the price was high. Though the black tooth didn’t specify, I guessed it must have been ten thousand taels of gold.”

Chen Yi frowned slightly, jotting down the black tooth and Bright Moon Tower, then asked: “When did this happen?”

“Probably last night.”

Last night… the hidden guards?

But could the hidden guards produce ten thousand taels of gold?

For gold ten thousand is roughly equivalent to a hundred thousand silver dollars.

An ordinary person couldn’t possibly come up with that.

Even binding Xiao Dongchen and Ge Lao San together wouldn’t yield that amount.

Unless Cui Qingwu had intervened.

But that doesn’t fit either.

The hidden guards are officials of the court, with their own procedures and resources.

Such covert matters as “burning the summer grain in three towns” should not be entrusted to others.

To know that this is Shu Zhou, the prefecture capital where the Xiao family dwells.

Even if Black Tooth works in secret, in such a place teeming with all manner of beasts and dragons, it would be impossible for him to conceal it from the Xiao family.

Thinking it over, Chen Yi still could not fathom how Yin Wei would engage in such matters through Black Tooth.

Perhaps there was someone else? Who might it be?

A major clan of Shu Zhou, or the Liu family of Jing Zhou?

At a loss for leads, Chen Yi finally spoke up, his voice low: "Who else is involved?"

Liu Lang bared his teeth in a sly smile: "Black Tooth invited me to join in on the deal."

"Hmm? You didn’t tell him about the scheme to burn the three cities?"

"Thank heavens I didn’t, or else he’d never have let slip so much information."

"You may be an evil sorcerer, but in matters of trade, he’s remarkably trustworthy. That’s why the Liu family hired him as an intermediary to bring me and the Huan Yin Sect into this."

After hearing this, Chen Yi mused, "So, did you agree to it?"

Liu Lang shook his head: "Until you give the word, I dare not wade into such murky waters."

"Keep in mind how perilous this business is. Whether it succeeds or fails, it’ll draw the ire of Xiao Jinghong. If she’s angry, I’ll be hunted to the ends of the earth."

Chen Yi felt a flicker of surprise. "She can leave Shu Zhou at will?"

"Ordinary generals can’t, but she…"

Liu Lang paused, his words trailing off. "Don’t ask me, I can’t say."

"If the chance arises, you should ask her yourself."

Chen Yi shot him a sharp glance. "I simply must know."

Liu Lang opened his mouth, his face twisted in bitter resignation: "It’s no use. You’ll have to use that demand of yours—I can’t say a word behind your back."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. Secrets still lingered beneath the lady’s composed exterior?

After a moment’s thought, he let Liu Lang off the hook and turned to speak: "Then you may agree to Black Tooth’s request—investigate who’s orchestrating this."

Liu Lang relaxed slightly, as though this sort of reckless scheme was less frightening than Xiao Jinghong’s wrath.

"Is this the second task?"

"Aye."

"And you recall I once swore to repay Xiao Jinghong’s debt of mercy?"

"Indeed, so you mean…"

When Liu Lang caught on, Chen Yi nodded: "Find a way to secretly inform the Xiao family."

"This becomes your third task."

To his surprise, Liu Lang shook his head: "One code, one code."

"If you deliver a message to the Xiao family, it won’t count toward your debt."

Chen Yi fell silent, a reluctant chuckle escaping him: "You’re principled, and honorable."

"Trust is the foundation of a person’s life. Though I’ve wandered these lands, doing all sorts of reckless things, I always keep my promises."

"Then consider it two tasks instead."

"Very well."

After that, Chen Yi inquired about other matters—specifically, which of the evil cults lurking in Shu Zhou might be involved.

"I’m new to Shu Zhou, so I don’t know the local factions well, but I’d say few evil cults dare linger here."

"Few?"

"Boss, you don’t understand? There are mountain clans in these parts."

Liu Lang scratched his head: "Don’t let that old Mountain Elder fool think he’s safe. Few dare to act openly under her watchful eye."

"Even the Huan Yin Sect, when they came to loot the Xiao family’s medicinal herbs, left in a hurry without staying long."

"So it’s only the scum of the lower streams who could hide here. The powerful cult leaders come, but they dare not act, lest they offend the Mountain Elder’s rules."

The Mountain Elder.

Chen Yi muttered the name several times, finally grasping her reputation for the first time.

No wonder the fierce little girl had poisoned Hou Du’s elite guard, and why the lady had only given her a light reprimand.

After considering it, Chen Yi gave Liu Lang further instructions, then sent him on his way.

After the man departed, Chen Yi waited a while longer, then changed out of his disguise, wiped away his makeup, and lifted his oil-paper umbrella to head back to the Xiao estate.

The rain fell in sudden bursts, the wind howled fiercely.

The stalls in the western market had long since emptied, and few passersby remained, though some shops along the street still had people inside—tailors, taverns, inns.

Chen Yi paid them little mind, merely checking the area around the tailor’s shop before vanishing into the rain.

On his way back, he kept thinking about Yin Wei and the mastermind behind the scheme to burn the three cities.

"Who could it be?"

It wasn’t until he reached Chun He Garden that he still hadn’t figured it out.

He could only entrust the matter to Liu Lang, hoping he’d uncover clues from Black Tooth.

At that moment, Xiao E came sprinting toward him, handing over the medicinal herbs while saying, "Master, you’ve finally returned. The young mistress has been asking for you three times over."

"Oh? What did she say?"

"She and the master have both had visitors come inquire about your whereabouts this afternoon."

Chen Yi understood. He brushed off his sleeves: "Tell them I’ve been ill—closed to visitors."

"Huh?"

"Just reply that way to the young mistress."

Clearly, some scholars from the academy had brought their grievances to the Xiao family.

But how could he refuse?

Countless students needed his annotations for their calligraphy practice scrolls—he’d be exhausted if he refused.

He’d thought Xiao E would return quickly, giving him time to eat and prepare for the evening.

Yet when he finally waited a while, not only did Xiao E return, but Xiao Wan Er followed suit.

Behind them, Ci'er and Juan'er brought some medicinal soups.

Dearest, have you heard that you're ill?

...

Xiao Die, what on earth did you say?

(End of Chapter)