Chapter 157: Tigress, Conspiring!

Chapter 157: The She-Tiger, the Conspiracy!

Who was the other one?

Looking at her figure, she seemed to be a woman, yet different from the previously confirmed hidden guard Cui Qingwu and Huan Er.

Could it be the hidden guard who had been hiding in the Fireworks Lane?

The one who had helped Ge Lao San escape from Hou Courtyard?

There was some possibility, after all.

As he pondered, Chen Yi slightly crouched his posture and held his breath, avoiding detection.

In the next moment, Ge Lao San stepped forward and knocked on the door, his hoarse voice calling out, "The shopkeeper, I’m here to collect the clothes."

"The shop is closed for the night. Come back tomorrow."

"Tomorrow I have urgent business and need those formal clothes. Please…"

His voice trailed off, and then there came a series of knocks on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Two long, two short, rhythmically repeated twice.

On this stormy night, the sound carried clearly for dozens of li.

Chen Yi naturally heard it clearly, but he was more concerned about the identity of the slightly frail figure beside Ge Lao San.

After a brief conversation, the tailor shop’s door opened, and the two men entered.

With a faintly dissatisfied sound from within, the slender woman spoke:

"The shopkeeper, forgive the intrusion."

Her voice was clear and melodious, with a touch of ethereality, like a nightingale.

Very pleasant to hear.

Chen Yi confirmed he had never heard that voice before; it was evident she had not appeared before him.

Soon, after a few polite exchanges, the tailor shop owner asked them to wait a moment and then sealed the door.

The sounds inside dropped to a whisper.

Only intermittent, mosquito-like murmurs remained.

"Your servant… She-Tiger Lord…"

She-Tiger?

It was her.

The She-Tiger Xiao Dongren and Ge Lao San had discussed earlier.

Chen Yi furrowed his brow slightly.

He had assumed the She-Tiger would be Cui Qingwu, but now it seemed someone else.

Yet upon careful thought, his earlier guess did not hold up.

Clearly.

Ge Lao San and Xiao Dongren had been hiding in Shu Zhou for years, so the She-Tiger must also be there.

Cui Qingwu and Huan Er had only recently arrived in Shu Zhou, and they had come with the banner of the Cui family of Qinghe clearly displayed. Their travel route and trajectory were unmistakable.

Perhaps, that night at Fengchun Lou, it was not Xiao Dongren who contacted Cui Qingwu.

Perhaps… perhaps Cui Qingwu had approached Xiao Dongren of her own accord.

As he mused on these things, Chen Yi carefully shifted his position, inching closer to the tailor shop.

Subtly, he heard Ge Lao San’s voice: "I don’t understand why you want to contact the Gray Wolf."

"That madman plans to burn the summer grain in the three cities. I’ve been troubled by this."

"Because Xiao Yuan and Xiao Jinghong have noticed the unusual activity in Shu Zhou. Building an embankment is a preemptive measure."

The She-Tiger’s voice was much smaller than Ge Lao San’s.

Yet her vocal qualities, to Chen Yi’s ears, were clearer.

"Plus, recently, the Liu family’s actions have heightened the Xiao family’s wariness."

"If we don’t disrupt the Xiao family now, once the embankment is built and their troops and the Dingwu Army’s morale stabilize, Shu Zhou will become a stagnant pond of death."

"At that time, it would be impossible for us to complete the Lord’s plans, like climbing to the heavens."

Ge Lao San paused, muttering listlessly: "But I always feel the Gray Wolf has too many private motives."

She-Tiger: "Having private motives isn’t bad. As long as his goals align with ours, we can let him."

"So you agree to the plan to burn the summer grain?"

"Not just us. Others have already found Black Tooth, offering three hundred thousand gold for the burning of the three cities."

"Black Tooth? Three hundred thousand?"

"This—this… how could such barbarians and demons accomplish it?"

Upon hearing this, not only Ge Lao San but also Chen Yi’s eyes flickered with surprise.

What Liu Lang had mentioned as over ten thousand taels, they couldn’t imagine it would reach three hundred thousand.

This sum could sustain a commoner family for a year.

Even as private soldiers, it could support five thousand elite troops for a year.

How many people in Shu Zhou could muster such funds?

At that moment, Ge Lao San asked: "Who exactly is behind this? Why are they so bold in approaching Black Tooth?"

"If Black Tooth’s side leaks the word, the Xiao family will soon find out, and we won’t be able to act."

She-Tiger replied: "I don’t know either; even Black Tooth doesn’t know."

"But he said the person is ruthless, with strength at least above middle-third grade."

Ge Lao San: "Hah, in Shu Zhou, those who dare act against the Xiao family are all ruthless and fierce."

"But this time is tricky. Black Tooth may have credibility, but those he recruits might not."

She-Tiger hummed: "Think carefully whether you want to help the Gray Wolf."

"He found you because he’s interested in the iron-flag officers hidden in the army."

"If you decide to help him, no matter the outcome, all those iron-flag officers must die."

Upon hearing this, Ge Lao San cursed under his breath.

After a moment of silence, he spoke: "Fine, I’ll help."

"But I’m worried Black Tooth might leak the plan. Do you have any solutions?"

"Simple. Let your man handle the matter from here. Thirty thousand taels of gold in hand, it will only benefit our next steps."

"…No wonder you reached out so readily. It was all for that ill-gotten gain."

"Success or failure?"

"Success! You spoke, so I, not a wolf, will risk my life as a she-tiger for you!" Chen Yi's expression turned slightly strange upon hearing this.

Could the hidden guard still be short on silver?

A grand deception, yet should not the court be the one to fund their operations?

The court should not treat the hidden guard as they did the Qingyuan Army.

After a moment of contemplation.

Chen Yi grew even more curious about the she-tiger's identity and mission.

In that instant, she asked, "How goes it on your end? I hear the little sparrow has caused quite a stir these days."

Ge Lao San paused, speaking with a hint of self-satisfaction: "All is under control."

"Originally, he refused to go to Fei Yun Academy. I subtly persuaded him, and he acquiesced."

"Now that he's caused a commotion at Fei Yun Academy, it's clear he's still that little sparrow, unlikely ever to live in peace."

"Is that so?"

"Of course…"

Chen Yi sneered inwardly, having come to understand Ge Lao San's true nature.

Though he had done nothing, he took credit for all the accomplishments.

"Then excellent. Tomorrow, pass these matters to General Jin and the Master, and after their reply, we shall proceed as planned."

"Very well."

A pause in the conversation.

Just as Chen Yi thought they were about to leave the tailor shop, Ge Lao San asked:

"Do you know that Lüfen has arrived in Shu Zhou?"

"Yes, I've heard."

"I assumed she came on her own, but in fact, she was sent by the Master's special edict."

"When the Gray Wolf saw her white tiger seal, he nearly dropped to his knees in submission."

The she-tiger looked surprised: "She voluntarily displayed the white tiger seal?"

Ge Lao San lowered his voice: "At least, that's what the Gray Wolf claimed. To obey her command, Lüfen agreed to a certain task."

"That is, framing Xiao Yang for the death of Liu Jing."

"The she-tiger: "Oh? No wonder Shu Zhou has been unsettled lately. There's more to this than meets the eye."

Ge Lao San: "Alas, she failed. In the process, she was slain by a blade, and it seems someone knows our hidden guard's identity."

"When I first heard, I thought it was the Miao girl, but it turned out to be a man. It seems he's not from the Xiao family. Perhaps he's a spy from Nanhu or the Barbarians."

The she-tiger paused, then said: "Regardless of who he is, we must not be complacent. This matter must be reported to the Master tomorrow."

"I agree."

"Though I'm more curious about Lüfen's purpose in coming to Shu Zhou. Did the Master give her special instructions?"

"Less said the better. Knowing too much would not benefit us."

"Ah, then your side…"

"Ask not what you shouldn't!"

As the words faded, the tailor shop fell silent.

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, sensing the she-tiger's mission was even more critical.

Even Ge Lao San dared not ask freely?

And that Lüfen of theirs…

If his guess was right, she must be Cui Qingfu in the hidden guard.

The white tiger seal…

Chen Yi mentally noted these details, then quietly withdrew, suppressing his aura and waiting for further developments.

Soon, he heard voices from the tailor shop. Moments later, the door opened, and Ge Lao San and the she-tiger, clad in a conical hat and raincoat, emerged.

After a brief pause, they parted ways.

[ Witnessing the hidden guard's conspiracy. Reward: Sheet music "Leisurely Journey," Fate +35. ]

[ Evaluation: Presence, hearing, yet no action. Ultimately limited in achievement. ]

Chen Yi glanced sideways, his eye twitching.

Sheet music?

Ge Lao San, the tailor shop owner, and the she-tiger—only the she-tiger was skilled in this art.

Combined with the black tooth Liu had seen at Spring Rain Tower last night, he deduced the she-tiger must be hiding in the Flower City Lane.

Thus, his earlier suspicions were confirmed—the she-tiger had indeed aided Ge Lao San in exposing the Hou family.

As the streets fell silent, Chen Yi silently leaped down from the rooftop, heading toward the Xiao residence.

That night, he gathered valuable information.

He pieced together the identities of the hidden guard's silver-flag officers in Shu Zhou:

Gray Wolf—Xiao Dongchen.

Sparrowhawk—Ge Lao San.

She-tiger—a woman with a melodious voice.

Griffin—Cui Qingfu.

As for their missions, based on current intel, they likely differed, though their ultimate aim was unified: to stir chaos in Shu Zhou.

"Knowing too much is indeed a burden."

"For the unknown questions multiply."

Why would the hidden guard or the court act this way? What benefit did the chaos in Shu Zhou bring to the Great Wei dynasty?

Or perhaps his earlier assumption was wrong—the hidden guard wasn't part of the court?

And who was the one who paid three hundred thousand gold to contact the black tooth?

Chen Yi pondered these questions, unaware of the shadows ahead.

A figure in bright red robes, wielding a long saber at his waist, stood a short distance away.

The moment he saw him, the man began speaking: "It's so late, you're caught in the rain, where are you going?"

Huh?

Fang Hongxiu?

Chen Yi slightly raised his head, his eyes, seen through the edge of his hood, spotting the four executioner officers ahead, momentarily at a loss for words.

At this time, nearing midnight, she was still strolling outside.

"The gentleman of the hundred households, do you guess?"

Fang Hongxiu hesitated, suddenly realizing that this gravelly, low voice was all too familiar. Upon realizing, she immediately drew the long blade from her waist: "It's you!?"

(The chapter ends here)