Chapter 169: Now That My Business Is Finished, It's Your Turn

Chapter 169: My Affairs Are Settled; Now It’s Your Turn

There are but two possibilities regarding the she-tiger here.

Either she herself is one of the Black Fang or a resident of the Mingyue Tower.

Or she has reached a tacit agreement with Black Fang, and together they have concluded their transaction.

In either case, it amounts to bad news for Chen Yi.

Unexpected developments often bring about unnecessary complications.

With thoughts racing, Chen Yi preemptively raised his head before Black Fang could speak, his voice laced with disdain:

“I came here solely to settle an account with Black Fang.”

Then he slightly turned his head, glancing at the she-tiger with the corner of his eye, and continued:

“It’s a pity you showed up here; it’s most disagreeable.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Lang shot him a glance and promptly fell silent.

No wonder the boss had taken such a risk in coming.

Just that composure of his was beyond the grasp of ordinary folk.

Under the mask, Black Fang’s eyes revealed a strange hue. He raised a hand to block the she-tiger from speaking, his tone cold:

“Forgive my blindness; may I ask who you are?”

“Liu Five of Jingzhou…”

Chen Yi casually invented a name, locking eyes with Black Fang.

“Tell me, should I settle accounts with you?”

Black Fang’s eyes flickered slightly, “Liu family of Jingzhou?”

“Which member of the Liu family are you?”

“It matters not who I am; what matters is that your earlier blunder caused my sixth nephew’s death in Shu.”

With that, Chen Yi shifted his stance, his voice low:

“Should this matter be settled?”

Black Fang fell silent for a moment, then gestured for the she-tiger to sit beside him, opposite Chen Yi and Liu Lang.

In the dimly lit chamber, only the oil lamp on the table cast its light.

The room was still, no breeze stirring; the flame of the lamp burned straight upward, unmoving.

When Black Fang and the she-tiger took their seats, the faint candlelight flickered, and the she-tiger scrutinized Chen Yi:

“Liu Five… how do you prove your identity?”

Chen Yi did not look at her; he stared fixedly at Black Fang, his meaning unmistakable.

Seeing this, the she-tiger’s eyes flashed with icy resolve, though her voice shifted into a coy, worldly tone:

“What a bold manner~truly, a man from the Liu family of Jingzhou, perhaps?”

“Black Fang, you never mentioned the Liu family of Jingzhou would be involved in this ‘deal’; how could a lady of my standing allow that?”

Retreat as advance.

Chen Yi understood fully, yet his expression remained unchanged.

Liu Lang glanced at him, then smiled: “Black Fang, might you introduce this lady?”

He had dealt with Black Fang often before, so he spoke with familiarity.

Yet clearly, in this moment, Black Fang weighed the scales in his heart.

“The ‘Knife-Crazy’ Liu Lang is akin to a brother to him; the she-tiger’s presence here signifies a bond not easily formed.”

Thus, it was Chen Yi, this stranger, who held Black Fang’s attention.

“How do you prove your identity?”

“The fifth elder of the Liu family, I am the second mistress’s brother. I’ve heard she’s transformed into a man.”

Upon Black Fang’s inquiry, Chen Yi had anticipated the question and replied evasively:

“It’s no laughing matter.”

“My mistress, with her golden body, would never sully herself in such a place!”

Though Black Fang was composed and sharp-witted, repeated provocations from Chen Yi inevitably chilled his tone:

“Once more, how do you prove your identity?”

At that, Liu Lang’s heart tightened, about to retort, when Chen Yi smiled softly and calmly withdrew a bundle of silver bills from his sleeve, placing them on the table.

Black Fang glanced at them, recognizing the ten taels of silver, and two-thirds of his belief was restored.

Many in all of Shu could muster ten taels of silver.

Yet few dared to present such a sum before their deal was concluded.

Either a fool lacking sense, or one with sufficient grounds.

Clearly, Black Fang did not believe a fool would dare such folly in his presence.

Even if he truly was a Liu family member, it would not suffice.

Chen Yi himself did not need to speculate on his thoughts. Arranging the silver notes neatly, he spoke:

“Today, I intend only to speak with you; others are present here, and I am not accustomed to, nor do I favor, such circumstances.”

Before Black Fang could answer, the she-tiger interjected with a soft voice:

“Brother Liu, perhaps you have a particular aversion to ladies?”

Chen Yi glanced at her, his tone cool: “Not aversion, merely the belief that a woman cannot achieve great deeds.”

In the circles of noble families, most hold such views; his words fit the moment.

“You…”

Even commoners have three parts of fury; what of a silver-flag general like the she-tiger?

At that moment, Black Fang raised his hand, his tone unmoved:

“The woman beside me, Lady Lou, is one of my own Mingyue Tower.”

Lou Yu Xue, the she-tiger.

Chen Yi mentally noted this, and ceased pressing the matter, bluntly stating:

“Originally, I had no intention of revealing myself, nor did my nephew wish to expose his identity.

Yet the ‘Knife-Crazy’ Liu Lang failed to fulfill his promise, and your presence here at Mingyue Tower complicates things. I must intervene to cover for him.”

Liu Lang’s face showed a hint of puzzlement, unaware of the promise in question.

Black Fang glanced at him, then inquired: “Which nephew of yours is this?”

“The one who just arrived in Shu.”

“Liu Wen?”

With the prowess of Mingyue Tower, one could easily identify a Liu family member from Jingzhou.

At this point, He Ya had half convinced.

Yet he still harbored a few lingering doubts: “Does Lord Liu intend to wage a relentless battle to the death against the Xiao family?”

Chen Yi furrowed his brow, feigning annoyance as he tapped the silver note on the table.

“The outcome of this matter rests entirely in my hands.”

When He Ya heard this, he paused, then nodded thoughtfully, understanding that mentioning Liu Wen’s name was the limit of his restraint.

Just as he was about to speak, a voice from beside him chimed in, light and teasing:

“After all this talk, your identity still remains rather unclear.”

“How do you prove you’re truly Lord Liu’s man, and not some charlatan exploiting his name?”

Chen Yi paused, his gaze toward her gradually cooling with undertones of steel.

“Miss Lou, how would you have me prove myself?”

Lou Yu Xue glanced at He Ya, seeing no response from him, and quickly read between the lines, smiling:

“Lord Liu’s elder brother would do well to be cautious. Matters of such great consequence benefit all parties, would you not agree?”

Chen Yi remained unmoved, his stare fixed on her.

Lou Yu Xue pondered for a moment, then pressed:

“Perhaps you might say what Lord Liu’s purpose was in coming to Shu Zhou?”

“Or reveal a secret, one we might verify later?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi’s expression remained unchanged: “Miss Lou, you place quite the impossible burden upon us.”

Then he turned to He Ya: “You share the same intent, yes?”

He Ya and Lou Yu Xue exchanged a single glance, then both nodded: “She speaks for my Bright Moon Pavilion.”

In that instant, the silent chamber fell into an oppressive stillness.

The candlelight flickered weakly, the air thick with tension.

Lou Yang saw the shift and clenched his fists, sweat beading on his brow.

His hand rested beneath the table on his thigh, ready to draw his blade at the slightest sign of betrayal.

But He Ya and Lou Yu Xue gave no heed, their attention locked solely on Chen Yi.

After a long stretch of silence, Chen Yi’s pale face gradually curved into a cold, cunning smile.

“The Bright Moon Pavilion truly upholds its rules—I like that.”

His voice quickened: “My lord came to Shu Zhou for one purpose—to unite with the Xiao family’s mistress in marriage.”

Lou Yu Xue let out a soft, incredulous hum, then inquired with a delicate voice: “As far as I know, the Xiao and Liu families are at odds. How could they arrange a marriage?”

Chen Yi need not elaborate further. He Ya cut him short: “We shall verify your authenticity in due time.”

Lou Yu Xue obediently nodded, then fell silent.

He Ya cast a glance at her, then swept his eyes over Chen Yi and Lou Yang, his gaze settling on the silver note before him, pondering:

“Tell me, brother Liu, what was your true purpose in coming today? Surely not to demand the truth about Liu Jing’s death?”

Chen Yi’s shoulders relaxed slightly, having passed the first test. He spoke as he had previously understood:

“That matter of ‘commerce’ was sabotaged—I had to inspect its quality.”

“Is that all?”

“If my assessment proves inadequate, I’ll merely contribute my share.”

He Ya paused, his tone tinged with peculiarity: “You have no objection to collaborating with another?”

The other, he meant, the one who had offered three ten thousand gold taels.

Chen Yi inclined his head slightly: “To be blunt, this ‘commerce’ is my lord’s bride price.”

“So success is required, failure not.”

When He Ya and Lou Yu Xue exchanged glances, they were both struck with surprise.

Only Lou Yang, privy to the truth, clenched his jaw, fearing he might laugh out loud.

Had he not known beforehand of Chen Yi’s ties to the Xiao family, he might have believed the tale.

A bride price, wedding gifts—how naive.

If the summer grain of the three cities were burned, this Chen Boss would be the first to refuse.

After a brief contemplation, He Ya smiled: “Then our objectives align.”

“With Lord Liu’s support, our chances of success grow greater.”

He folded the silver notes into his sleeve.

Chen Yi slightly raised an eyebrow, turning his head away from his movements.

It was money he’d saved beyond the earnings from the Bureaucrats’ Office—hard-earned, private funds.

And now it was gone… a pity, how bittersweet.

Lou Yu Xue observed his reaction, still half-convinced of his identity.

Something about his appearance that evening felt far too suspicious.

After a moment’s thought, she turned to Lou Yang, who’d remained silent:

“Tell me, how did the ‘Knife-Crazy’ brother rise to prominence with the Liu family?”

Lou Yang shrugged, hands clasped behind his back, refusing to engage.

Chen Yi merely glanced at him, then coolly said: “I cured his injury.”

Before Lou Yu Xue could respond, He Ya, intrigued by Lou Yang’s condition, asked:

“Lord Liu, is he a ‘Medical Immortal’?”

Lou Yu Xue blinked, her beautiful eyes fixed on Chen Yi, clearly skeptical.

Chen Yi glanced at both men and said: “You folks of the Bright Moon Pavilion are indeed a curious bunch.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than he plucked a silver needle from the table and planted it upright.

Then, with a flick of his fingers, he willed the needle to tremble, its tip dancing with controlled qi.

A piercing hum filled the silent room.

He Ya’s eyes narrowed, as did Lou Yu Xue’s, both watching the needle with unwavering focus.

“Using internal energy to guide the needle—indeed, a feat only a ‘Medical Immortal’ could master.”

Chen Yi withdrew the needle, his voice cold: “I hope this proves my final trial.”

He Ya snapped his fingers in admiration: “Lord Liu, had you revealed such skill earlier, I’d have said nothing.”

Lou Yu Xue chimed in, smiling: “I’d heard two ‘Medical Immortals’ reside in the Liu family’s Xinglin Study. It seems the tales were mistaken.”

“With Lord Liu’s years ahead of him, his medical prowess will surely ascend still further.”

From that moment onward, their doubts about Chen Yi’s identity dissolved entirely.

Chen Yi nodded without a word, his handsome face softening into a gentle smile.

My affairs are concluded; it is time to speak of yours.

End of chapter.