Chapter 185: Showing the Dagger After Revealing the Map

Chapter 185: The Map Exposes the Dagger

The Map Exposes the Dagger.

Chen Yi knew beforehand that to get Liu Wénzhong to join the scheme midway, he had to offer him some powerful reasons.

The first was Liu Family’s schemes against the Xiao Family.

The second was the Xiao Patriarch’s humiliation of Liu Wén.

But these alone were insufficient to sway Liu Wénzhong after weighing the pros and cons.

After much thought,

the only thing capable of stirring Liu Wénzhong’s heart was the prospect of becoming the head of the Liu clan in Jingzhou.

Only by convincing him that this venture would elevate his status and prestige within the Liu family could he dare to take the risk.

Chen Yi pondered this as he spoke in a calm tone:

“Another client seeks only to avenge the Xiao Family, and for him, there’s little benefit—and he’d rather not expose himself.”

“If you join, he’d be delighted to remain hidden, attributing all the credit to you.”

Seeing Liu Wénzhong’s interest stir, Chen Yi lowered his voice slightly:

“If you choose not to participate, that’s perfectly fine—consider tonight as if we’d never come here.”

“Yet afterward, the cost to claim such a monumental achievement would far exceed mere sixty thousand taels of silver.”

“The lighter or heavier burden lies in your hands, Lord Liu. Decide for yourself.”

After speaking, Chen Yi rose to leave.

At that moment, Liu Wénzhong displayed a sly, resolute smile, raised his hand to stop him:

“This venture—my lord—shall participate!”

It was settled.

Chen Yi’s heart eased slightly, though his eyes beneath the black iron mask remained unnervingly calm as he nodded:

“I believe when you become head of the Liu clan, you’ll surely thank me for this decisive choice.”

“Heh, hah… That’s exactly what I think!”

Without delay, Chen Yi pressed the advantage, finalizing the silver sum for Liu Wénzhong’s involvement—precisely thirty thousand taels.

Though it pained him, Liu Wénzhong recalled the hundred thousand taels prepared by the Xinglin Pavilion for this journey to Shu, and he readily agreed.

“I’ll send word tomorrow to prepare the silver, and hope Elder Hei Diao arrives punctually.”

“Of course. The venture has already been set in motion.”

“With your silver, we can recruit more martial experts, and within ten days, the outcome shall be decided.”

“Then it’s settled…”

After discussing the details of burning the summer grain in the three towns, Liu Wénzhong grew certain of the scheme’s success.

He hadn’t anticipated such boldness from Hei Diao and his companions.

Nor had he realized the vast influence of Mingyue Tower.

They even had agents within the Qingduan Army.

Combined with Fang Lao and Jia Lao, the strategists, the chances of success exceeded sixty percent.

To him, it was merely a matter of spending more silver.

Within the span of a incense stick’s burn,

Chen Yi and Liu Liang departed the pavilion, silently vanishing into the rainy night.

Liu Wénzhong watched them fade into the distance, a gentle smile blooming on his face.

He envisioned the chaos awaiting the Xiao Family, the Liu Family’s astonishment and his own accolades, and laughter erupted within him.

The earlier irritation from the Xiao Patriarch’s humiliation had long since faded.

“Once it’s done, once it’s done, hah…”

“The Liu family is mine!”

“The Xiao family, too, is mine!”

Chen Yi, knowing Liu Wénzhong’s ambitions, need not guess—anyone with such aspirations would never refuse such a temptation.

Compared to his own hand in disrupting the Xiao Family and earning the Liu elders’ praise, those thirty thousand taels were trivial.

Meanwhile, Liu Liang, beside him, was not so composed.

Even knowing the boss’s prowess beforehand, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of reverence now.

First, posing as Liu Wénzhong’s subordinate, he casually dispelled Hei Diao’s suspicions, successfully joining the scheme.

Then, impersonating Hei Diao to invite Liu Wénzhong into the plot.

Seems simple steps, yet any flaw in execution would doom them.

At least Liu Liang, putting himself in their shoes, knew he couldn’t have achieved this. Head and heart, both essential.

Plus, mastering vast information and understanding Liu Wénzhong and Hei Diao’s personalities.

All in all, one thing was clear—Liu Liang, he was impressed.

When the two finally returned to their home on Xishi Street, Liu Liang could no longer hold back:

“Master, today you’ve truly opened my eyes wide.”

“Even that astute Lord Liu was led in circles by you this time.”

“And Hei Diao, hah… I can only imagine how he reacted upon learning of this—must’ve been quite the spectacle.”

Chen Yi ignored him, finally settling onto the Tai Shi chair, his spirit at ease.

Liu Liang noticed, too preoccupied to admire, sat beside him, smiling: “Master, what orders shall I carry out next?”

This time, it wasn’t out of obligation to the thirty tasks Chen Yi had assigned earlier—it was genuine intent to serve him.

Chen Yi glanced at him, rubbed his brow in thought: “Just now, you said those five poison sect people will still seek Liu Zhaoxue tonight?”

Liu Liang nodded. “He mentioned it last night.”

“Then go listen to their plans—see what the five poison sect and Liu Zhaoxue intend.”

“Understood.”

When Liu Liang rose, Chen Yi reminded him: “Be cautious. Best change your attire, lest Liu Wénzhong notices anything amiss.”

“Rest assured, Master…”

After he left,

Chen Yi’s thoughts finally settled.

Chen Yì let out a sigh, relieved.

Though he appeared calm and composed on this journey, the pressure within him was anything but light, and he could not help but worry about unforeseen circumstances.

Fortunately, his preparations were thorough, and Liu Wen had agreed to it.

Yet, upon reflection at this moment, Chen Yì felt a sense of relief.

One was that he was grateful for the elder's public humiliation of Liu Wen.

The other was his gratitude for the events he had heard from Liu Rong the previous night.

Had it not been for the information he received from Liu Rong about the alliance between Liu Zhuxue and the Five Poison Sect, Chen Yì would not have been so certain of the competition among Liu Wen's generation for the "head's position."

In no time at all, once Zhang Da Bao removed his disguise, Chen Yì gave a few instructions and returned to the Xiao family.

It was already deep into the night.

The rain had intensified compared to before.

The sound of raindrops pattering and plopping filled the streets of Chuanxi, with not a single soul in sight.

Even the city guards and the execution bureau personnel on night patrol were nowhere to be seen.

Though Chen Yì's mind had been taxed to some extent, his mood was still rather pleasant.

After tonight, his plans were nearly complete, and all that remained was to wait for the harvest.

"Time to reckon, the tiger cub should be meeting Xiao Jinghong by now."

He wondered how Xiao Jinghong would react upon receiving the letter, hoping she could maintain restraint despite her anger.

If she were to return to Shu Zhou without hesitation and directly confront Hei Ya and others, it would only lead to trouble.

"At the very least, I need to get those 300,000 taels of silver before I take action."

Chen Yì thought these things over, lifted his hood slightly to glance at the dark clouds overhead, and a smile crept across his face.

"After all, there's still Xiao Dongchen to settle..."

Just then, the sound of drums and gongs echoed through the streets of Chuanxi.

The hour ofzi arrived—

[Daily Intelligence·Top Grade of the Mystic Level: At the 3rd hour of hai, the tailor shop in the western market, Yin Wei received a secret letter. A small amount of opportunity could be obtained.]

A secret letter?

A letter arrived at this time...

It should be the reply from the previous female tiger and others, right?

Chen Yì slightly raised an eyebrow, noted this matter, and hurried back to the Spring Lotus Garden.

After changing his clothes, he took a short rest and sat cross-legged on the bed, practicing the Four Symbols Art.

His mind finally settled and relaxed.

"Now it's a matter of whether the mistress can keep her composure."