Chapter 228: Pavilion Master, Just What Sacred Being Are You?

Chapter 228: Master of the Pavilion, Who Is He, the Divine One?

The presence of the visitor was most unfamiliar to him.

Chen Yi offered a gentle reminder, and with that, he quietly slipped out of the room.

The snow fox cast a suspicious glance at his departure, leaning close to the wall to listen for a moment, yet heard nothing.

Just as he was about to speak, a faint, slightly amused voice echoed from behind him:

"Ah, Miss Tiger, your noodle shop business is doing rather well, isn’t it?"

The snow fox’s face paled, turning her head to gaze out the window. There, a middle-aged man in a simple robe, of ordinary appearance, was crouching through the window.

"Master?"

She recognized him instantly, and without hesitation, knelt on the ground in salutation.

"Subordinate Snow Tiger, I fear I have erred in not recognizing the presence of Master Jiang Xing."

Jiang Xing, the middle-aged man, waved his hand dismissively, shedding his coarse outer robe to reveal a plain undergarment. His voice was slow and measured:

"No blame at all. Rise, then."

"Yes, Master."

As Snow Tiger rose, her eyes swept toward the corridor beyond the door, her mind aflame with worry—had Chen Yi truly departed? She knew all too well the prowess of Master Jiang Xing. If Chen Yi had remained hidden, eavesdropping on their conversation, and were discovered by Jiang Xing, their secret would be exposed.

Should she speak?

Snow Tiger understood Chen Yi all too well.

He had not left. He lay concealed in the ceiling beams of an adjoining room, separated by only a single wall.

"Jiang Xing, Master?"

"Indeed. It seems the one who arrived here is your superior, Miss Snow Tiger."

"A White Tiger Guard officer?"

Chen Yi’s lips curved into a smile—how fitting. Perhaps he could hear the whispers of the Shadow Guard, stirring chaos across Shu Zhou.

Soon, the voice on the other side of the wall resumed its murmur:

Jiang Xing settled at the table, eyeing the remnants of the meal before him. He then turned to Snow Tiger, asking,

"Has the secret dispatch from Kyoto Prefecture arrived?"

Snow Tiger was momentarily taken aback. "Master, the secret dispatch has indeed just arrived, yet I have not yet had the time to examine it."

"Forgive my haste. When I reported to the Pavilion Master earlier, I instructed them to deliver it to you."

Jiang Xing extended his hand. "Give it here."

Snow Tiger placed the sealed scroll into his palm. "Master, might I retire for a moment to review it?"

She remained, regardless of whether she would learn the contents of the dispatch. If Chen Yi were still lurking, their exposure would be inevitable.

To her surprise, Jiang Xing merely chuckled. "Stay. I have a few questions."

Snow Tiger bowed low, her gaze heavy with complexity. That damned scoundrel—never came at an opportune moment.

And what of his cultivation? How had he sensed Master Jiang’s arrival before the latter even noticed him himself?

Jiang Xing, unaware of her turmoil, turned the dispatch over in his hands and inquired,

"The Pavilion Master has received the dispatch from that night at the Lake of Chickens. Yet he still wishes you to continue your investigation."

"First, determine whether Chun Niu truly met with the proprietor of the Hundred Herbs Courtyard that evening."

"Second, test Chun Niu’s martial prowess to gauge his abilities."

Snow Tiger blinked. "The Pavilion Master still suspects a connection between that night and Chun Niu?"

Jiang Xing paused, his head unmoving. "Perhaps so."

"I do not believe Chun Niu was involved in that affair, but since the Pavilion Master has issued an order, you must comply."

"Lest we incur his displeasure later."

As Snow Tiger prepared to assent, a thought struck her. "There is one matter, a minor thing."

"On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chun Niu was suspected to have been seized by someone and departed the city in a boat."

"Does this relate to the burning of the summer grain in the Three Towns?"

"Subordinate Snow Tiger, I later learned that outside Shu Zhou City, there were signs of conflict, likely the work of Liu Wu and Liu Rong from Iron Flag Town that very night."

"By my calculations, Chun Niu should have been no distant place from there."

Jiang Xing inclined his head slightly, musing, "So you suspect Chun Niu was involved with Liu Rong and Liu Wu?"

"Perhaps."

"Investigate thoroughly, and report back to the Pavilion Master."

"Understood."

Chen Yi, overhearing their exchange, found himself momentarily stunned.

He pondered deeply. The only inconsistency in his actions that night—the burning of the summer grain—was his absence from the Spring Lotus Garden. Yet neither Xiao Jinghong nor the old patriarch Xiao had noticed.

Instead, it was the distant White Tiger Guard Master who had detected the flaw—and now sought to probe further still.

"That White Tiger Guard Master—who is he, truly?"

"How could he discern such a minute oversight and suspect it pointed to me?"

This was the second time Chen Yi had heard the title "Pavilion Master." The first time, that master had deduced Xiao Dongren, the gray wolf, was beyond redemption, ordering Snow Tiger and Eagle Hawk to eliminate him after the grain's destruction.

At that moment, Chen Yi had shared the same thoughts as now: admiration for the master’s meticulous mind, and awe at his perceptiveness. A man of such caliber was no ordinary figure.

As for the other—Snow Tiger—she had dared to link the events outside Shu Zhou City to the matter at hand.

Truly...

At that moment, on the other side, Zhang Xing inquired, "How is Luan Feng?"

Lou Yuxue pondered for a moment and replied, "She has recently opened a tavern in the western market."

"Besides that, she has spent nearly all her time with that imperial examination winner, and they attended the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering together at the prestigious Guiyun Institute."

"What about the Liu family?"

"On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the imperial court issued an edict punishing Xiao Houge and the Censor Liu Hong, and thereafter the Liu family have restrained their activities."

"Liu Hong has been busy transporting grain taxes to the imperial court and handling matters related to the annual and examination assessments, while Liu Zhaoxue returned to Jingzhou."

Zhang Xing slightly nodded, set down the sealed letter, and gazed at her with a smile, saying, "These days have been hard on you."

"The gray wolf has perished, the hawk falcon fled to Guangyuan County, and Luan Feng, disobedient, has seen four of Shu Zhou's silver banner officers taken away to three others—surely you have had a difficult time, haven't you?"

Lou Yuxue slightly bowed her head and said, "As a servant of the White Tiger Guard, it is my duty to endure hardship."

"Whether it is fitting or not, you say it, I say it, none of it matters. It is the Duke who decides."

"The Duke has ordered that once you have clarified the matter beneath the Bright Moon Pavilion, I shall promote you to a golden banner officer."

Upon hearing Zhang Xing's words, Lou Yuxue first startled, then quickly bowed in gratitude, "Your servant thanks you deeply, Lord Zhang, and thanks the Duke."

Zhang Xing waved dismissively, signaling her to sit and continue speaking, "Before you become a golden banner officer, I need you to settle the matter in Shu Zhou first."

Lou Yuxue assented and sat beside him.

Zhang Xing looked at her, his expression steadied, and said, "Enough chatter. Let us speak of the matter at hand."

He then asked earnestly, "How is the situation with the King of Ran? How are his connections?"

Lou Yuxue did not wish to answer, but the situation had reached this point, and she did not dwell on whether Chen Yi had overheard.

"Your servant has, as per your command, contacted a subordinate of the King of Ran the day before."

"Counting the time, it should be several days before they reply."

Zhang Xing thought for a moment and continued, "Do you know where that person is now? What identity do they hold?"

Lou Yuxue hesitated, "Your servant does not know."

"However, I do know that person is a meddlesome, vulgar foreigner."

"Though he works hard to conceal it, his accent still bears a slight difference from that of the Central Plains."

"A meddlesome, vulgar foreigner...

Hah, that does fit the King of Ran's manner—bold yet meticulous, daring to act as a commoner yet not daring to do so."

Zhang Xing smiled and said, "Since that is the case, I shall wait here for a few days."

"For now, I can also assist you in Shu Zhou's affairs."

Lou Yuxue hurriedly replied, "Your servant cannot impose on the Lord."

"Not a problem..."

On the other side, Chen Yi could not help but feel a twinge of curiosity upon hearing their conversation.

Who was the King of Ran?

A meddlesome, vulgar foreigner?

What was a White Tiger Guard servant doing in contact with such a person?

Before Chen Yi could ponder further, the officer named Zhang Xing spoke, "In these days, I shall stay temporarily in the western market. If you have any matters, you may find me there."

Lou Yuxue paused, "Lord, you will not remain here?"

Zhang Xing pointed downward, "Your residence is too prosperous, and even at night, you do not rest. I fear I would disturb you."

"Lord, please understand..."

Before Lou Yuxue could finish, Zhang Xing smiled and shook his head, put on his raincoat, and said, "Good night," then leapt out of the window and vanished into the rain.

Lou Yuxue bowed politely and simply watched him go.

On the other side, Chen Yi quietly observed Zhang Xing's retreating figure, then slowly withdrew the Mysterious Wu Enyi technique.

Only after confirming that Zhang Xing had truly departed did he exhale a sigh, "Zhang Xing..."

Even though he had only heard a few scattered words, he was struck by the sheer volume of information they contained.

Chickadee—himself.

The Duke, the Liu family in Jingzhou, Luan Feng, the King of Ran, a meddlesome, vulgar foreigner...

Some he knew, others he did not.

Yet overall, he was struck by the enormity of the White Tiger Guard.

After all, it was the White Tiger Guard of the Great Wei dynasty.

At that moment, Lou Yuxue pushed open the door and scanned the room.

Upon realizing no one was present, she relaxed slightly, "He left early? Good..."

To her surprise, Chen Yi had already leaned out of the beam, "Are you looking for me?"

Lou Yuxue startled, looked up, and her eyes widened: "You dare eavesdrop on my covert military communications?!"

Chen Yi flicked his sleeve, jumped down from the beam, and said, "You think I want to listen? It was just convenient."

"Besides, your conversations were hushed and secretive—what kind of chickadee or Luan Feng, who could tell?"

Lou Yuxue was about to relax, when Chen Yi continued, "However, I can confirm one thing—you were suspicious that I was related to some chickadee."

"You..."

"You don't deny it? On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, I did kill some people, though they were not ordinary folk—they were from the Five Poison Sect, evil outsiders."

Lou Yuxue blinked, "Which Five Poison Sect?"

Chen Yi, having successfully diverted her attention, continued, "Naturally, the Five Poison Sect that has longstanding enmity with the mountain clans."

"They have hidden for years, yet somehow revived, daring to come to Shu Zhou."

"Since they encountered us, I had no choice but to act and dispatch them."

Lou Yuxue looked at him skeptically, then recalled for a moment, "That night, were the Five Poison Sect's people who had taken the grandson of the mountain maiden and Chen Yi?"

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow inwardly, feigning confusion, and asked, "Chen Yi, Chen Qinzhou, and the mountain maiden's grandson?"

"You didn't kill to rescue them?"

To their surprise, before Lou Yuxue could speak, Chen Yi smiled, "If you put it that way, then I know exactly who the 'chickadee' is."

Lou Yuxue's expression slightly changed, "You... aren't the one who saved them?"

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head, "If they had fallen into the hands of the Five Poison Sect, do you think anyone could have saved them?"

"The Five Poison Sect and the Mountain Clan are sworn enemies. If they happened to meet the granddaughter of the Mountain Matron, they would surely kill her on the spot. How could they leave her alive?"

"Besides, I also heard about that night."

"That Mr. Qin Chou wrote a poem titled 'Song of the Water Pavilion: Mid-Autumn Moon' on the Curated Pool. Do you think the people of the Five Poison Sect have such refined tastes?"

Lou Yuxue thought for a moment, and her heart was already convinced by his words.

Given her understanding of the Five Poison Sect and their evil ways, if they were to confront Pei Mawng, it would certainly be a death sentence.

Moreover, Chen Yi.

The people of the Five Poison Sect and Chen Yi had no grudges against each other. They couldn't possibly go after him to make him write some poem.

So it must have been my mistake...

But Liu Wu, that bastard, already knows Chun Niao's identity...

And given his relationship with the Xiao family, he might warn Chun Niao in the future...

Thinking this, Lou Yuxue's face turned angry, and she asked, "What's your relationship with the Xiao family, really?"

Chen Yi, knowing she had come to believe him, slightly relaxed, and instead asked, "Then tell me, who is the King of Lan Du?"

Lou Yuxue was furious, and without restraining herself, slapped him across the face, "Tell me! Or else I'll go find Lord Jiang Xing right now!"

Chen Yi was slapped, but a smile crept onto his face.

"Miss YuXue, this is my greatest secret. How could I possibly tell you so easily?"

"Though I can assure you, my relationship with the Xiao family isn't that close. I've only had contact with a few of them."

Exactly.

He had gotten along well with Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan'er, Xiao Wuge, Xiao Daiyi, and little Butterfly among others.

Lou Yuxue stared at him, coldly hissed, "Why don't you say now that you're a member of the Liu family?"

Chen Yi spread his hands, "I've already told you. Don't you believe me?"

"I still don't believe you. If you're part of the Xiao family, why don't Xiao Daiyi and Xiao Jinghong know about your existence?"

"Huh? You even know that?"

"Hmph!"

Seeing this, Chen Yi's thoughts raced, and he hastily lied, "The Xiao family's current situation isn't good. I didn't really want to get involved."

"But my old master once received kindness from the Xiao family, so I had to do something to help them out."

Lou Yuxue listened to this, and her belief in him grew a little.

This explained the situation in Shu Zhou, and why the Xiao family didn't know about "Liu Wu" being alive.

A moment of silence.

She continued asking, "Was the matter you mentioned earlier also to help the Xiao family?"

Chen Yi thought for a moment, "Not exactly."

His words just fell, and he saw Lou Yuxue about to break the kettle to get to the bottom of things, so he decided to say a few more words:

"By now, I won't keep it from you."

"Do you know why the people of the Five Poison Sect appeared in Shu Zhou?"

"Say."

"Because of the Liu family, more precisely, because of Liu ZhaoXue."

Lou Yuxue suddenly realized, "You discovered the Five Poison Sect while hiding in the Liu family?"

Chen Yi nodded with a smile, "The Liu family's reach extended far, and how many people in Shu Zhou were familiar with them?"

"Moreover, they had allied with the Five Poison Sect and other evil forces. It was a relief for the people that I was able to rid them of these scourges."

"As for whether they would help the Xiao family, it did come to that, but this time, I certainly won't be so foolish as to hand over the money."

After a pause, he showed a look of lingering regret on his face: "You don't know how I felt at that time..."

Lou Yuxue glanced at him, hissed, "I know."

"Just like how you felt when you stole my fourteen million taels of silver!"

"...Rest assured, I promise this time you'll make a big profit."

"You'd better be!"

"Now you can tell me, why are you investigating Chun Niao? And who is the King of Lan Du?"

"Don't pry into it!"

"For your own safety, I advise you not to meddle in my White Tiger Guard matters!"

"If the main lord and Lord Jiang Xing discover this, you'll surely die!"

"Hmm, can I take it that you're looking out for me?"

"Ah, you... who, who is looking out for you, you damn rascal?!"

Not long after, Chen Yi bid farewell to Lou Yuxue and returned to the Xiao family under the cover of night.

After much persuasion and negotiation, he finally dispelled Lou Yuxue's doubts.

But he himself knew that the key to clearing up the matter of Chun Niao and the burning of the three cities' summer grain wasn't in Lou Yuxue, but in that mysterious lord.

As the light rain fell steadily.

Chen Yi looked up at the night sky shrouded in clouds, deep in thought.

"I can't help it. I have to put on a big show..."

(End of Chapter)