Chapter 244: Peacock, White Elephant, Golden Lion

Chapter 244: Peacock, White Elephant, Golden Lion

Lou Yuxue knew she had no way to handle “Liu Wu.”

Unless she could uncover his true identity.

In truth, she had made attempts, after all.

In recent days, she had spared no effort, combing through every noble family in Shuzhou, both those close to the Xiao family and those at odds with them.

No matter how she probed, she never found so much as a strand of silk or a trace of dust pointing to “Liu Wu.”

It was as if this man had simply materialized out of thin air in Shuzhou, appearing and vanishing without a trace.

That much was understandable.

After all, she could manipulate “Liu Wu” through various means, slowly unraveling his secrets in time.

What bewildered her was why “Liu Wu” seemed to know so much about the White Tiger Guard’s hidden affairs.

Not only did he know the identities of several members—Gray Wolf, Sparrow Hawk, and others—but also their specific assignments.

For a silver-flag officer of the White Tiger Guard like her, this was nothing short of a disgrace to the highest order.

Fortunately, Chen Yi remained unaware of Lou Yuxue’s thoughts; otherwise, he would have laughed three times over, then declared, “It’s all because of you.”

She was certain his expression would have been quite spectacular at that moment.

Silence lingered for a moment.

Chen Yi gazed at Lou Yuxue, who still glared at him, then smiled and said, “Rest easy, rest easy. I’m not your enemy in the White Tiger Guard, nor will I hinder or disrupt your mission.”

“In fact, I can even help you.”

Lou Yuxue huffed, “On one condition: I help you first, right?”

Chen Yi nodded, his face unruffled as he replied, “A fair exchange. You help me, I help you—neither owes the other anything.”

“But you owe me fifteen ten-thousanda silver dollars.”

Lou Yuxue clearly didn’t believe this scoundrel in the least.

It was only because she had been careless that she had fallen into this trap.

As a result, the twenty ten-thousanda silver dollars the White Tiger Guard had obtained ended up with only five.

She still hadn’t figured out how to face Sparrow Hawk, doing her best to earn extra silver to make amends.

Fortunately, the reopening of Mingyue Tower meant she no longer had to stay in that dumpling shop, eking out a meager living.

Chen Yi inwardly scoffed, knowing he’d have to offer something substantial to get Lou Yuxue to cooperate.

Especially when dealing with entities like the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank, whose depths she might not fully grasp.

After a moment’s thought, he proposed, “How about I cover the costs?”

Lou Yuxue paused slightly, frowning at him: “You’re not giving up, are you?”

Chen Yi spread his hands: “The arrow must be released while it’s still on the string.”

After considering it, he decided to target the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank first.

More precisely, the grain merchants in the East Market, especially the Lin family’s business, where Lin Hui’an operated.

First, these grain merchants had begun driving up prices, affecting hundreds of thousands of people in Shuzhou.

He could simply add fuel to the fire, making the crisis burn hotter and more intense.

Second, the Lin family’s grain business was backed by the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank, giving them considerable power.

If the grain trade erupted in chaos, drawing the attention of the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank, figures like Liu Hong and Pu Shi Suo Guo Lan Duowang might be exposed.

Only then could Chen Yi quietly exploit the situation.

Lou Yuxue didn’t understand his schemes, but based on her assessment of the grain merchants, she still hesitated.

Not that she was afraid.

It was just that if she acted under the guise of Mingyue Tower, it might interfere with her upcoming tasks.

After thinking it over, she finally spoke boldly: “One hundred thousand bushels of grain, three hundred thousand silver dollars.”

Chen Yi’s smile vanished, his tone irritable: “Miss Yuexue, are you trying to rip me off like a barbarian?”

“If it were just two silver dollars per bushel, why would I seek your cooperation?”

Lou Yuxue hadn’t expected him to agree, but she figured it was worth trying.

“Two hundred thousand.”

“It won’t happen. I can offer at most one silver dollar per bushel, and I need three hundred thousand bushels.”

“Three hundred thousand bushels? Do you take me for a grain merchant of the Great Wei?”

Chen Yi feigned surprise: “Isn’t that right?”

He didn’t believe the White Tiger Guard’s secretive members had no control over industries.

Not to mention others, the Spring Rain Pavilion under the female tigers generated substantial income each month.

What about Luo Feng, then?

After all, Cui Qingwu came from the Cui family of Qinghe—major clans of the Great Wei dynasty, their estates far from poor.

Lou Yuxue stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly asked, “Tell me plainly: what exactly do you want?”

“Is it truly just to get silver from the grain merchants in the East Market?”

“Or is there another reason?”

“Hmph, I suspect you’re using this as a pretext to secure grain for the Xiao family.”

Chen Yi fell silent, then chuckled dryly, realizing he’d forgotten that angle.

The Xiao family also urgently needed grain these days, and Lou Yuxue’s thoughts made perfect sense.

“You needn’t concern yourself with the specific use of this grain batch. Just decide whether to agree to the deal.”

Chen Yi then withdrew ten crisp gold tickets from his sleeve and slapped them onto the table, smiling: “If you agree, I can give you ten thousand silver dollars as a deposit right now.”

Lou Yuxue lowered her eyes slightly, glancing at the stack of gold tickets, surprised.

She hadn’t expected this “Liu Wu” to be so eager.

She had already mentioned some details about the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank, even stated that Mingyue Tower was supported by them, yet this man seemed unafraid.

Of course, money and silver have always moved people, but someone like “Liu Wu,” who’d stop at nothing for cash, was rare.

Wasn’t he unafraid of the Ji Zhou Commercial Bank discovering him, inviting retribution?

After a moment of thought, Lou Yuxue made her decision—this was a matter of great consequence, and she needed to bring others into the fray.

“I’m afraid I can’t answer you just yet. We’ll meet again at the same time tomorrow night, here.”

“Should’ve said so earlier.”

Chen Yishu casually tucked away the gold bill, muttering something about the Baihuwei Silver Flag Officer not being one bit pleased with the profit.

Lou Yuxue listened with clear ears, her eyes twitching with irritation.

Just as she was about to scold him for his impertinence, a sharp knock came at the door.

She instantly paled, rising with a stern expression: “I have business elsewhere. I’ll take my leave first.”

Chen Yishu calculated the time, realizing she was off to meet that slovenly envoy from the southern kingdom. He smiled:

“What’s so urgent?”

“If it’s convenient, might I join you in taking a look?”

“Get lost!”

As Lou Yuxue hurried out of the chamber, Chen Yishu chuckled softly, pulling on his cloak and following her.

On the way, he slipped a black cloth over his face.

Lou Yuxple noticed his movement, paused, and glared at him.

“This concerns my Mingyue Tower. What brings you here?”

Chen Yishu’s eyes twinkled with a hint of mockery: “The wind over the willows of Mingyue Tower, Miss Lou—do you forget?”

Lou Yuxue blinked, then arched an eyebrow: “If you dare follow me again, our deal is off!”

Unfazed, Chen Yishu pointed to the far end of the dim corridor: “They’ve arrived.”

“What?”

She turned, seeing no one. About to scold him again, she heard his voice:

“Three…”

“Two…”

“One…”

Before the words faded, two tall figures cloaked in black emerged from the corridor’s end.

Lou Yuxue froze, her eyes narrowing with malice. She knew this wasn’t a moment to drive him out.

She forced a smile and hissed through her teeth: “No speaking!”

She knew her and the others in Chunrui Tower weren’t matches for “Liu Five.” She had to let this ruffian taste the prowess of Baihuwei’s guardian herself.

Thinking this, her face bloomed with a sultry smile:

“The honored guests have arrived. Please forgive our distant welcome.”

As she spoke, she scrutinized the two cloaked men.

Thanks to Liu Five’s warning, she knew these southern envoys weren’t ordinary. At least they surpassed her.

Last time, through a contact from Xing, she’d only learned their strength was below commoners.

So she deduced these two must be even more formidable than the previous envoy.

Chen Yishu, meanwhile, merely glanced at them, standing quietly behind her.

Through the art of pressure, he discerned their martial cultivation:

Fifth and fourth levels.

Both were mid-third-tier cultivators.

When the two cloaked figures approached, the leader’s jade-green eyes flickered over Lou Yuxue and Chen Yishu, his tone rigid:

“Miss Lou, please find a quiet place for a detailed discussion.”

The other, beside him, bowed low without a word.

Lou Yuxue smiled sweetly, gestured for them to follow, and led them into the side chamber.

Chen Yishu followed, sitting first on the chair, leaning back as if an elder listening.

These two had some nerve.

The one who spoke had lower cultivation; the silent one was stronger.

A pig eating tiger’s meat?

Lou Yuxue, too preoccupied with scolding Chen Yishu for breaking decorum, waved them to sit.

But as she opened her mouth to chat, the first cloaked man turned to Chen Yishu:

“Miss Lou, this one—surely you mean… Black Jaw Abbot?”

Lou Yuxue’s smile didn’t falter: “He’s a regional killer from my Mingyue Tower—Liu Laoshou.”

Chen Yishu lifted his cloak slightly, nodding: “Laoshou Liu has met the honored guests.”

The man’s eyes flickered, then asked: “‘Blade Madman’?”

Chen Yishu blinked, surprised: “Indeed, I am he.”

Clearly, he didn’t expect “Blade Madman” to reach the southern kingdom.

This fellow must’ve heard the name in Shuocheng.

The man nodded, pointing to himself: “I’m Ge Muxiao.”

Then to his companion: “Lü Jiān.”

Lou Yuxue smiled, giving a silent kick to Chen Yishu: “Don’t speak.”

“Ge Muxiao, which general serves under the Peacock Flag?”

Peacock Flag?

Should be the cavalry band of King Lan’s forces.

Chen Yishu thought this, bowing stiffly.

Then Ge Muxiao spoke in uneven Wei dialect:

“I’m merely a Golden Lion warrior under the King’s command, not a general.”

Lou Yuxue turned to Lü Jiān: “And you?”

Ge Muxiao was about to answer when Lü Jiān, voice low and gravelly, said: “Peacock warrior.”

Chen Yishu’s eyes narrowed.

It was him—the sorcerer from the southern kingdom who’d fled his fiancée!

Lü Jiān…

She hadn’t expected him to side with King Lan.

But why would King Lan’s people attack him?

Because of the Xiao family?

It is hard to say either way.

The bandits from the Mo and Gish countries, after all, are not the hereditary nobility of Shu Zhou, so they would not be wary of Xiao Jinghong remaining in the Xiao family.

Unless he was acting under someone else’s orders…

Lou Yuxue failed to notice his unease, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he spoke:

“I’ve heard that under King Ran’s phoenix banner, there are three great warriors: the Phoenix, the Golden Lion, and the White Elephant.”

“Of these, the rarest—the Phoenix—is most esteemed. Imagine, Your Grace, that you are one of them.”

Ge Muxiang glanced at Lü Jiān, as though he hadn’t expected him to speak.

After a moment’s hesitation, he inclined his head slightly:

“When Miss Yuxue last contacted our people, Brother Jiān was quite attentive. Today, I’ve come to meet you in person.”

“Thank you.”

“Then might I ask, Miss Yuxue, what business do you wish to discuss with us?”

Before Lou Yuxue could answer, his gaze swept past the nearby Chen Yì, and he bit his lip before smiling:

“A certain honored guest has asked me to arrange a meeting with you and King Ran.”

Chen Yì heard this and remained silent, his head still bowed, though something stirred within him.

That honored guest—surely it must be the golden-flag general of the White Tiger Guard?

How curious.

What business could he have with King Ran?

“You wish to see the King?”

Ge Muxiang instinctively looked to Lü Jiān, who fixed his sharp gaze on Lou Yuxue without speaking, so he shook his head:

“Miss Yuxue, you know well that the King remains within the Mo and Gish countries. He would never venture into the territory of the great Wei.”

Lou Yuxue had anticipated this, smiling:

“That point has already been clarified by the honored guest.”

“If King Ran should deign to come, he might send envoys to meet us along the Tea Horse Road.”

Before Ge Muxiang could reply, Lü Jiān’s voice remained steady:

“Miss Yuxue, what is the identity of this man?”

“Your dignity need not question it; if the King should consent, I would gladly inform you of his identity.”

Lü Jiān stared darkly at her:

“If you do not speak, then you shall not see him.”

Lou Yuxue’s smile faltered, clearly unprepared for such force. A shiver of pressure ran through him.

“You…”

At that moment, Chen Yì slightly raised his head.

In that single motion, Ge Muxiang and Lü Jiān turned their attention to him, as did Lou Yuxue.

Chen Yì cast his gaze over the three of them, his eyes settling on Lü Jiān, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

“I have heard of King Ran’s name even in the northern deserts.”

“I was told he is the personal disciple of the Mo and Gish scholar, or perhaps a true master of great strength.”

After a pause, noticing the slight deference in Ge Muxiang and Lü Jiān’s expressions, he shifted his tone:

“Yet today’s account suggests his courage does not match his reputation.”

Lou Yuxue’s anger flared instantly. This man, who could not even produce ivory from his dogged tongue, had not expected such venom—especially at this moment.

What were those two…?

Before Lou Yuxue could devise a countermeasure, the chamber was instantly shrouded in two opposing auras.

Like ghosts sweeping through, cold, spectral breaths coiled and clung to her, pressing down upon her.

But only for an instant.

Chen Yì then erupted with a sharp, domineering presence, his energy slicing through the chill like a blade, shattering the oppressive force.

With one against two, he did not merely avoid the strike—he met it head-on, bold as a dragon.

Ge Muxiang roared in fury, “You—dare?!”

As he rose from his seat with a swift motion, Lü Jiān raised his hand to block the incoming blow.

Ge Muxiang froze, “Brother…?”

Lü Jiān gestured for him to sit, his eyes never leaving Chen Yì.

“Not even a fraction of ‘Knife Madness’—just looking at this blade aura, I’d say it’s three-quarters of his master, the Knife Ghost elder’s true style.”

Chen Yì remained seated, his expression unreadable.

“Lü Brother, are you a head-tying practitioner?”

Lü Jiān offered no answer. He studied him closely, then turned to Lou Yuxue:

“Does ‘Knife Madness’ speak for Mingyue Tower as well?”

Lou Yuxue let out an involuntary bitter smile, unable to fully explain.

But the situation had reached this point—he nodded:

“My apologies. He hails from the northern deserts and has a sharp tongue.”

Before others could speak, he continued:

“Yet Mingyue Tower’s rules are as such. Until I receive confirmation from King Ran, I cannot reveal this honored guest’s identity.”

Lü Jiān inclined his head slightly, then rose:

“We shall inquire with the King and reply in due time.”

He then bowed to Chen Yì:

“‘Knife Madness,’ your skill is truly formidable. I look forward to our next meeting.”

Ge Muxiang snorted in the adjacent space, then exited the chamber first.

Lü Jiān followed closely behind.

Once the two had departed, and the silence had settled like a whisper, Lou Yuxue inhaled deeply, clenched his teeth, and demanded:

“Why did you do this? Did you deliberately sabotage me?

You knew they were sent by King Ran and ordered by Star General Wei!”

Chen Yì glanced at him, his voice calm:

“At this moment, they could not possibly deliver your message to King Ran.”

“You… you say! Why not?!”

“If my guess is correct, Lü Jiān is the head-tying practitioner who rescued those several barbarian captives from the East Market.”

Lou Yuxue staggered, his fury momentarily frozen on his face:

“He saved them?”

Chen Yì nodded.

“Since they are still in Shu Zhou, those captives must still be there.”

“In such a situation, do you think they would care about your request?”

“But… but why did they come to seek you at all? Why not simply refuse outright?”

“I do not know. Perhaps… perhaps those bandits from Mo and Gish have some business with Mingyue Tower as well…”

With that, Chen Yì rose and walked toward the exit.

Yù Xuě staggered, then stepped in front of him, staring intently as he asked, "Tell me clearly, what do they want from us?"

"Are you hiding something else?"

Chen Yì turned his head to look at her, meeting her eyes without hesitation.

Seeing her unyielding in her pursuit, he thought a moment and withdrew a slip of paper from his sleeve, handing it to her.

"Once you've read this, you'll know."

After saying that, Chen Yì didn't hesitate any longer, walking past Yù Xuě and leaving directly.

As he walked, he leaned close to hear, heading toward Lǚ Jiǔnán and Gě Mùxiāng who were in pursuit.

Since he'd encountered them here, he couldn't let those two escape.

On the other hand.

Lǚ Jiǔnán, his expression somber, walked southward from Chūnrǔ Lóu. Gě Mùxiāng followed closely behind, his gaze shifting between dark and light.

After walking a few miles, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Brother, why don't you let me take him out and kill him?"

Lǚ Jiǔnán glanced at him sideways, his voice cold as he said, "We can't kill him there."

"You... you mean his blade?"

"Yes, your martial arts prowess and techniques are far behind his, and I'm not skilled in close combat killing."

If we act there, once we disturb others in the city of Shu, we both won't escape."

Gě Mùxiāng's eyes flashed with resentment, "So we let him humiliate the King?"

Lǚ Jiǔnán suddenly stopped, his voice cold as he said, "In Wei, there's a saying: 'As long as the green hills remain, there's no worry about lack of firewood.' We'll strike once we've sent the left prince out of Shu; it won't be late."

Gě Mùxiāng could only nod, "Then what should we do now?"

"You still plan to use Ming Yue Tower's power to lure those barbarians away?"

"Not yet."

Since Yù Xuě wants to see the King, she'll naturally seek out...