Chapter 248: Beating the Mountain to Frighten the Tiger (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 248: Shaking the Mountain to Break the Tiger (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"A ferret cat replacing the crown prince?"

Chen Yi's eyes beneath the black iron mask flickered with disdain.

"This phrase is used incorrectly."

"It should be 'the golden cicada shedding its shell' instead."

"Alas, I arrived in time, but too late for this 'golden cicada' to shed its shell."

Coming early is not as good as arriving in time.

Since he happened to arrive at this moment, he could not allow Liu Hong to achieve his wish.

Then, Chen Yi focused his spiritual energy to sense the surroundings, all while keeping watch over the household's condition.

After a series of guttural, barbarous shouts and yells, the mansion fell silent except for Asutai's suppressed sobs and low growls.

"I-I won't, I won't let you go..."

"I'll kill you, kill..."

"Tielo, Luyi, Bah... I, Asutai, swear by the Barbarian God, I shall kill you!!"

The man who had spoken earlier still maintained his disdainful tone.

"Lord Asutai, your father, the Left King, has already had his army routed at the Meng River Pass. How much hope is there for you to rise again and reclaim your rightful place?"

"Moreover, you are merely the Left King's son, not the true heir of the Barbarian clan."

"When you actually become the Left King of the Barbarians, then we'll hear your words."

"Ahhh—kill you!"

Asutai seemed to have his mouth covered, only managing a muffled, low roar.

But soon, his cry was drowned out by the earlier speaker's laughter.

"Forgive me, Lord Asutai, the time being over, you may stay here alone."

"But rest assured, I shall order them to prepare the fiercest wine and the most delicious venison, letting you spend unforgettable days in Shu Zhou."

"Hahaha..."

Chen Yi paid no heed to that man's grotesque laughter, merely showing a hint of contemplation.

He had encountered many arrogant people, but those as brazen as this one were rare.

Especially since the one who had spoken was the Barbarian Left King's son, someone Liu Hong dared risk his head to protect.

After a moment's reflection, Chen Yi formed two deductions.

First, Liu Hong intended to return Asutai to the Barbarian tribe, not because the Left King had ordered it, but because he hurried over to offer something in exchange for a benefit.

Second, Liu Hong and the Left King had a deeper alliance, and they were equals in status.

Otherwise, Liu Hong's trusted aides would not have treated Asutai with such disdain.

At least, if it were Chen Yi, he had countless ways to have Asutai return to the Barbarian tribe without his knowledge.

Instead, he let Asutai witness his people's tragic deaths before his eyes.

Of course, there was a third possibility—Asutai was not valued by the Left King within the Barbarian tribe.

Clearly, this was unlikely.

Chen Yi looked at the mansion with a thoughtful gaze, unconsciously tapping the window of the carriage with his fingers.

"If the second scenario is true, it means Liu Hong and the Barbarian tribe have been in contact for a long time."

"One year, two years... or perhaps before the Left King of the Barbarians, Magha, attacked the Meng River Pass?"

Chen Yi did not know the truth, only that Liu Hong was not only ambitious but also reckless.

Throughout history, many have been obsessed with power, but most formed alliances, courted influential families, and engaged in private schemes.

Those who secretly conspired with foreign enemies, like Liu Hong, were few and ruthless to the extreme.

No wonder he, upon discovering Liu Tao's affair with Lin Hua'an, disregarded Lin Hua'an's status as a Shu Zhou merchant to eliminate him.

No wonder, upon hearing Liu Tao might have been attacked, fearing exposure of his relations with the Brothel Queen, Magpie Country, and the Barbarian tribe, he immediately dealt with the slave girl and Lü Jiu Nan.

"If such a person as Liu Hong cannot be resolved with a thunderous strike, he will only become a major problem in the future."

Chen Yi thought of these things and made a decision.

He lowered the curtain, rose from his seat, and walked toward the outside.

Pei Mengyu saw his movement and was about to follow, when Chen Yi said, "Stay here and keep watch for any movement."

"If anyone comes, use this to knock them out."

Chen Yi tossed him a bottle of divine wine, adjusted his heavy cloak, and silently approached the mansion.

Pei Mengyu glanced at the medicine bottle, then peered through the carriage window at Chen Yi's retreating figure. The face beneath the mask instantly sagged with disappointment.

"Didn't you say you wanted to bring me along to watch the spectacle?"

"Where's the spectacle?"

Her cultivation was too low; even with spiritual energy infused into her ears, she couldn't discern the conversations within the mansion's inner chamber through the clamor of rain and noise.

No wonder Chen Yi carried such a burden.

Chen Yi didn't dwell on the girl's idle thoughts, and silently approached the mansion.

Once he confirmed the people inside were all present, he without hesitation unleashed the Star Butterfly Step.

The Great Dao's technique, "Step of the Grasping Claw," propelled his movement to its peak.

In an instant, he could barely make out a vague blur as he passed beside the guards stationed around the mansion.

Before they could react, Chen Yi swiftly delivered a lightning-fast dagger strike to their necks.

Then he took out the bottle of divine wine, popped the cork, and checked each guard's nose with it.

After confirming the eight outer guards in gray robes were thoroughly unconscious, he quietly entered the mansion's inner hall.

He headed straight for the ear room above the western chamber where Asutai was kept.

Two warriors standing guard at the door suddenly saw him enter and froze.

"Who... who are you?!"

"Big brother, there's an outsider breaking in!"

One of them demanded while alerting the chamber's occupants, then drew their blade.

Chen Yi swayed slightly, already passing them like a gentle breeze.

There, I witnessed two seven-grade martial artists tumble to the earth.

Through the art of sensing qi, Chen Yi had already discerned their cultivation levels—most of them at the lower three grades.

No cause for concern.

Yet when his gaze drifted toward the entrance of the quiet chamber, a flicker of surprise crossed his features.

A mere five-grade warrior below?

Liu Hong’s subordinates must harbor such masters.

He waited a moment.

Chen Yi noticed the figures below remained motionless, and even the previously roaring Alusi—now silent—had fallen still. A sardonic smile crept across his face.

“They won’t emerge?”

As he spoke, he lifted the bottle of Immortal’s Intoxication to his nose, inhaled its scent, then cast it unceremoniously into the chamber.

*Clack.*

The vial shattered.

The man who had spoken moments before muttered, “Toxic—be careful,” then urged those nearby to clamp their mouths and noses shut.

But the Immortal’s Intoxication was no elixir a common martial artist could withstand.

After roughly ten breaths, the chamber fell utterly still. Only then did Chen Yi slip inside.

The modest wooden room reeked of blood. Seven or eight crude silhouettes sprawled lifelessly across the floor—barbarian captives.

Three masked warriors in gray robls knelt nearby.

One stood guard at the stairwell, his breath steady—likely the five-grade cultivator who had spoken earlier.

The other two lay beside a young barbarian boy, their bodies limp.

Chen Yi scanned the scene, his eyes lingering on the corpses. He confirmed these were the raiders who had attacked the Eastern Market grain depot.

Without hesitation, he hoisted the barbarian youth onto his shoulders and began to move toward the exit.

But pausing at the stairwell, he reconsidered. He retrieved the five-grade warrior as well.

“Such a cultivated man dare act so boldly—he likely knows Liu Hong’s secrets. Worth keeping.”

Outside the residence, once he confirmed no one was watching, Chen Yi ushered the two captives into the carriage.

Pei Qinlu studied them with narrowed eyes. “Sister… *cough*—master, who are these two?”

“Pawns.”

Chen Yi settled into the seat, patted Zhang Daobao’s shoulder. “I recall another mansion near the Eastern Market?”

“Let’s go there.”

Zhang Daobao nodded, guiding the carriage through the tranquil alley toward the throng of pedestrians on theeast street.

Inside the carriage, Pei Qinlu remained puzzled. “Brother, what kind of pawns?”

Chen Yi parted the curtain, peering out at the bustling street. “One that’ll make them squirm.”

Earlier, he had resolved to stir the waters of Shu to clarify Liu Hong and the Jizhou merchants’ true strength. Yet before he could act—before he could manipulate grain prices—Liu Hong had already sent him a gift.

His plans had advanced ahead of schedule. And the outcome would surpass his original scheme—swift, decisive.

Pei Qinlu, unperturbed by his cryptic words, absentmindedly poked the barbarian youth beside her.

“A barbarian—how would that make them squirm?”

Chen Yi smiled faintly. “Rest easy. This time, the main event will be worth your while.”

“Really?”

“My dear brother, I knew you’d understand best.”

“Once my cultivation breaks through, I’ll help you.”

“You? Just don’t complicate things for me.”

“Oh, my dear brother—”

She laughed softly, her heart light. Since the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering, she had resolved to stay by Chen Yi’s side forever.

Thus, she had labored diligently in her cultivation these past days, hoping one day to aid him—not merely watch helplessly from afar, as that fateful night.

Soon, the carriage rolled into a modest courtyard mansion in the northern reaches of the Eastern Market.

A two-gate residence, modest in scale, yet nestled along the eastern bank of the pool—its scenery quite pleasant.

Chen Yi alighted, surveying the interior’s layout, listening intently for any sounds beyond. Only when he confirmed no neighbors were near did he carry the two captives into the main hall.

“Later, have Wang Pi procure some iron yinwood for the mansion on thewest street. Set up a chamber there.”

“Remember—keep this secret. How about the guards from Tian Shan?”

Zhang Daobao understood. “The landlord mentioned a few men. Said they’d done well enough at the Bai Caoguang.”

“Then send them.”

“As for those guarding this place…”

Upon hearing this, Pei Qinlu lifted her hand. “I—I can guard them.”

Chen Yi paused, surprised. “Are you certain?”

She grinned. “Rest assured, I’ll handle it.”

Seeing her palm to her chest in promise, he nodded. “Stay here, but don’t let them escape. Be vigilant.”

“Yes, yes.”

“And don’t let them die.”

“Yes, yes.”

“You… never mind.”

The tiger cub had proven too formidable in past ‘accomplishments,’ Chen Yi thought. He’d had no choice but to intervene personally.

With a swift motion, he tore open the three great meridians of the five-grade warrior.

He deployed the "Yi Qi Yu Zhen" technique, tearing through the meridians within his body, shattering his cultivation. Yet Chen Yi still felt it was not secure enough, and in the end, under Pei Wenli's astonished gaze, he severed that person's four limbs.

After completing these deeds, he did not forget to explain to Pei Wenli: "This one's cultivation was quite strong, reaching the fifth grade."

Pei Wenli had the heart to say something about her possessing some treasure, but seeing that Chen Yi had ruined the person, she could only nod and mutter, "My lord, you can rest assured now, can't you?"

Chen Yi paused, then said with a grimace: "Still not at peace."

"Ah, you..."

They laughed it off.

Chen Yi had Zhang Da Bao fetch some rope, bound the two people, and instructed Pei Wenli: "Stay here, I'll have Da Bao bring some food and drink."

"You can leave it to me, I guarantee there won't be any problems."

Pei Wenli nodded repeatedly, her silver pendant at her neck jingling merrily.

By this point, Chen Yi could only trust her once.

After a few final instructions, he had Zhang Da Bao drive the carriage to the judicial office on Zhennan Street.

He sat in the driver's seat, removing the black iron mask from his face, and revealed a smile upon the window as the fine rain fell outside.

"This technique, 'Shake the Mountain, Subdue the Tiger,' I hope Liu Da Ren will be satisfied..."

...

Half a liang of time later.

Fang Hongxie received a letter and hastened with her followers to the courtyard in Pinghuo Alley, East Market.

She looked at the fallen martial artists inside and the dead savages in the study, her face showing some contemplation.

Then she summoned a judicial officer and inquired, "Did you see the face of the person who delivered the letter clearly?"

The officer shook his head: "Lord Bai, have mercy on me. I only saw the letter, did not see who delivered it."

Fang Hongxie was somewhat disappointed.

Though she knew it was Liu Wu's doing, and they were still in cooperation, she still wished to uncover Liu Wu's true identity. Alas, Liu Wu was too cautious.

In this state of mind, Fang Hongxie ordered: "Take them all back to the detention cells in the judicial office."

"Also, find some scholars to revive them quickly, I want to interrogate them personally."

"Yes!"

At the same time, in the Office of the Magistrate of the Border Defense.

Liu Hong, dressed in red official robes, sat at the desk writing a memorial.

His brush moved swiftly, each stroke penetrating the paper.

[The summer grain tax for Shuzhou, totaling three hundred and thirty thousand sheng, will soon be transported to the Prefecture of Jingu; the annual examination is approaching, and all able-bodied men in the region of Hezhou... ]

As he wrote, someone rushed in from the corridor. "My lord!"

Liu Hong frowned slightly and asked the newcomer: "Zhao Shichang, what's the matter that's causing such a commotion?"

Zhao Shichang didn't hesitate and whispered close to him: "My lord, there's an incident!"

"The courtyard in Pinghuo Alley has been found by the judicial office."

"They found it, they found it, they were already supposed to be taken to the office..."

Before he could finish, Liu Hong suddenly stopped, turned his head, and asked sternly: "And that 'guest'?"

Zhao Shichang whispered back: "He... he's gone."

"And, and the people from the judicial office not only found those savages' corpses, but also..."

"And what else?"

"They also captured our people."

After a pause, he added quickly: "Fortunately, those people are unconscious for unknown reasons, and the judicial office hasn't been able to interrogate them yet."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong's face changed drastically, his expression shifting wildly.

Zhao Shichang fell silent, stepping back as if he couldn't even breathe.

After a long silence.

Liu Hong set down his brush, leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead, and asked: "The judicial office's people have taken them and will surely send them to the prison immediately."

"You must find a way to make them keep silent forever."

Zhao Shichang bowed and replied: "My lord, before I left, I had instructed my subordinates to look for an opportunity to act, but... it could be..."

"What else?!"

Liu Hong's voice had reached a fury.

Zhao Shichang smiled sadly and continued: "Besides Asutai, Zhi Feng is also missing."

Liu Hong could hold back no longer, slammed his hand on the table, and asked in a deep voice: "Are you saying he betrayed me?!"

"No... there might be such a possibility."

"According to the judicial office, at the scene aside from those savages' corpses, all the guards were only poisoned and unconscious, not dead."

"Good, very good!"

"You, hurry and notify the boss, tell those two people—alive to see people, dead to see bodies!"

Zhao Shichang naturally understood he was referring to Lu Jiayou and Ge Muxi.

After a slight hesitation, he bowed and left quickly.

After he had gone far away, Liu Hong sat in silence for a long time, then let out a breath.

He looked at the memorial on his desk, his eyes cold as ice.

"There must have been someone who betrayed me, but not necessarily Zhi Feng, perhaps someone else..."

"Regardless of who it is, anyone who dares to ruin my affairs will have only one fate!"

"Dead!"

(Chapter Complete)