Chapter 249: You Are Lu Jiunan? (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 249: Are You Truly Lyu Jiunan? (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Chen Yi could broadly guess how Liu Hong would react.

Had their positions been reversed, upon learning of Asutai’s disappearance, he too would have devised any means to retrieve the man.

He might have even turned the entire Shuzhou Prefectural Capital upside down.

Yet, this was precisely the spectacle Chen Yi wished to behold.

The more chaotic the situation grew, the more clearly he could perceive the undercurrents, and subsequently seize advantages therefrom for the Xiao family.

As for Liu Hong’s subordinate of the fifth realm, he had not given the matter much thought, and felt even less inclined to deliberately leave a false trail to make Liu Hong suspect his follower’s betrayal.

“To strike the mountain and frighten the tiger, thereby testing the reality of the situation.”

“Only in this manner, while I remain concealed within the shadows, can I uncover the evidence of Liu Hong’s treasonous rebellion.”

As these thoughts occupied Chen Yi, he had already arrived at the Western Market.

To evade prying eyes, he did not show his face at the Baicao Hall.

He merely had Zhang Dabao switch to an even more ordinary carriage to convey him through the Western Market, heading straight for the depths of Black Fish Alley.

By this hour, the sky had grown dim, and the rain was intensifying.

Amidst the drifting downpour, the rain beat incessantly against the tiled roofs and flagstone paths with a continuous pitter-patter.

Yet, within this Western Market, there were still many travelers and peddlers coming and going.

Beneath the eaves outside the shops on either side, shop-boys stood shouting and calling out, respectfully welcoming guests.

Within the establishments, three to five customers paused and wandered, picking and choosing, occasionally offering a few inquiries.

The Baicao Hall and the Yunqing Restaurant, situated at the outer entrance of the Western Market, enjoyed business that was far more prosperous than on ordinary days.

Those passing to and fro included wealthy gentry and affluent merchants, young masters and young ladies of noble houses, as well as ordinary commoners, their laughter and scolding rising and falling in waves.

It was unclear who had first conceived the notion.

Within the recently opened Yunqing Restaurant, the herbal teas of Baicao Hall had also begun to be sold.

Nearly every other day, the manager of the Yunqing Restaurant would purchase ten wagonloads of herbal tea from Baicao Hall.

Though it did not yield a fifty-percent share of the profits like the Xiao family's medicine hall, even selling it at cost brought more patrons to the Yunqing Restaurant.

At the very least, it spared them the time spent waiting in lines outside the Baicao Hall.

Its allure to the clientele was no less than that of the Yunqing Restaurant’s signature Lang Wine.

This was a development that even Chen Yi had not anticipated.

He had originally intended to wait until Baicao Hall had spread throughout Shuzhou before first absorbing the medicine halls and then separately developing other channels such as taverns and pleasure houses to sell the tea.

He had not expected that Cui Qingwu, entirely self-taught, would anticipate this idea ahead of him.

Chen Yi looked out at the bustling scene of the Yunqing Restaurant through the window, the calls of the servers ringing in his ears, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly upward.

He could well imagine that other taverns within the prefectural capital would follow suit in the days to come.

It could be considered an unexpected pleasant surprise.

And as the carriage advanced a certain distance, he lifted the curtain on the opposite side, his gaze sweeping across that particular tailor shop.

Aside from the proprietor, whom he had confirmed to be an Iron Banner Officer of the Hidden Guards, his attention was fixed more upon an older shop-boy.

That youth possessed a proper and balanced countenance and a tall, slender build, clad in hempen garments; at first glance, he was utterly unremarkable, greeting and sending off guests just like any other shop-boy.

Yet upon closer inspection, it was not difficult for Chen Yi to discern a subtle thread of discordance about him.

—A pair of deep eyes spent most of their time observing the passing travelers and carriages, and though his hands and feet were nimble enough, there were moments when his pace fell out of step with the other boys.

Evidently, this man’s mind was not upon the tailor shop.

As Chen Yi studied him for a moment, the shimmering light of his Qi-Observation Technique flickered slightly in response.

Once he clearly perceived the aura upon that man, he lowered the curtain without a change in expression, a touch of apprehension appearing on his face.

“The General Star, a cultivation of the upper three realms…”

“His aura is even more robust than that of Xiao Jinghong, at least at the upper stage of the third realm.”

Chen Yi recalled his eavesdropping on the conversation between the General Star and Lou Yuxue at the Wonton Shop a few days prior, and a faint sweat broke out upon his back.

Fortunately, he possessed the Black Tortoise Breath-Concealing Technique, supplemented by the grand attainment realm of his Martial Dao · Physique.

Otherwise, at such a close proximity, he would certainly have been detected by the General Star.

Precisely at that moment.

The General Star, clad in hempen cloth, cast his gaze upon the carriage where Chen Yi sat, and after studying it for a couple of glances, he turned his eyes toward another direction.

A martial artist of the fifth realm was not yet worthy of his concern.

After observing for a brief spell.

The General Star looked toward the Yunqing Restaurant, his countenance unchanging, yet his eyes betrayed a hint of displeasure.

Evidently, he had recalled his meeting with the Phoenix, Cui Qingwu, the previous evening.

Originally, he had requested an audience with Cui Qingwu to seize the opportunity to ascertain the purpose of this young mistress of the Cui family coming to Shuzhou.

And, in passing, to give her a warning.

Who could have known that Cui Qingwu truly possessed the temperament of a great spoiled lady, granting absolutely no face to him, a Gold Banner Officer of the White Tiger Guards.

In a matter of a few sentences, every word carried sarcasm, nearly infuriating him to death.

Had she not hailed from the Qinghe Cui family, and had her family patriarch Cui Mao not been one of the Nine Ministers of the Great Wei Dynasty, the General Star would have already made her experience the rules of the White Tiger Guards firsthand.

“Hmph, I shall see what exactly you intend to achieve here in Shuzhou.”

“If you dare ruin the great matter of the Pavilion Master, even if Cui Mao protects you, I shall ensure you never return!”

Occupied with these thoughts.

The General Star withdrew his gaze, turned to scan the surroundings, and then leaned in toward the proprietor, lowering his voice to speak:

“Has there been any correspondence from the Tigress?”

“Not yet.”

“Send word to her, tell her to hasten her pace.”

“My days in Shuzhou are numbered, and the Fu family of Guangyuan has been making continuous movements of late; I fear they intend to aid the Xiao family.”

“Understood…”

…

Deep within the Western Market, Black Fish Alley.

This place was exactly like the name of its street, where the dwellings and roads all emphasized the word “black.”

The dilapidated black courtyard walls were overgrown with creeping vines, and though the mud-slicked paths were washed by the rain, it remained difficult to discern the stone flags beneath.

It resembled an old alleyway abandoned for a century, where every sight that met the eye was one of ruin and decay.

Even the people who dwelt here were mostly clad in black attire, whether of hempen cloth or fine brocade.

The distinction lies only in the difference between the new and the old.

Those dressed in tattered garments were mostly gaunt beggars, their faces parched and hollow, the elderly clutching cracked bowls, crouching beneath eaves, staring blankly at passersby.

Those clad in finer attire were the robust warriors of the martial world.

They wore tall beards, bore weapons at their waists, their expressions varying from sullen and fierce to expressionless or grinning with a grim, toothy smile.

Though diverse in appearance, they all carried a fierce, predatory aura.

Yet within their midst moved Liu Rong, seamlessly blending in.

He crouched like a fish in water, perched against the wall of an old, dilapidated station courtyard, smiling as he surveyed the strangers passing by.

Whenever he met someone’s gaze, he would flash a warm smile and greet them with a cheerful "Hey there!"

Not the usual idle chatter of "Have you eaten?" but the guttural slang of the martial world.

For instance, when he encountered beggars, he’d ask, "Did you strike gold today?"—meaning, had they managed to earn anything worthwhile or fill their bellies?

Or when he came across martial artists, he’d inquire, "Mountain peak, divine being, or evil spirit?"—to discern their true nature.

Thieves and bandits ruled the mountains, righteous heroes upheld justice, and malevolent spirits embodied pure evil.

Those wandering the martial world could generally be divided into these three categories.

A phrase that could be tossed about anywhere across the four seas.

All thanks to the Moonlit Tower.

Without its years of steady operation, such riffraff as these would still cling to old traditions.

Of course, Liu Rong’s actions were merely a ruse to mask his intentions.

In speech and stride, in the way he lifted his gaze to the dark clouds gathering above, his thoughts remained fixed on the mansion three miles away.

After receiving news from Liu Hong last night, he had shifted his focus, trailing Liu TaoYao as she wandered through the city.

Earlier, from Chen Yi, he had learned of Liu Hong’s stance, realizing the old master of Bai Caotang cared deeply for Liu Hong’s movements. Thus, without further ado, he followed Liu TaoYao.

Until at last, he saw Liu TaoYao enter that very mansion.

Fortunately, in the interim, he had sent word through Bai Caotang to the owner and learned from Zhang DaBao about the affair involving the sultry sorceress from the southern lands—information that kept him from drawing near.

"The sorceress from the southern lands, skilled in spirit-binding arts, her martial techniques and methods akin to the shamanic practices of the mountain clans."

"Especially those spectral 'spirit-binders' who can remotely probe their surroundings—truly formidable, requiring caution."

Liu Rong, having roamed the martial world for years, had encountered all manner of martial artists, naturally crossing paths with southern sorceresses.

Moreover, during his years accompanying his master in battles against ghosts and demons, he had heard countless tales from elder martial artists, understanding the southern martial world far better than Chen Yi ever could.

He naturally knew how to counter such threats.

Yet at present, Liu Rong remained unaware of the martial prowess of the mansion’s resident, Lü JiuNan.

Cautious by nature, he kept watch from three miles away, lest his proximity draw the sorceress’s attention.

Liu Rong adjusted his tall hat, gazing at the rain falling from the sky. "I wonder if the owner has received the message yet."

"By now, it should have arrived."

As if in answer, the sound of wheels on cobblestones reached his ears.

He followed the sound and saw a black carriage racing toward the mansion from the distance.

He hesitated slightly, muttering to himself about who it might be, drawing closer by instinct.

But upon reaching about a hundred paces away, he froze mid-step, his gaze shifting toward the mound of wet grass nearby.

Beneath the sodden grass pile stood a black, tattered wooden effigy, silently watching him.

Its eyes, inlaid with gemstones, glowed with an eerie red light against the gray sky.

Liu Rong cursed under his breath. "Damn it—detected!"

He gripped his dagger’s hilt, moving with utmost care.

To his surprise, he’d only managed to edge within a hundred paces before that southern sorceress, Lü JiuNan, had sensed his presence through her "spirit-binding" art.

Before he could think further, a high-pitched wailing sound echoed behind him.

Then, the one-foot-tall wooden effigy lunged at him with surprising speed.

Its crude limbs moved with nary a hesitation, and as it charged, it flung several silver needles at him.

Liu Rong smirked. "A wooden 'spirit-binder' aiming to kill me? How audacious."

Deciding not to retreat but to advance, he drew his long blade and cleaved the wooden figure in two.

*Clang!*

The blade met wood with a sharp crack, splitting the effigy cleanly. But before he could step back, the two halves exploded into a plume of black mist.

The mist spread swiftly, corroding everything in its path.

Acrid, stinking smoke billowed, devouring the crumbling walls and grass mounds alike.

Liu Rong cursed again, retreating several paces, avoiding the miasma.

"My master was right—these spirit-binding arts bear twisted names, rooted in demonic, heretical techniques."

"Treat them as lesser shamans or poison masters."

He glanced toward the mansion three miles away, where the carriage had already entered. Deciding to approach, he moved closer.

After all, since they’d already discovered his presence, avoiding them entirely seemed uncharacteristic.

But just as he drew near half a mile, a roar erupted behind him.

A fierce windstorm surged from the rear, bearing down upon him.

"Die!"

Upon hearing the word, Liu Rong exhaled, his blade slicing through the air with practiced ease.

The world seemed to surge like water, the opponent’s savage fists crushed beneath his technique.

Only then did he return a single slash.

A brilliant flash of light tore through the gloom.

*Ping!*

Yet this time, his blade met resistance, halted by immense force.

Liu Rong planted his feet, turning his head to see.

A towering figure in a black robe stood before him, two short axes crossed to block his blade.

His head bore no hat, only a slight curl of brown hair, crimson eyes, and a scar at his nose tip.

Combined with his ferocious expression, the man’s face seemed monstrous.

——It was none other than Guo Muxiao, under the Peacock Banner of the Poshui Suo Kingdom.

Liu Lan did not recognize him and asked, "A man from the Poshui Suo Kingdom?"

"Just a fist fighter, my techniques no better than a minor achievement, yet dares to block me?"

Guo Muxiao glared at him, his voice harsh and guttural: "Who are you? Dare to spy on us?"

Liu Lan smiled faintly, "This land is Dawei Shu Prefecture, not your Poshui Suo Kingdom. What's the matter with me being here?"

With a single effort, he directly pushed Guo Muxiao back with his long blade.

Without hesitation, he charged forward, "Who gave you the audacity to ambush me?"

As he spoke, Liu Lan unleashed two strikes.

One overhead chop, one horizontal slash.

No flourish, just one blow subduing ten opponents.

But to Guo Muxiao, it was a blur of blades rushing toward him.

Even with all his might, parrying with two short axes, he could not withstand it.

When he met the first strike head-on, his short axe was sent flying, clanging against the side wall.

After the second blow, a deep wound appeared at his waist, visible to the bone.

Yet the sharp pain only fueled his fierceness.

Ignoring everything, he lunged at Liu Lan, gripping his short axe and swinging it wildly.

At the same time, he shouted in the Poshui Suo dialect to the distance, "Brother, be careful! The attacker is strong!"

Liu Lan dodged his assault while keeping an eye on the mansion's interior.

Upon noticing the carriage that had previously entered quickly driving out, he lost all playful intent.

Infusing his spirit into his hands, he added a domineering blade technique, slashing diagonally downward with a sword glow.

Not giving Guo Muxiao time to react, he split his short axe in two.

The blade's path continued unhindered, carving another wound across his body.

Blood sprayed, staining Guo Muxiao's upper body crimson.

Just as Liu Lan was about to speak, a sharp explosion echoed from afar.

He furrowed his brow and instinctively sidestepped.

*Clang!*

A short blade, a palm's length, pierced the wall behind him.

A sibilant voice hissed from the distance: "You come to kill me!"

Liu Lan glanced sideways and saw another Poshui Suo man standing on the roof of the distant mansion, watching him.

"This strength isn't weak."

"Even from two hundred paces away, such power... his cultivation must surpass mine."

Liu Lan thought to himself, sheathing his long blade, and asked with a smile: "You must be Lü Jiānán, the descendant of the Poshui Suo head-hunting master?"

"The wooden man I previously ambushed—was that you?"

Lü Jiānán sneered coldly, "Who are you?"

"Since you know my name, you know the consequences of provoking me!"

"Oh? What are those consequences?"

(End of chapter)