Chapter 255: Since Yi Was Born, Why Was Fan Also Born? (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 255: The Birth of the Sail After the Birth of the Escapee (Seeking Moon Tickets)

Chunyu Tower.

The sky was dim and heavy, red lanterns glowing softly, illuminating the four-story tower with a rich, vibrant hue.

In the main hall, a crowd surged like a river in spring.

As the curtains and banners swayed, it felt as if songbirds and swallows were dancing in the air.

Though Chunyu Tower wasn’t a place dedicated to the flesh trade like some Qin establishments, it was still a venue where pleasure was served.

All manner of people mingled here—Buddhists, Taoists, Confucians, and the damned alike. Those who sought gain would naturally not miss the chance to grab a morsel of opportunity.

Though there was much bragging and boasting, there were also those who knew how to listen well.

“The Black Fish Alley is a tragedy—dozens killed, their bodies piled up in the execution bureau’s refuse room.”

“Who could be mad enough to slaughter them like that? Even the beggars and wandering warriors who happened to be there were spared.”

“They say it was done with hidden weapons. Some whisper it was the sorcerer from the Brothel of the Wretched, those who practice forbidden arts.”

“So far, the authorities have no concrete news. I wonder how those two came to clash in the city.”

“Luckily, few live in Black Fish Alley—if they did, the death toll would be far worse.”

“I hear the ‘Dragon Spear’ was seen here before, at the Iron Wall Town. He killed the sons of the Liu family in Jingzhou.”

“Is that so?”

“The Liu family in Jingzhou won’t let him go. They’re powerful enough to never forgive.”

“Indeed. But it’s strange—the execution bureau hasn’t issued a public notice, nor have they issued warrants for Liu Wu and the ‘Knife Madman’ Liu Lang.”

Yet most patrons here paid them no mind.

Their eyes were fixed on the women on the stage, their words nothing but idle musings about moonlight and flowers.

“Come, come—let Brother Niu pour you a cup of divine beef tea. You must be exhausted from all that travel today…”

The clamor below did nothing to disturb the quietude of the fourth-floor chamber.

Chuansheng Yishu changed into a blue silk robe, donned a jade hairpin, and adorned himself with a flourish that made him look quite dashing.

Yet his expression held a note of contemplation. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the rosewood desk, as though waiting for something.

Thump. Thump.

Lou Yuxue sat on the chair beside him, her head bowed low, her eyes flickering with strange hues.

Liu Wu and Ge Muxiao—dead at Liu Wu’s hands—had shattered her expectations.

Even though she’d met Liu Wu the night before with Liu Wu and the two men, sensing his coldness toward them, she couldn’t fathom why he’d killed them.

After all, he’d never met Liu Ninenan before.

Lou Yuxue let out a silent sigh. If only she’d known Liu Wu was such a troublemaker, she’d never have agreed to his scheme.

Not only had she lost the money, but she’d also dragged others into it.

And worse—she couldn’t report the truth to Master Shi.

When Shi had questioned her about the meeting with Liu Ninenan, she’d dared not mention Liu Wu’s presence.

No evidence.

Liu Ninenan’s death had thrown their White Tiger Guard’s plans into disarray—especially Master Shi’s.

For he’d been waiting for a message from Liu Ninenan to the King of Lan Du, signaling their meeting.

Now, with this turn of events, even if the King of Lan Du came, it would only be to seek vengeance against Liu Wu.

“If Master Shi knew the truth, I’d be punished too.”

“You bastard—why didn’t you ask me before you killed people?”

“You expect me to help you buy grain? Dream on!”

Lou Yuxue made up her mind. The next time she saw Liu Wu, she’d make him answer for what he’d done.

As she pondered this, Shi’s tapping on the desk ceased.

“Yuxue, send word to the Huanfu to come discuss matters here.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Lou Yuxue hurried to the door, where an iron-clad official waited, and gave her orders.

Shi turned his gaze to her and asked, “How well do you know Liu Zhaoqing?”

She startled. “Liu’s youngest lady?”

“Subordinates have only seen her twice in Shu Prefecture. We know she came to expand Xinglin Tea House’s operations here.”

“But on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, after the poetry gathering at Guixi Academy, she returned to Jingzhou for a funeral, and has not been seen in Shu since.”

Shi nodded without a word. “She’s returned.”

“Back at this moment… still for Xinglin Tea House?”

“Not only that. Perhaps we’ve underestimated that woman.”

Seeing her puzzled expression, Shi recounted what he’d discovered.

He spoke at length, his voice steady. “I believe Liu Wu is truly Liu Zhaoqing. Everything he told you was the truth.”

When Lou Yuxue heard this, her face shifted—shock, confusion, disbelief.

Had all her suspicions been wrong?

Had Liu Wu been deceiving her all along?

Had he never been a close associate of the Xiao family, a noble of Shu?

From his first appearance in Chunyu Tower to last night, he’d taken on countless identities—real and false, hidden and exposed.

It was impossible to tell what was true.

Even an experienced White Tiger Guard officer like herself had been fooled.

“So… the head lady had suspected he was a fledgling, didn’t she? Didn’t she think—?”

Shi nodded, sighing. “The head lady was mistaken. Liu Wu has no connection to the fledgling.”

“The night the fire burned three cities’ summer grain, the fledgling was seen with the owner of Bai Caoguang.”

Lou Yuxue murmured, “My investigation confirms the same.”

Though she’d uncovered Liu Wu’s identity, she felt no triumph—only frustration.

If not for Master Shi’s presence in Shu, and his tracking Liu Wu to the residence where Liu Zhaoqing lived, she couldn’t have known the truth sooner.

Silence fell.

Lou Yuxue pulled herself from her thoughts and asked, “Master, what are your plans now?”

Lu Jiunan is dead, and the horse bandits under the Peacock banner within Shuzhou City have gone into hiding. Do you still intend to contact King Landu?

The General Star shook his head. Let us wait and watch for a few more days.

Lu Jiunan was King Landu’s own brother. Whether or not he risks coming to seek vengeance, he will surely send men to investigate the matter.

When that time comes, I shall simply find a way to contact him.

Therefore, during these days, it will be hard on you to keep watch here.

Once the people of the Peacock Royal Banner appear, send word to me at once.

Lou Yuxue murmured her assent, then asked with slight hesitation, My Lord, your subordinate... your subordinate does not know for what purpose you are meeting King Landu?

The General Star paused briefly, turning his gaze toward her as he replied, Very well, since things have come to this, I shall not hide it from you.

The reason I wish to see King Landu is to complete a transaction with him.

A transaction?

Lou Yuxue was secretly alarmed, assuming he wished to employ those horse bandits to plunder certain travelers along the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Little did she know the General Star would read her thoughts, waving his hand with a smile. It is not the kind of transaction you are thinking of.

Rather, it concerns the evidence King Landu holds regarding correspondence with certain high officials in Shuzhou.

Forgetting to beg forgiveness for her intrusion, Lou Yuxue’s expression shifted slightly. Does My Lord mean to say that someone in Shuzhou is in collusion with the Peacock Royal Banner?

This... this... are they not afraid of the Emperor's wrath, which could wipe out their entire clans?

The General Star smiled, turning his head to look toward the north as he spoke with deep meaning:

Shuzhou is, after all, the frontier of the Wei Dynasty; the mountains are high and the Emperor is far away. When the ambitions of certain men swell, it is inevitable that their minds will waver.

Especially after the deeds of the Jizhou Trading House in the north began to spread, there is no lack of imitators here in Shuzhou.

Trafficking ironware and armor, raising private armies... every single one of these matters, how could my White Tiger Guard not have noticed?

Lou Yuxue frowned slightly. Does My Lord have a target? Your subordinate can also use the House of the Bright Moon to gather evidence of their crimes.

The General Star shook his head. There is no need for you to act.

Once this busy period passes, the Pavilion Master’s appointment will come down. At that time, you will be a Gold Banner Officer, and there will be far more important matters arranged for you.

Pausing, he said with a smile, Furthermore, the purpose of the Pavilion Master and myself is to use that evidence to pave the way for someone.

Under ordinary circumstances, where would my White Tiger Guard ever need to trade with King Landu? Mere suspicion would suffice to apprehend them.

Lou Yuxue nodded in agreement and pressed no further.

She was merely curious as to whom the Pavilion Master and the General Star were paving this path for, that they would detour so cautiously through King Landu.

Was this to scrub all traces of the White Tiger Guard from the affair?

Or was it that those physical proofs were absolutely necessary?

Lou Yuxue had no way of knowing; she only knew that the situation in Shuzhou hereafter was bound to be fraught with sudden upheavals.

Particularly since that bastard who loves to stir up trouble was still here...

Right at that moment.

A knock sounded outside the quiet room, and an Iron Banner Officer wearing a black iron mask pushed the door open, entering and bowing:

Reporting to My Lord, news has arrived from that side.

The General Star asked, What movements?

After Liu Hong stepped down from office, he stayed in the study with Liu Taoyao and Zhao Shichang for two hours. The specific details are unknown.

But after Liu Taoyao and Zhao Shichang left, they did not return to rest; instead, they left the Liu estate, their destination unknown.

And Liu Hong?

He has already retired for the night.

The General Star gave a grunt of acknowledgment, waving his hand to dismiss him.

Reflecting for a moment, he said thoughtfully, It seems Lu Jiunan and Ge Muxiao must have had contact with Liu Hong.

Lou Yuxue’s eyes widened slightly. Does My Lord mean to say... Liu Hong is tainted by the Peacock Royal Banner?

Recalling what the General Star had just said, she could not help but harbor this suspicion.

Yet to her knowledge, Liu Hong had been in Shuzhou for many years, proving himself to be conscientious and dutiful, never showing the slightest anomaly.

How could he suddenly become entangled with the horse bandits of the Purushapura Kingdom?

The General Star shook his head and said, It is not yet certain.

However, judging by how decisively Liu Wu killed Lu Jiunan, that old rogue Liu Hong is likely up to no good.

If I am not mistaken, this is Liu Zhaoxue using the opportunity to give Liu Hong a warning knock.

Hearing this, a phrase abruptly popped into Lou Yuxue’s mind.

Upending the natural order.

Just imagine, one was the Provincial Governor of Shuzhou, while the other was the third daughter of the main branch of the Liu family from Jingzhou.

The gap between their statuses was so vast; even if Liu Zhaoxue had discovered some leverage over Liu Hong, how did she dare command Liu Wu to do such a thing?

Was she not afraid of being put to death by Liu Hong?

The General Star shared the same suspicion, saying thoughtfully, Perhaps there are details within this that we do not yet know.

Later, when Luanfeng arrives, the two of you shall work together to investigate this matter.

Understood...

...

Within the Pavilion of Listening Rain.

Accumulated water cascaded along the roof tiles, a ceaseless pitter-patter echoing through the air.

Amplified by the hollow bamboo, the sound carried far into the distance.

Yet none of this affected Chen Yunfan in the slightest.

With a sword in one hand, he danced across the martial arts training ground in the central courtyard.

His figure was ethereal and unrestrained, his swordplay alternating between agile, domineering, and crafty, causing flashes of sword light to permeate the courtyard.

Chunying held a lantern, watching silently from the side, a fair amount of doubt in her heart.

For some reason, she felt that Chen Yunfan was somewhat agitated today.

Ever since he returned from the Provincial Governor’s Yamen, he had not even eaten dinner, remaining in this training ground to practice his swordplay.

From time to time, he would mutter a few words through gritted teeth.

The words were muffled, and Chunying could not make out what he was saying, knowing only that someone must have provoked him.

Even Ning Yu, standing nearby, had noticed it.

It was just that he was habitually taciturn, never speaking out of turn.

The simple-hearted Niu Shan said even less, merely standing there whispering praises of Chen Yunfan’s sword mastery.

Ning Brother, has Master’s swordplay improved again?

Yes—there—ah, I warn you, don’t call me Ning Brother!

Ning… then, has Master truly refined his skills?

Indeed!

Chun Rong paid them no heed, and when she saw Chen Yunfan finish a sword routine, she thought for a moment and stepped forward to hand him a towel.

“Master, you’ve practiced for three hours—rest awhile.”

Chen Yunfan hesitated slightly, then sheathed his sword and took the towel to wipe the sweat from his brow, his face still tinged with irritation.

He looked up at the star-strewn night sky and the bright moon, musing, “Has word come from the other side yet?”

Chun Rong shook her head. “Not yet.”

“Mountains are high and roads are long—even the White Robe Guard’s liaison needs time to reach the Master.”

Chen Yunfan understood this, but thinking of Chen Yi’s terrifying martial prowess, a certain restlessness gripped him.

Since learning of today’s incident in Black Fish Alley, he had realized his gap with Chen Yi had not narrowed—rather, it had widened.

—A single shot that felled Lü Jiān!

He need not think further; he knew he could not accomplish such a feat.

Not even a hundred strikes—he doubted he could overcome Lü Jiān.

“The art of drawing heads, though inferior to necromancy and poison, is not easily overcome.”

“Especially those deadly poisons—if it were me, I would never dare to close in so recklessly on Lü Jiān.”

“Only Yi, my younger brother, possesses such a gift in healing arts that he fears not death by poison.”

Thinking of these things, Chen Yunfan’s face darkened further.

Wiping the sweat from his face, he let out a sigh. “To be born as Yi, why as Fan?”

Chun Rong clearly heard his words. She looked at Chen Yunfan with suspicion and asked,

“Master, why this lament?”

These days, she had naturally understood Chen Yunfan’s regard for Chen Yi—and knew their bond was deep.

But she truly could not fathom why he would utter such words.

In her view, even if Chen Yi now served as a teacher at the Cloud Yun Academy, mastering the Way of Books, he still fell short of Chen Yunfan—who had earned the title of Imperial Scholar and served in the Ministry of Border Affairs.

Chen Yunfan glanced at her, withheld the truth, and merely said,

“He—my skills in the Way of Books fall short, and his fortune surpasses mine.”

“Fortune?”

“Don’t pry too deeply. Keep watch on that side…”

Just then, as they were chatting, a cart approached from afar and stopped outside the Martial Arts Arena.

Cui Qingwu stepped down gracefully, smiling. “Yunfan Brother, just finished practicing?”

Chen Yunfan nodded and pointed toward her. “You… heading out?”

“Yes, tomorrow I’ll attend two banquets at Cloud Qing Building—I need to inventory the wine supplies.”

Cui Qingwu offered an excuse but did not hide her intention from Chen Yunfan.

He already knew she was part of the White Tiger Guard—and said nothing.

“Early to leave, early to return. I’ll rest now.”

When he saw Chen Yunfan was about to depart, Cui Qingwu raised her hand. “Yunfan Brother, tomorrow I plan to visit Sister Wan. Would you care to come?”

“Visit the Xiao family?”

Chen Yunfan’s mind flashed images of Chen Yi’s face, and he waved his hand dismissively, annoyed.

“Not going, not going…”

Before breaking off contact with Chen Yi, he resolved to avoid his presence to spare himself the weight of that pressure.

When he walked far enough away, Cui Qingwu gazed at Chun Rong with a thoughtful expression and asked,

“Is Yunfan in a bad mood today?”

Chun Rong shook her head. “I, the maid, cannot tell.”

She did not answer truthfully, but in her heart, she guessed it had something to do with Chen Yunfan and Chen Yi.

Still, she did not know what Chen Yi had done to warrant such concern.

Cui Qingwu stared at her deeply, nodded once, and said nothing more before climbing into the cart and departing.

Chun Rong paused, then called softly to Ning Yu,

“Go ask what happened at the Ministry of Border Affairs office today.”

“Yes…”

……

The Lotus Garden, the Purple Bamboo Grove.

Chen Yi slowly pounded out the collapsing mountain fists, keeping his voice low to avoid drawing the attention of Zhie Tingyun and others.

The events of the day had left him somewhat unsettled; during his cultivation of the Four Symbols Technique, he could not help but be affected.

He decided to venture into the Purple Bamboo Grove to stretch his limbs.

“Liu Hong’s next moves—only two possibilities: seek out Asuo TAI, or clear his name and distance himself from Lü Jiān’s death.”

“The former action likely won’t be too drastic, unless he intends to stir trouble across Shu Province.”

“The latter remains uncertain—depends on how the King of Ran responds.”

“And the White Tiger Guard on that side.”

“Lü Jiān’s death must have troubled that golden-armed official no end.”

“Lastly, the Xiao family…”

Thinking this, Chen Yi shifted his stance.

With each punch, a faint breeze stirred the bamboo leaves.

“In the end, they must seek refuge with the Xiao family to eliminate Liu Hong—achieving their aim through this endeavor.”

“Even those superstitions and demons and snakes are the same.”

(Chapter Complete)