Chapter 260: Pavilion Master, Are You Crazy? (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 260: Has the Lord gone mad? (Please vote for the monthly ticket)

Lately, the grain prices in Shu Province have skyrocketed, which was, to Chen Yi, unquestionably good news.

Or rather, as soon as he learned that the merchants of Ji Province, along with Lin Huaian and Liu Tao, were the employers hiring the Jinque Tower to burn the summer grain in three cities, he knew the rising prices in Shu were irreversible.

Even now, with Lin Huaian dead, several grain houses had not paused their operations.

Even though the people were openly cursing and denouncing them, even though their plot to frame the Xiao family had failed, they still sought various means to raise grain prices.

Just to make a killing.

From this, Chen Yi could discern the greed of those in the Ji Province merchant guild.

But greedy people must face divine retribution.

If they did not, he would not mind adding fuel to the fire, giving them a grand "funeral."

In this mindset, Chen Yi donned his night-traveling clothes, wrapped himself in a raincoat, and donned a bamboo hat, leaving Xiao Family Manor in the rain.

The night was dim, the rain torrential.

Ice-cold raindrops pattered down, enveloping the surroundings in a thin mist.

Fortunately, Chen Yi had cultivated to the mid-level fifth rank, and his five senses were exceptionally acute in the flow of spiritual energy.

Even when moving with the grace of a shooting star or a butterfly, he could ensure his journey was silent and undisturbed, simultaneously scouting the area within two li of his surroundings.

Until he passed through the deep, narrow alley and approached the outer West Market, he slowed his steps, suppressed his aura, and headed toward the house behind the tailor's shop.

At this point, it was deep into the night.

The wide West Market street was empty and desolate.

Only a few ornately decorated stalls had faint candlelight flickering, casting a dim yellow halo in the torrential rain.

Chen Yi surveyed the area, confirmed there was no one around, and silently entered the house.

He pressed his ear to the door for a moment, verified there was no sound from within the tailor's shop, and then gently woke Zhang Da Bao.

"Da—"

Before Zhang Da Bao could speak, Chen Yi covered his mouth, gesturing toward the candlelight beneath the doorframe:

"Disguise me. Do not make a sound."

Zhang Da Bao looked at his face, sighed in relief, and nodded, going to fetch the necessary equipment.

Chen Yi moved to the window, staring at the tailor's shop across the street.

The rain pattering on the tiles and roofs outside was quite loud.

He could only hear faint murmurs from within.

"…Has he not arrived yet…?"

"The female tiger is truly slow. She… must be hiding…"

"Lady Phoenix, stay calm, don't stir."

"The female tiger's identity is special, give her time, I believe she'll arrive here soon."

Chen Yi recognized the voices, silently contemplating the situation of the White Tiger Guard.

Earlier, at the noodle shop, he had learned that Jinque Tower's golden banner officer, Xing, was supposed to meet King of Land and Degree, but he had intended to investigate his intentions.

However, plans were thwarted by changes.

Because Lü Jiu Nan and Ge Mu Wei had colluded with Liu Hong, he had no choice but to act, taking them away.

To Chen Yi, such an action was unavoidable.

But for Xing, this move had disrupted the White Tiger Guard's plans.

"Forgot about that."

"If Lady of Snow had told Xing about her previous cooperation, those grains probably wouldn't have been obtainable."

Chen Yi gazed out the window, contemplating his strategy.

If he wanted to devise a plan, perhaps he could get Lady of Snow to carry it out.

And he needed to provide a reasonable explanation, lest it affect the upcoming plans.

"Silver money?"

"Lady of Snow does need it, but she won't take such a big risk for money."

"Something else…"

Chen Yi's heart stirred slightly, pulling up his sleeve to reveal a yellowed piece of paper.

—This was a secret letter Lin Huaian had written to King of Land and Degree, arranging for the sale of Zhuao's iron and ores to the king's cavalry bandits.

"Perhaps Lady of Snow might be interested."

Looking at it now, Chen Yi felt there was little significance in keeping this paper.

With Lin Huaian dead, Lü Jiu Nan imprisoned by him, and King of Land and Degree needing iron weapons, he wouldn't strike this particular bargain.

Even if the king did come, the merchants of Ji Province, including Zhuao, would wait until the situation in Shu Province stabilized before acting again.

He decided to sell the information to Lady of Snow, perhaps gaining her assistance.

As he thought this, he signaled Zhang Da Bao to help him disguise himself, while leaning close to listen to the activity inside the tailor's shop.

Soon, a faint creaking sound came from the door.

The door opened and closed again.

Xing asked, "Have you arrived?"

Lady of Snow replied, "Your Excellency, I arrive late, please excuse me."

Cui Qing Wu's voice rose slightly, sneering, "The female tiger has quite the nerve, the golden banner officer is summoning you, yet you dare to delay?"

"Indeed, indeed."

"I hear you and Xing the Great had a falling out previously, unaware people still think Lady Phoenix is the one in charge of Shu Province as the golden banner officer."

"Ha, a golden… don't use those underhanded tactics in front of me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi's face grew strange. Lady of Snow and Cui Qing Wu were not on good terms?

This was indeed… quite a headache for Xing.

The facts were exactly as Chen Yi had guessed.

Xing was indeed a bit helpless at this moment.

The female tiger was about to be promoted to golden banner officer, and she couldn't be too harsh with him afterward.

As for Lady Phoenix, she was the delicate daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe.

Her identity was so special that even the Lord was wary, let alone this golden banner officer?

Xing Starsky sighed and raised his hands in resignation, his voice carrying a touch of weary finality. "Let us not waste time in idle talk."

"My summons this time is not made lightly. There are matters of import I must convey to you all."

Lou Yuxue, upon hearing this, paid no heed to Cui Qingwu, brushing a stray leaf from his sleeve with deliberate calm. "Your Excellency, pray speak."

Cui Qingwu, standing nearby, said nothing further, shifting his weight as though to avoid the dampness clinging to the floor.

Xing Starsky observed the scene with a quiet sigh, his brow furrowed. "Have you uncovered any leads on the matter I tasked you with investigating?"

"To your Excellency’s honor, after Lady Liu Zhaoqiu arrived in Shu Zhou, she has been seen frequenting several pharmacies in the Xinglin Pavilion district."

"She has made adjustments to the management of those establishments, appointing a revered physician from Jingzhou—once her companion—to oversee operations within the city. His influence there has grown considerable."

"And Master Liu Hong? Has he taken any action?"

"His movements remain unaccounted for. Only…"

Lou Yuxue turned her gaze toward Cui Qingwu, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Only that his two sons have been acting… peculiarly."

Xing Starsky gestured dismissively. "State it plainly."

Lou Yuxue complied, her tone steady. "Our Younger Second, Liu Taofang, has been confined to his chambers since the night the grain warehouses in the East Market were destroyed. It is said he was reprimanded by his father and forbidden from venturing out."

Cui Qingwu frowned. "What sort of transgression would warrant such a punishment?"

Lou Yuxade ignored her, her eyes fixed on Xing Starsky. "I have it on reliable authority that Liu Taofang was seen in the East Market that very night."

Xing Starsky’s gaze lingered on her, his expression softening with understanding. "You suspect his involvement in the grain merchants’ dealings?"

"Not impossible, Your Excellency. The recent collusion among those merchants to inflate prices aligns suspiciously with the destruction of tens of thousands of sheng of grain. It is plausible Liu Taofang sought to exploit such chaos for personal gain."

Xing Starsky inclined his head, his lips curving into a faint smile. "And the eldest, Liu Taoying?"

"Reports from several Iron Banner officials indicate he has barely left his residence these past days. Moreover, after midnight, his courtyard is often frequented by individuals of questionable repute."

Lou Yuxue hesitated, then continued, her voice low. "Through informants in the Bright Moon Tower, I have confirmed these strangers are the same ones recently spotted in Shu Zhou—the ones shrouded in mystery."

Xing Starsky furrowed his brow, then, after a moment’s reflection, his expression brightened. "It seems I underestimated Liu Hong’s audacity. He dares to cultivate private forces."

Lou Yuxue blinked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Private soldiers? Not mere retainers?"

Xing Starsky shook his head. "With Liu Hong’s current standing, if he were to recruit retainers, he would not conceal it so. Take Zhao Shichang, for instance—open and unashamed in his dealings, a man of principle."

Cui Qingwu crossed her arms, her tone sharp. "This sounds like treason to me."

Xing Starsky fixed her with a stern look. "Not yet can we say that for certain."

He then turned to Lou Yuxue, his voice dropping to a whisper. "When you next report to the Patriarch, convey this information fully. Make clear the stakes involved."

Lou Yuxue bowed slightly, her mind racing. "I fear I have found no trace of 'Liu Wu' himself. The strangers accompanying Lady Liu Zhaoqiu are strangers to me—all their features, bearing, and cultivation differ vastly from his."

Xing Starsky nodded once, his gaze distant. "His absence is understandable, given the gravity of his recent actions. But keep a close watch on Liu Zhaoqiu’s movements. As for Liu Wu…"

He paused, then withdrew a sealed letter from his sleeve. "The Patriarch has entrusted me with this missive. He desires your collaboration—to lure Liu Wu to the White Tiger Guard."

Lou Yuxue stared at him, her face pale. "Patriarch? You expect us to bring Liu Wu to the Guard?"

Cui Qingwu recoiled as if struck. "Are you mad? Liu Wu once poisoned me, rendering me helpless. You’d have me welcome him into the Guard? That would make me a fool to myself!"

Xing Starsky opened the letter, laying it bare on the table. "This is penned in the Patriarch’s own hand, bypassing the Guard’s inner council. Read it and see."

Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu leaned in, their eyes widening as they read the words. Even hardened veterans of the Guard exchanged bewildered glances.

"Lord Patriarch… why? Why would he—"

Xing Starsky raised a hand, his voice hardening like ice. "Do you forget the Guard’s edicts? All commands from the Patriarch must be obeyed, no matter the cost. Even should he command you to your deaths, you would obey."

Lou Yuxue bowed deeply, her heart heavy with doubt. The words carried the weight of absolute authority.

Cui Qingwu scoffed, her tone bitter. "And if Liu Wu refuses? What then?"

Xing Starsky’s gaze was cold. "Should he decline, he becomes our mortal enemy. Kill him."

Lou Yuxue’s hand twitched, her lips parting as if to speak, then closing again. She knew Liu Wu was a threat—but so too was the Patriarch’s reckoning.

In truth, Liu Wu, though a danger to her, had always been a man of honor, not a monster. That alone had led her to consider alliance. Yet how could she persuade him to join the Guard? And would he not, once inside, upend Shu Zhou entirely?

She could not fathom the Patriarch’s motives.

Similarly, Chen Yixi stood torn, his thoughts a storm.

"The Patriarch of the White Tiger Guard… he wishes me to join his ranks?"

"Is he quite mad?"

Despite his past dealings with the Guard, and his knowledge of the Patriarch’s reputation, Chen could not fathom the man’s design. Could it be that the Patriarch sought to manipulate him, using Chen to overthrow Liu Hong and the Jingzhou Liu clan? Or had the Patriarch, upon learning of his role in Lü Jiunan’s death, hatched some grander scheme?

He paced, his mind a whirlpool of doubt and dread.

Chen Yi couldn't come up with a reason.

"If you want me to join the White Tiger Guard, sending two people—Lou Yu Xue and Cui Qingwu—won't be enough."

"If it were the Patriarch himself coming personally, I might at least consider it."

Of course, these were merely Chen Yi's fantasies.

Letting him, a idle and superfluous son-in-law, stay idle, going to the White Tiger Guard to sacrifice himself—only a fool would agree.

Just then, he heard Jiang Xing continue speaking: "Well, that's all I have to say."

"After I'm gone, I'll be heading to the Bor Hutuo Kingdom."

"Once I leave, the Tiger Lady will continue as before, keeping her identity hidden and continuing her investigation of the Bright Moon Tower."

Lou Yu Xue understood his purpose in going to the Bor Hutuo Kingdom, nodded, and said nothing more.

Jiang Xing then turned his gaze to Luan Fu, saying: "You must know that in Shu Zhou, there's only one remaining Silver Banner official under the Tiger Lady. Some matters still require your assistance."

Cui Qingwu, seeing his sincere words, nodded reluctantly: "Your Grace, it doesn't matter. I'll say it's of no concern."

"Earlier, the Hawk and the Gray Wolf were in charge of the Xiao family affair."

"However, since one died and the other fled, the Xiao family has lost a Silver Banner official to guard them. I hope you'll pay more attention to that area during this time."

As he spoke, Jiang Xing's tone grew slightly more serious: "If those Iron Banner officials come seeking help, and the Tiger Lady can't deal with them, I hope you can resolve it."

Cui Qingwu's heart stirred slightly, thinking, "The Xiao family?"

In recent days, she had visited the Xiao family several times and had been in contact with Xiao Wan Er, but had never corresponded with those Iron Banner officials. Reflecting on it now, she realized her oversight.

Given the current situation in Shu Zhou, the White Tiger Guard would inevitably have to stir up trouble in Shu Zhou to accomplish that task. Therefore, the Xiao family was an unavoidable link.

Having two Silver Banner officials in charge of the Xiao family wasn't entirely unreasonable.

Thinking this, Cui Qingwu nodded: "Your Grace, rest assured. If needed, I won't refuse."

Meanwhile, Lou Yu Xue said nothing further.

She had stayed in Shu Zhou longer and knew that the Hawk's mission was only for one person—"the fledgling."

Based on her understanding of that "fledgling," she wasn't worried about any major incidents arising from the Xiao family.

Such chaos was impossible.

Not long after, Lou Yu Xue and Cui Qingwu left the tailor shop.

Chen Yi, upon hearing this, signaled Zhang Da Bao to stay quiet, then donned a cloak and prepared to follow Lou Yu Xue.

But before he could act, he heard some voices coming from inside the tailor shop, as if Jiang Xing was leaving through the door.

"...After I leave, be sure to keep an eye on the Cloud Clear Tower."

"Lady Luan Fu?"

"Yes, you should watch over her movements for me."

"Though if you discover anything, don't do anything extra—just record it."

"I understand..."

Chen Yi smirked, realizing the White Tiger Guard was also guarding against each other.

No wonder Lou Yu Xue had agreed to his collaboration.

Each in their own hidden corner, how could they form a united front?

Soon, the tailor shop fell silent.

Chen Yi waited a while longer, until he saw a flash of golden light:

[ witnessed the covert operation of Jiang Xing and others receiving secret orders. Reward: "Flowers in the Sky Sword Technique" [Mystic Level], Fate Points +30.]

[Evaluation: Man of the era, heard of it, but the scene was not seen...]

Chen Yi looked over, confirmed that Jiang Xing and the others had left, then quietly disappeared into the rainy night, heading toward the Spring Rain Tower.

"Heh, I wonder what method Lou Yu Xue will use to entice me to join the White Tiger Guard."

Though he couldn't possibly agree, that didn't prevent him from having some fun.

After all, didn't he?

(Chapter End)