Chapter 281: Fortunately, This Person Is a Friend, Not an Enemy (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 281: Fortunately, This Person Is Not an Enemy (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"Speak."

Seeing the old patriarch's posture of eager listening, Chen Yi's calm face bore a slight smile. It was shallow, but sincere.

For his visit to the old patriarch, he had come with the intention of speaking openly.

There were two reasons.

First, in his schemes, the old patriarch was an essential and indispensable link. If the old patriarch could cooperate in making some reasonable responses, it would help him deceive the majority of people to a certain extent.

Second, Chen Yi had some matters that he could not help but inform the old patriarch of.

Moreover, he wanted to use this opportunity to probe the old patriarch's intentions, so as to plan his subsequent schemes, such as those concerning Liu Hong and the Liu family of Jingzhou.

If the old patriarch refused to strike them down, who in the entire Shu region could boldly and publicly eliminate them?

On the contrary.

If he used some similar tricks like assassination, it would be of no use in resolving the Xiao family's predicament.

Imagine if Liu Hong were assassinated by him, how would the various offices in Shuzhou think, how would the court think?

After all, it would be impossible not to suspect the Xiao family's actions.

Chen Yi understood these things, and thus decided to visit the Xiao family.

"To avoid any omissions, I think I need to start from the beginning..."

Chen Yi's words began with the founding of Bai Caotang.

It was, after all, a rather clichéd story.

He had studied and come to Shuzhou, hoping to find a place to stand and rely on.

Wang Ji, having committed a grave mistake, was expelled from the Xiao family by Xiao Wanyue, and thus met him.

The two immediately became close, and established Bai Caotang.

After that, the sale of tea and the operation of the pharmacy were not worth mentioning.

Chen Yi focused on telling the story of that night when he slew Liu Erhu in front of Xiao Jing, and the origin of the burning of the three cities' summer provisions.

"Fundamentally, Liu Jing was killed by me."

The old patriarch and Xiao Jing looked at each other, their expressions as expected.

Chen Yi noticed this, smiled and said, "I think Lord Zhou probably knows the reason."

"Liu Jing spent a great deal of money, hiring assassins from Mingyue Tower to infiltrate Bai Caotang with the intention of stealing the tea recipe, a matter."

"If it were not for the Xiao family's young ladies arranging Qie Stopcloud and Shen Huatang to arrive at Bai Caotang in good time that night, the people like Wang Ji would have already been dead."

This was the most suitable reason Chen Yi could think of.

It was also the reason why the old patriarch and Xiao Jing would not suspect him.

Unless they were present that night, Chen Yi's motive for killing would be entirely closed and in line with reason.

"So, you killed Liu Jing?"

"Are you not afraid of the Liu family of Jingzhou seeking revenge?"

As soon as the words fell, the old patriarch understood, smiled and shook his head.

"Old man, I'm a bit confused."

"You killed Liu Jing, the entire Shu region, not to mention the Liu family of Jingzhou, will all point their arrows at my Xiao family, no one could possibly suspect it was Bai Caotang's doing."

"And no one would suspect you either."

Chen Yi smiled, "Liu Jing, if he were still alive, would be a hidden danger."

"At that time, the Xiao family's pharmacy had completely crushed Lingran Xuan, and Liu Jing was also ordered by the Liu family of Jingzhou to leave Shu region."

"Out of necessity, I resorted to this measure, causing Lord Zhou to be troubled by the Liu family, I hope you will understand."

The old patriarch looked at him without affirming or denying.

To be honest, he was indeed a bit annoyed.

Thinking that this mighty Duke of Wei, who had been in charge of the Zhoukou Principality, had fought north and south for decades, and now in old age was being trifled with by a junior like this.

If it were anyone else, they would surely have some resentment.

Moreover, the matter of Liu Jing's death forced him to use the entire family's hidden network in advance.

There were, after all, some sacrifices to be made.

Xiao Jing slightly looked up at the old patriarch, understanding from his temper that he must have some anger.

After thinking it over, he spoke up, "So it was you who actively sought out Liu Jing's men?"

Chen Yi nodded with a smile, "They appeared outside the western market that night, which was my sending a message to Liu Jing to discuss the tea recipe."

"So the situation Liu Erhu observed was not entirely false."

Chen Yi paused briefly, then looked at Xiao Jing, feigning sincerity, "I had originally intended to personally resolve this matter, but did not expect Xiao Ling to to take the lead."

Xiao Jing forced a smile, "It was just a coincidence."

"That night, I only hoped he would not open his mouth to identify it as the Xiao family's doing."

"If it were not..."

Before he could finish, the old patriarch raised his hand to interrupt him, looking at Chen Yi and gesturing him to continue.

"The burning of the three cities' summer provisions, what reason did you have for that?"

Chen Yi nodded, smiling, "Lord Zhou, you do not ask, and I will also speak this matter."

"However, in fact, this matter was not initiated by me, but by someone else..."

Then, like before, he told a story of nine truths and one falsehood.

He concealed his intelligence source.

He concealed the true reason for eliminating Xiao Dongren and Liu Wen.

He also concealed his relationship with the White Tiger Guard, and the cooperation with Lou Yuxue.

"…Thus, Liu Wen was killed by me outside the Iron Wall City, and Hei Ba led his forces to attack the Canglang City, where they were killed by General Qin Hong."

"After that, the events, I suppose Lord Zhou already knows clearly, I will not mention them further."

When he came to this point, Chen Yi stood up and bowed, saying, "I did all these things, though by chance and circumstances, it did indeed cause trouble to the Xiao family, I hope Lord Zhou will understand."

He apologized again, his attitude as sincere as ever.

The old patriarch sat upright, his expression calm, but his eyes were not as calm.

With his understanding, he would naturally grasp how difficult it was to bring about such a result.

This was not something that could be accomplished through brute force alone.

According to the old master’s comprehension, if he himself were to attempt this endeavor, he would have to plant agents around Liu Wen and Xiao Dongchen.

Not to mention the Moonlight Tower and those shadowy figures behind it—what some call “the sponsors”—they would all require his own people to be in place.

Otherwise, with intelligence scattered and unclear, only misfortune would follow.

For if one side detected something amiss, the course of events would not have unfolded as it did today—

The Xiao family benefited, gaining thirty thousand two catty of silver.

The three towns suffered little loss, save for Ironwall Town, which, due to Li Changqing’s negligence, had its grain stores burned.

Liu Wen and Black Tooth perished.

Xiao Dongchen took his own life.

The Xiao family’s second mistress fled far to the southern provinces…

The Xiao family not only sustained little harm, but actually profited greatly.

Yet such an outcome only served to heighten the old master’s dread—how could one person orchestrate so much?

Even counting “Knife Crazy” Liu Rong, it amounted to at most one and a half individuals.

How could that be?

How could a single person’s intellect outwit the supernatural, knowing all the opposing forces’ reactions, manipulating Xiao Jumping, digging pits and planting people?

After all, Liu Wen, Xiao Dongchen, and Black Tooth were no fools.

How could they have met with such defeat?

It was like two players of comparable skill playing a game of Go—reaching a final outcome of half a move ahead was already the limit.

But to win by three, four, or even dozens of moves… that could only mean one thing.

The victor’s skill far exceeded theirs.

The loser had no choice but to lose everything.

As Xiao Old Master pondered these things, he waved his hand and said, “Chen… my young lord, sit down and speak.”

He had finally downgraded the “young hero” to “young lord.”

Chen Yi felt a slight relief, knowing he had passed the first trial, and obediently sat down.

After a moment of silence, the old master smiled and said, “My lord, you have done so much for my Xiao family—I should trust you.”

“Yet there are two questions I have, hoping you will answer them honestly.”

As soon as the words left his lips, the old master straightened his posture, his weathered face showing a hint of seriousness.

“What reason do you have for helping my Xiao family?”

“And why do you seek to oppose the Liu family of Jingzhou?”

Here we go.

Chen Yi had long known the old master was no simple man to be tricked.

His background seemed plausible, yet upon closer examination, it did not hold water—a wandering master who had traveled far and wide could not fully explain it.

His motives for doing these things were likewise unconvincing.

Especially the two acts of slaying Liu Wen and ensnaring Xiao Dongchen.

Chen Yi’s thoughts raced, and he smiled subtly without a sound: “Actually, my lord and I have some connection.”

“Oh? What connection?”

“In my younger days, I was rescued by a master on the Tea and Horse Ancient Road, just before your lordship’s horse stepped into the moist valley of the Kingdom of Puxiu.”

“Originally, I intended to return to Puxiu after achieving mastery to seek revenge, but later I learned they had already perished under your lord’s blade.”

“Thus, upon returning to Daxi, I made my first stop in Shuzhou, merely to show my goodwill.”

This explanation had been prepared by Chen Yi in advance.

It had many flaws, yet it was the most persuasive he could think of.

Especially since he also bore the identity of “Liu Five.”

A young man harboring deep grudges, having achieved mastery only to discover his enemy dead—naturally, he would be fond of the one who avenged him.

Coincidentally, he also possessed considerable skill.

Yet Chen Yi knew that merely stating these things was insufficient, so he continued: “Furthermore, three years ago, I accompanied my master to the Barbarian tribes.”

“There, I received a favor from one individual.”

The old master regarded him as if examining a fabricated tale, smiling and asking, “My lord, what favor did you receive? Surely it was not from a barbarian?”

“Those barbarians despise me—would they send you back to Daxi to help my Xiao family?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi smiled and calmly spoke a few words: “She said her name was Fu Wanqing.”

The moment the words were spoken, the old master’s once-smiling face erupted into a flush of anger, shock, and disbelief.

“Damn it, you know what you’re saying?!”

Even Xiao Jing, standing nearby, was taken aback, staring blankly at Chen Yi.

“‘Dragon Spear’ Lord, you mustn’t speak recklessly—Fu General was five years ago surrounded and killed by the Barbarian master Wen Kela—she… she wouldn’t be in the Barbarians!”

Chen Yi looked at their expressions and realized his purpose had been achieved.

He remained composed and said, “Indeed, Fu Wanqing General is still alive, currently residing within the Black Bear Tribe.”

“Furthermore, she has been received as a honored guest by Duke Mu Ha, and is responsible for teaching the crown princes the knowledge of Daxi.”

“Impossible!”

“She is alive, and absolutely would not obey the Barbarians’ commands!”

“She… she would never… never… *cough*…”

The old master’s fury reached its peak, his reprimands unfinished as his face turned red, his body bent as he began to cough violently.

Xiao Jing could no longer ignore it, quickly pressing his hand to the old master’s back, “Lord Xiao, your anger has passed—let me send for a physician.”

“No… no…”

Seeing this, Chen Yi stood and took two steps forward, “Xiao Commander, let me have a look—can you manage?”

Xiao Jing blocked his path, focusing his gaze and holding himself in reserve, “What do you intend to do?”

Chen Yi gave a blank smile, one hand performing an energy-sensing technique to examine the old master’s body, the other reaching into his sleeve to produce a silver needle.

Xiao Jing blinked, “You…”

He had forgotten that the owner of the Bai Caogang, Chen Yu, was also a master of medicine.

At this moment, the old master waved his hand to signal him away, then looked at Chen Yi, coughing as he spoke:

"If he wished to harm this old man, he would have absolutely no need for such methods."

Xiao Jing fell silent for a brief moment, then stepped aside and bowed low. "My thanks. It was Xiao who behaved discourteously."

"No matter."

With that said, Chen Yi looked at the dynamic flow of qi upon the old master, his brow knitting slightly.

The old master’s physical condition at present was far worse than it had been days ago.

His body, already fragile and worn down by an accumulation of old injuries, now suffered from new blockages and ruptures.

Misfortune was piling upon misfortune.

"These past days, the old master has not rested well, has he?"

Xiao Jing’s face filled with shame. "Lately, because of the provisions for Iron Wall Town, as well as the matters concerning the Parshva Kingdom and the barbarian tribes, the Marquis has not had a single night of peaceful sleep."

The old Marquis waved a frail hand, leaning back against his chair, and looked toward Chen Yi with a smile:

"My own body... this old man knows it well. My young friend, pray do not hesitate to act as you see fit."

Chen Yi offered a low murmur of assent, though in his heart, he felt a measure of self-reproach.

The actions he had taken recently, aside from affecting the common folk of Shuzhou, had ultimately burdened the old master after all.

Fortunately, however, it was not yet too late.

With this thought, he took a deep breath, employing his Qi-Observation technique to discern clearly the location of the meridians and the sea of qi upon the old master's person.

Then, pinching a silver needle between his fingers, he pierced it into the old master's body.

Next came the second needle, then the third...

Until the twelfth silver needle descended.

And so, a single silver needle stood planted at the core acupoints across the old master’s twelve meridians.

Only then did Chen Yi move both hands in unison, the true essence within his body circulating as he exerted his full strength to summon the spiritual mechanism of the surrounding heaven and earth.

With an exquisitely delicate and subtle technique, he guided the spiritual mechanism to flow through the silver needles and into the old master's body.

Some needles trembled without cessation, some spun upward and downward, while others shifted their angles.

Under the gaze of his Qi-Observation technique, one could see those spiritual mechanisms flowing into the old master’s body, repairing his frame like threads of silk.

Into the places of old injuries, they poured a vital essence to stimulate life; old flesh peeled away, and new flesh rapidly grew.

Severed meridians were knit back together by the spiritual mechanism.

Ruptured organs were likewise mended.

The shattered sea of qi...

Though it could not be perfectly restored, Chen Yi was able to diminish the grand damage into something minor.

The old master’s countenance improved visibly to the naked eye, his complexion turning much flush with color.

Watching from the side, Xiao Jing seemed entirely oblivious to everything else, his eyes fixed solely upon Chen Yi, his expression even more astonished than when he had previously heard that "Fu Wanqing is alive."

"The Midnight-Noon Ebb-Flow Method..."

"A medical art rumored to be mastered only by those above the rank of Divine Healer... could it actually, actually appear upon Chen Yu?"

"His—has his path of medicine reached grand completion?!"

"This..."

Xiao Jing knew not how to express his state of mind.

A physician of grand completion in the medical path was rare, yet there were still dozens of them throughout the entire Great Wei Dynasty.

A spearman of consummate mastery in the path of the spear was also rare, but there were still a fair number.

Yet to have both paths embodied in a single person was truly a rare sight indeed.

It was rarer even than Xiao Jinghong, who was matchless in both spear and sword.

After all, the path of the spear and the path of the sword both belonged to the realm of martial arts, allowing them to corroborate each other.

The medical path was different.

It was a Great Dao that many people failed to perceive the threshold of even after a lifetime of labor, a Great Dao that stood of equal renown alongside the martial path.

Yet no matter how astonished or incredulous he was, the truth stood before his eyes, leaving him no choice but to believe.

Roughly half an hour passed.

With a wave of his hand, Chen Yi withdrew the twelve silver needles, exhaling a long breath as he wiped the sweat from his brow, saying:

"The Marquis's deeply rooted ailments are difficult to eradicate entirely; I hope you will take great care of yourself hereafter."

So he said.

Yet at this moment, the old master, as though he had heard nothing, actually stood up directly, raising his arms, stretching his legs, and patting his chest.

The expression upon his face was complex, caught between joy and tears.

"This old man... this old man... is cured?"

"Not..."

Before Chen Yi could finish speaking, the old Xiao Master burst into hearty laughter: "This old man has not felt this light and free in ages."

"My young friend actually possesses such extraordinary medical skill. This old man... this old man..."

Suddenly, recalling what had transpired before, his smile vanished instantly: "This old man asks you, is Wanqing truly not dead?"

Chen Yi was startled, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "She was indeed not dead three years ago; as for now, this humble one does not know."

What Asutai had said ought to hold some degree of credibility.

Yet he dared not be one hundred percent certain either.

"Good, this old man shall believe you for now!"

Whether it was owing to the improvement of his physical condition, the old master now stood exceptionally tall and straight.

Though his frame remained gaunt, that commanding aura was already capable of displaying the grand demeanor of a Great Wei Martial Marquis.

He looked directly at Chen Yi, asking in a deep voice: "You have said so much, surely you have an important matter to discuss with this old man?"

Seeing him so direct, Chen Yi was not particularly surprised and nodded, saying:

"This humble one has indeed come here to beg a favor."

"Speak and let us see."

"Some days from now, if there should be a sudden and startling upheaval within Shuzhou City, I hope the Marquis can step forward to resolve it."

"What startling upheaval?"

"May the Marquis forgive me. It is not that this humble one is unwilling to speak plainly, but rather that the time is not yet ripe. If the Marquis were to learn of it prematurely, I fear..."

The old master frowned slightly, standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes staring straight at him.

Chen Yi was not thrown into disorder in the slightest; meeting his gaze, his expression remained perfectly calm.

Xiao Jing, standing nearby, noticed and instinctively clenched his fists, his palms slick with sweat. Clearly, he was nervous.

After a long pause.

Xiao Laotai's stern face gradually softened, a faint smile spreading across his lips as he said, "Enough."

"You've resolved the crisis of the three cities and tended my wounds—some minor matters, and I need not ask further."

Before Chen Yi could bow and thank him, the elder continued, "Though I have one thing to say to you."

"Duke Zhou, speak freely."

"Don't underestimate anyone, especially Liu Hong!"

Chen Yi slightly raised an eyebrow, glancing at the elder's expression, which didn't match his previous image, and muttered to himself, "Time sure changes things," before nodding.

"I shall remember this."

Xiao Laotai smiled and nodded, "Good."

They exchanged a few more words.

By noon.

As Xiao Laotai escorted Chen Yi out of the main hall, he said, "Today we've chatted warmly. If you're not too busy in the future, you're welcome to visit my mansion."

"Duke Zhou, your words are generous."

Chen Yi replied with a forced smile, having made up his mind to keep his identity hidden.

This time, he'd reluctantly revealed his true self, just to gauge the elder's attitude.

A small favor, indeed...

Once that matter was settled, he could never return to the Xiao family as "Chen Yu."

He figured the elder must have been plotting to kill him outright.

"Heh, it's good to have you come by sometime."

"Today I won't keep you long. At noon, Yan'er will host a banquet in Feixing Garden for you..."

The elder paused, studying Chen Yi's face, then smiled, "Tell me, how old are you, young friend?"

Chen Yi hesitated, confused, "I'm twenty-five."

A few years older than he'd claimed before.

"Twenty-five... excellent, excellent. My granddaughter Xiao Yan'er is a bit younger than you. Young men like you should have plenty to talk about."

"After a while, I'll send some wine and provisions to you..."

Listening to the old man's rambling, Chen Yi's expression grew more strange.

This old fellow was up to something—arranging a match between us?

He and Xiao Yan'er?

Not giving it much thought, Chen Yi quickly bowed and left, hurrying away from the clear mansion to Feixing Garden with Wang Ji.

Xiao Laotai watched him disappear, his smile gradually fading.

"Thank goodness this person is a friend, not an enemy..."

By the side, Xiao Jing nodded, his thoughts already drifting to Fu Wanning.

"Duke Zhou, what should we do about that general?"

The elder fell silent, gazing at the dark clouds above, his expression tinged with melancholy.

"First, send someone to confirm if she's in the Black Bear Tribe..."

"And this matter must never reach Jinghong's ears..."

"Understood."

(Chapter Complete)