Chapter 283: The String Breaks, but No One Understands the Painstaking Effort (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 283: The Broken String, No One to Ease the Heart’s Sorrow (Seeking Monthly Donations)

[Notice: Where on Earth Can One Find a Kindred Spirit?]

Upon the magistrate’s office notice board, a large, rough piece of paper bore a single, abrupt line of verse.

It began nowhere and ended nowhere.

Yet it drew countless onlookers, among them many scholars in long robes, pointing and muttering over the notice.

“Where on earth can one find a kindred spirit… The imagery is vast and desolate, lonely. The one who pinned this must surely be a man well-versed in poetry.”

“A pity it’s only half a line. Not even a complete fragment—just a fragment within a fragment.”

“Brother Gu, you are a student of the prestigious Cloud Court Academy, renowned for your talents. Why not finish the second half and send it forth? It would make quite the tale.”

A young man in a scholar’s robe and silk headwrap, after some hesitation, began to consider the request earnestly.

Moments later, a smile spread across his face.

“It’s done.”

“To think of it, Brother Gu…

‘Where on earth can one find a kindred spirit, the broken string finds no soul to ease its sorrow.’”

“Ah, a good line, a truly good line!”

“A kindred spirit is hard to find. Even the most noble melodies go unheeded, their true meaning un grasped. The solitary effort echoes into void, a sound lost in the emptiness.”

“Brother Gu…”

Chen Yi watched the bustling scene, then closed the curtain, eyes closing as he pondered.

Per the parting agreement with him and the scholar Luo Yuxue and the official Cui Qingfu—“Where on earth can one find a kindred spirit” meant Du Sang had already been found—

Yet this did not align with his judgment.

Not from a lack of confidence in his own deductions, but because these past days of searching for Du Sang had yielded nothing.

Now, after only half a day, the White Tiger Guard had already located the man?

Either the White Tiger Guard had deployed their network densely across Shu Zhou, with iron and silver banner officers stationed everywhere.

Or perhaps, through the convergence of information from all sides, they had pinpointed Du Sang’s location.

Or perhaps it was mere chance—Du Sang had simply happened to be within the sight of a White Tiger Guard officer.

Or…

As Chen Yi’s thoughts deepened, he pictured a chessboard in his mind, white stones representing the White Tiger Guard moving ceaselessly.

One stone, however, gleamed brighter than the rest. In its rise and fall, it formed a backward “R” with the other stones—a clear sign of the “Mingxing” (Bright Star).

“Of course.”

“Earlier, when the Mingxing departed along the Tea Horse Road in search of the King of Lanzhi, time has now passed several days.”

“Regardless of his purpose, he must have been moved by Lou Zhong’s death.”

“Assuming the Mingxing sought to negotiate with the King of Lanzhi, the king would surely use Lou Zhong’s fate as leverage.”

“So the Mingxing…”

Chen Yi opened his eyes, squinting at the narrow carriage, his brow furrowing.

“He… wanted me to go through Luo Yuxue’s deception?”

But upon closer thought, he rejected this notion.

The Mingxing dared not.

Or rather, not yet.

At least not so hastily.

For the White Tiger Guard’s chief held a certain “imperial favor.”

Even if Chen Yi had not agreed beforehand, the Mingxing would not dare act unilaterally.

This much could be discerned from the deference shown by the White Tiger Guard’s golden and silver banner officers toward their superior.

Thus, the notice from the magistrate’s office was most likely Luo Yuxue’s attempt to invite him to discuss matters.

“Du Sang’s case?”

Chen Yi’s brow smoothed, a faint smile touching his lips.

It seemed the White Tiger Guard indeed dared not defy this mysterious superior.

Thinking further, Chen Yi patted the carriage. “No need to visit the Bai Caotang.”

Wang Ji blinked, then reined his horse slightly. “My lord, shall we stop here first?”

No answer came.

After a moment, he lifted the curtain and peered inside—empty, barren. He sighed in relief.

He could not fathom why.

Each time Chen Yi, transformed into “Chen Yu,” appeared before him, he felt a trembling dread, as though the very air might betray him.

Though they were close, though the gentle Master of the Light Boat often treated him kindly—

Yet when facing “Chen Yu,” Wang Ji remained ever vigilant, never daring a thought, never daring to conceal.

“My lord is becoming more and more…”

Terrible? It should be impressive enough.

Wang Ji thought of such things and hurried back to Bai Caotang, acting on Chen Yi’s instructions.

…

Chen Yi departed west of the city, peeling off the mask that bore the name “Chen Yu” on his face, slipping into the shadows and winding through a secluded path until he reached a courtyard on Chuanxi Street.

He hadn’t yet drawn near when he heard the voices within.

“Brother Wei, how do you find Chen Yi these days, staying at Hou’s mansion?”

“Sister, he’s… quite alright.”

“Alright? Alright is—hmm? Sister, your face is flushed.”

“W-what? No, no way!”

Wei Meng, flustered, suddenly raised her voice: “Brother, don’t beat around the bush.”

“Don’t you still harbor feelings for Hou Hong Sister?”

“Don’t even think it.”

“Brother is a hundred times better than you, no, a thousand times better.”

Wei Qian was clearly choked by her words, standing silent for a moment.

“Then tell me, where exactly is he better?”

“In appearance, my brother and I are no match for each other.”

“In martial skills, I could snap his neck with a single finger.”

“In birthright, when have our mountain folk ever fallen behind the noble families of the Central Plains?”

“Besides, that Chen Yi—heard he’s a disowned son of the Chen family, not favored.”

“Lastly, in intellect… hmm… you know, my brother has studied some books too.”

Wei Meng let out a snort, then burst into laughter.

“Brother, none of the points you made even come close to matching my elder brother.”

“How could that be? He could beat me?”

“Of course… he’d lose to you.”

“Hmph, I knew you were just trying to provoke me.”

“What can you do?”

As they continued their lively debate inside, Chen Yi withdrew a black iron mask from his satchel and donned it.

Once certain no one was near, he slipped into the courtyard.

Wei Meng, about to resume her argument with Wei Qian, spotted him arriving and broke into a smile.

“Brother… it’s not ‘Lord Liu’ after all?”

“Why, you must have come for some reason today, right?”

Wei Qian, too, noticed Chen Yi’s arrival and, too preoccupied with arguing over who was superior—Chen Yi or Wei Qian—to respond, bowed and said, “Junior Wei Qian has seen the senior.”

Chen Yi nodded silently, smiling, “No need for such courtesy.”

He then walked directly into the main hall.

Wei Meng followed eagerly, her delicate feet pattering softly, the silver bells at her neck clinking merrily.

Wei Qian glanced at her, muttering to himself.

Would my sister really have taken a liking to “Senior Liu”?

Thinking again.

He found it rather fitting.

After all, “Senior Liu” had already earned the title “Long Spear,” and just the other day, he’d displayed his spear technique outside the city.

His cultivation and skills were indeed formidable.

Wei Qian’s thoughts quickened, and he too followed, smiling: “Today I had nothing to do in the city, so I came here to chat with my sister. Please forgive the intrusion.”

After sitting, Chen Yi said, “No trouble at all.”

“You see, Liu Zhao Xue has returned to Shu Zhou. You… you’re investigating their whereabouts?”

Wei Qian nodded: “Not to mention, the senior, we’ve indeed been looking into them.”

“When Liu Zhao Xue returned to Shu Zhou, we immediately sought her out, but only found a few young disciples of the Wudou Sect trailing her.”

“So after consulting with the elders in our clan, we decided to hold off for now, waiting to see if Yan Fu Sha appears in Shu Zhou.”

“Any chance?”

“The senior joked.”

“If we’d known their movements in advance, we’d have warned them, but that would’ve dishonored our mountain clan.”

Chen Yi smiled. “Then all is well.”

“Lately my affairs have been numerous, so I’ve had little time to spare for the Wudou Sect.”

“If Brother Wei needs anything later, let Meng’er inform me in advance.”

These days, he’d paid little heed to Liu Zhao Xue.

Not to mention those from the Wudou Sect, he barely gave them a second thought.

He’d simply waited until the Wei family had enough information to act, though he couldn’t risk exposing his hand too soon against Yan Fu Sha’s grudges.

Upon hearing this, Wei Qian rose, clasping his hands: “Senior, how noble. Junior Wei will not refuse.”

He’d already sensed Chen Yi had something to discuss with Wei Meng, so he no longer lingered, adding, “Junior Wei will return to inform Uncle San and the others, see if the Wudou Sect has made any moves.”

Chen Yi nodded, not keeping him longer.

After a few casual words, Wei Qian departed.

A moment later, Wei Meng was about to speak when Chen Yi made two finger gestures, indicating she should wait until Wei Qian was gone.

She pouted, muttering under her breath about her brother eavesdropping.

Chen Yi let out a hollow laugh, and once certain Wei Qian had truly left, he signaled it was safe to speak.

Wei Meng rushed forward, leaning over the tea table, staring at him without blinking.

“Brother, did you come today with some new plans?”

“I-I didn’t mean to rush you.”

"It is simply far too dull and tedious here; all day long, it is either cultivating or staring blankly into space."

"And what is more, that Dabao person you arranged for previously hasn't come over for several days, I nearly starved to death..."

Pei Guanli chattered on without pause.

Though her words were entirely complaints and grumbles, her tone consistently carried a few hints of a joyful feeling.

Chen Yi listened patiently until she finished, removed the mask from his face, shook his head and said, "For the time being, you must still wrong yourself for a few more days."

Pei Guanli pouted, but only for an instant before she immediately revealed a smile.

"Brother-in-law, I will listen to you."

Chen Yi naturally saw her expression, burst into helpless laughter, patted her forehead and said:

"Rest assured, at most no more than five days, I will let you return to stay at the Xiao family home."

He was not quite at ease letting Pei Guanli continue to stay here alone.

If that Pei Qian could come today, he could come again tomorrow.

There was no guarantee that Pei Guanli might not let something slip in her speech, letting Pei Qian perceive his true identity.

"Alright, I will listen to brother-in-law."

After a few words of casual chat, Chen Yi put the black iron mask back on and came to the underground quiet room of the inner chambers.

At this time, Lu Jiunan and Asutai were both still fast asleep and unawakened.

However, the state of the two could be described as poles apart.

Because of his previous injuries, Lu Jiunan had not eaten for several days and was emaciated almost to skin and bones.

Looking conversely at Asutai, his physique had not changed in the slightest, as if he were entirely unaffected.

While clicking his tongue in wonder, Chen Yi pricked two silver needles, causing Asutai to wake and turn over.

The moment he cleared into consciousness.

Asutai immediately sat upright.

Upon seeing Chen Yi wearing the black iron mask, a look of vigilance flashed across his face, and he also slowly recalled the events from before.

"You, Great Wei person, the trade is reached?"

Chen Yi nodded slightly, speaking with a slight smile in his voice: "I am prepared on my end."

"Now it only depends on whether the Prince Heir agrees to this trade."

Asutai bit his teeth, and on that square face bearing a slave brand, a bit of hatred was revealed.

"No matter what, I agree!"

Hearing this, Chen Yi did not waste words and continued: "My trade is to have you return to the Barbarian tribes."

Asutai was obviously stunned for a moment, looking at him in surprise.

"I, return to the tribe? But, but they, revenge, I..."

Chen Yi raised his hand to interrupt: "The revenge will naturally be given to you to extract."

"But you must understand, your enemy is no ordinary person, but the Left Administrative Commissioner of the Shuzhou Provincial Administrative Commission, Liu Hong."

"Do you think relying on you alone, you can succeed in revenge?"

"Administrative Commissioner... Liu Hong? He, he is that Wei dog's master?"

Chen Yi knew he was speaking of Zeng Zhifeng, and nodded saying: "Correct."

"Previously I was in no hurry to help you take revenge, precisely because a few necessary conditions were still lacking."

"Now everything is prepared and ready, as long as you agree, the day you return to your tribe will be the date of his death."

After Asutai finished listening, he clearly did not understand what correlation these two matters had, and said in a stiff tone:

"Then I, would I not be unable to kill him?"

Chen Yi burst into helpless laughter, "Forgive me, Prince Heir, my ability can only guarantee that he will die, but cannot guarantee letting you slay him with your own hands."

"Moreover, if you did it this way, even with my help, it would be impossible for you to leave Shuzhou alive."

Asutai shook his head stubbornly: "I only want him dead."

Even his life could be discarded.

Chen Yi heard the underlying meaning in his words, and in his heart, he could not help but feel a fraction more admiration for him.

If not for the fact that this Asutai was a Barbarian, he would not mind letting this lad suffer a bit less.

"Do you still remember what you promised me before?"

"The condition for me letting you kill Zeng Zhifeng was—you must agree to help me do a few things."

"Having you return to the Barbarian tribes is the first."

"Having Liu Hong die in Shuzhou instead of dying by your hand is the second matter."

Asutai was stunned once more, opening his mouth as his dark face instantly flushed crimson.

He wanted to say some words of refutation or words of refusal, but he could not speak a single character.

A long time passed.

His entire person seemed to deflate, and he said, "The master taught me that a gentleman's word is a team of horses driven hard to match."

"Barbarians must also speak of trustworthiness."

"I, I promised you, so it will not change."

Pausing, Asutai looked directly into Chen Yi's eyes, saying word by word: "Only you must guarantee, that Liu Hong must die."

Chen Yi nodded noncommittally: "I promise you."

He smiled and continued, "Even without your matter, I likewise would not let him live."

Hearing this, Asutai nodded heavily.

"You, want me to do what?"

"Do not be anxious, I still have a third and fourth matter for you to do..."