Chapter 284: When You Become the Left King (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 284: When You Become Left King…… (Please vote for the moon ticket)

“Third, fourth? You…”

A Su Tai’s rugged face, unlike that of a young man, showed a hint of hesitation.

He, slow-witted as ever, suddenly recalled the words Master Fu had once taught him.

——The people of Wei are many who excel in cunning, capable of digging graves for others.

If this masked Wei person kept demanding things of him, wouldn’t he end up living his life entirely at their mercy?

So A Su Tai hesitated for a moment, his voice tinged with carefulness as he asked, “You… are there more than four things?”

Chen Yi arched an eyebrow, understanding his meaning, and smiled, “Still thinking you brutes are one-track minded.”

“What? If I kept setting conditions for you, would you abandon the prior agreement?”

A Su Tai’s face flushed dark red, his throat working as he struggled to speak.

He wanted to say that the gods of their tribe, Pan Da Tian Shen, are mighty and upright men.

Even without Master Fu’s lesson of “A gentleman’s word tames a horse,” he would uphold his promises, never breaking them.

Chen Yi shook his head, “Calm down. Only these four things. As for more…”

He glanced at A Su Tai again, still shaking his head, “With what you’ve got now, you’re nowhere near qualified.”

In terms of strength, A Su Tai’s physical power was merely that of an eight-grade martial artist.

In terms of background, he was just the disinherited younger brother of the Black Bear Tribe.

In terms of intellect… well, it was debatable.

If it weren’t for his current usefulness, Chen Yi wouldn’t have chosen to trade with him at all.

Though those trades seemed fair.

Upon hearing this, A Su Tai’s face brightened, but soon he grew troubled again.

“Then… when I become stronger, when I… you would?”

Chen Yi wanted to say no, but after a moment, he didn’t make it absolute.

“If someday you inherit your father’s position, becoming the Left King A Su Tai of the tribe, then perhaps you might have the merit to cooperate with me.”

“Left… Left King, me?”

A Su Tai pointed at himself, his face reddening further than before, clearly not believing he could become Left King.

“Then what status are you?”

“A prince of Wei, a duke, or a marquis?”

“None of them, I’m…”

Chen Yi’s eyes, hidden behind the black iron mask, met A Su Tai’s gaze, and he let out a soft laugh, saying, “When you hear a Wei person’s name in the tribe, his martial arts will be peerless, his medical skills can save all the common folk, his strategy supreme in the world, his literary prowess able to reach the immortal realm, his qin and his paintings…”

“That person… is me.”

A Su Tai stared at him, then slowly counted on his fingers, muttering “one, two, three, four, five…”

“You… you’re not alone? Eight, no, ten, ten?”

Chen Yi couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly, “You know at most ten? Or is it just your ten fingers?”

Before A Su Tai could answer, Chen Yi waved his hand, “Never mind, I didn’t say that.”

“In any case, the tasks I need you to do aren’t difficult.”

“Of course, with your current intellect, some complex matters might be a bit much for you.”

A Su Tai pouted.

But thinking of the schemes Chen Yi had used, he could only nod in reluctant agreement.

“Speak, speak. The third and fourth tasks.”

Chen Yi smiled, “Simple enough.”

“Later, I’ll arrange for you to be rescued by Liu Hong, so you can return to the tribe through him.”

“Him?”

A Su Tai blinked, then clenched his fists violently, “I, I don’t want it!”

Chen Yi merely laughed, “If I say this is the only way, and Liu Hong will die, would you still refuse?”

A Su Tai gripped his neck, wanting to stand his ground.

But looking into Chen Yi’s eyes, he bit down on his teeth, swallowing hard.

“I agree.”

“Good.”

“Now I believe you must’ve studied under Master Fu, you savage fellow.”

“I’m not young.”

“Hmph, age is relative… Anyway, let’s get to the last matter.”

When he spoke gravely, Chen Yi said, “After you return to the tribe, I hope you can protect Master Fu.”

A Su Tai looked puzzled, perhaps confused and conflicted.

Thinking he might refuse, A Su Tai turned away, his voice firm, “You… switch it.”

“If you don’t say so, I’ll… protect… Master Fu.”

Chen Yi fell silent, then chuckled, “No, just this.”

“Of course, if you can protect her safely, it’d be better if you could bring her a few words.”

“What words?”

“Tell her everything at home is fine, don’t worry.”

A Su Tai repeated the words, “Just this? It’s…”

“Exactly.”

Chen Yi nodded, and in one motion, a vial appeared in his hand. He twirled it idly, smiling, “Remember what you promised me.”

“When you wake again, I guarantee you’ll be on your way back to the tribe.”

A Su Tai bowed deeply, “You… I will.”

“Rest easy, he’ll definitely die!”

With that, Chen Yi tossed the vial, and once again used the immortal’s intoxication to make A Su Tai fall asleep.

When the room fell silent.

Chen Yi gazed at the stubborn barbarian youth, whose face was still ruddy from sleep, and a flicker of a smile crossed his eyes.

“The fourth matter… provided you can return to the barbarian tribe alive.”

“That Liu Hong fellow isn’t easy to fool.”

“He must be able to discern this plot. It all hinges on… whether he has the heart to be ruthless enough.”

“Does he choose to kill Ashuiti once and for all, or does he choose to send Ashuiti away at the risk of exposure?”

Chen Yi couldn’t help but know, but he was eager to see how Liu Hong would ultimately decide.

This time, he must make that old fox reveal his true nature.

Thinking this, his gaze settled on Lü Jian Nan.

After a moment’s consideration, he saw no need to waste words with Lü Jian Nan and turned on his heel, stepping out of the chamber.

As he opened the door, he spotted Pei Muyu sprawled on the ground, leaning against his head to listen intently.

“What are you whispering to that wild boy, brother-in-law?”

“I can’t make out what they’re saying, not even the big sounds…”

“Is it that loud?”

“Ah!”

Pei Muyu leapt up with a start at Chen Yi’s sudden voice.

When he saw who it was, Pei Muyu’s face flushed crimson, and he grinned sheepishly: “Brother-in-law, I, I wasn’t eavesdropping—I heard nothing!”

Chen Yi flicked his fingers against Pei Muyu’s forehead and scolded, “You’re always lost in thought, aren’t you?”

“Off you go.”

“Brother-in-law, are you really leaving already?”

“Yes, I’ve got some business to attend to at Guiyun Academy.”

Pei Muyu huffed unhappily and followed him at his heels.

Chen Yi glanced back and smiled: “Hold on a few more days—soon enough, everything will be settled.”

Pei Muyu nodded eagerly, “Got it.”

When Chen Yi saw the boy’s eager expression, he lowered his voice: “Don’t sleep too deeply tonight. We’ll go see a show.”

“Really?”

Upon Chen Yi’s affirmative nod, Pei Muyu’s face lit up instantly: “I, I wasn’t even trying to sneak out, you know.”

“Though you’re so accommodating, I suppose it’s fine to stay a few more days here.”

Chen Yi patted Pei Muyu’s head. “When did you learn that tea phrase? Too casual.”

Pei Muyu covered his head: “What tea phrase? I didn’t say anything.”

“That counts too.”

“Oh…” They chattered a bit more.

Chen Yi glanced at the darkening sky and slipped out of the courtyard.

Pei Muyu watched him vanish into the night, then hurried back to the main hall to practice the Star Butterfly Step.

“Tea language—what is this tea language?”

“Brother-in-law wants me to speak in the mountain dialect?”

…

Chen Yi’s purpose in going to Guiyun Academy wasn’t for anything else but to inquire about the imperial examination.

Earlier, Master Yue Ming had asked Yang Ye to go to Ma Shuhang and discuss certain matters.

Though he’d only received a perfunctory reply, it wasn’t entirely without gain.

At least, Yang Ye’s presence had caused Ma Shuhang to rein in his behavior somewhat.

But while publicly he had tempered his actions, privately his movements remained active.

He was conducting inspections across the academies in Shu Zhou, recruiting deputy examiners and officials, and so on.

Even Liu Hong’s side had issued a directive from the Governor’s Office, stating their hope that this time’s Shu Zhou examination would yield good results.

“A junks, never mind what tricks Ma Shuhang is up to.

I only trust one thing—whether the written exam is genuine or not, it cannot be faked.”

Master Yue Ming nodded solemnly: “If that Ma family dares to defy the realm’s dignity, and causes trouble for any examinee during the exam, I’ll spare none of them!”

Chen Yi smiled and nodded: “The dean speaks wisely.”

“I think he also won’t.”

Though, after all,

Ma Shuhang dared not, doesn’t mean Liu Hong dared not.

The other official, Zuo Ying, had come to the same conclusion.

He crossed his arms behind his back, his posture like an old farmer, gesturing meaningfully:

“Dean, have you heard about the current conditions in the city?”

Master Yue Ming blinked: “What conditions?”

“I’ve heard that because of the exam reforms, many from the major families have gone to Liu’s mansion.”

“Liu… Liu Shimu?”

“Besides him, who else?”

“I’ve also heard that our Liu family didn’t take those people’s belongings as gifts, but their departure expressions were as if they’d been given presents.”

“Why is that?”

Zuo Ying, seeing Master Yue hadn’t responded, glanced at Chen Yi: “What else could it be?”

“I suppose our Liu family must have given them some leeway.”

Master Yue frowned: “You mean Liu Shimu cheated on the exam?”

Upon hearing this, even Zuo Ying couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly.

Neither could Chen Yi.

“Dean, the matter of corruption is something beneath the surface—Liu Shimu, capable of it, wouldn’t do so.”

“You must think—if this exam aims to encourage all examinees to study diligently, as long as they’re not at the bottom, there’s room for improvement in their scores.”

Zuo Ying sighed bitterly: “Do you think there’s a difference between third place above and third place below?”

Chen Yi chuckled and agreed: “It seems our Governor has played a clever hand.”

Master Yue seemed to grasp it gradually, a complex sigh escaping his lips.

“Liu Gongmo……”

“Of course, that explains why he agreed to Ma Shuhuan’s request earlier.”

Mr. Zhuo Ying shook his head: “No, no, in my opinion, perhaps Ma Shuhuan agreed to our Liu Daoren’s commands.”

“In any case, the light boat must be careful in dealing with this examination.”

“It’s better not to write flowers at all, just stick closely to the topic, lest those people with hidden motives cause trouble.”

Chen Yi nodded, then shook his head again.

“I’m actually curious to see if they have the nerve……”

……

As for what happened on Chen Yi’s side, let’s leave that for now.

Near the eleventh hour.

Outside several grain stores in the East Market, long queues still stretched on.

Many citizens held bags of grain or baskets, eyes fixed on the front of the line.

Some pointed at the price boards outside the stores, gesturing toward the price of thirteen dollars and cents per stone.

Others stared at the sacks of rice and flour, fearing they wouldn’t get enough when they reached the front.

Some whispered among themselves.

“I wonder when the grain prices will stop rising.”

“If this continues, who can afford to eat?”

“I think our Shuzhou city will eventually have people starve to death.”

“I wonder how many bribes those corrupt officials have taken from the grain stores—instead of managing to lower prices, they just sit back and do nothing.”

“Hah, those people up there are high and mighty, no matter what happens to the grain prices, they’ve always got food to eat.”

“Who cares about us common folk?”

The crowd buzzed with chatter, some cursing the officials, others blaming the grain stores, and some offering more reasonable words.

“In my opinion, these prices probably won’t drop anytime soon.”

“Oh? Tell me more, brother.”

That man wore a tattered cloth shirt, his hair disheveled, speaking with a rough, mountain-dwelling accent.

“I heard it from someone.”

“Actually, that night, that fat baker, Suo Guolan, and her brother didn’t really die.”

“What? They didn’t die?”

Someone immediately disputed him: “We saw many people outside the West Market that night—‘Dragon Gun’ Liu Wǔ killed Lü Jiānnán.”

“How could he not be dead?”

“That’s what I heard. A fellow from the single gang who saw it with his own eyes.”

The man in the coarse cloth robes described it vividly: “He said one night, he happened to see ‘Dragon Gun’ Liu Wǔ and Lü Jiānnán.”

“He said ‘Dragon Gun’ Liu Wǔ was a remarkable warrior, dragging Lü Jiānnán like a dead dog, cursing all the while.”

“That baker Suo and her doggish ways dared to run amok in our Wei domain—this will end badly for them.”

Hearing this, the people in line looked at him with half-doubt.

Though they didn’t want to believe a beggar’s tale, they also hoped it was true.

“But if that Lü family fellow didn’t die, then the bandits under Suo Guolan’s command have lost their excuse for raiding.”

“So the grain prices…… I hope this young brother’s words are true.”

“I hope so too……”

Almost the same thing happened at every grain store.

Some believed it, others dismissed it, and some took the opportunity to cause a ruckus.

In no time at all.

The managers of several grain stores received the news.

After exchanging worried glances, they dared not delay, sending the message back to their masters.

Near the East Market, Lin Mansion.

Lin Zhengong, newly appointed as head of the household, sat in the main hall, his hands gently stroking the armrest, a look of reflection on his face.

“Father.”

“Since I’ve taken over the family business, I never realized how easy it is to make money. When I was still a wealthy son at home, I never saw it so…… so simple.”

Recently, due to the rising grain prices, Lin’s grain stores were bustling with customers.

It was like turning a profit daily.

This brought great joy to the newly empowered Lin Zhengong, even softening the grief he felt over his father, Lin Huai’an’s death.

As he lifted his tea cup with a bright smile, ready to take a sip, footsteps sounded at the door.

“Lord, Lord, something big has happened.”

Lin Zhengong furrowed his brow, set down his tea cup, and asked with a slight irritation: “What’s all this fuss about?”

“Lord, someone says Lü Jiānnán didn’t die!”

“Who didn’t die? If Lü Jiānnán didn’t die, then……”

“Who are you talking about?!”

(Chapter Complete)