Chapter 330: Don't Blame This Brother for Being Unjust (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 330: Don’t Blame Elder Brother for Being Unjust (Seeking Monthly Votes)

“A true master of all arts…”

Xie Stopcloud’s eyes gleamed with an unspoken envy, her gaze drifting toward the towering figure of Ba Da Xian, who stood as the unchallenged sovereign of the martial world for decades.

Literary prowess unrivaled, martial skill unmatched.

All who cultivated the martial way yearned to ascend to the peak.

Xie Stopcloud was no exception.

Ba Da Xian reigned supreme over the martial realm, his presence a monument to power that cast long shadows over countless warriors. Even if one could not best him, to stand face to face with him, to exchange a handful of blows in this lifetime, was the ultimate dream of many.

“If only Ba Da Xian would spar with someone here in Shu Zhou…”

“Better yet, a swordsman.”

Nothing else mattered.

For a swordsman’s duel against Ba Da Xian would be like watching a masterwork performance, a chance for Xie Stopcloud, a practitioner of swordplay, to witness perfection in motion. Perhaps, if fortune favored her, her own technique might awaken, blossom into something greater.

Shen Huatang remained calm, her cultivation too low to discern the subtleties of such a clash. The others—Xiao Duo, Juan Er, and Cui Er—treated it as mere spectatorship.

Only Huan Er and Chun Rong chuckled in quiet understanding.

Lin Zhong observed the group’s expressions, then shook his head. “Such a contest between these figures is both opportunity and trial for onlookers.”

Xie Stopcloud froze mid-motion, her face falling. “Indeed.”

She had assumed too much.

Though her martial skills were respected, earning her the title “Stopcloud Immortal,” she knew her talents could never penetrate the depths of minds like Ba Da Xian’s. Not even to watch from afar was a luxury few could afford. And those at his level, when they sparred, would shatter the very earth beneath them—those without the strength to endure the aftershocks might never even know how they perished.

“They say before such contests, each participant selects a rising talent to spar with?”

Lin Zhong nodded. “That’s the custom.”

“Like years ago, when the Sword Saint and the Blade Ghost faced off, each chose a disciple.”

“The Sword Saint picked his young, closed-door student—though a child, the girl had already mastered the essence of swordplay.”

“All the world speaks of her future potential to rival the Saint himself…”

Lin Zhong’s words faded as his attention shifted to Chen Yunfan.

Xie Stopcloud, however, leaned closer to Shen Huatang, her curiosity piqued.

At the banquet table in the wooden pavilion’s inner hall, Chen Yunfan had heard Lin Zhong’s words. Uninterested in the high-profile visitors, he saw an opening. Especially with Chen Yi nearby.

Seizing a moment while Xiao Manweng and Cui Qingwu chatted, Chen Yunfan raised his teacup toward Chen Yi with a smile.

“Yi, have you heard the true reason the Ba Da Xian came to Shu Zhou?”

Chen Yi, who’d overheard the conversation, replied casually, “What’s that?”

Seeing his feigned ignorance, Chen Yunfan continued, “Someone challenges him to a duel here.”

“Oh? Then…”

“If you’re interested, I’ll take you to watch.”

“No thanks. I’d rather leave such celestial beings to their own devices.”

Chen Yunfan chuckled. “Forgot you’re bookish, Yi. You’d struggle to even approach them.”

“Brother, you’re right. But… you’re a scholar too, aren’t you?”

Chen Yi couldn’t bring himself to reveal the truth—that he knew Ba Da Xian’s purpose and that his opponent was a swordsman.

Chen Yunfan’s smile deepened, his eyes twinkling.

Yi, you think you know me, but do you know yourself?

Playing your part here, you’re still green.

“You’re right, Yi. I owe you one…”

Chen Yi met his gaze, set down his chopsticks. “Is your business free today?”

“Brother, the elder visited yesterday, saying you’d been away from the prefecture for some time. He also mentioned you were ill.”

Chen Yunfan’s smile faltered, his eyes flicking to Cui Qingwu’s tense expression.

“Did I get it wrong?”

“Perhaps I misremembered.”

Chen Yi noticed his hesitation, turning to Xiao Manweng. “Has the refugee issue outside the city been resolved?”

Xiao Manweng, puzzled but compliant, nodded. “They left yesterday. The governor and magistrate coordinated, ensuring everyone had provisions to return home.”

“Grain prices have dropped too.”

“Cui Er said this morning, ‘Grinding grain into flour costs less than two silver coins now. Many who bought recently are angry, demanding refunds.’”

“The governor mediated?”

“They say Yang Zhe and Li Tanhuo handled it…”

Chen Yunfan’s lips twitched, then he laughed weakly. “Is that so?”

“Hardly expected me to miss all this while I was here.”

Cui Qingwu shot him a sharp look, leaning toward Xiao Manweng. “Manweng, when I return home for the New Year, how about we visit Tonglin together afterward?”

Xiao Manweng glanced at Chen Yi, who gave a slight nod, and agreed.

“The dispersal notices—do you think any top physicians came?”

“Don’t worry. If they don’t, my family can find a suitable chief physician.”

“This is certainly fine, but…”

As the two women shifted the subject, Chen Yunfan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, and shot a sharp glance at Chen Yi.

Yi brushed his arm, his voice low but edged with reproach. “Yi, you’re heartless—don’t expect me to be kind.”

“Did Yi just say he has no confidence in the upcoming exam?” Yunfan asked, his tone dripping with mock concern.

“Then you’d better study harder. Don’t let a moment of carelessness cost you your reputation, or you’ll be the laughingstock of the whole realm.”

Chen Yi paused, his eyes drifting to Xiao Wan’er beside him. He’d guessed what Yunfan was aiming at, so he feigned nonchalance and replied smoothly, “It was just an opinion piece, nothing more.”

Xiao Wan’er glanced at his expression, found it unremarkable, and said nothing further.

“Xiao Gu, perhaps we should wait until the dean of the Medical Arts Academy is chosen before heading to Tonglin?”

“Fine…”

They chatted idly, finished their afternoon tea, and walked on.

Chen Yi and Xiao Wan’er each held an umbrella, seeing off Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu, while Lin Zhong and others followed behind.

The rain grew heavier, drumming steadily against the umbrellas, drowning out the sound of their footsteps. Soon, even their voices became indistinct.

Yunfan noticed Cui Qingwu’s attention wandering, and turned his head toward Chen Yi, his jaw tightening. “Yi, you’re pushing it—letting me look foolish!”

Chen Yi glanced at Xiao Wan’er, then lowered his voice. “Brother, brother—let’s keep it between us.”

“Hmph. Thanks to you, I’ll be heading to the prefecture office this afternoon.”

“Of course.”

Yunfan grunted, climbed into the carriage, and before entering, he called back, “Don’t forget to meet Father and the Fourth and Sixth Brothers when they arrive in Shu Zhou.”

Chen Yi nodded, his umbrella held high. “Rest assured.”

“Just as I did when I came to Shu Zhou—you were waiting for me at the North City Gate.”

Yunfan wanted to say more but stopped himself. “My father’s arrival is a great occasion. You… never mind. I’ll let you know in good time.”

Chen Yi bowed. “Understood.” He watched as Yunfan and Cui Qingwu entered the carriage.

Lin Zhong, Huan Er, and Chun Rong climbed in, settling themselves on the driver’s seat, and bid their farewells before driving off.

Ning Yu and Niu Shan walked back on foot.

Chen Yi waved them off, his gaze lingering until they disappeared from view. Xiao Wan’er did the same.

As Chen Yi began to head toward the Spring Lotus Garden, Xiao Wan’er asked, “How confident is your brother-in-law about the exam?”

Chen Yi’s foot halted. He mentally cursed Yunfan’s meddling, but on the surface, he said, “He’s confident.”

Xiao Wan’er inclined her head. “Then I feel at ease.”

Still, she was well aware of Chen Yi’s nature—she knew he’d likely chatter on, offering a litany of reminders:

“The exam isn’t like others. One mistake could be disastrous. If your brother-in-law fails, it’ll bring trouble down the line.”

“Not just outsiders—his own academy students might…”

Chen Yi quickly assented, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’ve got this handled. Do you think the Eldest Sister even knows my capabilities?”

Xiao Wan’er caught the edge of his meaning, scolded him with a sharp glance, and turned away toward the pavilion.

She understood his talents, but feared he might treat the matter too lightly, too carelessly.

Chen Yi watched her retreat, tossed his umbrella to Xiao Di, and stepped into the rain. “Back to studying.”

Xiao Di, shielding his master’s feet with his own umbrella, chuckled behind his hand. “Master, your sister-in-law is right—exams like this demand seriousness. You can’t be so casual.”

Chen Yi scoffed. “Casual or not, it’s just an exam.”

In truth, many who possessed talent and diligence still failed to achieve success. If that were the case, there’d be far fewer regrets and unfulfilled ambitions in the world.

Of course, Chen Yi would never voice such thoughts. He simply seethed silently, cursing Yunfan in his heart.

Oh, how convenient.

At that very moment, Chen Yunfan was thinking the same thing—cursing Chen Yi in his own way.

As he muttered under his breath, he faced Cui Qingwu’s relentless, soft-spoken interrogations.

“Yunfan, all this martial arts practice—must be exhausting.”

“Not really…”

“Not exhausting? Then why aren’t you at the prefecture office?”

“Some matters…”

“What matters? Come on, tell me.”

“This…”

“Is it Ning Yu and Niu Shan? Or Chun Rong…?”

Yunfan spotted a bead of sweat forming on Chun Rong’s forehead. He forced a smile. “Not them… I’ll be at the prefecture this afternoon.”

Cui Qingwu didn’t truly blame him. On hearing this, she smiled and nodded.

“Yunfan, with Brother-in-law coming to Shu Zhou, you’d do well to behave yourself for a while.”

“She’s right…”

Yunfan sighed, stepped off the carriage as it passed the Governor’s Office, and watched Lin Zhong’s carriage disappear into the distance.

Yi, my dear Yi—go wait for me!

Yunfan scratched his head, smoothed his clothes, and entered the Governor’s Office.

The clerk at the door glanced at him, a bit puzzled, but bowed promptly.

“Governor Chen.”

Chen Yunfan nodded, making his way to the main hall and settling into his spacious study.

Hearing his entrance, Li Huacheng looked up from the pile of documents on his desk, exhaled in relief, stretched his aching shoulders, and muttered, “At last, he’s come.”

Then Li Huacheng sprang to his feet, gathered a stack of scrolls, and hurried into Chen Yunfan’s room.

Boom.

A modest stack of thirty volumes lay spread before Chen Yunfan.

"Yunfan jie, you’ve worked hard."

Chen Yunfan glanced at the pile of official documents, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. "Huizhu jie, these..."

Li Huizhu, guessing his meaning, interrupted: "While you were away from the office, Master Yang instructed me to handle them for you."

"Now that you’re back, it’s all the more your burden."

"So many?"

Chen Yunfan flipped through them briefly, his gaze settling on one. He pointed to a volume. "The annual review? This isn’t by Liu Daoren…"

He caught himself—Liu Hong had indeed been involved.

Li Huizhu, thinking he still didn’t know, mouthed a silent "shh," then gestured toward the corridor beyond the door. "Since the previous day, Master Liu has kept to his chambers. All matters are now under Yang Daoren’s purview. There’s also…"

After a moment, Chen Yunfan absorbed the current state of affairs in the office and realized that Qingying’s words from yesterday had been rather cautious.

Liu Hong no longer concerned himself with the affairs of the office; his demeanor had shifted entirely, as if… waiting for death.

Chen Yunfan recalled the recent events—the grain transport, the Five Poison Sect, the mountain clans, the disaster victims, the plague… Chen Yi.

Had Yi Brother found leverage over Liu Hong?

It was likely.

Liu Hong and the Liu clan of Jingzhou, who had long opposed the Xiao family, would naturally be the target of Yi Brother’s intervention. But given Liu Hong’s understanding, he shouldn’t have been so helpless.

Unless…

Chen Yunfan thought of the rumors he’d once heard, his brow furrowing.

Behind Liu Hong stood not just the Jingzhou Liu clan and Liu Guifei, but also a greater power. Yet neither the Chen family nor Qing Qingying’s influence had uncovered that person’s identity.

"Whoever silenced Liu Hong… Jiuzheng, or perhaps…"

A few figures flickered in his mind, faintly discernible.

But these things he would not tell Li Huizhu. He merely nodded, accepting the documents, and began to scrutinize them with a grim expression.

"Disaster relief costs—ten million strings of rice and grain…"

"Resupply for Guangduan three counties—costing rice and grain…"

"Merchants who died along the Tea Horse Road, now returning… Hmm?"

Chen Yunfan pondered over the pages, his eyes drifting toward the Xiao family’s domain.

Earlier, he’d heard that the Kongque King’s banner had arrived at the Tea Horse Road, and he’d assumed the Lantian King had been so bold. Now, looking back… the courage belonged to his Yi Brother.

In that moment, Chen Yunfan’s face bore a complex expression.

"Seems Yi Brother has taken the Xiao family to heart."

"Or perhaps Father’s arrival in Shuzhou brings good or ill… Mother, the arrangements at home… how misguided they were…"

…

Before the hour of Hai (11 PM–1 AM), Chen Yi slipped away from the Xiao household, heading straight for the West Market.

Covering his tracks in the rain, he moved swiftly, soon reaching the residence behind the tailor’s shop.

Yet this time, he was far more cautious.

After all, he’d sensed four high-ranking martial artists on the path—far more than before.

"News of the duel between Master Bai and that fellow has spread, and whether he leaked it himself or someone else, I wonder…"

Chen Yi reflected on the swordsman he’d seen that night and the words he’d spoken, a slight grimace crossing his face.

"What right have you to witness a duel? Now that the word’s out, so many scum from thejianghu have come to watch. I suppose you’ll drive them away, won’t you?"

He didn’t think the swordsman would fail at that either. Likely, merely speaking those words would disperse the crowd of unworthy onlookers.

Thinking this, Chen Yi suppressed his energy and voice, focusing his mind on the sounds from the tailor’s shop.

Not long after, the voice of Xing rang out.

"Lord, your command—strike at once and subdue Liu Hong’s allies…"

(Chapter End)A modest stack of thirty volumes lay spread before Chen Yunfan.

"Yunfan jie, you’ve worked hard."

Chen Yunfan glanced at the pile of official documents, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. "Huizhu jie, these..."

Li Huizhu, guessing his meaning, interrupted: "While you were away from the office, Master Yang instructed me to handle them for you."

"Now that you’re back, it’s all the more your burden."

"So many?"

Chen Yunfan flipped through them briefly, his gaze settling on one. He pointed to a volume. "The annual review? This isn’t by Liu Daoren…"

He caught himself—Liu Hong had indeed been involved.

Li Huizhu, thinking he still didn’t know, mouthed a silent "shh," then gestured toward the corridor beyond the door. "Since the previous day, Master Liu has kept to his chambers. All matters are now under Yang Daoren’s purview. There’s also…"

After a moment, Chen Yunfan absorbed the current state of affairs in the office and realized that Qingying’s words from yesterday had been rather cautious.

Liu Hong no longer concerned himself with the affairs of the office; his demeanor had shifted entirely, as if… waiting for death.

Chen Yunfan recalled the recent events—the grain transport, the Five Poison Sect, the mountain clans, the disaster victims, the plague… Chen Yi.

Had Yi Brother found leverage over Liu Hong?

It was likely.

Liu Hong and the Liu clan of Jingzhou, who had long opposed the Xiao family, would naturally be the target of Yi Brother’s intervention. But given Liu Hong’s understanding, he shouldn’t have been so helpless.

Unless…

Chen Yunfan thought of the rumors he’d once heard, his brow furrowing.

Behind Liu Hong stood not just the Jingzhou Liu clan and Liu Guifei, but also a greater power. Yet neither the Chen family nor Qing Qingying’s influence had uncovered that person’s identity.

"Whoever silenced Liu Hong… Jiuzheng, or perhaps…"

A few figures flickered in his mind, faintly discernible.

But these things he would not tell Li Huizhu. He merely nodded, accepting the documents, and began to scrutinize them with a grim expression.

"Disaster relief costs—ten million strings of rice and grain…"

"Resupply for Guangduan three counties—costing rice and grain…"

"Merchants who died along the Tea Horse Road, now returning… Hmm?"

Chen Yunfan pondered over the pages, his eyes drifting toward the Xiao family’s domain.

Earlier, he’d heard that the Kongque King’s banner had arrived at the Tea Horse Road, and he’d assumed the Lantian King had been so bold. Now, looking back… the courage belonged to his Yi Brother.

In that moment, Chen Yunfan’s face bore a complex expression.

"Seems Yi Brother has taken the Xiao family to heart."

"Or perhaps Father’s arrival in Shuzhou brings good or ill… Mother, the arrangements at home… how misguided they were…"

…

Before the hour of Hai (11 PM–1 AM), Chen Yi slipped away from the Xiao household, heading straight for the West Market.

Covering his tracks in the rain, he moved swiftly, soon reaching the residence behind the tailor’s shop.

Yet this time, he was far more cautious.

After all, he’d sensed four high-ranking martial artists on the path—far more than before.

"News of the duel between Master Bai and that fellow has spread, and whether he leaked it himself or someone else, I wonder…"

Chen Yi reflected on the swordsman he’d seen that night and the words he’d spoken, a slight grimace crossing his face.

"What right have you to witness a duel? Now that the word’s out, so many scum from thejianghu have come to watch. I suppose you’ll drive them away, won’t you?"

He didn’t think the swordsman would fail at that either. Likely, merely speaking those words would disperse the crowd of unworthy onlookers.

Thinking this, Chen Yi suppressed his energy and voice, focusing his mind on the sounds from the tailor’s shop.

Not long after, the voice of Xing rang out.

"Lord, your command—strike at once and subdue Liu Hong’s allies…"

(Chapter End)