Chapter 338: Can Only Advance, Not Retreat (Happy New Year)

Chapter 338: The Unyielding Path (A Happy New Year)

When the Emperor’s decree reached Shuzhou, it was already the twenty-ninth day of September.

Only one day remained before the imperial examination.

The next day, all the scholars from the prefecture and surrounding counties would gather at the examination grounds—located in the grand courtyard between the Bureau of Marshals and the Prefect’s Office.

The exam would span two days.

Candidates would enter at dawn and remain until noon on the second day.

Originally, the regional examiner of Shuzhou, Ma Shuhuan, had scheduled the examination for the twenty-eighth, but for reasons that could not be spoken of, he had delayed it by two days.

The scholars of the prefecture did not merely understand or approve of this change—they had no time to even consider it.

Liu Hong’s death had already been widely known, along with his crimes of treason, selling out to enemies, manipulating grain prices, and plotting to spread plague.

One by one, these offenses were nailed to the notice boards outside the Bureau of Marshals.

Those who accompanied him, too, were dragged away by the prison officials.

The deputy commissioner of the Censorate, Ye Juxing, had colluded with the Lin family’s grain merchants, framing loyalists.

Master Lingchuan of Guiyun Academy had secretly sold iron weapons to the enemy through the Grand Marshal Zhuao.

Sun family’s Sun Wutong…

Except for a few exiles, the rest—Ye Juxing, Zhu Lingchuan, and others—would be escorted to the capital, awaiting execution in the autumn.

As soon as these matters became public, they spread like wildfire throughout Shuzhou.

The people cursed and raged without end.

Though grain prices in the prefecture had not yet reached the point of mass starvation, the populace had not forgotten the chaos of those days.

Whether one had managed to buy grain or not, all shared the same anguish.

“I always thought Liu Hong was a good official. Who knew he was such a villain behind my back?”

“I’m telling you, I used to feel grateful when he opened stores and distributed grain, stabilized prices, and helped disaster victims. But that wasn’t his true nature.”

“Only now do I realize the only thing good for us common folk in this Shuzhou is the Xiao family.”

“If it weren’t for Lord Xiao discovering this and confronting Liu Hong, the prices would still be sky-high. So many more people would have died.”

“Don’t forget, the plague incident was also first uncovered by Lord Xiao, who immediately ordered officials and doctors to investigate throughout the prefecture.”

“Lord Xiao has protected Shuzhou for so long, we ought to be grateful to him.”

“And General Surging Swan—did you hear? The Marshal who tried to flee was beheaded by her.”

The common folk of the city harbored deep resentment toward Liu Hong and his accomplices, and the scholars too found no peace.

Most of them, ashamed of the deeds they had done to save Master Lingchuan, wrote scathing articles in protest.

How many copies of phrases like “Knowing faces but not hearts” had spread?

Even the scholars of Guiyun Academy had spoken out against Zhu Lingchuan.

But with the examination approaching, Masters Yue Ming and Zhuo Ying could only try to force the scholars to calm their hearts and prepare.

Yet their efforts were largely in vain.

“Director, let them go.”

“This Liu public has committed such grave offenses, even I feel like cursing him.”

Master Yue Ming understood the situation, sighed, and said, “Don’t go stirring up more trouble.”

Master Zhuo Ying raised an eyebrow. “Stirring up trouble? Isn’t this enough?”

“Before the Emperor’s decree arrived, the Bureau of Marshals was leaderless, and even Yang Ye had struggled to maintain order.”

“The Censorate’s situation was better, but I’ve heard the Grand Marshal’s Office has been deeply affected.”

“Though the people of Guangyuan County haven’t done much, the noble families have caused chaos, all because of Zhuao’s faction.”

“Salt, tea, transport, carts, and horses—every day the Marshal’s Office seizes two or three noble families, killing some, exiling others.”

When he gestured vaguely toward the Xiao family, he said in a conspiratorial tone, “They say the actions of the Guangyuan County magistrate were due to Xiao Jinghong.”

Master Yue Ming furrowed his brow. “Xiao Jinghong?”

After a moment of thought, his brow relaxed. “It must be after she killed Zhuao, when she exerted her authority over the Grand Marshal’s Office.”

Master Zhuo Ying nodded with a smile. “That girl, though just a woman, acts with no hesitation, quite reminiscent of Xiao Fengchun.”

“The Lord Xiao… Director, have you heard of the Xiao family’s recent activities?”

“You must know something, after all, you’re a close acquaintance of Lord Xiao.”

Master Yue Ming glared at him. “I don’t know him at all!”

Yet he had heard of the Xiao family’s recent dealings.

Since Liu Hong’s death, several families from the prefecture had visited the Xiao family, bringing lavish gifts.

The Wan family not only sent medicinal herbs from their pharmacy but also brought ten taels of silver.

The other families did the same, as if the Xiao family had long suffered attacks and harassment from Shuzhou’s noble houses.

A pause fell over the room.

Master Yue Ming finally spoke: “Liu Hong is dead, and so is the Liu family in Jingzhou. Anyone with eyes can see it was the Xiao family’s doing.”

“Now that he’s gone, they’re only coming to mend fences with the Xiao family.”

Master Zhuo Ying sneered. “A bunch of riff-raff, not even touched by Liu Hong’s crimes— they’ll be settled by Lord Xiao in time.”

He twirled his tea cup, then shifted his tone. “But the little boat hasn’t come to the academy these days. I’m a bit unused to it.”

“With the examination near, it’s normal for them to work hard.”

“If Xiao’s knowledge were so poor that none of them made it into the top three, who could?”

“Who knows.”

Master Yue Ming thought of the examiner who hadn’t been tainted by Liu Hong, and sighed softly:

“If Ma Shuhuan hadn’t interfered, Xiao’s boat would not have missed the top three either. But I fear Ma Shuhuan isn’t acting rationally.”

Master Zhuo Ying hummed. “He dared?”

“Before, Liu Hong had backed him up. Now that Liu is dead, and the Bureau of Marshals is under Yang’s control, how could he let him run amok?”

“Let’s hope so…”

As Master Yue Ming fretted over how to calm the academy’s students and prepare them for the examination, footsteps were heard outside.

Ma Guan appeared, breathless. “Director, Master Zhuo, the Emperor’s decree has reached Shuzhou.”

“Quickly, say what happened.”

“The young eunuch who came here earlier, Feng Gonggong, first went to the Bureau of Marshals.”

Ma Guan caught his breath and composed himself. “Yang has temporarily assumed the duties of the Bureau of Marshals.”

Mr. Yue and Mr. Zhuo exchanged a glance, their faces relaxing with relief.

“Director, Director Yang is stationed here to oversee the provincial affairs; the matter of his upcoming assessment should be handled properly.”

Mr. Yue nodded slightly: “If Master Ma writes recklessly, I’ll personally go settle the matter.”

Earlier, he had sought out Director Yang regarding Ma Shuhuan’s invitation to serve as his deputy, and their connection was still somewhat cordial.

He then turned his gaze to Ma Guan: “And where has Master Feng gone now that he’s left the Department of Affairs?”

Ma Guan shook his head: “Director, Master Feng is still within the Department of Affairs.”

“Oh?”

“Besides Director Yang, there’s another person favored by the Son of Heaven in the Department of Affairs—Chen Yunfan, the champion of the Golden Academy.”

“It’s said he uncovered the iron goods transaction between Prefect Zhu Hao and the corrupt official Pò Shì, and submitted the evidence to the Censor Tan Zixin.”

“There’s also Lü Nine-Nan…”

Ma Guan’s expression grew strange: “I wonder why, but the Son of Heaven’s decree states that Chen Zhangcai killed Lü Nine-Nan.”

Mr. Yue recalled having heard of Lü Nine-Nan’s name: “If my memory serves, he was slain by the infamous ‘Dragon-Tiger’ Liu Five.”

He turned to Mr. Zhuo, “Was it so?”

Mr. Zhuo nodded, then mused: “Could Chen Yunfan be that legendary Liu Five of Shu?”

“Him?”

“There’s some possibility…”

What possibility at all!

Chen Yunfan, stationed within the Department of Affairs, was no fool.

Earlier, he had assumed that presenting Lü Nine-Nan’s corpse would earn him acclaim, but he’d forgotten another angle entirely.

——The “Dragon-Tiger” Liu Five was hiding far deeper than anyone thought!

Now, not only outsiders speculated he was Liu Five, but even within the Department of Affairs, some whispered the same.

Li Huaiwu was among them. After Feng Erbao and others departed the Department of Affairs for Xiao’s residence, Li Huaiwu sought him out, scrutinized him, and bowed:

“Alas, apologies, I hadn’t realized the Deputy Director possessed such profound martial arts.”

Chen Yunfan eyed him, dropped the imperial decree, and said: “Get lost… You never know which kettle might boil over.”

“Everyone knows the Deputy Director couldn’t possibly be that ‘Dragon-Tiger,’ and only fools would think so.”

Li Huaiwu chuckled: “Then why does the imperial decree state you killed Lü Nine-Nan?”

“I…”

Chen Yunfan leaned back in his chair, sighing helplessly: “Never mind. Let’s just pretend I’m that damned Liu Five, alright?”

It was hard to confess that he’d picked up Lü Nine-Nan’s corpse off the street.

To say so would not only shatter his reputation but also earn the Emperor’s wrath for treason.

Seeing this, Li Huaiwu sat across from him, clearly sensing another layer to the story.

After a pause, his face clouded with uncertainty: “In theory, Yunfan’s brother should’ve received a greater reward for such a feat.”

“A greater reward?”

Chen Yunfan snapped: “Huaiwu, do you want the Emperor to immediately appoint me right-hand man of the Department of Affairs, or to take over Zhu Hao’s vacancy?”

Though he spoke thus, he too was puzzled.

Earlier, when Chen Yi had handed over Zhu Hao’s crimes to him via the White Tiger Guard, he’d assumed the merit would elevate him further.

He should’ve risen to the third rank, at least to the fourth rank.

Yet in truth, he’d only received a few words of praise from the Son of Heaven and some silver and gold.

They chatted a while.

Li Huaiwu stood and left.

Chen Yunfan sat quietly, gazing at the bright sun beyond the window, his expression complex.

“Now I wonder how Yi brother will mock me…”

Damn it, this is all because of Lin Zhong’s meddling!

……

Xiao’s residence.

In the Spring Lotus Garden.

Chen Yi had heard of the Department of Affairs’ affairs and knew Chen Yunfan had claimed merit for Lü Nine-Nan’s corpse.

He presumed it was Xiao’s guards under Lin Zhong’s command.

At least that way.

Lü Nine-Nan, left in his hands, was merely a corpse destined to become fertilizer. Better to give Chen Yunfan some merit.

Besides, there was unexpected joy—Shu’s people all suspected Chen Yunfan was the “Dragon-Tiger” Liu Five, which suited Chen Yi perfectly.

Earlier, he’d used the plague outbreak to purge himself of that Liu Five connection. With this matter involving Chen Yunfan, surely no one would link “Liu Five” to him again.

He smiled to himself.

Chen Yi turned his attention to the clean courtyard of the Mid- Court.

“……For merit and fault alike, demotion of three years in pay, let it be so!”

“Your servant Xiao respectfully thanks the Son of Heaven’s grace.”

“Lord Xiao, the Son of Heaven also sent a message for you.”

“Master Feng, please convey it.”

“The Son of Heaven said, henceforth you may enter but not leave, or chaos will erupt in Shu, and you alone will be questioned.”

“I’m much obliged to Master Feng for relaying the Emperor’s words…”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi employed the Azure Wolf Suppression Technique, gathering his energy to conceal it from view.

He flipped through the texts before him, a faint smile touching his lips.

As he’d thought.

The Son of Heaven had shown leniency toward the old patriarch, merely imposing a pay cut to cover the matter.

Yet that verbal message was intriguing.

“The Son of Heaven’s gaze has always lingered on Shu; he knows the old patriarch’s recent deeds.”

“In truth, the old patriarch grew startled, pouring effort into restoring the Xiao family’s influence.”

This could be easily inferred.

If the Son of Heaven intended to use force against the Xiao family, he wouldn’t have sent them and Chen Yunfan to Shu.

Earlier, he hadn’t, and now the Xiao family’s situation had improved, so certainly not now.

It seems...

In Chen Yì's mind, the chessboard stirred subtly, pieces darting here and there, their movements shifting the game's course, while his brow furrowed slightly.

"Chen Yunfan's achievements are sufficient; he merely lacks the proper standing. Once the New Year passes, the imperial court in Kyoto will issue new edicts in his favor."

"Then... am I next in line?"

The game in Shu Zhou had already begun to take shape, at least for Chen Yunfan.

If Chen Yì were the mastermind behind the strategy, he would need to steer the final moves himself.

Which meant that this "young bird" must make his mark in the Xiao family.

"Looks like I'll have to stir things up after the imperial examination."

Chen Yì pondered, rising to stretch his limbs. Just as he was about to gather his belongings, a cry rang out from the courtyard.

"Brother, I'm back! Brother..."

The sound of jingling bells followed in quick succession.

Chen Yì followed the voice and saw Pei Wánglǚ bounding toward him, her steps light and carefree.

Her bare feet, pale and soft, left no trace on the stone slabs as her large bell swayed gently behind her.

She first noticed the freshly swept courtyard of the wooden building, smiling: "Sister Xiao, where's Brother Chen?"

Xiao Sister nodded, smiling: "Master is in the study reading. The imperial examination is tomorrow. You shouldn't..."

Shouldn't do what? The sentence trailed off unfinished.

Pei Wánglǚ bypassed her and rushed straight into the study, calling out, "Brother!"

Xiao Sister hurried after her, "Pei Miss, you—you shouldn't disturb Master's reading."

"No trouble at all. I just came to..."

Pei Wánglǚ had already entered the study, spotting Chen Yì standing by the desk. His face lit up with a smile.

"Brother! I'm back!"

She leaped up, her steps quick and eager.

Chen Yì sighed softly, turning aside without a sound, then caught her wrist with a gentle motion.

"I'm not deaf or blind."

Pei Wánglǚ tugged on his hand, laughing, her eyes full of his reflection.

After a moment, she pouted: "You promised me after finishing your work, you'd take me back. But I waited so long, and you never came."

Chen Yì gestured for Xiao Sister to prepare the afternoon meal, then glanced sideways at Pei Wánglǚ:

"I heard you were in seclusion practice?"

Pei Wánglǚ spun her eyes twice, a smile tugging at her lips as she tugged on his sleeve, her voice soft: "It was all because of Uncle Three. He insisted on teaching me some witchcraft techniques, hahaha..."

Once Xiao Sister was gone, Chen Yì pulled Pei Wánglǚ into a chair and smiled:

"Has your brother returned?"

Pei Wánglǚ leaned against him, her face upturned as she nodded: "Auntie received a letter—he's going back."

"So soon? Something happened in the mountain clans?"

"Not in the clan. Brother said the market in Wuyan is about to be established, and Auntie wants him to return to prepare supplies."

Chen Yì blinked, recalling that Xiao Jinghong had mentioned the market before his departure—it was finally coming to fruition.

A rare piece of good news from the Xiao family.

But Pei Wánglǚ had no time for such thoughts, chattering away about what she'd heard during her seclusion:

"Brother, do you know that a great event is about to unfold in the martial world?"

(End of Chapter)