Chapter 378: He is Brother Yi, Then Who is He? (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 378 He Is the Younger Brother, Then What Is He? (Seeking Monthly Votes)

In the quiet chamber, silence reigned as no bird or squirrel stirred.

The candle flame stood straight and tall, its pale yellow light casting shadows upon Chen Yì and Ge Lao San.

Their figures were shrouded in dimness.

Chen Yì’s left cheek lay in shadow, his head bowed in thought.

Had he not been predisposed to accept things as they were, he might not have given it a second thought.

After all, the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture had the formidable Lin Zhong among their ranks, a powerhouse of the upper third tier of warriors.

The Cui family of Qinghe, with their thousand-year legacy, should naturally possess such strength.

Others like Suo Jinjian, Cui Qingwu, Huan Er, and the various overseers and subordinates of the grain trade—surely they were no different.

Yet from what lay before his eyes, the Cui family’s predicament was grave.

To be precise, it was their patriarch, Cui Mèi, who was the root of the problem.

If he were the mastermind behind the scenes, then surely the court would be stirred by hidden currents as well.

The Celestial Order official standing against the Emperor in secret—how could one fathom his intentions?

Was he plotting to replace him?

Or perhaps seeking to preserve the Cui family’s interests in the north?

“According to Cui Mèi’s current status, he should be the unseen pillar behind the Jizhou Merchant Guild, shouldn’t he?”

“And there’s Liu Hong, Ma Shuhuan and others…”

Chen Yì pieced together the web of Qinghe Cui family’s connections in his mind, yet one thing remained inscrutable.

—Why had Cui Mèi now stepped from the shadows into the spotlight?

Chen Yì believed that with such individuals, there were countless followers like Suo Jinjian, Liu Hong, and Ma Shuhhan.

They should have been able to carry out their schemes silently, letting their plans seep through like water, letting the Xiao family die an obscure death, and letting the Shu region undergo a transformation.

How could this be?

Chen Yì suddenly burst into laughter, a realization dawning on him.

In the Shu region, few inside the city knew of Suo Jinjian, let alone the suspicion that Ma Shuhuan and Liu Hong’s affairs were tied to the Cui family.

Even he himself had only just pieced together, through chance and inference, who the enemy truly was.

As for the governors of the Shu region—the civil affairs office, the magistrate’s yamen, the execution commission, and even the White Tiger Guard—they were largely in the dark about these matters.

Ge Lao San, the White Tiger Guard, indeed knew little of the crisis brewing in Shu.

Yet when he saw Chen Yì’s smile, a strange unease flickered in his heart.

“Lord of the Dragon and Tiger Pavilion, do you know something?”

Chen Yì glanced at him, smiled, then his expression turned cool.

“Knowing too much brings you no good.”

“This…”

Ge Lao San opened his mouth to protest, thinking, “I am a flag officer of the White Tiger Guard—who could threaten my life?”

But the words caught in his throat.

He was well aware of the man before him.

Even someone of Chen Yì’s caliber would be cautious.

How could he fault him for holding back?

Chen Yì did not dwell on Ge Lao San’s thoughts, and instead inquired about the matter of Mingyue Tower before rising to leave.

Ge Lao San watched him depart, then quickly shed his disguise, replacing it with his usual attire, and hurried to the West Market.

Racing against time, within half a hour he reached the tailor’s shop and knocked on the door.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s the mistress. I’m here to collect three chi of fabric—the indigo one.”

“The shop is closed for the night. Please come again tomorrow.”

“The mistress is in a hurry. I beg you to make an exception…”

After exchanging a secretive nod, the wooden door swung open.

Liang Xing glanced around, then gestured for Ge Lao San to enter and speak.

Ge Lao San closed the door gently and followed him to the back room.

Liang Xing sat down, frowning at him.

“Old Three, what brings you here so late? Have you discovered anything?”

Ge Lao San spoke plainly: “The ‘Dragon and Tiger’ Liu Wu came to see me just now…”

As he finished speaking, Liang Xing suddenly smiled.

“You told Liu Wu about the situation of the Qinghe Cui family?”

Ge Lao San blinked in surprise.

“My lord…”

His eyes widened.

“You told *him* Liu Wu? You told *him* Liu Wu?”

Liang Xing fixed him with a stern gaze, his smile vanishing.

“I told you before, this matter is of great consequence—do not let anyone know!”

“How could I, having been instructed by you, tell him Liu Wu?”

“Besides, this is my White Tiger Guard affair. Even if Liu Wu holds my lord in high regard, he is not one of us.”

“What if news leaks?”

Ge Lao San immediately knelt on one knee, trembling with fear.

“My lord, have mercy! I am your servant—your servant… I deserve to die a thousand deaths! Punish me as you see fit!”

Liang Xing stared at him for a moment, then waved his hand.

“Rise and speak.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Ge Lao San rose unsteadily, bowing his head before him, a bead of sweat dripping from his forehead.

Though he had been chatting and laughing with Liang Xing earlier, acting like a loyal subject, in truth he knew better—Liang Xing was no innocent soul.

Within the White Tiger Guard, aside from a few star-flag officers loyal to the lord, the golden-flag officers were capable of holding sway over a region.

In terms of cultivation, skill, and the information and funds under their control, they were no match for ordinary silver-flag officers.

Compared to her, Lady Bai Hu, who had risen through merit in Mingyue Tower, could not stand on equal footing with Liang Xing and others.

Her foundation was too thin.

Ge Lao San understood this, and so would not flatter or smile at Liang Xing when making a mistake.

After all, one must show remorse when at fault.

For the love of the night—fuck that “Dragon and Tiger” Liu Wu!

Liang Xing remained silent, his fingers tapping against the chair back, staring silently at Ge Lao San.

After a moment…

Chang Xing said, “Liu Wu must have learned of this through eavesdropping on our conversation, or perhaps he, too, has been investigating the He Cui family.”

Ge Lao San slightly raised his head to look at him, cautiously asking, “My lord, is this place unsafe?”

Chang Xing scanned the area and gave a calm command: “Tomorrow, this place needs repair, using the finest materials.”

“My lord can rest assured, I will attend to it shortly.”

“Indeed. If there isn’t enough silver, we should go find Luo Feng.”

“The grain she’s been selling lately—she must have made a tidy sum. There should be plenty of silver in her possession.”

Ge Lao San’s face sank slightly, but he could only nod in agreement.

Though he and Cui Qingwu were both under the White Tiger Guard, one was the daughter of the Cui family’s riverside estate, a noble heir, while the other was a lowly commoner who’d clawed his way up from the dirt.

They were not meant to speak on equal terms.

In such circumstances, he would rather seek out Lou Yu Xue than involve himself with Cui Qingwu.

Chang Xing paid him no mind, continuing his orders: “Also, check the surrounding residences and shops—see who their owners are.”

“So Liu Wu doesn’t play us for fools in the dark.”

“Understood.”

Ge Lao San recalled Chang Xing’s earlier words and, unable to hold back, asked: “What if Liu Wu is also investigating the Cui family?”

When Chang Xing heard this, his figure stilled, his eyes turning toward the Rain Room where Ling Fei stood. His voice carried an odd tone:

“Then it means the Cui family has real problems.”

Even when the Chamberlain or the Lord had sent a letter of instruction, he had always doubted it.

Not because he questioned the Chamberlain’s judgment, nor out of fear of the Cui family’s influence.

Rather, in his view, the Cui family had been entrusted with the capital for generations, and Cui Mei was the imperial astrologer—how could someone so honored do such a thing?

To judge others by one’s own standards.

Chang Xing did not believe that after sitting in Cui Mei’s position, he would spend his days worrying and scheming. He assumed the man would focus solely on governing the state.

Ge Lao San dared not dwell on it further, nor press the matter.

His mood was much as it had been when he first met “Liu Wu”—he feared that knowing more would drag him deeper into the whirlpool.

After a moment of silence, Chang Xing waved him away. “Have your people keep a close watch on the Cui family’s associates.”

“Yes… sir.”

About an hour later, Chen Yi returned quietly to the Spring Blossom Garden. After investigating the area, he retreated to his chambers, folded away the scroll, and changed into lighter clothes before settling onto his bed.

In the crowded streets of Shu Zhou, he had to take a longer route to avoid being seen.

Additionally, he needed to visit a residence in the East Market to point out corrections for Yuan Liusi’s cultivation.

Exactly an hour had passed.

Yuan Liusi’s progress was accelerating rapidly—within a month, she was nearing a breakthrough.

If she went further, she would reach the eighth tier.

At that point, Chen Yi could pass on the Four Symbols Technique to her.

To fully cultivate her potential, she needed both external and internal skills—force and true energy must be refined together.

Especially now, with the “Xuanwu Quelling Breath” and the “Four Symbols Technique” both being advanced methods for the earthly realm, their power far surpassed what he had known when he first entered the martial world.

This gave Yuan Liusi a higher starting point than he had.

Still, talent and technique were merely tools—wherever Yuan Liusi could ultimately reach depended on her own efforts.

As Chen Yi thought this, he changed into a light robe and sat by the window, gazing at the bright moon.

Then he knelt on his bed, closed his eyes, and began cultivating the Four Symbols Technique.

For him, advancing in technique brought many benefits.

His cultivation of the complete realm—martial arts and body—would progress at a rate far surpassing Yuan Liusi’s.

He estimated that in another ten or eleven days, he’d be ready to break through.

At that point… he would join the ranks of the top martial artists in the world, reaching the third tier.

Combined with his skills in footwork, spearplay, and boxing, enhanced by the grace of Heaven and Earth, he should be able to rival a first-tier master.

Even against Wu Hua, who shared the same starting point, he feared he might not be able to match him.

In the depths of his thoughts, Chen Yi thought of his wife Xiao Jinghong.

If he reached the third tier, perhaps he could finally measure himself against his wife.

It should be possible.

According to his calculations, Xiao Jinghong and Wu Hua were of comparable strength. Even if Xiao Jinghong wielded both sword and gun, she likely wouldn’t be much stronger than Wu Hua.

“Unless my wife’s gun technique is fully perfected… it won’t happen so quickly…”

Chen Yi’s face bore an involuntary smile.

He wouldn’t fight Xiao Jinghong, not even if his identity were exposed. At most, he might endure a few more blows if caught in a fight.

At worst, he’d simply run and hide.

“It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.”

…

The next day.

The rooster’s cry echoed as pale light began to rise in the east.

The glow spread across the land.

A quiet residence of blue bricks and gray tiles stood still.

The night watchman yawned, tapping the gong with measured strokes: “Heaven is dry, the earth is parched—mind the candles.”

The coin collector pushed a cart piled high with “gold,” knocking on each door to collect rice and flour, then sending it out of the city.

The rumble of wheels faded into the distance.

Yet voices began to follow in his wake.

“The manager, today we should change more rice and flour—let’s celebrate the child’s coming of age…”

“Govern the world with concern, then bring joy to the world with joy—Master Light Boat is truly a gifted man…”

“Damn it, this young officer’s wine may not be strong enough to make a big splash, but it’s got a long finish. When he returns to Nanfu next time, I’ll definitely bring some back for my older brothers to taste…”

In the alleys, people emerged one by one at dawn, cleaning the roads before their doors.

Some well-to-do shops even scattered rosewater and powder to scent the air outside.

Those who possess spiritual cultivation are ever the most vibrant.

Ordinary folk require three or four watches of sleep a night, yet for practitioners of martial arts, a mere watch or two suffices.

Thus, upon the streets, it was the yamen runners and itinerant martial artists who first began to stir, followed only then by the laboring commoners.

Familiar souls exchanged wishes of peace.

Even upon encountering a stranger, a nod of greeting was shared before they parted ways.

All was peaceful and serene.

Of late, the turmoil in Shuzhou had been deeply unsettling, yet life, in the end, had to go on.

So long as the sun rose as it always did, heaven and earth would burst with vitality.

Today, however, was destined to be somewhat louder and more bustling than days past.

Before the hour of Mao had arrived, while the sky was not yet fully bright, carriage after carriage had already set out from inns and residences all across the prefectural city.

Along the wide, clean flagstone roads, they converged from all directions outside the manor situated at the crossroads of Chuanxi and Zhennan Streets.

Some carriages maintained a low profile, consisting merely of ordinary brown horses and green chassis.

Others were exceedingly luxurious, featuring gold and jade emblems, iron and stone roofs, and bodies fashioned from phoebe wood; even the horses leading them were fine steeds hailing from the Western Regions or the realm of Pasiva.

Amidst the clatter of hooves, they all came to a halt outside the gates of the Xiao Residence.

The grand head steward of the Xiao Residence, Bao Tong, and the third steward, Lu Guan, stood flanking the entrance, both clad in black overcoats atop long scholar's robes, welcoming the arrivals with smiling faces.

One by one, the guests presented their invitation cards and gift registries.

"Miss Wan Rourou of the Shuzhou Wan Family Trading Firm arrives..."

"Lord Tang of the Shuzhou Provincial Surveillance Commission..."

This time, the old master of the Xiao family was neither celebrating a birthday nor hosting a commemoration; the invitations bore only the words "family feast."

Yet every single person who received an invitation offered a lavish gift, heavier even than those presented during the old master's previous birthday celebration.

There was no other reason.

Times had changed.

Though the current Xiao family had suffered the Emperor's censure, following the affair of Liu Hong, the deputy emissaries of Shuzhou's Three Offices had been entirely purged, and the Provincial Governor, Liu Hong, along with his family clan in Jingzhou, had been completely uprooted.

In the eyes of outsiders, the only ones in the lands of Shuzhou capable of achieving such a feat was the Xiao family, and it could only have been the Xiao family.

Consequently, when the old master sent emissaries to rush about and widely distribute invitations days ago, no one dared treat it lightly.

Particularly those with a guilty conscience.

Chen Yunfan had also received an invitation.

Originally, he had not intended to come; after all, the newly appointed Right Provincial Governor, Fan Yuanzhou, had just ordered the swift and thorough investigation of Ma Shuhan's case, and both he and Li Huaigu had been dragged from their quilts in the dead of night, leaving him in no mood to care about the affairs of the Xiao family.

However, he could not withstand the persuasion of Chunying and Lin Zhong.

"Young Master, the Xiao family's circumstances have taken a turn for the better, and Master Xiao is hosting this grand feast for guests from all quarters, surely because he has something of import to declare."

"There is no harm in going to see."

"Indeed, Young Master, the Chen family and the Xiao family are relatives by marriage, after all."

"Though Young Master Yi wed into their family, that was in the past. Now, Young Master Yi's name is known throughout the realm; who does not know the name of Master Qingzhou?"

"Because of this, those outside all say that the Xiao family practically begged our Chen family for Young Master Yi, using him to help the Xiao family restore their prestige..."

Restore their prestige?

Chen Yunfan curled his lip in secret—it was far more than just that.

Of the matters he alone was privy to, from beginning to end, it was Brother Yi who had labored by himself, while the Xiao family merely sat back and enjoyed the fruits of his success.

Had it not been for Shuzhou being thrown into such severe chaos recently, provoking the Emperor's wrath and punishment, he reckoned the old Marquis of the Xiao family would not have stepped to the forefront just yet.

Mulling over these thoughts, Chen Yunfan stepped down from the carriage and motioned for Chunying to present the invitation card and gift registry.

"Chen Yunfan, Participant in Provincial Administration of the Shuzhou Provincial Administration Commission, Lord Chen arrives..."

Just as Chen Yunfan was about to walk inside, he heard Lu Guan at his side continue to call out:

"Chen Yu of the Baicao Hall arrives..."

Chen Yunfan was startled and turned his head to look over.

He saw that "Chen Yu" presenting his calling card with a calm countenance, followed by two guards, one tall and robust, the other lean.

He scrutinized the man thoroughly; to his recollection, this was the very first time he had seen Brother Yi appear in this particular guise.

After a brief thought, Chen Yunfan stopped his steps and smiled, cupping his hands in greeting: "Proprietor Chen of the Baicao Hall?"

Shui Hetong cast a glance at him, his gaze smoothly sweeping past Lin Zhong and Chunying, lingering imperceptibly upon Lin Zhong for a fleeting instant before he bowed slightly:

"Lord Chen."

When Shui Hetong had previously been with the Great Immortal Bai at the Eastern Market, he had seen Chen Yunfan and knew he was the eldest young master of the Chen family from Jiangnan Prefecture, as well as Chen Yi's elder brother.

Evidently, however, this eldest young master of the Chen family remained unaware of "Chen Yu's" true identity.

Shui Hetong felt no panic in his heart.

Yet upon hearing how he was addressed, Chen Yun

A few people were walking and chatting.

Chen Yi led them through the brightly lit courtyard and straight toward the lotus garden in the back.

The noon banquet is still early; let's first stop by my place for a while.

Shu Hao and Liu Lang and Zhang Da Bao, as if flowing naturally, "It can be arranged by Master Qincheu."

Chen Yi laughed and said, "Chen Boss is so polite. Last time, the eldest miss said that thanks to Chen Boss's help, the Xiao family pharmacy is what it is today."

Oh right, and there's also the Fujia people from Guangyuan County who've come a few times to pay their respects to you, but the eldest miss has kept them from coming.

A mere gesture...

Chen Yunfan noticed the two people chatting and smiling, and his gaze wandered over them.

He was quite capable of recognizing Chen Yi as himself.

He was curious about which one this "Chen Yu" was.

Upon thinking carefully, he hadn't heard that Xiao's family or Chen Yi had such a martial arts expert beside them. How strange. How very strange.

He was curious to see what kind of medicine Chen Yi's disciple was selling from his gourd.

After arriving at the Lotus Garden, Chen Yi instructed Xiao Die to prepare tea and snacks, and they sat for a while in the pavilion.

Chun Rong whispered a few words to Chen Yunfan and then went with Xiao Die to brew tea.

Lin Zhong was standing with Liu Lang and Zhang Da Bao.

However, his attention was focused inside the pavilion and he didn't notice that Liu Lang and Zhang Da Bao had quietly left.

By the time he came to his senses, those two were already gone.

Just as he was hesitating, Chen Yi bowed respectfully and said, "Zhong Shi, come have some tea with me."

He then introduced him to Shu Hao: "This is Lin Zhong, the head of the bodyguards for the Chen family in Jiangnan Prefecture, with extraordinary abilities."

Shu Hao took a quick look at Lin Zhong and calmly nodded.

Indeed, he is a master.

Lin Zhong immediately bowed and said, "Not worthy, Mr. Chen is the real deal, never shows his face..."

Apologies, apologies. There are many matters at the end of the year, so I can only write when I have time.

It was originally written at noon, but due to an unexpected matter, I went out, so the update time is a bit late.

I sincerely apologize.

This concludes the chapter.