Chapter 387: Breakthrough is Imminent! (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 387 – Breakthrough Imminent! (Seeking Monthly Votes)

As the hour approached waning,

night fell with a drizzle of downy rain.

From afar, the crossing beneath the water seemed shrouded in a thin veil of mist.

hazy, dreamlike.

Xiao Jinghong sat upon the outer wall of the city gate, gazing toward the barbarian lands.

Since Song Jin Jian fled, and she returned to the crossing beneath the water with Mao Kuai and others, she had come to this place.

The night rain drifted, as if mirroring her present mood.

Xiao Jinghong was not one to hesitate or waver.

On the contrary, ever since she was a child and accompanied Li Wu Zhan on his travels for cultivation, she had faced every matter with resolute decisiveness.

As when she enlisted.

As when she slew Zhu Hao.

As when she dispatched the three garrison troops to refine their skills beyond the walls.

Yet when she learned that her beloved parents had been captured by the barbarians, she hesitated.

Even though she had quite decisively refused Song Jin Jian, she still felt a slight turmoil over that decision.

Xiao Jinghong understood clearly.

Refusing Song Jin Jian's proposal meant refusing to join forces with Chen Hao's family from Qinghe.

It meant she wished to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanying as if it were impossible.

As the commander of the Tangduan Army, she was all too aware of the barbarians' strength.

Even the Black Bear Tribe alone, she had not been certain she could successfully execute a surprise attack, much less rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanying.

However, though she hesitated, Xiao Jinghong did not regret that decision.

Not to mention the potential consequence that such a choice might lead to the deaths of Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanying, the mere fact that the Emperor's southern expedition had caused such outcomes was something neither she nor Xiao's family could bear.

Consequences…

They would surely befall upon Shu Zhou first.

Even if everything proceeded smoothly, as the Wei armies descended like a conquered herd, the number of casualties among the soldiers would surely be great.

From the outcome of the previous encounter between the Xuan Jia Army and the barbarian scouts, even achieving the best possible result—killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred—spoke volumes.

Perhaps after one battle, the ten rooms of Shu Zhou would lie nine empty, each draped in mourning cloth…

This was not Xiao Jinghong's wish.

Nor was it Xiao Fengchun's or Fu Wanying's desire either.

What's more, this matter involved the Chen family of Qinghe after all.

Xiao Jinghong, though she had been away from the Central Plains for some time, and though news from the capital had arrived with some delay, she nevertheless understood Qinghe's Chen family quite well.

Especially the current Grand Secretary, Chen Mei.

That someone could sit stably at the pinnacle of nine nobles for decades—her knowledge, strategies, and status within the court—spoke volumes.

Reflecting upon what Song Jin Jian had said today, Xiao Jinghong even began to suspect that Chen Mei might have been behind the recent—or perhaps past five years'—circumstances in Shu Zhou, stirring the pot and fanning the flames.

For instance, Liu Hong's collusion with Po Si and Suo Guo, and the barbarians' secret contact, passing the location of Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanying to the barbarians.

What could be his motive in doing such a thing?

What benefit could the barbarians give him?

Only the Wei people, only the nine nobles of the court could make him the governor of Shu Zhou.

There were also the general commander of Shu Zhou, Zhu Hao, and the pacification commissioner, Ye Jiuxing, among others.

These individuals, on the surface, were all tainted by Liu Hong, and behind the scenes, perhaps all controlled by a single powerful hand.

That person—only one possibility: Chen Mei.

But Chen Mei… she was difficult to subdue.

Xiao Jinghong knew within her heart that even if she understood Song Jin Jian, Liu Hong, and others were all in Chen Mei's pocket, she was well aware of Chen Mei's schemes.

She still found it hard to overthrow Chen Mei.

One reason was Chen Mei's position in the court—"one below ten thousand above"—not to be trifled with.

The other reason was the Qinghe Chen family.

Their involvement extended to countless major clans.

It would be difficult for a mere bystander's schemes to take effect.

Unless the Emperor obtained concrete evidence and made up his mind to deal with Chen Mei and the Chen family, no one could possibly move Chen Mei.

When Xiao Jinghong thought of this, her spirit gradually steadied.

"Father, Mother, I am unworthy of your filial duty…"

"Yet I solemnly vow that I will go to the barbarians and rescue you!"

Although Xiao Jinghong had no desire to involve the Xiao family in the court's turmoil, and had refused the Chen family's alliance proposal, this did not mean she had abandoned her resolve to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanying.

After all this thought,

she realized that she must wait until her strength was greater, until she was strong enough to infiltrate the Black Bear Tribe, then she could set out southward.

Only then would her parents, Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanying, have the slightest chance of survival.

Though somewhat reckless, it was also the best method she could conceive.

Xiao Jinghong gazed toward the barbarian lands, her eyes flashing with resolve.

"My swordplay must advance further, then I shall!"

With this thought, Xiao Jinghong no longer hesitated.

She descended from the city wall and hurried to her residence.

Upon meeting Su Zhimo, she began removing her armor, while issuing orders:

"Within two days, I must depart. If it is short, half a month; if long, a month. Here at the crossing beneath the water, you are to keep watch."

"If you encounter matters you cannot resolve, send an immediate signal to the old patriarch."

Su Zhimo paused, slightly hesitating, and asked: "My lady, what is it that has happened?"

Xiao Jinghong shook her head, placing her sword upon the stand, and sat at the desk to continue:

"There are three other matters. You are to keep watch over these as well."

"Uma Mountain's market is about to open. Please write a letter to Shang Piaopiao, asking her to send someone to take charge, lest there be trouble."

Su Zhimo hastily noted it down, "Understood."

"The second matter concerns the Li garrison. When the three garrison troops return, I hope you can ensure that the embezzled funds, grain, armor, weapons, and other items are delivered back."

"This matter is especially important."

"As for the third matter…"

Xiao Jinghong paused for a moment, her eyes turning slightly solemn as she commanded, "This matter must not be known to outsiders."

Su Zhenyue hurriedly nodded in assent.

Yet, after finishing the writing, a wave of unease inevitably lingered in her heart.

She hesitated again and again.

Gritting her teeth, she asked, "Miss, could you tell me why you are departing so suddenly? Does it have to do with that swordsman from earlier?"

She had, of course, heard about the events in the northern valley from Ma Kui and the others, and knew that Xiao Jinghong had suffered some injuries during a duel.

Connecting the pieces at this moment, it was difficult for her not to suspect that Xiao Jinghong was leaving to settle some old grievances in the martial world.

Xiao Jinghong knew she had misunderstood, but offered no further explanation:

"A breakthrough in my sword dao is imminent. I need to find a quiet place for secluded cultivation."

Hearing this, Su Zhenyue instantly let out a sigh of relief, patting her chest with a smile. "Miss, this is a wonderful thing."

"If your sword dao can break through, you will reach the absolute pinnacle of the sword. In the entire Great Wei Dynasty, it is feared few could ever rival your progress."

She understood well in her heart that had it not been for the burdens of the military, Xiao Jinghong’s sword dao would have achieved this breakthrough long ago.

Now, learning this news, she was naturally overjoyed beyond measure.

Xiao Jinghong offered a soft murmur of agreement. "Remember to keep it a secret. Whatever happens can wait until I return."

Pausing, she reflected, "If afterward my hus... if letters come from home, keep them for me, and I will read them when I return."

Su Zhenyue covered her mouth with a smile and nodded. "Miss, do you need me to write a reply on your behalf?"

Xiao Jinghong hesitated slightly before saying, "Write it."

"Just a few simple lines about your recent well-being will suffice."

"Understood!"

Xiao Jinghong said no more, her eyes reflecting the letter in her hand, coming to rest at the very end.

[...Husband, Jinghong is perfectly well.]

[Once the troops of the three towns return, Jinghong can return to the prefectural city, and I should be able to stay for a longer period then.]

The letter spoke with absolute certainty, yet Xiao Jinghong knew that time waited for no one.

She feared that if she delayed too long, the Cui family and the barbarians would not give her the chance to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing.

There was no alternative...

No alternative at all!

After a moment, Xiao Jinghong folded the letter neatly, slipped it into an envelope, and handed it to Su Zhenyue beside her:

"Have someone deliver this home tomorrow."

Su Zhenyue took the letter, her spirits still high, and said with a smile, "Miss, if you can—pui, pui, pui—you will definitely break through." "When that time comes, Shuzhou will be much safer."

The realm of technique was unlike martial cultivation; aside from the accumulation of daily practice, talent and comprehension were both indispensable.

Just like many warriors of the Grandmaster realm, the majority of their technique realms could not compare to Xiao Jinghong's.

Those with higher talent achieved grand perfection, while those with lesser talent might only reach minor perfection.

Such warriors were mockingly referred to by the martial world as "pseudo-grandmasters."

Even if their cultivation was profound, they were not much stronger in actual combat than upper-three-pin warriors like Xiao Jinghong.

Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly, murmuring that she was going to rest, and rose to walk into the inner chamber.

Sitting cross-legged upon the bed, she slowed her breathing slightly and began to practice the Saint of the Sword's supreme art, the Qingyun Technique.

This battle with Song Jinjian, the "Uncontending Sword," had brought Xiao Jinghong some insights, and her sword dao was indeed bordering on a breakthrough.

But bordering did not mean she could break through in a short period of time.

She required more tempering, or perhaps the guidance of someone else.

Therefore...

For that sparring match on the upper reaches of the Chishui River, which she originally had no intention of attending, Xiao Jinghong now had a reason she could not refuse.

For nothing else but to find the opportunity for her breakthrough.

...

Meanwhile, within the prefectural city of Shuzhou.

Using the cover of the rainy night, Chen Yi found the location where Shui Hetong, Liu Lang, Zhang Dabao, and the others were staying.

Before they could speak, Chen Yi looked first at Zhang Dabao and said, "Tell me about today's matters."

Though Zhang Dabao's face carried a hint of complex anxiety, he dared not hesitate, recounting everything in thorough detail.

First was how he and Liu Lang had successfully sneaked into the Xiao family's punishment hall and substituted Li Sanyuan.

Next was "One Finger" disguising himself as Xiao Shanshuo to abduct him, and after that, going onto the Quchi pleasure boat.

From the significant to the trivial, Zhang Dabao spoke of it all.

Even for some words he had not heard clearly, he could guess the general idea.

Such as the conversation between Pei Yonglin and his master, "One Finger," and so forth.

After listening, Chen Yi nodded thoughtfully. "So that is how Pei Yonglin came to be with the Jizhou Trading Company."

For the sake of the mountain tribe, it was understandable.

Liu Lang swore under his breath, "Damn it, the backer of the Mingyue House is actually the Jizhou Trading Company. No wonder among those who sought me out back then, many were merchants."

He had been with the Mingyue House for many years, and aside from interacting with a few elders, he truly had no idea that the Jizhou Trading Company was entangled with the Mingyue House.

Chen Yi glanced at him and said calmly, "You were in the Mingyue House merely to temper your saber dao, not to slaughter the innocent indiscriminately. Why would those people value you?"

The aristocratic clans of the Jizhou Trading Company were mostly high-born rulers; all they looked at were benefits.

For someone like Liu Lang, who cared neither for money, fame, nor beautiful women, no matter how talented he was, they would never entrust him with heavy responsibilities.

To put it bluntly, one who is without desires is unyielding.

Unless they used poison or curses to control him, it would be very difficult for the Jizhou Trading Company to command someone like Liu Lang.

Liu Lang curled his lip. "Fortunately, I didn't fall into their trap, otherwise how could I be here today?"

If he were a man of the Jizhou Trading Company, he estimated he would already be a corpse by now.

If he didn't die by Xiao Jinghong's hand, he would have died by the Boss's hand.

Especially since he had witnessed how Chen Yi dealt with those people from the Jizhou Trading Company; that end, tsk tsk tsk...

How could the word 'miserable' even begin to describe it?

Shui Hetong, however, did not think so much, and asked, "Tonight, what do you plan to do?"

Hearing this, Zhang Dabao's heart tightened, and he spoke with hesitation, "My Lord..."

Chen Yi was naturally aware of his thoughts and waved his hand, saying, "Bring Li Sanyuan over first before we speak of anything else."

He did not care about the life or death of "One Finger," yet he did not wish to alienate Zhang Dabao's loyalty.

Adding the bonds of Pei Yonglin and the Shan clan, whether to kill or not to kill would inevitably affect both the Shan clan and the Xiao family.

He needed to carefully weigh his options.

After all, there was still that tiger cub, Pei Mulu...

Tang Daobao, unaware of his thoughts, hurriedly dragged Li Sanyuan over.

Chen Yi took a quick glance, flicked his wrist, and a silver needle plunged into Li Sanyuan's temple.

Spiritual energy surged, the needle whirled several times.

Li Sanyuan's body trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes.

After a brief hesitation, he sat up abruptly, staring at Chen Yi and the others, "Y-you...!"

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Liu Lang, his face tinged with unease.

"It's you!"

"You—you brought me to the Xiao household, why take me out again?"

Liu Lang glanced at Chen Yi, seeing no response, then smiled and stepped forward, saying,

"The Governor of Xunfeng, we meet again."

Li Sanyuan raised a finger at him, "Y-you..."

Liu Lang grasped his finger firmly, pressing slightly, making him cry out in pain.

"Governor of Xunfeng, tell me, why would we still bring you out of the Xiao household?"

"I-I don't know... Ah..."

"Then I'll give you a hint—where is the envoy from Mao Si and Suo Guo now?"

Li Sanyuan's cry of pain subsided, his eyes wide with disbelief, "Y-you, why..."

Liu Lang took the words with a half-smile, "Why would I know?"

"Governor of Xunfeng, you probably don't know yet—Ji Zhou Trading Company has already caused a commotion across the city trying to find that person."

Li Sanyuan's pain made him break into cold sweat, trembling as he whispered, "The trading company... has someone arrived?"

"Someone came, and it's that clean-faced envoy from your Qingfeng Pavilion—if he finds you, what do you think will happen to you?"

Liu Lang loosened his grip slightly, letting Li Sanyuan catch his breath, then continued, "Tell me, where is the envoy from Mao Si and Suo Guo? I guarantee they won't find you."

"I-I... Aaah!"

Seeing Li Sanyuan cry out again, Liu Lang glanced at his own hand—he hadn't pressed hard enough...

He realized this and looked back at Chen Yi, who sat at the head of the table, "Boss, your technique... impressive."

Chen Yi remained unfazed. "No time now."

He glanced out the window at the gray rain, then turned back to Li Sanyuan, "You have one last chance—tell me, where is the envoy from Mao Si and Suo Guo?"

Li Sanyuan clutched his head, curled on the ground, "I-I... I don't know..."

"I..."

Before he could finish, Li Sanyuan's eyes widened in shock, his body went utterly still.

Liu Lang, slightly surprised, released his hand and stood to look at Chen Yi, "He's dead."

Chen Yi hummed, collected his silver needle, and said calmly, "The envoy from Mao Si and Suo Guo, we couldn't find them. Ji Zhou Trading Company, naturally, couldn't find them either."

Liu Lang seemed unfazed. He glanced at the utterly stunned Zhang Daobao, sighed, and asked, "Then where is Pei Yonglin, demanding his man? Boss, have you thought it through?"

Zhang Daobao looked increasingly anxious at Chen Yi, since it concerned his master's life and death.

Chen Yi met the eyes of several onlookers, nodded, and said, "Let Daobao handle it for now."

Zhang Daobao felt a slight relief, opened the box he carried, and busied himself.

While changing his appearance, he expressed gratitude, "Thank you, my lord... I promise my master isn't a bad person."

"He... he was only misled."

Chen Yi waved his hand, stood up, and said, "The time is late, we'll speak on the way."

Then he turned to Shui and asked seriously, "Shui, can you take the lead in the assault?"

Shui laughed, "Pei Yonglin isn't easy to deal with."

"The poison... a small trick."

"Not worth mentioning!"

(The chapter ends)