Chapter 380 - 246: Leaving Him Powerless to Recover
Chapter 380: Chapter 246: Leaving Him Powerless to Recover
A deeper worry was that the contact between Liu Hong and King Landu had been discovered.
Seeing this, Liu Taoyao spoke a little faster. "Brother Lü, I have a presumptuous request."
"I hope you can investigate his identity for me."
"Just now, when you spoke with him, didn’t you mention the ’Sword Madman’ Liu Lang? Why not start with Liu Lang?"
As he and Ge Muxiao changed into black clothes, Lv Jiunan said,
"That matter must be handled sooner rather than later. If Bright Moon Building is unusable, I hope Young Master Liu has another method."
Liu Taoyao’s expression hardened. He said in a low voice, "Rest assured, Brother Lü. I will discuss it with my father shortly."
Lv Jiunan nodded, said no more, and left the Painted Boat with Ge Muxiao.
「After they left.」
Liu Taoyao waited another moment. When Chen Yi didn’t return, he breathed a small sigh of relief.
"Shichang, do you think it was a coincidence that he came here tonight?"
Zhao Shichang pondered for a moment before replying calmly, "It should be a coincidence."
"After all, before tonight, Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao had only appeared in public once."
"The time at the East Market? Yes, Lv Jiunan is careful enough. If he had been followed when he rescued Asutai, he would have noticed long ago."
Liu Taoyao paused, then raised a hand. "Shichang, let’s go. Back to the residence."
"We need to let Father know about this as soon as possible."
...
「Meanwhile.」
Chen Yi stood five li from Quchi, True Essence swirling in his hand to envelop a bug the size of a pinprick.
’Black Magic really is cut from the same cloth as the Poison Dao and the Witchcraft and Gu Dao.’
If not for his Qi Observation Skill, he never would have discovered the Black Magic Lv Jiunan had placed on him.
Chen Yi looked at the bug in his hand, his thoughts racing.
’Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao came to Shu State at Liu Hong’s request to rescue those barbarian slaves.’
’Especially the son of the Barbarian Left King, who seems to be called Asutai.’
’As long as I follow this thread, I’ll definitely find evidence of Liu Hong’s collusion with the Barbarian Race.’
For him, killing Liu Hong or Liu Taoyao would be simple, but it wouldn’t resolve the Xiao Family’s predicament.
The best result would be to have the Xiao Family eliminate Liu Hong themselves.
Only then would it serve to make an example of him, and only then could the Xiao Family regain their power in Shu State.
As for Lv Jiunan...
A horse bandit from Poshisu Country, and a General under King Landu at that—what difference did it make if he was killed sooner or later?
He would let him live for now. Perhaps he could still get evidence from him to take down Liu Hong.
’But I still need to find where they and those barbarian slaves are hiding.’
At this thought, a smile appeared on Chen Yi’s face.
All in all, it was good news.
Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from a distance.
Chen Yi looked toward the sound and saw Fang Hongxiu approaching alone.
He lifted his bamboo hat, greeting her with a smile. "Hundred Households Fang, you got here fast."
Fang Hongxiu, dressed in a raincoat and bamboo hat, gripped the long blade at her waist and snorted, "What the hell are you up to?"
"How did you get mixed up with Liu Taoyao?"
She knew that Chen Yi had acted to help the Xiao Family several times before, so seeing him now drinking with Liu Taoyao on a Painted Boat inevitably made her suspicious.
Chen Yi spread his hands. "I didn’t want to."
"Tonight I was investigating the fire at the East Market Grain Warehouse, but who would have thought I’d run into Liu Taoyao here?"
Fang Hongxiu’s expression changed slightly. "Are you saying Liu Taoyao ordered someone to burn down the East Market Grain Warehouse?"
"If I said it was him, would you dare to investigate?"
"If it really was him, I would definitely bring him to justice!"
Chen Yi paused and shook his head. "Then I’m afraid I have to disappoint you. He had nothing to do with it."
He knew very well that with the Imprisonment Department’s power, they were no match for Liu Hong and Liu Taoyao.
Rather than telling Fang Hongxiu the truth, it was better to give her some clues to attract the attention of those people.
After all, he still needed some time.
Fang Hongxiu shot him a displeased glare. "Then why did you ask me to meet you here?"
"To give you some clues, of course."
"Speak."
"King Landu. You’ve heard of him, right?"
"Of course I know him. He’s the leader of the Peacock Thief, who run rampant on the borders of our Wei Dynasty. He commands over ten thousand horse bandits and is incredibly powerful."
Chen Yi nodded. "I’ve discovered that the Black Magic Master from Poshisu Country who rescued the barbarian slaves is one of King Landu’s men."
Hearing this, Fang Hongxiu’s brow furrowed. "Is this true?"
"Hundred Households Fang, on this matter, our goals are aligned. Of all people, I wouldn’t lie to you."
"If that’s the case... then things are bad..."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "With your status as a Hundred Households of the Imprisonment Department, you’re afraid of King Landu?"
Fang Hongxiu ignored his teasing and looked down in thought. "You don’t understand."
"Although King Landu is a horse bandit, he also values rules greatly."
"Ever since he rose to power, merchants on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road have had no fear for their lives, as long as they pay the fee."
"If his people rescued those barbarian slaves, I’m afraid this matter will have to be dropped."
Chen Yi stroked his chin. "So you’re saying we should thank King Landu for following the rules?"
"I don’t have to consider these things, but the Imprisonment Department and the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office cannot ignore them."
"Are you worried that people in the Government Office won’t approve of your investigation?"
"Looks like I chose the wrong partner."
Fang Hongxiu shot him an exasperated look, a rare hint of girlishness in her expression.
"I will report this matter to Lord Thousand Households separately. Whether he agrees or not, I will find that man from Poshisu Country and the barbarian slaves."
"That’s all I needed to hear."
With that, Chen Yi cupped his hands in a farewell gesture and left.
"I wish Hundred Households Fang a swift success. I will come find you again."
Fang Hongxiu watched him disappear into the curtain of rain, then, after a moment of thought, she also departed quickly.
「Not long after.」
Chen Yi quietly returned to his residence on Chuansi Street and ordered Zhang Dabao to prepare a brush and ink for him.