Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 368: The Mist Over Xiangyang

With things having already come to this point, Sian calmed down, shaking off the initial shock that he felt.

He sat back at the table, picked up the wine flagon, poured a cup, and said, “Since you’ve come, why not have a drink? We can discuss what it is that you want me to do over some wine.”

Lu Shiheng, who was ready to strike at any moment, was taken aback by Sian’s composure and laughed. “Mister Li, you’re truly an extraordinary figure.”

He casually sat opposite Sian, took the wine cup, and sipped it. “Why would someone of your stature be willing to be a mere spy?”

Sian relaxed and took a sip from his own cup of wine, “What do you mean by spy? Just because I’m on good terms with the Tang Clan? I have many business dealings with the Tang Clan. What’s so strange about being cordial? By the way, aren’t you and First Seat Tang colleagues? Why does your question make me feel as if there’s no camaraderie between you?”

Lu Shiheng laughed, but not a hint of a smile could be seen in his eyes. “It’s nothing much. Just ask any official if they enjoy being watched by spies. The previous dynasty tried that, and look where that got them. They were overthrown. His Majesty is magnanimous and never employs such methods. First Seat Tang should not risk the world’s condemnation. A carriage should not move backward.”

Sian suppressed a smile and thought to himself, How do you know I’m a spy unless you have spies too? Who exactly is moving backward here? First Seat Tang’s methods are wartime measures, not for times of peace. Moreover, she isn’t in charge of monitoring officials.

What he actually said was, “City lord, you mentioned needing my cooperation in Xiangyang. What exactly is it that you need me to do?”

It turned out this man’s surname is Li, so his full name is Li Sian. His title as “fourth lord” makes it sound like he belongs to Ying Five’s organization, but it looks like that might just be a coincidence.

Zhao Changhe had heard of Li Sian before. He was rumored to be extremely wealthy.

His wealth primarily comes from a chain of brothels, and it now seems highly likely that his success was in no small part due to Tang Wanzhuang’s support. She probably deemed the brothels suitable to turn into a spy network for the Demon Suppression Bureau. No wonder she stayed in the rear courtyard of a brothel back in Sword Lake City.

Just who was it that thought of using brothels as bases for intelligence organizations?

Lu Shiheng asked, “Are you truly willing?”

Li Sian laughed. “When someone with your honorable status asks, how can we, as people of Great Xia, not cooperate with the matters of Xiangyang City?”

Lu Shiheng nodded. “In that case, please stay at my mansion for the next few days. Let my people manage this Immortal Palatial Garden for a few days. Would you be fine with that?”

Although his words were phrased politely, the coldness in his eyes left no room for refusal, sending a chill down Li Sian’s spine.

I’m getting detained, and he’s going to take over the Immortal Palatial Garden? Just what is Lu Shiheng planning?

He asked slowly, “City lord, do you know what you’re doing?”

“I do.” Lu Shiheng smiled. “You have significant connections in the imperial court and across Jingchu[1]. If something were to happen to you, the trouble to follow would not be easy to handle. Rest assured, you will be treated with utmost hospitality at my mansion and won’t be mistreated in the slightest.”

Li Sian was silent for a moment before slowly saying, “I hope that you understand the implications of your words.”

Eavesdropping outside, Zhao Changhe relaxed himself and moved his hand away from his ring.

Since there was no immediate danger, it seemed that he could wait a bit longer to figure out exactly what Lu Shiheng intended to do with this place.

It appeared that he intended to lay a trap for Tang Wanzhuang. But even Li Sian and Da Zhou had only just received the information that Tang Wanzhuang was coming. They had still been guessing as to why Tang Wanzhuang was even coming alone. So why did it seem as if Lu Shiheng knew in advance?

Furthermore, even if Tang Wanzhuang did come, what was his plan? Killing her would only provoke frenzied retaliation from the Tang Clan. Tang Buqi would likely even abandon the fight against the Maitreya Cult to destroy Xiangyang. How could a small county afford such an enemy?

Something’s wrong... Zhao Changhe felt that something was off and decided to continue observing to better understand the situation.

Li Sian did not struggle and calmly followed Lu Shiheng’s subordinate to the city lord’s mansion. Lu Shiheng even instructed them, “Treat Mister Li well. He is to be given the best hospitality. He may freely enjoy any of the maids in the rear courtyard he fancies.”

Once Li Sian was taken away, Lu Shiheng summoned another subordinate. “Proceed as planned.”

“Yes, sir.”

Zhao Changhe observed stealthily for a long while but could only see them replacing personnel to control the place. He could not discern much more at the moment.

He really wished he could have Yuxu’s ability to see through people’s cultivation. If he had such an ability, he could probably analyze these people’s martial art styles to deduce some things. Unfortunately, even though he had broken through to the Profound Mysteries and his senses had become sharper, he was still far from reaching that level of insight.

He considered capturing a few people for interrogation but worried about alarming the enemy. Thus, he decided to settle for memorizing some faces before quietly retreating.

Since there was no point in watching further, he decided to find Da Zhou and check on him instead.

When Lu Shiheng arrived at the brothel, Da Zhou had already left. Logically speaking, Lu Shiheng should not be aware that the brothel and a braised duck business were connected so Da Zhou’s place was likely safe. And sure enough, when Zhao Changhe went to check on the alley where braised ducks were being made, everything seemed to be operating normally, and people were still working.

Da Zhou was in his room, packing his belongings, seemingly preparing to flee.

Zhao Changhe observed for a while, confirming that everything was fine, and then suddenly appeared beside Da Zhou.

Swoosh!

Sensing something, Da Zhou swiftly slashed out with his sword.

Zhao Changhe sidestepped and presented a token to Da Zhou.

The token he brought out was for that of a high-ranking secret agent of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Da Zhou broke into a cold sweat, both surprised and delighted. “I didn’t know a superior was here... May I know your name, sir?”

Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment then said helplessly, “Zhao Wangtang.”

Da Zhou did not ponder the significance of the name and whispered, “The situation in Xiangyang is strange. Everything was fine before, but suddenly this evening, everything became shrouded in mist. I don’t know what’s happening anymore. The bureau chief advised us to avoid attention and even retreat if needed, but I’ve been here for so long...”

Zhao Changhe said, “Leaving the Immortal Palatial Garden just in time, avoiding trouble. Now, you’re actually safe and can continue your business.”

Da Zhou: “?”

Why does this superior talk like we’re casual friends... Wait, did something happen at the Immortal Palatial Garden?

Zhao Changhe said, “Just act like nothing happened, and don’t look panicked. That would truly arouse suspicion. I need to investigate the city lord’s mansion. Do you have any connections?”

Da Zhou asked, “Are you wary of the risks of sneaking in?”

“I’m mainly worried about alerting them. The city’s mansion is a key location and is heavily guarded. There are definitely traps and alarms within. If I trigger something, I’m confident that I can escape, but many things will end up being covered up. At that time, it will be difficult to get firsthand information.”

Zhao Changhe had grown a lot from the past. Why else would he not have gone straight to the city lord’s mansion to investigate, opting instead to go to a tavern, follow Da Zhou, lurk around in a brothel, and make things so complicated? His time in the jianghu had taught him that being cautious was never wrong.

“Your considerations are thorough,” Da Zhou said after a moment of reflection. He clapped his hands and said, “Every evening, we deliver braised duck to the city lord’s mansion. If you are willing to disguise yourself as one of my delivery people, you can get into the rear courtyard where the kitchen is, but it will be difficult to get to any of the more crucial areas.”

Zhao Changhe was delighted. “That’s enough. If I can get to the kitchen, I have my ways.”

Having someone to help really is better than going solo... Zhao Changhe recalled someone had once made a comment about him, saying that he seemed like a loner but was actually more accustomed to being part of an organization. Judging by his recent actions, that assessment really did seem accurate.

Unfortunately, today’s order of ducks had already been delivered, so they would have to wait until tomorrow.

He wondered if Tang Wanzhuang would arrive by then. Given her speed, she could reach Xiangyang within a day. For the first time, Zhao Changhe hoped that Tang Wanzhuang would not be so swift and decisive.

1. In the real world, this is a reference to the Zhou dynasty Chu state in the Jingzhou area of Hubei. ☜