’They’re probably just a bunch of scammers. Nothing new.’
Wang Ping made his judgment and didn’t dwell on it. He was just listening in on the gossip, anyway. Only the gentry in the city would worry about such things.
Nearly another hour passed.
Finally, Wang Ping stopped in front of a blacksmith shop. He spotted a piece of refined iron that, due to its smaller size, was also relatively cheaper.
Normally, it would be difficult to forge a weapon from such a small piece of refined iron. However, since he intended to craft throwing knives, it suited his needs perfectly.
However, at that very moment...
"Don’t turn around."
A subtle, yet firm and powerful voice reached his ear. Wang Ping, who had been toying with the piece of refined iron, froze abruptly, but he quickly kept his expression neutral.
’He’s here!’
’My handler!’
With this in mind, Wang Ping immediately turned to the blacksmith. "Shopkeeper," he said in a low voice, "can you guarantee this is refined iron? I’m not buying it if it’s pig iron."
The shopkeeper frowned at his words.
"You must be joking, young man. I run this forge, and I have a decent reputation here in the Grass Market. If you ask for refined iron, why would I ever sell you pig iron?"
Wang Ping paid him no mind.
The conversation with the shopkeeper was merely a pretense. He was using it to communicate with his handler, who was hidden somewhere nearby.
Sure enough, the voice spoke again:
"What’s the situation?"
Wang Ping opened his mouth to speak to the blacksmith, but as he did, he mouthed a different set of words. Amazingly, the shape of his lips didn’t match the words he was actually saying.
This was the method he used to communicate with his handler as an undercover agent for the County Magistrate’s Office. There was no need to pass suspicious notes. He just had to find a spot where his handler could see him, strike up a conversation with a random person, and then mouth the intelligence he wanted to relay.
"I’ve become a disciple of Shouchong."
"I’m now the Hall Master of the White Lotus Church branch in Front Village... but it seems Shouchong is aware that the County Magistrate’s Office has a mole in the White Lotus Sect."
"If this goes on, I’m at risk of being exposed."
Wang Ping mouthed his report word for word, decoupling his lip movements from his speech—a skill that had taken him several months to master.
Soon, the voice responded:
"Rest assured. Right now, I’m the only one in the entire County Magistrate’s Office who knows you’re the mole. Your file is top secret. There’s no way Shouchong can find you."
But these words brought Wang Ping no comfort.
On the contrary, he felt a surge of frustration. "Sir, the deal was for three years, and then we’d close the net. Three years turned into another three, and now I’m a damn Hall Master."
"I know you’re anxious, but be patient."
The handler’s voice remained steady. "I also want to crush the White Lotus Sect as soon as possible. But you have to understand, this is a major operation. If we don’t move, we don’t move. But when we do, it must be a decisive success."
"We can’t afford the price of failure."
"Front Village is the White Lotus Sect’s main den. That old bastard Shouchong has many arrangements there. If we attack rashly, he’ll likely detect us and escape."
"So, if we’re going to close the net, you either need to map out every sentry post in Front Village, or you need to find a way to lure Shouchong out of Front Village..."
"Easier said than done... Huh?"
Wang Ping was about to mouth a retort when he suddenly froze. His earlier conversation with Shouchong flashed through his mind. ’Wait... there might actually be a chance.’
He suddenly grew excited:
"In two days, Shouchong might be going to River Village!"
"...What?"
At these words, the handler’s tone shifted. "Are you sure? Where did you get this intel?"
"He told me himself." Wang Ping forced himself to stay calm and continued mouthing, "It’s possible he’s testing me with false information, but it could also be true."
"No, it must be true."
The handler’s voice was filled with excitement. "There has indeed been unusual activity from the White Lotus Sect in River Village. Good work, Wang Ping! After this, you’ll be one of our own in the County Magistrate’s Office."
"And you won’t be shorted on the reward money."
"Thank you, sir."
The voice fell silent. Wang Ping stopped wasting the visibly annoyed blacksmith’s time and decisively purchased the refined iron.
He turned and headed back to the village.
His spirits soared. His handler was finally closing the net, which meant his life as an undercover agent—walking a constant tightrope—was almost over.
At that point, he could take the huge reward, move to the county seat, and live out his days as a wealthy man of leisure. And even if the Court shamelessly withheld his reward, he could just make off with the White Lotus Sect’s assets, change his identity, and still be set for life.
The thought alone was thrilling.
Wang Ping’s jubilant mood lasted all the way back to Front Village. Only when he saw the young Daoist Xie Shi at the village entrance did he gradually regain his composure.
"Senior Brother Xie?"
"Follow me. Master wants to see us," Xie Shi said flatly. "We went to the Grass Market in Longxing County together, and now Master wants to have a word with you."
THUMP-THUMP!
Wang Ping’s heart lurched, but he didn’t let it show on his face. He gave a crisp nod and followed Xie Shi to the rear courtyard of the Daoist Temple.
"Disciple pays his respects to Master."
Upon seeing the old Daoist sitting by the shrine, Wang Ping said nothing and immediately prostrated himself fully. This time, however, Shouchong didn’t tell him to rise.
Then, a wizened voice drifted over:
"’There was once a master who took a liking to a young man. He took him in as a disciple and taught him Martial Arts. That young man was sharp, just like you. Meticulous, too.’"
"’But what a pity... it was discovered he was a spy for the Court.’"
The next second, Wang Ping felt an icy chill against his brow, followed by a slight sting. A warm liquid trickled down, staining the edge of his vision red.
"Why did you betray me?"
Wang Ping knew. The Lotus Saber was now pressed against his brow.
In that instant, Wang Ping’s mind raced. This was the very scene he had envisioned in countless nightmares. He had been terrified of this moment, but now that it was here...
...he found himself becoming calm.
He looked up without hesitation, letting the blade’s edge slice into his brow. Blood streamed down his face, and his eyes filled with an aggrieved look. "Sect Leader, you suspect me?"
He decided to take a gamble.
He would bet that his rendezvous with his handler at the Grass Market had been discreet enough. He would bet that Shouchong had no proof and was just bluffing. He had to deny everything, no matter what.
"And why shouldn’t I suspect you?"
"Only you and Xie Shi knew of my plans to go to River Village."
Shouchong gave a cold smile and tossed a slip of paper in front of Wang Ping. On it was a single, stark line of writing: "Mole inside. Abort mission!"
It was then that Wang Ping understood. It wasn’t just the White Lotus Sect that had a mole—the County Magistrate’s Office had one, too!
"You see now?"
Shouchong pressed the blade forward slightly, his voice like ice. "I must be getting old and senile, to have raised a spy in my own house without knowing. How do you plan to explain yourself?"
"It wasn’t me!" Wang Ping shook his head frantically.
"If it wasn’t you, was it me? Or perhaps... it was him!" Shouchong’s head snapped toward Xie Shi.
"Huh?" Xie Shi froze. A moment ago, he had been ready to enjoy the show, but now he was frantic. "Never! Master, I’m your disciple!"
"So what if you’re my disciple?"
Shouchong was unmoved. "Does being my disciple mean you can’t betray me? I’ve had more disciples than just you over the years. Do you think none of them ever sold me out?"
"Besides, you went to Longxing County with Wang Ping today, didn’t you?"
"That... that was your arrangement, Master."
"Or perhaps you anticipated my arrangement."
With those words, the tension in the room ratcheted to its absolute peak.
However, just then...
"BOOM!"
A loud explosion shattered the tense atmosphere. It sounded like the main gate had been blown apart. Immediately after, a roar of voices erupted around the Daoist Temple.
"By order of the magistrate, we’ve come to quell the rebellion!"
"The White Lotus Bandits have rebelled and brought chaos, plaguing the countryside! Their crimes are unforgivable!"
"Brothers, the County Magistrate has given the word! Ten taels of silver for every bandit killed! And for the man who kills the White Lotus Rebel Leader—a reward of five hundred taels!"