Rapid drumbeats transmitted from the Drum Tower in the Eastern Market; eight hundred beats of the evening drum ushered in the night.
Outside the Yingxian Restaurant, the setting sun sank behind the city walls. The shadows of the crane sculptures stretched out like sundials, gradually lengthening before disappearing completely.
Chen Ji stood outside the doors to welcome guests. Today, the Yingxian Restaurant had only his single table of guests. Originally, a dozen or so banquet tables had been booked out, but upon hearing that the newly promoted Gyrfalcon of the Secret Spy Division was hosting a celebration banquet here, people successively canceled their booked banquets.
Because of this matter, the entirety of White Clothe Lane grew deserted and quiet. Outside White Clothe Lane, a horse carriage slowly drove in.
Lifting the carriage curtain, Jin Zhu led Xi Feng and jumped down from the carriage. Sporting an odd expression, he circled around Chen Ji, scrutinizing him. Just now, his cultivation realm had surged dramatically; watching him, he was only a single kick at the door away from the Path-Seeking Realm.
Such cultivation speed was simply Unheard Of to Jin Zhu.
Chen Ji asked with a smile, "Lord Jin Zhu, why are you looking at me like that?"
Jin Zhu hesitated for a moment, ultimately refraining from asking about cultivation matters. "It's nothing, it's nothing. You changed into new clothes today; you look much more heroic than in the past. The tailor has excellent craftsmanship. Where did you get these clothes made? I'll go have a couple of sets made as well."
Chen Ji smiled. "At the Li Family's Tailor Shop in front of the southern city gates..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu arrived shoulder to shoulder, dressed in brisk black martial attire. Behind them, unexpectedly, trailed dozens of secret spies.
Jin Zhu's expression turned gloomy.
Chen Ji was entirely bewildered. "Lord Yun Yang, Lord Jiao Tu, why have you brought so many people here? This humble subordinate's pockets are rather empty; I only booked one table for the banquet. It cannot seat this many people."
Yun Yang said with a beaming smile, "Rest assured, these people are not here to eat."
Having said that, he waved his hand to the secret spies behind him. Hands resting on their waist sabers, the secret spies drilled into the Yingxian Restaurant like a swarm of locusts.
Only after all the secret spies had entered did Yun Yang finally explain lackadaisically, "Currently, there are still remnant evils of the Liu Family causing chaos inside Luo City, making one's head ache to no end. As the common saying goes: 'A centipede dies but never falls down.' Tonight, our Secret Spy Division's three Zodiacs are gathered beneath one roof; naturally, we must properly put our guard up in precaution, lest there be Liu Family's remnant evils hiding within the Yingxian Restaurant. If the three of us fall for a trap, it would be a massive loss for the Secret Spy Division."
Chen Ji's expression remained calm and collected. "Three? Are Lord Bai Long and Lord Meng Ji not coming?"
Jiao Tu said with a beaming smile, "Lord Bai Long never participates in banquets; after all, he can't drink or eat while wearing a mask. Meng Ji was originally coming together with us, but a matter suddenly came up at the last minute and he returned to Kaifeng Prefecture. Rest assured, we don't need anyone else; if you want to drink, I'll accompany you to drink."
Yun Yang's expression sank. "Me accompanying him to drink is enough."
Jiao Tu rolled her eyes at him.
At this moment, the secret spies who had searched the Yingxian Restaurant came Filing Out One By One. One of the secret spies soundlessly shook his head at Yun Yang.
Pondering for a moment, Yun Yang still felt somewhat uneasy. He looked at Chen Ji. "The dishes at this Yingxian Restaurant are all just gimmicks; they actually aren't very delicious. Why don't we change locations to the Green Bamboo Courtyard in White Clothe Lane? I've tasted the wine-marinated goose webs and duck tongues there; they are truly unparalleled."
Chen Ji frowned slightly. "Lord Yun Yang, the banquet table I booked at the Yingxian Restaurant... It wouldn't be good to casually change it, right?"
Yun Yang countered with a question, "Could it be that you've set up some arrangement within the Yingxian Restaurant, and that is why you are unwilling to change locations?"
Chen Ji looked at Jin Zhu. Uncharacteristically, Jin Zhu didn't voice his objections against Yun Yang; he merely lowered his head and remained silent.
Taking a deep breath, Chen Ji said, "What could I possibly set up in the Yingxian Restaurant? Lord Yun Yang is overthinking things. If Lord Yun Yang stubbornly insists on changing locations, this humble subordinate shall naturally obey."
Yun Yang gave a hearty laugh. "Then let's go. The Green Bamboo Courtyard isn't far."
Having said that, he led the way and walked forward several dozen paces, halting his steps outside a courtyard. The sounds of a pipa transmitted from within the Green Bamboo Courtyard. Yun Yang casually waved his hand. "Tell everyone inside to scram."
In just the short span of a single incense stick's time, the guests inside the courtyard fled in panic.
Waving his hands, Yun Yang directed the dozens of secret spies to abruptly scatter and fan out, completely guarding and encircling the Green Bamboo Courtyard within their perimeter. Even the horse carriages passing by the front doors were completely blocked and driven away alongside them.
Yun Yang looked straight into Chen Ji's eyes. "Now things are fine. Within this Luo City, presumably no one can ambush us now. Chen Ji, do not overthink this either; this is also to protect you."
"Oh?" Chen Ji asked curiously. "How so?"
Yun Yang said mockingly, "Our Secret Spy Division has always had a poor reputation. There are currently very few people outside who know that you are our Secret Spy Division's Gyrfalcon; keeping it a secret is also good. Furthermore, seeing as you've stabbed Prince Jing in the back and sold out the Prince Heir and Commandery Princess... Given Prince Jing's prestige in The Jianghu, if those Jianghu martial artists found out what you looked like, I'm afraid you wouldn't even be able to have a peaceful bowl of noodles outside. If someone poisons you today and shoots a covert arrow at you tomorrow, how are you even supposed to live your life?"
Chen Ji said calmly, "What Lord Yun Yang says is extremely correct. Thank you, Lord, for your protection. Please enter and take your seats."
Yun Yang gave a hearty laugh and was the first to walk into the Green Bamboo Courtyard.
Chen Ji was just about to walk in, but Jin Zhu firmly gripped his wrist. "Brother, the overall general trend cannot be defied!"
Deliberately acting bewildered, Chen Ji said, "What is Lord talking about? On such a joyous day, what trend am I defying?"
In the dim light and shadows where the night intermingled with the dusk, Jin Zhu carefully stared at the young man standing before him. Only he knew that Chen Ji's cultivation realm had suddenly drastically surged this evening.
Although he didn't know how Chen Ji had accomplished this or what price he had paid, he knew today must be extraordinarily important to Chen Ji.
Reversing his grip to grasp Jin Zhu's wrist, Chen Ji said warmly, "Lord Jin Zhu, within this Jianghu, how many people possess genuine sincerity, and how many are feigning intent? Who can see things clearly? You and I are currently on the same boat; do not be afraid."
Watching Chen Ji's back submerge into the Green Bamboo Courtyard, Jin Zhu gritted his teeth and followed inside. At the same time, Wu Yun led over ten robust leopard cats, silently infiltrating the back alley of the Green Bamboo Courtyard. All of them held a Bamboo Tube in their mouths. Compressing their bodies in the shadows, the over dozen cats closed their eyes and quietly waited.
In the next moment, a calico cat darted out from the dog hole at the base of the wall and meowed. Wu Yun abruptly opened her eyes. Holding the Bamboo Tube in her mouth, she drilled inside like flowing water.
...
In the two-story pavilion enclosure of the Green Bamboo Courtyard, courses of dishes were brought out like flowing water. Clear-steamed wine-brewed duck, shrimp ball and chicken skin soup, rouge goose breast, and creamed pine nut crispy rolls—all of them were dishes rarely seen on ordinary days.
A Pure Courtesan wearing a veil and carrying a pipa came forward, but was blocked by the secret spies. "The Lords are drinking wine and conversing; idlers, keep away."
During the banquet, Yun Yang sat opposite Chen Ji. Snapping up a piece of duck meat with his chopsticks, he asked curiously, "Chen Ji, I heard that your friendship with Prince Jing's Prince Heir and Commandery Princess is quite deep. At the Luhun Villa, you even debated scriptures on the Commandery Princess's behalf to vent her anger, and when you left, you even led her horse for her—just like an immortal couple from a storybook. All the storytellers north and south of the great river must genuinely thank you; this story of yours is enough for them to endlessly tell for an entire month without getting tired of it."
Chen Ji took a sip of wine. "What does Lord Yun Yang wish to ask?"
Yun Yang asked with a beaming smile, "What I am curious about is, did you intend to sell them out from the very beginning, or did you only sell them out later to protect yourself? How do you think The Jianghu will narrate your story in the future?"
Chen Ji smiled. "Lord Yun Yang jests. Since you and I are both working for the Inner Chancellor, where is the room for the tender emotions of young men and women? Since Prince Jing committed the massive unpardonable crime of treasonous rebellion, it is naturally our unshirkable duty. In front of our nation and our homes, there is no private sentiment."
Yun Yang praised, "Well said!"
Jin Zhu said in a cold voice, "That's about enough. Haven't you sold out other people over these years? A year ago, back when you were still a Gyrfalcon, it was because Night Sheep believed your information that he fell into the Jing Dynasty thieves' ambush. If it wasn't for that, how would the Sheep position have ever opened up for you?"
Yun Yang remained completely unbothered. "When I first received the information back then, how was I supposed to know if it was true or false? Furthermore, that group of Jing Dynasty thieves ultimately all perished within our Secret Spy Division's absolute encirclement and suppression. Lord Night Sheep's death can be considered a worthy and well-placed sacrifice. I know Night Sheep helped you in Wunian Mountain, but his death truly had nothing to do with me."
Jin Zhu sneered coldly, draining the strong wine in his cup in a single gulp.
Jiao Tu said lackadaisically, "You guys truly never have a moment's peace when drinking! Why bring up Wunian Mountain during such a happy time? Do you still have emotional attachments to that place?"
Curious, Chen Ji asked, "What kind of place is Wunian Mountain exactly?"
Jiao Tu turned to look at him, smiling playfully. "All you need to know is that never having gone to Wunian Mountain is the greatest fortune of your life; do not ask any further. Drink, drink! You and I shall drink a crossed-arm toast together."
Chen Ji hurriedly stood up. "Various Lords, please take your time eating; I am going to change clothes for a moment and will return shortly."
Jiao Tu muttered, "Boring!"
"Changing clothes" was a euphemism for using the latrine; explicitly saying "latrine" during a banquet truly ruined the appetite. However, right as he stood up, Yun Yang also stood up. "I shall accompany you."
Chen Ji smiled. "Then let us go together."
Watching the two of them leave the banquet, Jin Zhu's expression grew faintly nervous. If Chen Ji wanted to make a move, it should be now. Looking around, he couldn't spot anything unusual no matter how hard he looked either.
A moment later, Chen Ji and Yun Yang returned together. He said with a smile, "Lord Yun Yang clearly had no need to change clothes, yet he still accompanied me. He probably feared I would be covertly assassinated by someone. Or perhaps, he feared I would harm him."
Jin Zhu stood up and said disdainfully, "He possesses the mind of a petty villain, constantly thinking every day about harming others, thereby he also constantly worries every day about others harming him... I am also going to change clothes."
He leisurely left the banquet table. As he departed, he subconsciously cast a glance back. He only saw Chen Ji currently lowering his head and drinking wine, his gaze hidden within the shadows.
Hesitating repeatedly, Jin Zhu walked down the stairs of the pavilion enclosure. After walking down a few steps, he turned his head to look back again, only to see Chen Ji currently smiling and talking with Jiao Tu, with absolutely nothing abnormal remaining.
He let out a sigh of relief. They had already changed the location for drinking, and there were dozens of secret spies standing guard. It was highly likely that Chen Ji truly wouldn't do anything else again tonight.
Walking out of the pavilion enclosure, Jin Zhu drilled into a latrine not too far away. Pinching his nose, he untied his trousers. Only he knew that Chen Ji was precisely that bladesman who had previously used Firearms in Red Clothe Lane. Chen Ji possessed Firearms!
Just a moment ago when Chen Ji went to change clothes, he almost thought Chen Ji was going to make his move. Fortunately, he hadn't.
Jin Zhu muttered to himself in a low voice, "That's right... one will always forget it eventually... always forget it eventually."
However, precisely at this moment, with dozens of thunderous booms, massive shockwaves of air overturned the latrine, the brick walls crushing him beneath them!
In the blink of an eye!
Firelight blossomed brightly!
The wooden foundations of the Green Bamboo Courtyard's two-story pavilion enclosure were Smashed Like Rotten Wood and obliterated by the Firelight. The entire pavilion enclosure collapsed like a dismantled rack, crashing down with thunderous rumbles and reducing to ruins!
Jin Zhu's ears rang with a high-pitched whine. Pushing furiously to clear the ruins of the latrine, he stared blankly at the massive ruins situated in front of him.
Why?
Why?
Chen Ji himself was clearly still inside; why would he detonate the Firearms?!
Jin Zhu muttered, "So from the very beginning, you harbored a will to die in your heart, intending to keep Yun Yang and Jiao Tu here..."
The time spanning between then and now had been too long; even Yun Yang had almost forgotten the paranoia in Chen Ji's eyes when he first met him.
From the exact moment he stepped out of the Taiping Medical Clinic, he had never once thought he could return alive.
At this time, battle cries echoed from outside the Green Bamboo Courtyard; someone unknown had charged all the way to their close proximity.
With a
crack
, a hand thrust out from the ruins. That arm gradually pushed the broken walls and ruined debris aside piece by piece.
The ruins were slowly arched upwards. Ultimately, Chen Ji stood up from within them. The Furnace Fires in his body burned ragingly as he let the heavy snow fall onto him.
Within the Firelight, Chen Ji panted as he looked straight at Jin Zhu.
Jin Zhu remained silent for two breaths, then lay back down and closed his eyes.
Looking around, Chen Ji shouted loudly, "Enemy attack! Quickly, come save Lord Yun Yang and Lord Jiao Tu! Lord Jin Zhu! Lord Jin Zhu, where are you?!"
He had originally intended to search for Yun Yang and Jiao Tu's traces, but right now there was only a vast expanse of ruins; he had no idea where the other party was buried at all.
While he was pondering, a swift and fierce middle-aged man wearing a Bamboo Hat charged in. With mantis legs and a worker bee waist, he was covered in blood and extremely fierce.
Chen Ji drilled out from the ruins. "Thief, you are courting death!"
The middle-aged man didn't linger to fight; he turned and fled. One in front and one pursuing closely behind, the two chased each other into the pitch-black snowy night.
(End of this chapter)