While the various factions in the Yanmen front courtyard were embroiled in endless chatter, Tang Lici ambled through the secluded backyard guest quarters, his hands clasped behind his back. It was the height of spring, and the Yanmen grounds were a spectacle of life, with peach blossoms mingling with pear and apricot blooms—a vivid tapestry of pink and white, exuding an air of exquisite, untroubled grace.
Inside a nearby room, Chi Yun spoon-fed Fengfeng half a bowl of rice porridge, his patience worn thin. He seethed inwardly that this refined gentleman had so brazenly adopted another man's son and then delegated all responsibility to him. Yet, he continued the chore, for fear the child would starve should he neglect the task. He glanced out the window. The sky was an expanse of serene blue, the clouds like white silk, and a soft breeze stirred the air. Were it not for the multitude of irksome duties he faced, it would have been an absolutely perfect day for a proper heist.
Tang Lici stood arrested beneath a pear tree, his gaze fixed on a distant bloom further down the courtyard. His right hand rested lightly on his waist, and he remained silent, utterly still. The brilliant clarity of the sky reflected brightly on his face, but his eyes were a complex mirror of emotions—a blend of indeterminate joy and sorrow.
"Spring is resplendent, the flowers are fragrant, but the people—they look like they're in a dreadful mood," a voice drifted in casually, emanating from just outside the courtyard gate. "Even a man of your stature can be burdened by worry, which only makes the rest of the world feel justified in leaping off cliffs, plunging into the sea, hanging themselves, or slashing their own throats. Just do whatever you need to do, and die."
"The wind is magnificent," Tang Lici returned with a faint smile. "It has perfectly blown you, a celestial being, right here."
Chi Yun peered at the newcomer; he did not recognize him. The visitor was also clad in white, though unlike Chi Yun's simple white silk, his garment was exquisitely embroidered with verse: "People love fresh morning makeup, I love faded makeup. A green hairpin supports my hair, imprinting the night fragrance, leaving nothing to worry about, the moon rises in the cool sky." The man's hair was snow-white, secured with a belt of pearl and jade. His mien was handsome and refined, his carriage graceful and elegant. It was impossible to gauge his age, though his appearance suggested he was no more than twenty. "Why are you in such a sour mood?" the white-robed man asked, a smile playing on his lips.
"I'm merely contemplating when you'll settle the debt you owe me." Tang Lici sighed softly. "Xue Xianzi, I cannot believe Shi Tinghe's murder could have compelled you to emerge and seek me out."
Chi Yun was profoundly startled. This strikingly handsome, white-haired man before him was none other than the legendary Xue Xianzi, a figure whose reputation stretched back decades. How old could he truly be?
Xue Xianzi approached with an easy smile. "I never imagined that the demise of Shi Tinghe would draw a white-haired fox like you into the open. It's truly not in keeping with your usual m.o."
"Oh? And what do you perceive my 'style' to be?" Tang Lici inquired with a smile.
Xue Xianzi placed his hands behind his back and slowly circled him. "Your style is very simple, it's the word treacherous."
Tang Lici said, "Hmm?"
Xue Xianzi said, "Just from your 'hmm', you can see how treacherous you are."
Tang Lici said, "You're too kind." After a slight pause, he said, "Xue Xianzi, what is the most concerning point about Shi Tinghe's death?"
Xue Xianzi raised a hand to pluck a pear blossom from the branch, inhaling its fragrance with keen interest. "Of course it's money."
Tang Lici smiled slightly, an expression of profound appreciation.
Xue Xianzi shook his head. "It doesn't matter whether Shi Tinghe is dead or alive. What matters is that someone is selling poison and making a profit from it. The money accumulated is so huge, it's very scary."
Tang Lici said, "Yes, if most of the money flows to a place where no production is done, the money used for daily farming, textiles, winemaking and metallurgy will be reduced. If this continues, there will be turmoil, and other industries are bound to be depressed."
Xue Xianzi said, "So... I can lure you out."
Tang Lici said, "Me? I am for justice in the martial arts world and peace for the people." After a slight pause, he said, "Speaking of which... 'Come on, Xue Xianzi, when will you pay me back the money you owe me?'"
Chi Yun let out a soft chuckle from within the room.
Xue Xianzi gently rubbed the jade belt that secured his hair. "Well, with such beautiful spring flowers, isn't it vulgar to talk about money? Let's talk next time when the mood is right."
Tang Lici said, "If you do something for me, you don't have to pay me back the three thousand taels of silver."
Xue Xianzi made a soft "oh" sound, tilting his head back with his hands behind him. "I won't do anything that's too difficult, uninteresting, tiring, or not related to beautiful girls. As for the rest, tell me."
Tang Lici smiled subtly. "It's not difficult. Find someone for me."
"Who?" Xue Xianzi's eyes flickered. "A beautiful girl?"
Tang Lici asked. "Yes, I'll pay you three thousand taels of silver to find Bai Su Che, the daughter of Bai Yuming of the Bai Mansion. She's very young, has a great figure, and is very beautiful."
"Okay!" Xue Xianzi declared. "If she's not beautiful enough, I'll take six thousand taels of gold."
Tang Lici waved his hand and smiled. "No problem."
Xue Xianzi asked, "And why are you looking for someone?"
"Because I can't find her," Tang Lici said.
Xue Xianzi hummed. "There are people in this world you can't find. Strange, I'm leaving." He effortlessly vaulted onto the wall, smiled in a wide arc to all present, and heard a chorus of gasps, "Xue Xianzi!" before he vanished.
This man was still as captivating as ever. Tang Lici shook his head.
Chi Yun burst out of the room. "My wife, why did you ask this old pervert to look for her? You're so old, and you still seem so horny."
Tang Lici said, "Because you can't find her."
Chi Yun was incandescent with fury, yet he could not produce a single word to defend himself, his face flushing with impotent rage.
Tang Lici continued, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. You have a bad temper. Martial artists should cultivate their hearts first. If you can't control your temper, your martial arts will not reach the next level."
Chi Yun only grew more incensed upon hearing this, momentarily wishing he could throttle Tang Lici. Just then, a soft call came from outside the door. "Master?" Zhong Chunji opened the door and walked in.
"Your master has left," Tang Lici smiled.
Zhong Chunji lowered her head. "I figured he'd be gone too. Master is just like that."
Chi Yun squinted at her. Xue Xianzi must have been initially drawn by his female disciple's good looks back then. It was a genuine pity that this young woman, despite her pretty face, was practically indistinguishable from the mundane folk outside. She was a complete simpleton. He wondered how Xue Xianzi could have raised such an obstinate and dull-witted female disciple!
She said, "Master Tang, Uncle Jiang and Taoist Qinghe have already discovered who the spy is in Yanmen. But the poison has taken effect, leaving him mentally ill and covered in red spots. Uncle Jiang has locked him up and is trying to interrogate him."
"Really?" Tang Lici said. "Poor, pitiful." He uttered the word pitiful, yet the smile on his face made it impossible to discern his sincerity.
Chi Yun chuckled and said coldly, "Insincere."
As they were discussing this, a blue figure flashed outside the door. Gu Xitan called out, "Sister Zhong, Yu Qifeng is here to visit!"
Yu Qifeng? Yu Qifeng, the "Sword King" defeated by Shi Tinghe at the Central Plains Sword Meeting?
Chi Yun chuckled. "Does he even care about Shi Tinghe's death? For Yu Qifeng, Shi Tinghe's death was a wonderful one, perfect for him."
Gu Xitan clasped his fists and said, "Please come to the hall to meet the guest."
They proceeded to the front hall, which was already teeming with people. Guests and Yanmen disciples formed lines, eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary Sword King. Amidst the multitude of envious gazes, a man strode in, a sword slung over his shoulder. He was immensely tall, his physique muscular, appearing several inches broader than anyone else. His skin was dark, and he wore a maroon-red garment, cutting a truly distinctive figure.
Jiang Feiyu stepped forward to greet him. "The Sword King's presence is a great honor to us. Please take a seat."
Yu Qifeng's gaze swept over the crowd, and every person he looked at felt a jolt of fear and awe. As rumored, Yu Qifeng possessed a commanding presence that required no anger, his demeanor utterly unmatched.
"Master Jiang, you're too polite," Yu Qifeng said calmly, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on Tang Lici's face. "I heard Yanmen had apprehended a spy connected to Shi Tinghe's death, so I came to investigate. I had no idea Master Jiang was so capable, having even invited the owner of Wanqiaozhai to take charge."
"Master Wanqiaozhai?" Yu Qifeng's words were met with a stunned roar, followed by a flurry of anxious whispers.
Gu Xitan wondered aloud, "Master Wanqiaozhai?" How could that be? He scanned the guests but could not spot anyone who matched the description of the master. In the world today, the richest person, apart from the current emperor, was undoubtedly the owner of Wanqiaozhai. Wanqiaozhai was a colossal trading company, dealing in everything from jewelry and silk to liquor and metallurgy. In just three years, its business had spanned the entire country, and its owner had become a fabulous tycoon, a fortune rivaling that of a nation, yet virtually no one in the martial arts world knew his identity.
Jiang Feiyu thought to himself that if the owner of "Wanqiaozhai" had arrived here and he had been ignorant of it, Yanmen, famed for being the most well-informed, would suffer a huge loss of face. He saw Yu Qifeng's eyes intently fixed on Tang Lici's face and was stunned. Could it be that this Mr. Tang was actually...
"How do you know that I am the master of 'Wanqiaozhai'?" Tang Lici smiled slightly and did not deny the title.
As soon as these words were uttered, the entire hall erupted in an uproar. Chi Yun looked at Tang Lici coldly, a smug, gloating expression on his face.
Yu Qifeng said lightly, "You are wearing a 'Bone Washing Silver Bracelet' on your wrist. This bracelet can ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. It is also an antique and its value is inestimable. It is rumored to be collected by Wanqiaozhai. If it is not the master of 'Wanqiaozhai', who would dare to wear it on his hand and treat it as a joke?"
Everyone's eyes immediately swiveled to Tang Lici's wrist, and they saw he was indeed wearing a silver bracelet with intricate patterns. But they had no idea that such a bracelet could be of "inestimable value"!
Zhong Chunji's pretty face flushed, then paled, as she realized this silver bracelet carried such a profound meaning. She had seen it countless times but had never recognized its significance.
Gu Xitan mused, no wonder Chi Yun obeyed Tang Lici's every word. It turned out he was the true master of "Wanqiaozhai." But why would he, the uncle of the emperor and a colossal businessman, want to meddle in the volatile affairs of the martial arts world?
"So King Yu Jian is also so concerned about Shi Tinghe's poisoning," Tang Lici said with a smile. "We are all on the same page. I intervened out of curiosity. King Yu Jian's glare at me is unnecessary."
Jiang Feiyu was aghast at these words. Tang Lici was not a member of the martial arts world, yet he dared to provoke Yu Qifeng with such language, subtly asserting his unwillingness to be subservient.
Anger suddenly flickered in Yu Qifeng's eyes, but his expression remained calm. "Yu Qifeng is born with big eyes, and means no disrespect to the owner of Wanqiaozhai."
Tang Lici smiled slightly. "Sword King, you're polite."
Yu Qifeng ignored him and looked up at the sky. "I wonder where the spy is?"
"He's in the third room." Jiang Feiyu said, "We have asked a doctor with superb medical skills to check the poison this person has been infected with, but the poison is extremely complex and difficult to detoxify. The poison can stimulate potential, making people extremely powerful and tireless."
Yu Qifeng said, "No wonder Shi Tinghe was able to knock the sword down from my hand on the day of the sword meeting." His face was calm, but his tone was laced with profound resentment, sending a chill up the spines of those who heard it.
At that moment, a yell came from inside the room. "Master! Master!" A man rushed in from the corridor. "Gou Jia was killed!"
"What?" Jiang Feiyu's face went ashen. "How could this be? Where are the people watching him?"
The man said, "Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Brother Wang also... died at the hands of an assassin..." He dropped to his knees with a thud. "Our disciples are incompetent..."
Yu Qifeng said calmly, "Yanmen summoned heroes from around the world to discuss the matter of the Nine Heart Pills of the Scarlet Ghost, only to have people die in Yanmen. How absurd!"
Jiang Feiyu smiled bitterly. "Our sect is ashamed."
The others immediately quickened their pace and headed straight for the third wing.
Chi Yun and Tang Lici remained where they were, watching the crowd march toward the third wing. The once-packed hall suddenly seemed cavernously empty.
Chi Yun abruptly said, "Young Master..."
Tang Lici hummed, sighing softly. "So you still remember..." He did not finish his sentence, which would have been, "So you still remember that I'm your young master." When Chi Yun was a servant in the Tang family, he called Tang Lici "Young Master." Now that he had been in the martial arts world for several years, he habitually referred to himself as "Laozi" (a self-aggrandizing term for 'I'). He would not truly consider himself a servant, yet the title still slipped out unconsciously when important matters arose.
Chi Yun chuckled. "Don't you think Yu Qifeng came too quickly and the spy from Yanmen died too coincidentally?"
Tang Lici said, "The fact that he came too quickly shows the ability of the Sword King, and the fact that the spy died too quickly shows that he deserved the death. What's wrong with that?"
Chi Yun looked at him coldly. "Can you say something serious?"
Tang Lici smiled slightly. "I've always been very serious..."
Suddenly, there was another commotion in the back hall.
Tang Lici said, "With the ability of the Sword King, he has probably found the murderer..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhong Chunji ran over and shouted, "Hero Yu has found the murderer who killed Gou Jia, and that man has confessed. He said that a masked man bribed him to kill Gou Jia last night for ten thousand taels."
"Really? The Sword King is famous and wise, and Tang Lici admires him very much." Tang Lici said.
Zhong Chunji was beaming, obviously thrilled that the murderer was caught so quickly.
Chi Yun said coldly: "This murderer is obviously-"
"This murderer obviously deserves to die." Tang Lici interjected.
Zhong Chunji shouted: "That's right! After that person confessed, he was killed by Yu Daxia with one sword. The people of Yanmen are very grateful to Yu Daxia for eliminating the evil."
Chi Yun couldn't help but say: "Bullshit! This person is obviously insignificant..."
Zhong Chunji frowned slightly. Yu Qifeng found the murderer who killed Gou Jia and eliminated him with one swift sword stroke. It was clearly a good deed. She couldn't understand why Chi Yun was so indignant.
Tang Lici smiled faintly.
At this moment, the people who had gathered in the wing room walked out one after another. Yu Qifeng, in the center, held his neck high and carried his sword, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Tang Lici stepped forward and bowed to Yu Qifeng. "I'm so glad to hear that the Sword King has captured the murderer. I'm hosting a banquet at the Huamei Pavilion tonight. If the Sword King would do me the honor, how about we all get drunk together?"
Yu Qifeng glanced at him and laughed heartily. "The owner of Wanqiaozhai has invited me, who wouldn't go? Let's get drunk tonight!"
Tang Lici then extended the invitation to Jiang Feiyu, Gu Xitan, and others, and everyone happily accepted. The hall was instantly filled with joy and camaraderie. Only Chi Yun watched coldly, his unhappiness palpable.
At night, the stars and the moon shone with pristine clarity, and a gentle breeze swept through the air.
The Huamei Pavilion was the most exquisite restaurant in Yan County, gracefully situated on the North Gate Creek. As they drank and feasted, the sound of the water gurgling below, punctuated by the occasional croaking of frogs and the leaping of fish, created a truly elegant ambiance. The heroes of Yanmen and Yu Qifeng occupied the main table, accompanied by their generous host, Tang Lici. The rest of the Yanmen people sat at the secondary tables. Host and guest enjoyed each other's company, raising toasts and engaging in cheerful conversation. When the discussion turned to Shi Tinghe's destructive use of poisons, which had harmed both others and himself, everyone expressed deep sorrow, hating the malicious creature at the core of the issue with profound resentment.
A tall, white figure leaned against the corridor outside the banquet hall. Chi Yun squinted his eyes at the sky, pointedly refusing to join the celebratory table.
The stream outside the Huamei Pavilion flowed clear, and white flowers bloomed along its banks. It was spring, and the stream was full of water, reflecting the moonlight from the sky as it flowed slowly, creating a beautiful scene.
Chi Yun looked at the water with cold detachment. If it were in the past, in such perfect weather, he would have been off at Hongmei Mountain, gambling and drinking with his brothers.
"Brother Chi." Someone called out from behind. The man's footsteps were steady, and his breathing slow; he was clearly a formidable martial artist.
Chi Yun did not even turn his head and said lazily, "Gu Xitan?"
The man, clad in a blue shirt with his hair neatly tied up, was indeed Gu Xitan.
Chi Yun said coldly, "There's good wine and food inside, and it's full of heroes. Why don't you join in the fun?"
Gu Xitan held up his wine glass. "I've already had a round of drinks in there. Drinking is not my thing."
Chi Yun said, "Hehe."
Gu Xitan said, "I didn't expect that Mr. Tang, such a refined man, could drink so much."
Chi Yun said coldly, "If you can get that white-haired fox drunk, you can drink up all the sea water."
Gu Xitan smiled slightly. "White-haired fox?"
Chi Yun squinted. "You haven't heard of it?"
Gu Xitan shook his head. He was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, but he had spent the last decade wandering the martial world, primarily focused on internal feuds and rarely paying attention to strange anecdotes or rumors.
Chi Yun then recounted a common rumor often discussed among the people of the capital. More than three years ago, the current emperor's father-in-law, Tang Weiqian, fished a young man out of his own well, named him Tang Lici, and adopted him as his son. The origins of this uncle of the emperor were a complete mystery, and he frequently left the capital, his whereabouts often elusive. The legend in the capital whispered that he was a fox in disguise, or perhaps a spirit or a water ghost, and no one dared to offend him.
Gu Xitan listened and laughed it off. "So that's how it is..." He paused for a moment, then said, "Actually, I have some questions about today's events. I see Brother Chi is reluctant to join us, and I wonder if he shares the same concerns."
"What are you thinking about? Who offered ten thousand taels of silver for the head?" Chi Yun said calmly, "Or who was so well-informed that he killed Gou Jia just when Yu Qifeng stepped into Yanmen?"
Gu Xitan smiled slightly. "Both of them, or maybe there's another one... Was it that Yu, the hero, wanted to hear Gou Jia's words so much that Gou Jia met with his own death, or was it that Yu, the hero, didn't want to hear Gou Jia's words so much that Gou Jia met with his own death?"
Chi Yun chuckled. "You look like a cuckold, but you think so much."
Gu Xitan said, "I dare not," he stood by the railing and looked at the stream, "The Jianghu has changed. I think Shi Tinghe's poisoning is just the tip of the iceberg. There may be many people involved. If we investigate, the consequences may be very terrifying. It won't just be Yu, the hero, killing one assassin and it will end."
"Are you scared?" Chi Yun sneered. "To be honest, I'm not familiar with many of the 'big and small' characters in the martial arts world. Secondly, I don't like them. If this matter gets out of hand and the more people's reputations are torn apart, the happier I will be."
Gu Xitan sighed. "Things in the martial arts world are never that simple..." He glanced at the room behind him. "But I wonder what Mr. Tang's intention is in inviting Hero Yu to a banquet?"
"I don't know. That Tang guy is mysterious and sneaky. He has a good face but a devilish heart. Who knows what he's planning?"
"I think Mr. Tang has a very upright look between his eyebrows. He shouldn't be a treacherous person." Gu Xitan said, "He is the master of Wanqiaozhai. If we really investigate the matter of Xinggui Jiuxin Pill in the future, Mr. Tang's help will surely be of great help to us. I just hope he won't retreat because of the serious trouble he caused."
The two of them stood outside the hall, contemplating the moon and the water.
After a few more rounds of wine, Yu Qifeng looked out the window at the two men and said lightly, "Why didn't Chi Yun join the table?"
Tang Lici had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol, but his face remained fair and moist, with only a light, attractive blush. "I guess he is dissatisfied with something again." He sighed softly. "Chi Yun's temper is not good enough."
"He's so withdrawn. Just now, he seemed very unhappy about the Sword King killing the assassin. I really can't understand."
Yu Qifeng asked, "Oh? Does he think the assassin shouldn't be killed?"
Tang Lici's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of genuine intoxication finally visible. "That's something I don't understand. Everyone has only one life. If we can spare their lives, then of course we shouldn't."
Yu Qifeng said calmly, "Women's kindness! If Young Master Tang is so soft-hearted, how could he possibly possess such wealth?"
Tang Lici yawned slightly, utterly drunk. "This... can't be shared with outsiders..."
Jiang Feiyu, seated nearby, frowned. "Well... Young Master Tang seems drunk. I'll take him home first. Let's continue."
Yu Qifeng patted Tang Lici's shoulder. Tang Lici jolted slightly, appearing even sleepier, and promptly slumped onto the table, seemingly asleep. Jiang Feiyu helped him up and bowed to everyone.
As they reached the door, Chi Yun moved to take Tang Lici away. Gu Xitan asked Jiang Feiyu to continue entertaining the guests while he offered to escort Chi Yun and the others back.
After returning to Yanmen and depositing Tang Lici back in his room, Gu Xitan could not help but say, "Brother Chi said that Young Master Tang could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, but I'm afraid that's not true."
Chi Yun looked at Tang Lici on the bed with cold, piercing eyes. "What I say is like a fart, genuine and absolutely true." He glared at the person on the bed. "Why don't you get up?"
"If I get up, I'll be exposed." Tang Lici closed his eyes and smiled subtly. "Young Master Gu also drank some wine just now, don't you feel anything?"
Gu Xitan was momentarily startled and took a moment to think. "This..." His face abruptly changed. "The wine is poisonous!"
Tang Lici opened his eyes. "It's okay, it's just a little arsenic. With Young Master Gu's internal strength, it won't cause any serious harm."
Gu Xitan smiled bitterly to himself. Although the amount of poison was minuscule and difficult to detect, swallowing it was nonetheless deeply inappropriate. Seeing Tang Lici's calm expression, it was as if he were merely discussing having eaten a few extra mouthfuls of salt or a couple of ounces of pepper. "Who poisoned it?"
"A new servant of Huamei Pavilion was offered 10,000 taels of silver in the evening, asking him to poison the wine at tonight's banquet. The amount of poison is not much, and if he hadn't drunk ten jars of fine wine, nothing would have happened." Tang Lici's tone was gentle, and his smile was radiant with pleasure. "Yu Qifeng will probably soon discover that the wine is poisonous, and will probably soon find out who poisoned it, and will probably soon force him to tell the truth about the masked man who offered 10,000 taels to poison him."
Gu Xitan said in horror, "Isn't this exactly the same as Gou Jia's death just now? Could it be that the person behind the scenes has made another move and wants to poison everyone in Yanmen?"
"A smart person would only use such despicable means once. Now that Gou Jia is dead, he would never take such a big risk to repeat the same trick." Chi Yun looked at Tang Lici coldly. "What are you doing?"
"There is one thing I hate most in my life." Tang Lici smiled slightly.
Gu Xitan asked, "What?"
Tang Lici said, "I hate it most when someone competes with me."
Gu Xitan said, "This... I'm afraid most people in the world hate it."
Tang Lici said, "Yes, I'm just an ordinary person."
Chi Yun said coldly, "I still don't know whether you are a human or a monster, but I just want to know if you were the one who poisoned me?"
Gu Xitan was shocked to hear this, and Tang Lici smiled and said, "Yes."
"What the hell are you doing? Do you want to poison dozens of heroes to become famous?" Chi Yun sneered.
Tang Lici closed his eyes comfortably, the gorgeous silk brocade of the bedding reflecting off his beautiful features, and he continued to smile. "You two, both think that Yu Qifeng's murder today is not simple, right?"
"Yes." Gu Xitan said, "Although it is quite suspicious, there is no evidence."
Tang Lici said, "Since someone was able to hire a killer to kill a day before Yu Qifeng came in, it proves that there is a spy in Yanmen, and you and I don't know who he is. Gou Jia's death was so coincidental, maybe it was Yu Qifeng who instructed it behind the scenes, or maybe not, right?"
Gu Xitan nodded. "That's right."
Tang Lici said, "It doesn't matter whether the assassin is dead or not. The important thing is that Gou Jia is dead, the clues are gone, but everyone in Yanmen thinks that the Sword King is wise and they are excited. You and Chi Yun are very dissatisfied with this matter, but you can't do anything about it, right?"
Gu Xitan nodded again.
Tang Lici smiled again. "Without evidence, we can't identify the murderer, so we can't fall out with the Sword King. We still need to treat him to a meal to build ties, but it's also okay to try a little imitation."
Gu Xitan's mind churned for a moment before the realization hit him—this man had no solid evidence to accuse Yu Qifeng. Yu Qifeng was ostensibly eliminating a traitor, but in reality, he was killing people to silence them. So Tang Lici had instructed the restaurant waiter to poison everyone. Regardless of whether the mastermind was Yu Qifeng or not, they were all present and would have to drink the poisoned wine. This method of poisoning was an exact replica of the one used to hire a killer to assassinate Gou Jia earlier that day. Everyone else would simply conclude that the mastermind was at it again, and realizing that the matter was far from resolved, they would become instantly alert. The true mastermind, of course, would understand this was a deliberate frame-up, but after drinking poisoned wine and apprehending the servant, he would only get the identical confession: "A masked man offered ten thousand taels"—and would still not know who poisoned him. Maybe it was Tang Lici, maybe not. This utterly humiliating loss was precisely the same dilemma everyone else had suffered today.
Gu Xitan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Mr. Tang, even if this plan is very pleasing to the people, arsenic is a deadly substance after all. If you drink too much, it will be fatal."
Tang Lici smiled and said, "Well... if you want to poison, it must be a deadly poison... By the way, the Sword King just now 'You're deeply concerned about Chi Yun. I've already told him you're deeply dissatisfied with him. Don't be forced to be polite to him in the future. Even if you get into a fight or yell at him, he won't mind.'"
Gu Xitan choked on his own words. "Ahem..."
Chi Yun said coldly, "Thank you for taking the trouble."
Tang Lici smiled faintly. "You're polite, you're polite."
The three of them understood that if Yu Qifeng was indeed the mastermind behind Gou Jia's assassination, and he discovered Chi Yun's open suspicions, he would inevitably take action. Tang Lici had, with a startling lack of remorse, just told them that he was using Chi Yun as bait to confirm their suspicions. If Chi Yun were attacked, Yu Qifeng would most likely be the one in trouble. Yu Qifeng, naturally, understood this principle. The whole affair was now a dangerous wager on who would make the first move, and who would win.
"I'm sure the situation in Huamei Pavilion is chaotic right now," Gu Xitan said, musing for a moment. "Young Master Tang and I both drank alcohol and were poisoned. Brother Chi didn't drink... How about this, Brother Chi and I will go back and rescue them, and Young Master Tang, please rest here. We'll say we found poison in the wine and are back to capture the culprit."
Tang Lici closed his eyes, smiled, and waved his hand, "I'll rest here."
Previous/Next
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
