Chapter 368: The Mist Over Xiangyang

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?”

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. ☜