Chaotic World Book
Chapter 376 - 368 Xiangyang Fog

Chapter 376: Chapter 368 Xiangyang Fog

"Having said all that, Si’an finally calmed down, losing the shock from moments ago.

He actually sat back down at the table, picked up the liquor pot, poured himself a cup into an empty glass, and said, "Since the City Lord has come, why not have a drink? Whatever you need me to do, we can surely talk it over."

Lv Shiheng, with his hands ready to strike at any moment, paused and chuckled at those words, "Mr. Si’an, known as the wealthiest in Jing Chu, truly is no ordinary man."

He took a seat casually opposite Si’an, indeed took the offered cup, and took a sip before saying, "As such a figure, why would you willingly become a mere Secret Agent?"

"Look at how you phrase it—’Secret Agent.’ Is it just because I get along with the Tang family?" Si’an relaxed further, sipping his drink, "I have many business dealings with the Tang family, what’s so strange about our close interactions... But back to your question, you are a colleague of Tang Wanju in the Demon Suppression Department, why do I not sense any camaraderie in your question?"

Lv Shiheng gave a ’ha’ of laughter, though it hardly reached beyond his face, "It’s nothing, really. Ask any colleague in the court who likes being watched by Secret Agents? The former dynasty did employ factory guards for such purposes, but didn’t it perish? Your Majesty is magnanimous and has never resorted to such tactics. Tang Wanju should not commit such a risky move against the whole of Great Xia. After all, a carriage cannot be driven backward."

Si’an chuckled to himself yet held back a retort: How do you know I’m a Secret Agent unless you have one too? Who is the one moving backward? Tang Wanju employs wartime protocol; she certainly doesn’t wield it at will or supervise officials.

He didn’t voice these thoughts, simply asking, "City Lord, you just mentioned you want Mr. Li to cooperate with something in Xiangyang City, may I ask what it is?"

It seems the man’s name is Li Si’an; being called ’Brother Four’ sounds like it’s related to Ying Wu, but actually, it’s a coincidence. Zhao Changhe had actually heard the name Li Si’an; rumor has it he’s very wealthy, with the saying "Small wealth brings peace, great wealth, Si’an"...

His fortune primarily stems from a chain of brothels... Now it seems likely that the Demon Suppression Department’s Secret Agent network might be supported by Tang Wanju, it’s no wonder she used to reside in the back of a brothel in Sword Lake City...

Who came up with the idea of using brothels as intelligence organizations?

Lv Shiheng said, "Would you be willing, sir?"

Li Si’an smiled and said, "City Lord, how could we, as citizens of Great Xia, not cooperate with matters in Xiangyang City?"

Lv Shiheng nodded, "If that’s the case, then Mr. Li, please feel at ease staying in my City Lord Mansion for a few days, and let my people manage this Immortal Palace Garden in your stead. How’s that?"

His words seemed fair, but the coldness in his eyes brooked no refusal, sending a chill through Li Si’an’s heart.

He’s putting me under house arrest and taking over Immortal Palace Garden, but what is Lv Shiheng planning to do?

Li Si’an slowly asked, "Does the City Lord understand what he’s doing?"

"I do," Lv Shiheng smiled, "Mr. Li has quite the connections in the court, and in the region of Jing Chu. If any issues arose, it would be problematic. Rest assured, as my guest, you will receive the utmost hospitality without shortfall."

Li Si’an was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I hope the City Lord understands the weight of his words."

Eavesdropping, Zhao Changhe relaxed his hand that was ready to draw his blade from his ring.

Since there was no immediate danger, it seemed he could wait a bit longer, at least until he understood what exactly Lv Shiheng intended to do with this place.

In his speculation, the place could be intended to trap Tang Wanju... But even Li Si’an and Great Zhou had only just received word of Tang Wanju’s impending arrival, and everyone was still guessing why she would come alone, so how did Lv Shiheng seem to know in advance?

And even if Tang Wanju did arrive, what were his plans? Would killing Tang Wanju benefit him in any way?

That would only provoke crazy retaliation from the Tang family. Tang Buqi might completely disregard the Maitreya Sect in his frenzy to deal with Xiangyang. A mere prefecture making enemies on all sides—on what basis does he operate like this?

There’s something off about this... Zhao Changhe had a bad feeling, and decided it was better to continue observing the situation.

Li Si’an didn’t resist, calmly following Lv Shiheng’s subordinates to the City Lord Mansion. Lv Shiheng even left specific instructions: "Take good care of Mr. Li, no negligence permitted. If he fancies any maid in the backyard, he’s at liberty to enjoy."

Who knows if Li Si’an would retort with "I’m tempted, don’t ’liberate’ them."

But considering he owns a chain of brothels, he probably wouldn’t. He did just say he doesn’t like women...

Once Li Si’an was taken away by Lv Shiheng’s subordinates, Lv Shiheng called over a subordinate, "Proceed with the plan."

"Yes."

Zhao Changhe sneakily observed for a long time but could only discern that they were switching personnel to control the area, beyond that, he couldn’t figure anything else out for the moment.

Right now, he really wished he could learn the methods used by Yuxu back then, how they could tell at a glance all the strange cultivation practices on one’s body... If he had such abilities, he could probably analyze some matters from the martial arts styles of these people. It’s a pity that although the Secret Treasure breakthrough had sharpened his Five Senses, he was still far from the level of discerning someone’s cultivation.

He considered capturing a few people for a detailed interrogation but feared startling the snake by hitting the grass. Zhao Changhe memorized some faces and quietly withdrew.

Observing more yielded the same results; rather, it was better to look for Great Zhou and hope he was unharmed.

Great Zhou had already left when Lv Shiheng arrived at the brothel... Logically, Lv Shiheng shouldn’t be so thoroughly aware of both the brothel and the salted duck lines of inquiry, so Great Zhou’s place might actually be safe. Sure enough, upon reaching that salted duck alley, he saw the business was still running as usual, with no signs of trouble.

Great Zhou was in his room packing up his belongings, as if prepared to flee at a moment’s notice.

Zhao Changhe observed for quite a while and, being certain there shouldn’t be any problems, suddenly appeared beside Great Zhou.

"Whoosh!" Sensing something, Great Zhou turned around and swiftly struck with his sword.

Zhao Changhe dodged to the side, presenting a token in his hand to Great Zhou.

A Token of the Demon Suppression Department’s Secret Agent, the highest level one at that.

Breaking out in a cold sweat, Great Zhou was both shocked and delighted, "I wasn’t aware of your esteemed visit... May I ask for your distinguished surname, sir?"

Zhao Changhe hesitated a moment, then helplessly said, "Zhao Wangtang."

Great Zhou didn’t ponder the significance of the name, but spoke in a low voice, "The situation in Xiangyang has become inexplicably muddled; it was all fine before, but suddenly turned into a fog of confusion this evening. I have no idea what’s going on. Our leader told us to lay low for now, but with my business of so many years here..."

Zhao Changhe said, "You left Immortal Palace Garden just a step early, which happened to save you from trouble. You’re actually fine now and can continue selling ducks."

Great Zhou: "?"

Why does this man speak like those disparaging friends I usually hang out with... Hold on, something happened at Immortal Palace Garden?

Zhao Changhe continued, "Right now, just act as if nothing happened. Don’t behave like you’re panicking or nervous, that’s what really draws suspicion... I need to investigate the City Lord Mansion, do you have a way in?"

Great Zhou asked, "Are you afraid it’s risky to sneak in, sir?"

"Mainly, I fear stirring the grass and alerting the snake. The City Lord Mansion is a heavily guarded place, for sure there are arrangements, like pit traps or alarm bells and such. If I trigger anything and get discovered, I am confident I could escape, but a lot of information would be concealed from us and we wouldn’t get firsthand details."

This was the truth. Why didn’t he go directly to the City Lord Mansion to investigate, instead of going to the wine house, meeting with Great Zhou, frequenting the brothel, and making things so complicated? Years of tempering in the Worldly Society told him, it’s never wrong to be cautious.

"You are very thorough, sir." Pondering for a moment, Great Zhou slapped his palm and said, "We deliver salted ducks to the City Lord Mansion every evening. If you are willing to disguise as one of my men to deliver the ducks, you could enter the back yard. But that’s just where the kitchens are, you won’t be able to get into any key locations."

Zhao Changhe said joyfully, "That’s enough, if I can get to where the kitchens are, I have my ways."

Having someone inside to assist certainly beats being a loner... Zhao Changhe suddenly remembered someone who had evaluated him once, saying he seemed a loner, but he actually preferred having an organization. Recent actions indeed proved that to be true.

Unfortunately, the ducks for today had already been delivered; he would have to wait until tomorrow.

He wondered if Tang Wanju would arrive by tomorrow. Given her speed, it was actually possible for her to reach here within a day. For the first time, Zhao Changhe hoped Tang Wanju wouldn’t be as swift and decisive in her actions, wishing she’d arrive a bit slower.