Green Mountain
Chapter 236 - 184, Firelight

Chapter 236: 184, Firelight

The sound of hurried drumming emanated from the East Market Bell Tower, as the evening drums marked the descent into night with eight hundred beats.

Outside Yingxian Building, the setting sun sank behind the city walls, and the crane sculpture, like a sundial, cast a shadow that stretched longer and then vanished.

Chen Ji stood at the door welcoming guests; today, Yingxian Building had but one table of diners reserved for him. Originally, there were over ten banquet tables booked, but when people heard that the newly-promoted spy from the Spy Department, Hai Dongqing, was hosting a victory banquet here, they all canceled their reservations one after another.

Because of this, the whole Baiyi Lane had fallen quiet.

Outside Baiyi Lane, a carriage slowly made its entrance.

Jin Zhu lifted the carriage curtain and jumped down with West Wind. His expression was odd as he sized up Chen Ji; just moments ago, his cultivation realm had surged dramatically, and he was now just one step away from reaching the Seeking Dao Realm.

Such a speed in cultivation improvement was unheard of for Jin Zhu.

Chen Ji asked with a smile, "Lord Jin Zhu, what are you looking at me for?"

Jin Zhu hesitated for a moment and, in the end, did not inquire about the cultivation matters, "It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Today, you’ve changed into new clothes, and you look more spirited than usual. The tailor did an excellent job. Where did you get these clothes made? I’ll go have a couple of outfits made myself."

Chen Ji replied with a smile, "Li Ji in front of the South City Gate..."

Before he could finish, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu arrived side by side, dressed in black tight-fitting outfits, followed surprisingly by dozens of spies.

Jin Zhu’s expression darkened.

Chen Ji, puzzled, said, "Lord Yunyang, Lord Jiao Tu, why have you brought so many people? I’m short of funds and have only arranged for one table. We cannot accommodate so many."

Yun Yang said with a sly smile, "Don’t worry, these people are not here to eat."

After speaking, he waved his hand at the spies behind him, and they, with their hands on their waist knives, swarmed into Yingxian Building like locusts.

As soon as all the spies had entered, Yun Yang casually explained, "Right now, there are still remnants of the Liu Family causing trouble in Luocheng City, which is a headache. As the saying goes, a centipede dies but never falls down. Tonight, with three of the Spy Department’s zodiac agents gathered here, we naturally have to be cautious to prevent any Liu Family remnants from hiding in Yingxian Building. It would be a significant loss to the Spy Department if any of us were targeted."

Chen Ji kept his composure and asked, "Three? Are Lords Bai Long and Meng Ji not coming?"

Jiao Tu said with narrowed eyes, "Lord Bai Long never attends banquets, after all, it’s impossible to eat and drink with a mask on. Meng Ji was supposed to accompany us, but he suddenly had urgent business and returned to Kaifeng Prefecture. Don’t worry, if you want to drink, I’ll keep you company."

Yun Yang’s face darkened, "I’ll keep him company."

Jiao Tu rolled her eyes.

At this moment, spies who had searched Yingxian Building emerged one by one. One spy silently shook his head to Yun Yang.

After pondering for a moment, Yun Yang still felt uneasy. He turned to Chen Ji, "The dishes in Yingxian Building are all for show and not actually delicious. How about we move to Bamboo Garden in Baiyi Lane? I’ve tasted their marinated goose feet and duck tongues there, truly unparalleled."

Chen Ji frowned slightly, "Lord Yunyang, I’ve already arranged for seats at Yingxian Building, wouldn’t it be inappropriate to change locations so lightly?"

Yun Yang retorted, "Are you reluctant to change locations because you’ve set something up in Yingxian Building?"

Chen Ji looked at Jin Zhu, but Jin Zhu, unusually silent, just looked down without replying.

Chen Ji took a deep breath, "What could I possibly have set up in Yingxian Building? Lord Yunyang is overthinking it. If Lord Yunyang insists on changing the location, I naturally will comply."

Yun Yang laughed heartily, "Then let’s go. Bamboo Garden is not far."

After speaking, he led the way forward for dozens of steps and stopped outside a courtyard.

From within Bamboo Garden, the sound of a pipa could be heard. Yun Yang waved his hand dismissively, "Have everyone inside get out."

In just thirty minutes, the patrons inside the garden fled in disarray.

Yun Yang waved his hand, and suddenly, dozens of spies scattered, securing Bamboo Garden within their guard. Any carriage passing by the gate was also stopped and driven away by them.

Yun Yang looked into Chen Ji’s eyes, "Now that’s better. No one inside Luocheng City should be able to ambush us now. Don’t overthink it, Chen Ji, this is also for your protection."

"Oh?" Chen Ji asked curiously, "How so?"

Yun Yang said playfully, "Our Spy Department has always had a bad reputation. Nowadays, not many outsiders know you’re Hai Dongqing from our Spy Department. Keeping it a secret is also good. Besides, now that you’ve stabbed Prince Jing in the back, betrayed the Princely Heir and the Commandery Princess... with Prince Jing’s prestige in Jianghu, if those Jianghu folks knew what you looked like, you might not even be able to eat a bowl of noodles in peace. One day someone might poison you, the next day an arrow might fly at you, how would you live?"

Chen Ji replied calmly, "Lord Yunyang’s words are very true, I’m grateful for your protection. Please, go inside and take a seat."

Yun Yang laughed heartily and was the first to enter Bamboo Garden.

As Chen Ji was about to walk in, Jin Zhu grabbed his wrist, "Brother, you can’t go against the tide!"

Chen Ji feigned confusion, "What are you saying, my lord? What tide are you speaking of on such a joyful occasion?"

In the dimming light where night and dusk met, Jin Zhu carefully stared at the youth in front of him. Only he knew that Chen Ji’s cultivation realm had skyrocketed earlier that evening.

Although he didn’t know how Chen Ji had done it or what price he had paid, he knew that today was crucial for Chen Ji.

Chen Ji grasped Jin Zhu’s wrist in return and spoke gently, "Lord Jin Zhu, in this Jianghu, how many are sincere, and how many are feigning? You and I are in the same boat now; there’s no need to be afraid."

Watching Chen Ji’s figure disappear into Bamboo Garden, Jin Zhu bit his lip and followed.

At the same time, Wu Yun led more than ten brawny Li Hua cats quietly into the back alley of Bamboo Garden, each with a bamboo tube in their mouths. The cats huddled quietly in the darkness, closing their eyes and waiting.

A moment later, a Sanhua cat emerged from a hole at the base of the wall, mewed, and Wu Yun suddenly opened his eyes, took the bamboo tube, and entered like flowing water.

...

...

On the second floor of the Covered Building in Bamboo Garden, an array of rare dishes was served: steamed duck with rice wine lees, shrimp ball chicken skin soup, rouge goose breast, and cream filled crispy rolls; all of them were unseen on regular days.

A clear-toned official arrived with a masked face and holding a pipa, only to be stopped by the spies, "The lords are drinking and talking; no outsiders allowed."

During the banquet, Yun Yang sat across Chen Ji and picked up a chopstick of duck meat, curiously asking, "Chen Ji, I heard you’ve had a deep friendship with Prince Jing and the Commandery Princess. At Lu Hun Manor, you once debated scripture on behalf of the Commandery Princess, which lifted her spirits, and when you left, you even led her horse for her, just like an immortal couple from the tales. Storytellers from north and south of the Yangtze River should thank you; your story alone could keep them going for a whole month without growing weary."

Chen Ji took a sip of wine, "Lord Yunyang, what is it you wish to ask?"

Yun Yang asked with a smile, "What I’m curious about is, did you plan on betraying them from the start, or did it happen later as a means to protect yourself? How do you think the Jianghu will tell your story in the future?"

Chen Ji smiled, "Lord Yunyang jests. We both serve Lord Prime Minister; how could there be any room for romantic entanglements? Since Prince Jing has committed the great crime of treason, we are duty-bound to act, without room for personal feelings in the face of family and country."

Yun Yang expressed admiration, "Well said!"

Jin Zhu spoke coldly, "That’s enough. Haven’t you betrayed others over these years? Just one year ago, when you were still Hai Dongqing, Ye Yang trusted your information and fell into the Jing Dynasty traitors’ ambush. If not for that, how would the position have become vacant for you?"

Yun Yang was unperturbed, "How was I to know whether the information I received at the time was true or false? Besides, that group of Jing Dynasty traitors ultimately met their deaths in the encirclement led by my Spy Department; Ye Yang died a fitting death. I know that Ye Yang helped you on Wunian Mountain, but his death really has nothing to do with me."

Jin Zhu scoffed coldly and downed the strong drink in his cup.

Jiao Tu casually said, "So unsettled even when drinking every day, why bring up Wunian Mountain at such a happy occasion? Could it be that you still hold feelings for that place?"

Chen Ji asked curiously, "What exactly is Wunian Mountain?"

Jiao Tu turned to look at him and said with a giggle, "All you need to know is that you’re lucky you’ve never been to Wunian Mountain in your life. Don’t ask more than that. Let’s drink, you and I shall share a cup together."

Chen Ji quickly stood up, "Please excuse me, my lords, I need to change my clothes. I’ll return shortly."

Jiao Tu muttered, "Boring!"

Changing clothes was a euphemism for using the restroom, as the mention of restroom might affect the appetite at the table.

However, as soon as he stood up, Yun Yang also stood, "I’ll go with you."

Chen Ji smiled, "Then let’s go together."

Jin Zhu watched the two leave the table, his expression subtly tensing up. If Chen Ji was planning to make a move, now would be the time.

He looked around but didn’t spot anything unusual.

Moments later, Chen Ji and Yun Yang returned together. Chen Ji smiled and said, "Lord Yunyang didn’t need to change his clothes, yet he insisted on accompanying me. I suppose he fears I might be ambushed. Or perhaps, he fears that I might harm him."

Jin Zhu stood up with disdain and said, "He is a petty-minded man, always thinking about harming others, hence he is always worried others might harm him... I will also go change."

He walked away unhurriedly from the Covered Building and glanced back unconsciously as he left, only to see Chen Ji lowering his head to drink, his eyes hidden in the shadows.

Jin Zhu hesitated as he descended the stairs of the Covered Building. When he looked back again after a few steps, he saw Chen Ji smiling and talking to Jiao Tu, with no signs of anything amiss.

He breathed a sigh of relief: The drinking place had been changed, and with dozens of spies guarding the surroundings, it seemed unlikely that Chen Ji would do anything further tonight.

Jin Zhu stepped out of the Covered Building and entered the nearby privy, pinching his nose as he undid his pants.

Only he knew that Chen Ji was the swordsman from Hongyi Lane who had used firearms... Chen Ji had firearms!

A moment ago, when Chen Ji went to change, he almost thought Chen Ji was about to make his move. Thankfully, he didn’t.

Jin Zhu muttered softly to himself, "That’s more like it; he’ll forget eventually... he’ll forget eventually."

However, just then, a series of loud booms erupted, and a massive blast overturned the privy; the brick walls pressed down on him.

In an instant!

Flames roared!

The wooden foundation of the second floor of the Bamboo Garden’s Covered Building was quickly consumed by the fire, tearing it apart as the entire Covered Building collapsed with a thunderous crash, transforming into a vast ruin.

Jin Zhu’s ears rang, and he struggled to push the privy’s rubble aside, staring blankly at the ruin before him.

Why?

Why?

Chen Ji was clearly inside; why would he set off the fireworks?!

Jin Zhu murmured, "So you were determined to die from the very beginning, intending to leave Yun Yang and Jiao Tu behind..."

Time had passed too long; even Yun Yang had almost forgotten the obsession in Chen Ji’s eyes when they first met.

From the moment he left Taiping Medical Hall, he had never considered that he might live to return.

At that moment, the sound of fighting approached from outside Bamboo Garden.

With a snap, a hand reached out from the ruins; the arm gradually pried open the broken walls and debris.

The wreckage slowly lifted, and Chen Ji eventually stood up from within, the flame within burning fiercely, its heat causing the falling snow to melt upon him.

In the midst of the firelight, Chen Ji, gasping for breath, turned to Jin Zhu.

Jin Zhu remained silent for two breaths, then lay back down and closed his eyes.

Chen Ji looked around and called out loudly, "We’re under attack, hurry and save Lord Yunyang, Lord Jiao Tu! Lord Jin Zhu, where are you, Lord Jin Zhu?!"

He had intended to look for Yun Yang and Jiao Tu, but now amidst the ruins, he had no idea where they might be buried.

In contemplation, an agile middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat killed his way in, with a mantis kick and a wasp waist, his body drenched in blood, fierce to the extreme.

Chen Ji crawled out from the wreckage, "Scoundrel seeking death!"

The middle-aged man didn’t linger to fight; he turned and fled, with the two chasing into the pitch-black snowy night.