Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 91 - 88: Drive the Tiger, Swallow the Wolf, Wait for the Right Moment to Move

Chapter 91: Chapter 88: Drive the Tiger, Swallow the Wolf, Wait for the Right Moment to Move

"Was it a tactic played by Tian Shouyi?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ping’an understood where the problem lay.

As a consequence of the fallout with Tian Shouyi at the Baicao Hall a few days ago, the repercussions had swiftly appeared.

It wasn’t to the extent of having a large army surrounding the Lin Residence.

But with power in his hands, the tactics he could play were simply too numerous.

"That’s right, he’s using the pretext of Red Lotus Army spies infiltrating the city to seal off all four gates, meticulously checking identities before allowing passage."

Lin Huaiyu’s gaze turned slightly cold.

"Herbalists, Protectors, and Offerings affiliated with our Lin Family who want to leave the city will inevitably face various kinds of difficulties.

It’s not that he’s targeting and attacking without reason, but the variety of checks and inquiries make people extremely embarrassed."

Indeed, in any world, the tactics are much the same.

This kind of arbitrary inspection is something that would irritate anyone, even in modern society.

Like when a police officer comes knocking, suspecting you’re a criminal, asking questions left and right...

Being summoned for inquiries from time to time, taking down statements, being watched around the clock.

No one can stand it.

It’s incredibly vexing.

And in this ancient society, as a County Magistrate controlling the City Guards, one has even more power over life and death compared to the ordinary folk.

This kind of action creates psychological pressure that is ten times heavier.

An ordinary Herbalist, being scrutinized as if they’re a thief and questioned a few times.

Upon returning home, they have to face their family’s worries and fears, as well as the disdainful and suspicious gazes of neighbors...

They’ll break down in just a few days.

Then, they will either leave the influence of the Lin Family or switch to working for Baicao Hall.

Or, simply give up the profession altogether.

"How are you dealing with it?"

After understanding Lin Huaiyu’s character, Zhou Ping’an dispensed with many pleasantries, speaking bluntly, which felt more comfortable.

"Order those out in the mountains gathering herbs to not return to the city for now...

The people within the city should also stay quiet and avoid causing any conflicts as much as possible."

"Very good, delay may bring a solution, and at this time, the more one does, the more errors are made.

Since Tian Shouyi’s intention is to search for Red Lotus Sect spies, it would be best if there really were Red Lotus Sect spies."

A smile appeared on Zhou Ping’an’s lips.

He thought, let the bullet fly for a while longer.

Without any unforeseen circumstances, the Red Lotus Sect operatives in the city would soon become unable to restrain themselves.

By now, they might have entered the verification stage or even reached the point of mobilizing people, preparing for a surprise attack.

No one knew better than Zhou Ping’an.

Just how important that silk handkerchief was.

And how evil and powerful the "Karmic Fire Red Lotus Visualization Method" recorded on it was.

If the Red Lotus Sect followers could ignore such a "big killer weapon" and not fight to obtain it, he would have to doubt whether their leader had no brains at all.

"Then let’s wait."

With Zhou Ping’an’s confirmation, Lin Huaiyu felt somewhat relieved.

He smiled lightly and then remembered something, "Looking at all Tian Shouyi’s actions, it seems that he has a clear purpose. He’s not simply trying to prevent us from growing and expanding, or to disrupt our herb gathering operation..."

"You’re saying, his main goal is actually to recruit people for himself."

"Exactly, news from outside says that even those under the Yutao Pavilion, Spirit Snake Pavilion, and Green Wolf Gang have been affected, many turning to work for Baicao Hall."

"That shouldn’t be..."

Zhou Ping’an pondered for a moment.

He had seen Tian Shouyi several times and had even dealt with him twice.

In his view, this man actually belongs to the cunning and slippery type of old official, reluctant to take the lead in anything, always scheming in his heart.

In his actions, he truly lived up to the saying "no profit, no early rise."

Mobilizing such a significant force and focusing on the city’s lower-tier martial artists, if it’s just to target the Lin Residence or the Red Lotus Sect spies, it simply doesn’t make sense.

He didn’t have so much idle concern and sense of responsibility.

Therefore, there must be huge benefits involved.

It was just that the true purpose was unknown.

"No matter, Qingyang City seems too peaceful for now, let’s stir it up first. The more it moves, the easier it is to cause chaos..."

"The biggest problem now is Tian Shouyi bearing the heavy responsibility of the city defense, with the Red Lotus Rebel Army lurking outside.

At this time, his orders, whether motivated by personal interest or justice, will hardly meet any obstacles, even the County Magistrate would support them..."

Originally, he didn’t want to clash with the Official Government so soon.

But there was no choice.

The situation changed too quickly.

A County Magistrate, who at first didn’t seem to pose much of an obstruction to his interests his pursuit of the Sword Codex through collecting herbs and alchemy, has become a huge stumbling block in his path.

Without removing this man.

There would be hinderances everywhere.

Twice the effort for half the results.

"Then why not add more fuel to the fire...

Let’s also release a message, saying that Magistrate Lu from the Imperial Inspection has already entered Qingyang City in disguise, and the army will be arriving soon."

"Right, we might as well spread the word with more details, saying that Elder Magistrate Lu has disguised himself as an herbalist this time."

The news of the impending inspection had originally been heard from Tang Lin’er when he had tried to spook her.

That fellow, was a treasure trove of information.

Useful and not useful alike.

Asking him was never wrong.

Lu Tingru was a great scholar of the Imperial Court, with a multitude of students and old acquaintances all over the land, and an excellent reputation.

This inspection tour of the land, coming to Jiangzhou to investigate the bandit issue... was, one could say, a tremendous deterrent to the local Official Government.

Although Magistrate Lu’s status was extremely high, his manner of acting was quite peculiar, never caring for pomp and circumstance.

A donkey cart, a single attendant, hiking through mountains and rivers, completely disregarding status and pomp.

Moreover, the most tricky part was that he liked to travel in disguise.

Gossip had it that the elder statesman claimed that when traveling openly as himself, he often couldn’t see what he really wanted to see.

It was very possible that an old farmer or a scholar seen on the roadside was him.

It was also possible that he could be masquerading as a merchant or a wandering physician...

So much so that even the officials of various counties in Jiangzhou were unclear as to his whereabouts.

They understandably became more cautious in their actions, fearing that they might do something wrong and be caught by the inspecting eyes of Magistrate Lu.

Elder Magistrate Lu himself liked to wander around, but he was not without security.

Behind him followed a force of three thousand elite cavalrymen.

The commanding officer was Zhong Yuanhao, a rising talent of the Imperial Court’s western army.

This man had been a soldier since his youth, unmatched in battle, his twin spears like dragons, rarely meeting an equal.

Well, such a ferocious general was actually a student of Lu Tingru; talk about being a dangerous man, huh?

What he was guarding against, was not easy to say.

The idea Zhou Ping’an came up with was mostly a spur of the moment decision, aiming to force certain people into chaos and reveal their intentions.

Deep down in his heart,

He didn’t really think that Elder Magistrate Lu had nothing better to do than to come to this remote and small county in the Southwest.

There was simply no reason.

"Let’s do that then."

Lin Huaiyu’s face lit up with joy.

She stole a glance at Zhou Ping’an and left with a somewhat strange expression on her face.

’I’m really not being deceitful, this is a brilliant and clever strategy...’

Zhou Ping’an could tell at a glance what the Third Miss was thinking.

He rubbed his forehead and sighed in the moment.

Thinking to himself that his image, in someone’s eyes, might have already taken on some deviation.