Chapter Thirty-Five: Striking Ahead of Time

The deaths of Wang Bin and Lady Hua Shiniang filled Liang Yan and his companions with sorrow. The three of them composed themselves and dug a large pit in a clearing among the trees, laying the ill-fated lovers to rest together.

Though they could not share a bed in life, at least in death they would share a grave.

At that moment, perched on Tang Diexian’s shoulder was a large white-faced cat, unusually awake, its eyes wide open, quietly gazing at its former master’s tomb.

Tang Diexian reached out to stroke the white fur on its back and murmured, “Chubba, do you feel sorry for Sister Shiniang too?”

Chubba meowed softly, turned and licked her palm, as if in answer.

Tang Diexian scooped the cat into her arms, speaking with tender affection, “From now on, you’ll stay with me. No one will dare bully you.”

Chen Zhuo’an stood nearby, silently mourning the two for a while. Then he turned to Tang Diexian and said, “You saved my life before on the Luling River, miss. I shouldn’t keep secrets from my benefactor, but this matter concerns state secrets and the fate of the common people. I must be extremely cautious. If anything were to be exposed, not even death could atone for my guilt.”

Liang Yan smiled from the side. “So now you’ve decided to tell us?”

“That’s right.” Chen Zhuo’an replied, “Although I don’t know why you two were following me, I’m certain you’re not sent by Li Hong. Otherwise, you would’ve killed me and taken the map already.”

Liang Yan nodded inwardly. Chen Zhuo’an saw things clearly enough. Tang Diexian’s martial skills far surpassed his own. If they were indeed Li Hong’s people, there would be no need for subterfuge. That he was still alive proved the two were not enemies.

Chen Zhuo’an took a deep breath and recounted to Tang Diexian and Liang Yan the purpose of the Society for the Eradication of Traitors’ visit, along with the matter of the forged imperial decree. What he revealed matched perfectly with what Liang Yan had previously uncovered, and in some details was even clearer.

When he finished, Liang Yan’s expression did not change; he simply asked, “Why tell us now, when you hid it before?”

Chen Zhuo’an replied solemnly, “I have seen that you and Miss Tang act with the spirit of chivalry. This matter touches the fate of the people and the country. I wish to invite you both to join us in retrieving the false decree, presenting it to the Emperor in the capital, and purging the court of corruption.”

Liang Yan was inwardly moved. After a brief pause, he said, “It’s not impossible for us to help, but our master has ordered that during our travels, we must avoid involvement with officials. So here’s my proposal: we’ll temporarily join your Society for the Eradication of Traitors until you obtain the false decree and safely leave Yongle Town. As for what comes after, I’m afraid we cannot assist.”

Liang Yan’s reasoning was not driven by an excess of chivalry. Both he and Tang Diexian were cultivators, not much interested in worldly affairs or who sat on the throne. But if they could find the forged decree, perhaps it would lead them to Tang Tiannan and reveal the true cultivator forces lurking in the town.

Chen Zhuo’an was overjoyed at his agreement, nodding eagerly. “That will do! As long as we can retrieve the forged decree and carry it safely out of Yongle Town, we have our own ways of delivering it to the capital.”

“Do you have a plan now?” Tang Diexian asked.

Chen Zhuo’an pondered for a moment before answering, “We originally intended to act once all eight hall masters had gathered, but it’s clear now that Xiang Anran has been watching our every move and even planted a spy among us. The only way forward is to act sooner and seize the initiative!”

Liang Yan nodded quietly. “When do we move?”

Chen Zhuo’an answered in a low voice, “Tomorrow night, at midnight!”

...

That evening, the Laifu Inn was calm and uneventful. The disappearance of Lady Hua Shiniang and the others seemed to stir not even the slightest ripple.

Liang Yan and Tang Diexian retired early to their room, unaware that, several miles away at the Kong family estate, six shadowy figures had gathered.

The six figures stood in the courtyard, each occupying a corner, keeping a considerable distance from one another.

One of them suddenly spoke. “How is the progress?”

A long silence followed before another replied, “Not well. The Geng Metal Break-Evil Formation works erratically. So far, we’ve only reached a depth of eighty zhang below ground.”

“Eighty zhang…” the first murmured. “Too slow. At this rate, it may take another six months…”

Another shadow interjected, “It’s been two years since we wiped out Kong Xiang’s family. The Yixing Pavilion may already be suspicious and could send disciples to investigate.”

The first speaker gave a cold snort. “Number Three, do you think I haven’t considered that? I am prepared. A mere branch of a spiritual mine isn’t attractive to a behemoth like Yixing Pavilion—they’ll at most send an outer disciple of the fourth or fifth Qi refinement level to check. As long as each of you keeps your respective area under surveillance and marks any discovered cultivators in the city as we agreed, we’ll be ready.”

Number Three was silent for a moment. “You’re Number Two, and can command the five of us. Since you know the risks, I’ll say no more. Still, caution is the parent of safety. Yixing Pavilion is not to be trifled with.”

Another shadow spoke up. “Among us, only Number Five is skilled in formations, and the progress is too slow with just him maintaining the Geng Metal Break-Evil Formation. Should we request another formation expert from the president?”

Number Two responded, “That requires careful consideration. Manpower is stretched thin across all our operations. Sending the six of us here was already a heavy commitment. Besides, bringing in another means splitting the reward further. After waiting here two years, are any of you truly willing to share?”

Silence settled again as his words sank in.

Number Two, seeing his point made, continued, “Enough. Let’s not dwell on it. The treasures beneath the mine are extraordinary, and the president values this mission highly. We’ve been honored with this task and cannot let him down. If we succeed, who knows what reward he might grant us?”

This time, all the shadows agreed in unison. “We follow your command, Number Two!”

Number Two seemed satisfied. “I have divided Yongle Town into six zones. Each of us guards one. Do your part well. If you spot a Yixing Pavilion investigator, signal the rest at once and eliminate them. No matter how powerful the Pavilion, a lone investigator is no match for the six of us together!”

He paused, then continued, “Besides, there’s still Number One, ever elusive, who never joins our meetings but may aid us from the shadows. So rest assured, nothing will go awry.”

All present nodded in agreement. Then Number Two added, “Number Four, take care with the matter of the forged decree. The president wants to support Li Hong. Since he’s caused trouble, it falls to us to help him.”

A sly, elderly voice laughed from the darkness, “Don’t worry. I’ve arranged everything at the Laifu Inn. It’s all under my control. It’s laughable that Chen Zhuo’an and his mortal friends think they can make waves. Little do they know, the very moment they obtain the false decree will be their doom.”

If Liang Yan were present, he would have recognized this as the old fortune-teller who had read their fates before.

Number Two nodded, “As long as you’re vigilant. Don’t be careless. That’s all for tonight—everyone, return to your duties.”

With the meeting concluded, the shadows melted into the darkness, and in the blink of an eye, the vast courtyard was empty and silent once more.

...

This secret gathering at the Kong family estate was, of course, completely unknown to Liang Yan at the Laifu Inn. Had he known, he would have counted himself lucky that he and Tang Diexian had chosen to investigate the estate on a night when these six were absent—otherwise, it would have been a deadly battle.

After a night’s rest, neither he nor Tang Diexian left their room the next day, spending their time in meditation until midnight. When the appointed hour arrived, they descended to the courtyard, where four people were already waiting: Chen Zhuo’an, Min Rou, Old Chu, and Xu Fangke.

Chen Zhuo’an greeted them with a clasped fist and a smile. “Miss Tang, Brother Liang, you’re here. Everyone is present. Let’s go retrieve the forged imperial decree!”