Only after the backs of Ren Youyang and his guards had vanished from sight, and the Zhen Mansion servants had led their horses away to be tethered, did Ding Songyan enter through the side gate to meet Mr. Yu Wanxiong.
He did not say a word, following the man with practiced familiarity deep into the Zhen Mansion.
Along the way, he prayed to all the gods and Buddhas, hoping that the experts from the Small Boat Gang would launch their attack today and bring about chaos.
He was not alone in this thought; he believed that Yan Changqing, Zhen Qianfan, and that group from the "Ding Family" were all anticipating the same thing.
After various probes and considering the anomalies displayed by the Zhen Mansion, Ding Songyan was convinced that Zhen Qianfan’s insistence on having him tell stories to Yan Changqing was intended to create an opportunity for this "honored guest" to escape.
The reason for this was simple: for years, Yan Changqing had endured brutal torture without revealing the location of the Heavenly Emperor’s secret treasure. Now that Zhen Qianfan had reached his twilight years, he could no longer wait. He had chosen to "let the tiger return to the mountains," casting a long line to catch a big fish.
He wanted Yan Changqing, after a difficult escape and under the pressure of being hunted, to choose to head toward the hidden treasure, unearth it, and fight for a sliver of survival. At that moment, Zhen Qianfan would appear, the oriole catching the mantis.
If the strength and number of those coming to rescue Yan Changqing exceeded his expectations, the True Spirit Sect and the Heavenly Maiden Sect—lured by other means—would serve as his reinforcements, coordinating with the masters within the city to ensure the situation did not spiral into the worst-case scenario.
The reason the Zhen Mansion had delayed "inviting" Second Young Master Ding to tell stories to Yan Changqing was not because they didn't "trust" him, but because the "external aid" had not yet arrived. Once the people from the Heavenly Maiden Sect and the True Spirit Sect arrived, Ding Songyan would soon receive his "invitation."
Based on this: The Small Boat Gang wanted to attack the Zhen Mansion to wash away their past shame;
Yan Changqing wanted the Small Boat Gang to attack the Zhen Mansion to create the necessary chaos for his own escape;
Zhen Qianfan wanted the Small Boat Gang to attack the Zhen Mansion to create a situation where he appeared too distracted to prevent Yan Changqing’s escape;
The group from the Ding Family wanted the Small Boat Gang to attack the Zhen Mansion to fish in troubled waters and spirit Yan Changqing away;
Ding Songyan wanted the Small Boat Gang to attack the Zhen Mansion to make the chaos as great as possible. Only with chaos were there variables, and only with variables could he possibly escape this calamity.
Therefore, if the Small Boat Gang truly acted today, it would be a five-way win!
As these thoughts swirled, Ding Songyan once again saw that small building nestled among the flowers and trees.
…………
*Clatter, clatter, clatter.* Three steeds galloped in from outside the city. Leading them was Zheng Zhuxi, who had changed into black tight-fitting attire, her cuffs embroidered with starlight and candlelight.
At the first light of dawn, she, along with Senior Brother Wu Feng and Senior Sister Tao Wuyue, had ridden at breakneck speed back to the Xiaoming Sect’s mountain gate. After reporting the situation, they had switched horses and returned to Linjiang County; more than three hours had already passed.
Her mother, Tao Wenshu, the Sect Master of the Xiaoming Sect, had not traveled with them. At such a distance, a "Spirit-Connecting" master was far faster than any horse and had already arrived at the prefecture city.
Upon entering the city gate, Zheng Zhuxi, fearing she might collide with pedestrians, suppressed her inner restlessness. She dismounted, handed her horse to the brothers and sisters guarding the gate, and then unleashed her "Net Moon Phantom Form" movement technique. She wove through the crowd, leaving behind faint, shimmering afterimages that looked like hallucinations.
Soon, she reached the tallest watchtower, ascended the wooden stairs, and arrived at the very top.
Aside from the two members of the Yi clan responsible for daily surveillance, there was a woman in black robes.
The woman appeared to be in her thirties and bore a five or six-part resemblance to Zheng Zhuxi. Although her features were not as delicate or beautiful as Zheng Zhuxi’s—appearing somewhat square—her overall demeanor possessed a mature, gentle temperament refined by the passage of time.
She wore a rather heavy yet crude iron crown, and her left hand gripped a long sword hidden in a deep black scabbard. Her eyes were double-pupiled, each holding a glimmer of light within their profound darkness.
"Mother, is there any movement at the Zhen Mansion?" Zheng Zhuxi asked urgently, catching her breath.
Tao Wenshu glanced at her daughter:
"Not yet.
"When will you be able to remain as composed as your father when Mount Tai collapses before you? You are far too flighty."
"Then I would have to switch to practicing the 'Scripture of Utmost Sincerity,' but it’s already too late for that." Zheng Zhuxi relaxed upon hearing this, teasing her mother with a grin.
Tao Wenshu cast her gaze toward North Water Street, toward the Zhen Mansion, and said in a calm voice:
"Magistrate Lin is already at the North City Watchtower, and County Lieutenant Yi is at the East City Watchtower. You may rest easy and go back to get some sleep.
"Even if you stayed here, with your martial cultivation, you would be of no use."
Zheng Zhuxi put on a spoiled, daughterly expression:
"My cultivation progress is no worse than the core disciples of the major sects. If you had given birth to me a few years earlier, Mother, I would surely have reached 'Transcendental' or even 'Mastery' by now.
"Can County Lieutenant Yi, who has only reached 'Mastery,' block any potential evil-path monsters?"
Tao Wenshu, whose black robes were embroidered with tiny stars, looked at the Zhen Mansion and said:
"By merely shooting from a high vantage point, County Lieutenant Yi is enough to block a 'Micro-Perception' master."
Zheng Zhuxi asked no more. She smoothed her breathing and focused her full attention on whatever might happen at the Zhen Mansion.
…………
Zhen Mansion, Jiangbo Hall.
Su Chongxiao and Su Qingli sat cross-legged behind tables laden with tea and snacks, with attendants and maids standing by their sides. Opposite them sat Ren Youyang, who lounged with an air of arrogance, his four guards standing in a line behind him.
At the head sat Zhen Qianfan, dressed in a black robe embroidered with the character for "Fortune" and wearing a six-part cap. His four ears were twitching slightly, as if listening to something.
Amidst the polite pleasantries, Zhen Quanwang held a wooden box covered in red cloth, walked to his father’s side, and handed it over.
"Three honored guests." Zhen Qianfan took the box and placed it before him. "Let me allow you to verify its authenticity once more."
He then lifted the red cloth and opened the lid.
Inside the box lay a fruit the size of a papaya, entirely red. Even from a considerable distance, Ren Youyang and Su Qingli could smell a faint, refreshing fragrance. As this scent entered their noses, they both felt as if their strength had increased slightly.
"It is real." Su Chongxiao, wearing a bamboo crown, nodded gently.
Zhen Qianfan closed the lid and said with a sincere tone:
"I originally did not want to sell this unexpectedly acquired 'Huai Fruit.' My few sons are dull-witted; to this day, none have even reached 'Mastery.' If one of them were to eat this fruit, they would certainly have a bit more self-preservation ability after I am gone.
"Alas, things do not always go as one wishes. I have no choice but to sell this divine object. I do not seek money, nor do I seek secret manuals; I only seek a promise."
…………
Ding Songyan, blindfolded and led around by two Zhen Mansion disciples, suddenly realized a problem when he arrived at the location where Yan Changqing was held:
Why hadn't I thought about not coming to tell stories to Yan Changqing today?
I could have completely stalled for time, waited for the official authorities to investigate the matter, and intervened directly!
Although the Zhen Mansion might have sent retainers like Mr. Yu to force me to come, I never considered that this whole affair was surely the work of Yan Changqing or his "old friends." If it were the latter, were they truly determined to act today?
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, a cool sensation dropped into Ding Songyan’s Sea of Consciousness, manifesting the gaunt-faced Yan Changqing.
Using the "seed," Ding Songyan split his consciousness in two. While he began reciting the next part of *The Legend of the White Snake*, he asked Yan Changqing above the shimmering, golden illusory ocean:
"Senior, are you going to make your move today?"
Yan Changqing smiled:
"Let us watch and wait a little longer."
Ding Songyan glanced at the clear, misty light piercing through the fog and asked instead:
"What treasure did the Zhen Mansion use to lure the people from the True Spirit Sect and the Heavenly Maiden Sect?"
"A Huai Fruit." Yan Changqing laughed with the composure of one who had seen it all. "Eating it grants great strength; it makes you immensely powerful without affecting your ability to practice other arts. In the early stages alone, the martial arts of the Heavenly Maiden Sect and the True Spirit Sect have many deficiencies in this regard, so they naturally crave it. However, they wouldn't kill or die for it; it is merely a chance for their juniors."
No wonder he wanted to bring Miss Xiaoqing to see the world; he meant for her to eat it once he got his hands on it... Ding Songyan said thoughtfully:
"Then will they provide assistance to the Zhen Mansion because of this, blocking your old friends, Senior?"
Yan Changqing gave a "Heh" of laughter:
"Weren't my old friends lured here by Zhen Qianfan himself?
"He specifically invited guests affiliated with my sect to visit, giving them the opportunity to steal that copy of the *Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas*. Afterward, how could my elders and my old friends fail to recognize my handwriting or discern what that *Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas* truly symbolizes?"
As expected, that *Secret Classic of Mountains and Seas* was copied by you! And it was leaked by the Zhen Mansion. So that was the intention... Ding Songyan pretended he hadn't guessed it, fearing even more that Yan Changqing was deliberately misleading him, and simply asked:
"What does it symbolize?"
Yan Changqing looked at him, his smile unchanging, and said:
"It symbolizes the great fortune I am about to bestow upon you."
He paced with his hands behind his back, his tone leisurely:
"If the people from the True Spirit Sect and the Heavenly Maiden Sect can block my old friends, that would be excellent.
"You brought that dagger, didn't you?"
"This junior has it on his person." Ding Songyan’s spirit tightened.
Yan Changqing smiled:
"It will have its uses later."
Hearing this, Ding Songyan’s thoughts shifted, and he asked as if to confirm:
"Senior, you are well-versed in the arts of divination. Can you calculate whether the Small Boat Gang will attack the Zhen Mansion today?"
Yan Changqing smiled, paced two more steps, and said with a calm heart:
"They will."
…………
Not long ago, at the back gate of the Zhen Mansion, two laborers dressed as farmers, wearing bamboo hats and keeping their heads low, carried poles laden with ingredients. Led by a Zhen Mansion servant, they made their way to the kitchen.
After settling the payment, they followed the same servant back toward the gate. Along the way, the house servants and guards were remarkably scarce, as if they had all been reassigned elsewhere.
Suddenly, one of the laborers took two quick steps, reached the servant’s side, and patted him on the shoulder.
The servant turned his head in annoyance, only to see a pair of eyes stained with bloodthirsty malice, a pale, chalky complexion, and bright red lips with the texture of a bird’s beak.
A surge of malice rose in his heart, filled with resentment toward the Zhen Mansion:
Why should you be able to drink and make merry, enjoying yourselves every day, while I have to run back and forth under the scorching sun?
Once this thought took hold, he longed to hack the Zhen Mansion disciples to pieces, but knowing he lacked the strength, he could only return to his room in a huff to sleep, no longer caring about his current duties.
With him gone, the two laborers immediately flashed into the shadows of the corridor, moving like ghosts as they snuck toward Jiangbo Hall, where the Zhen Mansion was entertaining its honored guests.
They remained silent throughout, for they all knew that Zhen Qianfan practiced the "Divine Art of the Water Ape," which granted him the ability to hear in all directions.
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