CHAPTER 442: 342, TRAP 2

The so-called master is Qi Xianshu, the head of the Qi family, and the father of Qi Zhenzhuo and Qi Zhenwu, Li Xuan’s father-in-law.

It was as if a copper bell rang loudly in Chen Ji’s mind.

Suicide by poisoning?

This is not suicide by poisoning at all, but an assassination by the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department!

Only now did Chen Ji realize that the wooden box he handed to the secretary contained the poison meant to kill the Korea Envoy.

Strange, the Spy Department had searched everyone at that time and found no contraband. How was the poison brought back to Huitong Hall by the secretary?

What puzzled Chen Ji even more was why the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department wanted to kill the Korea Envoy?

Wait a minute!

Chen Ji was shocked, turned around, and said: "Little monk, you go back to Yuanjue Temple first. I will find a way to get you out another day."

...

...

When Chen Ji rushed outside Hanbi Mountain House, he heard Qi Zhenzhuo in the main hall talking animatedly: "That Bodhisattva Wuzhai spat out blood and fell from the Seeking Dao Realm on the spot..."

Chen Ji pushed open the door abruptly and interrupted: "Everyone, come with me!"

The Yulin Army turned their heads to look.

Qi Zhenzhuo asked in confusion: "What’s wrong, Master?"

Chen Ji said solemnly: "The Korea Envoy poisoned themselves entirely; we must return to the Yulin Army Commander’s Mansion immediately to wait for orders and cease actions!"

Li Xuan’s expression changed, and he immediately stood up and walked out: "Let’s go!"

The Yulin Army hurriedly got up, knocking over several tables, scattering food and wine all over the ground.

They filed out through the side gate of the Qi Mansion, turned onto Chang’an Street, and sprinted all the way. Duobao, who couldn’t handle his alcohol, squatted halfway on the bluestone street and vomited.

Li Xuan shouted in a low voice: "Carry him along!"

Over thirty people hurried along and had not yet reached the Yulin Army Commander’s Mansion when a dozen or so Jiefan Guard, wearing bamboo hats and straw coats, came riding to meet them.

On the dark Chang’an Street, the Over the Shoulder Python under the Jiefan Guard’s straw coats seemed to appear and disappear. The leading man rested his hand on his sword hilt and asked sharply: "Who goes there?"

Li Xuan took out the Yulin Army warrant token and copper token: "Yulin Army!"

The Jiefan Guard squinted to inspect the copper token, after verifying it, scanned the red-faced crowd, snorted coldly, and moved their horses aside: "Proceed to the Governor’s Mansion and await orders. Do not leave the camp without a summons!"

Just at that moment, the garrison forces of the nine gates of the Imperial Capital simultaneously beat the drums, the sound spreading to every corner of the city. The cavalry of the Five Cities Military Department galloped rapidly in the inner city, shouting vigorously: "By decree, clear the streets immediately. Anyone who disobeys will be arrested!"

Curfew.

The Imperial Capital hadn’t had a curfew in a long time.

The Yulin Army bowed their heads as they quickly entered the Governor’s Mansion and, upon entering the gate, saw Wu Xuange with the entire Left Brave Guard fully clad in silver armor, polishing their weapons on the parade ground.

The white feathers on the heads of the Left Brave Guard of the Yulin Army fluttered in the breeze, and the cold gleam of the long spears was illuminated by the moonlight.

Wu Xuange, hearing footsteps, looked up: "Lord Li, what a refined interest. Perhaps if the Jing Dynasty envoys come south one day, Lord Li can compete in drinking with them. If victorious, it would bring glory to our dynasty."

Qi Zhenzhuo was about to argue but was forcibly dragged into the Governor’s Mansion armory by Li Xuan.

Duobao barely held himself upright: "Governor, he’s just a commander..."

Li Xuan turned back with an angry glare: "Did he say anything wrong? Regardless of what motives Wu Xuange may have for coming to my Yulin Army, he is indeed the true elite of the Ning Dynasty. There’s no need to be dissatisfied; if you’re wrong, correct it. If others are better, learn from them. Today’s mistake was mine, not yours, and I will reflect on it."

The Yulin Army remained silent.

Li Xuan donned his body armor, chest armor, and arm armor. As he tied the straps, he suddenly said: "Everyone, starting today, abstain from alcohol. No drinking until we achieve a major victory. Forget the military achievements we earned in Guyuan; show some spirit, and don’t let others look down on us!"

The Yulin Army was invigorated: "Yes!"

Li Xuan turned to Chen Ji: "What do you think about tonight’s events?"

Chen Ji shook his head: "I don’t know either, let’s wait for the court’s order."

He finished donning his armor, carried his long spear inverted, and walked out of the Governor’s Mansion, standing alone at the gate.

Chen Ji’s gaze passed through the Chengtian Gate to the north, looking towards the vermilion Imperial Palace Gate. From afar, he saw countless Jiefan Guards. On Chang’an Street in front of Chengtian Gate, hundreds of Jiefan Guards in Python Robes stood guard with torches held high.

The torches formed a dragon, dividing north and south.

The fiery dragon illuminated the officials’ palanquins rising and falling at the Imperial Palace Gate; officials summoned to the palace went in endlessly.

Heaven has been pierced.

Li Xuan came to Chen Ji’s side. Chen Ji asked in a low voice: "Lord Li, what do you think of this matter?"

Li Xuan pondered for a moment before answering: "It’s either the Chen family or the Xu Family."

Chen Ji was taken aback: "Why do you say that?"

Li Xuan explained: "In our Ning Dynasty’s discussions these days, only two officials wanted to send troops against the Jing: Official Chen and Official Xu. Because the Chen family holds Yingkou Port, and the Xu Family holds Qidong Port, their merchant ships cross the sea, using Korea as a springboard for trade with Japan, importing silver from Japan into the Ning Dynasty."

Li Xuan continued: "Korea has always been ambiguous with our dynasty and the Jing Dynasty, and years ago they betrayed our dynasty. After all, they are across the sea from us and don’t share a land border. So Mr. Qi and Official Hu don’t care about Korea’s survival; only the Chen and Xu Families insist on saving Korea."

Chen Ji’s heart sank, realizing why the court had been unable to reach a decision these days.

But now everyone thinks the Korea Envoy committed suicide by poison, yet Chen Ji knows that this matter has nothing to do with the Chen or Xu Families; it’s the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department that wants to poison the Korea Envoy!

Chen Ji’s brows furrowed, and the sense of crisis in his heart lingered.

This task given by Si Caogui was not just a loyalty test from the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department; it also forced him to present a token of allegiance. With this matter hanging over him, Chen Ji has no possible way to defect to Ning; otherwise, it would lead to a dead end.