CHAPTER 312: CHAPTER 309: CASTING THE NET

Xie Liangchen looked at Chang Yue: "Could you capture him?"

Chang Yue whispered: "Now that we know his whereabouts, capturing him is not difficult, but..."

Xie Liangchen understood the meaning behind Chang Yue’s words, something she had pondered for a long time: "He’s not alone, and he may have other intentions for coming to Lingqiu."

For now, let’s observe the situation; if we notice any unusual activity, it’s not too late to act.

Xie Liangchen lifted her head to look at the setting sun, a moment of haze in her mind prevented her from recalling the looks of her father and mother. After a lifetime, can she still see them?

...

Xiao Xingzong stood on the hillside, gazing at Lingqiu, with his two adopted sons behind him: the eighth Hu Gu, and the eleventh Zong Pu.

Xiao Xingzong had adopted thirteen sons in Liao, who achieved great feats for him. At their peak, even Liao nobles would change their expressions upon hearing the Thirteenth Prince.

Unfortunately, many have died or been injured in recent years. Last year, Xiao Chi and Li Cong were captured by the Qi people, leaving Xiao Xingzong with fewer reliable aides.

Xiao Xingzong’s several attempts against the Qi people have repeatedly failed. Although Empress Dowager Xiao did not blame him, the Liao court voices said Xiao Xingzong used so much manpower and resources yet could not match a mere Song Xian, who was only twenty years old.

Empress Dowager Xiao outwardly reprimanded those gossipers, yet she ordered Xiao Xingzong to personally lead troops to Lingqiu, clearly having paid attention to those words.

Hu Gu behind Xiao Xingzong first spoke: "Father, rest assured, Wusuo sent back reports that everything is proceeding as you planned."

Xiao Xingzong did not speak, only gazing far away, his mood unaffected by consecutive failures, as he had uncovered a very useful secret.

He cannot yet guess how much benefit this secret will bring him, but it certainly is a good chess piece.

Since interrogating about the Chen Family Village last time, this piece has been in his grasp. The prisoner who revealed the Chen Family Village’s secret was found dead in the prison the next day, seemingly from torture, unable to endure and thus died. In fact, his throat was crushed.

If he hadn’t seen it himself, Xiao Xingzong couldn’t have believed someone infiltrated his private prison. He did not express anger, pretending to overlook any anomalies, only ordering the prisoner to be sent to the mass grave.

Truthfully, he felt quite pleased that someone went to great lengths, risking everything, to kill that prisoner, likely because the prisoner revealed a deadly secret?

This openly told him that the Chen Family Village was indeed extraordinary, and the person always lurking beside him, cautiously trying to approach, exposed themselves due to this secret.

How could he not be pleased, having grasped a secret and captured someone attempting to harm him.

His expectations were not in vain, having thoroughly investigated the Chen Family Village matter. Chen Youli’s daughter, an obscure farm girl, turned out to be Prince Guangyang’s daughter who escaped death.

Xiao Xingzong couldn’t help but smile with each thought. Prince Guangyang, a man whom the Emperor of Daqi feared, not only had skills of his own, but also many willing to sacrifice their lives for him.

How would the Emperor of Daqi react upon knowing this secret? What about the Pseudo King of Taiyuan Prefecture?

Xiao Xingzong gripped the hilt of his knife at his waist. He also uncovered another secret: Prince Guangyang’s daughter and her husband faced adversity at sea while searching for their daughter.

In truth, their daughter Xie Liangchen grew up in Yuezhou, cared for by Mrs. Li, who were truly loyal to Prince Guangyang.

Xiao Xingzong boldly deduced and connected everything completely.

After Prince Guangyang’s daughter was rescued by people from the Chen Family Village, she remained vexed over Prince Guangyang’s death, suspecting foul play, and secretly pursued the matter.

After years of investigation, she discovered his association with the Liao people. Thus, while he defended the Northern Border, they infiltrated his ranks, finding letters intended to accuse him to the court. Unexpectedly, just as they obtained the evidence, his men discovered them.

His men followed closely, the individual fled and altered course near Zhenzhou.

In retrospect, that person likely noticed being tailed and led his men away from Zhenzhou.

And that person should be Prince Guangyang’s son-in-law, Xie Shao Yuan.

Xiao Xingzong reasoned such because inquiries confirmed Xie Shao Yuan was coincidentally not at home at that time.

Xie Shao Yuan barely escaped, fearing being watched, forcing him to send his daughter away from Zhenzhou for concealment.

Xiao Xingzong squinted, Xie Shao Yuan had thought things through thoroughly. If they did nothing thereafter, he might never trace back to Zhenzhou.

Thinking of this, Xiao Xingzong smiled again, no... it won’t be. He’s someone who holds grudges, destined to find those who harm him in secret.

Just as now, despite so many years, he still found clear answers?

However, Xiao Xingzong truly wonders, where exactly did Prince Guangyang’s daughter and Xie Shao Yuan go? Are they really hiding at sea?

Who is the person hiding in the dark, infiltrating his private prison, and killing the prisoner who confessed about Chen Family Village, now secretly following him to Lingqiu?

This secret Miss Xie wishes to know, and so does he.

No matter who it is, they’re of Prince Guangyang’s faction, he will let that person reunite with Miss Xie, and after utilizing them, send them both to the afterlife.

"Let’s go," Xiao Xingzong said, "Return to camp."

After speaking, Xiao Xingzong stepped forward, but stumbled, almost falling there.

"Be careful, Father, your injuries are yet to heal. You should return and rest," his two adopted sons hurriedly supported.

Xiao Xingzong nodded; he intentionally feigned weakness to lure out the ones hiding in the dark.

Xiao Xingzong and his men walked for quite a time. At the river below the slope, a "stone" finally moved, floated downstream to the shore, waited a while until confirming no one around, then cautiously went ashore, scanned the surroundings, and quickly headed into the nearby woods.

After running through the woods, he went straight uphill, found a grass hut on the hillside, and immediately entered it.

Inside the hut, someone sat on a stone. He coughed twice, raising his head: "How is it? Did you see Xiao Xingzong?"

The person nodded: "I saw him, also heard Xiao Xingzong’s son suggesting all arrangements are complete, likely referring to the battle. It seems Xiao Xingzong will head from Lingqiu to Dai State."

"Our intel was correct; Xiao Xingzong clashed with the Liao’s Minister’s Tribe, Xiao Xingzong was injured, his wounds persist, if we ambush now, it’s an ideal time."

The person on the stone nodded, intending to speak, but a cough took him—"Liangchen... is she in Dai State?"