CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 48: THE BEGINNING OF THE EVENT

"Li Xin, what are you doing here?" Zhang Qingfeng stood at the entrance of the Zhang Mansion, shouting out to Li Xin who was outside the gate.

Li Xin replied, "I need to see Lord Luo."

"Lord Luo is not here."

"Patriarch Zhang, I have an urgent matter to report to Lord Luo. It’s a matter of great importance. If something goes wrong because of you, can you bear that responsibility?" By the end, Li Xin had become particularly stern.

"This..." Zhang Qingfeng hesitated, unable to decide.

Zhang Qingfeng harbored extreme animosity towards Li Xin. Setting aside the fact that Li Xin had attempted to assassinate him in the street, had it not been for Lord Luo, he might already be in his grave. It was the attitude Lord Luo had towards Li Xin, above all, that Zhang Qingfeng found hard to accept.

Li Xin was merely a bastard of the Li Family who had turned against Li Pingsheng and seized control of the Li Family. Now, somehow, he had forged a connection with Luo Yan and was considered Zhang Qingfeng’s equal. Moreover, Luo Yan seemed to value Li Xin highly.

This was unbearable for Zhang Qingfeng, who had painstakingly pledged his allegiance to the Six Gates, believing that he had contributed a great deal to their takeover of Yang City.

Zhang Qingfeng wanted to obstruct Li Xin, but the thought of Lord Luo’s blame later made him extremely anxious.

At that moment, a servant ran over, whispering something into Zhang Qingfeng’s ear.

After hearing the message, Zhang Qingfeng’s face turned a marvellous shade of alternating pale and flush. Watching Zhang Qingfeng’s changing expressions, Li Xin suddenly found an urge to laugh, his mind’s many worries dissipated considerably.

"Come in, Lord Luo wants to see you," Zhang Qingfeng said with difficulty.

It seemed that Luo Yan had been informed about the situation at the gate. Zhang Qingfeng’s earlier behavior likely didn’t sit well with those in higher positions.

Following Zhang Qingfeng’s steps, Li Xin arrived at a secluded courtyard.

In the yard, Luo Yan was drinking tea and chatting with his mentor, Lu Qifeng.

"This is my mentor, one of the Four Great Divine Capturers of the Six Gates, the Chasing Wind Divine Constable," Luo Yan said, introducing with a gesture.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Divine Constable," both Li Xin and Zhang Qingfeng said hurriedly, performing the customary greetings.

It seemed that Li Xin had never met the Chasing Wind Divine Constable before. He covertly glanced at Lu Qifeng standing beside him.

"No need for such formalities," Lu Qifeng said with a warm smile. "Li Xin, in the name of the Chasing Wind Divine Constable, I grant you permission to join the Six Gates. From now on, you will serve under Luo Yan.

"What is this urgent matter you wish to report?"

Li Xin said, "Thank you, Divine Constable. I have learned that Lord Zhen Shan’s army will march in the next two months."

Xuan Guang and Qing Yu had said before that the bet with Lord Zhen Shan would be concluded in three months. This wager was simply a ruse by Xuan Guang to mask the truth. Even Xiao Gao didn’t know the details of Xuan Guang’s collaboration with Lord Zhen Shan, and had raised doubts about the promises made to Qing Yu.

But Xuan Guang had inadvertently revealed a critical clue—time. If three months wasn’t when the wager would end, what could it be?

After much consideration, Qing Yu concluded that Lord Zhen Shan’s army would march in three months—now in two months. This was the only explanation.

"Oh?" Lu Qifeng spoke seriously. "Is there a precise time?"

"Your honor, there isn’t. But I can stake my life to guarantee the accuracy of this information," Li Xin said resolutely.

In fact, Qing Yu hadn’t expected Li Xin to use his life as a guarantee. Speculation was still speculation, and he had only asked Li Xin to report the news. When it came to Lord Zhen Shan’s rebellion, no detail could be overlooked. Even if the authenticity of the news couldn’t be ascertained, the court would have to act. Who knew that Li Xin, to convince the court, would stake his life on Qing Yu’s speculation?

After pondering for a moment, Lu Qifeng said, "I am already aware of this matter. You may leave now."

"Yes, we take our leave," Li Xin and Zhang Qingfeng said in unison.

Once the two had left, Luo Yan anxiously asked, "Master, is this true?"

Lu Qifeng had always been monitoring Yang City with the Wind Listening Technique, so he should know if the information was accurate.

"While it’s said that I can monitor the entire Yang City, you too have studied the Wind Listening Technique and should know that this secret technique can’t be maintained for long periods. I can’t possibly keep it activated all the time," Lu Qifeng said somewhat helplessly.

That’s true, Luo Yan realized. He had tried using the Wind Listening Technique, and the experience of having every sound within range bombard his ears nearly drove him insane. Constant noise was indeed frightening, as could be attested by a certain director who talked his big brother into a frenzy.

"Moreover, I started paying close attention to those two only after the assassination attempt on Zhang Qingfeng in the street when I alerted you to go to Zhang Qingfeng’s aid. That little Taoist, Qing Yu, must have learned of the news before then. I have never heard him speak of this matter; he is an exceedingly cautious person."

"Since we can’t confirm the truth of the message, shall we hold off our troops for now?" Luo Yan suggested.

"No, we must make a move first," Lu Qifeng said as he stood up. "The exposure of Song Ziqi’s identity hasn’t stirred Lord Zhen Shan into action, which indicates that he’s been delayed for some compelling reason. This news is very likely true. Go send a message and notify the Six Gates brothers outside the city to garrison in Yang City."

"What are you going to do, Master?" Luo Yan inquired, watching Lu Qifeng preparing to depart.

"I’m going to inform General Ye Tiannan and urge him to garrison in Yang City by tomorrow. For such a significant matter, I must personally present the case," Lu Qifeng said.

General Ye Tiannan, the commander of the military stationed in Ling Province.

"By tomorrow, how is that possible?!"

With Lu Qifeng’s unparalleled Qinggong abilities, he might indeed be able to notify General Ye Tiannan before the following day. However, mobilizing an army takes time, and the soldiers, unlike Lu Qifeng, would do well to reach Yang City within ten days; tomorrow was simply impossible.

"That’s why I say, Yan’er, you are still too young. Ten days ago, General Ye had already joined forces with the army supported by the court. A total of two hundred thousand soldiers have been stationed in the woods a hundred miles outside Yang City. Why do you think the Six Gates have been ridding us of bandits lately? The Sun Family isn’t worth such an effort," Lu Qifeng said with a hearty laugh.

After he finished, a breeze swept by, and Lu Qifeng had disappeared.

"Cunning old fox," Luo Yan said through gritted teeth.

The suggestion to eliminate the bandits near Yang City had been his own. During the process, they captured the fifth brother of the Sun Family, using him to coerce the fraternal Sun brothers, who were close as can be, to serve the Six Gates.

Adding the allegiance of the Zhang and Li Families—although the Li Family was later controlled by Li Xin, he was loyal to the Daqian Court—the Three of the Four Great Families of Yang City served the Six Gates. Luo Yan had invested much effort into this, only to learn that those above had their own schemes, and he was merely providing a cover.

Thinking this through, even toward his respected mentor, Luo Yan couldn’t help feeling frustrated.

Annoyed as he was, Luo Yan obediently went to write the letter and released a message eagle to inform the Six Gates members outside of Yang City.