Chapter 968: A Step Quicker
Editor: Henyee Translations

Li Hongyu, driven by curiosity, pressed for answers, “Chu Tang, clarify what’s going on. I sense something is off with you; there must be something.”

Chu Tang, with a serene expression, walked on, “I’m not sure myself. Let’s talk when we find the person.”

Seeing Chu Tang’s reluctance to discuss, Li Hongyu grew anxious, “Aren’t we partners anymore? How can we help you if you keep everything to yourself?”

Chu Tang glanced at Li Hongyu indifferently, “You help me find the person; that’s all I need from you.”

Li Hongyu, frustrated, urged, “Chu Tang, the power of one is limited. Why not share the problem so we can solve it together?”

Chu Tang looked at Li Hongyu, who was clinging to the issue, then flew away—he needed some peace.

Li Hongyu, watching Chu Tang vanish in a flash, complained bitterly, “What kind of person is this? What could he possibly not tell us? Really!”

Chu Tang landed on the highest nearby peak, surveyed the area, then flew toward the nearest village by the river.

This village was marked by an ancient locust tree at its entrance, large enough to be embraced by one person. Its lush, green branches were laden with many beautiful, bright, and fragrant locust flowers.

Under the tree, some girls were picking locust flowers. Startled by Chu Tang’s arrival, they hesitated, but then a girl in brown mustered the courage to ask, “Who are you? Who are you looking for?”

Chu Tang smiled warmly, “I’m looking for a companion who fell into the water. Have you rescued anyone from the river recently in your village?”

While asking, he released his spiritual sense, covering the village.

The girl in brown shook her head innocently, “Sorry, we haven’t rescued anyone recently. Maybe try elsewhere.”

Chu Tang bowed slightly, “Thank you.”

He then proceeded to the main road outside the village, continuing his search in the next village…

At the Wu Family Estate.

The Wu family was the wealthiest and most influential in the city market, holding a place of high prestige.

A man approached the family’s back gate, looking around cautiously, then knocked, “I’ve brought the goods.”

Soon, a servant opened the gate, looking around slyly, “Did you bring the goods?”

The man handed over a box to the servant, glancing around nervously, “Ten taels of silver.”

The servant complained, “The price went up again?”

The man snatched the box back, irritated, “Stop dithering. If you don’t buy it, forget it. I’m risking my neck selling this to you, and you still complain.”

He stuffed the box into his clothing, preparing to leave.

If the servant failed to secure the goods, his master would likely tear him apart. Quickly, the servant chased after the man, “Don’t be so hasty. Let’s talk properly; I didn’t say I wouldn’t buy it.”

“Ten taels,” the man handed back the box, eager to sell it and find the next buyer.

General Tang’s ban on opium had ironically benefited these men; the young masters, unable to visit opium dens, smoked at home. These opium deliveries were sourced by men like him, earning five taels per box, almost like picking up silver.

The servant handed over a ten-tael silver ingot, then hurried home with the box. In this era, a small box of opium could support a village family for a year.

The family wealth would eventually be squandered by these young masters.

Shaking his head, lost in thought, the servant entered a room and handed over the goods, soon filling the room with smoke.

In the military camp.

Meng Shengdong, trying to contain his anger, reported, “General, according to informants, many are secretly smoking opium at home; the ban hasn’t stopped them.”

Tang Jinghong looked up, his eyes sharp as drawn swords, “No matter, they are only a minority. Once we destroy the source, everything else will naturally end.”

“That’s true,” Meng Shengdong calmed slightly, then asked, “General, the opium dens in the city have been sealed. What’s next?”

Tang Jinghong’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Prepare for the smoke by the river.”

“Yes, General!” Meng Shengdong responded enthusiastically.

In a secluded cave.

This cave was well-hidden, covered with dense vines and undergrowth. If not for Chu Tang’s extraordinary abilities, it would have remained undiscovered.

Inside, a man with a donkey-like face was fast asleep in the grass.

Chu Tang poured water from his canteen onto the man’s face.

“Ah!” The man exclaimed, sitting up in shock. Seeing another person in the cave, he panicked and lost his composure. “You…”

Chu Tang spoke calmly, “Don’t be afraid. Just answer a few of my questions honestly. If there’s nothing serious, I might consider letting you go.”

The donkey-faced man, still visibly frightened, managed to ask, “How did you find this place?”

Chu Tang, with a hint of mischief, replied, “Let’s not worry about how I found you. Just tell me how you ended up here and what you know.”

Although Chu Tang appeared non-threatening, his presence was intimidating. The man wiped his sweat and replied anxiously, “Who are you? Why are you asking me these questions?”

“I don’t like being questioned,” Chu Tang said, pointing a finger at the man. A light flashed at his fingertip, “Now, tell me how you got here…”

It turned out that after Chu Tang made the ship sink, indeed everyone drowned, but the donkey-faced man’s lungs were unusual. After Chu Tang withdrew his magic, this man might have miraculously woken up and quickly escaped the scene.

This was his chosen hiding spot because he knew why the ship sank and was waiting for an opportunity to use his information to make a profit before fleeing far away.

He couldn’t have imagined that Chu Tang would find him.

The man, gripping a stone behind his back, prepared to attack Chu Tang, “I’ve told you everything I know. What are you going to do now?”

Greed often leads to downfall. Chu Tang was grateful the man’s greed exposed him, thus keeping his secret safe, “Have you ever killed anyone?”

The man, who was one of Li Hongjin’s personal guards and had done many dirty jobs for him, responded, “Yes.”

Chu Tang continued, “Were they all bad people?”

“No, whoever Li Hongjin asked us to kill, we killed. It didn’t matter who they were,” the man admitted, his teeth clenched, ready to strike Chu Tang.

“If that’s the case, you can’t blame me for being ruthless,” Chu Tang declared as he drew a dagger and swiftly cut down the man, who instantly combusted, turning into ashes.

Chu Tang watched the flames extinguish before leaving. He dusted off his hands; unfortunately, he was just too quick.