Chapter 981: Long Time No See
Editor: Henyee Translations

“Chu Tang, once you mention your general, they’ll know,” said Chu Tang.

“Thank you, Hero Chu,” the commanding officer expressed his deep gratitude. Without Chu Tang’s intervention that evening, it was unthinkable what might have happened to the military supplies.

After executing all the robbers except for the long-faced man, Chu Tang took him towards Shu City, while the commanding officer escorted the grain back to the camp.

In Shu City:

Chu Tang had two missions upon arriving in Shu City. One was to investigate the truth behind the lost arrows; the other was to uncover the reality behind Chu Qingning’s assassination attempt. Having solved the first, he was still unsure about the second, but perhaps the answer lay within Shu City itself.

Shu City was bustling with activity, yet beneath its vibrant exterior, there lurked a sense of chaos and turbulence.

After spending two days in the city, Chu Tang wandered around and discovered over a hundred opium dens. Unlike in Linzhang City, where such places were blatantly obvious, here they were concealed behind the backyards of taverns, theaters, and teahouses.

That day, Chu Tang entered a teahouse where shortly after, Grand Master of Divine Music arrived as well, “Greetings, Miss Chu.”

Knowing of Chu Qingzhi’s presence, she resumed her usual appearance once inside the private room of the teahouse.

Chu Qingzhi poured two cups of tea, placing one across the table, “Please, have a seat.”

“Yes.” Yan Zihao sat down respectfully, taking a sip from his cup to show respect.

Chu Qingzhi got straight to the point, “Have you made any progress recently?”

“Wei Zhongqing doesn’t trust me. He keeps me away from everything important. I haven’t accomplished much there, but I did see Jiang Zhaoyong in the King’s mansion,” Yan Zihao said helplessly.

“Are you sure it was Jiang Zhaoyong?” Chu Qingzhi’s gaze sharpened.

Yan Zihao shook his head, his certainty wavering, “He looked very similar, but he didn’t look at me, so I’m not entirely sure.”

Chu Tang thought to himself that a visit to the King’s mansion might be necessary, “When did you see him? What was he doing at the time?”

Yan Zihao thought for a moment, “Three days ago, I was delivering something to the King’s mansion for Wei Zhongqing when I encountered a group of King’s mansion guards, and he was among them.”

“He might have infiltrated as a guard?” Chu Tang tapped the table lightly, pondering.

Unable to come to a conclusion immediately, Chu Tang set aside this issue, “What did you need from me?”

A fleeting scheming look crossed Yan Zihao’s eyes, “Wei Zhongqing asked me to find a miraculous elixir to cure his father’s chronic illness. I thought to present this elixir to gain his trust and penetrate his inner circle to gather more information.”

Chu Tang paused, “What is his father’s ailment?”

Yan Zihao slightly furrowed his brows, “It’s strange; every time it rains, his body breaks out in red rashes all over, looking quite frightful.”

Sounds like a rain allergy, indeed strange, Chu Tang thought, and handed Yan Zihao a medicated pill infused with spiritual energy, which could alleviate severe ailments, “Good luck.”

Grasping the pill as if it was a treasure, Yan Zihao said, “Thank you, Miss Chu.”

Chu Qingzhi waved him off, “Go on then.”

Yan Zihao hurried out of the teahouse and back to Wei Mansion.

Chu Qingzhi left the teahouse’s private room and became Chu Tang again. He picked up some meals from a tavern and headed to a rented residential house with a cellar. Upon returning, he entered the cellar and set the food on the table, “Have you decided to follow me?”

The long-faced man, Duan Ting, starving after two days without food, quickly agreed upon seeing the delicious spread, realizing nothing was more important than surviving.

Chu Tang gestured, “Eat, it’s all yours.”

Duan Ting devoured the food greedily.

Chu Tang sat casually, one leg propped up, resting his chin in his hand, “Tell me, how did Su Liangwei take over the eldest prince’s underground forces?”

Duan Ting swallowed his food, “He was always the eldest prince’s confidant and managed those forces.”

Chu Tang nodded, “Where is Su Liangwei now?”

“Still in the King’s mansion, serving the second prince now. He had to find a new master to maintain a place in the King’s mansion and keep his forces intact,” Duan Ting explained.

“Quite the clever one,” Chu Tang said, appreciating “He was originally a killer picked up by the eldest prince. The underground organizations were all established by him. He’s very capable,” Duan Ting spoke with a tone of admiration.

“Let’s arrange to meet him tonight. You should also see your former master,” Chu Tang planned to meet Su Liangwei personally to understand the situation better.

Duan Ting hesitated for a moment, “Alright.”

At the Wei Mansion:

“The second master, I’ve found the miraculous elixir,” Grand Master of Divine Music announced as soon as he returned to the mansion, eager to present the miraculous elixir to Wei Zhongqing.

Wei Zhongqing was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly asked Grand Master of Divine Music to show him the elixir. As soon as he saw the pill, his eyes widened in amazement, “It really looks like a miraculous elixir!”

The pill was translucent and surrounded by a thin mist, giving it a dreamlike, almost ethereal appearance.

Even Grand Master of Divine Music was surprised by the pill’s effect; if he didn’t know its origin, he would never doubt its authenticity.

“Where did you get this pill?” Wei Zhongqing carefully stored the pill, convinced it would win his father’s favor.

Grand Master of Divine Music feigned a slightly astonished expression, “I’ve been searching for such a pill for a while without any leads. Out of frustration, I went to a cliff to clear my mind when an old man appeared. Seeing my distress, he inquired about my troubles, and upon hearing them, he gave me this pill.”

Wei Zhongqing was filled with wonder, “Did you meet a celestial being?”

Grand Master of Divine Music shook his head, unsure, “I don’t know. He disappeared after giving me the pill.”

“It must have been a celestial being! You’ve obtained a celestial pill,” Wei Zhongqing was ecstatic, feeling as though he was about to ascend with excitement, carefully cradling the celestial pill as if he wished he could consume it himself.

Grand Master of Divine Music bowed his head slightly, acknowledging that Chu Qingzhi truly was beyond mortal, capable of accomplishing feats beyond the ordinary, “What should we do next, second master?”

Wei Zhongqing turned to Grand Master of Divine Music, “Go find Xu Le; he’ll arrange your next tasks.”

Joy filled Grand Master of Divine Music’s heart; he was finally about to penetrate Wei Zhongqing’s inner circle, “Yes, second master.”

In the inn:

Chu Qingzhi whistled, and parrots number fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen flew into the inn. Number fifteen spoke, “Qingzhi, Jiang Zhaoyong has been captured.”

Chu Qingzhi urgently asked, “When did this happen?”

“Two days ago. The reason is unknown,” number fifteen landed on the table in front of Chu Qingzhi, affectionately rubbing her sleeve, having not seen her for a while.

Chu Qingzhi stroked the parrot’s head, “Where is Shuang’er?”

“Shuang’er flew to Shang City to find you after Jiang Zhaoyong was captured. It should be in Shang City by now,” number fifteen replied.

“I’ve been away from Shang City for some time now. If Shuang’er can’t find me, it should go to Jinghong. By the way, when did you discover Jiang Zhaoyong was in the King’s mansion?”

“Three days ago,” number fifteen nuzzled Chu Qingzhi’s hand affectionately.

Yan Zihao also said it was three days ago that he saw Jiang Zhaoyong. Why did Jiang Zhaoyong go to the King’s mansion three days ago?