184. Fire
From the Drum Tower in the East Market came the rapid sound of drums, and eight hundred evening drums sounded as the night fell.
Outside Yingxian Tower, the setting sun sank behind the city. The crane sculpture was like the sun, its shadow gradually lengthened and then disappeared.
Chen Ji stood outside the door to greet the guests. Today, he was the only one at Yingxian Tower. Originally, about ten tables had been booked for a banquet, but when some heard that the newly promoted Secret Service agent Hai Dongqing was holding a celebration banquet there, they all canceled their reservations.
Because of this incident, the entire Baiyi Lane became deserted. Outside Baiyi Lane, a carriage slowly drove in.
Jin Zhu lifted the carriage curtain and jumped out with Xifeng. He looked around Chen Ji with a strange expression. Just now, his cultivation level had skyrocketed, and he was only one step away from the Dao-seeking realm.
This speed of cultivation was unheard of by the Golden Pig.
Chen Ji smiled and asked, "Master Jinzhu, why are you looking at me like that?"
The Golden Pig hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not ask about cultivation: "It's okay, it's okay. You changed into new clothes today, and you look much more handsome than before. The tailor has good skills. You are in ES
I'll make two sets of clothes no matter where they are made."
Chen Ji smiled and said, "Li's shop in front of the South City Gate..."
Before he could finish his words, he saw Yun Yang and Jiao Tu coming side by side in black clothes, with dozens of spies following behind them.
The Golden Pig's face darkened.
Chen Ji was puzzled. "Master Yunyang, Master Jiaotu, why did you bring so many people? I'm short of money, so I only booked one table. There's not enough space for so many people."
Yun Yang smiled and said, "Don't worry, these people are not here to eat."
After saying that, he waved to the spies behind him, and saw that the spies put their hands on their waist knives and swarmed into the Yingxian Tower like locusts.
After all the spies had gone inside, Yun Yang casually explained, "Right now, remnants of the Liu family are still causing trouble in Luocheng, causing us a huge headache. As the saying goes, even a centipede is still alive after it dies. Tonight, the three zodiac signs of the Secret Service are gathered together, so we must be vigilant to prevent any remnants of the Liu family from hiding in Yingxian Tower. If the three of us fall for them, it will be a loss for the Secret Service." Chen Ji remained calm, "Three? Lord Bailong and Lord Mengji won't be coming?" Jiao Tu smiled and said, "Lord Bailong never attends banquets. After all, he can't drink or eat with a mask on. Mengji originally came with us, but suddenly had to return to Kaifeng Prefecture for something urgent. Don't worry, you don't need anyone else. If you want to drink, I'll join you."
Yunyang's face darkened: "I'll just drink with him." Jiaotu rolled his eyes.
At this time, the spies who were searching Yingxian Tower came out one after another, and one of them shook his head silently at Yunyang.
Yun Yang pondered for a moment, still feeling somewhat uneasy. He looked at Chen Ji and said, "The dishes at Yingxianlou are all just gimmicks. They're not actually that good. Why don't we go to Qingzhuyuan in Baiyi Lane instead? I've tried the pickled goose feet and duck stomach there; it's truly amazing."
Chen Ji frowned slightly: "Master Yunyang, I have already reserved a table at Yingxian Tower, so I can't change it at will."
Yun Yang asked, "Could it be that you have arranged something in Yingxian Tower that makes you unwilling to move?"
Chen Ji looked at Jin Zhu, but Jin Zhu rarely refuted Yun Yang and just lowered his head in silence.
Chen Ji took a deep breath. "What can I arrange in Yingxian Tower? Master Yunyang is worrying too much. If Master Yunyang insists on moving the place, I will obey your orders."
Yun Yang laughed heartily: "Let's go, Qingzhu Garden is not far away."
After saying this, he led the way forward a few dozen steps, stopping outside a courtyard. The sound of a pipa emanated from the Green Bamboo Garden, and Yunyang casually waved his hand, "Tell everyone inside to get out."
In just a stick of incense, all the guests in the garden fled in panic.
Yunyang waved his hand, and saw dozens of spies suddenly disperse, surrounding Qingzhu Garden. Any carriage passing by the gate was also stopped and driven away.
Yun Yang looked into Chen Ji's eyes and said, "Now it's all right, this Luo
I'm sure no one in the city can ambush us. Don't overthink it, Chen Ji, this is also to protect you."
"Oh?" Chen Ji asked curiously, "How do you mean?"
Yun Yang said playfully, "Our Secret Service has always had a bad reputation. Few people outside know you're our Saker Falcon, so keeping it a secret is for the best. Besides, you've stabbed Prince Jing in the back, betrayed the Crown Prince and the Princess... With Prince Jing's prestige in the martial arts world, if those people knew what you looked like, you'd probably be worried about eating a bowl of noodles outside. How could you possibly survive if someone poisoned you today and stabbed you the next?"
Chen Ji said calmly, "Master Yunyang is absolutely right. Thank you for your protection. Please come in and take a seat."
Yunyang laughed and walked into Qingzhu Garden first.
Chen Ji was about to go in when Jin Zhu grabbed his wrist and said, "Brother, we can't go against the trend!"
Chen Ji feigned confusion: "What are you talking about, sir? Why would we go against the grain on such a happy day?"
In the dim light of night and dusk, Jin Zhu stared closely at the young man before him. Only he knew that Chen Ji's cultivation level had suddenly increased dramatically that evening.
Although he didn't know how Chen Ji did it or what price he paid, he knew that today must be very important to Chen Ji.
Chen Ji grabbed Jin Zhu's wrist with his backhand and said gently, "Master Jin Zhu, who can tell who is sincere and who is false in this world? You and I are in the same boat now, don't be afraid."
Golden Pig watched Chen Ji's back disappear into the Green Bamboo Garden, then gritted his teeth and followed. Meanwhile, Wu Yun led a group of more than ten sturdy tabby cats, each clutching a bamboo tube. The cats huddled in the shadows, eyes closed, and waited.
The next moment, a calico cat came out from the dog hole at the foot of the wall and meowed. Wuyun suddenly opened his eyes, held the bamboo tube in his mouth, and rushed in like flowing water.
. . . .
On the second floor of Qingzhuyuan, dishes were served in a continuous stream, including steamed duck with fermented rice wine, shrimp balls and chicken skin soup, rouge goose breast, and cream-filled puff pastry rolls, all of which are not seen on ordinary days.
A courtesan came forward, veiled, clutching a pipa, but was stopped by the spy: "The elders are drinking and chatting, no one is allowed to approach."
During the meal, Yun Yang sat across from Chen Ji, picking up a piece of duck meat with his chopsticks. He asked curiously, "Chen Ji, I heard that you have a close relationship with the Prince of Jing and the Princess. Back at Luhun Villa, you once argued for the Princess and vented your anger. You even held her horse before she left. You're like a fairy couple from a storybook... Storytellers from all over the country have to thank you. You're enough for them to tell stories for a month and never get tired of it."
Chen Ji took a sip of wine and asked, "Master Yunyang, what do you want to ask?"
Yun Yang smiled and asked, "I'm curious, did you intend to betray them from the beginning, or did you sell them out later to protect yourself? How do you think the Jianghu will tell your story in the future?"
Chen Ji smiled and said, "Lord Yunyang, you're joking. You and I both work for the Prime Minister, so how can we be sentimental? Since Prince Jing has committed the heinous crime of treason, we have no choice but to shoulder the responsibility. There is no place for personal feelings before family and country."
Yunyang exclaimed in praise, "Well said!"
Golden Pig said coldly, "That's enough. Haven't you betrayed anyone over the years? A year ago, when you were still Hai Dong Qing, Ye Yang believed your information and fell into an ambush by the Jing Dynasty thieves. Otherwise, why would the Sheep Position be left vacant for you?"
Yun Yang didn't care at all. "How could I have known the truth when I first received the news? Besides, those Jingchao thieves were eventually killed in the encirclement and suppression by my Secret Service. Lord Ye Yang's death was a worthy one. I know Ye Yang helped you in Wunian Mountain, but his death really had nothing to do with me."
The Golden Pig sneered and drank the liquor in the cup.
Jiaotu said nonchalantly, "You're never quiet when you're drinking. Why are you mentioning Wunian Mountain when you're so happy? Could it be that you still have feelings for that place?"
Chen Ji asked curiously: "Wunian Mountain
What kind of place is this?"
Jiaotu turned to look at him and said with a grin, "All you need to know is that you're lucky to have never been to Wunian Mountain. Don't ask me anything else. Let's drink, let's drink a cup of wine together."
Chen Ji quickly stood up and said, "Please wait, everyone. I'm going to change my clothes and will be back soon."
Jiaotu muttered, "Boring!"
Changing clothes is a euphemism for going to the bathroom. During the meal, people said that going to the bathroom really affects their appetite. However, as soon as he stood up, Yun Yang also stood up and said, "I'll go with you." Chen Ji smiled and said, "Then let's go together."
Jin Zhu watched the two leave the table, his face slightly tense. If Chen Ji wanted to take action, it would be now. He looked around but didn't see anything unusual.
A moment later, Chen Ji returned with Yun Yang. He smiled and said, "Lord Yun Yang clearly didn't need to change clothes, yet he still accompanied me. I guess he was worried that I would be ambushed. Or maybe he was afraid that I would harm him."
Jin Zhu stood up and said disdainfully, "He has a mean mind, always thinking about harming others, so he also worries every day about others harming him... I'm going to change my clothes too."
He slowly left the table and subconsciously looked back as he left. He saw Chen Ji drinking with his head down, his eyes hidden in the shadows.
Jinzhu walked down the stairs of the building hesitantly. When he walked down a few steps and looked back, he saw Chen Ji smiling and talking to Jiaotu, and there was nothing unusual.
He breathed a sigh of relief: the drinking place had been changed, and there were dozens of spies guarding it. It seemed that Chen Ji really would not do anything else tonight.
Jin Zhu walked out of the building and went into the toilet nearby, pinching his nose and unbuttoning his pants. Only he knew that Chen Ji was the swordsman who used firearms in Hongyi Lane. Chen Ji had firearms!
Just now when Chen Ji went to change his clothes, he almost thought Chen Ji was going to take action, but fortunately he didn't.
The Golden Pig murmured to himself, "That's right. I'll forget it eventually...I'll forget it eventually."
However, at this moment, there were dozens of loud bangs, and a huge air wave overturned the toilet, and the brick wall crushed him underneath.
In an instant, flames burst out!
The wooden foundation of the second-story building of Qingzhu Garden was destroyed by the flames. The entire building collapsed with a loud roar like a dismantled frame, turning into a huge ruin.
There was a buzzing in Jinzhu's ears. He struggled to dig out the ruins of the toilet and stared blankly at the ruins in front of him.
Why? Why?
Chen Ji was clearly still inside, so why did he detonate the firearm?!
The Golden Pig murmured, "So from the very beginning, you've been determined to die, to leave Yunyang and Jiaotu here..."
It had been so long that Lian Yunyang almost forgot the paranoia in Chen Ji's eyes when he first met him.
The moment he came out of Taiping Medical Clinic, he never thought that he could go back alive.
At this time, shouts and screams were heard outside Qingzhu Garden, and it was unknown who was approaching.
With a click, a hand stretched out from the ruins, and the arm pried open the broken walls bit by bit.
The ruins were slowly arched up, and finally, Chen Ji stood up from it, with the fire burning in his body, letting the heavy snow fall on him.
In the firelight, Chen Ji looked at the golden pig, panting.
The Golden Pig was silent for two breaths, then lay back down and closed his eyes.
Chen Ji looked around and shouted, "Enemy attack! Come and rescue Master Yunyang and Master Jiaotu! Master Jinzhu, Master Jinzhu, where are you?!"
He originally wanted to look for the traces of Yunyang and Jiaotu, but now it was a ruin and he had no idea where they were buried.
While he was thinking, a sturdy middle-aged man wearing a conical hat rushed in. He had mantis legs and a worker bee waist, and was covered in blood. He looked extremely ferocious.
Chen Ji emerged from the ruins: "You thieves are courting death!"
The middle-aged man did not want to fight and turned away. The two men chased after him into the dark snowy night, one in front and the other behind.
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