Chapter 228 Who is the Pavilion Master?
The newcomer's aura was unfamiliar.
Chen Yi gave a reminder and then quietly left the room.
Lou Yuxue watched him leave with suspicion, then listened intently for a moment, but heard nothing.
Just as I was about to ask, I suddenly heard a slightly amused voice beside me:
"Tiger, your wonton shop is doing quite well."
Lou Yuxue paused, then turned her head to look out the window.
Then they saw a middle-aged man in a straw raincoat, with an ordinary appearance, crouching down and passing through the window.
"grown ups?"
Lou Yuxue recognized the person's identity and immediately knelt down on one knee to pay her respects.
"Your subordinate, a tigress, was unaware of General Xing's arrival. Please forgive her."
The middle-aged man, nicknamed "General Star," waved his hand, took off his straw raincoat, revealing coarse cloth clothing underneath, and said slowly:
Ignorance is no excuse. Get up.
"yes."
As Lou Yuxue stood up, she glanced out the door, secretly wondering if Chen Yi had left.
She knew how formidable General Xing was.
If Chen Yi hadn't left and had been eavesdropping nearby, and had been discovered by General Xing, she wouldn't have escaped responsibility either.
It's better to say something than to say it.
Lou Yuxue knew Chen Yi quite well.
Chen Yi did not leave; he was hiding on the beam of another private room separated by a wall.
"Jianxing, my lord?"
"In other words, they are the superiors of Lou Yuxue and the others."
"Golden Flag Officer?"
A smile appeared on Chen Yi's face. What a coincidence.
He might be able to overhear the purpose behind these hidden guards stirring up trouble in Shu Prefecture.
Not long after, he heard a sound coming from the other side again—
Jiang Xing sat down at the table, glanced at the leftover food, and then looked at Lou Yuxue and asked:
"Has the secret letter from Kyoto Prefecture arrived?"
Lou Yuxue was clearly taken aback. "My lord, a secret letter did arrive just now, but I haven't had a chance to check it yet."
"It's just that the Kyoto Prefecture... Please forgive me, sir, I have never overstepped my bounds and contacted the Kyoto Prefecture without permission."
"Don't be so nervous. When I reported to the Pavilion Master earlier, I asked them to send the secret letter to you."
After Jiang Xing finished speaking, he stretched out his hand and said, "Give it to me."
Lou Yuxue quickly placed the secret letter in his hand, "My lord, should I leave first?"
She stayed here, and regardless of whether she learned the contents of the secret letter, she would at least exchange a few words with General Xing.
If Chen Yi hadn't left, their secret guard operation would have been exposed.
To everyone's surprise, General Xing said nonchalantly, "You stay here, I have a few questions to ask you."
Lou Yuxue lowered her head and answered without hesitation, a complex look appearing in her eyes.
That bastard had to come at the exact time that General Xing was coming.
And what's the deal with his cultivation level?
How was he able to sense the adults' arrival before they even noticed him?
General Xing, unaware of Lou Yuxue's thoughts, looked at the secret letter in his hand and asked:
"The Pavilion Master has already received the information that the fledgling went to the painted boat at Quchi that night, but he still wants you to continue the investigation."
"First, we need to investigate whether the fledgling really met with the owner of Baicaotang that night."
"Secondly, I want you to test the waters and see how well the fledgling has developed in martial arts."
Lou Yuxue was taken aback. "Does the Pavilion Master still suspect that what happened that night was related to the fledgling?"
Jiang Xing paused for a moment, then said without looking up, "Perhaps."
"Although I don't believe that a fledgling could have been involved in what happened that night, since the Pavilion Master has given the order, you can just follow it."
"To avoid any mishaps in the future that might displease him."
Lou Yuxue was about to agree when she suddenly remembered something and replied, "There's a small matter."
"On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the fledgling bird was suspected of being abducted on the Quchi Pond and left the city on a painted boat."
"What is the connection between this and the burning of the summer grain in the three towns?"
"I later learned that there were signs of fighting outside Shuzhou City, which were suspected to be the work of 'Liu Wu' and Liu Lang from Tiebi Town that night."
"Based on the timeline, the chicks should have been not far from there at that time."
General Xing raised his head slightly and pondered, "So, the fledgling is related to Liu Lang and 'Liu Wu'?"
"perhaps."
"Investigate thoroughly and then send a message to the Pavilion Master."
"yes……"
Chen Yi was also somewhat stunned when he heard the conversation between the two.
Chen Yi thought about it for a long time.
The only clue he left behind on the night the summer grain in the three towns was that he wasn't in Chunhe Garden.
However, neither Xiao Jinghong nor Old Master Xiao noticed this flaw.
On the contrary, it was the White Tiger Guard Master, who was thousands of miles away, who noticed it and intended to investigate it thoroughly...
"Who is this White Tiger Guard Master?"
"How could he suspect me based on such a minor flaw?"
This was the second time Chen Yi had heard the title "Pavilion Master".
The last time he heard it, the "pavilion master" accurately judged that Xiao Dongchen, this gray wolf, could no longer be used, and ordered the tigress and the hawk to get rid of Xiao Dongchen after the burning of the summer grain in the three towns.
Chen Yi had the same thoughts back then as he does now.
There was both admiration for the "pavilion master's" meticulousness and surprise at his keen insight.
He can certainly be called a remarkable person.
Then there's Lou Yuxue, who, unfortunately, also got involved in the events outside Shuzhou City.
Really...
At this moment, the general on the other side asked, "How is Luanfeng?"
Lou Yuxue thought for a moment and said, "She recently opened a restaurant in the West Market."
"Apart from that, she spent almost all her time with that top scholar. Even at the Mid-Autumn Festival poetry gathering, the two of them went to Guiyun Academy together."
"What about the Liu family?"
"On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, an imperial edict came from the capital to punish Lord Xiao and Provincial Governor Liu Hong. After that, the Liu family became much more restrained."
"Liu Hong was busy transporting grain taxes to the capital and handling the annual and imperial examinations, while Liu Zhaoxue returned to Jingzhou."
General Xing nodded slightly and didn't ask any further questions. He put down the secret letter, his gaze fell on her, and he said with a smile:
"Thank you for your hard work these past few days."
"The gray wolf is dead, the hawk has fled to Guangyuan County, the phoenix is disobeying orders, and three of the four silver flag officers of Shu Prefecture have left. You must be having a hard time, right?"
Lou Yuxue lowered her head slightly and said, "As a member of the White Tiger Guard, it is only right that I endure some hardship."
"Whether it should be done or not is not up to you, nor is it up to me; only the Lord himself can decide."
"The Pavilion Master has ordered that once you have thoroughly investigated the Mingyue Pavilion, you will be promoted to the rank of Golden Banner Officer."
Upon hearing General Jiang's words, Lou Yuxue was taken aback at first, but quickly bowed and said:
"Your subordinate thanks General Xing and Pavilion Master."
General Xing waved his hand, gesturing for her to sit down and talk, and continued:
"Let me make this clear first: before you become a Golden Banner Officer, I need you to help me settle the matter in Shu Prefecture."
Lou Yuxue responded and sat down next to him.
General Xing glanced at her, his expression turning slightly serious, and said, "Enough with the small talk, let's get down to business."
Then, in a more serious tone, he asked, "How's the contact with King Lando going?"
Lou Yuxue didn't want to answer, but since things had come to this point, she didn't dwell on whether Chen Yi had heard her.
"As you instructed, I made contact with one of King Lando's men the day before yesterday."
"Judging by the time, it should take a few more days for them to reply."
General Xing thought for a moment and then asked, "Do you know where that person is hiding now? What is their identity?"
Lou Yuxue hesitated and said, "This subordinate does not know."
"However, I know that the man is from the country of Vaishsa."
"Despite his best efforts to conceal it, his accent still had subtle differences from the Central Plains accent."
"People of Vaishsa..."
"Ha, that is indeed King Lando's style of doing things: bold yet meticulous, daring to do what ordinary people would not dare to do."
As General Xing spoke, a smile appeared on his face. "In that case, I'll wait here for a few days."
"There's a lot going on in Shuzhou Prefecture, so I can help you out."
Lou Yuxue hurriedly replied, "This subordinate would not dare to trouble you, sir."
"It's okay..."
Listening to their conversation, Chen Yi couldn't help but feel a little confused.
Who is King Lando?
People from Vaishsa?
What are the White Tiger Guards doing contacting the people of Vaishsa?
Before Chen Yi could ponder further, the golden flag officer named General Star said:
"I'll be staying in the West Market for a while. You can find me there if you need anything."
Lou Yuxue was taken aback. "My lord, aren't you staying here?"
General Xing pointed down and said, "Your business here is so booming that you can't even rest at night. I'm afraid of the noise."
"Please forgive me, sir..."
Before Lou Yuxue could finish speaking, Jiang Xing smiled and shook his head, put on his raincoat, said he was leaving, and jumped out of the window and disappeared into the rain.
Lou Yuxue bowed and then just looked at him quietly.
On the other side, Chen Yi also quietly watched the general's back and slowly released the Xuanwu Concealing Breath Technique.
Only after confirming that the general was completely far away did he breathe a sigh of relief, "General..."
Even though he had only heard a few words, he was still amazed by the amount of information contained within them.
The fledgling—himself.
Pavilion Master, the Liu family of Jingzhou, Luanfeng, King Landu, the Kingdom of Vaishsa...
Some of these things he knew, and some he didn't.
But he still had to listen, and he was just as shocked by the sheer size of the White Tiger Guard.
They really are the White Tiger Guard of the Great Wei Dynasty.
Just then, Lou Yuxue pushed open the door and looked around.
Once she realized no one was around, she relaxed. "They left early? That's good..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chen Yi, realizing what was happening, poked his head out from the roof beam: "You were looking for me?"
Lou Yuxue was startled and looked up, her eyes immediately narrowing: "You really dare to eavesdrop on my hidden guards' private conversation?!"
Chen Yi curled his lip, jumped down from the roof beam, and said, "Do you think I wanted to hear this? Isn't this just a coincidence?"
"Besides, you're being secretive in your conversation, using all sorts of euphemisms like 'baby birds' and 'phoenixes,' who knows which ones you're referring to?"
Lou Yuxue was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when she heard Chen Yi continue:
"However, I am certain of one thing: you and your lord were just suspecting that I have a relationship with some fledgling bird."
"you……"
"Don't deny it, I did kill some people with Liu Lang that Mid-Autumn Festival night, but they were not ordinary martial arts people, but evil heretics from the Five Poisons Sect."
Lou Yuxue was taken aback upon hearing this, "Which Five Poisons Sect?"
Seeing that he had successfully diverted her attention, Chen Yi continued, "Naturally, it's the Five Poisons Sect, which has a grudge against the Mountain Clan."
"I wonder where they've been hiding all these years, how they managed to make a comeback and even dare to come to Shu Prefecture."
"But since I've run into them, I have no choice but to kill them."
Lou Yuxue looked at him suspiciously, thought for a moment and said, "That night, were the people from the Five Poisons Sect the ones who kidnapped Granny Shan's granddaughter and Chen Yi?"
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow inwardly, feigning confusion as he asked, "Chen Yi, Chen Qingzhou? And Granny Shan's granddaughter?"
"You didn't kill them to save them?"
Before Lou Yuxue could speak, Chen Yi revealed a smile:
"Now that you say that, I know who the 'baby bird' is."
Lou Yuxue's expression changed slightly, "You...you weren't the one who saved them?"
Chen Yi smiled and shook his head, "If they fall into the hands of the Five Poisons Sect, Miss Yuxue, who do you think can save them?"
"The Five Poisons Sect and the Mountain Clan are sworn enemies. If they were to encounter Granny Shan's granddaughter, they would surely kill her without hesitation. How could they possibly spare her life?"
"Besides, I've heard about what happened that night."
"Did Mr. Qingzhou write a poem called 'Prelude to Water Melody - Mid-Autumn Festival' on the Quchi Pond? Do you think the Five Poisons Sect has such leisure and refined tastes?"
Lou Yuxue pondered for a moment and then believed him.
Based on her understanding of the evil and heretical sects of the Five Poisons Sect, she would definitely kill Pei Guanli if she encountered her.
Then came the chicks, Chen Yi.
The Five Poisons Sect had no enmity with Chen Yi, so it was impossible for them to go and arrest him and force him to write poems.
So I made a mistake...
But that bastard Liu Wu already knows the fledgling's identity...
Moreover, given his relationship with the Xiao family, he might remind the fledgling later...
Thinking of this, Lou Yuxue looked annoyed and asked, "What exactly is your relationship with the Xiao family?"
Chen Yi knew she believed him, and breathed a slight sigh of relief. Instead of answering, he asked, "Then tell me, who is King Lando?"
Lou Yuxue was furious and couldn't help but slap him. "Speak, or I'll go find General Xing right now."
Chen Yi took a slap, but a smile appeared on his face.
"Miss Yuxue, this is my biggest secret, how could I possibly tell you so easily?"
"However, I can assure you one thing: I have little connection with the Xiao family; I've only had contact with a few members of the Xiao family."
That's right.
He was only on good terms with Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan'er, Xiao Wuge, Old Master Xiao, and Xiao Die.
Lou Yuxue stared at him and sneered, "Why don't you say you're a member of the Liu family now?"
Chen Yi spread his hands: "I told you, but you didn't believe me."
"I still don't believe it. If you are a member of the Xiao family, why didn't Old Master Xiao and Xiao Jinghong know of your existence?"
"Huh, you even know that?"
"snort!"
Seeing this, Chen Yi quickly changed his mind and lied, saying, "The Xiao family is in a bad situation right now, and I didn't want to help them."
"But my old man has received favors from the Xiao family in the past, so I can only do what I can."
After hearing this, Lou Yuxue believed it to some extent.
This aligns with the situation in Shu Prefecture and explains why the Xiao family was unaware of Liu Wu's existence.
A moment of silence.
She continued, "Was that big deal you mentioned earlier also for the Xiao family?"
Chen Yi thought for a moment and said, "Yes and no."
As soon as he finished speaking, he realized that Lou Yuxue wanted to get to the bottom of things, so he decided to say a few more words:
"Now that things have come to this, I won't hide it from you anymore."
Do you know why the Five Poisons Sect appeared in Shu Prefecture?
"explain."
"Because of the Liu family, or more precisely, because of Liu Zhaoxue."
Lou Yuxue suddenly realized, "You discovered the Five Poisons Sect while hiding in the Liu family?"
Chen Yi smiled and nodded, saying, "The Liu family of Jingzhou has overreached themselves. How many people in Shuzhou can stand it?"
"Furthermore, they have joined forces with evil sects like the Five Poisons Sect, so my actions against them can be considered as eliminating a scourge for the people."
"As for whether it will help the Xiao family, it could be considered so, but this time I'm not foolish enough to give away the money."
He paused, a hint of resentment on his face: "You have no idea how I felt back then..."
Lou Yuxue glanced at him and snorted, "I know."
"Just like how I felt when you stole my 140,000 taels of silver!"
"...Don't worry, I guarantee you'll make a fortune this time."
"You'd better be!"
"Now tell me, why are you investigating the fledglings? And who is King Lando?"
"Stop asking questions!"
"For the sake of your life, I advise you not to interfere in the affairs of my White Tiger Guard!"
"If the Pavilion Master and General Star discover this, you will surely die!"
"Um, can I take that as you being concerned about me?"
"Hey you...who, who cares about you, you bastard?!"
Not long after.
Chen Yi bid farewell to Lou Yuxue and returned to the Xiao family under the cover of night.
After much persuasion and exhausting his words, he finally managed to dispel Lou Yuxue's suspicions.
He knew, however, that the key to clearing himself of the "young bird" incident and the burning of the summer grain in the three towns lay not with Lou Yuxue, but with that mysterious pavilion master.
Between the pattering raindrops.
Chen Yi looked up at the night sky shrouded in dark clouds, his face showing deep thought.
"I'll have to put on a big show..."
(End of this chapter)
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