Chapter 172

The next day, Ma Yunfeng, armed with intelligence and ledgers, launched a new purge.

Jia Simou, knowing Deng Cheng had not returned overnight, suspected trouble and had prepared accordingly.

He chose to confront Ma Yunfeng head-on.

Previously, Jia Simou had been on the verge of siding with the Shuo Emperor's faction, but Deng Cheng brought him news.

The Shuo Emperor was not about to make a sudden strike—he planned a final, desperate counterattack.

The Empress Dowager intended to depose the emperor and install a new one; that's why the Shuo Emperor decided to gamble.

Yet there was a problem: even if LinYuan City succeeded, its impact on the capital would be minimal.

If he switched sides now, Jia Simou would surely die.

As for Deng Cheng lying to him? Possible—but unnecessary.

The Shuo Emperor was cornered; even Ma Yunfeng had been sent. Otherwise, why would the Chancellor himself come for such a matter?

If Jia Simou could just hold out until Qi Qianshan's arrival, the rest would become far easier.

But he couldn't hold out much longer.

Ma Yunfeng had come from the capital and held high rank—he saw things more clearly.

He understood that LinYuan City's affairs must be handled swiftly, accurately, and ruthlessly to best secure the capital.

Chu Danqing, as usual, accompanied Ma Yunfeng as his personal guard.

After all, he had promised Chen Jiunan, and he thought Ma Yunfeng might trigger another side quest for him.

To be honest, if he weren't so unfamiliar with Ma Yunfeng, after observing how he handled affairs and planned strategy, he'd have considered signing a Shanhe Covenant with him.

He and Xiong Zhigang were not the same type—he was more like a strategist or advisor, neither rigid nor conventional, but balanced between innovation and tradition.

His actions were flawless, meticulously considered.

Unfortunately, their paths diverged and they had little rapport; Chu Danqing abandoned those thoughts.

Being near someone doesn't mean you're close—both operated strictly by official duty. How many employees want personal ties with their boss?

"New intelligence: Qi Qianshan will likely arrive tomorrow," Ma Yunfeng said suddenly, still reviewing and annotating documents.

"Wasn't the earliest estimate five days? It's only the third day," Chu Danqing finally understood why the last side quest had a three-day deadline.

Because Qi Qianshan arrived on the fourth day.

"False information," Ma Yunfeng said. "Qi Qianshan anticipated the leak."

"Or perhaps he deliberately caused it—to catch us off guard."

"Fortunately, Zhao Ming Hui kept an extra eye out and uncovered it."

Hearing this, Chu Danqing nodded in agreement.

If Zhao Ming Hui could gather intelligence, Qi Qianshan could counter it too.

"So what?" Chu Danqing asked.

"We've been caught off guard," Ma Yunfeng said bluntly. "Moreover, the Empress Dowager has ordered the Black Flag Army to enter the city to assist the investigation."

"Zhao Tiechuan, commander of the Black Flag Army, was originally a bandit surrendered under amnesty; later, he became the Empress Dowager's favorite, and rose to his current rank."

"He still acts like a bandit, having committed numerous atrocities—killing civilians to claim military merit—but all were suppressed."

"Though Qi Qianshan and Zhao Tiechuan dislike each other, their interests align."

"Once they enter the city, it's essentially over—especially once they unite," Ma Yunfeng said calmly, yet his words made clear they were at a disadvantage.

"Just tell me what you want me to do," Chu Danqing said.

"Delay the Black Flag Army for one day. Qi Qianshan will be handled by Zhao Ming Hui," Ma Yunfeng said.

【Side Quest: Delay the Black Flag Army for 48 Hours】

【Trial Difficulty: A-Rank (Hero）】

【Trial Reward: Paradise Points ×10000, Attribute Points +4】

【Trial Failure: Paradise Points -20000, Random Attribute -1】

"May I ask, how many men are in the Black Flag Army?" Chu Danqing asked.

"One day" meant tomorrow, but counting today, it was two days—forty-eight hours was standard.

It was essentially forcing Chu Danqing to correct the timeline.

"Three thousand: five hundred cavalry, five hundred archers, two thousand infantry," Ma Yunfeng paused. "All heavily armored."

"Two solutions," Chu Danqing said immediately. "Either Zhao Tiechuan dies, or the Black Flag Army is crippled."

"No," Ma Yunfeng rejected outright—he knew the stakes.

Though he clashed with the Black Flag Army, it remained one of Da Shuo's most formidable elite forces.

Zhao Tiechuan's rise was despicable, but his battlefield prowess was unmatched.

He earned his ability first, then climbed the ranks.

"The Black Flag Army is among Da Shuo's few elite units."

"Zhao Tiechuan is corrupt, but he cannot be killed."

"He built this army himself—you kill him, and it will mutiny," Ma Yunfeng explained.

"This won't work, that won't work—how am I supposed to stop them with my head?" Chu Danqing said, exasperated.

Either summon Xiong Zhigang to crush them with heavy cavalry, or have Guo Ming stab Zhao Tiechuan.

Otherwise, how could he possibly hold three thousand men for a day?

"You can use your heavy cavalry to hold them in stalemate," Ma Yunfeng said.

Ma Yunfeng didn't know where Chu Danqing's heavy cavalry came from, but if he was willing to stall, it could be done.

That was one option.

The second was to uncover the origin of the cavalry.

He knew Chu Danqing's public identity was fake; even his former title as a Qinyi Guard Battalion Commander held no real military authority.

More importantly—how could Chu Danqing possibly afford such a force?

The mystery unsettled Ma Yunfeng.

"And then?" Chu Danqing didn't answer.

You just ask me to deploy heavy cavalry? That's not how this works.

The cost of Paradise Points was secondary—the real problem was wasting Xiong Zhigang's twenty-four hours.

He's busy with official duties—how could he possibly waste a day standing guard?

Chu Danqing didn't doubt Xiong Zhigang or the Flying Bear Iron Cavalry's strength—but he had to respect their work.

"Did you know? Zhao Ming Hui's treasury in the capital is actually the Emperor's private vault," Ma Yunfeng said.

Chu Danqing frowned. "So? Are you threatening to withhold what's owed me?"

"No," Ma Yunfeng replied. "I mean we settle the final payment together." He wouldn't stoop to such petty threats.

Such narrow-mindedness wouldn't get anything done.

"No, but at least show me some tangible reward before you keep asking for more."

"You've had me investigate cases before—but now you want me to stop a three-thousand-man army? Do I look like a fool?" Chu Danqing thought more and more of his first internship boss.

The kind who made you work twelve hours a day, weekends off, no salary—just an internship certificate.

"Fine. I'll handle Qi Qianshan. You let Zhao Ming Hui deal with the Black Flag Army," Chu Danqing said, demanding an easier task.

"Zhao Ming Hui can't stop him. Only you and your heavy cavalry can," Ma Yunfeng was determined to make Chu Danqing shoulder the burden.

But he shifted tone, conceding: "You're right—I've made many promises without giving you anything tangible."

He unfastened the seal from his belt and handed it to Chu Danqing.

"This will serve as interest. What do you say?"

Chu Danqing looked—and saw it had attributes.

【Yunfeng White Jade Seal】

【Type: Equipment · Seal】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Official Aura (Passive): Charm +1】

【Equipment Requirement: None】

"Fine. I'll take it," Chu Danqing snatched the small seal, equipped it immediately, and accepted the side quest.

The effect was simple, but in Excellent-tier gear, direct attribute bonuses were rare.

Especially a Charm bonus.

"Here is the Black Flag Army's route. Depart tonight; you must reach this point by tomorrow," Ma Yunfeng said, unfolding a pre-prepared map and explaining it to Chu Danqing.

Chu Danqing listened carefully, then said he'd relay the details to Guo Ming once he arrived.

Yes—Chu Danqing wasn't going to ask Xiong Zhigang. He was going to ask Guo Ming.

There was a way to avoid casualties: capture them.

If capturing Zhao Tiechuan wasn't enough, capture several Black Flag Army officers, leave a few to maintain order, and order them to remain encamped for a day.

Without their leaders, the rest would be easy to handle.

Guo Ming had time; wasting twenty-four hours wasn't a problem.

Chu Danqing could also borrow his cultivation equipment.

"One last question—who is Zhao Ming Hui sending to handle Qi Qianshan?" Chu Danqing suspected it was the apostle known as Lian Yun.

"May I ask a question— who did Zhao Ming Hui send to handle Qi Qianshan?" Chu Danqing suspected it was the apostle known as Lianyun.

For something of this magnitude, the Apostle would certainly be involved.

"You've met her—Lian Yun," Ma Yunfeng's reply turned Chu Danqing's suspicion into certainty.

"Can she even do it?" Chu Danqing was certain Lian Yun, like himself, was not cut out for combat.

We can't go trying to charm Qi Qianshan.

Chu Danqing doubted Lian Yun could even charm Liu Bai.

"I don't know—Chen Hui arranged it." Ma Yunfeng had met Lian Yun once, but didn't know her well.

"If Master Chen arranged it this way, he must have his reasons."

"I have no reason to interfere." Ma Yunfeng wasn't of the Zhao Ming Society—he couldn't meddle.

But he knew Chen Jiunan wasn't the type to be swayed by beauty; choosing Lian Yun must have been deliberate.

"Fine, then prepare for Qi Qianshan to block you anyway." Chu Danqing had confidence—it came from his two allies, Guo Ming and Xiong Mou.

Whether Lian Yun had a card as unconventional as his, Chu Danqing didn't know.

If she didn't, the chance of failure was high.

"You seem to have little faith in Lian Yun." Ma Yunfeng knew Chu Danqing's capabilities and thus valued his opinion: "I've heard you two don't get along—I'd like to hear your reasons."

"No reason—it's just how it is," Chu Danqing replied. "I'll go prepare Da Bao and the others. Watch your own safety."

He couldn't say it outright—it involved the Paradise.

Trying to deceive him wouldn't work either; the man had too much experience—he'd spot the flaws.

Better to say too little than too much, so Chu Danqing simply brushed him off with no explanation.

In a partnership, there was no need to reveal so many cards.

(End of Chapter)