Chapter 110: Fanning the Flames (1)

Yan Ling successfully passed the checkpoint of Shangying City. After circling the streets twice to ensure safety, he flashed into a tavern. Who knew that as soon as he sat down at the table, someone reached out from behind and patted him on the shoulder, "Brother, long time no see. I didn't expect you to come to Chu for business too."

Caught off guard, a stream of True Qi penetrated his acupoints, instantly making him unable to move. Yan Ling secretly lamented in his heart, wondering which enemy had found him at this time. Who knew that when he turned his head, he saw a familiar-looking face. After looking twice, he almost screamed. It turned out to be Bai Shu'er disguised as a man, staring at him with a half-smile.

Another person sat down beside her, brushing her clothes. It was Lv Yi, who had also changed into men's clothing. Yan Ling lowered his head and whispered, "Beautiful Hall Master, your appearance is much more interesting than asking me to dress up as a little maid... Ouch!" Before he finished speaking, he was pinched hard by Bai Shu'er, who leaned into his ear, "Where is the Third Young Master?"

Yan Ling was afraid of being discovered and didn't dare to raise his head, saying muffledly, "Everyone is looking for him now, how would I know where he is?"

"It's fine if others don't know, but don't think about fooling me." Bai Shu'er sat down beside him, seemingly intimately climbing onto his shoulder, whispering softly, "With your miraculous means, the Golden Matchmaker Yan Ling, this is a small matter, how could you let people down?"

Yan Ling couldn't handle her soft and hard tactics and smiled bitterly, "Beauty, don't praise me like this. If we talk about tracking techniques, your methods are not much worse than mine. How would I dare to find someone you can't find?"

Bai Shu'er glared at him angrily, gritting her teeth, "Don't think I can't see it. You set up a false formation to play the Lie Feng Cavalry around, tiring us out until we lost the trail, and finally ended up in the Chu capital. If you didn't know the whereabouts of the Third Young Master, it would be strange if you did this."

Yan Ling laughed dryly twice, baring his teeth and pointing at his shoulder, "Easy, easy. You let go first, my bones are about to break."

With Bai Shu'er's martial arts, she wasn't afraid of him playing any tricks. She hummed and flicked her hand, releasing his acupoints. Yan Ling rubbed his shoulder exaggeratedly and said, "Beauty, why be angry? If you ask properly, I won't not tell you. Having said that, you are dressed so dashingly and handsomely, hugging and holding me in public, what if people misunderstand?"

Lv Yi couldn't help but turn her head and laugh. Bai Shu'er was both angry and amused. She stared at him for a long time, her charming eyes turning softly, and asked, "How is he?"

Yan Ling stretched his hands and feet and said lazily, "Don't worry, that kid has a very tough life and won't die for a while. He asked me to tell you to meet at Luofeng Mountain in Mu State within ten days."

Bai Shu'er and Lv Yi looked at each other, both showing joy. Bai Shu'er asked again, "Is he with that Nine Princess? Since he said to meet in Mu State, why did you sneak into the Chu capital?"

Yan Ling remembered being threatened by Zi Rao to agree to the conditions not long ago and couldn't help but jump, his face dark, "You think I want to come? Who knows if these two have something wrong with their brains, actually wanting me to reveal their whereabouts to Huang Fei, otherwise... otherwise... humph!"

"What?" Bai Shu'er raised her eyebrows, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes. She pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "Have you sent the news out?"

Yan Ling said, "I was caught by you as soon as I entered the Chu capital, where would I have the chance?"

Bai Shu'er's eyes slanted, "That's good. You must keep your mouth shut about this matter. On Huang Fei's side, I want you to reveal another piece of news to him." After speaking, she whispered into his ear, giving instructions.

Yan Ling had just taken a cup of tea to drink and almost sprayed it all out. He said with a bitter face, "My grandmother, are you trying to make me have a double wanted order from the Di Du and the Mingyi Tower after the Xuan State?"

Bai Shu'er smiled, "Anyway, your head is already valuable enough, what are you afraid of adding a little more?"

Yan Ling shook his head vigorously. Bai Shu'er didn't wait for him to speak and grabbed his wrist, dragging him over and saying softly, "Listen carefully. If you reveal their whereabouts to Huang Fei, it's nothing more than helping the East Emperor divert the Lie Feng Cavalry's power and buying time to mobilize troops, but the two of them might not be able to escape back to Mu State alive. But if you follow my plan, Huang Fei will definitely go all out to deal with the Di Du or the Xuan State first. What do you think this is for the Third Young Master?"

Yan Ling was held by her pulse point, his face unable to laugh or cry, "Naturally, it's beneficial and harmless, but I'm afraid the price of my head will more than double. Before long, I'll have to add the wanted order from the Shao Yuan Jun Mansion."

Bai Shu'er scolded, "Stop talking nonsense, do you agree or not?"

Yan Ling scratched his head with his other hand and squinted at her for a moment, "This is not impossible. Anyway, it's not bad for that kid. But you have to tell me first, are the Queen of Chu and that little Prince alive or dead now?"

Bai Shu'er's eyes flashed, and Yan Ling looked at her with a cheeky face, "Don't tell me it wasn't you who secretly played tricks, overturning Chu and the Di Du. Besides you, Beauty, who else has this scheming means?"

"You really live up to the name of the Golden Matchmaker." Bai Shu'er laughed charmingly, then said nonchalantly, "Since they are useless people, why keep them?"

Not long after parting with Yan Ling, Bai Shu'er came to a small building not far from the river. From here, she could see the city defense situation of the Chu army. The mobilization of troops at the eight gates inside and outside revealed an unusually tense atmosphere.

From last night to now, the Chu State could be said to have been turned upside down. The entire palace was almost half-destroyed in the fire. The King of Chu was killed by rebel troops, and the Crown Prince also died unexpectedly. The throne was vacant and undecided, which was a huge factor of instability. Compared to the Xuan State with its army pressing on the border, it was even more dangerous.

But what was daunting was that despite such drastic changes, the entire Chu capital did not see the turmoil it should have. Relying on the two forbidden guards, the Duqi and the Capital Army, Huang Fei quickly suppressed the remnants of the rebel army, summoned the ministers to announce the national mourning, and at the same time made a unilateral decision to establish Princess Han Xi's succession qualification. Facing the strong iron fist of Shao Yuan Jun, the ministers inside and outside bowed their heads and obeyed, and no one dared to have any objections. At the same time, the Jun Mansion general Fang Feibai mobilized troops overnight, personally leading eight thousand elite cavalry to rush to the Seven Cities, replacing Shao Yuan Jun's command, and cooperating with the vanguard forces to stabilize the war situation.

Early this morning, the Chu army successfully took Yun Jian, but did not take Fu Li into their grasp as planned, temporarily adopting a defensive posture to deal with Ji Cang's army. Half of the Chu capital's naval warships were ready to wait, strictly blockading the river, forming heavy encirclements against the core combat power of the Lie Feng Cavalry on the Western Mountain.

These pieces of news were definitely not what Bai Shu'er wanted to see. Huang Fei's calm control of the situation in one day made her feel uneasy. Just as she was considering how to deal with the next step, a wisp of fragrance spread in the space. The curtains tinkled, and a man in silk-embroidered long clothes appeared in the room, clapping his hands and laughing, "Hall Master Bai really has good means. Just by using a little trick, you made the cooperation between Chu and the Di Du a mere talk. Huayue specially came to congratulate you on behalf of my King."

Bai Shu'er turned her charming body to face the visitor, "Has the Xuan King finally agreed to my conditions?"

The Huayue Envoy shook the folding fan in his hand and said, "The old land of the Houfeng State in the past, although the Hall Master's condition is not small, it is not impossible to discuss. It just depends on the Hall Master's sincerity and what plans you have next."

Bai Shu'er raised her pretty eyes, her eyes full of smiles, and turned into a faint sigh in an instant, "Alas, the Zizai Tang has offended Chu and the Royal family deeply this time. If we don't rely on the Xuan King, what can we do? As for the next step, it depends on the Xuan King's actions. The one hundred thousand troops have been standing still, is it time?"

The Huayue Envoy said, "Why is the Hall Master so anxious? Looking at the situation in the Chu capital, although the political situation has changed, it is orderly in chaos, and everything is still under the control of the Jun Mansion. In this way, it won't be long before Huang Fei seizes power and becomes the regent, and the Chu State will be even more terrifying than it is now. Besides, what the Di Du intends to do is still unknown. The current East Emperor is not the former Phoenix Queen. My King does not want to see any possibility of cooperation between the two sides again."

Bai Shu'er naturally understood better than him. If she couldn't topple Huang Fei this time, there would be no chance in the future. She smiled charmingly, "You go back and tell the Xuan King, please rest assured. Since I have proposed the exchange conditions, I have my own way to deal with it, as long as the Xuan King abides by the agreement."

The Huayue Envoy closed his folding fan and laughed, "Good! After the matter is accomplished, you can take back the territory that originally belonged to the Houfeng State in Chu, and my King will attach the three cities of Fuchuan as a reward."

Bai Shu'er stood up gracefully and bowed, "Each gets what they want. Please thank the Xuan King for me."

The Huayue Envoy laughed, raised his sleeves, and disappeared behind the bead curtains. Bai Shu'er raised her head slightly, the charming light in her eyes unpredictable, gradually turning into a captivating smile.

Nie Qi sneaked into Shangying City alone and contacted the Mingyi Tower secret department remaining in the city, only to learn that Fang Feibai had gone to Yun Jian yesterday, and couldn't help but feel annoyed at being late.

In the inner city, Duqi forbidden guards were constantly coming and going on the streets. To hunt down the remnants of the rebel army, many checkpoints and inspections were added. Nie Qi avoided the patrols and headed toward the city gate. He encountered a team of Jun Mansion cavalry in vermilion robes and red gowns. The two leading people, a woman in a goose-yellow light shirt with willow eyebrows and peach cheeks, with a long sword on her back, and a man in green clothes and armor with a silver halberd at his side, were exactly the couple Yi Qingqing and Zhan Xing.

Nie Qi lowered his head and flashed into a nearby alley. When he turned, he caught a glimpse of a person being escorted by the guards and felt surprised. Suddenly someone approached him, "It's the Golden Matchmaker Yan Ling."

The person raised the bamboo hat on his head. It was Su Ying, who had come in disguise. He raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Fang Feibai is lucky this time. When we meet on the battlefield, it won't be too late to take his life."

Nie Qi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Nie Qi is not a reckless person. I still know the priorities. Do you know how this Yan Ling fell into the hands of the Jun Mansion?"

Su Ying shook his head, "I followed all the way, only to see him being restrained by the other party. That Yi Qingqing's Jade Yao Sword Art is very difficult to deal with. He met his nemesis."

Nie Qi frowned, "This person is full of news and mechanisms. Falling into Huang Fei's hands is probably unfavorable to the Di Du."

Su Ying also knew that Yan Ling had a deep friendship with Ye Xuanshang and was afraid that he had obtained news of the Nine Princess. He wanted to find out the truth and said to Nie Qi, "If we can't kill Fang Feibai, are you interested in going to the Jun Mansion with me? I made a military order before I came. If I don't bring back Princess Han Xi, I have no face to go back to see the Lord."

Nie Qi laughed, "I couldn't ask for more!"

"Good!" Su Ying said, "Follow me." The two moved their figures and secretly followed the guard team. But they saw Yi Qingqing and his party escorting Yan Ling through heavy guards into the Jun Mansion, but they were unable to move forward when approaching the long street. Because the Chu Palace was destroyed, Princess Han Xi was currently temporarily living in the Shao Yuan Jun Mansion. The guards in the mansion were more than three times the usual number, and there were forbidden troops guarding the periphery to ensure the absolute safety of the Princess.

Nie Qi and Su Ying searched separately and found that all secret passage entrances were also blocked by heavy troops. At present, the entire Jun Mansion was as solid as a rock. It was harder than ascending to heaven to mix in using ordinary methods.

Nie Qi said, "Huang Fei is prepared. Princess Han Xi must be under the tightest protection. Now, let alone taking her away, I'm afraid it's difficult to even take a look."

Su Ying pondered for a moment, turned his head and said, "There is a way. I'll go get some things. Wait for me at Xilin Lake before sunset."

When Yan Ling was brought into the Jun Mansion, Huang Fei had just returned from the Chu Palace with Han Xi. Han Xi was heartbroken by the tragic death of her brother and sister-in-law and cried until her pretty eyes were red and swollen. Huang Fei temporarily put aside all matters and was accompanying her in the inner hall. After receiving Yi Qingqing's report, he whispered a few words to her and then got up and went out.

Yan Ling's acupoints were restrained and he couldn't move. A pair of eyes were rolling around, observing the surroundings. Huang Fei came out of the inner hall, brushed his lapels, sat down, looked at him and said, "Don't make me waste my breath. Where are Ye Xuanshang and Zi Rao now?"

Yan Ling was swept by his gaze, and his originally cheeky expression couldn't help but restrain by three points. He coughed twice and said, "The Lord's people acted without saying a word. Is it just for this matter? This is the Chu capital. How can my Yan Ling's search for people be as useful as the Lie Feng Cavalry?"

Huang Fei's jade face was faint, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry. He just snorted coldly, "Take him to the Lie Feng Cavalry prison camp!" After speaking, he got up and left.

"If you don't eat the toast, you'll have to eat the forfeit." Yi Qingqing raised her hand to pick him up. Yan Ling shouted in a panic, "Wait, wait! Let's talk! Although I don't know where Ye Xuanshang is, there is a piece of news that is more important than this. Does the Lord want to hear it?"

Huang Fei stopped, and without looking back, said, "Yan Ling, you'd better not waste my time."

Yan Ling said, "Although that's the case, this piece of news of mine is worth at least five hundred Chu gold. We have to negotiate the price before we can talk. Who in the world doesn't know that my Yan Ling's price is always fair and honest? But for the sake of an old customer, a discount can be discussed."

Yi Qingqing let go of her hand, flicked her toes, and a stream of True Qi hit his knee acupoints. "You little slippery head, does the Lord still bargain with you?" Yan Ling let out an "Ouch" and rolled to the ground. His legs were instantly swollen and painful, sour and unbearable. He lay there screaming, not knowing how much was true and how much was false, but even Han Xi, who was grieving in the inner hall, was alarmed. She couldn't help but come to see what happened. Seeing Huang Fei's bad expression, she hurriedly pointed at Yan Ling and said, "Hey! I want to find Sister Zi Rao, tell me quickly where she is!"

"Still not answering the Princess!" Yi Qingqing kicked Yan Ling again, but released his acupoints. Yan Ling crawled up from the ground, his eyes turned, and he lowered his head, "This... I did find the Nine Princess, but when I found her, she was already seriously injured and incurable."

Han Xi was stunned when she heard this, and said tremblingly, "You... what do you mean? Could it be that Sister Zi Rao..."

Yan Ling was about to raise his head when a red figure flashed before his eyes. Shao Yuan Jun was already standing in front of him, saying in a deep voice, "Think clearly before you say it again!"

Yan Ling felt a chill in his heart, only feeling the force of the air in front of him. That kind of invisible pressure made it impossible to even take a step back. He bit the bullet and said, "If the Lord doesn't believe it, you can send someone to follow me to find the corpse, and you will know whether it is true or false."

Huang Fei stood against the light, an indescribable complex color shooting from his eyes. That kind of cold agitation and profound regret converged into a stream, swallowing time in an instant, as if it were the night sky where the wind roared and the clouds flashed. After the stormy waves, it was a piece of silent, boundless darkness.

At sunset, Su Ying returned to the place where he and Nie Qi had agreed at Xilin Lake. Nie Qi had been waiting for a long time. The two used the twilight to go deep along the lake. From a distance, they could see the continuous and towering vermilion walls southeast of the Jun Mansion. Approaching the Jun Mansion, Su Ying took something from his back and threw it over, "Change into it quickly. I saw Shao Yuan Jun leave the mansion when I came back just now. This is a good time."

Nie Qi shook it open and saw that it was a specially made shark-skin water suit, and immediately understood his meaning. The two quickly changed their outfits. Su Ying also threw a copper tube for breathing to Nie Qi, plus two water spikes that were easy to use, and said, "Any mansion with an inner lake or pond always has water outlets and inlets connected to the outside world. I have seen the construction map of the entire Shao Yuan Jun Mansion. There is a waterway in the mansion that leads directly to this Xilin Lake. If my guess is correct, we might go directly to the inner courtyard water pavilion."

Nie Qi learned his way and put on the water suit, finding that it was even connected to a water lung that could be used underwater, and laughed, "It's a pity you thought of it."

The two were dressed and jumped into the lake together.

Not long after moving forward from here, the waterway gradually narrowed. The two took a deep breath and dived into the water at the same time, and the front was instantly dark.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 111 =====