Chapter 114

“Are you mad?”

Qi Wuxiu’s gaze was like that of someone looking at a fool—only a fool could conceive such an absurd idea. Yet the man before him clearly seemed perfectly sane.

“I’m not mad. It’s Li, the manager of Sitong Money House, who’s gone mad! He’s mad enough on his own, but now he’s dragged me into it with him—do you think he deserves to die?”

Qi Wuxiu set down his wine cup, his expression grave. “Tell me the whole story first. Killing isn’t a game. Do you even know the background of Sitong Money House?”

Chen Guanlou had been waiting for those words—he laid out the entire affair, plainly and thoroughly.

“I knew those goods were suspicious—possibly stolen from the palace. What was I supposed to do? Joining them is easy, but I fear the day my head rolls off. Resist? I’m just a lowly jailer—how can I stand against Sitong Money House? After thinking it over, I realized: only if Li dies might there be a glimmer of hope.”

Chen Guanlou’s face was filled with bleak despair—he had been driven to the edge, and only then had he resorted to this desperate measure. Otherwise, he would never risk his life by angering Sitong Money House.

Qi Wuxiu refilled his wine cup. “This matter doesn’t require murder.”

Chen Guanlou frowned slightly. “Do you have another way?”

Qi Wuxiu paused, weighing his words. “If you trust me, I’ll handle this for you.”

Chen Guanlou hesitated, doubt flickering in his eyes—could this man really do it? Sitong Money House was no ordinary target.

Qi Wuxiu’s temper flared. “If you don’t trust me, why did you come to me?”

“I came to you to kill him.”

“Murder isn’t the only solution. I guarantee I’ll resolve this for you—won’t that ease your mind?”

“Really? No killing?” Chen Guanlou remained skeptical. “Are you planning to negotiate? Even if you’re a martial cultivator, they won’t be intimidated.”

Qi Wuxiu was now angry. “Don’t look down on me. Sitong Money House has backers—do you think I have none? Who’s truly weaker? That’s still up for debate.”

Chen Guanlou finally relaxed. Backers were good—he had sought out Qi Wuxiu precisely because he knew the man had powerful connections. Qi Wuxiu’s unseen patrons were the third force he craved: someone formidable enough to stir up chaos.

Like the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Or more Embroidered Uniform Guard. It had to be the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard were the old Emperor’s hounds—whether it was the Crown Prince or Prince Jin, they feared neither. They’d even welcome the chance to catch either of them in a misstep and report it to the old Emperor.

This was the best way he’d devised after nights of thought: a perfect method to absolve himself entirely while ensuring Li’s downfall.

“Fine! I trust you! I leave this matter in your hands. I only want to be a quiet, law-abiding jailer, earning a little extra cash. This kind of wealth is beyond my fortune—make sure you handle it properly, and don’t drag me into it. Otherwise, you’ll betray the debt of my life.”

Chen Guanlou spoke pitifully, as if the life of a lowly jailer was unbearable.

Qi Wuxiu’s lip twitched. Out of sight, out of mind—he buried his face in his food and ate greedily.

After leaving Chen’s home, he reflected—and suddenly felt a strange sense of being manipulated. He shook his head. Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Chen Guanlou was just a lowly jailer, even the Hou Fu looked down on him—how could he possibly manipulate someone like me? Must be an illusion.

Chen Guanlou slept soundly. Now he only had to wait for good news from Qi Wuxiu.

He paid off Chunxiang’s eldest son, Da Wang, to keep watch on Sitong Money House and report any movement immediately.

Da Wang, licking a lollipop, asked curiously, “What counts as movement? You didn’t even tell me what to look for.”

Chen Guanlou kicked him. Damn brat.

“If someone intimidating shows up—like officials from the government—that counts as movement.”

“What counts as intimidating? Like you?”

“Do I look intimidating to you?” Chen Guanlou grabbed Da Wang by the collar. “I’ll give you one more chance. Say it again.”

Da Wang widened his innocent eyes. “Little Brother Lou, in my eyes, you’re the most intimidating man in the world.”

“You just slapped a horse on its leg. I told you to read more books and stop wandering the streets—you never listen. Even flattering someone, you can’t do it right.”

Chen Guanlou laughed while scolding him. Damn brat—clever as a fox, but hates studying. Chunxiang and her husband had beaten him, scolded him—nothing worked.

“Little Brother Lou, you’re underestimating me. I wish you a hundred years of life and eight wives—wasn’t that a good compliment?”

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

You live a hundred years? Your whole family lives a hundred years?

Chen Guanlou was disgusted. The brat had slapped the horse on its leg again.

“Go watch Sitong Money House. If you do well, there’ll be more rewards. I’ll keep your parents from finding out—you can save your own pocket money.”

“Little Brother Lou, rest easy. I’ve got this.”

The brat skipped off happily.

At Tianlaomiao, jailer Liu She quietly told Chen Guanlou: “Chief Chen, Shi Hong went around borrowing silver from the Yi-cell block, spreading rumors about you. He says you’ve betrayed your fellow jailers and driven him to despair.”

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow. “Anything else?”

“Nothing else. But the jailers who don’t know the truth are furious with you—they say you’re cruel and ruthless, and that you grovel before the two Fan officials with no dignity.”

Chen Guanlou frowned slightly.

Power and profit always come with slander. There’s no such thing as pure benefit without downside.

Young Fan had assigned him to manage accounts—money passing through his hands meant trust and favor, but also guaranteed enemies. Even now, the amount he could skim was negligible—but that’s temporary. The struggle above will eventually end. When the new rules loosen, everyone will return to taking their cut.

“Go get Shi Hong. Tell him I want to speak with him.”

“Chief Chen, don’t act rashly.”

“Relax. I have another reason to see him.”

Liu She didn’t believe him.

Chen Guanlou glared at him. Only then did the man leave reluctantly—and immediately went to consult Xiao Jin.

“What if Chief Chen and Hong get into a fight? What do we do?” Liu She was terrified.

Xiao Jin just grinned. “Don’t worry. We’re all here for money—no one will fight. Just follow Chief Chen’s orders and fetch Hong politely. He’s been in a foul mood lately—don’t provoke him.”

“Really? They won’t fight?”

“Definitely not.”

Liu She could only go to fetch Shi Hong, then waited anxiously.

Chen Guanlou shut the door with Shi Hong. “Hong, we’ve never had any grudge between us. I’m just following orders from above—I never meant to harass you. But I’ll be blunt: someone holds a deep grudge against you.”

Shi Hong had initially dismissed Chen Guanlou, full of resentment. But upon hearing those words, he instantly grew serious.

“You got your position by putting your cousin in bed with the Fan officials—do you realize how much hatred that’s earned you? And yet you flaunt the Fan officials’ favor, treating everyone else with contempt. That’s a fatal mistake in officialdom.”