Chapter 231: They Can

The old fox stepped forward with both paws and returned to his cave.

Hundreds of mountain spirits guarded it.

Dozens of beautiful ghost maidens served within.

The mountain spirits and ghostly creatures welcomed the old lord inside; he asked, "Where's the Young Lady?"

"I'm here," said Bai Hu, stepping out from within, smiling. "Brother, have you already prepared to depart and return to our ancestral land?"

The old fox waved a paw. "Not returning yet. There's a person… I can't quite make sense of him. I'll stay longer—perhaps he can lend us a hand."

Bai Hu's eyes lit up. "Who is it?"

The black fox didn't answer, but shooed her away: "The siege is over. Go back."

Bai Hu sneered. "Didn't you say the whole city was flooded? How's it not a problem now?"

The black fox explained: "I told you that dragon's calamity was unavoidable. That girl from Shanhe Office, clueless and overreaching, with her crude 'Dragon Transformation Art,' thought she could swallow the dragon. Hmph—she'll inevitably twist into a malevolent spirit."

When the canal bursts, the flood will drown Zhan City—tens of thousands will die!"

But someone intervened and saved the dragon. Hmph, now this is interesting."

The Fu family never takes losses—but I wonder if they've just kicked a steel plate this time."

"Someone saved the dragon?" Bai Hu instantly understood. "That's the person you can't figure out?"

The black fox nodded. Bai Hu grew even more curious. "Who exactly?"

"You know him. Xu Yuan."

"Him?!" Bai Hu was taken aback.

She'd seen him—but… back then, she hadn't noticed anything extraordinary about him.

She was far more interested in the fool who followed him.

He was dull, wooden, and utterly stiff.

If she could win such a man over, not only would bedchamber pleasures be intriguing, but she'd also gain a remarkably wealthy purse for life!

The black fox had been lost in thought, distracted.

Suddenly he turned and saw his sister's gaze was off—he quickly warned her: "Don't you dare meddle! That man carries immense karmic burdens. We must do nothing—just watch secretly. If he can push through, he'll naturally aid us. If he fails… it's fate."

Bai Hu rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'd go near someone like that?"

Her eyes flickered again. "I can't, but those two little ones can. What if…"

She left the rest unsaid, letting her brother decide.

Bai Hu knew her own limits.

She was naturally promiscuous, having rolled in the brothels—chasing Xu Yuan would bring disaster upon herself.

But those two young ones from Plum Pool were both untouched.

The black fox stroked his beard, pondering. "Let me cast a divination first."

…

The Shanhe Office's forces returned to Zhan City's headquarters in a grand procession.

But a true storm was brewing.

The Shanhe Office and Quhui Office had acted together—the Shanhe Office was wiped out, yet every single member of the Quhui Office returned unharmed…

He Youxing heard the news and felt his head spin.

He pulled Xu Yuan and Qu Jinpeng aside. "I can't handle this alone."

"I'll write a letter to the Commandant right away. You two will sign with me."

Xu Yuan didn't evade it. "Naturally."

Wan Yun whispered beside Xie Qingman: "My lord, you should sign too."

Xie Qingman shot him a furious glare.

He Youxing hasn't spoken—why are you butting in?

We're barely avoiding this mess—why rush into it?

He Youxing turned to Xie Qingman.

Xie Qingman snorted. "I don't need to sign. Wan Yun was captured by a malevolent spirit the moment he arrived at Yu Jing Village—he never participated in anything and knows nothing of the situation."

He Youxing didn't expect her to sign—he immediately spread paper, picked up his brush, and began writing to Ma Tianshou.

Wan Yun stood aside, too embarrassed to look at Xu Yuan.

Low rank, weak voice, powerless to control one's fate.

He Youxing finished quickly and handed the letter to Xu Yuan. "Check if anything needs adding."

Xu Yuan read it carefully and pointed out several details needing revision.

He Youxing immediately added them.

Then all signed together. He Youxing sent a rider galloping to Luo City with the letter for Ma Tianshou.

Then He Youxing rubbed his temples and waved his hand at everyone. "Enough. You've all worked hard—go rest."

After everyone left, He Youxing hurriedly wrote another letter to his patron.

To ensure he didn't become the scapegoat in the clash between Quhui Office and Shanhe Office.

…

Xu Yuan stepped out and met Shi Bading.

Shi Bading looked worried. "Younger brother, this won't be easy."

He pulled Xu Yuan aside. "Quick—get Fu Jingyu and Song Lu to write home."

He said no more, patted Xu Yuan's arm, and walked off.

Qu Jinpeng said nothing, slipped back into his office, and began writing to Ma Tianshou.

Ever since hearing Xu Yuan recount the process of this journey, the old man's frown had never lifted.

This is not a matter of who is in the right and who is not.

The Shanhe Office will never let this go; a lengthy and exceptionally rigorous investigation will inevitably follow.

And the Shanhe Office... is accustomed to splitting hairs.

Xu Yuan led the squad directly back to Nancheng; before killing Fu Shuanghui, he had long anticipated this situation.

If Xu Yuan were to choose again, would he still do this?

Of course, he would still kill her!

You want to kill me, so I can only kill you first.

This is the situation of two people walking toward each other on a solitary peak at a dead end; one must fall into the abyss, and only one can survive.

Such a simple principle.

As for the various issues that follow... only after passing Fu Shuanghui's hurdle can the subsequent matters be addressed.

Even if there are countless obstacles, they must be overcome one by one.

If one dies at the first hurdle... there is no need to mention anything else.

So although He Youxing, Qu Jinpeng, and Shi Bading were each full of worry, Xu Yuan remained calm.

The Captains under his command naturally could not think so deeply, but at this moment they too were gloomy.

Just now, when my lord Xu went to see the Master of Laws, they were in the yamen bragging to their colleagues about the merits of this journey—only to be scolded by Shi Bading.

They then realized that something seemed rather amiss.

Fu Jingyu and Song Lu had long since stopped joking.

Song Lu stepped forward a few paces and said in a low voice to Fu Jingyu: "Brother Jingyu, we must inform our families about this matter."

Fu Jingyu replied, "If one's back is straight, one need not fear a crooked shadow; I feel there is nothing to say. If the Shanhe Office wishes to investigate, let them investigate."

Song Lu stamped his foot in anxiety: "You... you..."

Unable to force him, Song Lu thought for a moment; he must inform his own family and have them communicate with the Fu family.

Upon returning to the Nancheng patrol station, Da Fu was the first to flap its wings and cluck-cluck-cluck as it rushed forward, circling around Xu Yuan.

Its hard, flat beak poked and probed tentatively against Xu Yuan's body:

Didn't you bring me anything tasty?

Xu Yuan chuckled and grabbed it by the neck.

Seeing Xu Yuan through the window, Lin Wanmo's heart, which had been hanging, finally settled, and she let out a soft sigh.

She walked out, tied her apron around her waist, and said: "What would you like to eat? I will make it for you."

During the days Xu Yuan was away, Lin Wanmo had purchased all the necessary kitchen utensils.

One cannot eat at restaurants every day; that is not living!

But she would have to return sooner or later; yesterday, Lin Wanmo had gone to the broker's office in the city, looking to buy a maid for Xu Yuan.

(End of this chapter)