Chapter 53: Come, Take the Blame

Xu Yuan stepped out of the alley and circled to the main gate of the residence, looking up to see a blue plaque with golden characters: Chen Mansion.

Xu Yuan left Wangjing Fang and found a random teahouse in town, where he learned that Master Chen was a prominent figure who had recently retired from the Southern Capital, once holding the rank of fourth grade.

After leaving the teahouse, Xu Yuan frowned inwardly: A fourth-rank official from the Southern Capital? Why would such a powerful man be targeting me?

Is Master Qiao their lackey?

What exactly are they looking for?

The items I found in Qiao Zia’ang’s study didn’t seem suspicious at all…

As Xu Yuan walked back, pondering, he realized most of those items were still at home—he needed to return and inspect them again carefully.

…

Xing Guolong left Master Chen’s residence and immediately raced back to his post—a carriage and stable yard in Xicheng.

In this southwestern corner of the city, several warehouses and carriage yards operated here, conveniently near the official road and docks.

This carriage yard belonged to the Chen family.

Xing Guolong’s men were all waiting here.

“Old Qian’s down—now it’s our turn!” As soon as he spoke, his seven subordinates’ eyes lit up: “Our chance has come! Hah…”

Xing Guolong and his men had handled more tasks for Master Chen and received greater rewards.

But Master Chen clearly trusted Old Qian more, entrusting him with all key matters. The men had long been simmering with resentment, determined to outdo Qiao.

Xing Guolong had already prepared—he spread out a hand-drawn map and began assigning positions: “This is He Gong Alley. There are three roads leading into it. Divide up—each of you take one and hold it! When that boy shows up, seize him immediately!”

Try to capture him alive.

If you can’t take him alive, kill him without hesitation!

Xing Guolong slapped a dark-faced man beside him: “Old Si, give each man a Weaving Spirit Spider. After killing the boy, immediately trap his soul.”

Also equip each man with a signal firework—if the target resists hard, light the firework! I and Old Ba will rush to support!”

“Understood?”

“Understood!” the men shouted in unison.

Xing Guolong tapped the table, emphasizing: “Remember—deal with him outside He Gong Alley!”

I’ve checked—everyone in that alley is strange. Old Qian vanished inside it.

Reports from Qihe Tai Town say the boy is only eighth-rank. How could he have killed Old Qian? So we absolutely cannot let him retreat into He Gong Alley!”

Master Chen thought Xing Guolong was not local and didn’t understand the situation—but Xing Guolong had already investigated thoroughly.

Xing Guolong wasn’t foolish—he was doing a life-or-death job; how could he afford to be careless?

His group had three seventh-rank cultivators, the rest eighth-rank.

Individually, each could take down the boy—if we block him outside He Gong Alley and strike fast enough, the people in the alley won’t have time to intervene.

…

Fu Jingyu and Song Lu had been on the move all morning.

In the morning, they went to He Gong Alley but couldn’t find Xu Yuan, so they rushed back to the county yamen to ask Yan Lao for help “divining his location.”

Song Lu had initially been skeptical, but after Yan Lao’s painstaking calculations, he gave a rough range for Xu Yuan’s location: Wangjing Fang!

Fu Jingyu had guessed right!

Otherwise, why would a poor boy from He Gong Alley go to Wangjing Fang!?

The two hurried to Wangjing Fang but couldn’t go in official robes—they changed into civilian clothes and waited outside the Chen Mansion for a long time, yet never saw Xu Yuan’s figure.

Afternoon fatigue set in; they decided to return to the yamen for lunch, then report the day’s developments to their master before deciding next steps.

Just as they reached the yamen gate, Fu Jingyu whispered: “We’re being followed.”

Song Lu raised a delicate eyebrow: “They’ve got a death wish.”

She swiftly scanned the surroundings, signaling her brother: “Lure them into that alley—deal with them.”

They turned into the alley; footsteps quickly closed in behind them. The pair blocked the alley front and back—only to face Xu Yuan’s broad grin: “Captain Fu, I’ve finally found you.”

The pair stared, speechless—we searched for you all morning, and you’ve been waiting outside our house?

But Yan Lao clearly divined you were in Wangjing Fang this morning.

Don’t tell me you went to Chunxiang Pavilion.

Fu Jingyu remained stern: “The last time we met, I did say that if you came to your senses, you could come to the yamen to find us.”

“Yes, yes,” Xu Yuan hurriedly said: “I’m a loyal subject of Huang Ming. After you two visited me last time, I actively wanted to assist the Purification Office with the case, so I stayed up day and night, thinking hard…”

“Enough,” Song Lu cut him off: “Just say what you want.”

Xu Yuan wasn’t embarrassed—he chuckled and said: “This morning, I suddenly remembered—before returning from town, I picked up some junk from the ruins of Master Qiao’s inn. I wonder if you two gentlemen would care to take a look?”

Xu Yuan had just realized halfway: First, whatever Master Chen’s group is looking for, it may not even be in my possession—why should I take the blame?

Second, even if I accidentally took their item… it’s not a treasure to me—it’s a bomb!

I have no idea what it does. If I die over it—or worse, if my stepmother gets hurt—I’d be at a massive loss.

So Xu Yuan decisively changed course and headed straight for the yamen.

The Purification Office is investigating Qiao Zia’ang—perfect timing to pass the blame!

Whatever it is, I’ll hand over everything I found in his study to the Purification Office.

After all, what I truly needed—the gunpowder—has already been absorbed into my dantian.

Fu Jingyu and Song Lu exchanged glances, both thinking: This boy is as cunning as a demon.

You just now remembered you brought back some items from town?

And “junk”… if it were truly junk, would you have kept it?

Yet yesterday he knew nothing—today he suddenly produces something to hand over. Why the sudden change?

He went to Wangjing Fang this morning…

Fu Jingyu had a suspicion.

“Come with us. I’ll bring an elder to join us—he has great experience in artifact authentication.”

“Alright,” Xu Yuan agreed, following them through the side gate into the yamen’s rear courtyard.

“Wait here,” Fu Jingyu left Xu Yuan in a side hall and went to find his master.

Ma Tianshou listened to his report, then nodded approvingly: “Good you’re being cautious. Go get Yan Lao—ask him to accompany you.”

Fu Jingyu and Song Lu changed back into official robes, fetched Yan Lao, and rejoined Xu Yuan: “This is Yan Lao, our elder.”

Xu Yuan beamed and bowed: “Hello, Elder Yan.”

Song Lu couldn’t help herself: “You must address him as ‘Elder’!”

Xu Yuan replied confidently: “In our alley, we all call him that. Calling everyone ‘Elder’ sounds too distant.”

Yan Lao smiled wryly and waved: “Let it be—it’s just a title. Let’s go.”

With Yan Lao present, Fu Jingyu arranged a carriage; soon they neared He Gong Alley.

Suddenly, the driver cried out—then the horses reared and neighed wildly, the carriage lurching violently, nearly overturning.

The four inside stepped out: “What happened?”

The driver was baffled: “This horse is always gentle—today I don’t know why…”

Xu Yuan scanned the surroundings, activated “Wang Ming,” and immediately spotted two cultivators—both eighth-rank.

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(End of Chapter)