Chapter 143: with translation of chapter title

Chen Wuji was numb.

The account book is a matter of secrecy, something tied to Zhang Mingyuan's life; how could anyone just leave it lying around? It must be in the most core place.

Saying "aim with purpose" is easy, but to actually find it is no different than crossing a mountain of knives and a sea of fire.

Looking at Qin Zhanhong's attitude, the purpose of the Imperial City Department's coming to Yunan this time is probably for Zhang Mingyuan.

If it were only for him, Qin Zhanhong shouldn't be putting in this much effort.

"Tell me your plan!" Chen Wuji said with a solemn expression.

"No plan!" Qin Zhanhong shook her head. "I've thought for several days and still couldn't come up with a good method, but their trading days occur only twice a month; missing today means waiting another month, and we don't have that much time."

Chen Wuji:...

"So you just intend to brute-force it? Just steal it directly?"

Qin Zhanhong nodded, "I'll steal it, you provide outside support."

"If things get exposed, I'll take the blame and cover your identity?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Yes!"

"Then wouldn't we both be dead?"

"Um… basically, the identity of the Imperial City Department must not be leaked; this concerns the Court's grand plan!"

Chen Wuji remained silent for a long moment.

"You're really good to me!"

Qin Zhanhong looked at Chen Wuji with watery eyes, bit her lip, and said coquettishly, "As the man who forcibly took me on the mountain, now is the time for you to use your wit; if you can think of a better plan, I'll spend the whole night with you tonight, how about that?"

"Cut it out! Who knows who'd actually enjoy a whole night!" Chen Wuji said speechlessly.

Qin Zhanhong glanced at Chen Wuji resentfully and muttered, "At least give me some face..."

Seeing some people acting like they'd been possessed by a fairy, Chen Wuji felt utterly weirded out.

"Does Magistrate Zhu know about this?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Probably not. What do you think?" Qin Zhanhong put away her joking demeanor and asked seriously.

"Is this person trustworthy?"

"Regarding the Zhang Family matter, he's barely trustworthy."

"If Magistrate Zhu, on the pretense of harboring bandits, brings all the people of the Tavern of Eight Immortals back to the Xianya, wouldn't the account book then be out in the open?"

Qin Zhanhong shook her head. "The Yunan County Office has long become a sieve; aside from Magistrate Zhu, almost everyone else is from the Zhang Family. If Magistrate Zhu were to mobilize troops, not only would we fail to find the account book, we'd likely be slapped with a deadly charge—this would be handing Zhang Mingyuan a knife."

Chen Wuji felt a headache. "This Lao Deng has been in office for years—surely he's cultivated a few confidants? If he sent his confidants ahead to take control of the people in the tavern, then mobilized troops, he could succeed."

"There are, but only two or three little cats—enough for show, but not enough to actually do anything." Qin Zhanhong shook her head. "Besides, I don't trust letting the account book fall into his hands."

Chen Wuji muttered helplessly, "I thought this Lao Deng was a capable person, but he's just a waste; I overestimated him."

"Actually, under the shadow of the Zhang Family, his achieving this much is already not bad." Qin Zhanhong said.

Chen Wuji took a sip of tea and said solemnly, "Let me think this through—meaning, for this matter, the Imperial City Department can't intervene; you've placed all your hopes on me, right?"

"Although I don't really want to admit it, that's indeed the case." Qin Zhanhong also became serious.

"Our purpose in coming to Yunan this time is to investigate Zhang Mingyuan. Moreover, we aren't the first batch; before this, the Imperial City Department had sent two groups, all of whom met an unclear demise and were wiped out."

Chen Wuji's speculation was confirmed, yet he couldn't help but be surprised: "Has Zhang Mingyuan become so arrogant?"

"He has deep background in the Court." Qin Zhanhong said.

Chen Wuji nodded, "I understand."

No wonder Qin Zhanhong prefers to act as his acquaintance rather than reveal the Imperial City Department's background.

Three waves of personnel have been sent to investigate.

If nothing unexpected happens, this is likely a game of wits between the Emperor and a certain high official in the Court.

Qin Zhanhong put away her lazy posture, her expression turning somewhat grave, and said: "If you can help me with this, that's best; if you refuse, I won't force you. You handle external support; if things go wrong, withdraw immediately—you don't need to worry about me."

"Tonight's affair carries some risk; let me also be frank with you. To be honest, after coming down the mountain that day, I had arranged at least ten or more ways for you to die, but I endured them all. You took my maidenhood, so you are my husband. More importantly, I don't dislike you that much—this is a precondition; otherwise you'd already be dead beyond revival."

"I understand!" Faced with this, Chen Wuji really didn't know what else to say.

In fact, he has always felt grateful.

Chen Wuji cut off Qin Zhanhong's sudden surge of sentiment and asked solemnly, "Do you have any people in the city?"

"Yes."

"How many?"

"Three!"

"That's enough. Gather them, set fire to the Tavern of Eight Immortals, and I'll handle the rest!" Chen Wuji said in a low voice.

Qin Zhanhong frowned, "How will you handle it?"

"Taking advantage of the chaos to rob the merchant convoy and the account room of the Tavern of Eight Immortals—just having a ledger like that is still too weak evidence. Since we're doing this, we might as well also record full testimonies from everyone up and down the merchant convoy and the tavern!" Chen Wuji said in a low voice.

"A single dead object, with Zhang Mingyuan's background, would be too easy to overturn; they just need to find a clan junior to take the fall, and they could easily render our life‑risking gains null and void!"

Qin Zhanhong didn't oppose Chen Wuji's view, merely lamenting, "But we only have five people—how are we supposed to rob them? The Southwest Yi merchant convoy numbers over twenty."

"You don't need to worry about that; I'll go find manpower." Chen Wuji said.

"If we can find manpower, we'll proceed accordingly; if not, we'll have to fall back on your plan. Either way, I won't abandon you. After the robbery, you should have a place to settle these people, right?"

"Yes."

"Then that's settled; I'll go out for a bit."

Chen Wuji made up his mind to pull off a big one.

Even if Chen Wuji and Qin Zhanhong have no relation, they're two grasshoppers on the same rope, sharing a common goal.

This opportunity must not be missed.

"Be careful!" Qin Zhanhong suddenly stood up and hugged Chen Wuji, "From now on, I'll let you take the initiative… and… thank you."

Chen Wuji chuckled, "I can only say your taste is truly good—you found such a good husband."

"Pah, shameless! I just felt that day on the mountain…… was rather comfortable, that's all; don't go patting yourself on the back." Qin Zhanhong said, slightly annoyed.

Chen Wuji exclaimed, his face full of surprise, "So that must be your real reason, then?"

"Having three reasons is not acceptable."

Chen Wuji burst out laughing.

Shenxian Ling truly can be considered his blessed land.