Chapter 874: The True Poisonist

Chen Wuji sipped his tea leisurely, smiling as he watched this bunch of people bantering there.

Although everyone seemed to always be together, opportunities to sit like this and chat idly were few. Each person present managed a bundle of affairs, and on days without military business, they rarely met; their communication was almost always through orders.

Most of these people were Chen Wuji's followers in Hezhou; by now they had grown into big figures capable of holding a region, and this growth brought endless busyness.

They could hardly go back to the past, when they trained daily in one place, roughhousing.

The back kitchen began serving dishes; whether server or cook, every face showed clear tension and anxiety, for they had long tied their lives to this meal.

"Everyone eat." Chen Wuji was the first to move his chopsticks.

The food was passable—not tasty, not awful, overall acceptable.

In such a small town, to have a tavern of this scale and to produce food like this is already quite difficult.

One must say, the two local tyrants of Xinglin Zhen still have some ability.

Given time, when true chaos arrives, who knows—they might actually accomplish something.

Unfortunately, Xinglin Zhen's position is rather important, so they encountered Chen Wuji early.

Having eaten and drunk their fill, everyone was sitting in the tavern hall resting when Chen Ruoshui hurried over.

"My lord, everything's been taken care of, but… the only ones we can keep are the slaves abducted from outside by the Xu and Lin families; the others have no need to live. This place is a massive bandit den, and they've used every means possible." Chen Ruoshui's face was grim, like a dark cloud brewing a great storm.

Chen Wuji leaned against the window, relaxed, and asked, "What exactly happened?"

"Behind the Xu and Lin families there's a scholar named Kong Fang who's been devising strategies; all these moves are his ideas. The deputy general investigated and learned that originally there was a wealthy household in the town surnamed Yu, a retired official, who seemed a good man, often helping the neighbors." Chen Ruoshui said.

"He built the roads and bridges of the eleven villages around Xinglin Zhen, and he personally funded a school so the children of those villages could study for free; even this Mr. Yu often came himself to teach."

"However, this Mr. Yu and his relatives were all killed by that scholar surnamed Kong, who poisoned them in secret and then staged it as a bandit raid." Chen Ruoshui said.

Chen Wuji had just heard a bit of interest, developing a little curiosity about this scholar named Kong Fang, but then suddenly the situation took a turn.

"Can these things be confirmed?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Yes, it was the heads of the Xu and Lin families who said so themselves." Chen Ruoshui affirmed, "When Mr. Yu was alive, the Xu and Lin families had no say at all, so they colluded with Kong Fang and plotted to exterminate the Yu household."

"After that, they used various means to seize the lands of all the commoners in the eleven surrounding villages, not leaving a single household untouched. After subduing these people, the Xu and Lin pair, under Kong Fang's secret direction, began to raise death soldiers, employing many methods."

Chen Wuji curled his lip, "This Kong Fang sounds like a capable person, but what he's done is somewhat disgusting—a damned little worm."

"My lord, surely you don't feel pity for talent regarding this person?" Xu Zengyi asked.

Chen Wuji shook his head, "I did have a bit of an idea earlier, but hearing what he's done, dare I employ him? Old Xu, I find the title 'Poisonist' doesn't suit you; you should change it. Look at what this brat does—this is the true poisonist; his grasp of people's hearts can be described as consummate mastery."

"Uniting the weak to overthrow the strong, depriving the people of their livelihood, then coercing and enticing them into becoming death soldiers—this set of little combos can be described as seamless. Had I not met him early, Yan Zhou might have had a place for this brat."

Xu Zengyi shook his head, "Using the title 'Poisonist' on him is somewhat an insult to those words; this brat is utterly a villain who'll stop at nothing to achieve his goals."

Chen Wuji looked at Chen Ruoshui, "No need to report other matters; you handle it. Bring that brat named Kong Fang over—I want to see exactly what kind of little worm he is."

Just now, he had indeed taken an interest in this person, feeling some curiosity.

But after hearing what he'd done, Chen Wuji gave up.

He too has his limits.

Chen Ruoshui responded with an acknowledgement and ordered someone to bring Kong Fang over.

Kong Fang and the chief figures of the Xu and Lin families had already been brought over by her men.

No matter how much power the Xu and Lin families wield in Xinglin Zhen, facing the Sinful Army—a true force that carved its way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood—ruin is only a moment away.

Kong Fang entered the tavern hall; his eyes first noticed Chen Wuji sitting by the window, at ease. He staggered, then with a thud fell to his knees, "Your humble servant Kong Fang pays his respects to Marshal Chen."

Chen Wuji looked at Chen Ruoshui, "Did you reveal our identity to him?"

"No!"

Chen Wuji laughed, "How did you determine my identity?"

Kong Fang quickly crawled forward a few steps, "Replying to Marshal, I've heard the court dispatched four hundred thousand troops south to attack the Marshal. I'm not familiar with the court army, but I know their troops absolutely lack such a fierce killing aura; the soldiers around the tavern at a glance are clearly veterans who've fought with real swords and spears, so I thought only the Marshal could be here."

"That reason seems rather thin," Chen Wuji asked.

"Yes, the Marshal could also be a certain general from Nan Jun, but… those few around you are likely all great generals, and given your exalted position plus the rumors about the Marshal's age, I therefore concluded it must be the Marshal himself present."

Chen Wuji fixed his deep gaze on Kong Fang, "Why do this?"

Kong Fang's head drooped, then suddenly lifted, "Chaos is coming; I also harbor some ambition, and using the Xu and Lin families is the quickest way to amass power."

"Is your ambition merely to harm the innocent?" Chen Wuji asked in a low voice.

"I have not harmed the innocent!" Kong Fang suddenly glared and shouted loudly.

"Hmm?" Chen Wuji felt a stir, wondering if there might be some hidden circumstance.

But the matter is already crystal clear; this brat trying to pull a reversal is unlikely.

"Is there anything else you want to say? Speak, I'll give you this chance!" Chen Wuji said.

Kong Fang gave a mocking smile, his eyes turning icy and vengeful, "When the Marshal says I harmed the innocent, he means I slaughtered the Yu family, led people abroad to loot, and then forcibly imprisoned them, turning them into slaves for the Xu and Lin families, right?"