Chapter 2829: The Stand‑In Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit

The next morning, before dawn, the stronghold was already bustling.

Chen Xiaoshan stayed behind to guard Black Mountain Stronghold, while Gu Fanghe led Liu Mianfeng, Yan Qi, Shi Meng, and Jin Chen, a group of five, preparing to head to Southern Prefecture City.

The mountain path was rugged and steep, making the cart difficult to travel. Gu Fanghe had a spacious, comfortable carriage prepared in advance at the mountain's base, personally inspected the horses, the driver, and the support personnel at several critical points along the route, ensuring everything was flawless.

After he finished these chores and returned to the gate, the others had already been waiting a moment.

In the dim morning light, the thin mist not yet dispersed, Jin Chen stood on the blue stone steps by the stronghold gate, wearing a plain white robe, a moon-white cloak draped over it, his hair loosely tied with a jade hairpin.

Gu Fanghe's steps halted; not only him, but Liu Mianfeng beside him also went dazed, the motion of his fan pausing as he murmured, 'Jin brother wearing these white robes… truly makes one dazed.'

Gu Fanghe stepped forward, his gaze tracing Jin Chen's face, his voice lowering: 'Why are you wearing this?'

Jin Chen lifted his eyes, the corner of his mouth curling in a sly arc, his voice light: 'I have my own plan.'

Gu Fanghe furrowed his brows, saying nothing more; even if he felt uneasy and disliked the attire resembling Ruan Sutong's, he trusted Jin Chen to know his limits and have his own schemes.

The mountain path was tough, but for these bandits who constantly traversed Shan Lin, it was nothing.

After about half an hour, they finally reached the mountain's base.

The carriage had long been waiting there; Gu Fanghe helped Jin Chen aboard before climbing in himself, while Liu Mianfeng and the other two rode horses alongside the carriage.

Inside the carriage lay soft cushions, and a small brazier in the corner warmed the interior; Jin Chen removed his cloak, leaning against the cushion, and saw Gu Fanghe take out a half-face mask from his bosom, just enough to cover the red scar beneath his eyes.

Gu Fanghe picked up the mask, hesitated slightly, then slowly placed it on his face.

Jin Chen watched him don the mask; the face usually bearing a stern aura instantly gained a touch of mysterious chill.

'Did you always wear it when entering the city?' Jin Chen suddenly said, his voice soft, tinged with an indescribable ache.

Gu Fanghe's motion paused; he lifted his eyes to look at him.

Jin Chen had already leaned in, removed the mask, and bent to kiss his eyes.

'Mm.' Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple rolled, his voice a little hoarse, 'Not all the time, but when I need to conceal my identity… I wear it.'

After all, General He Feng is dead, and the chief of Black Mountain Stronghold is a wanted criminal of the court; this silver mask is his usual disguise when he needs to appear in public without revealing his true identity.

Gu Fanghe slightly lifted his face, allowing Jin Chen's fingertips to linger over his scar, lightly brushing them.

He liked Jin Chen paying such attention.

Jin Chen said nothing, only lowered his head and captured his lips; Gu Fanghe went limp from the kiss, his arms instinctively wrapping around his waist, pulling him into an embrace.

Until their breathing grew ragged, Jin Chen then slightly withdrew, half-embracing his shoulder, and replaced the mask for him.

After the mask was in place, Jin Chen lowered his head again and kissed the tip of his nose.

Gu Fanghe thought, how could his beloved be this good?

In every way, his indulgence made him revel like sweet nectar, his tenderness left him soft-hearted to the point of being utterly helpless, and his dominance made him willingly submit.

He felt as if, as if he were about to be buried by these affections.

He seemed, as if he were about to be buried by these affections.

Southern Prefecture City, East Market Street, the second floor of the tavern opposite the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

In the private room, someone was already waiting—a man in his thirties wearing plain cloth, a spy planted in the city by Black Mountain Stronghold, surnamed Zhao, who usually did small trades and secretly gathered information for the stronghold.

'Chief,' Zhao the spy bowed with clasped fists, then nodded toward Jin Chen and the others, 'The Third Prince will entertain the Governor of Southern Prefecture, the County Magistrate, and several officials at the Drunken Immortal Tavern this noon. The tavern is closed to outsiders today, its guards tight; sneaking in… would be difficult.'

Liu Mianfeng fanned himself, musing, 'A frontal assault definitely won't work; is there another way? Like… posing as a vegetable deliverer? Or as a tavern helper?'

Yan Qi's eyes lit up, 'I'll pose as a helper; I'm nimble, I surely won't be spotted!'

Shi Meng: 'I can also pose as a firewood carrier.'

Zhao the spy shook his head: 'Today, everyone entering or leaving the Drunken Immortal Tavern must be strictly vetted, even vegetable and firewood deliverers need to register their origins; the Third Prince this time… is very cautious.'

Zhao the covert scout shook his head: "Today, everyone entering or leaving the Drunken Immortal Tavern must be strictly inspected; even those delivering vegetables and firewood must register their origins. The Third Prince this time... is very cautious."

Gu Fanghe's brows knit tight, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

A frontal assault is the worst option; assassinating a prince is no trivial matter—if it fails, the repercussions are endless, and one might not even hear their concrete plans.

Jin Chen, however, said, 'I have a way.'

Everyone turned to look at him.

Jin Chen set down his tea cup, took out a Jade Pendant from his sleeve and placed it on the table, 'The Third Prince's token; he mistook me for Ruan Sutong, so he will surely agree to meet.'

Gu Fanghe's brows furrowed further, 'Improper.'

'Quite proper.' Jin Chen reached out, pinched his fingertip casually, 'Rest assured, I won't let him see through; I'm merely gathering intel, acting as circumstances dictate—having you by my side puts me more at ease.'

Having said that, Jin Chen rose, shoulders straight, the habitual smile in his eyes fading, leaving only an aloof, cold demeanor; even his gaze changed.

He simply stood there, silent, yet resembled……

Shi Meng opened his mouth wide, after a moment murmuring, 'My mother… truly like.'

Liu Mianfeng also narrowed his eyes, a flash of admiration crossing his gaze—this was more than resemblance; it was practically a rebirth.

Gu Fanghe stared at Jin Chen, his fingers unconsciously tightening.

That unease rose again in his heart; Jin Chen was too skilled at disguise, resembling to the point of faking reality, yet the more alike, the more successful, which meant…… the more dangerous.

'…Very well, but no matter what you hear or see, do not act on your own, do not…… let him touch you in the slightest; if anything changes, signal immediately, and I will bring you away.'

""... Okay, but no matter what you hear or see, do not act on your own, do not... let him touch you in the slightest; if anything changes, signal immediately, I will take you away.""

The plan was set; Jin Chen disguised himself as Ruan Sutong, taking the Jade Pendant to the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

Gu Fanghe and Liu Mianfeng donned human-skin masks, posing as attendants and following inside; Yan Qi and Shi Meng lay in ambush to provide support, meanwhile scouting the tavern's surroundings.

Gu Fanghe and Liu Mianfeng put on human skin masks, disguised as attendants and followed them inside; Yan Qi and Shi Meng waited in the shadows to provide support, while also gathering information about the surroundings of the inn.