Chapter 204: Spy Shadows Clash

The southeastern corner of Chan Prefecture City, an area adjacent to the Grand Canal dock, is a mixed jumble where all sorts of people gather.

Under low eaves, dark alleys crisscross.

The air is perpetually filled with a mix of river fishy odor, moldy goods, and cheap liquor.

Here is a corner of Chan Prefecture City where sunlight never reaches, and also the subterranean channel where information and secrets flow.

The rear courtyard of a warehouse bearing the sign 'Fushun Goods Depot,' located underground.

The oil lamp's light barely pushes back a small patch of darkness, illuminating Qian Gui's expressionless face.

And before him, bound to a chair, lies a thin man who has already slipped into unconsciousness.

The man's clothes are ragged, appearing to be an ordinary dock laborer.

But his right hand's tiger mouth bears thick old calluses, and even in unconsciousness his body remains subtly tense.

All of this shows he is far from being as simple as he appears.

The air carries a faint smell of blood.

And a barely perceptible yin-cold aura, similar to that of the Iron Crow Army.

An investigator from the Inspection Bureau is cleaning several shallow wounds on the man's chest with a damp cloth.

Though the wounds are awkwardly placed, his technique is practiced.

"Boss, he's tight-lipped."

Another investigator spoke softly, his face showing a complex mix of fatigue and admiration.

"We've tried three methods; he only spat out some irrelevant dock slang and a few abandoned contact points. The core information won't budge."

Qian Gui said nothing, merely extending two fingers.

He pinched the man's jaw, applying slight pressure.

Forcing the man to awaken from his stupor due to sharp pain.

The man's gaze was initially scattered, then focused on Qian Gui's face.

That look was like a wounded beast's, full of resentment and a near‑mad stubbornness.

"Pah!"

He spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, his voice hoarse.

"Kill me… you'll never… get anything… from me…"

Qian Gui released his grip, letting the man's head limp downward.

He showed no anger, not even a flicker in his eyes.

He simply paced slowly over to a nearby table.

On the table lay all items seized from the man:

a few ordinary Kaiyuan Tongbao coins, a half‑dried hard steamed bun, a waterskin, and

—a crystal fragment wrapped tightly in oilcloth, only the size of a fingernail, displaying an eerie azure hue.

It was Nether Energy Crystal Ore.

Qian Gui's gaze finally settled on this crystal fragment.

He did not touch it, merely observing silently.

According to information obtained from interrogating captured Nether Shade operatives,

and preliminary research by Zhao Lao Nian, this crystal is not only the power source of the Iron Crow Army,

but it also seems capable of short‑range communication under specific conditions, especially transmitting extremely brief commands or signals.

Its principle is unknown, but the cost is enormous.

It appears to violently drain the user's vitality, and will not be activated unless absolutely necessary.

This crystal fragment is not a whole ore.

but has been specially polished, its edges bearing minute rune engravings, making it more like a… beacon?

or a one‑time receiving device?

"If you won't talk, it's fine."

Qian Gui finally spoke, his voice flat, as if stating an established fact.

He picked up the Nether Energy Crystal fragment, placed it on his fingertip, and brought it under the oil lamp for close inspection.

That azure light seemed to devour illumination, appearing especially eerie in the dim room.

"You have set the uprising to occur at Chen Bridge."

"You need to fabricate a northern invasion military situation as the pretext."

"The Iron Crow Army will deploy the Nether Shade, with Wang Yansheng as Commander, responsible for interception."

With each sentence Qian Gui uttered, the man's body stiffened imperceptibly a fraction more.

Although he struggled to control himself, certain instinctive reactions could not escape Qian Gui's seasoned hunter's eyes.

"These, we already know."

Qian Gui set the fragment down and turned his gaze back to the man.

"I now only ask you three things."

"First, who specifically fabricated the military situation, when, and from where was it issued?"

"Second, the exact time Zhao Kuangyin plans to launch the uprising at Chen Bridge."

"Third, within Chan Prefecture City, besides the known contact points, do you have any higher‑level ones, or… someone like you, a 'messenger'?"

The man jerked his head up, his face first showing utter disbelief.

He could not comprehend why these core matters.

Even many mid‑ and lower‑rank officers involved might not know these details, yet you seem to know them as well as the back of your hand?

"You……how could you……?"

He lost his voice, but immediately realized his lapse and shut his mouth tightly.

His gaze, filled with doubt, swept over the fragments of Nether Energy Crystal Ore on the table.

Qian Gui did not answer his question, merely continuing in that flat tone.

"You carry this item, risking infiltration of the dock, not to deliver ordinary news."

"You are the 'Key'."

"Only when receiving a specific signal or reaching a specific time will this 'key' be 'activated'."

"Guiding out the final, and also the most crucial piece of information"

"——Perhaps it is the final confirmation of the uprising, or perhaps it is the precise timing of the action."

"Perhaps it is……a backup plan for dealing with sudden situations."

"What I said, right?"

"The man's complexion completely changed, all color drained, as if he had seen a ghost."

"Qian Gui no longer looked at him, giving orders to the detective beside him."

"Make him sober up."

"A basin of ice-cold river water mixed with salt was splashed onto the man's head."

"It made him cough violently, the wound soaked with salt water, bringing piercing pain."

"You can continue to endure."

"Qian Gui's voice was like cold iron."

"We have time."

"There is also a way, without killing you, to make you experience a taste ten, a hundred times more painful than this."

"Or you can choose to suffer less by telling me the answers to those three questions."

"Then I will give you a quick death."

"The man panted violently."

"Sweat, blood, and salt water mixed together, trickling down from his forehead and blurring his vision."

"He looked at Qian Gui's eyes, devoid of human emotion, then at the blue crystal shard on the table that seemed to gaze at him faintly."

"His inner defenses, in that precise..."

"Like a scalpel, it began to tear apart inch by inch under the double blow of words that laid bare his secrets and the merciless reality of pain."

"He knew that falling into such a person's hands, death might truly be a mercy."

"What he feared more was that the other side seemed to know everything about them, making his persistence seem meaningless."

"Water……"

"He struggled to utter a single word."

"A detective brought the waterskin to his lips, letting him greedily suck a few mouthfuls."

"……I say……"

"He collapsed in the chair, as if all his strength had been drained."

"Military intelligence……by……members of the Iron Crow Army, disguising themselves as……messengers from Taiyuan Prefecture……three days later……at the start of the Chen hour……entering the city through the North Gate……directly reporting to the Jie Prefecture……"

"The uprising……is set for……when the great army reaches Chen Bridge that night……at the third quarter of the Zi hour……"

"Inside the city……Qingyun Temple……rear courtyard……well bottom……also……a hidden compartment……guarded by……the Temple Master……he……is the 'Listener of Wind'……"

"Haltingly, he revealed the answers to the three questions in full."

"Qian Gui listened silently until he finished, then gave a slight nod to the detective responsible for recording beside him."

"After the recording was finished, Qian Gui walked up to the man."

"The man closed his eyes, offering his neck for the blow."

"However, the expected fatal blow did not come."

"Qian Gui merely reached out and lightly pressed a certain spot at the back of his neck."

"The man let out a muffled groan and fell back into deep unconsciousness."

"Clean him up, bandage him, don't let him die." Qian Gui ordered.

"Chief, no……"

"A detective made a throat-slitting gesture."

"Qian Gui shook his head, his gaze once again falling on the fragment of Nether Energy Crystal Ore."

"He is still useful."

"This 'key' might let us 'hear' more."

"Watch him well."

"Having said that, Qian Gui lingered no longer, turned and left the underground interrogation room."

"Upon reaching the surface, the afternoon sun was somewhat blinding."

"He narrowed his eyes and quickly issued orders to another confidant waiting outside."

"Two matters."

"First, immediately dispatch capable personnel to watch the North Gate; three days later, at the Chen hour, all those entering the city through the North Gate who appear suspicious."

"Especially those claiming to be from Taiyuan Prefecture, they are to be secretly controlled, not to alarm others."

"Second, deploy a unit of 'Hidden Posts' to surround Qingyun Temple; without my order, only entry is allowed, no exit."

"Especially the Temple Master, to be closely monitored, awaiting further orders."

"Yes!" the confidant acknowledged and swiftly departed.

Qian Gui stood in place, slightly raised his head, and looked toward the direction of the Military Governor's residence.

He could feel that an invisible large net was slowly tightening.

But this time, the one holding the net seemed to have changed to them.

He needed to go see Chen Wen immediately.

The specific timing of the Chen Bridge mutiny has already been grasped; what remains is how to use this intelligence to lay a counter-net.

In Chan Prefecture, the espionage shadows' contention has already yielded the first hint of victory or defeat in this dark corner.

And this victory or defeat may directly affect the final outcome of who will possess the world beside the Chen Bridge post station.