Chapter 347

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

"Why didn't General Dachang kill Cheng Liming?" one of them asked curiously.

"Could it be because he doesn't know about the things Cheng Liming and Yale did?" the other speculated.

"Unlikely. Probably thinks he still has some use?" another offered a different view.

"What use could he have?" someone asked doubtfully.

"I can't say for sure. Maybe General Dachang knows about the relationship between Cheng Liming and Prince Li?" someone put forward a new guess.

"Mm, possible. But with these mountains and long roads, is their information that well-informed?" someone agreed.

"Then why exactly didn't they kill him?" the one who asked first still couldn't figure it out.

"If you can't figure it out, don't think about it. We're just two ordinary commoners; this isn't something we should worry about." another sighed with a face full of resignation.

"Alright, alright, stop talking about this. Change the subject." He hurriedly waved his hand, seemingly bored with the topic.

The two no longer continued discussing Cheng Liming's matter, and Yan Wang did not continue listening either; his thoughts had long since drifted elsewhere.

The teacup in his hand kept rotating in his palm, as if doing so would make his thinking smoother.

Yan Wang was actually quite interested in Cheng Liming's matter; he had wanted to inquire further for other useful news, but after sitting for half a day, aside from that bit of news he'd just heard, he obtained no more valuable information.

So he decided not to waste more time, and the two did not continue prying further.

After they left Yifeng City, Yan Wang suddenly called A Ming to a halt and instructed in a low voice: "Go investigate this Prince Li."

Upon hearing this, A Ming immediately nodded in tacit understanding, his figure flashing as he vanished from the spot like a ghost, going to gather intelligence.

Yan Wang watched the direction A Ming left, stroking his chin thoughtfully, then returned to the military camp together with his companion.

Back at the military camp, the two began discussing the next plan. After deep consideration, they ultimately decided to ferret out the internal traitor first, to eliminate future trouble.

With the plan set, Yan Wang decided to go in person this time. He changed into an ordinary soldier's clothing, cleverly concealing his identity. Meanwhile, Ai Jiao led a small squad, heading to Yuzhou City together with Yan Wang.

Just like that, Yan Wang blended into the ranks like an ordinary soldier, quietly entering Yuzhou City.

The Yu Zhou garrison soldiers spotted Ai Jiao from afar, and fawning smiles instantly appeared on their faces; they all rushed forward nodding and bowing, not daring to utter a superfluous word, and respectfully ushered him into the city.

Simultaneously, a city guard soldier seeing this felt a secret alarm; he knew Ai Jiao's identity was no small matter, so he hurriedly turned and ran as if flying toward the Cishi Fu, preparing to report this news to Lin Shu at the first moment.

However, none of this escaped Yan Wang's eyes. He keenly detected the soldier's abnormal behavior and immediately decided to follow closely behind to see what was what.

That soldier ran wildly all the way, not the slightest bit aware he had been tailed. Yan Wang followed unhurriedly behind, maintaining a safe distance to avoid alerting the other party.

Not long after, the soldier arrived before the Cishi Fu gate. He paused to catch his breath, just about to step inside, when suddenly a hand reached out from behind like a ghost and tightly clamped over his mouth.

Yan Wang struck like lightning, instantly knocking the soldier unconscious. Then he quickly bound him, hoisted the unconscious fellow onto his shoulder, and turned toward the Inn.

At this time, Ai Jiao had already booked two rooms at the Inn and was waiting anxiously in his own room. He kept glancing out the window, calculating the time, looking outward.

Right then, Yan Wang happened to drag the bound soldier to the downstairs of the Inn. He looked up and saw Ai Jiao at the window; the two locked eyes, hearts in perfect sync.

Seeing this, Ai Jiao unhesitatingly flashed into the room; Yan Wang followed close behind, flashing in as well. This series of movements flowed like clouds and water, without the slightest drag.

Must say, the Inn Ai Jiao chose was superbly located, right behind a quiet little alley where few people ever tread, indeed not easy to attract attention.

Yan Wang nodded secretly in his heart, quite satisfied with Ai Jiao's arrangements. He felt cooperating with Ai Jiao was indeed extremely tacit.

Yan Wang swiftly threw the man into the room; Ai Jiao caught the unconscious soldier with quick eyes and hands, then casually tossed him aside like trash. Ai Jiao glanced expressionlessly at the soldier on the ground, seemingly having zero interest in him.

Immediately after, Ai Jiao turned to look at a person beside him — a trusted subordinate. He gave a brief order: "Watch him. When he wakes, don't let him shout and yell, lest he draw others." Finished speaking, Ai Jiao left the Inn without looking back, rendezvousing with Yan Wang.

The two walked side by side, clearly headed for the Cishi Fu. Their steps were steady and light, as if brimming with confidence in this operation.

When they reached the Cishi Fu gate, they stopped to observe. The gate looked no different from usual, but both Yan Wang and Ai Jiao knew this was only surface appearance.

According to the intelligence A Ming provided earlier, the Cishi Fu had quite a few guards, but most were concentrated in the front courtyard, while the rear courtyard had relatively fewer. Especially near the Shufang, several Anqi lay in ambush.

Recalling the information A Ming had reported to him, Yan Wang's heart couldn't help but tighten. He realized there was absolutely something wrong inside.

Based on the impression from their first meeting, Lin Shu gave the feeling of an upright, incorruptible good official. However, if he were truly that clean and dutiful, how could he have so much money to maintain so many guards? Not to mention cultivate several high-strength Anqi.

Both Yan Wang and Ai Jiao's martial arts were top-tier; ordinary patrol guards were child's play to them, easily avoided. So they chose to scale the wall into the rear courtyard.

Upon entering the rear courtyard, they discovered a world apart. First to meet the eye was a rockery, water babbling on it — living water diverted from outside. This not only added a touch of spirited beauty to the whole rear courtyard, but also raised one's estimation of the master's taste.

And beside the rockery, a plump, fair-skinned woman lay leisurely sunbathing on a rocking chair. Atop her head she wore many gold-made jewelry pieces, glittering, exceptionally luxurious. On her left and right, a maidservant attended each side.