Chapter 737: Conspiracy Emerges

West of the capital, at the end of Jiangmi Alley.

Inside the “Wangyou Inn,” the lanterns glowed dim yellow.

Outside the window, fine rain drifted down; several strings of dried chili peppers hung beneath the eaves, while inside, the air reeked of strong liquor and braised meat.

Kuai Dayou and Kong Shangzhao sat across from each other in the corner, a dish of peanuts, half a flask of cheap liquor, braised beef, and pork knuckles on the table.

Kuai Dayou’s face was covered in stubble, his eyes bloodshot; he slammed his wine bowl down hard, splashing wine onto his lap.

He spat: “Damn Zhao Qingxu! Just one step away, Brother Shangzhao—we’d have had the Taodou Mountain wood! If I’d known, we should’ve just gone straight to the execution ground. Why waste all this effort?”

Kong Shangzhao lowered his head, sipping wine, his fingers tracing the rim of the bowl.

He still wore his faded Confucian robe, silent, clearly lost in thought.

As the saying goes, after enduring a trial together, Lin the Fat and the other two had become friends, occasionally gathering to drink.

Kuai Dayou admired Kong Shangzhao’s scholarship, so they grew closer.

Seeing Kong Shangzhao’s state, Kuai Dayou leaned closer, lowering his voice: “Brother Kong, since returning from the Nine Gates Yin Xu, you’ve been distracted. Earlier in your room, I saw your hand shake while copying ‘A Study of the Cao River’s Evolution.’”

“What’s troubling you? Speak up—we’ve been through too much to hide things from each other.”

Kong Shangzhao sighed deeply, pushed away his wine bowl, his eyes reddening: “Dayou, it’s not that I won’t tell you—it’s this cage… I’ve had enough.”

He glanced around; the small inn held only their table, even the landlord dozing in the back kitchen, then whispered: “The Commandant’s courtyard is no better. Every day, trapped in that cramped corner, transcribing testimonies, poring over case files—like a machine built solely to serve others’ achievements.”

I spent weeks uncovering clues to a demonic cult—but the official credit went to those yellow-robed sorcerers from the Zongrenfu!

“I’m just a paper ghost—bowing and scraping before others, returning home to face lonely lamps through endless nights!”

Kuai Dayou was about to comfort him when Kong Shangzhao suddenly clenched his fist, voice hoarse: “I want to leave, Dayou! Like the Twelve Yuan Chen—roaming the rivers and lakes, traveling north and south—that’s life!”

“But… I can’t leave!”

“Why not?”

Kuai Dayou rolled his eyes. “Your legs are yours—can’t you just quit the Commandant’s Office? I’ve told you before: the official world is deeper than the sea. Not a place to stay.”

“But joining the Twelve Yuan Chen isn’t any better—look at the enemies they’ve stirred up. Your frail frame? You’ll die before you reach the next town.”

“Either way, the Commandant’s Office is no place for you. Leave while you still can.”

“It’s not that simple.”

Kong Shangzhao’s voice sank, thick with shame: “You know—I offended the Qufu main line. If not for Lord Luo Mingzi’s intervention, I’d have been cast out of my ancestral hall, turned into a wandering beggar—maybe already dead.”

“He swore to me himself: ‘Shangzhao, stay in the capital. I will settle your family’s troubles.’ If I run, won’t I be a traitorous rat?”

Kuai Dayou’s eyes lit up; he slammed the table and roared with laughter, making the bowls rattle: “All this over that? You bookworm, you danced around it for ages!”

He grabbed the wine flask, refilled Kong Shangzhao’s bowl, and grinned slyly: “Lord Luo keeps his word, you keep your honor—true enough. But can’t we ‘ride the wind’?”

Kong Shangzhao blinked. “What do you mean?”

Kuai Dayou drained his cup and grinned: “The Twelve Yuan Chen are regulars at the Commandant’s Office now—the Steam Engine case, the Eastern Isles disturbances—every major case ties to them.”

“Tomorrow, find an excuse to wander into the Archives. Whisper that a new ‘Ghost Nuo Mask’ has surfaced on the Cao River—possibly linked to the theft of the Taodou Mountain wood. The Commandant’s Office will summon the Twelve Yuan Chen.”

“Then I’ll arrange for someone to report: the case involves ancient scriptures—only someone like you, Kong Shangzhao, a master of ancient texts, can decipher it!”

We can arrange a few “accidents”—lose a few key talismans during the handover, or stage a yao ren attack to force you to join the team—halfway through the case, you’ll naturally follow Li Yan. You keep your dignity, and fulfill your wish!

Kong Shangzhao froze, wine rising to his cheeks, flushing red:

“This… this deceives Lord Luo!”

Kuai Dayou was about to explain further when the inn’s wooden door creaked open—Lin the Fat burst in, drenched, shook his oiled paper umbrella beside him: “Bad luck! Checked ship supplies in the East City—hit another wall. You two are hiding here enjoying peace!”

He brushed rain off his sleeve, plopped down, and without ceremony, snatched Kong Shangzhao’s bowl and drank it dry.

Kuai Dayou’s eyes flickered toward Lin the Fat: “Perfect timing—you’re here. I can’t stand this fool anymore. Help me convince him…”

He recounted the earlier plan.

Lin the Fat thought a moment, then shook his head: “This won’t work.”

“What is the Commandant’s Office? Your little tricks? They’ll see through them in a heartbeat. If they turn hostile, past goodwill won’t save you. But I have something to ask you.”

“My Lin family is a major clan from Jiang-Zhe, but with the rise of maritime trade, heavy imperial sea taxes, shipwrecks, and Japanese pirates raids, we’ve suffered devastating losses—our clan is in dire straits.”

“I dislike meddling in these affairs, but I can’t bear to see my father’s hair turn white—I must find a way to save us.”

He turned sharply to Kuai Dayou: “Brother Dayou, you understand Xuan Gong—you can forge water-fire spirit tools. Will you help me? Find spirit wood for the ship’s frame. Ancient texts mention primordial spirit woods that can withstand the dual forces of gang and sha—if we find one, the ship will cleave waves like a god, piercing through treacherous zones.”

“Easy!”

Kuai Dayou slapped his chest proudly. “But one thing—ordinary spirit wood won’t survive ocean storms. We need the right material. We’re close, but I won’t ruin my reputation.”

Lin the Fat smiled bitterly: “I sought the Taodou Mountain wood for this very reason—but alas…”

Hearing them, Kong Shangzhao fell into thought, pulled a half-rolled copy of “The Shanhai Atlas” from his robe—its corners charred and yellow—and murmured: “This rare copy of ‘Hailing Guangji’ mentions ‘Qiu Wood of Bohai, reaching the Nine Abysses’—it’s said to be near Jinling.”

“Oh?!”

Lin the Fat’s eyes brightened; he smiled: “Brother Kong, rest easy—I’ll handle this. It’ll free you from your misery—and make it perfectly legitimate!”

…………

Emperor Xiao Qixuan’s resolve surged like a mountain collapsing and a sea roaring.

Less than half a day after Zhao Wujiu left, a crimson, gold-embossed secret order struck the Ministry of Revenue and the Inner Court Granary—within moments, all resources in the capital region shifted toward Qiankun Academy.

On the road from Chengtian Gate to the Academy, carriages and horses flowed like a dragon.

Heavy wooden wheels ground over blue stone slabs, emitting a constant dull rumble. The cargo was no ordinary freight—each load covered in thick felt, guarded by elite Jingying soldiers clad in iron armor, eyes sharp.

A specially built carriage, drawn by six powerful horses, slowly entered the Academy’s side gate. Dozens of bare-chested men shouted in unison, carefully unloading a massive object wrapped in oilcloth.

The oilcloth was peeled back—revealing a single block of stone, the size of a water jar, pitch-black as ink, yet faintly threaded with golden veins.

This was the newly discovered Sea-Stabilizing Stone Essence from Lingnan—impervious to blades, immune to fire and water, and more precious still, infused with a trace of primordial water Qi—the supreme material for carving divine statue pedestals.

Another group transported chests of rare treasures, each sealed in purple sandalwood boxes.

When opened, misty vapors drifted out.

Snow-white jade from the depths of Kunlun’s Western Snow Mountains, condensed from a thousand years of glacial essence; Yunlei Crystal, forged over a millennium beneath Sichuan’s thunder-and-fire rock strata; a single flawless emerald from ancient Liao Dong mines…

Each item priceless—now shipped here without hesitation.