Chapter 252: We are in a fix

Huang Wu is a native of Xinzhou, originally named Huang Xiaoniu, later changed to Huang Du.

The group of scouts they belonged to was small in number; they were cast out widely by Lao Zhao back in the day, before the chaotic times began.

At that time, the Zhao Family had not yet risen to power and funds were tight, so Huang Wu and his peers received little help and had to rely entirely on their own improvisation.

Huang Wu infiltrated a county in the south-central region, truly living as a street ruffian and doing odd jobs; now, his acting is completely seamless.

Free-range scouts—they were just that unrestrained back then!

After the chaotic times began, the Zhao Family rose to power and the Patrol Guard Division was established, so these secret scouts were also incorporated into the Patrol Guard Division.

They have official status!

And those who know the secret of their status number no more than five.

Before Wen Gu came to Shenyi Gu, he obtained the list of secret agents in Shenyi Gu from Lao Zhao.

After the chaotic times began, it was luck that Huang Wu met Doctor Luo. But being able to stay by Doctor Luo's side and be the only one trusted—that is ability. Because he was sent out to gather information years ago, coupled with his excellent professional skills, one can no longer hear a Xinzhou accent in Huang Wu's speech.

Doctor Luo is a suspicious person; whenever there is anything unusual, he will doubt one's identity.

It must be said, this was indeed Huang Wu's opportunity.

When the world first turned chaotic, Huang Wu thought his life would just be like that, but who knew the situation would take a turn for the better; the Zhao Family became one of the Six Great Powers in Beidi, and he immediately perked up, actively and proactively contacting Lao Zhao's confidants.

Today, Huang Wu is like a cage set in advance; he is lucky, having corralled a big target and keeping it firmly inside the cage, just waiting for the master to come and collect the goods.

If one didn't know the list, it would be truly hard to imagine that such a high-profile, ostentatious person with the temperament of a rogue hoodlum is a scout from Xinzhou!

At this moment, this Xinzhou secret scout, Huang, felt his shock slowly fade, replaced by excitement, agitation, and a restless urge to act.

"Deputy Envoy Wen, you really gave me a fright!"

Such great courage—Lao Zhao is truly daring to let people go!

"Deputy Envoy Wen, you called me over tonight for...?"

Secret agents like Huang Wu, who are nailed deep inside large and medium-sized powers, are not to be used unless necessary.

Since Wen Gu made contact suddenly, it must be an important matter.

Huang Wu thought Wen Gu was going to ask about Doctor Luo, but unexpectedly, Wen Gu asked first: "What is wrong with the Seven Treasures Hall?"

People in the Town all say that Huang Wu frequently runs to the Seven Treasures Hall because this idiot is indiscriminate about gender and has taken a fancy to the two good-looking shopkeepers inside.

But as a secret agent with a heavy responsibility and ambition, Huang Wu's actions are certainly not as simple as they appear on the surface.

Huang Wu was somewhat surprised by Wen Gu's words, but quickly adjusted his thoughts and replied: "No major problems, but this Seven Treasures Hall is indeed a bit interesting."

The Patrol Guard Division certainly collects information that is on the surface, so Huang Wu does not need to say more.

He said: "The several shopkeepers of the Seven Treasures Hall are very loyal, know many people, and have developed quite a few connections in Shenyi Gu. I go over there for a stroll from time to time, and I can even pass on some true and false information through them indirectly."

The people at the Seven Treasures Hall want to pry information out of Huang Wu's mouth, not knowing that Huang Wu actually wants to use them to stir up some trouble.

"These few at the Seven Treasures Hall are not ordinary commoners. Especially the head shopkeeper; I learned from chatting with them that he used to be a guard hired by merchant caravans."

"Watching him gesture with others, it's a civilian style, but his martial arts should be quite good. To be able to lead people from his hometown to escape to Shenyi Gu, his brains and skills cannot be bad."

"And that belly he's grown, it has a lot of power. When I patted it, I pondered: if he were to wear a suit of armor and carry a heavy load, he might still be able to travel with ease!"

Huang Wu went to the Seven Treasures Hall and patted the head shopkeeper's belly to tease him; it looked like he was just being handsy, but in reality, it was a probe.

Wen Gu understood.

That head shopkeeper's belly isn't the flabby fat of someone drinking grease; it's muscle wrapped in fat!

Resistant to hunger and cold, able to withstand blows, and powerful.

Huang Wu continued: "In terms of martial strength alone, among the seven of them, the head shopkeeper definitely ranks first, and the one who ranks second—I guess, should be the seventh shopkeeper!"

"The seventh shopkeeper is the youngest; he might have been only sixteen or seventeen when fleeing. He isn't as burly as the head shopkeeper, but I've probed many times and found that this kid hides quite deeply!"

"The calluses on his hands include those from holding a pen to write, but also the old calluses from holding a blade; they have never faded, which shows he has been practicing all along!"

"The seven of them knew each other before; they aren't all martial artists, there are also craftsmen, accountants, and the like."

Saying this, Huang Wu paused, pondered for a moment, and then said to Wen Gu: "Although I don't know the reason, the feeling they give me is that they have never had any intention of taking root and settling down in Shenyi Gu. Perhaps they have seen that Shenyi Gu itself is unstable, and once a change occurs, they will run away at any time. They are prepared to flee again!"

Wen Gu listened to the other's account and nodded in agreement: "Indeed a bit interesting, you can continue to observe."

The Seven Treasures Hall has already developed connections locally and can even run a medicine hall; in the eyes of others, they have already gained a firm foothold. But listening to Huang Wu's meaning, the Seven Treasures Hall is like a vigilant and keen wild beast that has sensed the potential crisis in Shenyi Gu.

Huang Wu observed Wen Gu's attitude, put the Seven Treasures Hall aside for now, and took the initiative to ask: "I heard from my master that Doctor Tang and Doctor Ji have joined forces and secretly dissected a few Plague Ghosts in that place called the Tang Sect."

Wen Gu's brow twitched: "This matter was pushed by the Patrol Guard Division, and at the time, we avoided people. How would your master know about this?"

At that time, there was Patrol Lieutenant Yang outside attracting attention, and there was no one else where the Tang Sect was located; it was even on the back side of the mountain where the dissection took place.

Huang Wu bringing it up voluntarily was also to remind Wen Gu.

He replied: "According to what my master said, those watching the Tang Sect only know that Tang and Ji dissected a few Plague Ghosts, but they do not know that the Zhao Fa Xunweis was the one pushing it from behind."

Wen Gu asked again: "Who did your master ask to find out the news?"

Huang Wu said: "Someone who has a decent relationship with my master and also has the ability to pay attention to the movements, big and small, on these few surrounding mountains—Deputy Envoy, what do you think?"

Wen Gu understood: "Old Imperial Physician Zhan!"

Old Zhan has the greatest prestige in Shenyi Gu and also has his own power.

As expected.

Thinking of something, Wen Gu sighed slightly: "Your master is well-informed!"

Huang Wu was worrying: Could that dissection have been a top-secret operation? Now that the secret is leaked, how should it be covered up? Should I just tie up my master and take him back to Xinzhou?

Wen Gu said: "Old Imperial Physician Zhan is about to make a move!"

Huang Wu:??

Huh???

"Old Zhan is about to make a move? Is he going to challenge the Zhao Clan alone? Or is he going to fight all of the Six Great Clans?" Huang Wu was puzzled.

This is not a wise move; it doesn't look like something Old Zhan would do.

Wen Gu said: "No, he is going to change the status quo!"

The series of major actions Wen Gu took after arriving at Shenyi Gu also had the tacit approval of Imperial Physician Zhan behind them.

Based on information gathered from various parties, as well as multiple provocations and probes within Shenyi Gu, Wen Gu had studied this person, Imperial Physician Zhan.

Having worked in the imperial court for decades—a place where men, women, the old, and the young are all political creatures—Imperial Physician Zhan could not possibly be a soft-hearted person.

"The Jingli Institute is about to take action!" Wen Gu said.

If the Medicine Gang could be of one mind with Imperial Physician Zhan, he would not need to go to such lengths. But as it stands, the Medicine Gang is demoralized and rife with power struggles, and the gathered famous doctors each have their own selfish motives, like loose sand.

"Imperial Physician Zhan must change his strategy to truly live up to the name of the 'Jingli Institute'!"

Into whose hands the Medicine Gang ultimately falls and who controls it is no longer the primary issue for Imperial Physician Zhan.

"What Zhan most wants to solve now is likely concentrating medical resources to overcome the Evil Plague," Wen Gu said.

Upon hearing this, Huang Wu became worried: "Then what should we do next?"

Wen Gu pondered and smiled: "The ones who should be most worried are not us, nor the Six Great Clans, but the Medicine Gang. In Shenyi Gu and the Medicine Gang, there must be quite a few people with a keen sense of smell like those at the Seven Treasures Hall; they have already sensed something."

Wen Gu said to Huang Wu: "Imperial Physician Zhan will not let Shenyi Gu continue like this; there will definitely be major moves. Before he takes action, we must seize the time to handle our own affairs."

Huang Wu voiced his concern: "If old Zhan makes a move, will we have enough time to finish our business?"

Wen Gu said: "It won't be within a month, but before the end of winter, news will certainly be made public."

Imperial Physician Zhan worked in the imperial court for many years, and some habits were influenced by it. When he was in the court, he prioritized stability in his use of medicine; now, even if he wants to take major action, unless forced into a desperate situation, he will still lean toward acting with caution.

"Let's put that aside for now. Right now, the most important thing for us is to get our hands on these medicines."

Wen Gu took out a list.

His movements were smooth and practiced.

Huang Wu thought to himself: As expected of someone who serves as a Deputy Envoy; one look and it's clear he has issued tasks to subordinates many times.

He took the list and looked it over.

Huang Wu's talent for learning medicine is indeed poor, but having been by Doctor Luo's side for so long, he still knows the basics.

"These are all medicines for repelling and killing Poisonous Insects?"

And most are targeted at things like spiders and scorpions.

"My master is indeed skilled with this type of insecticide. It's a pity that his secret prescriptions are very hard to get."

Huang Wu was not making excuses; he explained to Wen Gu: "Luo is a very cautious person. If I show even the slightest trace of interest in his prescriptions, he will definitely change his face! Otherwise, I wouldn't have ended up staying by his side like this, acting like an idiot every day."

Wen Gu turned to ask: "I heard that you often use Doctor Luo's reputation in Shenyi Gu to offend people everywhere? Why?"

"

Huang Wu said frankly: "He himself is always offending people, and if I add fuel to the fire, the two of us, master and apprentice, will offend everyone here."

"Then we will have no choice but to be ostracized and leave!"

Leave to where?

Hello, Xinzhou welcomes you!

So, behind what looks like an idiot, there must be a very strong sense of purpose!

Huang Wu looked at the list in his hand, judged the difficulty of the task, and suggested: "Why not just tie up old Luo and take him away?"

Wen Gu rejected this: "With your master's temperament, you can't use force."

Huang Wu agreed: "That's true. If we really use force, he could poison himself and whoever is binding him to death."

Both sides suffering, perishing together—that is something Doctor Luo would truly do.

Huang Wu could only say: "Then I will go back and find another way to probe him."

Wen Gu said: "No, keep things steady on your end."

Continue to maintain your persona as an idiot!

Wen Gu instructed: "In the next few days—"

Huang Wu: "Should I push things along?"

Wen Gu: "Don't move! Your primary task is to keep Doctor Luo steady and guard him firmly!"

Doctor Luo is highly vigilant and too easy to let slip away.

Huang Wu is like a cage; having finally caged the prey, do not move it easily unless it is time to close the cage for good!

One careless move and the target will run away!

Wen Gu pointed at the list and continued: "The secret prescriptions are definitely difficult, so don't force it. For now, let's get the medicine first. There are several types of medicine on here with quantities marked; have Doctor Luo prepare them within half a month."

Huang Wu looked at the volume of goods and pondered whether the timeframe of "within half a month" was a bit too tight.

He looked at the reward again, *hiss*—"Tiger skin?"

In these chaotic times, supplies are too hard to come by; unless they are top-tier nobles with deep family foundations, ordinary wealthy households cannot obtain tiger skin.

You can't even see a few tigers in the wild.

Plague Ghosts don't just attack people; they also attack other animals.

Tiger skin is indeed very suitable for gifting. Now that winter is cold and the mountains are freezing, it is just right. The nobles will like it very much.

Besides tiger skin, there are Money Vouchers. Not just from Xinzhou, but also from several other factions.

He is truly generous!

If Patrol Lieutenant Yang from outside were sitting here, he would definitely be reluctant to bring these things out. As expected of a Deputy Envoy of the Patrol Guard Division!

However—

"My master is not easily swayed by money and goods," Huang Wu said, "Should I push him a little when the time comes?"

"

Wen Gu said: "No need. Tomorrow, you go to the Seven Treasures Hall first and leak a little information to them."

He whispered a few words.

Huang Wu nodded: "Understood!"

Wen Gu continued, "In two days, take this list to Doctor Luo again. These things are payment, and also compensation for Doctor Luo's overtime—for rushing the work."

Huang Wu happily put away the list, his doubts resolved, and full of confidence: "Although my master has a strange temper, his health is top-notch, he's tough! He will definitely be able to finish this batch of goods within half a month!"

Wen Gu said, "Continue to lie low, go about your days as usual, and do not act rashly. If there is any unusual situation, I will send you a message."

Huang Wu nodded to show he understood: "When the time comes, we will be like jackals and wolves—"

Wen Gu corrected him: "Working from the inside and outside!"

Huang Wu: "Ah, right! Working from the inside and outside, colluding together, and taking them all down!"