Chapter 20

Deep night, the Crane Chancellor, still disheveled from seeking immortality, stepped out of the Daoist temple.

The newly appointed chancellor’s steward, Liu Guodong, stood outside, visibly agitated, waiting for a long time.

“What’s wrong? You look like your soul’s been stolen—why so tense?” asked the Crane Chancellor.

After stammering for a while, Liu Guodong finally dared to speak: “Your Excellency… the Lu family… something’s happened!”

The Crane Chancellor snorted dismissively. “What could possibly happen to the Lu family? That’s a massive escort agency—who’d dare touch them? Did someone get killed?”

Liu Guodong: “No… not that.”

“Pfft… I thought it was something serious.” The Crane Chancellor relaxed now that no one had died. “Just spit it out—no beating around the bush!”

Liu Guodong: “The Lu family’s escort was ‘cut’!” (Cut: underworld slang for theft.)

“Cut?”

The Crane Chancellor frowned. “Which escort was cut?”

Liu Guodong: “The one returning from Huanxi Daoist—the newly forged One-Night-Seven-Times Pills, one hundred and eight in total—all stolen!”

Hearing this, the Crane Chancellor grew uneasy but forced calmness. “Go, summon Lu Xiongying to see me.”

Earlier, Lu Xiongying had come personally to report the incident and was already waiting inside the Crane Chancellor’s mansion; less than half a bell later, she arrived at the front reception hall.

Upon seeing the Crane Chancellor, she said nothing, immediately knelt and prostrated herself, bowing her head repeatedly in apology.

The Crane Chancellor suppressed his emotions and asked coolly: “Who did you send on this escort?”

Lu Xiongying: “Your Excellency, it was ‘Big Pen-Brush.’”

“Ah, the infamous ‘Pen-and-Sword Judge,’ Bi Cha the Big Pen-Brush.”

After muttering, the Crane Chancellor added: “He’s a seasoned escort veteran, with a formidable reputation—who’d dare cut his escort?”

Lu Xiongying: “We’re still investigating.”

“Besides the one hundred and eight One-Night-Seven-Times Pills, what else was stolen?” asked the Crane Chancellor.

Lu Xiongying: “Apart from the pills, all other gold, silver, treasures, and antiques remain intact.”

Hearing this, the Crane Chancellor felt considerably relieved.

He didn’t care about the loss of the One-Night-Seven-Times Pills—he was furious and stunned that anyone had dared to cut the Lu family’s escort.

“Investigate this theft privately—do not report it to the authorities, or you’ll invite more trouble.” After giving these instructions, he dismissed Lu Xiongying and returned to the temple to rest.

That night, the Crane Chancellor tossed and turned, unable to sleep—he couldn’t fathom why anyone would risk stealing the Lu family’s escort just for the One-Night-Seven-Times Pills.

On the same night, a familiar visitor arrived at the Plum Chancellor’s mansion: the famed Jianghu thief, the Formless Master.

The Plum Chancellor was no stranger to the Formless Master. Years ago, the Formless Master had broken into his mansion, triggered a trap by accident, and been captured.

Impressed by his superb lightness skill, his ability to scale walls and vanish without a trace, the Plum Chancellor recruited him as a thief-agent to serve as his eyes and ears.

That night, the Formless Master came to the Plum Mansion claiming to have acquired a rare treasure to sell.

When the Plum Chancellor saw a box filled entirely with One-Night-Seven-Times Pills, he grew impatient and tried to shoo him away.

Plum Chancellor: “I’m past that age—what do I need this for?”

“Your Excellency, you don’t understand…” the Formless Master whispered slyly. “The Crane Chancellor uses this to stay erect all night long!”

“That’s the Crane Chancellor—I don’t share his odd habit of hiding in temples playing immortal,” the Plum Chancellor said with disdain.

Seeing the Plum Chancellor wouldn’t buy, the Formless Master wisely took his leave.

Two days later, after court, the Crane Chancellor and the Plum Chancellor were summoned to the Imperial Study for a private audience.

After discussing state affairs, the Emperor suddenly changed the subject: his supply of One-Night-Seven-Times Pills had run out—he needed a new batch.

The Crane Chancellor had already known this—his records of the Emperor’s stock were precise; that’s why he’d dispatched Lu Xiongying to escort the pills from Huanxi Daoist.

Yet, inexplicably, this seemingly ordinary escort had been cut.

The Crane Chancellor looked uneasy. “The new batch takes forty-nine days to brew—I cannot deliver immediately. Your Majesty, please wait a little longer—I will deliver the moment I obtain it.”

Hearing this, the Plum Chancellor secretly rejoiced.

That night, he summoned the Formless Master and bought twenty pills immediately.

Three days later, the Plum Chancellor received an imperial summons and entered the palace; this time, the Emperor received him in the Wenhua Hall.

Carrying a brocade box containing the One-Night-Seven-Times Pills, the Plum Chancellor walked in with a spring in his step.

But instead of being alone, he found the Crane Chancellor and the Rabbit Chancellor already inside.

Before he could process his shock, he hurriedly apologized for his tardiness.

“Minister Mei, no need to apologize—rise, please…”

The Emperor continued: “I was just discussing matters with the Crane and Rabbit Chancellors—it hasn’t ended yet.”

He then ordered his attendant, Ji Qiansui, to bring a seat for Minister Mei.

Though Ji Qiansui wielded immense power, before the Emperor, he was merely a servant.

Ji Qiansui hurried across the hall, brought a purple sandalwood dragon-embroidered stool, and placed it respectfully behind Minister Mei, bowing as he invited him to sit.

Later, as the Crane Chancellor finished his report and rose to leave, the Emperor suddenly called out: “Crane Chancellor, stay a moment!”

“Your Majesty, is there something else you wish to command?” asked the Crane Chancellor respectfully.

“Nothing urgent,” the Emperor said hesitantly. “When can you deliver your One-Night-Seven-Times Pills?”

Before the Crane Chancellor could answer, the Plum Chancellor immediately rose and bowed, exclaiming excitedly:

“Your Majesty, by chance, I happen to have a box right here!”

At once, the Crane Chancellor and the Emperor stared at the Plum Chancellor in shock; only the Rabbit Chancellor looked utterly bewildered.

The Emperor, thrilled, ordered the Plum Chancellor to produce the box immediately.

The Plum Chancellor opened the brocade box and presented it to the Emperor.

The Emperor opened it—the scent, color, and quality were identical to the One-Night-Seven-Times Pills; he counted carefully: exactly twenty pills, no more, no less.

The Emperor was delighted; the Crane Chancellor’s face twisted in fury.

He knew instantly—the twenty pills in the Plum Chancellor’s hands were stolen from the Lu family’s escort.

But he didn’t know how the Plum Chancellor had acquired them.

The Crane Chancellor remained calm, saying nothing about the pills’ origin, and instead made a suggestion.

He said: “These pills were not obtained directly from Huanxi Daoist. Your Majesty, please be cautious—have the Guanglu Temple test them for poison before consuming.”

At once, the Plum Chancellor panicked. “What do you mean, Old Weng?”

The Crane Chancellor: “Don’t misunderstand me, Minister Mei—I’m not accusing you. I’m merely advising Your Majesty to be cautious, just in case.”

“Old Weng… you…” the Plum Chancellor fumed.

“Enough, enough…” the Emperor intervened. “Don’t worry, my ministers—I’ll handle these pills properly, according to protocol.”