Chapter 595

The eldest son of the Chen family walking to the young man's left paused his step and smiled: "Are the two of you acquainted?"

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow and looked at Xue Shao, waiting to hear what he would say.

Xue Shao said gently: "Last year during the bandit suppression in Quanzhou, I was also present. At that time, Daoist Sanzhu held off ten men single-handedly—I admired him immensely."

The eldest Chen son's face lit up instantly as he stared at Pan Yun: "So this is Daoist Sanzhu! I never expected you to be so young—far younger than the rumors suggested. Had I known you were coming, I should have come to greet you myself. My apologies, truly my apologies."

Pan Yun returned the bow with a smile: "Young Master, no need for such formality…"

She turned to Zhang Ziming.

Zhang Ziming smiled and introduced them: "This is the eldest Chen son, Chen Lan."

Pan Yun smiled and bowed: "Young Master Chen."

Zhang Ziming pointed to a quieter young man on the right: "This is the second Chen son, Chen Han."

Finally, he pointed to Pan Yun and them: "This is Pan Yun, my disciple from Long Hushan,"

He glanced at her, raised an eyebrow: "Also known as Sanzhu."

Pan Yun bowed amiably to them all.

Zhang Ziming looked at Xue Shao, saying nothing.

Chen Lan introduced them: "This is Young Master Xue, a scholar who has already passed the provincial examination. He is warm-hearted and generous; upon hearing we were setting sail to suppress the Japanese pirates, he came specifically to assist."

Zhang Ziming gave him a slight nod.

Xue Shao bowed respectfully to Zhang Ziming, then smiled at Pan Yun.

Chen Lan was very enthusiastic toward Pan Yun, inviting her to dinner at Zui Xian Pavilion that evening: "All are young disciples from various sects—Gao Zhiming and Song Xuan from Hengshan, Mu Chen and Lou Yue from Emei, Sun Dacheng from the Beggar's Sect, Jiao Heng, Meng Qi, and Jiang Jin from the Canal Guild, plus the famed Northern Zhao and Southern Meng. It's rare we all gather together. Daoist Sanzhu and Brother Xue, why not join us? We can discuss the suppression plan together."

Pan Yun: "Isn't the suppression plan already decided by the Wu Lin Alliance and the Celestial Master's Mansion? Don't we just follow orders?"

Chen Lan kept smiling and nodded: "True, but how we carry out our assigned tasks depends on our own abilities. I know several of you are highly skilled, so you don't take the Japanese pirates seriously—but even the strongest warrior tires eventually. Suppression isn't a martial arts duel, one-on-one, stopping at the first touch. These sea bandits don't follow any code of honor—they swarm like hornets. Two fists can't fight four hands, especially since some of them deploy formations. We must be extra cautious. Better to gather, exchange information, learn their tactics in advance, and prepare countermeasures."

Xue Shao nodded and smiled: "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

Chen Lan laughed: "Brother Xue is sharp—just one sentence says everything I was trying to say. Exactly right."

Pan Yun looked again at Zhang Ziming.

Zhang Ziming gathered his breath—he didn't believe this stubborn girl was this clueless, needing to read his expression.

She's pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger, just like that smiling man over there.

Despicable. Hypocritical!

Zhang Ziming gave Pan Yun a cold, forced nod.

Pan Yun agreed at once: "I have three junior disciples."

Chen Lan immediately replied: "Of course we'll invite them all."

"Ah, by the way, there's also Qu Le of the Wu Lin Alliance—he's my junior brother and traveling with us." Pan Yun seemed to remember just then.

Chen Lan's face lit up with delight: "So Young Master Qu is Daoist Sanzhu's junior brother? That's perfect! I was just wondering where to find him."

Pan Yun smiled at him: "He's right here in this villa."

Chen Lan was overjoyed and insisted they not stay at an inn—he arranged lodging for them right there in the villa.

It was remarkable—so many people already crammed into this villa, yet there was still room for them.

Xue Shao and his servant were assigned to the guest room next door. Among martial heroes, such formalities as separate rooms were considered proper.

No one understood why, after Pan Hong regained his official post, he didn't bring his daughter home but let her remain a Daoist priest and wander the Jianghu.

Sister Xuan Li was also a noble lady—she barely managed to enter the Imperial Academy, and has never truly trained outside; every time, she just returned home, used her father's influence to stamp her training log.

After setting the dinner time, Chen Lan hurried off to make arrangements—he clearly planned to invite even more people.

Pan Yun and Xue Shao stood before the moon gate between the two guest courtyards, talking.

"Aren't you a Censorial Inspector? How come you only have the provincial examination degree?"

Xue Shao glanced around.

Pan Yun: "Don't look—no one's here. Oh, my junior disciples don't count."

Tao Yanbai and the other three smiled warmly at Xue Shao.

Xue Shao then smiled: "Precisely because I'm a Censorial Inspector, I must travel incognito."

!

Pan Yun's heart stirred: "Has the imperial court also sent someone to join?"

Xue Shao gave a slight nod: "Besides the naval command, both the Northern and Southern Townships have each dispatched a contingent of Brocade Guard."

Pan Yun's brow twitched: "The Northern and Southern Townships sent separate teams?"

Xue Shao chuckled lightly: "The treasure map rumored to exist in the Jianghu is what Your Majesty wants. The Brocade Guards, however, seek merit. If the treasure remains unclaimed, whoever obtains the map earns great merit."

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow.

Xue Shao paused, then added: "Killing the pirates is also great merit."

Pan Yun was displeased: "Why can't the imperial court simply suppress the pirates openly? Why send people to mingle among the Jianghu?"

Xue Shao noticed her displeasure masked by irritation, and his heart stirred—he whispered: "Do you think this suppression will fail?"

Pan Yun stood in the shadows, her face unreadable: "How do you define failure and success?"

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze crossing the courtyard wall toward the Ping'an Inn, her expression grim: "I don't know how the Wu Lin Alliance will arrange things. Right now, everyone is full of morale—when they meet the pirates, they'll fight with all their strength; killing enemies is certain. But with so many sects mixed together, the Wu Lin Alliance can't command them like an army—no strict obedience. Even though we've suppressed the news, once the Jianghu edict is issued and so many martial artists gather here, some well-informed pirates will surely learn of it. If we can't wipe out the pirates—or if we suffer heavy casualties—is that still a victory?"

Xue Shao said nothing.

Pan Yun's gaze pierced Xue Shao like a blade: "Is the imperial court really only avoiding another war because the Luchuan campaign just ended? Or does he want us and the pirates to weaken each other?"

Xue Shao lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Pan Yun murmured: "Martial heroes defy authority—the court certainly dislikes our fighting and killing. I dislike it too… but using the pirates to wipe us out? That's going too far."

Xue Shao asked her: "You've prepared for this battle long ago—why are you asking these questions now?"

Pan Yun: "Did you know the Chen family is offering one hundred thousand taels in compensation?"

Xue Shao's eyes fluttered open, astonished.

Pan Yun saw it—he didn't know.

The two regarded each other in silence; Xue Shao's heart sank, and he said gravely, "Before coming here, I went to the Water Army government office and met Wu Xiaoli. I saw him immersed in the military merit of suppressing bandits, even sending his trusted aide Chu Liang out— he doesn't seem like the type to scheme against you."

Pan Yun finally exhaled in relief: "That's good. Maybe I overthought it."

But Xue Shao wasn't as optimistic as she was; though he'd only been here half a day, he'd already seen the chaos. (End of chapter)