Chapter 641: Chapter 356: Lower Class Ambition, A Narrow Escape from Death

He wouldn’t be surprised by the appearance of a tragic prodigy like Shang Zhongyong.

Talent was one aspect; personal effort and opportunity were another.

So Yuan Liu’er’s ultimate achievements and whether she could make further progress would depend entirely on herself.

Afterward, Chen Yi took a key from a box at the corner of the table, placed it on the desk, and said, "This is a house in East Market Outer Pingyao Lane. It’s not far from Kangle Lane where you live. From now on, you will cultivate there. Remember to keep the noise down.

"If I have time, I’ll go there to find you... mostly late at night."

Yuan Liu’er solemnly put the key away. "Thank you, Grandmaster."

Chen Yi smiled and waved his hand. "We are family, there’s no need for such formalities."

After chatting a bit more about the recent situation at Jishi Medicine Hall, he told Yuan Liu’er to go find Pei Guanli.

Tiger Girl had brought her here, so she had to take responsibility for her to the end.

Once the study fell quiet, the sky outside was gloomy under a shroud of dark clouds.

A torrential downpour raged on, the sound of rain unending.

The howling wind battered the flora and trees in Spring Lotus Garden, sending leaves and petals flying against the wooden windowsills of the building.

Inside the study, a few oil lamps were lit, their dim yellow light flickering in the wind.

Chen Yi sat alone at his desk. His transcendent figure sat upright and imposing, and though his shadow stretched and shrank beside him, it could not shake him in the slightest.

He unrolled a sheet of Yunsong Paper, dipped his brush in ink, and drew a heavy stroke on it.

Then, his brush flew across the page with fluid mastery. With just a few sparse strokes, a figure standing on a high platform appeared on the paper—Ma Shuhan.

Once the figure’s appearance gradually became clear, Chen Yi finally set down the wolf hair brush. Pinching a corner of the Yunsong Paper, he examined it carefully.

"Liu Hong, Ma Shuhan... who will be next?"

At 9:00 PM.

The rain had weakened slightly. Since it was already October, every autumn rain brought a chill, and the cold night wind could pierce straight into one’s bones.

Even so, Spring Rain Building was still brightly lit.

Since being sealed by the Government Office a few days ago, a new owner had taken over the building, and business was actually booming more than ever.

Not only did the young masters and lords of the prefecture city flock here, but some wandering martial artists who fancied themselves as romantics also liked to sit here for a while.

The rouge and powder were enchanting; it was a perfect place to listen to music and watch plays.

Amidst the laughter and scolding, many naturally spoke of recent major events.

"Academic Administrator Ma Shuhan of Shu State was assassinated, and the murderer was actually Assistant Imperial Censor Xu Jitong from the Inspectorate Office."

"Academic Administrator Ma wasn’t the only one who died. It’s said that his entire family, young and old, was brutally murdered. Not a single one was spared."

"And I also heard that the ones who did it were..."

A wealthy young master in plain white brocade fanned himself and lowered his voice to spit out two words: "Mountain Race."

Upon hearing this, everyone around revealed expressions of dread and fear.

Living in Shu State, who didn’t know how formidable the Mountain Race was?

It was only in recent years, because the Barbarian Race had marched north to attack the borders—resulting in the deaths and injuries of many experts in the Shu State Jianghu—that the Mountain Race had kept a low profile.

Five years ago, people from the Mountain Race would frequently cause trouble outside.

They mostly clashed with the evil demonic Dao of the Jianghu, acting with decisive ruthlessness.

At this time, someone raised an objection. "The Mountain Race has never interfered with the Imperial Court. Without any reason, why would they make a move against an Academic Administrator?"

"Perhaps Lord Academic Administrator offended the Mountain Race somehow."

"That should be it. Although the Mountain Race acts overbearingly, they prioritize loyalty and righteousness when wandering the Jianghu. They wouldn’t easily leave themselves open to gossip."

The noble families of the prefecture city were well-informed. They would catch wind of any hidden secrets at the slightest sign of trouble, let alone a major event like Ma Shuhan’s assassination.

However, some wandering martial artists inside Spring Rain Building, wearing short coats and carrying weapons, didn’t know much.

Thus, upon hearing about this matter, most of them sided with the Mountain Race and made disparaging remarks about Ma Shuhan.

The words were too foul to hear.

Some scholars couldn’t bear to listen anymore. Just as they were about to speak up, a cold, clear voice drifted down from upstairs.

"Everyone here is a guest. Simply enjoy your leisure, but absolutely do not resort to violence."

Lou Yuxue wore a light veil over her face. She leaned against the railing on the fourth floor, looking down at the chaotic scene below.

Only when she saw those people beg for pardon and scatter did she snort and turn to enter a private room.

Unexpectedly, just as she was about to head to the quiet chamber, she saw a person sitting inside the room.

Who else could it be but "Dragon Tiger" Liu Wu?

Lou Yuxue was stunned for a moment. When she recovered, a flash of joy crossed her face, though she asked in a flat tone, "What wind blew His Excellency Dragon Tiger to Spring Rain Building? Yuxue failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive me."

Chen Yi toyed with the teacup in his hand and looked at her. "Aren’t you acting a bit too much like a stranger, Miss Yuxue?"

Meeting his gaze, Lou Yuxue slightly uncomfortably turned her head away.

"It’s been many days, but you bastard are still just as insolent."

Chen Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Thinking about it carefully, it had indeed been some time since he last visited Spring Rain Building.

Previously, to avoid drawing attention, he had deliberately been infected by the plague poison set by the Five Poison Sect and pretended to be sick while resting in the Marquis’s Mansion.

After that, he had been busy preparing for the annual examination. It was no wonder Lou Yuxue spoke like that.

"Although it’s been a long time, Miss Yuxue is as radiant as ever."

Even though Lou Yuxue was wearing a veil at this moment, her figure was displayed to the fullest.

Draped in a thin silk dress paired with a red buttoned inner lining, her curves were perfectly accentuated, plump where they should be and slender where they needed to be.

It was a captivating sight in its own right.

Lou Yuxue glanced at him, her eyes shining with radiant colors, but her words remained unyielding.

"I don’t deserve His Excellency Dragon Tiger’s praise.

"Now that you’ve killed the Five Poison Sect Leader Yan Jingchen, your name has shaken the Jianghu. A humble woman like me couldn’t possibly aim so high."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "You guys found out?"

Previously, he had acted alongside the people of the Mountain Race and had even deliberately disrupted Heaven and Earth’s Spiritual Mechanism upstream of the Chishui River. He thought he could get away with it.

He hadn’t expected Lou Yuxue to actually know it was his doing.

Lou Yuxue snorted. "If you don’t want anyone to know, don’t do it. Others might be in the dark about what you’ve done, but how could the White Tiger Guard not know?"

"Tell me, what do you know?"

"Liu Hong, the Mountain Race, the Five Poison Sect... do I need to spell it out?"

Hearing this, Chen Yi smiled and shook his head. "As expected of the White Tiger Guard. Your information network is truly exceptional."

Then, changing the subject, he said, "As it happens, I have a matter I’d like your help with."

Lou Yuxue gritted her teeth in secret, lowered her eyes to avoid looking at him, and said stiffly, "No."

"Miss Yuxue, why must you push me a thousand miles away?

"This matter benefits you as well."

"Hmph, everything you do only ends up benefiting..."

After much coaxing and persuading, it was unknown which sentence had soothed Lou Yuxue’s heart spirit, or perhaps she had just figured it out herself.

In short, the two arrived in the quiet chamber a moment later.

Lou Yuxue closed the door, looked at Chen Yi who had seated himself at the table, and said in annoyance, "Speak, what is it?"

Of course, she wasn’t truly angry.

It was just that she hadn’t seen Chen Yi visit in a long time, causing a sense of inexplicable frustration in her heart.

However, when she thought about how she was now a Golden Banner Officer of the White Tiger Guard and might be dispatched to Jinling at any time, she decided not to bicker too much with Chen Yi.

Chen Yi naturally guessed a bit of this, but he didn’t dare dwell on romantic matters. Instead, he asked, "How much have you found out about Ma Shuhan’s case?"

Lou Yuxue subconsciously frowned. "Are you responsible for his death too?"

Chen Yi couldn’t help but grimace, pointing at himself. "Do I look like the type of person to indiscriminately slaughter the innocent?"

"You are."

"...Miss Yuxue, you’ve misjudged me.

"I just felt that Ma Shuhan’s death was suspicious, so I came to ask about it to prevent any further chaos in Shu State."

Hearing this, Lou Yuxue froze slightly. "Are you saying..."

She immediately straightened her expression and said seriously, "Ma Shuhan died suddenly, and his family was completely massacred. We are currently investigating this matter as well.

"However..."

Lou Yuxue paused for a second before lowering her voice. "The Imprisonment Department suspects it was the work of the Mountain Race."

"The Mountain Race?"

Chen Yi frowned, his expression slightly doubtful. "Are you sure?"

Lou Yuxue glared at him in annoyance. "Today, people from the Imprisonment Department examined the corpses of Xu Jitong and Ma Shuhan’s family. They discovered that they all died from a Poisonous Gu unique to the Mountain Race."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi’s expression relaxed. He stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, "The Mountain Race..."

This was indeed strange.

Could the mastermind behind the scenes actually order the Mountain Race around?

After pondering for a moment, Chen Yi asked, "Aside from this, did you make any other discoveries?"

Lou Yuxue nodded, then shook her head. "Xu Jitong was acting strangely at home a few days ago, so he was likely under someone’s orders.

"However, we checked his recent whereabouts. Aside from commuting back and forth to the Inspectorate Office, there was nothing unusual."

"You suspect the person pulling his strings is in the Inspectorate Office?"

"It’s highly possible."

"And what else?"

"In addition, there was nothing suspicious about Ma Shuhan over the past few days either, except for one thing...

"Before the annual examination, he took advantage of the night to go out..."

Chen Yi’s heart stirred. "Where did he go?"

Lou Yuxue said with a solemn expression, "He went to a painted boat on the North City Quchi..."

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