Chapter 43: Tianji Pavilion’s Intelligence Exposed! Three-Hundred-Year-Old Ginseng!
The night streets were quiet, save for the sound of the night watchman's clapper. Qin Wang, dressed in black, wielding a piece of intelligence, employed the Eagle Flight technique to evade the night watchman and swiftly pasted a piece of intelligence on the front of the Kesla Tavern before moving on to the next location.
"This method of pasting one by one is too cumbersome. If I could learn the Su family's throwing knife techniques, I could attach the intelligence to a throwing knife and shoot it out, delivering it without leaving a trace. How convenient that would be!"
Half an hour later, Qin Wang stood on the Yuema Bridge in Yan Yun County, looking into the distance with a thoughtful expression.
Using throwing knives to deliver intelligence was indeed convenient and quick, allowing exposure day or night. He remembered that the four major families in Yan Yun County had their own specialties: the Chen family practiced Purple Sun Techniques, the Zhang family excelled in swordsmanship, the Lin family in palm techniques, and the Su family in their astonishing flying knives. However, the Su family wasn't a martial arts school. He would have to loiter around the Su family residence to see if he could gather any intelligence on their flying knife techniques.
"Let's first take a look around the Chen and Su family residences."
Qin Wang decided, and using the Eagle Flight technique, headed towards the Su and Chen families.
[Daily Intelligence Refresh!]
[Today's Intelligence]
1: Yesterday, you exposed that the head of the Chen family killed Zhang Aofeng and is planning to eliminate the Lin and Su families. As a result, members of the Zhang family will visit Chen Kun today to demand an explanation, while the Lin and Su families have joined forces to guard against Chen Kun.
2: Yesterday, you exposed Chen Kun's secret actions. As a result, Chen Kun, realizing the Tianji Pavilion exposed him, is deeply wary and puzzled about how he offended the all-knowing Bai Xiao Shenjun. Consequently, he has altered his strategy against the Lin and Su families.
3: Yesterday, you went to Yuema Bridge and obtained related intelligence. As a result, Li Chunxia, wife of the deceased chief constable Zheng Kecheng, after learning of his deceit, committed suicide by jumping off Yuema Bridge.
4: Yesterday, you exposed County Magistrate Chen Hao. As a result, the entire Yan Yun County is in an uproar upon learning that Chen Hao lasts only three breaths in bed and plans to abandon the city. Thousands of relatives of the 'medicinal men' are heading to the county office to demand justice, escalating the situation.
5: Yesterday, you exposed Chief Constable Zheng Kecheng and Chen Hao, causing widespread outrage among the townsfolk. They have set fire to the county office, forcing Chen Hao to flee through the back door.
7: Yesterday, you perused Qingyao Shangren's handwritten notes on alchemy and learned that Qingyao Shangren had once refined Body Tempering Pills, Qi Condensing Pills, and Qi Nourishing Pills.
9: Yesterday, you perused Qingyao Shangren's alchemy notes and learned that his greatest regret was not being able to grow old with Zhang Panpan. On his deathbed, he kept murmuring, 'Love rises with the wind, but when the wind stops, the love remains.'
10: Yesterday, while wandering around the Chen family residence, you learned that Chen Kun's eldest son, Chen Tianyu, will return from Qingyun County with a three-hundred-year-old ginseng to nourish his grandmother Zhuo Qiumei's health. He will pass through the small path in Qingfeng Forest by the Black River at 3 PM today.
"Intelligence has refreshed!"
Qin Wang's eyes lit up with anticipation as he reviewed the new intelligence.
"The Zhang family only dares to demand an explanation from Chen Kun, knowing he killed Zhang Aofeng, but they won't dare to attack outright. I wonder if the Lin and Su families will have the courage."
Qin Wang pondered over the first and second pieces of intelligence. Chen Kun, having killed Zhang Aofeng using the Purple Sun Sword Technique and with his youngest son Chen Yi practicing in an immortal sect, was feared by the Zhang, Lin, and Su families, who were reluctant to confront him directly.
Only by devising another strategy to provoke and weaken the Chen family's power would success be possible.
The third piece of intelligence was about Li Chunxia. Regardless of her actions, she wouldn't have lived much longer after discovering the truth.
"Chen Hao fled through the back door! That vile official!"
Qin Wang narrowed his eyes at the fourth and fifth pieces of intelligence. Chen Hao's current predicament was well-deserved.
"Body Tempering Pills, Qi Condensing Pills, Qi Nourishing Pills? Are these used by immortals?"
Qin Wang's anticipation for Qingyao Shangren's cave grew even more with the seventh piece of intelligence. Qingyao Shangren seemed to be the guide on his path to immortality.
"Chen Kun's eldest son, Chen Tianyu, is bringing back a three-hundred-year-old ginseng, passing through Qingfeng Forest by the Black River!"
Qin Wang's eyes gleamed as he read the tenth piece of intelligence.
He was now at the second-rate martial level. Taking two Blood Qi Pills barely increased his cultivation by one point. If he could obtain this three-hundred-year-old ginseng, how much progress could he achieve?
Moreover, Chen Tianyu was Chen Kun's eldest son. Ambushing and killing him in advance would not only weaken the Chen family but also make Chen Kun furious.
Chen Tianyu, not even thirty years old, surely hasn't reached the second-rate level yet. Even if he has guards, a sneak attack with the Fragrant Soft-Bone Dispersing Incense would work!
If things go awry, he could always retreat with the Eagle Flight technique!
The next day.
In the county office.
"Damn it! First, it was Bai Xiao Shenjun, and now it's Tianji Pavilion! How did I offend them?"
Chen Hao's expression was dark as he paced back and forth in the back hall.
After being exposed by Bai Xiao Shenjun last time, the Divine Constable Department didn't pursue the matter, seemingly having urgent business elsewhere. He had been anxious, torn between surrendering when Li Jingzhong's army arrived or fleeing the city.
Unexpectedly, Tianji Pavilion exposed him again.
"Sir! On my way here, I saw many townsfolk heading towards the county office, furious and shouting curses at you. We must leave now before it's too late!"
Ji Wuyuan urged anxiously.
Over the years, he had schemed with Chen Hao, accepting bribes, oppressing men, and even assisting with Chen Hao's depraved activities. If the Divine Constable Department conducted a thorough investigation, both he and Chen Hao would be doomed.
On his way to the county office, he had seen thousands of angry townsfolk, among them some incited rebels, heading to the county office to demand justice.
If they didn't leave now, they would be killed by the enraged mob!
Even if they survived the mob's fury, the Divine Constable Department would come for them.
The Great Cang Dynasty was in turmoil, with rebels rising everywhere. It was better to flee now and have a chance at survival.
"Alright! Let's go now!"
Chen Hao's expression turned resolute as he nodded.
"My god! The Chief Constable of the county, Zheng Kecheng, was actually a spy for Prince Jin! This is terrifying!"
"It seems Bai Xiao Shenjun and Tianji Pavilion are in cahoots! They even know that Chen Hao lasts only three breaths in bed. Incredible!"
"Chen Hao, as a magistrate, planned to abandon the city! This scoundrel also abused and killed three young boys! No wonder he turned a blind eye to Li Hongfei's crimes!"
"Now, the relatives of the missing 'medicinal men,' numbering in the thousands, are heading to the county office. They might overturn the whole place!"
Qin Wang, disguised as a dark-skinned man, sat in a chicken soup noodle shop, eating and listening to the surrounding discussions. He pondered, "Thousands of relatives of the 'medicinal men' are heading to the county office to demand justice. What will be the outcome?"
"Never mind that, I'll head to Qingfeng Forest by the Black River to intercept Chen Tianyu."
Qin Wang paid for his meal, got up, and left.