Night fell.

As dark clouds gathered, the rain naturally began to fall again.

Although it was only a light drizzle compared to the downpours of the past two days, it was a refreshing change from the oppressive heat of the day.

At least the rain carried a cool breeze, preventing one from feeling stuffy and irritable.

Chen Yi, however, felt none of this.

With his mastery of Martial Arts, having reached the Sixth Grade Realm, he was practically immune to heat and cold.

Gloomy rain, scorching heat, and biting snow had little effect on him.

Still, compared to rain and snow, he much preferred sunny days.

To be precise, he loved the sunny days of spring.

The sunlight was gentle then, a soft breeze would blow, and green waves would ripple. Even the fish in the lakes, large and small, seemed more active than in other seasons.

Unfortunately, it was now the summer’s plum rain season.

The frequent rain, the heat, and the numerous matters weighing on him made it difficult to find a moment of peace and leisure.

’This is no good. No good at all.’

Chen Yi stood by the window, watching the rain fall on Spring Lotus Garden. After a few silent sighs, he shook his head and opened his wardrobe.

After rummaging through it for a moment...

Chen Yi found a robe similar to the one Black Tooth had worn the other day. He changed out of his long gown and, looking into a copper mirror, arranged his hair into a shoulder-length style more suited to the Jianghu.

Tonight, he was going to impersonate Black Tooth to meet Liu Wen and "discuss important matters."

There was no room for even the slightest carelessness.

As he prepared, Chen Yi’s mind raced, mulling over the discoveries of the past two days and re-evaluating the plot to "burn the summer grain of the Three Towns."

He considered the Xiao Family’s likely response.

He thought about how the Hidden Guard was fanning the flames and what arrangements they would have in place when the time came to act.

He also factored in the Jing State Liu Family’s involvement, among other things.

As these fragmented threads of information appeared in his mind, they were clearer than ever before.

Chen Yi knew this was because his Chess Dao had reached Great Success, making him much more adept at strategy and planning.

Furthermore, he now had more clues regarding Black Tooth, the Evil Demon, the Hidden Guard, and the Liu Family members.

It wasn’t difficult to sort out the various factions, and finding a way to break their scheme was also within reach. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

As Chen Yi thought about this, he couldn’t help but grumble to himself about how he should have improved his Chess Dao sooner.

’Compared to the Martial Dao, Calligraphy Dao, and Medical Dao, the Chess Dao might seem flashy but impractical, yet it’s incredibly useful.’

’Fortunately, it’s not too late for me to realize this now.’

Once he was dressed...

Chen Yi put on a bamboo hat, applied a simple disguise, and used the cover of the rainy night to circle around the back of the mountain, heading straight for the residence on Chuansi Street.

He had previously instructed Zhang Dabao to wait for him there and had also informed Liu Lang.

In any case, he couldn’t go to the West Market for the time being.

He had to avoid running into Fang Hongxiu of the Imprisonment Department, or the people under Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu.

’I almost forgot.’

’The Old Marquis has probably sent people to Hundred Herbs Hall to investigate "Chen Yu" by now.’

In fact, earlier that day, the Old Marquis had spoken to him about the Xiao Family Medicine Hall.

He had hinted, both directly and indirectly, that Chen Yi should help Xiao Wan’er more in his free time.

Chen Yi had naturally agreed without hesitation.

He knew in his heart that the Old Marquis’s test was, on one hand, a trial, and on the other, a sign that he was already being treated as a member of the Xiao Family.

As long as he showed no ambition to become an official or join the army, and simply stayed dutifully at the Medicine Hall or the academy, the Old Marquis likely wouldn’t be too demanding of him.

Of course, this was all contingent on his "Chen Yu" identity not being exposed.

If the Old Marquis found out he was the owner of Hundred Herbs Hall, complications would inevitably arise.

’So, it’s best to be careful.’

After walking for less than fifteen minutes, with a few stops along the way...

Chen Yi arrived at the courtyard house.

Liu Lang hadn’t arrived yet, so he had Zhang Dabao apply his disguise first.

In addition to the mask for his "Chen Yu" persona, this time he also added the half-mask for "Liu Wu."

After carefully checking for any flaws in the copper mirror, Chen Yi took a black iron mask and put it on.

Immediately, the aura around him changed.

Under the dim yellow candlelight, his figure was cast in light and shadow, emanating wisps of a cold, indifferent air.

Seventy percent sinister coldness, twenty percent cunning, ten percent caution—this was his impression of Black Tooth.

Like a venomous snake hiding in the shadows, ready to strike and devour its prey at any moment.

Beside him, Zhang Dabao unexpectedly met his gaze, and a chill shot up from his tailbone straight to the back of his head.

"My lord, you... this time, you’re..."

Chen Yi’s eyes twitched slightly as he spoke in a low, raspy voice, "How is it? Do I look like an Evil Demon who has roamed the Jianghu for years?"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Dabao paused, then hesitantly shook his head. "You do, and you don’t."

"Oh? Explain."

"You have the coldness and the viciousness, but you’re missing a murderous indifference."

Hearing this, Chen Yi nodded in understanding. "You’re right."

The moment he finished speaking, his aura shifted again, and his eyes gained a hint of killing intent that showed a complete disregard for life.

"HISS!"

Zhang Dabao took one look and quickly turned away, not daring to look again.

’Good heavens, the lord’s talent for disguise is truly on another level.’

’With just a few simple words from me, he’s like a completely different person. There are almost no flaws.’

’Forget a greenhorn like me; even those who’ve roamed the Jianghu for years probably couldn’t see through the lord’s disguise.’

Before Zhang Dabao could compose himself and offer some compliments...

The sound of footsteps came from outside, and Liu Lang hurriedly pushed the door open.

His eyes swept the room, and just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed. "Black Tooth?!" he blurted out.

Not only that, but his hand also went to the hilt of his blade, ready to fight to the death if things went south.

Seeing this, Chen Yi nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "Relax, it’s me."

"Boss?"

Liu Lang looked at him, then at Zhang Dabao beside him, before finally letting out a long breath.

"At first glance, I really thought Black Tooth had discovered what we’ve been doing behind his back."

"If it were really Black Tooth, you’d probably be collecting my and Dabao’s corpses right now."

"Heh heh... The boss has fortune on his side. Nothing could happen to you."

’That flattery wasn’t nearly as smooth as Wang Ji’s.’

Chen Yi couldn’t be bothered with it. He waved his hand, signaling for him to sit down. "Tell me what happened last night."

Liu Lang’s spirits lifted, and he immediately began to recount with great animation his meeting with Liu Wen.

There was Liu Zhaoxue’s nighttime meeting with the Five Poison Sect.

There was Liu Wen relaying a message to Liu Zhaoxue, stating his intention to visit the Old Marquis at the Xiao Family estate today.

Finally, he gave a detailed and meticulous account of his confrontation and conversation with Liu Wen.

After listening, Chen Yi didn’t speak immediately.

Instead, he tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair, recalling the various behaviors he had observed from the siblings, Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue, at the Xiao Family estate that day.

’It seems the Liu Family is not a monolith after all.’

’You could see hints of that from Liu Jing.’

’Although Liu Jing is also a direct descendant of the Liu Family’s main branch, when he was sent to Shu State, he wasn’t even allowed to hang up the sign for Xinglin Hall.’

’Add to that the Liu Family’s suspicion of Liu Hong, the Chief Steward of the third branch... ’

It wasn’t hard for Chen Yi to deduce that the internal competition within the Jing State Liu Family didn’t just exist between the first, second, and third branches, but also extended down to Liu Wen’s generation.

"That’s a bit of good news, neither big nor small."

Liu Lang smiled and nodded. "I was thinking the same thing."

"You have to understand, those people from the Five Poison Sect have always been ruthless. Because of their Cultivation Technique, they’re not just cruel to outsiders; they’re cruel to themselves too."

"I remember before Granny Shan moved to wipe out the Five Poison Sect, they were quite powerful and committed several heinous acts."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "Granny Shan? The Five Poison Sect was annihilated by someone from the Mountain Race?"

Liu Lang grunted in affirmation, hugging his long blade as he spoke. "I don’t know many of the details."

"I only heard that while the Five Poison Sect was active in Shu State, they somehow offended Granny Shan, provoking her to personally lead people to their doorstep."

"They say that battle lasted for two full days and nights. In the end, Granny Shan proved to be the superior strategist. Using her Witchcraft and Gu Skill combined with the Mountain Race’s three great poisons, she completely uprooted the Five Poison Sect."

Liu Lang glanced at him and explained, "Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Mountain Race is rarely active in Shu State these days."

"Granny Shan’s reputation in the Jianghu is not the least bit small."

"Especially her unfathomable Witchcraft and Gu Poison Skill. Even Martial Arts Powerhouses of the Upper Three Grades would meet a bitter end if they encountered it."

Chen Yi thought for a moment. "Since the Five Poison Sect was wiped out by Granny Shan, why have they reappeared in the Jianghu?"

Liu Lang paused and spread his hands. "I don’t know either. I’d guess they’re some fish that slipped through the net."

"But I have to admire their courage. Daring to show up in Shu State... they must not be afraid of Granny Shan coming after them again."

Chen Yi nodded in understanding but didn’t dwell on the matter of the Five Poison Sect.

"Let’s go."

"Let’s not delay and risk complications. The sooner we meet with Liu Wen, the sooner we can come back and rest."

Liu Lang got up and followed, saying with a smile, "Boss, I’m putting my life in your hands tonight."

"It wouldn’t be so bad if Liu Wen saw through the disguise, but if Black Tooth finds out, he’ll probably hunt us to the ends of the earth."

He paused, then asked with some concern, "Boss, you won’t blow your cover, will you?"

Chen Yi’s aura shifted slightly. He glanced at him from the corner of his eye and said in his raspy voice:

"It’s simple. I just have to be greedy as hell."

Liu Lang couldn’t help but burst out laughing. "Now that I think about it, Black Tooth really does love money more than his own life."

After leaving the house...

The two of them fell silent, stopping and starting as they made their way to the outside of Liu Wen’s residence.

Chen Yi didn’t sneak in immediately. Instead, he circled the entire residence, from front to back.

Only after memorizing the surrounding environment did he signal for Liu Lang to lead the way.

"This way..."

Just as Liu Lang was about to lead him in through the back door on the east side, Chen Yi suddenly raised a hand to stop him.

"Someone’s coming!"