Chapter 211: Chapter 188: You Can’t Handle It

Guangyuan County to the north was at the border of Jing State, You State, and Shu State. It was a bustling hub for merchants, home to many Noble Families and people from all walks of life.

Add the Shu State Capital Commandery Office to the mix, and the relationships there were incredibly complex.

’Going to Guangyuan County first isn’t a bad choice.’

"Who will be in the traveling party?"

"I don’t know their specific names, only that there’s an accountant, Doctor Sun, plus two Guards and Steward Yan. A party of five in total."

’They were quite thorough...’

’An accountant is meticulous and can record local details. A Physician can gauge the Medical Skill of Physicians from other Medicine Halls. The purpose of the Guards and Yan Hai goes without saying.’

Apparently, Wang Ji and Yan Hai had spent a good deal of time discussing the matter this afternoon.

After a short wait, Liu Lang arrived, braving the rain. He shook off his Raincoat and, seeing that Chen Yi was ready, said with a smile:

"Boss, shall we head over now?"

Chen Yi grunted in affirmation, told Zhang Dabao to get some rest, and then led Liu Lang toward Kangning Street.

It was not yet late into the night. The streets were still busy with pedestrians and carriages, and with the City Guard Army patrolling the alleys, the two of them were forced to move more slowly.

After a few twists and turns, Chen Yi and Liu Lang finally slipped into the courtyard of Liu Wen’s residence.

The moment they entered, they saw that the courtyard was brightly lit, with several men guarding both the inside and outside of a wooden building.

Liu Lang scanned the area and raised an eyebrow. "Sir, there’s a Fifth Grade Realm Martial Artist here, but his Dao Realm is too low. He hasn’t reached Minor Success."

Chen Yi’s expression remained unchanged. After sizing up the situation, a theory formed in his mind.

’Either something has gone wrong, or Liu Wen wants to test us.’

"This... Should we retreat?"

Chen Yi shook his head slightly. After a moment’s thought, he took a porcelain bottle from his robes and handed it to him.

"Immortal Drunk. Give everyone a little taste."

Liu Lang nodded in understanding. He took the bottle, silently approached the Guards, and took them down one by one.

He didn’t even spare the Fifth Grade Realm Martial Artist hidden inside the wooden building.

It took no more than ten breaths of time.

Once he was sure that everyone except Liu Wen had been silenced, Chen Yi began to walk unhurriedly toward the wooden building.

He had some idea of what Liu Wen intended with this arrangement.

After all, three hundred thousand silver coins was no small sum. It was only normal to be cautious.

Not only that, but having these Guards stationed inside and outside the wooden building was also a way to test his and Liu Lang’s abilities.

If even these men with their ordinary Cultivation and Techniques could detect their arrival, Liu Wen certainly wouldn’t believe they were from the Bright Moon Building.

Musing on this, Chen Yi stepped forward and knocked on the door.

However, the knock was merely a courtesy. After rapping on the wood, he pushed the door open and walked in, not lingering in the spacious hall but heading straight for the second floor.

Before he even reached the top of the stairs, his voice rang out, "Young Master Liu, is it me, Black Tooth, you don’t trust, or is it the Bright Moon Building?"

The semi-enclosed staircase made his deep, raspy voice echo with a certain hollowness.

But when the words reached Liu Wen’s ears, he showed no sign of anger. Instead, he rose with a smile to greet him:

"Brother Hei, please forgive me. I meant no offense. I was simply worried I wouldn’t be able to attend to you properly on my own, so I had my men stay by my side."

Chen Yi, of course, didn’t believe a word of it.

As he rounded the top of the staircase, his emotionless eyes fell upon Liu Wen, and he said coolly:

"I’ll let it slide this time. If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being severe, Young Master Liu."

"Of course, of course..."

Liu Wen agreed readily while gesturing for him to come inside and take a seat.

Chen Yi didn’t move. "I’ve only come for the silver coins tonight. I can’t stay long."

The smile on Liu Wen’s effeminate face froze. He sized Chen Yi up, his tone taking on an unavoidable note of displeasure.

"Elder Black Tooth, keeping me at arm’s length like this is no way to treat your Financier."

Chen Yi looked him straight in the eye and said calmly, "I have to gather a few old devils tonight to make arrangements. Time waits for no man. I hope Young Master Liu understands."

Liu Wen was taken aback for a moment, then his expression shifted to one of delight. "You’re making your move this quickly?" he asked.

"The longer we delay, the greater the risk. I’m sure Young Master Liu can understand that."

"I understand, haha, of course I understand. But Elder Black Tooth, could you perhaps tell me a little about your plan?"

Chen Yi stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. "To avoid any leaks, I can only tell you that our purpose this time is simply to draw the Xiao Family’s attention."

Liu Wen’s expression wavered slightly. "To create an opportunity for the ones making the real move?"

He understood that a major operation like this involved many people and couldn’t afford the slightest mistake.

Seeing that Chen Yi was unwilling to say more, he thought for a moment and didn’t press the issue. He turned, retrieved a thick stack of silver notes from a drawer under the table, and came back.

"The reputations of Elder Black Tooth and the Bright Moon Building are well-known, so of course I trust you. These are all bearer silver notes from the Great Wei Bank. You can withdraw the funds yourself, Elder Black Tooth."

Chen Yi took the notes and glanced at them. Confirming there were no issues, he nodded and said, "Young Master Liu, just wait here for a few days. Once the deed is done, someone will come find you."

Liu Wen faltered. "You’re not coming yourself?"

"You must be joking, Young Master Liu. Whether this succeeds or fails, it will bring the Xiao Family and the Dingyuan Army hunting for us. It won’t be convenient for me to remain in Shu State for a while."

"After everything has settled down, I will find an opportunity to catch up with you, Young Master Liu."

"Excellent. When that time comes, I will surely roll out the red carpet and give you a proper welcome."

Chen Yi gave a slight nod, bowed, and then turned to descend the stairs.

Once he was out of the wooden building, Liu Lang floated down, opened an Oil Paper Umbrella over him, and they left together.

Liu Wen walked to the window and watched their figures disappear into the rainy night, a faint, sly smile gracing his effeminate features.

’Black Tooth of the Bright Moon Building... His reputation doesn’t do him justice. He truly is a man capable of great things.’

’Once this is done, even if it doesn’t topple the Xiao Family, it’s guaranteed to throw them into disarray.’