Chapter 484 - 483: The Hard Way

Chapter 484: Chapter 483: The Hard Way

The tower stood seven stories tall on the south bank of Tide Lake.

It was less a lake and more a vast, endless wetland.

Climbing the tower and looking out, one could see the water’s shimmering surface, dotted with countless small islands. Flocks of birds soared over the sandbars, and life teemed everywhere.

For this reason, Tide Lake Tower was always bustling with visitors—idle people climbing to take in the magnificent view.

After climbing the tower, Hee Lingchuan frowned inwardly.

’Not only are there tons of tourists, but there’s even a teahouse on the fourth floor!’

Here, visitors could drink tea, enjoy the scenery, listen to storytellers, and meet with friends. The moment one sat down, a cool breeze would drift in from the lake, blowing away half the July heat.

Because it was so comfortable, all ten tables were full, with not a single one free.

’No wonder Mr. Mai chose this place to make a deal. The constant stream of tourists and tea drinkers provides the perfect cover.’

Hee Lingchuan then recalled the message he had deciphered.

It mentioned only the time and place, with no secret code for the meeting.

’This means Mr. Mai and the other party already know each other. They don’t need a code phrase to identify one another.’

’That makes things difficult. I can’t just impersonate him.’

’And if the other party doesn’t see Mr. Mai here, they’ll know something’s wrong and will probably leave quickly.’

’How am I supposed to accurately pick out Mr. Mai’s accomplice from among so many tourists?’

"My lord?" the Baisha Jue County Magistrate asked, noticing he had been staring blankly at the scenery outside the tower for a long time.

"Is the tower always this crowded?"

"Ah, yes. It’s one of our local landmarks," the Baisha Jue County Magistrate said, thinking he was in the mood for sightseeing. "The tea cakes in this teahouse are a local specialty. Many people buy them as gifts for their families back home."

"Have them add a table on the veranda for us. We’ll have some tea."

The proprietor indeed set up a square table for them on the outer veranda of the Pagoda’s fourth floor, serving them tea, fruit, and snacks.

The tea cakes were good, but Hee Lingchuan found himself preferring the dried sweet potatoes. Made from peeled baby sweet potatoes that were steamed and roasted three times each, they had a sweet, soft, and chewy texture perfect for enjoying with tea and conversation.

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate, who had arrived full of apprehension, breathed a long sigh of relief when he saw Hee Lingchuan’s pleasant demeanor, so different from the previous day’s harshness. He redoubled his efforts to be attentive.

When Hee Lingchuan had first arrived yesterday, he had to make an example of the magistrate. Otherwise, a crafty old bureaucrat like him would have assumed the young envoy was easy to bully and would have paid him mere lip service.

Today, however, was not the day for harsh words. A little placating would make the Baisha Jue County Magistrate more compliant and ensure his cooperation later on.

This was all part of Hee Chunhua’s usual method for managing subordinates, something Hee Lingchuan had learned much about after so many years by his side.

’There’s a real art to being an official.’

Sitting here, with the gentle breeze on his face and the vast scenery before him, even his spirit felt at ease.

Such a beautiful day, such a magnificent view, yet there were always those in the world who would spoil it.

Hee Lingchuan sipped his tea slowly. ’What are the chances,’ he wondered, ’that the Fu Songhua captured by Zhongsun Mou is the real killer?’

’Yet, there’s been no news about Mr. Mai. It seems that scoundrel is still on the run.’

’If Fu Songhua is the mastermind, this transaction at Tide Lake Tower would naturally be canceled and wouldn’t proceed.’

’If he isn’t, could it be that Mr. Mai and the real mastermind have already fled? Then the Tide Lake Tower transaction is also impossible.’

’Either way, this secret transaction seems pointless now. Why am I even bothering?’

’Hmm, is that really the case?’

Hee Lingchuan occasionally glanced up and saw the tower’s magnificent structure and intricate stone carvings, clearly the product of immense labor. But after long exposure to the wind and sun, a large stone slab near the top had fallen off, revealing the mortar beneath.

He pointed upward. "That’s quite an eyesore."

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate looked up. "Oh dear. We were planning to send someone to repair it, but Elder General Ling said he wanted to fund the restoration. He just hasn’t gotten around to it, so it’s stayed like this."

Hee Lingchuan stroked his chin. "This is a famous landmark with countless visitors every day. Leaving it like this is not only ugly, but also unsafe."

"Yes, of course," the Baisha Jue County Magistrate agreed, though he had no idea what the envoy was getting at.

’This Special Envoy is sticking his nose into everything, isn’t he? So young, yet so meddlesome.’

Hee Lingchuan had only mentioned it in passing and didn’t press the matter, instead starting to ask about local customs and products.

Just as the atmosphere was finally starting to warm up, Hee Lingchuan seemed to ask casually, "By the way, what has the Inspector been up to these past few days?"

"Working on the case, I suppose?" The County Magistrate thought for a moment. "I heard he’s turned down quite a few visits and banquets."

Three days later, Zhongsun Mou was preparing to depart for the north.

When another visitor was announced, he let out a weary sigh.

The visitor had come to deliver a thick stack of documents.

Zhongsun Mou motioned for his guard to take them, then said, "Don’t keep running over here. Too many prying eyes."

"This is the last batch of documents. My master wishes you a safe journey."

With no other choice, Zhongsun Mou piled the documents on his desk and began to examine them one by one.

Before returning to Lingxu City, he had to ensure these records were perfectly seamless, without a single error.

Fu Songhua had been captured six days ago. The safest course of action would have been to escort him north immediately, to prevent any unexpected complications.

But he couldn’t.

He had to stay here and scrutinize the evidence, word by word, sentence by sentence!

Back in Lingxu City, this evidence would be repeatedly examined by countless discerning eyes. It might even be presented before the Emperor himself. The mere thought of it was immense pressure.

He, Zhongsun Mou, was the one bringing back the man and the evidence. He had to make sure nothing went wrong. Otherwise...

His eyes were sore from reading. Just as he was about to call for another cup of Cassia Seed Tea, a guard came to report:

"The Crown Prince Envoy, Hee Xiao, and the Baisha Jue County Magistrate request an audience!"

Zhongsun Mou’s expression shifted. ’That kid’s finally here.’

He had known for a while that this so-called Crown Prince Envoy was in Baisha Jue, but he had ignored it. As it turned out, the other party had plenty of patience, waiting until now to show up at his door.

Zhongsun Mou put away the case files and walked back into the courtyard before saying, "Let them in."

Hee Lingchuan sauntered in, a formidable tiger at his side and County Magistrate Tian trailing behind him.

"The view from here isn’t bad. You can see the lake from your window."

"I’m very busy." Zhongsun Mou offered no pleasantries and wore a grim expression. "What do you want?"

"I heard Lord Zhongsun has performed a great service by capturing the spy who killed the White-shouldered Eagle Messenger!" Hee Lingchuan said with a smile. "I had to rush over and see for myself."

’This punk has been sightseeing around Baisha Jue for the past few days, what does he mean "rush over"?’ Zhongsun Mou sneered inwardly. "That’s right. The evidence is conclusive and the culprit is in custody. The Special Envoy can now go back and report to the Crown Prince."

"Then I must ask, what exactly is this culprit’s identity?" ’Even if Fu Songhua isn’t the real killer in the messenger case, he must have some kind of significant background. Otherwise, how could Zhongsun Mou present him as the culprit and expect Lingxu City to be convinced?’

’If he dared to just grab some random nobody to take the fall, let’s see how the Emperor would deal with him.’

"Fu Songhua. A native of the Tao Kingdom. Twelve years ago, he was promoted to Little Marshal under Hong Chenglu. He’s a fierce fighter. Ten years ago, he assassinated Governor Zhang Guangyi of Lingxu Hezhou and fled. Hezhou had a warrant out for him for years with no results, until he was captured here six days ago."

Hearing the name of an old acquaintance, Hee Lingchuan asked in surprise, "From his history, he just sounds like an assassin. How did he become a spy?"

Considering Hee Lingchuan still held the title of Crown Prince Envoy, and that they were on the soil of the Chiyan Kingdom, Zhongsun Mou suppressed his impatience and explained, "He was always a spy for the Tao Kingdom. The assassination of Governor Zhang was also a mission. You may not be privy to the affairs of the Royal Court in Lingxu City, but the death of Zhang Guangyi had a huge impact at the time. It directly altered the Emperor’s decisions. This time, Fu Songhua, after lying low for many years, has struck again to interfere with our army’s campaign on the Eastern Front."

"So he’s Mr. Mai’s superior?"

"Precisely."

"And how was this verified?"

Zhongsun Mou couldn’t help but laugh. "I have a complete set of evidence here, solid as a mountain. Do you need me to report it to you, item by item, page by page?"

"Sure," Hee Lingchuan said, his gaze drifting toward the study. "That would be for the best."

Zhongsun Mou’s smile vanished. "Alright, Special Envoy, let’s not joke around. The prisoner has confessed, and the case file is sealed. It cannot be opened lightly. There’s no point in you loitering here. Go back and report the good news to Fushan Yue and collect your reward."

Hee Lingchuan’s expression also turned serious. "If this Fu fellow killed the messenger just to delay intelligence, then what was the purpose of him sending his subordinate, Mr. Mai, to kill demons all over Chiyan for their pearls?"

"To sow discord between the Demon Race and the Government Office, to stir up trouble. It’s the standard playbook for spies. What else would they do in their spare time? If you spend more time in Beiga, you’ll learn that these types are truly pervasive, always trying to make waves," Zhongsun Mou said flatly. "Those pearls are ingredients for refining the Red Jade Pill, and they will be submitted to Lingxu City as evidence."

’Red Jade Pills?’ Hee Lingchuan raised an eyebrow. ’Aren’t Pulp Pearls used to make the Fountain of Youth?’ "Lord Zhongsun, you make solving a massive case sound so simple. Impressive. However, the Crown Prince ordered me to personally interrogate the main suspect. Where is Fu Songhua?"

"Fu Songhua will be escorted back to Lingxu City for trial. This no longer concerns you."

The sound of many footsteps seemed to come from outside. Zhongsun Mou instantly sensed something was wrong. He stepped back, and the guards at his side immediately moved forward, their hands on the hilts of their swords.

"If we can’t talk it out, then it’s time to lay our cards on the table." Hee Lingchuan gave Jiao Yu a look, and the great tiger suddenly let out a massive roar!

The tiger’s roar shook the air for miles. Instantly, over a hundred men stormed into the courtyard, surrounding Zhongsun Mou and his people.

Outside, there was a CLATTERING sound—the heavy tread of thick boots on the ground, a clear sign that a large number of soldiers were waiting.

A general strode in and bowed to Hee Lingchuan. "Lord Special Envoy!"

These were troops from the Chiyan Kingdom garrison stationed thirty li outside Baisha Jue. Jiao Yu, while out on an errand, had used the Special Envoy Token to requisition them.

Not many. Only five hundred.

Fushan Yue had said the token could be used to mobilize troops.

He hadn’t been kidding.

With swords drawn and bows bent on both sides, the Baisha Jue County Magistrate was caught right in the middle, sweating profusely. "My lords, my lords, please, can’t we talk this over calmly!"

He couldn’t afford to offend either side. ’How did it come to this?’

’What terrible luck have I stumbled into? Why has my fortune been so bad lately?’

A door to a side room opened. Two guards, startled by the commotion, poked their heads out and were stunned by the standoff.

Zhongsun Mou roared, "Get back inside!"

The guards obeyed and tried to shut the door, but they were a step too late. The great tiger leaped forward and, with a single swipe of its paw, tore through the Door Panel.

This was an inn, not a fortress wall. How much defense could a single wooden door offer?

Faced with the three-thousand-jin force of the Tiger Demon’s strike, the fact that it didn’t instantly shatter into splinters was a testament to its quality.