Chapter 469 - 404: Selling Out (Part 2)

Chapter 469: Chapter 404: Selling Out (Part 2)

They would be acting under the Chen Family’s name, but the Chen Family would ultimately have to shoulder the blame.

If anything went wrong with the project, or if they were found to be cutting corners and lining their own pockets, Gao Changhe could easily wash his hands of the matter and offer up the Chen Family to take the fall.

It was a deal with no reward, only trouble—one that could even cost them their fortune and their lives.

Why would Chen Li ever agree to such a losing proposition?

He had to keep this matter firmly in his own hands.

However, Chen Li didn’t want to burn that bridge entirely and sever his superficial alliance with Gao Changhe.

After a moment’s thought, he said, "This matter is of great consequence, and I must consider it carefully. Furthermore, the Chen Family is truly unfamiliar with this kind of work. Might I ask a favor of you, Governor? Could you lend me the materials from the Commandery Magistrate’s Office for my perusal? I’m referring to the Lishui River’s hydrological records over the years, detailed diagrams of its dikes and weirs, old repair archives, and a directory of the commandery’s veteran craftsmen skilled in river engineering. It would give me a better grasp of the situation before I make a final decision."

Seeing that Chen Li hadn’t agreed, a flash of disappointment crossed Gao Changhe’s eyes, but he quickly hid it. "I will have my men gather the materials as soon as I return and deliver them to your mansion promptly," he said. "If you require any other assistance, you need only ask."

After a few more pleasantries, Gao Changhe took his leave and departed.

...

「Three days later. Liyang Chen Mansion, in a quiet room.」

Luo Pingyuan sat cross-legged, the aura around him gradually settling.

He slowly exhaled a mouthful of foul air and opened his eyes.

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face as he carefully felt the Inner Qi that had once again filled his meridians and Acupoints.

’Just six short days!’

With the aid of the Wealth Qi provided by Chen Li, he had not only repaired his damaged foundation but had also restored his Cultivation to the Inner Mansion Pass, the Third Level of the Spirit Realm.

Such speed was simply unbelievable.

He rose, straightened his robes, and gave Chen Li a long, deep bow. "Thank you for giving me a new lease on life, Patriarch! I, Pingyuan, will never forget this kindness for as long as I live. I will surely do everything in my power to repay you!"

Chen Li accepted the gesture calmly. "It’s good that your Cultivation is restored," he said. "However, the Righteous Wealth Cultivation Method is unlike any ordinary technique. In the future, when you wish to break through to the Divine Hall, you must come to me to stand guard. Do not attempt it on your own."

"Yes. I, Pingyuan, will heed the Patriarch’s command."

Luo Pingyuan bowed once more, but a complex, inscrutable look flashed across his eyes.

Over the past few days of Cultivation, he had begun to vaguely sense the true purpose behind Chen Li teaching him the Righteous Wealth Cultivation Method.

During his Cultivation, Chen Li had provided him with a limitless supply of Wealth Qi to refine and absorb, making the process incredibly efficient.

But as for where this Wealth Qi came from or how it was produced, he was completely in the dark.

This meant that the source of his power was now entirely dependent on Chen Li.

If his Inner Qi was ever depleted, he would be unable to replenish it through normal meditation and Qi Cultivation. He had to rely on Chen Li just to maintain his current Cultivation, let alone improve it.

He was well aware of his current predicament.

He had seemingly recovered his strength, but in reality, an invisible chain had been locked around his neck.

The other end of that chain was held firmly in Chen Li’s grasp.

Though he felt a sense of resentment and humiliation, Luo Pingyuan had more pressing matters to attend to at that moment.

He took a deep breath, pushing aside his stray thoughts. His expression grew serious. "Patriarch, there is one more matter I’d like to ask for your assistance with."

"Speak."

Luo Pingyuan said, "The Governor has ordered the Jiangzhou Martial Bureau to investigate the Jiang Family for the crime of spreading rumors and slandering a Court official. This matter... could be troublesome."

Chen Li looked up at him. "What kind of trouble?"

Luo Pingyuan explained, "To win the trust of the Governor and the Duke, I pointed to the source of the rumors being my wife’s clan, the Jiang Family. I claimed they were resentful because I had refused their request to forcibly procure raw silk, and so they had spread rumors to frame me out of spite."

He paused, then lowered his voice. "When I spread those rumors, I didn’t use any channels connected to the Jiang Family. Once the Jingwu Bureau investigates thoroughly, they’ll quickly find out the Jiang Family had nothing to do with it. At that point, the investigation will inevitably turn back to me. I implore you, Patriarch... find a way to save me."

As Chen Li listened, his brow furrowed, and his gaze on Luo Pingyuan turned cold.

’I never told Luo Pingyuan to say that.’

After the incident, Gao Changhe had only briefly mentioned that the matter was resolved according to Magistrate Luo’s explanation, without going into detail.

In truth, Gao Changhe himself didn’t know why Luo Pingyuan had said such a thing; he had assumed it was at Chen Li’s behest.

’So, listening to this now,’ he thought, ’Luo Pingyuan voluntarily framed the Jiang Family for spreading the rumors?’

"Why did you pin it on the Jiang Family?"

Chen Li’s voice was low, but it held a distinct chill.

Luo Pingyuan met Chen Li’s gaze, his expression frank. "Patriarch, please understand," he explained. "Governor Xu is meticulous to a fault and extremely suspicious. In the hall that day, without a plausible explanation, he never would have been convinced by my word and Governor Gao’s alone. He would certainly have dug deeper. It was a desperate move, but also the only viable strategy at the time."

Chen Li sneered inwardly.

’A desperate move? The only viable strategy? What a joke.’

’He makes it sound so righteous, but it’s all just a cover for his own selfish agenda!’

’The Governor is suspicious? He needed a plausible reason?’

’As long as Luo Pingyuan and Gao Changhe stuck to the same story and insisted it was a misunderstanding or slander from some lowlife, Xu Yuanzhi would have likely taken the path of least resistance and let it go.’

’After all, for a man like him, stability is paramount.’

’Luo Pingyuan’s move was a clear case of using the situation to his own advantage, conveniently throwing the Jiang Family into the fire.’

’His goal was likely to use my power, or the government’s, to eliminate his enemy—the Jiang Family.’

’What was even more sinister was that he had calculated this outcome. He knew that once the Jingwu Bureau intervened and found the Jiang Family to be innocent, the investigation would inevitably lead back to him.’

’And to protect his own secrets, I, Chen Li, would have no choice but to clean up his mess and eliminate this problem for him.’

’He was using himself as bait to force my hand.’