Chapter 440 - 264: Black Wind Hall

Chapter 440: Chapter 264: Black Wind Hall

The next day, at dawn.

’Gongzhou Prefecture... I fled in a hurry last time. I never thought I’d be back here again.’

Fang Yue stood before the city gates of Gongzhou Prefecture. The early morning breeze blew gently, carrying a hint of a chill.

He gazed at this city, both familiar and strange, an indescribable feeling welling up within him.

’I was forced to flee last time. I had no other choice.’

He recalled the scene vividly, as if it were only yesterday. ’This time, I hope everything goes smoothly, without any more surprises.’

Fang Yue took a deep breath, firmed his resolve, and strode into the city.

He knew this journey wouldn’t be as rushed or miserable as the last, but he was also well aware that the difficulties and challenges he faced would be no less significant.

The organization whose plans he had ruined would not back down so easily.

Fang Yue understood that by stepping foot in Gongzhou Prefecture again, he had already caught that organization’s attention.

They would never let it go and would surely do everything in their power to cause him trouble.

But he had no intention of backing down. In fact, it only strengthened his resolve.

Fang Yue knew in his heart that his return to Gongzhou Prefecture wasn’t just about a showdown with that organization; it was also about the complex internal strife within the Observatory.

He had been sent to serve as the Director of a prefecture. This was clearly no simple appointment; there had to be deeper considerations behind it.

He took another deep breath of the morning air, and it was as if he could smell a faint scent of danger.

But this didn’t stop him. Instead, he walked into the city with even greater determination.

’Besides, who’s the player and who’s the piece isn’t set in stone yet!’

The streets and alleys of Gongzhou Prefecture were bustling with activity, a cacophony of voices and a sea of traffic.

Vendors hawked all sorts of goods, crowds gathered around fragrant food stalls, and the happy laughter of children echoed through the lanes.

Fang Yue moved through the crowd, taking in the city’s unique atmosphere.

His gaze was firm and his steps were steady, a stark contrast to the surrounding clamor.

He knew he couldn’t let this prosperous scene fool him; he had to remain clear-headed and vigilant at all times.

As he walked, he covertly observed his surroundings.

Among the bustling crowds, there might be secret agents from that organization, lying in wait for the right moment to strike.

’Then again,’ he thought, ’given that organization’s methods, they always operate from the shadows. They probably wouldn’t show themselves in broad daylight.’

"Kind sir, please, be charitable. Spare a bite to eat."

A beggar in tattered clothes suddenly appeared before Fang Yue, holding out a filthy hand and pleading.

Fang Yue was taken aback for a moment. He hadn’t expected to encounter a beggar on such a prosperous street.

He looked down at the beggar. The man was disheveled and emaciated, and it was clear he hadn’t had a full meal in a long time.

Meanwhile, in a restaurant not far away, the second-floor window was slightly ajar. Two men in fine clothes sat there quietly, their gazes occasionally drifting down to the bustling street below.

One of them, dressed in brocade embroidered with intricate gold thread, had a faint, cold smirk on his face. He toyed with an exquisite Jade Pendant in his hand, seeming to have a perfect grasp of everything below.

The other man wore a wide cloak, the brim of his hat obscuring most of his face, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes. He stared intently in Fang Yue’s direction, as if looking for an opportunity.

"What do you think our new Lord Director will do in a situation like this?" Wang Tong said softly, the corners of his mouth curling into a mocking smile.

"If this new Lord Director has any real ability, he’ll naturally sense the undercurrents flowing through Gongzhou Prefecture."

The finely dressed man sitting across from Wang Tong was named Li Xi.

He spoke slowly, his voice laced with a calm and seasoned tone. "But even if he does, so what? The waters in Gongzhou Prefecture run very deep."

Hearing this, Wang Tong let out a cold laugh. "You’re right, Li. This new Lord Director may have the Observatory’s backing, but it won’t be so easy for him to get a firm foothold here in Gongzhou Prefecture."

Their gazes returned to the bustling street below, but Fang Yue’s figure had already vanished into the crowd.

"Then again," Li Xi said, his tone shifting meaningfully, "if this new Lord Director knows what’s good for him and chooses to cooperate with us, he might be able to go much further in Gongzhou Prefecture."

A glint flashed in Wang Tong’s eyes. He smiled. "What you say makes sense, Li. It’s just that our new Lord Director might not be so willing to accept our ’goodwill.’"

Li Xi shook his head gently. "Everyone has a weakness. As long as we can find his and exploit it, he will have no choice but to submit."

Wang Tong burst into laughter. "You are absolutely right, Li. In that case, let’s wait and see if our new Lord Director really knows what’s good for him."

Their conversation drifted away on the breeze, with Fang Yue completely unaware.

~~~~~~~~

"Heh. Who sent you? You’re just a Martial Master, yet you dare move against an imperial official. Are you trying to stage a rebellion?"

Fang Yue looked at the beggar before him with a ghost of a smile, his mind already on high alert. A Martial Master disguised as a beggar on a bustling street—no matter how you looked at it, this reeked of a conspiracy.