Chapter 387: Chess Piece 3

A thought stirred in Fang Rui’s mind. “Congratulations, Mr. Cao. As I said, worthy officials and fierce generals will come to you, and you’ll see the results within three days. This mission to suppress the bandits will also be an immediate and resounding victory.”

“Then I’ll take those auspicious words to heart, Daoist.”

A look of anticipation surfaced in Cao Meng’s eyes. “This conversation with you, Daoist, has been incredibly enlightening. Why don’t you come to my estate? We could talk all night and share a bed…”

‘Good grief. You’ve got the surname Cao, so why are you following the script for a Liu?’

Fang Rui grumbled internally but merely smiled without speaking.

Cao Meng might be the Flood Dragon of Yuanzhou, but his small temple couldn’t possibly house a great Buddha like Fang Rui.

Besides, for a Chess Player to personally step onto the board and stand in the spotlight was a grave taboo.

Seeing that Fang Rui didn’t respond, his refusal clear, Cao Meng felt a deep sense of regret. ‘Such a master, and I cannot win him over to my cause. What a great pity!’

‘But he has a point. It was indeed inappropriate of me to make such a hasty offer today. In the future, I will prepare lavish gifts and personally visit him. I’ll call on him three times, if I must.’

‘And if that still doesn’t work, then…’

A glint flashed in Cao Meng’s eyes. He warmly grasped Fang Rui’s wrist and declared with great magnanimity, “If I, Cao Meng, should achieve greatness in the future, I will never forget the debt I owe you from this day. ‘Should I become rich and noble, I shall not forget my friends.’ We will drink together from golden goblets…”

‘Good grief. Is the next line “but a drawn blade will show no mercy”? Is he already making me empty promises? Just what you’d expect from a Flood Dragon!’

‘But I’m not your subordinate. If anything, I’m more like… an angel investor.’

As everyone knows, angel investors are no angels. They are ravenous wolves, and they expect their pound of flesh.

‘This investment today—whether it pays out tenfold in the future or simply allows me to exert influence at a critical moment—is a massive profit for me.’

Fang Rui’s gaze was deep, his eyes filled with the cool indifference of a Chess Player looking down at a piece on the board.

“Daoist…” Cao Meng started to say something more.

But with a flick of his wide sleeves, Fang Rui was already rising gracefully into the air. “To witness the first stirrings of a great wind today… What a joy! What a joy!”

Amidst his lingering laughter, he vanished in a swirl of azure light, leaving no trace behind.

…

After leaving the Hundred Flavors Building, Cao Meng did not return home. Instead, he went to a courtyard nearby.

“Teacher, I met a remarkable person today…”

Cao Meng openly lavished praise on Fang Rui, expressing his deep regret at being unable to recruit such a talent into his service.

The “teacher” he spoke to was a man named Ji Fu, a wise and erudite scholar.

“This…”

As Ji Fu listened to Cao Meng’s words, he felt a pang of jealousy, along with a strange sense of déjà vu.

Then, in a flash of insight, he understood: what this Celestial Secret Daoist was doing… wasn’t it just a repeat of his own strategy from the beginning?

First, build a reputation. Then, arrange a “coincidental” encounter to get acquainted with the Flood Dragon…

‘Only, this man’s execution was far more brilliant, completely seamless. He’s even better at putting on an act than I am. How terrifyingly skilled!’

Ji Fu’s eyes glinted.

“Teacher, is something wrong?”

Cao Meng could read some of Ji Fu’s thoughts. The man wanted to invest in him but was holding back, too proud and hesitant to commit fully.

Therefore, he had deliberately used Fang Rui to provoke Ji Fu, hoping to create a sense of competition and urgency that would force Ji Fu to value him more.

「Once Cao Meng had left.」

‘This student of mine, Cao Meng… his schemes are getting deeper. Still, he’s within my grasp. It’s not a problem.’

‘The only thing to be wary of is…’

Ji Fu frowned, lost in thought. ‘Which power is behind that Celestial Secret Daoist’s scheme? Hasn’t the great pie of Yuanzhou already been carved up and its shares allocated? This way of eating is just too ugly!’

…

‘Interesting. Cao Meng, son of the County Captain, the Flood Dragon; and his neighbor, Ji Fu, the teacher!’

Invisible in mid-air, Fang Rui watched the departing Cao Meng before his gaze fell upon Ji Fu. ‘This pair, Cao Meng and Ji Fu, how similar they are to Li Xuantong and Zhen Yi.’

“So, is this a case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the Yellow Finch behind?”

“No!”

Fang Rui looked down upon Ji Fu with the same lofty indifference he had shown Cao Meng. “Within the Three States of Yuan, Liang, and Rao, aside from the Great Yu Court… below me, all of you are mere subjects… no, chess pieces!”