Chapter 1073 - 898: Open Attack and Hidden Ambush

"Lei Ying, Gong Shaoci's trusted subordinate..." Shi Chun mumbled to himself as he took the Jade Scroll. He had a deep impression of this Lei Ying. Back then when he hit Duan Xiangmei, Wu Jinliang forcibly intervened, and if it wasn't for the influence of the Miao family, things might have gotten out of hand. Could it be that this guy is still brooding over what happened back then?

Why wait so long to retaliate, until they've become officials of the Heavenly Court? How irrational must one be to do that?

Or is it because he and Wu Jinliang were either hiding or imprisoned, so there was never a good opportunity to act?

After casting a spell and reading the contents of the Jade Scroll, he frowned, "That time... it was smooth sailing, I didn't encounter any assassination. Who sent this?"

Feng Chi said, "I don't know. Not long after rumors spread outside that your mount could see Sandalwood Gold veins, an anonymous tip was sent. After seeing the content of this Jade Scroll, I went to Jiang Wushou to confirm your trip that time. Jiang Wushou said that indeed in Dazhi City, they found a suspicious individual, a woman, but you said nothing happened. When I asked for more details, Jiang Wushou wouldn't say much..."

Shi Chun immediately recalled Jiang Wushou's reaction when he secretly met the Red-clothed Woman, and quickly brushed it off with a sentence, "The assassination has nothing to do with her."

Feng Chi also had similar suspicions, "Could it be that the incident where Wu Jinliang and Duan Xiangmei forced Lei Ying to apologize back then is something Lei Ying is still dwelling on?"

Shi Chun pointed out a doubt, "Then why only target me? There should be many opportunities to go after Duan Xiangmei." He shook the Jade Scroll in his hand, "What we need to know now is whether the events in here are true or not. If false, then what is the motive? If true, being Lei Ying is Gong Shaoci's confidant, does Gong Shaoci know about it?"

This question, too, Feng Chi couldn't answer.

As they pondered while bathing, outside suddenly came Wu Jinliang's voice, "Chun Tian."

As he called, he pushed the door open and walked in. His footsteps sounded odd. He walked to the side of the bath, pulled back the hanging veil, and saw Feng Chi, clad in little clothing, half-submerged in the water. He quickly raised his hand to cover his eyes, saying, "Oh, oh, is this a bad time? Are you done? Should I step out temporarily?"

The gaps between his fingers were, however, wide open, peeking through.

He himself wasn't dressed, wrapped in a blanket, his bare feet still wet. He'd been in a bath too and had rush over due to urgent matters.

Seeing him come over without finishing his bath, Shi Chun knew it must be something important and immediately glanced at Feng Chi as a signal.

Feng Chi nodded, stood, and left the hot spring, the water on her body vaporizing and drying with her steps.

As she passed by, Wu Jinliang chuckled, "Did it hurt?"

Feng Chi gave him a fierce glare and suddenly yanked the blanket wrapping him, pulling it clean off, leaving him exposed.

Wu Jinliang, caught off guard by the sneak attack, crouched, covering his chest and nether region with his legs crossed, a Qiankun Bag in hand shielding his groin. After a moment of instinctual reaction, he then immediately stood up righteously, boldly showing Feng Chi.

After passing by and catching a glimpse of his bare buttocks, Feng Chi simply sneered and turned her head back, not looking any further, and left with her back turned.

Wu Jinliang stood with hands on his hips, "I say Sister Feng, you're not being fair, both commanders, why do you serve him for a bath but not me? I'm much taller and more imposing than he is. See for yourself if you don't believe me."

Feng Chi raised her hand to adjust her tied-up hair and left with swaying hips, ignoring him.

Having gained nothing, Wu Jinliang quickly covered himself again with both hands, and hurriedly dove into the pool, half-floating next to Shi Chun, teasingly saying, "Sister Feng's body is so fair and plump, don't you have any thoughts..." He paused, scooped some water to sniff, and then started cursing with an incredulous look, "This is too extravagant, using Spiritual Liquid? And all I get is clear soup and plain water, this Sister Feng sure is biased..."

Shi Chun glanced sideways, "What's the matter?"

Were it not bath water, Wu Jinliang would have taken a sip. Had they been in the Land of Exile, he would've drunk it. But now, he hesitated, flung away the scooped bath water, and then from the Qiankun Bag placed at the shore, pulled out a Jade Scroll, handed it to Shi Chun, and whispered, "Xiao Sheng just gave me this. Previously, there was a commotion with Yu Xuanbing leaving home suddenly for many days before returning, an occurrence never before. According to Xiao Sheng, it happened just as rumors outside exploded about San finding Sandalwood Gold veins, during a time when everyone was uneasy with the rumors."

Regarding Yu Xuanbing, they've never stopped keeping an eye on him, not even during Shi Chun's twenty-year imprisonment. This kept being managed by Wu Jinliang due to Shi Chun's incarceration. Only Xiao Sheng stayed beside Wu Jinliang at that time, and Xiao Sheng was proficient in Transformation Technique. Thus, after Wu Jinliang selected reliable surveillance personnel, the peripheral matters were handed over to Xiao Sheng to control.

For the surveillance on Yu Xuanbing, Wu Jinliang only had one request: just observe, don't follow or investigate, and report only when abnormalities are found.

Because here we know Yu Xuanbing's capability too well; as once the Cultivation World's number one assassin, trying to play the tracking game with Yu Xuanbing is just like a mouse trying to tease a cat; not engaging in any espionage is the best strategy.

When Xiao Sheng grasped this situation, Wu Jinliang and Shi Chun were both trapped within Yanfu Continent, and he couldn't convey the message, so he waited until now.

After Shi Chun glanced over the contents of the Jade Scroll, he murmured to himself, "This came about following the appearance of San's rumours..."

"Also?" Wu Jinliang turned his head to look at him, full of confusion.

Shi Chun handed him another Jade Scroll from the shore and gestured for him to read it himself.

Upon reviewing it, Wu Jinliang became suddenly angry, punching the water, "What does Lei mean by this; is this not over yet? It's acceptable that I haven't settled the score with him, but now he won't let it drop?"

Shi Chun calmly replied, "It's still unclear if this matter is true or false, as I haven't felt the assassination mentioned above."

Wu Jinliang was stunned and thought Shi Chun had obtained a reliable source, only to find it was still unconfirmed, and asked immediately, "Where did the news come from?"

Shi Chun: "Unknown, anonymously delivered to Feng Chi; Feng Chi said the event coincided with the outbreak of San's rumours, and Yu Xuanbing happened to have movements during this period too. An assassin targeting me... Yu Xuanbing is also an assassin, is it a coincidence, or is there some connection here?"

Wu Jinliang's eyes twitched, immediately grasping his meaning, stood up splashing quickly, jumped into the pool, picked up a blanket from the ground, wrapped it around, and strode out.

Shi Chun placed the Jade Scroll back on the shore, slowly drenched his shoulder to bathe, and couldn't help but consider that it's indeed not as comforting as Feng Chi's gentle hands. Feng Chi truly excels in this aspect.

Just that the situation is quite troublesome; comfort leads to dependence, which can be dangerous if any malicious intent arises, his life could be at risk anytime.

Wu Jinliang didn't stay away too long; less than half a stick of incense had burned by the time he returned, completely naked, untidily rushed back in, indicating he didn't even change clothes; really treating Dingnan Prefecture like his own home.

Discarding the blanket, he dove back into the pool, leaned next to Shi Chun, and said, "Confirmed the exact date with Feng Chi and Xiao Sheng; Yu Xuanbing left on the ninth of that month, and Feng Chi received the secret delivery on the thirteenth — the timeline does fit though we may have overthought it; if he did it, it would be too unreasonable; why would he do this? Also, how would he even know about the assassination?"

Shi Chun: "Whether it's him or not, testing will tell."

Wu Jinliang paused, then bitterly smiled, "How to test it? Testing will alert him, and if we truly anger him, we are afraid these two heads might be in danger; that guy is indeed tough to deal with, always playing tricks, strikes are deadly."

Shi Chun: "He has family now, playing sideways doesn't make sense anymore. Let him have over twenty years of peaceful days, and we have shown enough sincerity; if he wants to continue peacefully, we have to continue shielding him."

Wu Jinliang tried probing, "You want him to come out of retirement?"

Shi Chun: "Previously it was impossible, now money isn't an issue, any conditions can be negotiated... Jinliang, now we are out in the open with too many eyes on us, binding us with rules, and it's inappropriate for us to personally partake in dirty deeds; losing official positions over trivial matters isn't worthwhile. We must conduct ourselves openly and honestly; unsavory tasks require someone else's labor; no one is better suited than him.

Moreover, within Yanfu Continent's five major factions, those Demon Cultivators who have practiced Demon Eye have already surfaced, with a list available, finding out who all are should not be difficult. All are Demon Cultivators of Heavenly Immortal Realm; whether they belong to Demon Path or are secretly maintained by the five major forces, my determination to purge demons and uphold the path remains unchanged. You track them down and have Yu Xuanbing act, only he can manage it discreetly."

Wu Jinliang fell into intense thought, pondering its feasibility.

Shi Chun glanced at him and continued, "The positions of Dingxi Prefecture and Dingbei Prefecture, Miao Dingyi feels with our current foundation internally and externally, we are unstable; he warns against greed leading to becoming a target for criticism — he suggests we should relinquish them; but I don't wish to give up easily, and still want to try. With Yu Xuanbing's assistance in coming out from retirement, confronting obstacles in our path, we can manage with more confidence, no longer solely letting others wield public and secret weapons against us, correct?"

Upon hearing the matter relates to their positions, Wu Jinliang immediately abandoned deep thought, eyes flashing with ruthlessness, nodding forcefully, "Indeed, these were gained by our hard work; why should we relinquish easily? Miao Dingyi is speaking lightly without suffering; retreating after losing ground is acceptable. Chun Tian, rest assured, I'll personally handle Yu Xuanbing, and definitely bring him back to see you."

Shi Chun raised a hand to pat his shoulder, warning: "We are all on the same side, intending for long-term cooperation, maintain respect — don't harm our harmony."

"Understood, rest assured."

Leaving his words, Wu Jinliang splashed up again, climbed to the shore, shook off water, and began dressing up; forget about enjoying the bath, knowing what's essential is more important: initially planning for a bath to find Duan Xiangmei, now considers clearing out details about Yu Xuanbing at Xiao Sheng's earlier to gain peace of mind, dressed hastily, and ran off without saying much.