Chapter 117: Xue the Goodhearted, Who Could Only Grit His Teeth in Helplessness

“Brother, how’s the situation?”

Just as Xue Dashan and Qiu Zehai finally found a way to reach Liu Yun’s side, Liu Yun was in a private room of an unremarkable little shop, trembling with excitement as he urgently looked at Deputy Chief Wang.

Wang was now full of spirit, seemingly a different person from before. He hurriedly nodded firmly to Liu Yun and said, “Brother, I think we’ve really found the right path this time. The young master is very pleased with me and intends to assign me to the North Gate post!”

“The North Gate?”

Liu Yun’s old eyes suddenly brightened; he was so excited his whole body trembled.

The North Gate of Feng City directly connects to Qizhou, the administrative region encompassing Qizhou City.

Due to Feng City’s unique geographical location, it sits roughly in the central part of Qizhou. However, the east-west routes are hindered by mountains, bandits, and other obstacles, making the north-south axis—particularly the line between the South and North Gates—the most vital lifeline in all of Qizhou.

If Deputy Chief Wang could secure the North Gate assignment, it would be a total turnaround, like a salted fish coming back to life, standing tall and starting anew.

It must be understood that the North Gate of Feng City not only offers abundant benefits but is traditionally controlled personally by the city’s highest military officer, the garrison commander.

At this moment, Zhang Zhiji’s intention to assign the North Gate post to Deputy Chief Wang clearly implied a desire to promote him to the garrison commander’s position.

“Brother, brother! Heaven bless us—truly, heaven bless us!”

After a moment, Liu Yun finally grasped the reality and was moved to tears.

Deputy Chief Wang looked similarly emotional but quickly lowered his voice and said, “Brother, although the young master intends this, nothing is yet set in stone. He has given me an important task, which I must attend to immediately...”

Liu Yun laughed heartily. “Handling the task is urgent, handling the task is urgent. Brother, you go take care of it now; once you’re done, we’ll have a proper drink together.”

“All right.”

After seeing Deputy Chief Wang off, Liu Yun drank a cup of wine with great satisfaction, but his expression soon turned serious. He thought to himself, “That young master’s capabilities and methods are truly formidable... From now on, I must cultivate a good relationship with him.”

“Master, there’s a letter from the mansion. It says Xue Dashan from Tieniu Town has brought rich gifts and is waiting for you to return.”

At that moment, a servant carefully reported at the door.

“Hm?”

Liu Yun paused for a moment, then a broad smile spread across his face.

Damn it, the Xue clan actually came to me for help?

But he quickly remembered something...

It seemed that young master and Xue Dashan were not on good terms?

This realization was like suddenly grasping a ladder to the heavens. He ignored the fine dishes and several pots of wine on the table and hurriedly said, “Quick, come with me to a place!”

...

Not long after, Liu Yun arrived outside the inn where Li Yuanjing was staying.

He had already figured out that after last night’s events, Li Yuanjing probably hadn’t slept and was resting now.

Inside the inn’s main hall, several of Li Yuanjing’s attendants were drinking lightly, seemingly confirming this.

After all, if Li Yuanjing hadn’t retired, how could they dare to drink?

But Liu Yun’s ability to get this far was due to his own skill.

He quickly approached and smiled politely at the guards on duty.

“Brothers, do you know if Mr. Li is here? I have urgent business to see him...”

“Our master has already retired. If you have matters, please come back tonight. However, I cannot guarantee anything.”

Kuizi spoke calmly and without giving anything away.

“All right, I will come back tonight then.”

Liu Yun, adept at such dealings, slipped Kuizi a few taels of silver as a gift and then quickly left.

Seeing Liu Yun give the humble guards a gift worth at least three to four taels was astonishing.

Though they already knew their master was remarkable, they never imagined he was this formidable...

They were just sitting there drinking, yet this money seemed to fall from the sky.

...

Night gradually fell over the quiet little city. The wind-kill from last night had long since blown away, and the peaceful town had returned to its usual stillness.

At the Liu Mansion, Xue Dashan, despite his cunning, was growing impatient, having counted seven or eight pots of tea and yet still no sign of Liu Yun.

He couldn’t help but ask the servants in a grim voice, “Has your master not returned yet?”

“Yes.”

“Tell Xue Dashan that our master has not come back yet. But he had already sent word earlier that he’s currently occupied. If it’s inconvenient for Xue Dashan, he may leave first.”

“Leave first?”

Xue Dashan sneered darkly, barely able to restrain the urge to strangle the servant.

If he could leave, would he still be stuck here on this cold bench?

It was all because the situation was unfavorable!

Having seen many storms before, Xue Dashan didn’t bother arguing and simply closed his eyes.

“Then tell your master that I, Xue Mang, will wait right here. If he doesn’t come tonight, I will wait until tomorrow morning!”

“This is...”

...

“Ah, this feels good!”

At the same time, Li Yuanjing, having slept all afternoon, had mostly recovered his energy and stretched leisurely.

After freshening up and about to call for some wine and dishes, the guard Zhuzhi hurriedly reported, “Master, Liu Yun, the old master Liu, has been waiting outside for the entire afternoon, saying he has urgent business to discuss with you...”

“Hm?”

Li Yuanjing frowned slightly and glanced at the erotic painting under his pillow.

After a moment, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Then please have him come in.”

“Yes.”

Soon after, Liu Yun cautiously entered Li Yuanjing’s room and bowed deeply.

“Greetings, sir...”

Seeing how much more respectful Liu Yun was than before, Li Yuanjing smiled.

“No need for such formality, Old Master Liu. Coming so late, is there something important?”

Liu Yun, having learned more about Li Yuanjing’s character, didn’t beat around the bush.

He lowered his voice and said, “Sir, it’s like this: the matter with the Qiu family is unclear. That Xue Mang from the Xue clan has somehow found his way to my house and is still waiting there. I’m ignorant and dare not act rashly, so I’ve come to seek your guidance...”

“Hmm...”

Li Yuanjing pinched the bridge of his nose, now much clearer-headed, and quickly grasped the point.

A smile curved his lips.

Goodness.

It really is a ‘steel fist.’ In just one afternoon, the Qiu family is already overwhelmed.

But Li Yuanjing hadn’t met Zhang Zhiji yet, and Xue Dashan’s setback was clearly welcome news.

He said at once, “Brother Liu, I’m a bit puzzled about this matter myself. Let’s discuss it again tomorrow.”

Hearing Li Yuanjing address him as ‘Brother Liu’ so familiarly, Liu Yun was overjoyed and immediately bowed deeply.

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

After Liu Yun left, Li Yuanjing called Zhuzhi to bring wine and dishes, revealing a cold smile.

This time, without letting the Qiu or Xue families spin a big story, the matter wouldn’t be over.

More importantly, Liu Yun’s actions suddenly made Li Yuanjing realize something crucial.

If someone like Liu Yun was already this shrewd, then what of Feng City’s magistrate, Zhao Bingchun?

Especially since the assassination attempt last night hadn’t yet shown any sign of the Prince of Qi’s faction—

Combined with Li Yuanjing’s understanding of Zhao Bingchun’s nature—

Li Yuanjing couldn’t help but harbor strong suspicions that Zhao Bingchun was playing multiple sides.

Still, after some thought, Li Yuanjing found no solution and decided not to dwell on it.

He picked up the erotic painting again, studying it carefully.

Many matters would have to wait until after dinner and after meeting Zhang Zhiji.

...

“What?”

“Your master is unwell? He doesn’t want to see me today??!”

While Li Yuanjing continued to study the secrets of the painting, Xue Dashan, who had been waiting outside the Liu mansion for the entire afternoon and half the evening, was struck by a crushing blow.

He ground his teeth in fury and glared fiercely at the Liu family servant, shouting, “Tell me, is it true?”

The servant, naturally afraid to meet Xue Dashan’s wrath, quickly lowered his eyes and spoke submissively.

“You, you, you...”

Xue Dashan was so enraged he wanted to grab the cold bench he had been sitting on all day—warmed by his presence—and smash it onto the servant’s head.

But after hesitating, he threw the bench back down hard.

Given his status, beating the servant wouldn’t be a big deal.

But it would be a grave embarrassment.

What made Xue Dashan grit his teeth in frustration was that if Liu Yun used this matter to blackmail him, he would be utterly trapped.

“Fine!”

“Then tell your master that I, Xue Mang, will come back tomorrow!”

His teeth nearly shattered as he said this, then he strode out swiftly.

...

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