Chapter 458
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Chapter 458: The Young Master’s Head?
Longyao City, the only city in the middle of the Small Dragon River.
Going downstream leads to Leopard Eye, while going upstream leads to Yanwei.
This city is a vital strategic transportation hub, located in Longyao, and is a critical passageway for entering and exiting Liu State.
Leopard Eye City is currently under the control of Ba Xia, and Liu State has experienced significant territorial loss due to the fall of Leopard Eye.
Longyao City serves both land and water trade routes, with a continuous flow of merchants. Its position on a strategic transportation route makes it easy to defend and hard to attack, which has allowed it to remain relatively intact. Even after the Bi Fang clan’s extinction, this place has not been heavily impacted.
The lord of Longyao City is the county governor, and as one of the leaders of the noble families, he consolidated his power by marrying a woman from the Bi Fang clan. However, after the clan’s extinction, the lord severed ties with his wife to distance himself from the Bi Fang name. Some rumors suggest he even strangled her to display loyalty, ensuring Longyao City remained untouched by Ba Xia and Qiongqi.
Though no one knows for certain what happened, no one has seen his wife since.
Most merchants prefer a stable business environment, with steady prices, reliable trade, and a balanced supply and demand—this is what makes a market thrive. Longyao City operates like a large container market. Many merchants avoid Leopard Eye due to Ba Xia’s control and the challenging, distant downstream route. Longyao, acting as a transit point, is ideal.
As a result, Longyao City thrives on Ba Xia’s exports, collecting significant intermediary fees through repeated transactions. Although the market might not be vast, when the quantity builds up, even a small, scattered market can have substantial economic effects. For a declining state like Liu, Longyao City is a decent place to live, leading to fluctuations in housing and commodity prices.
Bai Wei found an inn, which cost over three times as much as the already expensive Yanwei City. After comparing prices, he knew there must be hidden costs. As a stranger, he had no choice but to accept it. At least the inflated prices came from clear sources, whereas cheaper options might be unsustainable.
After paying, Bai Wei left the inn but, after a moment’s reflection, he didn’t feel completely at ease. He decided to leave the Crouching Tiger Sword with Chao Lu. She seemed uneasy, and although Bai Wei understood her discomfort, he knew that hatred was not something that could be easily resolved.
Longyao City is a bustling place, with merchants and a lively night market. The security here is ensured by the rapid flow of money. No one dares to cause trouble in the streets. Damaging a shop could affect the financial interests of powerful families, and troublemakers usually don’t last long. Even if they do leave, they often find themselves hurt or dead.
Bai Wei suggested a stroll through the night market to take a look at the various offerings.
The three of them left the inn, each going their separate way.
Bai Wei paused for a moment, and a waiter from a nearby shop seized the opportunity to approach him, asking if he wanted to visit a “good place.”
A “good place” in Longyao refers to places where the streets are charming, merchants are prosperous, and—naturally—unspeakable attractions exist.
After Bai Wei politely declined, the waiter’s demeanor immediately changed. He moved on to the next customer, eager to make his commission.
Holding a compass, Bai Wei wandered aimlessly through the city.
The Bi Fang feather in his hand pointed to a specific location. Following the compass’s direction, Bai Wei walked for twenty minutes, eventually arriving at an alley. A restaurant was operating at the end of the alley, people coming and going, with the scent of alcohol filling the air. He bypassed the lively restaurant and walked into a quieter, plain side alley. At the entrance of the alley was a shop, its interior bathed in soft light. Green plants lined the entrance, and a Pixiu was pasted on the front door. The main entrance was made of semi-transparent glass, through which Bai Wei could see various objects on shelves of varying heights.
The compass in Bai Wei’s hand grew warm, then hot. If he weren’t a puppet, he might have dropped it. It seemed he had reached his destination.
Bai Wei pushed open the door, and the chime of a bronze bell echoed as he entered. This was an antique shop.
The old-fashioned bell caught the attention of an elderly man wearing scholar robes. The man, with glasses and a gentle appearance, walked over to Bai Wei.
“Sir, it’s nearly closing time. How may I assist you?” the old man asked.
Bai Wei replied, “I would like to have an item appraised.”
The old man hesitated. “At this hour? Appraising an item isn’t a simple task.”
Bai Wei responded, “Let’s take a look first.”
He took out the compass and placed it on the marble table.
The old man placed his hand on the compass, feeling its intense heat. His eyes shifted slightly as he looked at the feather, then asked, “Sir, may I ask where you obtained this item?”
“A friend gave it to me. They said I could use it.”
“Which friend?”
“Last name is Wang.”
“Where is this ‘high place’?”
“Yingzhou.”
“This Miss Wang must be exceptionally beautiful.”
“He’s a lazy man, enjoys fishing, drinking tea, and taking advantage of online shopping deals.”
The old scholar paused, stepping aside. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”
He closed the shop, turned off the lights, and led Bai Wei upstairs.
After a brief pause, the scholar asked, “What is your last name?”
“Bai Wei.”
“Stop fighting.”
“Young Master Bai, I am Liu Tingyun,” the old man introduced himself.
“Are you a strategist?”
“No, I studied with Mr. Nalan for a few years and became a servant. I came to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom with the young miss,” Liu Tingyun sighed. “After the upheavals in the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, I couldn’t return to the Ming Country. I stayed behind to manage this antique shop left by the young miss. Life has been manageable, but I never imagined anyone would find this place.”
“No wonder. Wang Yu isn’t involved in these conflicts. He was merely placed in the Yingzhou Consulate as a backup candidate for the strategist family, anticipating that all strategists here would disappear, and the Ghost Valley Master’s lineage would be lost,” Bai Wei said. “I came here based on his recommendation.”
“It’s not easy for Young Master Bai to come this far,” the old scholar sighed.
“It wasn’t that difficult,” Bai Wei replied truthfully. “It took just over ten days from the Ming Country, so it’s quite fast.”
Liu Tingyun was taken aback.
“I want to meet Mr. Nalan Jinghuai,” Bai Wei said, “Can you recommend me?”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Liu Tingyun shook his head.
“Why? I have Wang Yu’s token,” Bai Wei pointed to the compass. “This can’t be fake.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust Young Master Bai, but the situation is unique,” Liu Tingyun paused. “You probably don’t know the current state of my lady, do you?”
“Wang Yu said the Vertigo family has been active throughout the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, plotting for the country, creating schemes and chaos among the nations. It’s a secret struggle that weakens the kingdom’s power, making it unable to resist the Great Ming,” Bai Wei said. “But no one knows the internal situation well. I only know that a member of the Vertigo family, Wang Ran, is on Xiangliu’s side.”
“The Vertigo family’s schemes are like a game of chess, where even they themselves are merely pieces. They are willing to sacrifice themselves for the kingdom’s fate. Neither I nor my lady fear death. We planned to protect the princes of Bi Fang, but we fell into a trap. Lord Bi Fang died, and the lords became exiles,” Liu Tingyun said, straightening her back. “Mr. Nalan was the strategist under Lord Bi Fang?”
Bai Wei asked in astonishment.
Liu Tingyun nodded. “Given Liu State’s current dire state, I initially wanted to persuade my lady to leave, but she insists on staying.”
Bai Wei paused and asked, “What does this have to do with me not being able to meet her?”
“This is Miss’s rule. Since Lord Bi Fang’s death, Miss has been seriously ill and doesn’t want to see outsiders,” Liu Tingyun explained. Whether this reason is true or not, Bai Wei chose not to press further. The old scholar continued, “If you have business, I can pass on the message. Young Master Bai must have come for something important.”
“The Bai Ze Kingdom is going to collapse.”
“We all know that.”
“I want to save Bai Ze from destruction. That’s why I came to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom,” Bai Wei said.
Liu Tingyun was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile. “How can we help with that? If it were the past, things would be different, but now, in Liu State…”
“Wang Yu said if anyone could help, it would be Mr. Nalan. Since you two have been here for so long, I believe you haven’t given up. I don’t know your plan, but if you assist me, I’ll help you. If Lord Qiongqi continues to grow stronger and takes over Bai Ze, Liu State will soon be devoured, and the Bi Fang Principality will truly be lost,” Bai Wei said emphatically.
The old scholar fell silent, then explained that this was not a decision he could make alone. He needed to discuss it with his lady.
Bai Wei said, “I’ll wait here.”
The old scholar returned after a short while, his expression serious. “The young lady said that planning is like walking on thin ice. She hopes that Young Master Bai will keep his word and bring something to show her.”
“What is it?”
“A head.” Liu Tingyun said. “The head of the Tiger General.”
Bai Wei was stunned… Young Master Bai… offering a head?
