Before the meeting, the atmosphere in Lingqu County already carried the heavy tension of an approaching storm.
In the main hall of the Chu Residence that afternoon, Commander Zhao arrived half a quarter-hour earlier than agreed.
The moment he saw Li Xuan, this usually decisive and commanding officer instantly switched into full “worried father” mode.
His hands clamped tightly onto the young man’s shoulders, concern practically spilling from his voice.
“How is your recovery?”
Li Xuan smiled lightly.
“Thank you for your concern, Commander. I’ve fully recovered.”
Then his tone shifted, genuine worry surfacing in his eyes.
“But how is Yan Chiyu? Is he seriously injured?”
“After the meeting, you may return to camp and see him yourself.”
Commander Zhao released his shoulders, silently thinking:
You were gravely injured yourself, and yet you still worry about others? Did you not think of this prince at all?
He was just about to send for Chu Wanran when Li Xuan suddenly leaned closer, eyes sparkling.
“May this junior accompany everyone to the meeting? I’ll only listen quietly and absolutely won’t speak out of turn.”
At that exact moment, Chu Wanran stepped out from the inner hall. Hearing this, he naturally took Li Xuan’s hand, cool spiritual energy lingering at his fingertips.
“With me here, why not? Though the meeting place is elsewhere.”
Before anyone could respond, he raised a hand and lightly sliced through the air.
A faintly glowing spatial rift split open like torn fabric.
“Commander Zhao, wait here a moment. My spatial ability can only transport one person at a time. I shall return shortly.”
With that, he pulled Li Xuan into the distorted light.
Beyond the rift was not chaos, but a white space roughly half the size of a basketball court.
It was so clean and barren it resembled a giant block of bleached tofu—
A white marble tea table and several stone chairs stood within. Beyond that, nothing.
Leading Li Xuan to a glowing white door, Chu Wanran said,
“Push this door open and you’ll enter the secret chamber beneath Meifang Pavilion. Go ahead. I’ll return for Commander Zhao.”
The instant the door creaked open, Li Xuan walked straight into a room full of startled gazes.
The Crown Prince stood first, disbelief plainly written across his face.
Beside him, Grand Tutor Bai leisurely remarked,
“Surely Lord Chu’s spatial ability.”
Li Xuan hurriedly cupped his fists in greeting.
“Your Highness, Grand Tutor Bai, this junior greets you.”
“Feeling better?”
Grand Tutor Bai looked up, concern resting gently in his eyes before his expression darkened.
“The warm jade pendant—why were you not wearing it?”
Li Xuan’s face instantly flushed red like a student caught cheating.
“Please forgive me, Grand Tutor. During the graduation assessment, I was too focused on the trial and forgot to wear it…”
Grand Tutor Bai sighed helplessly and gently patted his head.
“That jade protects you. Do not neglect it again.”
Just then, Commander Zhao entered alongside Chu Wanran.
The atmosphere in the chamber instantly shifted from casual to solemn.
Commander Zhao, Zhīwēi, Peony, and the others were already seated.
A political game involving multiple factions was about to unfold.
The Crown Prince struck first.
He slammed the merchant guild evidence ledger onto the table with a loud bang, shaking even the stone seats.
“Everyone! The evidence is irrefutable! The Lingxi Merchant Guild has been illegally trafficking foreign forbidden medicine, refined through shamanic arts! They colluded with officials and secretly excavated the mountain to rescue Qin Gui. Their intentions are sinister—there must be a greater conspiracy!”
Zhīwēi frowned deeply.
“Your Highness speaks true. Judging from their operations, this scheme has long been in motion. The tunnels from South Mountain to the rear of Fulong Camp could not have been built overnight.”
Chu Wanran rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“On the surface, the Lingxi Merchant Guild appears honorable and prosperous. Yet behind closed doors, they commit such vile acts. What exactly are they planning?”
“Perhaps this old man can offer a clue.”
Grand Tutor Bai slowly unfolded a sketch from his sleeve.
“When leaving Xunhua Pavilion the other day, I encountered a woman. Delicate appearance, yet wicked eyes—not of the Central Plains. Most notably, a streak of silver hair at her forehead. She is likely the shaman employed by the merchant guild.”
Li Xuan stared at the drawing.
His pupils abruptly contracted.
“A streak of silver hair…”
He looked up sharply.
“Grand Tutor Bai, aside from that, what other features did she have?”
Grand Tutor Bai handed him the sketch.
“I painted this yesterday. Judge for yourself. A foreign shaman woman… perhaps she is—”
“Lingxi.”
Li Xuan’s voice carried certainty.
Commander Zhao immediately snatched the paper.
“This woman is Lingxi?”
Chu Wanran smirked.
“Commander Zhao, this is a deserter from your own camp. How can you not recognize her?”
Commander Zhao stiffened.
“I never fought her! Old Zhan was the one who battled her. She fled the moment I arrived! There are countless soldiers in camp—how could I remember every face?”
Chu Wanran rolled his eyes and let it go.
The Crown Prince slid the account ledger toward Commander-in-Chief Zhao.
“If Lingxi and the Lingxi Merchant Guild both serve the Tianji Pavilion, then forbidden medicine has already infiltrated the Yue Suppression Division. Song Jiang is their mole. Commander-in-Chief Zhao—what is your plan?”
All eyes turned toward him.
The great general sat ramrod straight, expression dark enough to drip water.
His teacup nearly cracked in his grip.
“Song Jiang…”
Through gritted teeth.
Li Xuan silently complained inwardly:
If his name weren’t mentioned, I’d have thought this guy was decorative furniture.
“In my opinion,” Chu Wanran broke the silence,
“we have only uncovered one spy. If we wish to uproot the Tianji Pavilion entirely, Commander-in-Chief Zhao must pretend ignorance for now. Secretly monitor Song Jiang and observe his associates. Someone like him, trained by the military and strong-willed, won’t confess easily under torture. Acting too soon risks alerting the enemy.”
“You want this prince to endure quietly?”
Commander-in-Chief Zhao slammed the table and stood.
“I am a battlefield general! I fight wars—not perform tricks like some actor!”
Grand Tutor Bai pressed a calming hand to his shoulder.
“War is deception. Know yourself and know your enemy.”
The commander clenched his fists.
“Teacher… I cannot! I can kill a hundred enemies in battle, but deceit and pretending? I truly cannot!”
Chu Wanran pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Fine, fine. Then simply avoid seeing him.”
The commander exploded.
“This prince—a great general—must hide from a mere soldier?!”
Chu Wanran covered his forehead helplessly.
My ancestors above… why is every one of these people so difficult?
“Fine. Forget acting.”
He turned to Li Xuan.
“Ah Xuan, your marrow-cleansing technique. Can you erase today’s memories and revert him to before the meeting?”
“Within one day, yes. Though timing precision may be slightly off.”
“No matter. He only needs to forget today’s discussion.”
Commander Zhao redirected the conversation.
“Our priority is identifying all Tianji Pavilion spies within the Yue Suppression Division and uncovering their true objective. Also—who exactly is Qin Gui? Why would Prime Minister Li risk so much to rescue him?”
“Precisely why we must remain patient,” Chu Wanran replied.
“Wait for them to reveal flaws before striking.”
Suddenly—
Peony shot to her feet.
She rushed toward Chu Wanran, gripping his sleeve with trembling hands.
“Alliance Leader… Ru Shi—he still hasn’t returned!”
Chu Wanran’s face darkened instantly.
“Ru Shi hasn’t returned?”
Grand Tutor Bai’s expression also turned grim.
“Likely too late. Ru Shi helped stir chaos for us and surely drew Lingxi’s suspicion. I told Peony yesterday to have him flee immediately.”
Peony’s eyes reddened.
“What do we do? Will he survive?”
She tugged desperately at Chu Wanran’s sleeve.
“Please save him!”
Chu Wanran inhaled sharply.
“Don’t worry. Ru Shi serves under me. I’ll bring him back.”
Turning to Zhīwēi:
“Use your concealment ability. We infiltrate Xunhua Pavilion.”
The Crown Prince immediately produced a map.
“Ru Shi drew this himself. We used it to infiltrate the hidden chamber. He’s talented—please bring him back safely.”
Grand Tutor Bai suddenly stopped Chu Wanran.
“Allow me a look.”
Golden light flooded his eyes—his ability, Insight Perception.
Moments later, he pointed decisively at a mark.
“He is imprisoned here.”
The storage shed behind Xunhua Pavilion.
Li Xuan grabbed Chu Wanran’s wrist.
“Can I come too?”
You already hid being the Alliance Leader from me—now you’re risking your life? No way!
Chu Wanran pressed a hand to his shoulder.
“Too dangerous. Lingxi recognizes both you and Commander Zhao.”
“Then how can I let you go alone?!”
Grand Tutor Bai stroked his fingers thoughtfully.
“A diversion.”
The Crown Prince grinned.
“If Lingxi knows him already… why not let Li Xuan distract her?”
An hour later, preparations were complete.
They headed toward Xunhua Pavilion.
By evening, the city of Fanyang shimmered beneath lantern light.
Inside Xunhua Pavilion, music and laughter filled the air.
Outside, shadows gathered.
Commander Zhao crouched beside a carriage with Lin Que and Shi Gan.
He gripped his sword tightly.
“Follow the plan. After the signal, stall for two ke. Do not fight recklessly.”
Li Xuan pressed the smoke bombs at his waist.
“Don’t worry.”
Then—
He stepped openly into Xunhua Pavilion.
The room went silent.
Silver hair.
Cold expression.
He looked like an eagle wandering into a henhouse.
Walking straight to the counter, he slammed both palms down.
“Bring Ru Shi out.”
The manager, Madam Xue, forced a smile.
“This young master is unfamiliar. Ru Shi already has guests tonight.”
Li Xuan interrupted.
“I’m here to buy his freedom.”
The room erupted into whispers.
Lingxi descended with two asura guards.
“Li Xuan.”
Her smile was ice.
“You again?”
And so—
The trap began.