Thoughts were just thoughts.
Chen Yi wasn’t too worried, though.
After all, he had overheard a great deal from the conversation between the General and Lou Yuxue that night.
All in all, he could deduce a few things and make preparations in advance.
It was just as he had always believed—known threats were not frightening. What was truly terrifying were the unknown troubles and schemes.
The unexpected attack by the Five Poison Sect, for instance, had left him in a rather difficult position.
But as he mulled things over on the way back to the Xiao Family residence, Chen Yi’s brow furrowed slightly.
’A Golden Banner Officer of the Hidden Guard has come to Shu State and is secretly in contact with someone who seems to be King Landu of Poshisu Country. They’re obviously plotting something big.’
’I’m afraid my plans will need some adjustments.’
’Fortunately, these three developments have surfaced relatively early...’
Three major shifts in one day. It made Chen Yi feel his luck was actually pretty good.
’The old master’s efforts to purchase grain for the Three Towns were obstructed. I can deduce this is the work of those "Financiers" hiding in the shadows.’
’The Hidden Guard wants to test me. I’ll have to find a way to completely dispel that Pavilion Master’s suspicions.’
’And finally, the General’s purpose for coming to Shu State...’
’Tsk. What a mess.’
Muttering to himself, Chen Yi returned to Spring Lotus Garden. He changed into a clean set of clothes, then went to his study and brewed a cup of hot tea to warm up.
He pondered for a long time.
Eventually, his expression eased considerably.
’Then there’s the Jing State Liu Family and the Five Poison Sect... It’s messy, to be sure, but it’s not an impossible situation to resolve.’
Chen Yi was well aware.
The more chaotic the situation, the more crucial it was to unravel it thread by thread. So long as he could sort out the key points, he would have a fighting chance.
Especially now, while he was operating alone, he absolutely could not afford to make a reckless move and tip off his enemies.
This was the only way he could resolve these problems quietly.
’When it comes down to it, I have to deal with the Jing State Liu Family first.’
The Liu Family was like a boulder blocking the Xiao Family’s path. Behind them hid countless people with ulterior motives, making it impossible to see the full picture, yet demanding constant vigilance.
Conversely, by dealing with the Liu Family, he could make an example of them to intimidate others, causing the so-called "Financiers" and anyone in Shu State with designs on the Xiao Family to have second thoughts.
Chen Yi watched the rain fall outside his window, a slight smile appearing on his face. ’You could say I’m trying to take the enemy general’s head from amidst a chaotic battlefield.’
’Xiao Jinghong, if you ever find out what your husband has done, please go easy on me.’
After watching for a moment longer, Chen Yi tidied up the study, then stood and returned to his room.
Just as he was about to sit cross-legged to begin his cultivation, a line of large, golden text floated before his eyes:
[Daily Intelligence · Yellow-level Top Grade: At the seventh mark of the Dog’s Hour, barbarian slaves will riot at the East Market Grain Store. A minuscule amount of Opportunity may be obtained.]
Chen Yi glanced at the text, taken aback.
’A barbarian slave riot?’
That was certainly a rare event.
He was, of course, familiar with the origins of the barbarian slaves—most were captured by horse bandits from Poshisu Country and sold in the Shu State region.
Their buyers were mostly Noble Families, who used them for plowing fields, farming, and other forms of hard labor.
Chen Yi recalled hearing about barbarian slave riots a few times before.
Apparently, every riot resulted in casualties.
But he had never seen one himself.
After a moment of thought, Chen Yi closed his eyes and began his Cultivation of the Four Symbols Skill.
’Yellow Level is still a level, I suppose. I might as well go see what a barbarian slave riot looks like. It’ll be an eye-opener, at least.’
’And it’s at the East Market Grain Store, of all places...’
...
「The next morning.」
The overcast sky above Shu State had cleared considerably.
A gentle rain fell.
Xiao Wuge was up unusually early. He had already climbed out of bed before Xiaodie even came to knock.
He dressed and washed up.
When Xiaodie arrived with a basin of hot water, Xiao Wuge was already dressed, though his hair was still down and disheveled.
He ran a hand through his somewhat messy black hair and said sheepishly, "Sister Xiaodie, I don’t know how to do my hair."