A deeper worry was that the contact between Liu Hong and King Landu had been discovered.
Seeing this, Liu Taoyao spoke a little faster. "Brother Lü, I have a presumptuous request."
"I hope you can investigate his identity for me."
"Just now, when you spoke with him, didn’t you mention the ’Sword Madman’ Liu Lang? Why not start with Liu Lang?"
As he and Ge Muxiao changed into black clothes, Lv Jiunan said,
"That matter must be handled sooner rather than later. If Bright Moon Building is unusable, I hope Young Master Liu has another method."
Liu Taoyao’s expression hardened. He said in a low voice, "Rest assured, Brother Lü. I will discuss it with my father shortly."
Lv Jiunan nodded, said no more, and left the Painted Boat with Ge Muxiao.
「After they left.」
Liu Taoyao waited another moment. When Chen Yi didn’t return, he breathed a small sigh of relief.
"Shichang, do you think it was a coincidence that he came here tonight?"
Zhao Shichang pondered for a moment before replying calmly, "It should be a coincidence."
"After all, before tonight, Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao had only appeared in public once."
"The time at the East Market? Yes, Lv Jiunan is careful enough. If he had been followed when he rescued Asutai, he would have noticed long ago."
Liu Taoyao paused, then raised a hand. "Shichang, let’s go. Back to the residence."
"We need to let Father know about this as soon as possible."
...
「Meanwhile.」
Chen Yi stood five li from Quchi, True Essence swirling in his hand to envelop a bug the size of a pinprick.
’Black Magic really is cut from the same cloth as the Poison Dao and the Witchcraft and Gu Dao.’
If not for his Qi Observation Skill, he never would have discovered the Black Magic Lv Jiunan had placed on him.
Chen Yi looked at the bug in his hand, his thoughts racing.
’Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao came to Shu State at Liu Hong’s request to rescue those barbarian slaves.’
’Especially the son of the Barbarian Left King, who seems to be called Asutai.’
’As long as I follow this thread, I’ll definitely find evidence of Liu Hong’s collusion with the Barbarian Race.’
For him, killing Liu Hong or Liu Taoyao would be simple, but it wouldn’t resolve the Xiao Family’s predicament.
The best result would be to have the Xiao Family eliminate Liu Hong themselves.
Only then would it serve to make an example of him, and only then could the Xiao Family regain their power in Shu State.
As for Lv Jiunan...
A horse bandit from Poshisu Country, and a General under King Landu at that—what difference did it make if he was killed sooner or later?
He would let him live for now. Perhaps he could still get evidence from him to take down Liu Hong.
’But I still need to find where they and those barbarian slaves are hiding.’
At this thought, a smile appeared on Chen Yi’s face.
All in all, it was good news.
Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from a distance.
Chen Yi looked toward the sound and saw Fang Hongxiu approaching alone.
He lifted his bamboo hat, greeting her with a smile. "Hundred Households Fang, you got here fast."
Fang Hongxiu, dressed in a raincoat and bamboo hat, gripped the long blade at her waist and snorted, "What the hell are you up to?"
"How did you get mixed up with Liu Taoyao?"
She knew that Chen Yi had acted to help the Xiao Family several times before, so seeing him now drinking with Liu Taoyao on a Painted Boat inevitably made her suspicious.
Chen Yi spread his hands. "I didn’t want to."
"Tonight I was investigating the fire at the East Market Grain Warehouse, but who would have thought I’d run into Liu Taoyao here?"
Fang Hongxiu’s expression changed slightly. "Are you saying Liu Taoyao ordered someone to burn down the East Market Grain Warehouse?"
"If I said it was him, would you dare to investigate?"
"If it really was him, I would definitely bring him to justice!"
Chen Yi paused and shook his head. "Then I’m afraid I have to disappoint you. He had nothing to do with it."
He knew very well that with the Imprisonment Department’s power, they were no match for Liu Hong and Liu Taoyao.
Rather than telling Fang Hongxiu the truth, it was better to give her some clues to attract the attention of those people.
After all, he still needed some time.
Fang Hongxiu shot him a displeased glare. "Then why did you ask me to meet you here?"