’But because of the so-called Pirate Alliance in Poshisu Country, Lv Jiunan hadn’t taken them out of Shu State, which was why he planned to ask the Bright Moon Building for help.’
’Of course, Liu Hong and his people might have been the ones who requested this.’
’Second, Lin Huai’an and Liu Taofang had teamed up to manipulate grain prices in Shu State. When Liu Hong found out, he then conspired against Lin Huai’an.’
’That’s not right.’
’The sequence of events is wrong.’
Chen Yi shook his head to himself. ’The timing is wrong.’
’Liu Hong must have found out what Liu Taofang was doing ahead of time, which is why he had those barbarian slaves burn the granary before they escaped.’
’That would make sense.’
At this thought, a cold, sharp glint flashed in Chen Yi’s eyes as he looked at the Painted Boat.
’He hadn’t expected Liu Hong to be audacious enough to collude with the Barbarian Race.’
’He had originally thought that someone as calculating and deeply scheming as Liu Hong would be a "Powerful Minister" solely focused on the pursuit of power.’
’But now it seemed he was also a treacherous official who betrayed his own country and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.’
Just then, Liu Taoyao’s smiling voice came from within the Painted Boat. "...In any case, this affair is beneficial to you, Brother Lü."
"My father promised your King that once this is accomplished, he will gift you and your people the horses and carriages of several trading companies that often travel the Ancient Tea-Horse Road."
"This business alone will be enough for you to make a fortune."
Lv Jiunan’s tone was as cold as ever. "My Peacock Banner is fond of wealth, it’s true, but we don’t take just any money."
"If your father hadn’t written to the King, and if this matter didn’t involve the Barbarian Left King Mu Hage, you couldn’t have offered enough silver to make our leader break the rules of the Pirate Alliance."
"Of course."
"That is why my father ordered me to cooperate fully with you and Brother Ge Mu, and to let you take the lead in all things."
Liu Taoyao then asked, "I wonder, is the Spring Rain Building willing to take this job?"
Before Lv Jiunan could speak, Ge Muxiao snorted, "Someone’s interfering."
"Oh? Who would be so bold as to ruin things for you two?"
"’Sword Madman’ Liu Lang. Some worthless punk from the Jianghu!"
"Him?"
Liu Taoyao sounded slightly puzzled. "If I recall correctly, isn’t the ’Sword Madman’ about as powerful as you two?"
"His skill with the blade has reached Great Success. My big brother and I can’t take him down quickly."
"Hmph. If that weren’t the case, he’d already be a dead man!"
"I have no doubt about your strength, of course, but the top priority right now is to get Asutai and his men back to barbarian territory."
"You two must not act rashly."
"As for Liu Lang..."
Liu Taoyao paused for a moment before continuing with a smile, "With your strength, Brother Lü, you were able to control that runaway groom right under the Xiao Family’s noses. How could a worthless Jianghu Swordman be any different?"
Lv Jiunan remained silent.
But a deeper chill had already settled in Chen Yi’s heart.
’So it was the Liu Family!’
’A moment ago, he wasn’t certain if the Liu Family was involved when Lv Jiunan used Black Magic to make his predecessor flee the wedding.’
’Now, he was certain—the Liu Family was behind it!’
’No wonder.’
’With Liu Hong’s ambition, he must not want to see Xiao Jinghong remain secure within the Xiao Family.’
’If he could get rid of her live-in husband, Liu Hong could then find other ways to make the Xiao Family cast Xiao Jinghong out, further weakening their power.’
Seeing that Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao had no intention of speaking, Liu Taoyao continued with a laugh:
"It’s a pity that the Xiao Family’s son-in-law was lucky enough to escape with his life. Otherwise, my father would have sent a generous gift."
"Speaking of which, I have a few questions. I wonder if you could enlighten me, Brother Lü?"
"Speak."
"That day, you told me you had succeeded. Why didn’t the Xiao Family’s son-in-law die? Is there someone in the Xiao Family who can bring the dead back to life?"
There was a moment of silence.
Lv Jiunan finally replied coolly, "It must have been Xiao Jinghong."
"Oh? Don’t tell me she’s skilled in the Medical Dao in addition to Martial Arts?"
"Xiao Jinghong arrived too quickly that day. I hadn’t yet made that piece of trash kill himself before I had to sever the connection. She must have used some Secret Technique to revive him afterward."
"Or perhaps..."
"Agrippa!"