Chapter 128: Uprooted

Under the night sky in the small alley, the secret agents in black clothes surrounded the area so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through. Chen Ji leaned against the eaves of a wall, watching through the gaps in the crowd as Shopkeeper Yuan was surrounded.

He suddenly realized that he might not have another chance to kill the man later. The secret agents office valued Shopkeeper Yuan far more than he had imagined.

This was the first Jing Chao Si Cao caught by the secret agents office. If they used him well, they could inflict a huge wound on the Jing Chao military intelligence office.

Jin Zhu didn't concern himself with Shopkeeper Yuan, but rather squeezed out of the crowd and pulled Chen Ji aside.

He lowered his voice and said, "You, kid, have too much guts. You haven't even stepped into the cultivation path yet, and you dare to chase him alone? What if he still had the strength to resist? Even a trapped beast will fight back. If he truly hardened his heart and dragged you down with him, where would you go to reason?"

Chen Ji explained, "Adult, this villain's identity is extraordinary. We still need to use him to get more information. How could we let him escape?"

Jin Zhu couldn't help but laugh and cry, "It's my fault. I was worried you wouldn't act, so I didn't tell you about this plan. Everything tonight was a pre-arranged play. There's no way he could have escaped."

Chen Ji chuckled, "As long as I didn't mess up your plan, it's fine."

Jin Zhu urged him repeatedly, "You absolutely cannot be so reckless."

He turned back into the small alley, waved away all the secret agents, and then squatted in front of Shopkeeper Yuan, saying solemnly, "Shopkeeper Yuan, are you recovering? If Tian Ma hadn't just force-fed you the 'Shen Qiao' refined by Huang Shan Dao Shou, you'd already be heading to the Yellow Springs."

"I know, I know, I recognize 'Shen Qiao'," Shopkeeper Yuan nodded incessantly.

Jin Zhu smiled and said, "Then what do you want to tell me now? You've also seen the Inner Minister's decree. As long as you're willing to cooperate, a bright future awaits you."

Shopkeeper Yuan lowered his head and struggled for a few seconds, then raised his head again and said, "I still have quite a few accomplices in Luo City who haven't been caught."

The corner of Jin Zhu's mouth slightly curled up, his eyes hiding an irrepressible smile. "Oh? Tell me."

Shopkeeper Yuan gritted his teeth. "Kang Bo, the county clerk in Meng Jin County, is one of us."

Jin Zhu signaled a secret agent with his eyes, and someone immediately left in a hurry, riding a fast horse to Meng Jin County to arrest Kang Bo.

Shopkeeper Yuan continued, "The helpers in Ying Xian Building, Zhang Tong and Zhao Guang, are all our people."

Jin Zhu praised, "This is indeed a place where four taels can move a thousand jin. Ying Xian Building is full of high-ranking officials and nobles. Any casual chat at the table could be a secret."

Shopkeeper Yuan shook his head. "Those lords always like to boast after drinking. Our hidden people there can hear tons of information every day, but it often turns out to be false later. Earlier, there was a young scholar who, after drinking, said he had a relative who was the Liang Jiang Governor and also told some secret stories about Liang Jiang. We approved funds to approach him, banquet him, and instigate him. Later, we found out he had only seen the Liang Jiang Governor from afar once."

Jin Zhu's mouth fell open, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

Shopkeeper Yuan continued, "The grain and oil shop next to the Prefecture Office is also ours."

"Ming Quan Garden in Bai Yi Xiang and Hong Xiu Yao in Hong Yi Xiang are all ours."

As Shopkeeper Yuan spoke more and more, Jin Zhu's heart grew more and more startled. He hadn't expected that there were actually so many Jing Chao thieves hidden in Luo City, and with Shopkeeper Yuan's confession, the entire Luo City military intelligence office was about to be purged.

However, none of this was what Jin Zhu wanted to know most. He asked in a cold voice, "These peripheral connections can be dealt with at any time. What I want to know now is, is the important figure you're connected to in Jing Wang Fu, Jing Wang himself?"

Shopkeeper Yuan replied, "It's not Jing Wang, it's a Wang Fei."

Chen Ji's heart tightened again, and he stared intently at Shopkeeper Yuan.

If the other party exposed Yun Fei, what should he do?

Should he find a way to kill Yun Fei, or should he escape before Yun Fei was caught?

In front of Shopkeeper Yuan, Jin Zhu narrowed his eyes. "Which Wang Fei? Yun Fei or Jing Fei?"

Shopkeeper Yuan said, "I'm not sure!"

Jin Zhu was furious. "You're a Si Cao, and you say you're not sure?"

Cheng Ji, who was standing by, stepped forward. "Adult, it must be Jing Fei!"

Jin Zhu slowly turned his head. "Because she is Liu Xian Ming's sister?"

"That's right!"

Jin Zhu said, "But I have an informant who says that Jing Fei and Liu Xian Ming have been estranged for a long time. The brother and sister had an argument in the Liu family ancestral hall at the beginning of the year. Jing Fei would absolutely not cooperate with Liu Xian Ming's plan."

Chen Ji thought for a long time. "But what if the mastermind behind the plot to rebel was Liu Gun, Liu Ge Lao, from the beginning? Jing Fei can refuse Liu Xian Ming's command, but she might not be able to refuse her own father's command. If the Liu family doesn't even trust their own people, how can they trust outsiders?"

Jin Zhu seemed to be lost in thought. "That's true, they are a family after all. Then we'll investigate Jing Fei based on her suspicion. Set up surveillance on everyone around Jing Fei. As long as they leave the Wang Fu, we'll keep a close eye on them. See where they go, who they meet, and what they say!"

Chen Ji slightly relaxed.

Jin Zhu turned his head and glared at Shopkeeper Yuan, saying angrily, "As a dignified Si Cao, how can you not even know who you're connected to?"

Shopkeeper Yuan quickly explained, "I just took office, I just became a Si Cao."

Jin Zhu raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

Shopkeeper Yuan said, "Luo City was originally in charge of Si Cao Gui. He was originally a direct subordinate of the previous military strategy envoy, Lu Jin. After Lu Jin retired, the higher-ups transferred Si Cao Xin to Luo City to replace him. Later, Si Cao Xin was killed by a firearm, and Si Cao Gui disappeared. That's how I got the opportunity to become the new Si Cao Xin."

Jin Zhu was puzzled. "So you were just promoted by Hai Dong Qing... but such a major matter, even on your first day as Si Cao, you should know."

Shopkeeper Yuan explained, "Si Cao Gui always kept the connection with Wang Fu firmly in his hands. Now that he's gone, I don't even know how to contact Wang Fu."

Jin Zhu was angry. "Then why didn't you find a way to re-establish contact with Jing Wang Fu?"

Shopkeeper Yuan was helpless. "Adult, I haven't thought of a way yet. You just caught me. As long as you and the Inner Minister can give me back my freedom, I have a way to figure out who that important figure is."

Jin Zhu casually asked, "How do you plan to try, Shopkeeper Yuan?"

Shopkeeper Yuan thought for a moment. "Now the Jing Chao military intelligence office's power in Luo City has been completely uprooted. It's no longer possible for military intelligence officers to contact that important figure in Wang Fu. You can assign me a few people, and I will train them well, teach them all the secret languages of the military intelligence office, and have them probe Jing Fei. At that time, we'll know if it's Jing Fei with one attempt."

Jin Zhu smacked his lips. Wasn't this the same trick that Xi Feng used earlier, pretending to be Si Zhu to deceive Liu Xian Ming?

But this trick was indeed useful.

Shopkeeper Yuan asked, "Adult Jin Zhu, does the secret agents office have an informant who interacts very closely with Wang Fu? If so, that would be best. Train him up, and he'll definitely be able to deceive that important figure."

Jin Zhu slowly looked towards Cheng Ji who was beside him... Wasn't he the best candidate?

Chen Ji hesitated for a moment, but ultimately took a step forward. "Adult, for the sake of the bigger picture, I can take on this heavy responsibility."

However, Jin Zhu said angrily, "You, kid, are you crazy? Why do you go wherever there's danger? You can't go."

After speaking, he waved and called Xi Feng over. "Assign our informant planted in Wang Fu to Shopkeeper Yuan. Within half a month, I want to know the results of the probing."

Xi Feng cupped his fist. "Understood!"

Chen Ji glanced deeply at Shopkeeper Yuan and said nothing more.

Shopkeeper Yuan asked, "Adult Jin Zhu, can we spread the news that I'm already dead? In addition, I need someone special to protect me until my injuries are fully recovered."

Jin Zhu smiled, his eyes narrowed, and he comforted him. "Don't worry, someone will protect you. Even a Seek Dao realm expert wouldn't be able to harm you. After this matter is over, the new identity and official position that the Inner Minister promised you will also be given to you."

After speaking, he kindly supported Shopkeeper Yuan to stand up and get into a carriage.

Chen Ji originally wanted to leave with Xi Feng. However, he saw Jin Zhu lift the curtain and wave at him. "Chen Ji, get in the carriage."

He got into the carriage, and before he even sat steadily, he heard Shopkeeper Yuan suddenly say, "Oh, right, two adults, I also know a secret related to Lu Jin."

Jin Zhu became animated, his body leaning slightly forward, and he asked like a string of firecrackers, "Lu Jin? The retired military strategy envoy? What secret?"

Shopkeeper Yuan chose his words carefully. "There's always been a legend in the Jing Chao military intelligence office that the military strategy envoy Lu Jin actually still has a sister in Ning Chao, and that year he was able to assassinate the Minister of Household Affairs, partly thanks to his sister."

Jin Zhu raised his voice. "Lu Jin still has a sister? Why have I never heard anyone mention it?"

Chen Ji's heart suddenly tightened again, as if it was being squeezed by a hand.

This Shopkeeper Yuan, if he wasn't removed, would simply leave endless trouble.

That new military strategy envoy, Lu Guan Wu, was also a fool, actually sending such a softie to Luo City.

In the swaying carriage, Shopkeeper Yuan leaned weakly against the carriage wall and explained, "This is just a rumor. But I think it's not unfounded."

Jin Zhu became serious. "Tell me."

Shopkeeper Yuan said, "Adult, do you know how Lu Jin assassinated the Minister of Household Affairs?"

Jin Zhu recalled, "I've seen the file. That day was La Ba. Minister of Household Affairs Chen Lu Yi went to Yuan Jue Temple with people from the Chen clan to ring the bell and give porridge. On the way, Chen Lu Yi had something urgent and secretly returned to the city. But he was ambushed by Lu Jin on the way."

He continued, "From the battlefield investigation results, Lu Jin was alone at that time. It's said that killing a Minister of Household Affairs is as difficult as climbing to heaven. But that day, Chen Lu Yi happened to leave most of his followers and guards with the Chen clan people, only bringing four guest officials with him. This gave Lu Jin the opportunity. Finally, Lu Jin killed the four guest officials of the Chen clan, cut off Chen Lu Yi's head, and escaped all the way back to Jing Chao Sheng Jing City."

Shopkeeper Yuan asked, "Adult, don't you find it strange? If no one assisted him, how would he know Chen Lu Yi's whereabouts? Lu Jin lurked in Ning Chao, enduring for years, finally waiting for this opportunity. What did he do during those years of endurance?"

Jin Zhu doubted, "That only explains that Lu Jin had a helper. How can you be so sure he has a sister? Moreover, his sister is in Ning Chao?"

Shopkeeper Yuan said, "Lu Jin always had a sister, but he consistently told people that his sister died young from smallpox. However, just seven years ago, Lu Jin executed a young noble according to military law. After the other party's father learned of this matter, he went to dig up the Lu family ancestral grave to vent his personal anger. In the ancestral grave, the grave where Lu Jin's sister should have been buried was empty. After the incident, Lu Jin used thunderous means, ordering the military intelligence office assassins to exterminate this noble's entire family."

Shopkeeper Yuan sneered, "Outsiders only think he was angry because his ancestral grave was dug up. But how could someone like Lu Jin be angry about this kind of thing? I think he just wanted to cover up the empty grave. Adult, follow those clues from that year and investigate again. Perhaps you can investigate his sister!"

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