Chapter 33: Walking with Wolves

The air within the storeroom hung thick with the scent of medicinal herbs, a forgotten corner in the vast tapestry of this world.

Chen Ji mused silently. The position of *Si Cao* within the Department of Military Affairs was one of immense secrecy. For his uncle to command a *Si Cao* to oversee his well-being, his uncle must undoubtedly be a figure of considerable influence within the realm of intelligence.

But why had his mother married into the Chen family of the Ning Dynasty? And why had he remained here, within Ning?

Seeing his silence, the *Si Cao* seemed to misinterpret it. "You still harbor resentment towards your uncle, it seems."

Chen Ji lowered his gaze, asking with an unclear meaning, "Does my uncle still remember me?"

The *Si Cao* dusted himself off, as if nothing untoward had occurred. "Do not speak such words of anger. In those years, his position demanded careful consideration of all factors. His failure to bring you back to the Jing Dynasty naturally had its reasons. Perhaps bringing you back would have exposed you to harm from villains."

"Is that so? Was my uncle's situation dire?"

Ever since the shopkeeper of the Bai Lu Ge had departed, this *Si Cao* seemed to have become more talkative.

Yet, he heard the man say calmly, "Your uncle has now been framed by villains, demoted from his official post, and retired."

So, his uncle had already retired?

Chen Ji asked, "Then when can I return to the Jing Dynasty?"

He felt no sense of belonging to either Jing or Ning, but no matter where he went, it was surely better than walking on a tightrope here.

However, the *Si Cao* responded coldly, "You cannot leave yet. Since you are already close to Yun Yang and Jiao Tu, it is only right to make good use of this identity."

The *Si Cao*'s tone brooked no argument.

Chen Ji remained silent for a long time. "Then I shall follow the *Si Cao* adult's arrangement. I will strive to gain the trust of Yun Yang and Jiao Tu."

At this point, the *Si Cao*'s words took a sudden turn. "Wait... This method of transmitting intelligence of yours is precisely the cipher used by Zhou Cheng Yi. The Department of Military Affairs has never taught you the anti-phonetic method. Where did you learn it? And how did you discover the *Jin Si Lu*?"

For a moment, Chen Ji did not know how to answer.

He could not explain to the people of this world that from a young age, he had aspired to become a military diplomat, and thus devoured books on popular science, intelligence, and deduction.

He could not explain to the people of this world that seven months prior, he had been accepted into the Army Foreign Language College with top scores in both the written examination and the interview.

And that institution, soon to be renamed the "Army Strategic Support Information Engineering University," had never been merely a place for teaching foreign languages. The written exams and interviews for the special recruitment batch did not solely test foreign language proficiency.

The *Si Cao*'s eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you not speaking? Who taught you?"

As he spoke, an invisible pressure descended, and Chen Ji distinctly saw his opponent's hand reach once more towards the dagger concealed within his sleeve.

His mind raced, quickly processing information, as he answered, "My mother taught me."

"Oh?" The *Si Cao*'s tone remained tense. "I did not expect your mother to have taught you such things when you were so young... What else did she teach you? It cannot merely be the anti-phonetic method; that would be too much of a coincidence."

Chen Ji 'recalled' with effort. "My mother also told me that simply using the anti-phonetic method to conceal information is easily exposed if one encounters someone else who knows the method. Thus, she created a new method to hide intelligence, building upon the anti-phonetic method."

"Eh?" The *Si Cao*'s interest was piqued. "What method?"

Chen Ji replied, "My mother called it a codebook."

"A codebook?"

Chen Ji located a jar of medicinal wine in the storeroom and dipped his finger into it, writing on the ground: "Liu edge seek gas low, wave he contend day time. Ying Meng language out joy, hit palm with monarch know." (柳邊尋氣低，波何爭日時。應夢語出喜，擊掌與君知。)

The *Si Cao*'s voice was concentrated. "What is the use of this poem?"

Chen Ji did not answer, merely continued to write: "Spring flower fragrance, autumn mountain open, noble guest happy song must gold cup, lonely lamp light shine burn silver cylinder. Of east suburb, over west bridge, chicken sound urge early sky, strange plum slant cover ditch." (春花香，秋山開，貴客歡歌須金杯，孤燈光輝燒銀缸。東郊，過西橋，雞聲催早天，奇梅斜覆溝。)

Chen Ji explained, "The first poem has twenty words in total, and the initial consonant of each word is different. The second poem has thirty-six words in total, and the final consonant of each word is also different. Then, using these two poems as a codebook, the words are numbered sequentially. The twenty words of the first poem are numbered one to twenty, and the second poem likewise, numbered one to thirty-six."

The *Si Cao* was slightly doubtful. "How is it used?"

Chen Ji said, "With this codebook, if you wish to transmit the words 'continue' (繼續), you only need to write the numbers nineteen, two seven, fifteen, and eleven. Someone who knows the codebook can immediately translate the information upon seeing the numbers, but someone who does not know the codebook will never be able to crack it. Suppose *Jin Si Lu* transmits messages using this method; even if the opponent intercepts the *Jin Si Lu*, they will still not understand."

The *Si Cao* praised, "Somewhat interesting."

Such multi-layer encryption technology, like a codebook, existed in ancient times and saw great development during the First and Second World Wars.

It was not omnipotent, but intelligence work was always about gaining a step advantage, which could lead to complete victory over the opponent.

At this point, the *Si Cao*'s tone finally relaxed, choosing to believe Chen Ji. "Your mother taught well, and you learned well. It turns out your mother, when she came to the Ning Dynasty to lay low, became a famous talented woman in Jinling within just three years. I did not expect her to be not only skilled in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but also to have researched the use of the anti-phonetic method. This matter of the codebook and *Jin Si Lu* I will report to the *Si Master* for you and request merit. You are currently a 'Que' level spy, correct? This merit is enough for you to be promoted to 'Zhi' level."

Chen Ji let out a long sigh of relief inwardly. He had made the right gamble.

According to his guess, both his mother and uncle were people of the Jing Dynasty. His mother's strange marriage into the Ning Dynasty's Chen family could only be explained by one reason: his mother was also a spy!

In those years, his mother and uncle had come to the Ning Dynasty together. His uncle had established the intelligence network of the Department of Military Affairs in the south single-handedly, and his mother had married into the Chen residence to obtain intelligence.

Chen Ji changed the subject. "*Si Cao* adult, my main task now is to approach Yun Yang and Jiao Tu. Could you please tell me more about them in detail?"

The *Si Cao* nodded. "When dealing with Yun Yang and Jiao Tu, never, ever believe a single word they say. These two individuals climbed to their positions by stepping over the corpses of their colleagues. They may use you today, and abandon you tomorrow."

Chen Ji was doubtful. "Would their actions not provoke the anger of their colleagues?"

"No, the Secret Spy Department is inherently a place that values merit above all else, not emotion. They are ruthless towards their own people, and even more ruthless towards us," the *Si Cao* thought for a moment and then instructed again, "Of course, given their relationship with the Poison Prime Minister, other colleagues may perhaps dare to be angry but not speak."

"Hm?"

"Yun Yang and Jiao Tu are both orphans adopted by the Poison Prime Minister and have been cultivated over ten years to become his current loyal assassins. Perhaps their abilities are not as great as others, but they are merciless when it comes to killing for the Poison Prime Minister."

Chen Ji suddenly recalled that on the night Zhou Cheng Yi died, Yun Yang and Jiao Tu had each sworn oaths by their parents...

Just as he was speaking, Shopkeeper Yuan pushed the door open and entered. "*Si Cao* adult, everything has been arranged. Long Jing will be in..."

The *Si Cao* said in a cold voice, "Slap your mouth."

Shopkeeper Yuan was startled for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and slapped himself ten times.

The *Si Cao*'s muffled voice came from behind his mask. "Each intelligence line is not allowed to inform the other of information. Have you forgotten even this basic principle? And you still wish to replace Zhou Cheng Yi and become the *Hai Dong Qing* of Luo City?"

Shopkeeper Yuan lowered his head. "This subordinate was rash."

Yet, he heard Chen Ji suddenly say from the side, "*Si Cao* adult, I will do my best to approach Yun Yang and Jiao Tu next, but I have a request."

"Speak."

Chen Ji stared at Shopkeeper Yuan. "I need the Department of Military Affairs to transfer all those who know my spy identity back to the Jing Dynasty and never allow them to return to the Ning Dynasty. Otherwise, if I painstakingly approach the Twelve Zodiacs, and someone else is captured and confesses me, all my previous efforts will be wasted."

The *Si Cao* seemed to be in deep thought.

Shopkeeper Yuan's face changed drastically. "*Si Cao* adult, he is using this as a public excuse for private revenge!"

Chen Ji shook his head. "It is not public revenge for private grudge. You already know my identity. If you are captured, you will inevitably confess me."

"I won't!" Shopkeeper Yuan said urgently. "*Si Cao* adult, I have managed Luo City for six years. No one is more suitable here than me."

The *Si Cao* pondered for a moment, then walked directly towards a box of medicinal materials.

He pulled open the box and drew out a piece of oil paper used to preserve medicinal materials, calmly spreading it on the ground.

Seeing the situation, Shopkeeper Yuan turned to flee the storeroom.

But just as he turned, the *Si Cao* had already flashed behind him, using only one hand to lift the corpulent body and carry him onto the oil paper.

The next moment, the *Si Cao* kicked towards Shopkeeper Yuan's knee joint, forcing the opponent to kneel.

He drew the dagger from his sleeve and looked towards Chen Ji. "My interrogation of you today was also forced. Do not harbor resentment. If today's matter becomes a thorn in your heart, then I shall help you remove it now. After this, you can rest assured in approaching Yun Yang and Jiao Tu. Except for me, the *Si Master*, and your uncle, no one else will know your spy identity."

As he spoke, the *Si Cao* pinched Shopkeeper Yuan's lower jaw and plunged the dagger into his heart. "Yuan Ming, you have taken advantage of your position to embezzle eight thousand three hundred and twenty-seven taels of silver from the Bai Lu Ge over six years. This Bai Lu Ge was originally established to raise funds for the Department of Military Affairs, yet it has become a place for you to line your private pockets. You are no longer loyal."

Shopkeeper Yuan gasped for breath, unable to utter a single sentence.

The *Si Cao* twisted the dagger, shattering Shopkeeper Yuan's heart, while lifting the green, fierce-toothed face towards Chen Ji. "If there is not absolute loyalty, then there is absolute disloyalty. Chen Ji, remember these words well."

Chen Ji silently watched the scene unfold. He knew that from now on, he would have to walk among these jackals, tigers, and leopards.