Chapter 52: Interception (Bonus Chapter for 320 Pink Votes)
When Zheng San returned, Fu Tingyun was making winter clothes with Zheng Sanniang in the room, while A Sen played with Linchun in the hall.
Seeing his father, Linchun babbled excitedly at him.
Zheng San smiled and patted the child's head, and Zheng Sanniang quickly carried the boy away.
Fu Tingyun had A Sen pour tea for Zheng San and asked, "Have you had lunch yet?"
No one was more loyal to Zhao Ling than A Sen. He might be needed to run errands later, and being clever and quick-witted, the more he knew, the better he could act in emergencies. Thus, she didn't hide things from him.
Zheng San gulped down the tea in one go, handed the cup back to A Sen with a quiet word of thanks, and respectfully replied to Fu Tingyun, "I bought two flatbreads outside." His honest face broke into a slight smile.
Fu Tingyun had A Sen bring him a stool to sit on and asked eagerly, "What did you find out?"
Zheng San replied solemnly, "Young Master Yang and Young Master Jin aren't staying together. I first went to the Tai'an Inn where Young Master Yang was staying. The innkeeper said Young Master Yang thought the situation wouldn't improve anytime soon, and there was no point staying in Xi'an any longer, so he sold off his goods at a low price and left with his assistants for his hometown this morning—they'd just settled the bill. Then I rushed to the Lotus Temple where Young Master Jin was staying. The reception monk said Young Master Jin dealt in small-scale ink and brush business, and staying in Xi'an was too costly. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, he decided it was better to return home with his assistants for the holiday rather than remain stranded here. He packed up and left the city early this morning too."
"Both of them are gone?" Fu Tingyun was shocked.
Zheng San nodded. "I was a step too late."
Fu Tingyun turned to A Sen.
A Sen looked surprised but not stunned.
Fu Tingyun dismissed Zheng San to rest. "Tell Zheng Sanniang to make more flatbreads. You might need to go out again later!"
"At your service, miss," Zheng San said deferentially, bowing before withdrawing.
"A Sen!" Fu Tingyun asked sternly, "What do you know? Tell me everything now. Don't make me waste time guessing!"
Perhaps truly sensing the gravity of the situation, this time A Sen didn't mince words and spilled all of Zhao Ling's arrangements like beans from a bamboo tube.
The more he spoke, the darker Fu Tingyun's expression grew. Before he could finish, she jumped up. "Why didn't you say so earlier? How could someone so smart believe Ninth Master's words about guarding his retreat? With all our maidservants and luggage, we made a noisy procession to Willow Lane. Mo Yi is a Guerilla General under Marquis Yingchuan—how could he not notice? This place has been carefully set up for years—the house, the shop, even Madam Lu and her husband's identities are all genuine. Unless the Lu couple betrays us, Mo Yi wouldn't find evidence even if he suspects. Our arrival turned a hidden piece into an exposed one. If Mo Yi means to harm Ninth Master, how could he possibly come to Willow Lane for shelter? The whole idea of guarding his retreat doesn't hold water!"Fu Tingyun's earlier aggressive questioning had already left an indelible impression of extraordinary intelligence on A Sen, causing Zhao Ling's words to crumble in his mind. Yet, he still couldn't let go and asked stubbornly, "If what you say is true and Mo Yi can't be fooled, then why did Ninth Master send us all here? Doesn’t he fear Mo Yi might harm us or use us to threaten him?"
Why was this child so obstinate?
"Ninth Master and Mo Yi’s relationship isn’t like the one with Feng Laosi," Fu Tingyun patiently explained to A Sen. "Ninth Master and Feng Laosi have conflicting interests—they’ve long torn off all pretenses and will use any means necessary. But between Ninth Master and Mo Yi, there’s still a thin layer of pretense. As long as it remains unbroken, Mo Yi won’t act against Ninth Master. Once it’s pierced, however, it will be a fight to the death. Here, we’re just women and children—for Mo Yi, a Guerilla General, dealing with us would be effortless. As long as he and Ninth Master maintain their current standoff, he won’t harm us." Her voice grew slower and heavier. "If they take action and Ninth Master is fortunate enough to escape, we—one his ‘fiancée,’ the other his lifelong servant—would be the ones he might return for if we stay here. Mo Yi only needs to station men here to wait for Ninth Master to walk into the trap. If Ninth Master… whether we live or die wouldn’t matter to him anymore. This is under Shaanxi Provincial Administration’s jurisdiction, while he belongs to Shaanxi Regional Military Commission, answering to Marquis Yingchuan and backed by Sixteenth Master. There’s no reason for him to slaughter our entire household and draw the Provincial Administration’s attention, inviting unnecessary complications. Most likely, he’d leave us alone. Either way, we’d be safe." Her heart felt as though it were bleeding. "Ninth Master’s move seems like beating the grass to startle the snake, but in truth, it’s turning the hidden into the obvious… Once he escapes, even if Mo Yi realizes it’s a trap, there’d be nothing he could do… He never planned to see us again!" Tears finally spilled down her cheeks. "How can you still believe his words!"
Before she even finished speaking, A Sen was already utterly convinced and heartbroken. Seeing Fu Tingyun’s tears, he could no longer hold back and burst into sobs, kneeling before her and pleading, "Miss Fu, I beg you, save Ninth Master! In my next life, I’ll serve you as an ox or a horse to repay you!"
Fu Tingyun was both frantic and furious.
Frantic because he clearly hadn’t taken her words to heart—he’d sent everyone away, clearly intending to fight Mo Yi to mutual destruction. She didn’t know if there was still time to stop him. Furious because he only thought of himself, disregarding the feelings of those around him, stubbornly charging ahead without considering how devastated they’d be if something happened to him.
She pulled A Sen up. "That’s why I have tasks for you and Zheng San. No matter what, we can’t let Ninth Master take this path!"
Hearing that Fu Tingyun had a plan, A Sen immediately stood up, his tears vanishing as he gazed at her with hope. "Miss Fu, I’ll do whatever you say."
Fu Tingyun wiped the corners of her eyes, her resolve hardening like unyielding stone.
Even if Zhao Ling resented her for the rest of his life, she couldn’t let him throw his life away."Take Zheng San with you, bring some flatbread, and wait at the entrance of Rising Joy Inn. You must wait for Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao no matter what," she said with a grave expression. "Tell them to come see me."
A Sen was too young, and Zheng San had only sold himself into servitude out of desperation—neither could compare to Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao, who were Zhao Ling's right-hand men. They had even managed to uncover Mo Yi's identity, proving their capability and loyalty beyond doubt. Some tasks were far better entrusted to them than to A Sen or Zheng San.
A Sen hesitated. "But Brother Yuanbao... he went to Huayin!"
"Even I can see that Ninth Master is in danger now—how could Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao not realize it?" Fu Tingyun said. "Otherwise, Ninth Master wouldn’t have repeatedly warned them not to act recklessly. Those two definitely haven’t left. They’re probably still scheming something in secret." She frowned with worry. "What I fear most is that they might resort to force." Then she cautioned A Sen, "Don’t you dare follow their lead. Mo Yi is a general—he commands troops, not fights hand-to-hand like Feng Laosi. If it comes to open battle, you’ll have no advantage at all." She straightened up, her gaze sharp and unwavering as she fixed it on A Sen. "Just do as I say."
Fu Tingyun’s analysis was so thorough that it dispelled A Sen’s doubts entirely. He now trusted her completely and stood up straight, his small frame rigid with determination. "Don’t worry, Miss Fu. I’ll follow your orders exactly!"
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Chen Liu, however, couldn’t stand so straight.
"Both of them sent their men away," he muttered. "Yang Yucheng has vanished, and Jin Yuanbao left the city..."
"Damn it!" Mo Yi slammed his palm onto the tea table, shattering it with a loud crack. "Xiao Wu! Have him take men and give chase." But after shouting the order, he regained some composure and waved it off. "Never mind. If Jin Yuanbao has left the city, he’s probably blending in with the migrant bandits. Even if we had ten companies of men, it’d be a wasted effort." His eyes turned cold, a ruthless glint flashing in them. "Tell Xiao Wu to pass a message to Tao Mu—have him mobilize the God Crossbow Unit."
The God Crossbow Unit and the Windchaser Unit, both founded by Marquis Yingchuan, were the twin banners of the Gansu General Military Headquarters—unique to the region.
"Brother Mo," Chen Liu hesitated, "the God Crossbow Unit is too conspicuous. If the Shaanxi Judicial Commissioner or Provincial Administration catches wind and reports it to the Ministry of War or the Censorate, the Marquis will be in deep trouble. That Zhao Ling is just a common ruffian, and he only met Sixteenth Master once. Isn’t this... a bit excessive?"
As one of Tao Mu’s men sent to assist Mo Yi, Chen Liu felt obligated to advise caution given the stakes.
The Mo clan of Luyi had produced generations of military talents.
Mo Yi, born into nobility, was a fierce and skilled commander under Marquis Yingchuan. Even the Marquis treated him with deference, which had only fueled his fiery temper.
Now, with anger already simmering inside him, Chen Liu’s words poured oil on the flames. Mo Yi let out a derisive laugh. "Zhao Ling is a common ruffian? Then what does that make you?"
Despite his orders, Yang Yucheng and Jin Yuanbao had slipped right through their fingers.Chen Liu's expression changed drastically, his face burning with shame as he lowered his head. "General Mo, this humble officer has failed. I am willing to accept your punishment." Yet his pride remained intact. "But I still implore General Mo to carefully consider my suggestion."
Chen Liu, the Divine Messenger, was the most elite scout under Marquis Yingchuan's command and the grandson of the former Yunnan Commander-in-Chief. Mo Yi had no choice but to show him some respect regardless.
"This Zhao Ling—if he were merely relying on brute strength, what would there be to fear?" Mo Yi's expression softened slightly. "But look at how he's maneuvered all this way, leaving no strategy unaccounted for. Not only have we been unable to lay a finger on him, but we've also been humiliated without being able to cry out in pain. With a man like this, if we could uncover his ancestral ties or relatives, it would be one thing—wealth, fame, or the lives of his entire clan, at least one of these could sway him. Yet he remains alone, his origins shrouded in mystery. Even with him right beside us, we can't touch him. If we let him leave, wouldn't it be like releasing a fish back into the sea? We'd never find him again. With such a man lurking in the shadows, I don't know what Tao Mu is thinking, but I, for one, am not at ease." His voice rang out firm and resolute, like metal striking stone. "He must be stopped—and killed!"
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O(∩_∩)O~
(End of Chapter)
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