Chapter 232 : A Vow Sealed with a Clap
Chapter 232: A Vow Sealed with a Clap
“Here is Lord Du Rusong, and here is Lord Xu Han. Xianyu hasn’t met them yet, has he? Come quickly and pay your respects.”
Hong Yuze introduced the two Purple-Robed First Grades to Chen Ming.
Chen Ming bowed respectfully. “Subordinate Gu Xianyu, pays respects to the two Lords.”
Yet, in his heart, he wondered—what reason did this Du Rusong have to want him dead?
The next instant, he felt two gazes, sharp as blades, fall upon him, sending a chill down his spine.
“So, you are Leader Xia’s prized son-in-law. Truly remarkable.”
By his ear came Du Rusong’s icy voice, carrying an unmistakable trace of hatred.
So it was because of that convenient father-in-law?
Chen Ming hurriedly distanced himself. “My Lord jests. How could this subordinate ever be worthy of Miss Xia? To speak the truth, this subordinate already has a betrothal in the capital. That marriage arrangement holds no weight.”
This man was not only a First Grade expert but also one of his direct superiors. He must not allow this man to bear a grudge.
“Oh?”
Du Rusong’s expression revealed nothing, though the murderous aura about him lessened slightly.
Xu Han, however, said coolly, “Strange… I heard that Leader Xia’s daughter now lives with you. What is it then, Lord Gu? Do you intend to embrace beauties in both arms, and wed them both? Quite the clever scheme.”
Bad.
Chen Ming felt his heart sink—he had nearly forgotten. Xu Han was the one in charge of intelligence. His cohabitation with Xia Mudan could never escape her spies’ eyes.
Now, no matter how many tongues he had, he could never explain himself clear.
Hong Yuze also noticed that these two colleagues seemed to bear grudges against Xia Shaowen, and were venting it upon Gu Xianyu. He quickly diverted the topic. “Then let us proceed as discussed—Lord Du shall personally move to arrest Xie Jianqiu, while Lord Xu oversees the yamen. As for the prison—”
“The prison side will be in your care, Lord Hong,” Du Rusong abruptly cut him off. “I’ve heard that little Gu here displayed great might, slaying two First Grade fiends of the Nine Nether Sect, thus salvaging some of Xiazhou’s honor. His skill must be extraordinary. This time, let him accompany me to capture Xie Jianqiu.”
“This—”
Hong Yuze looked to Chen Ming. Originally, he intended for Chen Ming to take charge of the prison matters. He had not expected Du Rusong to arrange things otherwise.
With his knowledge of Du Rusong, this was certainly ill-intentioned.
Du Rusong said blandly, “Do not forget, Xie Jianqiu still has several disciples, none weak. My own men may not be able to handle them. We need a young talent like little Gu. Only by swiftly apprehending Xie Jianqiu can we give Lord Zhong an account.”
Hearing the veiled threat, Hong Yuze asked Chen Ming, “What say you?”
“I leave it entirely to my Lords’ judgment.”
“In that case, follow Lord Du. Perhaps you’ll earn yet another great merit.”
“Yes.” After agreeing, Chen Ming asked, “Lord Du, when shall we depart?”
“There is no time to lose. At once.”
“Permit this subordinate to send word home first.”
“Very well.”
…
Chen Ming rode a black stallion, following Du Rusong and several others out of Xiazhou City’s gates. Staying at the rear of the team, he had already guessed the meanings behind the five omens of death.
Among those who sought his life, one was the black-clad man from the Eight Righteous Gates. For some reason, that man had fixated on him.
Thus, as soon as he left Xiazhou City alone, that black-clad man would pursue.
It was said the Eight Righteous Gates had a unique method of tracking—once marked, no matter how one concealed themselves, they would always be found.
Therefore, disguising himself to leave Xiazhou was not viable.
Then, there was Zhou Wentao from the Hall of Sentiments and Righteousness. He was fixated on Xia Mudan. If she left Xiazhou City, he would strike her down.
So taking Xia Mudan away was equally impossible.
Remaining in Xiazhou was likewise a dead end.
For the Gu Family had already dispatched a First Grade expert—not so much to guide, but to protect Gu Xianyu, their rising star.
At twenty years old and already Third Grade, even if Gu Xianyu’s father disdained him, the clan elders would not ignore him. They would surely give him focused cultivation.
Thus, the fifth omen—the middle-aged man who killed him—must be Gu Xianyu’s “Fifth Uncle.” Discovering he was an impostor, he would strike him down.
Having reasoned all this, Chen Ming realized that following Du Rusong out of Xiazhou was his sole path to survival.
So long as he followed Du Rusong, the killers from the Eight Righteous Gates would not dare act.
Thus, he could also avoid Gu Xianyu’s “Fifth Uncle.”
The only danger left was Du Rusong himself.
First of all, no matter how bold, Du Rusong would never dare kill him in broad daylight. Slaying a colleague, and moreover a core scion of the Gu Family, was a consequence he could not bear. The Gu Family, a hereditary Duke’s House since the founding of the dynasty, was a power even he must respect.
Therefore, comparatively, following Du Rusong was safer.
If Du Rusong wished to kill him, he could only do it flawlessly, leaving no trace. The best way was to borrow another’s blade.
That blade was naturally Xie Jianqiu, the First Grade expert who had escaped from prison.
“But, I must remain cautious.”
Chen Ming kept his guard up. In the tortoiseshell’s prophecy, it had been Du Rusong himself who struck. There must be a reason for this.
He turned his gaze upon the other five men. Four were Third Grade Gold-Robed inspectors, Du Rusong’s most capable subordinates, known as the Four Tigers.
Sensing his gaze, Zhu Wanlin looked back at him, curling his lips into a cold sneer.
Yes, this man too was Du Rusong’s follower.
Chen Ming even suspected that Zhu Wanlin’s killing of Xia Mudan’s brother might have been at Du Rusong’s behest—though he lacked proof.
Apart from them, there was also an “acquaintance.”
An elderly man, whom Chen Ming had once seen in Jiangzhou. Later, he even lived next door to Chen Ming for a time, with his granddaughter. She was absent this time.
Now Chen Ming finally knew his true identity. His name was Tao Zhiquan, once a man of the Six Doors, now retired, famed as the “Divine Constable,” masterful at tracking and solving cases.
Even Du Rusong treated Tao Zhiquan with courtesy. Clearly, in this mission to recapture Xie Jianqiu, they relied heavily upon him.
For some reason, Chen Ming felt unsettled under the old man’s gaze, as though his disguise had already been seen through.
The word was that Xie Jianqiu had last been sighted in Qingtian County, so their group rushed there with all haste.
In less than a day, the seven of them covered a thousand li, arriving in Qingtian County.
The weakest among them was Third Grade. Even after a day’s journey, they remained vigorous. The Four Tigers especially, were brimming with excitement—this was a chance for merit. With enough merit, they could enter the Demon Suppression Division’s Visualization Diagrams, gaining hope to reach Second Grade.
Chen Ming kept silent, trailing behind, waiting for the chance to slip away.
Yet he could feel that although Du Rusong never looked back, his attention never left him. Clearly, he was being guarded against.
And with the Divine Constable present, even if he slipped away, he would surely be tracked down again.
He must wait for the perfect moment.
…
They came to a great river. The north wind howled, waves crashed in fury, not a sail to be seen.
Du Rusong gazed across the waters. “This Dan River divides Xiazhou, Yuzhou, and Jiangzhou. According to reports, after Lord Li struck Xie Jianqiu into the river, he vanished. Where do you think he fled?”
Lord Li was the First Grade inspector of Qingtian County. He had fought Xie Jianqiu, both sides grievously wounded, and lacked the strength to pursue.
That was the night before last.
For a First Grade expert, such time was more than enough to escape far.
Chen Ming thought: Xie Jianqiu clearly wished to leave Xiazhou. Once he crossed into another province, pursuit would slacken.
Zhu Wanlin said, “I’ve heard one of Xie Jianqiu’s disciples founded a sect in Yuzhou. He may be seeking refuge there.”
A man surnamed Zhou said, “Or perhaps Jiangzhou—doesn’t he also have a disciple who opened a martial school there?”
“Or perhaps it was a feint, and he has already returned to Xiazhou.”
The four argued, none able to convince the others.
Du Rusong turned to Tao Zhiquan, speaking politely. “What is Old Tao’s view?”
The moment he spoke, Zhu Wanlin and the others fell silent, watching the famed old man.
Tao Zhiquan’s face showed sorrow. “This humble old man is of lowly station. How dare I speak rashly before the Lords?”
Du Rusong said, “Your skill, Old Tao, is well known to me. That you never rose to Third Grade is a great pity.”
Then, changing his tone, “So long as you help me capture Xie Jianqiu, I promise to raise the bounty upon your rebellious disciple to First Grade!”
Tao Zhiquan’s cloudy old eyes instantly grew clear. Sternly, he asked, “Is this true?”
Du Rusong said, “This official does not speak in jest.”
The eyes of Zhu Wanlin and the others lit up as well. A First Grade bounty meant First Grade merit. Such bounties usually belonged to First Grade experts.
Yet Tao Zhiquan’s disciple was merely Third Grade. To place such a price upon him was enough to stir even the hearts of First Grades, let alone theirs.
If they could capture Tao Zhiquan’s disciple, the merit would grant them several years’ access to Visualization Diagrams, ensuring their rise to Second Grade.
“Good!”
Tao Zhiquan raised his hand. “Let us seal it with a clap. Should my Lord honor his word, this old man will stake even his life to find that man’s trail.”
Du Rusong raised his hand, and their palms met in a vow.