Chapter 218: Eavesdropping
Noticing that Zhan Qi was only providing an escort and that the arrangements were being handled by Tan Pengtai, Jin Cen smiled politely and said, "Then this prince will trouble the general to lead the way."
"The Second Imperial Prince is too polite." Tan Pengtai replied, then turned to his subordinates and ordered, "To Xihua Inn."
As Tan Pengtai led them toward the inn, Zhan Qi dismounted and went up to the city wall.
Seeing him approach, Feng Xiyan said, "Good work."
Zhan Qi grinned and asked, "Great General, what is our next move?"
Feng Xiyan looked at the Jin delegation and said, "Prepare a banquet for them tonight. This general wants to see what they are after."
"Yes, Great General," the generals and Tuluo Cheng responded, clasping their fists.
"You may all return to your posts."
With that, the generals dispersed, while Tuluo Cheng returned to the barracks to prepare strategies against the Jin Army in case they decided to attack Xiqiang City.
After they left, Feng Xiyan called out calmly, "Feng Yi."
In the next moment, Feng Yi appeared behind him and knelt. "Master, what are your orders?"
Turning to him, Feng Xiyan instructed, "Order the shadow guards to increase security around the bronze mirror and Fairy Bai’s temple. If you find any suspicious person, arrest them alive if you can, or kill them on sight if you can’t."
Feng Yi’s eyes glinted coldly when he heard this. Bowing his head, he replied, "Yes, Master."
After a brief pause, Feng Xiyan asked, "Where is Feng Si now?"
"Reporting to Master, Feng Si is still searching for the Gui Clan. Our last contact with him was two weeks ago," Feng Yi replied.
Feng Xiyan frowned slightly at his words. "The members of the Gui Clan are the only people who can move freely between the living and the dead. I must uncover the truth behind the Feng Clan’s extermination. No matter what, we must find them."
After a moment’s thought, he added, "Feng Si is the only one with the spiritual power to contact them. Send Feng San and his team to support Feng Si. I want all of them to return alive."
Feng Yi clasped his fists. "This subordinate accepts the order."
Feng Xiyan nodded, waved his hand, and said, "You can go now."
The moment the words left his mouth, Feng Yi disappeared.
Looking up at the bright sky, Feng Xiyan clenched his fists and whispered, "Father, Mother, this son will uncover the truth and avenge you and our clan members. If you two are watching from above, please protect this son’s people."
Meanwhile, hiding on the roof of the Xiqiang Inn, two members of the Feng Clan’s shadow guards were eavesdropping on Ji Hui and A Lu’s conversation.
Peering through a gap where a roof tile had been removed, they listened without making a sound.
Below, A Lu was feeding Ji Hui a bowl of porridge.
As he carefully lifted another spoonful to Ji Hui’s lips, A Lu said, "General Ji, this subordinate will ask Physician Yan to come and check on your wounds."
Ji Hui nodded, then raised his hand and said, "Enough. I’m full."
Seeing that Ji Hui had eaten more than half of the porridge, A Lu stood up from the stool. Walking to the wooden table, he placed the bowl on it, then mixed a packet of medicinal powder into a cup of warm water.
After that, he brought it to Ji Hui. "General Ji, please drink the medicine."
Taking the cup of medicine from him, Ji Hui drank it in one go.
Handing the empty cup back to A Lu, he asked, "Where is Military Advisor Tuluo? He should know this general is awake. Why hasn’t he come to see this general?"
A Lu set the empty cup on the bedside table. He then replied, "General Ji, since you fell into a coma, Military Advisor Tuluo has remained in his room until now."
"He is probably making a plan for us. Let him be." After saying that, Ji Hui asked, "A Lu, where is the imperial decree?"
A Lu glanced around to make sure no one was watching them, then went to the corner of the room and moved the wardrobe aside. Squatting down, he removed a brick from the wall. Reaching into the hollow space, he pulled out a long wooden box.
Carrying it to the bed, A Lu handed the long wooden box to Ji Hui.
Opening it, Ji Hui saw the imperial decree inside and said, "In two days, we will go find Feng Xiyan."
After checking the imperial decree, Ji Hui closed the box and returned it to A Lu. "Put it back."
"Yes, General Ji."
On the roof, the two shadow guards saw everything. They exchanged a glance and nodded at the same time. The next second, they disappeared from there.
At that moment, Tan Pengtai and the Jin Empire’s delegation arrived at the Xihua Inn.
Dismounting from his warhorse, Tan Pengtai waited until Jin Cen and the others had dismounted before saying, "This is the accommodation we have prepared for you."
"Second Imperial Prince of the Jin Empire, our Great General has also arranged a welcome banquet for you this evening. Someone will escort you to the venue later."
"For now, please enjoy your stay. If you require anything, feel free to inform the innkeeper."
Jin Cen nodded and replied, "Thank you, General."
Tan Pengtai nodded, turned to his soldiers, and ordered, "Stay here and protect our guests from the Jin Empire."
The soldiers clasped their fists and responded, "Yes, General Tan."
After giving the order, Tan Pengtai clasped his fists toward Jin Cen and said, "Second Imperial Prince of the Jin Empire, this general still has matters to attend to. This general will take my leave first."
Without waiting for a reply, Tan Pengtai mounted his warhorse and rode back to the barracks.
Seeing this, Jin Yan frowned slightly as she came out of the horse carriage with the help of her personal maidservant.