Green Mountain

Upon hearing this, Hai Dongqing narrowed his eyes slightly. His right hand rested on the hilt of the long knife at his waist, and with his left hand, he made two secret gestures. Instantly, spies surrounded the courtyard, watching with fierce intent.

Chen Liqin stepped forward to explain, "Mr. Chen, please don’t misunderstand..."

With a smile that was neither friendly nor genuine, Hai Dongqing interrupted, "Mr. Chen, whether it’s a misunderstanding is not for you to decide, nor for me. We won’t know until the door is opened."

Having said that, he drew his waist knife and used the tip to knock on the door: "The Spy Department is handling a case. Those inside, come out!"

The night fell silent, save for the whooshing of the torches in the cold wind, which made one restless and uneasy.

Seeing that the courtyard door remained closed, Hai Dongqing silently made hand signals, and several spies immediately prepared to form a human ladder and scale the wall into the courtyard.

One spy blew a copper whistle, emitting a single magpie call.

The sound of the copper whistle traveled far and wide. Spies who were searching other parts of the Chen Mansion quickly converged, forming a formidable formation behind Hai Dongqing.

However, just as they were about to force their way in, the wooden door creaked open.

A spy brought a torch closer to reveal Chen Ji’s calm face, and Hai Dongqing of the Spy Department’s expression underwent several changes in an instant, leaving him speechless for a long while.

Chen Liqin went forward to introduce, "This is the Third Young Master of my Chen family, Chen Ji. He lived outside the mansion for the past two years and cultivated a certain wariness common among the commoners. Closing the door is his usual habit, not something he’s only done today."