Chapter 105

“…Then why didn’t you ask at that time, and only thanked Brother He?”

“Oh, you’re curious about that,” Chen Shu said, pausing for a moment. Somehow, she didn’t speak, and when Yun Shen suddenly turned back, he saw her looking over, a mischievous expression filling her face as she laughed happily.

“Waiting for me to ask you?” Yun Shen retorted.

“That isn’t it either,” Chen Shu said. She grinned, plopping down to sit and tilting her head up with a laugh. “But if Yun Shen, who is so ‘strategic,’ asked me, how could I not feel delighted?”

“Fine,” Yun Shen said. He turned around too, leaning half his body against the table with a hand pressed to the edge. Only then did he obediently ask again, “Since you knew this sword wasn’t yours, why didn’t you tell Brother He at the time, and just agreed? Couldn’t he have taken it by mistake?”

“Heh heh, I’ll gladly solve this puzzle for you!” Chen Shu said. She wagged a finger first, then held it up. “First: After he left, we searched the secret room too, and didn’t find any sword, right? The bald men coming up the mountain to find the sword—I heard that with my own ears. Brother He definitely wouldn’t let my sword be taken away while he just watched, and then he wouldn’t bring a fake one to fool me either. So, the real sword had to have been taken before whatever happened to him.”

“That makes sense,” Yun Shen said, laughing. “But I must ask: What if someone came while He Yu was going with the two of us to the secret room and took the real sword? Wouldn’t it be safer to ask He Yu?”

“That’s a good question!” Chen Shu said. She held up a second finger with great ceremony. “Which brings us to that corpse at the cliff’s edge. You, bookish Scholar, only glanced down from above at the time and didn’t look very closely, did you?”

As soon as she mentioned Wei Mian, Yun Shen’s steady expression stiffened briefly. A flicker of unease seemed to pass over his face, though he quickly hid it.

“I didn’t look closely,” he answered curtly.

“So now I understand this better than you do. What’s that saying? Clear as…”

Yun Shen couldn’t help a low chuckle. Chen Shu glared at him, but he kept his smiling expression, gently reminding her: “Clear as a flame.”

“Yes, yes, clear as a flame!” Chen Shu said. She cleared her throat to cover the slip and started again. “Second! Besides the knife wounds, that dead body had one or two sword injuries mixed in—which happened after the person died, as if someone was trying to fake it as being killed by several people. When Brother He talked about ‘a large wave of bandits,’ he was tricked by those wounds he thought looked fresh. And about those sword wounds: When I saw them before, it didn’t seem important, but now, considering my sword was taken…”

“The killer murdered him first, then snatched the sword, and added extra cuts to the corpse,” Yun Shen summed up before she could finish, nodding. Then, he seriously asked, “Then you really ought to question He Yu.”

“But you’re wrong there!” Chen Shu quickly countered, as if she’d expected this. “If I’m searching for my sword, of course I should ask Brother He. But why did that person come to the secret room during the fight between the two sides? Why kill that man, and why take my sword? If I asked, wouldn’t that just alert the snake?”

Hearing this, Yun Shen didn’t rush to reply. He was silent for a moment, then asked, “…Do you also want to dig into this?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I think it’s interesting! Don’t say it’s my sword—just say I found it long ago. As soon as that killer brings out the sword, I’ll recognize it instantly!” Chen Shu said. She tilted her head back to look at him, eyes curved in a grin.

“And that person used my sword to add wounds and stained it with dirty blood—how dare he treat me like a clay doll? What’s that saying again? Beat…”

“…Beat the dog but disregard its master,” Yun Shen said. Suddenly, he laughed and reached out, affectionately rubbing the corner of Chen Shu’s eye.

“…What are you doing?”

“There was dust from traveling; just wiping it off for you.”

—

Not long after, the troops really did set out, heading toward Fangcheng.

The army marched in neat order, but the Members of the Wulin Community didn’t necessarily do the same. They trailed at the very rear, chatting loudly all the way. This time, Chen Shu eagerly mixed in with them and learned about the cause of this raid.

Normally, the current emperor wouldn’t have been willing to launch such a massive military operation. Besides, it hadn’t been prepared for at all. This rushed attack left the Valley of Villains scrambling, but those imperial troops didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Every horse and every blade was bought with silver the old emperor had set aside for disaster relief and famine aid—shiny silver.

Someone had taken the half-buried corpse to the capital, and when reporting to the court, they even brought the ghastly body right into the golden hall!

In the court hall, the officials all backed away trembling; none dared utter a word at the sight of the corpse. Only the old emperor, whose eyes were still sharp in his age, fixed a piercing gaze on the body and issued several urgent edicts without waiting to be persuaded.

One was rushed with top urgency to Diancang Pass, and another…

Disaster relief had to go on, and fighting this war was inevitable too.

The bandits in the Valley of Villains would not feel grateful for the Government’s leniency, especially since the entire population around Diancang Pass had suffered from floods, causing families to become separated. Just by observing the attitude of the instigator, who dismissed human lives, one could see the oppression and mistreatment that the people in Yubei regularly endured.

For Diancang Pass, it was one flood, but for Fangcheng, it was countless floods.

This other imperial order not only reached Liu Mao at Diancang Pass but was also sent to various places in the Central Plains. In just half a month, the troops were organized and headed towards Yubei.

This naturally alerted the hidden agents the Valley of Villains had placed everywhere. However, since the large army was already rushing from all directions, those hidden agents could not keep pace with the Government’s troops. Furthermore, at such a special time, hastily heading to Yubei seemed abrupt, and if they weren’t careful, it could attract attention. Forget about reporting to Xiao Zhong; they would struggle to save their own lives.

Thus, even though it was unclear whether Xiao Zhong had indeed received the news, he had at least sensed something was amiss from Yun Shen’s warnings and began to prepare for conflict. However, the most critical strategies remained unknown to him.

One was to not take Fangcheng and instead launch night attacks on the Valley of Villains. The other was to familiarize himself with the terrain first, capture the defenses on the mountains, and then surround the Valley of Villains’ camp.

The martial world figures also contributed to this effort. Alliance Leader of the Martial World, entangled in the matter of the floods at Diancang Pass due to the Sword Discussion Tournament, had learned of the imperial decree. He then proposed leading various sects, including Qinxin Cliff and Lingxi Pavilion, to join this military endeavor.

Of course, looking back now, the people from Lingxi Pavilion, especially Qi Ban, who ardently joined the army in outrage, seemed to have a hidden agenda to brazenly head to the Valley of Villains to warn Xiao Zhong.

At that time, he didn’t succeed because Liu Mao was suspicious and often paranoid, always wary of these martial world figures. He was not only concerned about their defection but also about them claiming credit. Consequently, the military decisions were somewhat fragmented and sent down in parts, with each army and the Martial World Alliance not fully understanding one another. Coincidentally, because Qi Ban had been too famous for participating in the suppression of bandits, the task of exploring the terrain under the guise of treasure hunting was not entrusted to him.

Naturally, that news hadn’t truly been delivered.

However, the heavens wouldn’t always favor Liu Mao. Despite his multiple precautions, aiming to capture Xiao Zhong in the battle at the Valley of Villains would easily resolve the crisis in Yubei, allowing Fangcheng’s troops to fall without a fight.

Such detailed plans, however, led Qi Ban to shoot himself in the foot. Xiao Zhong was rescued, which not only informed Fangcheng but also allowed them to prepare their defenses overnight, thus dissipating this surprise attack without a trace.

To capture Fangcheng again would rely on a war of attrition. If it reached such a deadlock, Liu Mao would undoubtedly be the victor, but the people of Fangcheng would undoubtedly suffer greatly, living in despair.

Before even setting camp near the city, they could already see that the originally golden fields had been hastily harvested, appearing almost primitive in their disarray. On the city wall, at the very northern section, two black stone-throwers stood at the highest point, like two menacing eyes firmly fixated on the marching army.

Soon after, someone came to ask for He Yu to go to the front, where General Liu was. Naturally, he took along the little follower Chen Shu, with Yun Shen closely following Chen Shu. The three of them walked into the army together, where they saw Liu Mao’s carriage had seemingly stopped at the front, with soldiers on the road stepping aside.

As they got closer, He Yu noticed there were not just a few people by Liu Mao’s side, all mounted on horses, seemingly awaiting He Yu’s arrival. Upon meeting, someone asked, “I hear you are from Cold Pine Cottage? Skilled at carpentry and construction?”

He Yu just poked his head out, still unable to clearly see the faces, and dazedly replied, “Yes.” Behind him, Chen Shu finally pushed her way into the crowd and saw—among the group, the person beside Liu Mao, dressed in tight clothing with hair tied high, was none other than Shen Jie.

She widened her eyes in surprise, almost crying out, but felt several gazes turn toward her. So she swallowed her words and returned to He Yu’s side.

“Who is this? You brought your sister to battle?” someone questioned.

He Yu was taken aback and hadn’t had a chance to respond when the soldiers surrounding him began to laugh.

Amidst the friendly chuckles, a sharp voice suddenly interrupted coldly: “She’s my sister. What’s wrong with that?”

The laughter immediately felt cut off, leaving an awkward silence. The smiles on many faces vanished, replaced by shock. Several people involuntarily turned to see who had spoken—it was Shen Jie.

Chen Shu wasn’t upset and upon hearing Shen Jie’s words, her joy instantly resurfaced as she looked at Shen Jie with bright, sparkling eyes. If it weren’t for Yun Shen gently pulling her back, she might have rushed forward to ride the same horse as Shen Jie.

“Hahaha, Right Supervisor Shen really knows how to joke,” Liu Mao timely laughed, saying, “This is the female hero Chen Shu, the champion of the Sword Discussion Tournament at Diancang Pass. She might look young, but her martial arts skills are impressive.”

With this statement, the tension was eased, and he subtly complimented Chen Shu just right. Those who had laughed moments ago changed their expressions, looking at her properly. Even Shen Jie chuckled softly without refuting him.

But Chen Shu didn’t think much of it, saying, “Why are you going on about me? Aren’t you looking for Brother He?”

Her compliments fell flat, causing Liu Mao’s expression to change several times as he momentarily became speechless. It was a military officer beside him who broke the silence, saying:

“It’s like this, this battle will surely be arduous,” He Yu inquired. “Daring Wandering Swordsman, regarding setting up camp, is it better to be closer or farther away?”

He Yu grasped the implication immediately, replying, “Though I’m no expert in military strategy, the trebuchets atop this city wall are nothing out of the ordinary. Their maximum range is no more than half a kilometer. We just need to be somewhat vigilant; there’s no need for undue alarm.”

Before he could finish speaking, a collective sigh of relief was heard. Smiles soon returned to the faces around him. A particularly outspoken soldier promptly chimed in loudly, “That’s what I said! Truly inexperienced in warfare, to even fear such trifles!” Another wave of raucous banter followed, the atmosphere of coarse jests and laughter slowly beginning to radiate once more throughout the gathered group.

At this moment, however, it became distinctly perceptible that the hearty expressions emanating from these men held a deliberate, almost forced quality.

Likely steeling themselves for the immense difficulty of the imminent fight, this heightened mood wasn’t limited to just a few officers. The moment the entire force arrived beneath the towering, deep walls of Fangcheng, walls rivaling the formidable height of Diancang Pass, the entire army was steeped in this excessive, almost nervous excitement.

The discussion among the leaders concluded. He Yu and Yun Shen walked back together towards the rear of the main army. Only Chen Shu remained, waving them ahead as she herself walked further forward with the surging mass of troops. She continued until they finally halted at their chosen location and began the work of setting up the military camp. Outside one of the newly erected tents, she stood waiting for quite some time.

The camp site was selected on a small hillside not far from the city perimeter. Though the intent was attack, precautions against Xiao Zhong launching a night assault from the city were paramount—essentially using offense as the means of defense. This particular hill, the solitary rise within roughly five kilometers of open flatland surrounding Fangcheng, offered the only viable location. Consequently, there hadn’t been much debate over the choice during the march.

With the pressing need to complete the camp construction before nightfall, coupled with the imperative to build cooking fires after the taxing multi-kilometer expedition, soldiers of various duties bustled in and out, creating a scene of busy intensity.

Yet Chen Shu stood resolute outside the tent, quietly expectant. True to her inexplicable confidence, she didn’t have to wait long before Shen Jie arrived.

Shen Jie seemed to have only just finished her tasks, having delegated various duties without even a moment to tidy herself. Windblown dust clung to her face, lending her an uncharacteristically weary air. Nonetheless, her eyes still sparkled with energy, and as she emerged from the tent, her gaze unerringly found Chen Shu’s figure, as if she had anticipated her presence.

“You need something from me?”

“How did you know I have something to ask?” Chen Shu blinked, asking directly.

“Even before the camp was pitched, during the strategy meeting, your eyes kept darting my way,” Shen Jie replied, letting out a light chuckle. “You young tiger, if you weren’t here for a reason, you must surely suspect me of some wrongdoing!”

Chen Shu laughed too, scratching her head in mild embarrassment. “… Was it really that obvious? I simply wanted to talk with you, Sister. I couldn’t help but wonder… how did you also end up following the army all the way to Yubei? Are you here to supervise the troops?”

“Goodness, I couldn’t possibly manage an army this vast!” Shen Jie retorted with a smile. She paused, then continued, “But it is true. I am here under imperial decree to oversee military affairs. However, this ‘supervisor’ role is merely a title. Even the Emperor himself understands I sought this designation for one purpose alone – to investigate a case.”

Chen Shu started, unable to suppress the immediate question. “Investigate what case?”

“What else could it be?” Shen Jie answered. “The flood was indeed the Valley of Villains’ doing. But beyond destroying the dam and releasing the deluge, multiple covert operatives related to the Valley remain active across the land – from the imperial court and the Wulin world down to common peddlers and laborers. Other operatives might be overlooked, but as for the Diancang Pass flood… there was clearly one individual who seemed less like an agent from the Valley a thousand Li away and more like the hidden mastermind orchestrating the entire calamity. Since we haven’t caught him, this case remains unresolved.”

Hearing this, Chen Shu remembered their conversation back in Yingqiu City, recalling Shen Jie’s earlier analysis.

The Valley of Villains acted with decisive brutality. This particular operative, however, wielded a cautious, insidious cunning. Between these two methods, the identity of the primary manipulator was self-evident. An operative bearing such characteristics would undoubtedly hold an exceptional position within the Valley, possibly direct communication with Xiao Zhong himself – the hidden chief strategist, second only to the leader.

In other words, Xiao Zhong necessarily knew the identity of this individual.

And at this very moment, standing beneath the walls of Fangcheng, a mere few dozen Li separated them from Xiao Zhong and, consequently, separated them by only that same short distance from the truth of this major case.

“But does finding this person require capturing Fangcheng? Haven’t we already taken the Valley of Villains? There must be prisoners… some willing to talk, surely someone could offer a clue or two?” Chen Shu mused aloud after a long pause.

“Some have spoken, yes,” Shen Jie said. “They mentioned that after the Diancang Pass flood, a military adviser arrived in Fangcheng, one who earned Xiao Zhong’s immense trust and esteem. They also said that adviser had actually anticipated this surprise assault by our army, but Xiao Zhong didn’t believe him at the time and even ridiculed his suggestion in front of subordinates. However… this person lived in extreme seclusion, residing right here in Fangcheng. Even within the valley, little is known about the adviser’s name or identity, let alone his origins…”

“Sister, are you saying… this military adviser is the hidden operative? After the affair concluded, he simply shed his cover identity and returned to Yubei?” Chen Shu ventured.

“Common sense suggests it is possible,” Shen Jie responded thoughtfully. “But if it were truly this ‘military adviser’ stirring the trouble, an immediate question arises. At Diancang Pass, everyone connected to the court—be it Liu Mao, Xu Yuan, or the various sect leaders and their senior disciples—were assembled beneath the city walls. Even those who weren’t present could have their whereabouts confirmed along the return journey. So… where did this extra ‘military adviser’ come from? Is he truly someone who left Diancang Pass and somehow made his way personally to Fangcheng?”

Seeing Chen Shu lost in contemplation, Shen Jie smiled and let her puzzle it out, shifting the topic instead. “And what about you? I heard you actually broke into the Valley of Villains yourself much earlier. Since you sought me out, I presume…”

“Right! It’s… a case too!” Chen Shu declared, her spirits instantly lifting as she banished her previous train of thought. She rapidly outlined the discovery of the corpse and the various doubts it raised, then added excitedly, “But don’t give me any hints yet! Let me lay out my own reasoning for you, Sister, then we can compare! I want to see if my studies have paid off—if indeed the master produces a skilled pupil!”

“Alright then,” Shen Jie agreed. She glanced around, spotted a smooth boulder, gave her robe a casual flick, and sat right on the ground. Tilting her head back, she motioned for Chen Shu to continue with a nod. “Go on, tell me!”

“My thought process,” Chen Shu began, warming to her subject, “The victim possessed some martial skill. Therefore, the murderer must also possess some ability. Otherwise, even granted the element of surprise, striking a fatal blow cleanly would be incredibly difficult. As for this case, it occurred amid warfare, yet the scene itself was within a secret room, accessed via a secret passage. If it wasn’t someone from the Valley of Villains, how could they possibly know about that passage, let alone gain entry to commit the crime? But, I also learned something. Over the two days during the assault on the Valley, the slopes were crawling with members of the Wulin Community lying in ambush. Since Li Chou and his forces surrounded the slopes, not even a letter could leave the Valley, let alone anyone dispatched to commit murder!”

“Actually, one letter did get out. At least one,” Shen Jie countered, tapping a finger lightly on her knee. “This afternoon I questioned the remaining disciples of the Lingxi Pavilion thoroughly. According to them, this Qi Ban… he even participated in the fighting at the valley entrance during the day. After retiring to rest, he began acting rather strangely. It’s unclear how Xiao Zhong managed to get a message into his hands, but the timing coincides precisely with the arrival of several waves of messengers trying to reach the summit during the fighting.”

Chen Shu blinked, comprehension dawning slowly. “Then… at most one letter got through. But, Sister, the secret room wasn’t just any ordinary secret room! It contained Xiao Zhong’s personal wealth, his treasure chest! Sending a message out might be plausible… but could the letter possibly detail how to enter the secret passage? How to access the very room?”

“… Then how did you manage to get into the secret passage?” Shen Jie asked, her lips curving into a challenging smile.

“It was me?” Chen Shu said, her face full of innocence. “I smashed it open!”

“You smashed it open, so is there now a big gap in that secret room door big enough for a person to get through?” Shen Jie said gently.

Before she could finish, Chen Shu sprang up, covered her face, let out a cry, and spun around repeatedly.

“That’s right! How could I have forgotten that? Oh no!”

“Haha, no need to be dejected,” Shen Jie said, smiling at the sight. She reached out to stop her, then gently pried Chen Shu’s hands away from her face, looking at her flushed cheeks. “Why the murderer went to that secret room has always been suspicious. But as for why he knew how to enter it in the first place, that’s truly nothing to dwell on—after all, you’ve already smashed a big hole in the door.”

Seeing that Shen Jie really didn’t mean to laugh at her, Chen Shu awkwardly lowered her hands. She then made an effort to dig through her memories of the past few days, sniffing her nose.

It seemed the camp had already lit fires. Not only did the cooking smoke rise into the air like several thin threads pulled apart and scattered, but the smell of food also began to slowly spread. After a while, her stomach growled, as if she had just awoken from her thoughts, and she puffed out her cheeks.

“…Well, I actually remembered another person. Someone you just mentioned who could have been the culprit.”

“Speak,” Shen Jie said.

All eyes were on Chen Shu as she opened her mouth, her voice hesitant yet bold.

“That ‘newly arrived’ military strategist.”