Chapter 360: Chapter 239: No Business at the Government Office, to the Brothel...

Chen Yi knew that Lou Yuxue, under orders from the General, had recently been in secret contact with King Landu’s people from Poshisu Country.

However, he didn’t know the Hidden Guard’s purpose for contacting King Landu.

Furthermore, according to that merchant surnamed Lin, King Landu was the Bandit King of Poshisu Country.

’King Landu...’

Chen Yi lay on the bed, murmuring the name to himself.

Although he didn’t know much about King Landu, he could easily gauge the man’s capabilities. He was important enough to warrant the attention of a Golden Banner Officer of the Hidden Guard, and he was able to purchase ironware from Mr. Lingchuan through the merchant Lin.

’Horse bandits?’

’It’s rare to see horse bandits operating at this level.’

But Chen Yi had heard a few things about Poshisu Country before.

Many of the horse bandits there were former soldiers who specialized in robbing merchants from the Wei Dynasty and the Buddha Country along the Ancient Tea-Horse Road.

The more capable ones even dared to raid the Barbarian Race and capture Barbarians—that was how the barbarian slaves in Shu State came to be.

Under such circumstances, it would be more accurate to call them Poshisu soldiers in bandits’ robes rather than actual horse bandits.

As Chen Yi thought this, he pulled a piece of paper from underneath the Five-section Spear strapped to his arm. He used the faint light from outside the room to read its contents.

’A horizontal stroke, a hook, another hook, a left-falling stroke...’

’The script of Poshisu Country really is hard to decipher.’

What Chen Yi held was none other than the letter for King Landu that he had gotten from the man surnamed Lin.

’It’s probably about negotiating a trade with King Landu.’

’Tomorrow, I’ll have Wang Ji find someone who can read the Poshisu script.’

After mulling it over, Chen Yi put the paper away again, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

He slept soundly, but in the room across the way, Xiao Wan’er tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Her eyes would flutter open from time to time.

Shen Huatang, who was sitting and leaning against the door with her sword, noticed the movement. After a glance at the soundly sleeping Cui’er and Juan’er, she rose lightly and came to the bedside.

"Miss, can’t you sleep?"

Xiao Wan’er hummed softly in reply. She pulled the covers around herself and sat up, leaning against the pillows. In a low voice, she said:

"I haven’t been back here in so long. My mind feels unsettled."

All things considered, five years had passed since the deaths of Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing.

She should have been used to it by now, but being here, she couldn’t help but remember her childhood.

And after seeing that painting tonight, she felt a pang of sadness.

Shen Huatang had an inkling of what she was feeling but didn’t know how to comfort her, so she simply sat by the bed and kept her company.

Outside the window, the rain pattered noisily.

Inside the dim room, it was silent and still.

After sitting in a daze for a moment, Xiao Wan’er took a deep breath to dispel the stifling feeling in her chest. She offered a gentle smile and said:

"Are your fellow sect members all settled in? Are they getting used to it?"

Shen Huatang hummed in affirmation. "The conditions are better than on the mountain."

"Shopkeeper Wang found them a place to live—two large, three-courtyard mansions—and even assigned a few servants to attend to them."

"Besides their monthly allowance, they don’t have to worry about food, clothing, or daily expenses. Hundred Herbs Hall is covering everything."

Xiao Wan’er was taken aback. "That sounds quite generous, doesn’t it?" she asked, surprised.

If nothing else, she was well aware of the state of her own family’s medicine halls.

Even though the terms offered to the shopkeepers, physicians, and apprentices in their own medicine halls were good, there was still a gap compared to what Hundred Herbs Hall provided.

Shen Huatang nodded and said thoughtfully, "I asked my senior sister, but she doesn’t know why either."

"Perhaps it’s as Wang Ji said—the Second Master negotiated these terms with him."

"My brother-in-law?"

"Yes. Or perhaps it has to do with us being from the Celestial Sect."

Shen Huatang clearly leaned toward the latter explanation.

Although the Celestial Sect rarely ventured into the Jianghu, it still had some renown.

This was especially true of her master Ni Hai Mountain’s generation, who had roamed the Jianghu for several years and accomplished a few major, attention-grabbing feats.

Her own generation, in contrast, was not as famous.

Only her eldest senior sister, Xie Tingyun, had represented the Celestial Sect in the Jianghu, killing some regional menaces who were causing harm.

Furthermore, the Celestial Sect was located in the remote Western State, a vast and sparsely populated land with few resources, so its name didn’t spread far in the Jianghu.

This was also why she hadn’t insisted on her junior martial brothers and sisters coming down the mountain to join Hundred Herbs Hall.

At the very least, it could earn some prestige for the Sect.

And of course, resources.

Xiao Wan’er glanced toward the door and windows and said thoughtfully, "Perhaps."

She, however, was more inclined to believe that Chen Yi had mediated on their behalf, prompting Wang Ji to give the Celestial Sect disciples better treatment.

Of course, that was just her feeling on the matter.

Shen Huatang turned her head to look at Xiao Wan’er. Even in the dimness, she could still make out her expression.

After a moment’s thought, she hesitated—a rare thing for her—and asked, "Miss, you seem to hold the Second Master in very high... regard?"

She had wanted to say "care for," but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to be so blunt.

Xiao Wan’er tensed. She snuck a sideways glance at her, her voice lacking confidence as she replied, "I... I suppose so."

"My brother-in-law is deeply learned and exceptionally capable... I... I just hope he can teach Wuge more."

’After all, this was the most suitable reason.’

’That had been her original intention, and for now, Xiao Wuge’s progress was living up to her hopes.’

’But at some point, his shadow had taken root in her heart.’

’Yes... it probably started with that poem...’

Shen Huatang, still not quite convinced, pressed on, "Miss, the Second Master is indeed outstanding, just like the Second Miss."

She deliberately stressed the word "second."

Xiao Wan’er of course caught the emphasis. After a brief silence, she said faintly, "Yes, they are both wonderful."

"I wonder if their future children will inherit their qualities."

She paused, her voice dropping until it was nearly inaudible.

"I hope I’ll be around to see that day..."

Hearing this, a complex look crossed Shen Huatang’s face. She sighed inwardly, finally understanding what was in her miss’s heart.

"Don’t worry, Miss. You will definitely get better."

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