Chapter 997: Kidnapping the Two Elders
Editor: Henyee Translations
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The Tenth Elder gripped the curtain, slowly reaching for the dagger hidden under the pillow.
Chu Qingzhi’s spiritual sense swept over the Tenth Elder’s hand, causing it to go numb and lose strength, which incited a wave of panic in her, “Who are you? Who are you really?”
Amid her frantic cries, Chu Qingzhi’s strikingly beautiful face came into view, “Surprised?”
“Chu Qingzhi!” The Tenth Elder was terrified. “You didn’t die! You really didn’t die!”
Chu Qingzhi smiled slightly, “Are you disappointed?”
The Tenth Elder’s face turned pale with fright, “Why didn’t you die? We all saw your body. How are you still alive?”
Chu Qingzhi chuckled lightly in response, “Do you always believe everything you see? Tenth Elder, aren’t you being a bit hasty?”
The Tenth Elder, sweating profusely, asked, “If what we see isn’t the truth, then what is?”
Chu Qingzhi’s intent to kill rose, “You can ponder that in your next life.”
Panicking, the Tenth Elder pleaded, “Don’t kill me, I am valuable. I am the Tenth Elder, I can help you with anything you want.”
Chu Qingzhi clicked her tongue, amused by her quick submission, “Fine, I have just one question. Answer it correctly, and I might let you live.”
“What is it? Just ask,” the Tenth Elder hurriedly responded.
Chu Qingzhi asked deliberately, “Who is Lord Yun?”
The Tenth Elder stiffened, “I don’t know. Nobody knows. He has always been a mystery; no one has ever seen his true face.”
Chu Qingzhi was puzzled, “Then how do you usually communicate?”
“We don’t,” the Tenth Elder said anxiously. “He sends messengers to us. Those claiming to be Lord Yun are just his stand-ins, and anyone who knows too much gets silenced.”
Such thorough secrecy? Chu Qingzhi was skeptical, thinking there must be some secret they were desperately hiding, “Aren’t you curious about who Lord Yun really is?”
The Tenth Elder pragmatically replied, “Curiosity is less important than our lives.”
Chu Qingzhi sneered, “If so, why join the Yun Organization?”
Regretfully, the Tenth Elder explained, “It wasn’t my choice. My husband wanted to join. I stumbled upon their secrets and was forced to join or face death.”
“What secrets?” Chu Qingzhi asked sharply.
With resigned acceptance, the Tenth Elder confessed, “The opium trade.”
As they spoke, footsteps approached. Chu Qingzhi quickly silenced the Tenth Elder and hid behind the screen to wait.
The door creaked open, and the Tenth Elder inwardly pleaded for the newcomer not to enter, but her silent prayers were unheeded. The visitor came straight to her bedside, “Yueqin?”
It was the Tenth Elder’s husband, Zong Helin. Noticing something was off with Fang Yueqin, he quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Fang Yueqin glanced nervously behind him, her eyes filled with fear.
Sensing trouble, Zong Helin turned to look back. His pupils dilated as he was struck by a powerful force and flung onto the bed, rendered unable to resist.
Chu Qingzhi warned, “Don’t scream, or you’ll die before help arrives.”
Zong Helin, staring at Chu Qingzhi, gasped, “Who are you?”
Chu Qingzhi lit the candle on the table with a wave of her hand, “See clearly now?”
Shocked, Zong Helin stammered, “Chu Qingzhi? Aren’t you supposed to be dead?”
Tired of hearing that question, Chu Qingzhi pressed, “What are you doing here so late?”
Holding his chest, Zong Helin looked towards Fang Yueqin and said, “I came to tell Yueqin that our poppy fields have been destroyed. The Right Emissary ordered the Left Emissary to intervene, but he refused. The Right Emissary went himself and now his whereabouts are unknown.”
Chu Qingzhi knocked out both of them and took them away from the eastern border mansion to the Left Emissary, Tao An’s residence, where she locked them up together.
After leaving the secret room, Chu Qingzhi contacted Tang Jinghong, “The Yun Organization has sent people to intercept Meng Shengdong. Have you received any updates?”
Tang Jinghong quickly replied, “No news yet. Nothing from Meng Shengdong’s side either.”
“I’ve captured the Yun Organization’s Ninth and Tenth Elders together. I’ll handle things here. Keep an eye on Meng Shengdong’s situation.” The lives of ten thousand soldiers were not to be taken lightly.
“I understand, don’t worry.”
After cutting off the contact, Chu Qingzhi left Tao’s residence and soon brought back two more people, the Sixth and Eighth Elders.
The Seventh Elder, Li Hongjun, was the biggest traitor within the Yun Organization, so there was no need to capture him.
The other elders were not in Shu City; otherwise, she would have captured them all.
Having secured control over four senior officials, Chu Qingzhi clapped her hands and called Zeng Huo in, “We made quite the haul today.”
Zeng Huo looked at the five people now reduced to captives, feeling immensely relieved he had chosen to side with her, “What use is it to keep them tied up like this?”
Chu Qingzhi explained, “Without them, the Yun Organization can’t operate internally. In other words, their activities in Shu City will be completely paralyzed by tomorrow.”
Zeng Huo frowned slightly, concerned, “By doing this, Lord Yun will likely never show himself.”
Speaking of this, Chu Qingzhi became somewhat irritated, “He was never going to appear anyway because he has never shown up before.”
Zeng Huo, “…”
He let it go, this wasn’t his concern, “Do you need me to do anything?”
Chu Qingzhi directed, “Keep an eye on these five and try to extract some information about the internal workings of the Yun Organization. You don’t need to worry about anything else.” Having kidnapped them, she wasn’t yet ready to let them die.
Zeng Huo nodded, “Understood.”
…
The next day, at the old Master Wei’s birthday celebration.
The entire Wei mansion was decorated lavishly, filled with the sound of drums and music, and guests streamed in non-stop.
“Eastern Border King has arrived!” A loud call focused everyone’s attention at the gate. Old Master Wei personally went to greet him, his face glowing with health, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Please, no formalities.” The Eastern Border King, accompanied by the Queen, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, and others, came to attend the birthday party. “Today is Old Master Wei’s celebration. Let’s all enjoy a few drinks.”
“Please come inside.” Old Master Wei, smiling broadly, invited them into the mansion.
Moments later, another shout rang out, “General Tang has arrived!”
This announcement caused a sudden silence among the many guests at the grand Wei mansion, as if they had heard something unbelievable, frozen in place, their eyes locked on the main entrance.
General Tang Jinghong, accompanied by four aides, entered the mansion. His presence was imposing, dressed in a black brocade robe, exuding the authority of a high-ranking official, “Old Master Wei.”