A Dangerous Game, Schemes Conquer Heaven

In the back hall of the county yamen, the warm chamber.

The warm chamber was very warm, the charcoal fire burning fiercely.

This was the forbidden ground of Black Stone County Magistrate Zhou Dexing. Normally, besides his trusted advisor and concubine, not even a fly could get in.

At this moment, Zhou Dexing was slumped on a soft couch.

Two maids knelt on the ground, carefully massaging his plump thighs.

He held a bowl of ginseng soup in his hand.

The soup was top-grade ginseng soup, and the bowl was an exquisite jade bowl.

But Zhou Dexing couldn't drink it.

Not only could he not drink it, but he also wanted to kill someone.

"You're saying that scholar surnamed Ji not only healed Wang Meng's leg but also took that brute to seal Zhao Hei Hu's shop?"

Advisor Qian bowed, like a cunning old rat, his eyes glinting with shrewdness.

"Replying to Your Excellency, it is absolutely true."

"The Ghost Market is all saying that Ji Ye is a hidden master. He saw at a glance that Zhao Hei Hu's cultivation had gone awry, and he even offered to 'drive out the poison' for him."

"A master?"

Zhou Dexing sneered and slammed the bowl onto the table. "Where did so many masters come from in Black Stone County? I think he's a swindler! It's one thing if Wang Meng, that brute, was deceived, but if he angers Zhao Hei Hu and causes trouble later, I'll have to clean up his mess!"

Although he was the highest official in the county, he was still wary of Zhao Hei Hu, the local overlord. After all, the Black Tiger Gang paid a considerable amount of money in bribes every year, and if it really came to a fight, the dozens of constables in the yamen wouldn't be enough to scratch their backs.

"Then, Your Excellency's intention is..." Advisor Qian probed tentatively.

"Summon the man." A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Zhou Dexing's eyes. "If he truly has skill, it's a blessing for the yamen; if he's a charlatan who deceives people... Hmph, my jail is just missing someone to fill a cell."

A quarter of an hour later.

Ji Ye followed a yamen runner into the warm chamber.

Ji Ye walked in.

He was wearing a blue gown.

The fabric was coarse, washed very white, but on him, it exuded a straightness like a drawn sword.

A smile played on his lips.

A faint smile, making it impossible to gauge its depth or his emotions.

This was a Hongmen Banquet.

Zhou Dexing was not slumped; he sat up straight.

There was no sound from behind the screen, but there was killing intent.

It was the sound of a sword being drawn.

"Your humble subject Ji Ye, greets the County Magistrate."

Ji Ye cupped his fists, his movements so precise that not a single flaw could be found.

"Mr. Ji wields great authority."

Zhou Dexing spoke sarcastically, his smile not reaching his eyes.

"My constable has become your servant. Such a major event as sealing a shop, and even I didn't know?"

"Bang!"

He slammed the table heavily and shouted sternly, "Do you know your crime?!"

This roar, combined with the faint sound of a sword being drawn from behind the screen, was enough to scare the guts out of ordinary citizens.

But Ji Ye didn't even bat an eyelid.

He did not kneel and beg for mercy, nor did he offer an explanation. Instead, he raised his head and looked directly into Zhou Dexing's eyes.

"Your humble subject is innocent; on the contrary, I have rendered merit."

"Merit?" Zhou Dexing laughed in anger. "You overstepped your authority, trespassed into private property, what merit is there?"

"The merit of saving a life."

Ji Ye took a step forward, his voice calm yet powerful.

"Has Your Excellency not noticed that the sky in Black Stone County is about to fall?"

"Alarmist talk!" Advisor Qian berated from the side. "Black Stone County is enjoying favorable weather and timely rain now, where is this falling sky?"

Ji Ye didn't even glance at Advisor Qian, his gaze locked onto Zhou Dexing.

"Favorable weather and timely rain?"

Ji Ye chuckled lightly.

"Zhao Hei Hu commands five hundred men, privately stockpiles armor, monopolizes medicinal herbs, and colludes with the Barbarians."

"He has established himself as king in the south of the city. Your yamen's decrees are like waste paper once they leave this street."

Zhou Dexing's expression darkened.

This was his festering sore, now ripped open, flesh and all.

"That's not all."

Ji Ye continued, his words not rushed, but each one a stab to the heart.

"The northern border is unstable, with the Barbarians pressing in."

"Sir, do you think that once the Barbarians attack, Zhao Hei Hu will help you defend the city, or will he offer your head to earn himself a Centurion position?"

Zhou Dexing's hand trembled.

Though greedy and lustful, he was not stupid. He had seen Zhao Hei Hu's ambition, but he had turned a blind eye, partly due to the bribe money and partly because he truly couldn't afford to offend him.

"What do you propose?" Zhou Dexing's voice softened slightly, but he remained wary. "Zhao Hei Hu is too powerful. The few men I have can't touch him."

"They can't touch him because you see yourself as an official and him as a commoner."

Ji Ye took a step forward, lowering his voice, which made it even more penetrating.

"But in times of chaos, there's only one boundary between official and commoner."

"Whoever's blade is sharper, that's who's in charge."

Zhou Dexing fell silent.

He was struggling.

He feared Zhao Hei Hu, but he feared death even more.

"Zhao Hei Hu's power was in the past," Ji Ye continued to press. "Now that Barbarian scouts are frequently appearing outside the city, do you really think the batch of medicinal herbs and weapons Zhao Hei Hu has stockpiled are just for selling?"

"You mean..." Zhou Dexing's face turned pale.

"That's his Pledge of Allegiance."

Ji Ye threw out his heaviest chip. "Zhao Hei Hu wants to be the emperor of Black Stone County, and you, sir, are the first grand gift he intends to offer the Barbarians."

Crack!

The teacup in Zhou Dexing's hand shattered.

Colluding with the enemy and betraying the country meant execution of his entire clan.

Being sold out by his subordinate meant a gruesome death.

Both paths led to death.

"He wouldn't dare! How could he dare?!" Zhou Dexing roared in exasperation, the fat on his face jiggling, it was unclear if from anger or fear.

"What wouldn't a desperate man dare to do?"

Ji Ye's expression was calm. "The only way forward is to strike first."

"How do we strike?" Zhou Dexing became anxious. "The few dozen constables in the yamen aren't even enough to fill their teeth! Do you expect me to beg for reinforcements from the prefectural city? By the time they arrive, it'll be too late!"

"There's no need to ask for help, nor is there a need for a direct confrontation."

A cold arc formed on Ji Ye's lips.

Cold, sharp.

"This humble one has a plan, to use the Barbarians to defeat Zhao Hei Hu."

"Zhao Hei Hu wants to collude with the Barbarians, so let's help him."

"Let them... fight amongst themselves."

Zhou Dexing froze, then his eyes flickered.

He was an old hand in officialdom, and he understood immediately.

"Borrowing a knife to kill someone?"

"Precisely."

Ji Ye extended a hand. "This humble one only needs one thing from you, sir."

"What is it?"

"Legitimacy."

Ji Ye looked directly at Zhou Dexing. "I need a title that allows me to act with discretion and mobilize the yamen's resources. This is a dirty business, and you cannot be involved. I am willing to be the knife and cut out this tumor for you."

Zhou Dexing fell silent.

He was weighing his options.

Giving Ji Ye power meant risk. But this young man was right, this was a dirty job that required someone to take the fall. If it succeeded, it would be Magistrate Zhou's brilliant strategy to eliminate a traitor; if it failed, it would be Ji Ye, the temporary hire, acting on his own, with no connection to him.

This was a sure bet, a win-win situation.

"Those behind the screen, you can all withdraw."

Zhou Dexing suddenly spoke, his voice weary but resolute.

A sound of shuffling footsteps came from behind the screen, gradually fading away. The hidden guards had retreated.

Ji Ye had won the gamble.

Zhou Dexing untied a token from his waist, a "Ling" character plaque representing the County Magistrate's personal presence.

He rubbed the token, reluctant to part with it, but ultimately tossed it to Ji Ye.

"Ji Ye, I'll trust you this once."

Zhou Dexing stared at Ji Ye, his eyes cold. "This token can mobilize the three shifts of yamen runners and open the armory. But remember, if you mess this up, or if the fire spreads to me..."

"Your Excellency, rest assured."

Ji Ye caught the token; it was ice-cold to the touch.

"This humble subject is merely a scholar and needs Your Excellency's authority to survive. This fire will only burn Zhao Hei Hu."

"Go."

Zhou Dexing waved his hand as if shooing away a fly. "I am tired. For the next few days, I will be recuperating in the back chambers due to illness. Do not bother me with outside matters."

This was his way of distancing himself.

"This humble subject takes his leave."

Ji Ye cupped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.

Outside the warm chamber, the wind and snow were still fierce.

The biting cold wind, mixed with snowflakes, stung his face.

Ji Ye tucked the token into his robes. The subservient expression on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a profound indifference.

He didn't need Zhou Dexing's trust or his appreciation.

He only needed this token, this guise of "official authority."

With this guise, he could legitimately mobilize resources, set traps, and bury Zhao Hei Hu and the barbarians together.

As for dividing the spoils afterward?

Ji Ye touched the token in his robes and let out a cold laugh.

When this play was over, all that would be left for Zhou Dexing was a mess and an empty city about to be consumed by war.

From the shadows in the corner of the wall, a dark figure emerged.

It was Wang Meng.

Dressed in night-blooming clothes, carrying the scent of blood and the chill of the night.

"Sir."

Wang Meng lowered his voice, a hint of irrepressible excitement in his tone.

"It's done."

"The Black Tiger Gang's token, that batch of 'fake medicine,' has all been dumped in White Wolf Valley. We happened to run into a barbarian scout team, killed three, and let one escape."

"The one who escaped saw Zhao Hei Hu's unique hidden weapon with his own eyes."

Ji Ye stopped walking and nodded with satisfaction.

"Well done."

"Sir, that barbarian ran fast. The news should reach the barbarian tribes by tomorrow morning." Wang Meng sounded worried. "If the barbarians really attack..."

"That's exactly what we want."

Ji Ye looked up.

The northern night sky was as black as ink, like a beast waiting to devour.

"If they don't come, how can this play unfold?"

"Tell the brothers to sharpen their knives."

Ji Ye tossed the County Magistrate's token to Wang Meng.

"Starting tomorrow, Black Stone County will no longer belong to Zhou, nor to Zhao."

"It will belong to Ji."

"We are ready to receive our guests."

Wang Meng took the token, his hand trembling slightly.

He looked at the young figure in the wind and snow.

He was no longer a down-on-his-luck scholar.

He was a chess player using the world as his board and its people as his pieces.

The first piece had already been moved.

"Yes!"

Wang Meng cupped his fist, turned, and disappeared into the darkness.

Ji Ye stood in the wind and snow.

The medicinal power of the Crimson Blood Ginseng spread through his body, a warm current surging.

His posture was like a sword, unmoving.

"Zhao Hei Hu, Hulei."

"Your stage is set."

"Don't disappoint me."