"Sir, after much planning on my part, I finally found the trail of that band of thieves!" In Zhu Manor's study, Jiang Che bowed to the other man, his eyes gleaming.
Yes, the moment he had settled on a time with Kou Yuansheng, Jiang Che swiftly turned the tables on him.
There had been nothing unusual in Kou Yuansheng's expression, yet Jiang Che instinctively sensed that something was amiss.
Ever since learning that Kou Yuansheng's wife had been the one targeting him all along, he had remained on guard. Especially since Gou Buyi had said before his death that someone had intended to use Gou Buren to kill him.
That meant the other party likely had some connection to Gou Buren.
By killing Wang Chengen, he had already startled the snake in the grass. So long as the other party was not a fool, the next move against him would certainly be a killing blow. Especially since Kou Yuansheng had not even waited for him to state his position.
Instead, he had directly said he would send someone to take him there to confirm it, as though he could hardly wait.
As for Jiang Che fleecing the Cao Gang, he had merely gone with the flow at the time. Kou Yuansheng's late-night visit had left him no room to maneuver; no matter how one looked at it, he was no match for Kou Yuansheng and could only play along.
All these possibilities filled Jiang Che with suspicion.
Besides, even without those possibilities, Jiang Che had planned to turn hostile completely after finishing this final deal. He would never let himself fall into danger.
If his guess was correct, an ambush targeting him was bound to be waiting in Black Mountain Valley tomorrow.
If he guessed right, he would gain something.
If he guessed wrong, he would lose nothing.
Naturally, Zhu Sheng needed to be brought into this.
"Hm?"
Zhu Sheng's gaze shifted swiftly at his words. Leaning forward slightly, he stared at Jiang Che and asked:
"What happened?"
Jiang Che straightened and directly recounted the entire matter: Kou Yuansheng's late-night visit, the harsh conditions Jiang Che had raised to fob him off, and how Kou Yuansheng had said today that he had found what Jiang Che wanted, but required him to retrieve it in person.
At the same time, he also revealed his grievances with Kou Yuansheng's wife.
Zhu Sheng would learn of these matters sooner or later. Telling him early was better than telling him late.
Zhu Sheng looked Jiang Che up and down.
"So, you already held a grudge against the Cao Gang, and you deliberately incited this official to clash with them in order to avenge yourself. Is that right?"
"Yes."
"Aren't you afraid that, in a fit of rage, this official will strip you of your post and investigate you?"
Zhu Sheng snorted coldly.
"Though this subordinate had selfish motives, his loyalty to you is plain for heaven to see. The reason I offered you counsel at the time was entirely because I considered matters from your standpoint.
"On that point, this subordinate's conscience is clear. As for my personal vendetta, I merely took advantage of the situation. If you wish to punish me, then I ask that you do so after this matter is settled."
Jiang Che answered with his head lowered.
"How can you be so sure that Kou Yuansheng will ask men from Crouching Tiger Mountain to ambush and kill you?" Zhu Sheng's face was concealed in shadow, making it impossible to tell whether he was angry or pleased. His tone was calm.
"This subordinate believes you can see it clearly as well. Yanggu County's forces may appear chaotic and disordered, but the martial world is chiefly dominated by the Cao Gang, while the officialdom is headed by Magistrate Zhao.
"Crouching Tiger Mountain stands apart, yet it cannot possibly be self-sufficient. Its ties to the Cao Gang must run deep. The Cao Gang is too conspicuous a target and unsuited to making a move against me, but Crouching Tiger Mountain is different.
"Furthermore, this subordinate learned that the predicament suffered by the previous county commandant could almost certainly be traced back to the Crouching Tiger Mountain bandits' ambush. From the start, it was a conspiracy long plotted against you.
"You cannot hide from this, nor can you yield. You can only fight to the end!"
Jiang Che's words were decisive and resounding, as though he truly spoke from Zhu Sheng's standpoint.
"So, by reporting this to me, you intend to spring an ambush on them in return?"
"You are wise, sir. You saw through this subordinate's arrangement at a glance."
Jiang Che nodded.
Such rudimentary flattery did little to please Zhu Sheng, and he merely asked casually:
"What do you plan to do?"
"I hope you can mobilize the men of Wind Camp and have them lie in ambush at Black Mountain Valley," Jiang Che said in a low voice.
"Wind Camp? It seems you do not trust Commander Gou."
Zhu Sheng looked at Jiang Che with a faint, unreadable smile.
"That is correct. This subordinate cannot trust him."
"Give me a reason."
"The reason this subordinate was targeted by Gou Buyi in the first place was actually due to another hidden cause." Jiang Che then revealed in full the connection between Kou Yuansheng's wife and Gou Buren.
Zhu Sheng tapped his fingers against the table, a thoughtful look on his face.
"There is another reason as well."
"Speak."
"Since you wish to establish yourself, you ought to display your strength. So long as Wind Camp moves, everyone in Yanggu County will know that even if you are transferred away, you can still command Wind Camp.
"This will greatly enhance your prestige!"
"We shall proceed as you say. But remember this as well: if there is a next time, this official will not let it pass so lightly."
Jiang Che understood Zhu Sheng's meaning. He had instigated Zhu Sheng into clashing with the Cao Gang, effectively using him. In official circles, that was no small taboo.
"This subordinate will remember."
Jiang Che bowed, then placed the wooden box he had prepared long ago on the study table.
"What is this?"
Zhu Sheng furrowed his brow.
"This is Yanggu County's most famous osmanthus cake. Please have a taste, sir, and see whether it suits your palate."
Seeing the smile on Jiang Che's face, Zhu Sheng drew the wooden box before him. With a tap of both hands, the lid opened a crack, revealing several neatly arranged rows of silver ingots inside.
A smile appeared on his face as well. The silver was not much, but it represented Jiang Che's attitude. Zhu Sheng closed the box again and nodded.
"The pastries are good. This official will accept them. But there is a little too little—they will not fill the stomach."
"The Cao Gang has accumulated wealth for more than ten years. There must be no shortage of pastries in their treasury. So long as we seize their weakness this time and wipe them out in one stroke, not only will you eat your fill, sir—you will be stuffed."
The smile on Jiang Che's face carried a deeper meaning.
Zhu Sheng closed his eyes, seemingly weighing the matter. Only after a long while did he speak.
"This matter is of great importance. You must proceed with utmost caution."
"This subordinate understands."
Jiang Che nodded.
The next day, at noon.
Jiang Che arrived at the inn as agreed and met the man the Cao Gang had sent to receive him. The other man did not waste words. After confirming the time, he immediately led Jiang Che toward Black Mountain Valley.
During their conversation on the road, Jiang Che learned the man's identity.
His surname was Ren. He was a Protector of the Cao Gang and usually remained at Kou Yuansheng's side.
After roughly two hours, the two finally reached Black Mountain Valley. One glance showed a vast expanse of blackness, like ashes left behind after someone had once set the mountain ablaze.
"Commander Jiang, follow me. The Yin Sha Land lies within the valley."
Protector Ren behaved with respectful courtesy.
"Lead the way, Protector Ren."
Jiang Che nodded.
Once they entered the valley, the view suddenly opened up. Black ironwood trees covered the mountains and forest. After following the path for another short while, Protector Ren stopped and pointed at a cave ahead.
"This is the Yin Sha Land Commander Jiang sought. Several years ago, demonic cultivators who practiced devilish arts often appeared here. It was only recently, after great difficulty, that we found it."
"Thank you for leading the way, Protector Ren. Your task is complete."