Settling the Matter

The night passed quickly.

At dawn the next day, the sky had only just begun to brighten.

Ye An and Yu Shaowei changed into plain clothes. They looked no different from the workers in the group.

Chen Qingyao also changed into a simple dress and quietly followed at the rear.

Chen Yanming stood before the manor gate. Looking at the makeshift "delivery crew" in front of him, he first bowed deeply to Yu Shaowei.

"Chief Disciple Yu, thank you for making this trip in person. I'm deeply grateful."

Then he turned to Ye An. "Young Hero Ye, I won't forget your help."

Neither of them said much. After thanking them, Chen Yanming straightened and explained his plan.

"I'd like to ask you both to pose as ordinary workers for now. I'll go up first and spar with that man Ma. Once he slips up, Chief Disciple Yu can step forward. That should save us some arguing."

Yu Shaowei saw no problem with it. "All right. We'll do it your way."

Chen Yanming gave them a merchant's guileless smile and said no more. He turned to lead the delivery crew toward the east of Clear River Commandery City.

About a mile east of Clear River Commandery City, the Medicinal Herb Trading Post occupied an open-air market that had been bustling since dawn.

Herb merchants from every direction had gathered there, filling the air with the mingled scents of countless medicinal plants.

The Jade Balance Sect's inspection station stood before a row of gray-walled, tiled-roof buildings at the far end of the market. A long table sat outside, stacked with account books.

The crew wove through the crowd and finally stopped before the buildings.

Chen Yanming drew a deep breath and went forward alone. Wearing his usual ingratiating smile, he cupped his