38: Water Patrol Office

The Shi Family Carriage and Horse Shop was located on the main street in the south of the city.

Carriages and horses flowed endlessly before the wide entrance. Several strong horses, snorting loudly, were tied to the hitching post. Employees shouted while moving goods, and the air was thick with the warm, unique scent of hay, leather, and livestock—a scene of bustling prosperity.

Chen Linsheng had no mind to watch and quickly rushed into the midst of the activity.

His gaze was like lightning, quickly sweeping over every corner of the courtyard, but he did not find that familiar tall figure. He only saw several employees busy tending to the carriages.

“Sir, are you looking to hire a carriage or horse?”

A middle-aged man who looked like a manager saw his steady breath and measured steps, recognized he was not ordinary, and dared not neglect him. He quickly approached with a smile.

“I'm looking for Shi Poyue, Senior Brother Shi.” Chen Linsheng skipped the pleasantries, getting straight to the point, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible urgency. “I am his Junior Brother from the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, Chen Linsheng. I have a matter of extreme urgency for him.”

Hearing this, the manager's expression immediately grew more respectful, but a hint of difficulty also appeared. “So it is Young Master Chen! My apologies! However... unfortunately, the Young Master was just invited away about a quarter of an hour ago by someone sent by Head Constable Wang of the Water Patrol Division. They said they needed to discuss urgent official business, so he is likely at the Yamen now.”

“What?!”

Chen Linsheng's heart sank abruptly, as if struck by a piece of ice.

He was called away so quickly?

Was it to discuss that plan?

A terrifying thought uncontrollably sprang up: If Head Senior Brother were to reveal the entire plan—the route of the raid and the deployment of personnel—during the discussion... and if there were an internal mole among those present... Thinking this, a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

He must stop him immediately!

At the very least, he cannot let him reveal the complete plan in front of everyone!

“Where is the Water Patrol Division Yamen? Show me!”

Chen Linsheng could no longer worry about formalities. His tone was urgent, and his eyes were sharp as a drawn sword. The sudden burst of oppressive Aura caused the manager to catch his breath.

“It's, it's over by the East City Wharf. The one with the blue plaque and gold lettering hanging above the entrance...”

Overawed by his Aura, the manager quickly pointed the way.

Before the manager finished speaking, Chen Linsheng had already turned and shot out of the shop like an arrow released from a bow.

The force technique of Eight Steps Catching Cicada flowed naturally beneath his feet. Although he was not using his full power, his speed already far surpassed that of an ordinary person.

His figure became a blurred shadow in the bustling crowd, deftly avoiding peddlers carrying burdens and slow-moving ox carts, rushing toward the East City Wharf.

The wind whistled past his ears, but it could not dispel the anxiety in his heart.

‘Faster, a little faster!’

‘I hope Head Senior Brother is cautious and hasn't revealed the critical information yet...’

He had no doubt about Shi Poyue's skill and courage, but an open spear is easy to dodge, while a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.

Since the Water Bandits were able to accurately learn the date and the leader of the team, it was almost certain that they had deeper moles planted within the Water Patrol Division.

A moment's delay, and they might step into an inescapable Trapping.

The gray-green courtyard walls of the Water Patrol Division Yamen quickly appeared at the edge of his vision.

Built beside the river, two soldiers stood solemnly at the gate, their hands resting on their sabers, silently marking off a place of strict authority.

Chen Linsheng did not stop, charging straight toward the main gate.

“Halt! This is a restricted area of the Water Patrol Division; unauthorized personnel are forbidden!”

Seeing this, one soldier immediately stepped sideways, extending his arm like an iron barrier in front of him, shouting sternly.

Chen Linsheng abruptly halted his steps, forcefully suppressing the urge to barge through. He clasped his hands in a salute, his voice slightly low due to the urgency: “Gentlemen, I am Chen Linsheng of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall. I have a matter of extreme urgency concerning the great plan to suppress the bandits, and I need to see Senior Brother Shi Poyue immediately! There can be no delay, I beg you to announce my presence!”

The anxiety in his eyes and his genuine seriousness softened the soldier's expression slightly, but he still hesitated: “Master Shi is currently discussing matters with the Head Constable Lord. We...”

Just as they were at a standstill, footsteps sounded from within the Yamen.

He saw Head Senior Brother Shi Poyue walking shoulder-to-shoulder with a sturdy-looking middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of a Water Patrol Division Head Constable. Both had slightly furrowed brows, clearly indicating that their recent conversation had not been easy.

“Head Senior Brother!”

Chen Linsheng's eyes lit up, and he immediately called out loudly.

Shi Poyue looked up at the sound, and seeing Chen Linsheng at the gate, slightly breathless and with urgent eyes, a clear look of surprise flashed across his bronzed face.

He exchanged a glance with Head Constable Wang beside him and quickly walked over.

“A Sheng?” Shi Poyue asked, his tone laced with confusion. “How did you find your way here? What is the rush?”

Chen Linsheng glanced left and right, stepped forward, and practically pressed himself against Shi Poyue's ear. In a voice so low only the two of them could hear, he quickly recounted everything he had overheard in the reed marsh.

“...The news is confirmed. They already know that you are leading the team to raid from Black Fish Bay at midnight three days from now! Head Senior Brother, the plan has been leaked; I fear there is an ambush!”

After listening, Shi Poyue's pupils suddenly contracted, and his bronzed face darkened visibly, like the sky before a storm. His gaze became sharp enough to pierce iron and stone.

The steady Aura surrounding him instantly became chilling and intimidating, like a drawn sharp blade.

Although Head Constable Wang beside him hadn't heard the content, he observed their expressions and knew a major upheaval had occurred. He asked in a deep voice, “Brother Shi, what is going on?”

Shi Poyue did not answer immediately. He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging anger and lingering fear. He heavily patted Chen Linsheng's shoulder, his gaze filled with indescribable admiration and gratitude, his voice low yet perfectly clear:

“A Sheng, you have rendered a great service!”

Immediately, he turned to Head Constable Wang, his voice as grave as a coming mountain storm: “Head Constable Wang, let's step aside to talk. The plan has been leaked. Within our ranks... I fear we have a traitor who bites the hand that feeds him!”

Head Constable Wang's expression changed drastically. He nodded without hesitation: “Let's go, to my Office!”

The two immediately turned, their steps swift, and quickly re-entered the depths of the Yamen.

Watching their retreating figures disappear, Chen Linsheng's tightly strung nerves finally relaxed slightly. Only then did he feel that the clothes on his back were soaked with cold sweat.

He did not leave, but retreated to the side of the gate, waiting quietly. Since the matter originated with him, he needed to know the outcome.

After roughly the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Shi Poyue walked out alone.

The frost on his face had not receded, but his eyes had returned to their usual calm and steady state, though beneath that composure, turbulent undercurrents were hidden.

He walked up to Chen Linsheng and once again forcefully patted his shoulder with his large hand, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible lingering fear and genuine relief:

“A Sheng, thanks to you! It was truly Heaven's fortune that you overheard this! If not, three days from now, my brothers and I might have truly charged headlong into a prepared trap, and the casualties would have been unimaginable!”

He paused briefly, lowering his voice further:

“Head Constable Wang and I have agreed that, on the surface, the original plan will remain unchanged. We will use this opportunity to release some false information, lure the snake out of its hole, and secretly investigate the mole. As for the genuine action plan, it must remain absolutely confidential and will be decided upon when the time comes.”

A great weight lifted from Chen Linsheng's heart, and he nodded, saying, “That is the most secure approach.”

Shi Poyue looked at him, his appreciation growing deeper, and his gaze carried the meaning of entrusting a heavy responsibility:

“You are meticulous, calm in a crisis, and decisive. Your performance this time far exceeded my expectations. For this bandit suppression operation, you will follow closely by my side to react to changes.”

“Yes, Head Senior Brother.” Chen Linsheng replied in a deep voice.

Shi Poyue instructed: “You go back first, Cultivate as usual, and absolutely do not show any abnormality. Also, do not mention this to anyone else in the martial arts hall, just in case.”

“Understood.” Chen Linsheng nodded solemnly, keeping this caution in mind.

He turned and left, but after a few steps, he subconsciously looked back at the imposing Water Patrol Division Yamen.

The afternoon sun fell upon the plaque above the entrance, reflecting a cold sheen.