137: Chapter 137: Get rid of a few grasshoppers first

“General Chen, what is this?” Wei Zhong asked, somewhat curious at the sight.

“A person without propriety cannot stand, and a matter without propriety cannot be accomplished. This General will give you a Meeting Gift.” Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

“Gentlemen, let’s talk inside!”

With that, he took the lead and strode inside.

The other three exchanged glances, their eyebrows slightly raised, sensing that something was about to happen.

Wei Zhong waved his hand, and one of his subordinate Captain immediately stepped forward quickly.

“Arrange logistics, and let the brothers of the Ninth Mountain wash away the dust of their journey.”

“Yes!” The subordinate Captain bowed his head in assent.

“Also,” Wei Zhong’s thick brows furrowed in hesitation, then finally settled, and he instructed, “If the Ninth Mountain takes action, try to cooperate as much as possible, then report back to me.”

“Understood!”

The other party accepted the order and turned to leave.

“Let’s go, gentlemen, don’t let Zhonglang Chen wait for us.”

General Wu Sheng and Colonel Chang Shan nodded and followed.

When the three arrived at the main hall, Chen Yuan was already standing in the center of the hall, fiddling with something in his hand, his head lowered.

“Zhonglang Chen, please take the main seat.”

Wei Zhong came over and chuckled. Since Chen Yuan was temporarily serving as the main commander, overseeing the overall situation at Tianxiong Pass, the main seat in the hall was naturally reserved for him.

However, after he finished speaking, his gaze fell on an object Chen Yuan was playing with in his hand.

It was a shimmering silver token with the character “ cold” written on it, which made his brows furrow in surprise.

“Liang Province Token?”

“Does General Wei recognize it?” Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow and tossed the token in his hand.

Wei Zhong caught it, quickly flipped through it, scanned it, and then nodded.

“That’s right!”

“A token issued by the Northern Liang Royal Mansion. Where did Zhonglang Chen get this?”

“The person This General just killed was privately raising troops in Baidi City, intending to rebel. He ended up fleeing here and was coincidentally discovered by me, so I killed him on the spot. This is what I found on him.”

Speaking of this, Chen Yuan thought of how his Dharma Eye’s golden light suddenly trembled at that time, and he vaguely sensed someone calling his name in that direction, only then discovering Xiahou Yuan.

Recalling it now, he had a vague guess: it should be that Xiahou Yuan had read the the pacification of demons written by Gongsun Yang. Through this medium, when this person’s spiritual fluctuations were relatively strong and he uttered his name, it would trigger that peculiar “incense.”

Thus, Chen Yuan was able to sense this person’s location within a certain range!

Thinking of this, Chen Yuan felt that Gongsun Yang’s method, combined with his Dharma Eye, might have miraculous effects in the future.

And Wei Zhong and the other two, hearing that such a thing had happened, their expressions changed slightly, and their faces slowly became solemn.

What kind of signal this matter represented, they were not fools. Thoughts rapidly circulated in their minds, guessing at all sorts of possibilities.

Chen Yuan, at this moment, sat on the main seat, leaning slightly forward, his gaze fixed on the faces of the three Zhonglang Generals.

“Gentlemen, what do you say?”

Wei Zhong pondered for a moment, his eyes flickering, and then said, “Tianxiong Pass has a relatively special geographical location. To the north is the Western Regions, to the northwest is Liang Province, and to the east it connects to the Central Plains. Because both Liang Province and the Western Regions are blocked by natural barriers, this place has become a bustling hub, and the city’s population is mixed. This pass stands majestically, connecting all directions, and has been a battleground for strategists since ancient times. However…”

“If the Northern Liang Prefecture truly has unusual movements, the Fushi should have received news; there shouldn’t be only this small stir. The information is too scarce, and furthermore, this matter is of great importance, so Wei cannot make a definitive statement.”

“I did hear in the Dao Fu Division that the North Liang King of the Northern Liang Royal Mansion has a reputation for cherishing and valuing talent in the Jianghu, making many friends, and having three thousand retainers. I wonder if this person was one of them.”

Colonel Chang Shan, the Zhonglang General of the Fourth Mountain, spoke in a muffled voice, then said, “This matter is difficult to judge. Just as Zhonglang Wei said, if this matter releases a signal, then it’s not just about Tianxiong Pass. It’s better to report it back to the Fushi for a decision, lest there be some mistake.”

The two Zhonglang Generals, fearing that this Liang Province Token would cause trouble, felt that they should act cautiously.

But Chen Yuan didn’t think so!

“What you gentlemen said is indeed true, but Chen is thinking, based on this person’s previous methods, it’s hard to guarantee that the shadow of this group of people won’t be involved in the current affairs of Tianxiong Pass! Since the Fushi told Chen to act expediently and ascertain the identities of these people, if something goes wrong, the higher-ups will naturally bear the responsibility. For now…”

On the main seat, Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes and said, “Let’s first deal with those jumping grasshoppers on the surface!”

“Just in time, Chen has a gift, and my troops should have sent it!”

As soon as his words fell, a rapid sound of footsteps came from outside the main hall.

It was precisely that Captain under Wei Zhong!

At this moment, the Captain’s lips moved rapidly a few times.

Wei Zhong’s expression changed instantly, and the corner of his eyebrow couldn’t help but twitch.

Because his subordinate Captain had transmitted a message saying that the three leading Captain of the Ninth Mountain had asked for the locations of the Washing Sword Pavilion, the Vajra Gate, and the Tianxiong Li Family, and had ordered their subordinates to lead the way, taking their troops out of the Inner City.

This was clearly an intention to stir up trouble!

The Zhonglang General of Tianxiong Pass looked at Chen Yuan, somewhat taken aback. He truly couldn’t see through this person.

One incident after another, his little heart couldn’t quite take it, and he couldn’t help but ask in a low voice,

“Zhonglang Chen, can you tell us what this gift of yours actually is?”

“You’ll know in a bit, gentlemen!”

Chen Yuan smiled.

…

In the eastern part of Tianxiong Pass, there was a vast courtyard.

High walls and a large compound, vermillion gates with red paint. Through the lacquered red courtyard walls, under the setting sun that was about to dip below the mountains, one could see pavilions, terraces, and towers, with interlocking eaves and shimmering golden glazed tiles, exuding luxury and grandeur.

The Li Family of Tianxiong City was located here.

In former years, the ancestors of this Family served as officials in the imperial court, receiving imperial favor and ennoblement, allowing what was originally a minor branch Family to flourish and grow over the past century.

At this moment, in front of the Li Family’s tall, grand vermillion gate, cries could be heard.

Several burly Hunters were seen dragging a weeping, heartbroken woman from a carriage, her tears falling like pear blossoms after rain.

“Help me, boo hoo…”

“Who are you people? I don’t know you.”

“You killed my husband! I’m going to report you to the officials… ”

The woman struggled desperately, crying out, her voice filled with blood, biting and scratching with her hands.

A quarter of an hour ago, she was walking on the street with her husband. Her husband was picking out a hairpin for her, and she stood sweetly in place, letting her husband put it on her. But the next second, this group of people directly dragged her into a carriage in the middle of the street. Her poor husband, in order to protect her and stop these burly men, was beaten to death on the street.

“Slap!”

One of the burly men, whose skin had been scratched by the woman, immediately showed his viciousness. He slapped the woman hard across the face with his huge palm, then sneered:

“Report to the officials? That’s hilarious. Right now, this East City is my Li Family’s territory.”

“Let me tell you, little lady, don’t be so uncooperative. Our young master has taken a liking to you, so just wait to enjoy a life of luxury. Others can’t even dream of it.”

“As for your dead husband, he’s dead, so be it. But I warn you, don’t cry in front of the young master or mention your dead husband, lest you ruin the young master’s mood.”

“Go!”