76: Poetry Club

In the back hall of the Jiangzhou Prefecture Yamen, candlelight shone brightly.

Qiao Wenbin sat upright behind a large desk, his brow slightly furrowed as he reviewed a mountain of official documents.

The vermilion brushstrokes outlined the myriad lives and hidden currents within the Jiangzhou region.

Judge Chen stood quietly to the side, hands lowered, maintaining a respectful posture while awaiting inquiry.

Inside the room, only the faint sounds of turning paper and the brush tip gliding across rice paper remained.

After a long while, Qiao Wenbin finally put down his brush, massaged his slightly aching temples, and spoke in a calm tone, breaking the silence.

"Have you invited the person?"

Hearing this, Judge Chen leaned forward slightly, a hint of barely perceptible awkwardness showing on his face.

"Reporting, Milord, this subordinate is incompetent. Just like the previous groups who went to invite him, I couldn't even meet Zhou Yan." He paused, then added, "The one who received this subordinate was still Apothecary Huo Zhongshan from the Pill Workshop."

Hearing this, Qiao Wenbin's face showed no emotional fluctuation, as if he had long anticipated this result.

He picked up the warm tea beside him, took a small sip, and continued to ask.

"It's fine. Did you manage to find out any useful information?"

Judge Chen pondered for a moment, carefully recalling today's conversation.

"That Huo Zhongshan hasn't been following Zhou Yan for long, so his knowledge is indeed limited.

"Through subtle probing, this subordinate could only vaguely sense that he harbors little respect for Prime Minister Zhang..."

"Based on this deduction, Zhou Yan should, at the very least, not be affiliated with Prime Minister Zhang."

"Hmm..."

Qiao Wenbin let out a long, low hum from his nose, finished reviewing the last official document, finally put down his brush, and stretched his somewhat stiff back.

"His first strike targeted the Spirit Fish. If he were truly Prime Minister Zhang's man, that would be equivalent to cutting off his own arm—it makes no sense logically or emotionally. Coupled with your observation, we can tentatively confirm that he is unrelated to Prime Minister Zhang."

Qiao Wenbin stood up, walked slowly to the window, and gazed at the deep night outside, lost in thought.

"If the man from the Censorate is neither aligned with Prime Minister Zhang nor connected to our Duke's Estate faction, then the remaining possibility... who else could it be besides Prince Kang?"

He turned around, his gaze sharp as he looked at Judge Chen.

"First, he severed the Spirit Fish supply line, using that to establish authority within the Censorate and secure his position. Immediately afterward, he came to sweep clean our Black Market in Jiangzhou."

"This series of actions has a clear purpose and swift methods."

"His Highness Prince Kang... has he finally lost patience and prepared to start setting pieces on the board to compete with us?"

Judge Chen, who had been listening for a long time, finally found an opportunity to interject. He stepped forward and lowered his voice.

"Milord, since this is the case, should this subordinate..."

As he spoke, he raised his right hand and subtly made a throat-slitting gesture, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

Seeing his action, Qiao Wenbin couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, his tone carrying a slight tease.

"What? Do you think your Lifespan is too long, or do you feel The Duke doesn't have enough trouble already?"

He walked back to the desk, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.

"This is clearly a game between Prince Kang and our Duke. The chess match has just begun; how could it be solved so simply?"

"That Zhou Yan, no matter what, is an Imperial Censor personally appointed by the imperial court; his identity is sensitive."

"If we act rashly and leave behind clues, allowing Prince Kang's people to seize on the evidence, wouldn't we instead become his helpers, giving him a legitimate reason to attack The Duke?"

Realizing Qiao Wenbin's misunderstanding, Judge Chen quickly explained.

"Milord, please calm your anger. This subordinate did not mean for our people to act personally."

He moved closer, lowering his voice even further.

"Milord, do you still remember a young Curse Master who came from the West River some time ago?"

"Oh?"

Qiao Wenbin raised an eyebrow, searching his memory.

"Are you talking about that... inexperienced youth who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth and offended the Truth Cult?"

With this reminder, Qiao Wenbin recalled.

That was a few years ago. Indeed, a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator who practiced Cursing Arts came to the Jiangzhou area from the West River.

At that time, the Truth Cult was secretly conducting a special experiment, which this young man happened to stumble upon.

The young man, full of youthful vigor, thought his Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation was enough to run rampant in the borderlands. However, his skills were inferior, and he was captured by the experts stationed by the Truth Cult.

He was about to be used as experimental Materials or fashioned into some kind of Evil Artwork.

It was also around that time that The Duke and Prime Minister Zhang were on good terms, and that Truth Cult Hideout was taken down as an example.

Qiao Wenbin was the one leading the operation, and he happened to save the young man during that time, allowing him to escape disaster.

Later, seeing his unique abilities, Qiao Wenbin took him in as a Retainer and kept him in Jiangzhou.

He just hadn't been needed, to the point where Qiao Wenbin had almost forgotten he had a Retainer skilled in curses.

"That young man indeed possesses some unconventional methods," Qiao Wenbin recalled.

"But that Zhou Yan also has genuine Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation. Do you really expect one Foundation Establishment Cultivator to curse and kill another Cultivator of the same level?"

He didn't believe Judge Chen would overlook this basic common sense; since he brought it up, he must have another reliance.

Hearing this, Judge Chen showed a confident smile and delivered a piece of news that greatly surprised Qiao Wenbin.

"Milord, you may not know, but that young Cultivator's background is quite extraordinary. His Master is a Nascent Soul Cultivator skilled in curses."

"What!"

Hearing the four words "Nascent Soul Cultivator," Qiao Wenbin could no longer remain calm. He stood up abruptly, quickly walked in front of Judge Chen, his brows tightly furrowed.

"A Nascent Soul Cultivator? Is the news reliable? Where is this person now?"

The Nascent Soul Stage, in the Jiangzhou region, is already a strategic force capable of influencing the situation of an entire area. Even in The Capital, it counts as high-level combat power.

Judge Chen nodded affirmatively.

"This subordinate confirms it is accurate. This elder once had a name in the Myriad Law Domain of the West River, known as Yin Scholar Tree."

"It is just said that his Lifespan is nearing its end, and coupled with too many enemies made in his early years, he could no longer stay in the Myriad Law Domain. That is why he sent his Disciple to the Northern Territory first, hoping to find a peaceful place to spend his remaining years."

"Who would have thought that the Disciple would run into that incident right after arriving, nearly dying at the hands of the Truth Cult."

"That Senior is immensely grateful for this and stated clearly that he is willing to act for us once, to repay the life-saving grace."

He paused, then continued to report.

"Just three days ago, that Senior quietly arrived in Jiangzhou. This subordinate already ordered people to settle them in a hidden residence in the West of the City. I intended to report it to Milord then, to give Milord a surprise."

"Who knew that the matters handled by Zhou Yan over the past few days would drive me frantic, and I temporarily couldn't find a suitable opportunity to report."

After hearing this, Qiao Wenbin's face immediately brightened with joy. He happily patted Judge Chen's shoulder.

"Good! Good! Wenruo, you handled this matter beautifully!"

"With such a card in hand, the heavy stone in This Official's heart has been more than half lifted. You deserve a great merit for this!"

He excitedly paced a few steps in the room, but quickly calmed down and mused.

"However... having a Nascent Soul Cultivator directly act against Zhou Yan seems a bit wasteful for now."

"In the end, everything right now is just our speculation. We haven't even personally verified Zhou Yan's true background."

"What if Prime Minister Zhang truly had the determination of a brave man cutting off his own wrist, deliberately planting such a Hidden Piece? It's not impossible."

"We shouldn't go through all this trouble only to realize later whether he's Prince Kang's man or Prime Minister Zhang's man."

He stopped pacing and instructed Judge Chen.

"In that case, arrange tomorrow's Poetry Gathering carefully. First, have someone test him out, probe his background, and see whether he is a genuine vanguard of Prince Kang or if he has another origin."

"Yes, this subordinate understands. I will certainly make proper arrangements." Judge Chen bowed in acceptance of the order and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Qiao Wenbin called back Judge Chen, who was about to withdraw.

"Tomorrow, in my name, privately arrange a Banquet. The standard must be high. I want to personally host that Senior Yin Scholar Tree to show respect."

"Furthermore..."

A cold light flashed in his eyes.

"Find a reliable channel and leak a message to the Truth Cult, saying that... Zhou Yan, the one who flipped their fish pond, is currently in Jiangzhou Prefecture."

Judge Chen understood immediately. This was a plan to borrow a knife to kill someone, or at least to cause trouble for Zhou Yan.

"Yes, this subordinate understands what needs to be done."

The next day, Jiangzhou Prefecture, at the entrance of the Misty Rain Painted Barge Poetry Gathering.

Although it was early morning, the Riverside was already bustling with people and traffic.

Various luxurious carriages and palanquins filled the area near the Pier. Well-dressed literati, officials' sons, and Young Misses from aristocratic families streamed in continuously, chatting and laughing, preparing to board the massive, brightly decorated pleasure boat ahead.

"Quite a grand display, isn't it?"

Zhou Yan, dressed in a Scholar's Blue Gown, stood in the crowd, looking at the bustling, shoulder-to-shoulder scene, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

Sure enough, no matter the world, the human nature to love crowds and socialize is universal.

He slightly circulated the Magical Power within his body, and a soft wave of Qi silently pushed the surrounding crowd back slightly, allowing him to squeeze to the front successfully.

Just as Zhou Yan was about to step forward, he heard a slightly exaggerated, enthusiastic voice shout loudly.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou! Fellow Daoist Zhou! I'm here!"

Zhou Yan looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man dressed in extremely gaudy, colorful attire—comparable to a peacock displaying its tail—waving vigorously at him.

The man walked quickly toward him while shouting.

What was most striking was that this person had a square face and wide mouth, with an inherent aura of firmness and righteousness between his brows, yet he was wearing such a flamboyant outfit. The strong contrast instantly made him the focus of the entire gathering.

And with the shouts and actions of the "Peacock Man," the eyes of everyone around naturally focused simultaneously on Zhou Yan.

Seeing this, Zhou Yan's face immediately darkened, and he subconsciously wanted to turn around, blend into the crowd, and slip away.

"Hey, Fellow Daoist Zhou, wait for me!"

Seeing Zhou Yan about to leave, the "Peacock Man" actually used his Magical Power directly. A slight glow flashed beneath his feet, and in one step, he crossed several zhang, instantly arriving beside Zhou Yan and grabbing his wrist.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, it's me! Don't you recognize me? I'm Xiao Sheng!" The man enthusiastically introduced himself, his face radiating a sincere smile.

Zhou Yan's mouth twitched. He quickly waved his hand forcefully, trying to break free, while speaking in an extremely stiff and strange accent.

"Cannot understand Simida. I am an outsider. Cannot speak local language. Do not know you Simida."

Xiao Sheng, however, was completely unfazed. Instead, he laughed heartily, giving him an "I understand you" look, and affectionately pulled Zhou Yan's arm toward the barge entrance.

"Aiya, Fellow Daoist Zhou, look at you, treating me like a stranger! We are all family, why be polite? Let's go, let's go straight to the Private Seating inside. I've already arranged the spot!"

Zhou Yan stumbled, pulled by him. Listening to the term "family" and looking at the man's outfit that challenged the limits of aesthetics, his heart was practically roaring.

"Who is family with a Visual Pollution monster like you! Do you even look like a human being in those clothes?"