xymnovel Chapter 21 The Empress's Attention
Chapter 21 The Empress's Attention
Upon returning to his residence, Lin Chen immediately summoned Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng.
"Does the Lord intend to incite a conflict between the White Tiger Gate and the Yama Palace?" Li Chunfeng calculated with his fingers.
"This is feasible. Three days from now is the night of the new moon, when the evil energy is at its strongest, making it a good time to take action."
Yuan Tiangang then said:
"The White Tiger Sect's capital branch is located in the 'Fierce Tiger Hall' in the west of the city. The altar master is 'Black Tiger' Zong Kui, who is in the early stage of Grandmaster. He has two deputy altar masters and eight incense masters under his command, with a total of one hundred and twenty core disciples.
The Yama's Palace has three major strongholds in the capital, the closest being the "Blood Fiend Hall," which is only three miles from the Fierce Tiger Hall.
Who is the leader of the Blood Fiend Hall?
"Li Feng, the 'Shadowless Blade,' one of the four top assassins under the command of 'Bloody Hand,' is a mid-stage Grandmaster who excels in assassination."
Yuan Tiangang paused for a moment, then asked, "My lord, shall I take action personally?"
"No need," Lin Chen shook his head.
"Mr. Yuan and Mr. Li have an even more important task—to monitor the movements of the Cui family and the Second Prince's residence."
As for the White Tiger Gate and the Yama Palace…”
Lin Chen smiled faintly: "Let the Bad Guys handle it. Pick ten of the most skilled in disguise and assassination, and they will act tonight."
"Target?"
"Sun Biao, the deputy leader of the White Tiger Sect, nicknamed 'White-Faced Tiger,' and 'Ghost Face,' the deputy leader of the Blood Fiend Hall of the Yama Palace," Lin Chen said.
"Remember, make it look like the other party did it, leave evidence, but leave it subtly."
"Understood, sir." Yuan Tiangang understood.
Li Chunfeng added, "I can set up a small illusion array to interfere with the divination of heavenly secrets, so that they cannot find out the truth in the short term."
"Thank you for your trouble, sir."
After the two left, Lin Chen then summoned Lin Bao.
"Leopard, how's the guard training going?"
"Reporting to Eighth Master, progress is going smoothly," Lin Bao said excitedly.
"The Fourth Madam taught us exquisite movement techniques and had abundant resources. Six of our twelve brothers have already broken through to the seventh rank, and the rest have reached the peak of the eighth rank."
In three more months, everyone will be at the sixth rank!
"Too slow." Lin Chen shook his head. "I want them to reach at least the fifth rank within three months."
Lin Bao hesitated, "Eighth Master, this... I'm afraid..."
"Use this." Lin Chen took out the bottle of Body Tempering Pills.
"Each person takes half a pill, diluted for a medicinal bath. Combined with Fourth Sister-in-law's movement techniques and the 'Body Tempering Technique' I'll pass on to you later, it should work."
Lin Bao accepted the pill, excitedly saying, "Eighth Master, rest assured, I will definitely do it!"
"Go."
By the time all this was finished, it was already afternoon.
Just as Lin Chen was about to rest for a while, he suddenly heard a commotion coming from the front yard.
"What happened?"
A guard rushed over:
"Eighth Master, something terrible has happened! The Third Young Master of the Wang family has led a group of men to block the gate of the mansion, demanding an explanation!"
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "What explanation do you want?"
"They said...they said that our men injured the guards of the Wang family gambling den last night and stole 30,000 taels of silver..."
Lin Chen smiled.
Is Wang Sheng resorting to force because he can't find any evidence?
"Let's go take a look."
Outside the mansion gate, Wang Sheng, with more than thirty servants and guards, blocked the gate completely.
A large crowd of onlookers had already gathered around.
"Lin Chen! Get out here!" Wang Sheng stood at the front, holding a long sword, looking menacing.
Lin Chen walked out slowly, followed only by Lin Wu and Lin Wen.
"Young Master Wang, what a grand display." He glanced at the servants.
"What, you want to start a fight in front of my Duke Zhenguo's mansion?"
Wang Sheng sneered, "Lin Chen, stop pretending! My Wang family's gambling den was robbed, and 30,000 taels of cash have vanished without a trace. Someone saw it; it was someone from your household who did it!"
"Oh? Who saw it?" Lin Chen asked.
"My guards witnessed it with their own eyes!"
"Then let him come out and confront us."
Wang Sheng choked – he had no witnesses whatsoever, it was all just sophistry.
"Lin Chen, I advise you to be sensible."
"Return the silver and apologize sincerely, and I can pretend this never happened. Otherwise... I'll make sure your Lin family can't stay in the capital!"
That's incredibly arrogant.
The onlookers were all talking about it.
"The Wang family is really going to break off all relations..."
"Although the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has declined, it's not one to be bullied by anyone, is it?"
"It's hard to say. Minister Wang is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, and the Wang family is at the height of its power..."
Lin Chen's expression remained unchanged; he simply said, "Third Young Master Wang, do you know what the crime of defaming the Duke's mansion is?"
"Slander?" Wang Sheng laughed. "Lin Chen, do you think you're still the legitimate son of the Duke's mansion? The Lin family is just an empty shell now! Let me tell you, if you don't give me an explanation today, I'll..."
Before the words were finished, the sound of horses' hooves came from the street corner.
A troop of black-armored cavalry, numbering at least a hundred, galloped in, their banners embroidered with the three large characters "Imperial City Guard".
The leader was Liu Zheng.
"The Imperial City Guard is handling a case; all bystanders must step aside!" With this command, the Wang family's servants retreated in fear.
Wang Sheng's expression changed: "Commander Liu, what are you doing...?"
Liu Zheng dismounted and gave him a cold look: "Third Young Master Wang, you've gathered a crowd to besiege the Duke's mansion. Do you intend to rebel?"
"I..." Wang Sheng was speechless.
"Several thefts occurred in the capital last night, and the Imperial City Guard is investigating," Liu Zheng said.
"If Young Master Wang has any leads, he may report to the yamen. But if he dares to lead men to besiege the Duke's mansion again, don't blame me for arresting him according to the law!"
That was a very blunt remark.
Wang Sheng's face turned ashen, but he dared not act rashly in front of the Imperial City Guard.
"Fine...fine!" he gritted his teeth. "Lin Chen, we'll see!"
After saying that, he and his men slunk away.
Liu Zheng then turned to Lin Chen, cupped his hands, and said, "Eighth Young Master, you have been frightened."
"Thank you for your help, Commander Liu." Lin Chen returned the greeting. "May I ask what brings you here today, Commander Liu?"
"I'm here on orders to deliver something to the Eighth Young Master." Liu Zheng took out an invitation from his robes.
"Seven days from now, it will be the 80th birthday of the old master of the Cui family. His Majesty has specially ordered the Imperial City Guard to invite young talents from the capital. The Eighth Young Master, who is about to inherit the title, is also among those invited."
Lin Chen accepted the invitation; it was gold with red lettering and the Cui family crest embossed on it.
"Your Majesty... knows me too?"
"His Majesty cares for the descendants of every meritorious official," Liu Zheng said meaningfully.
"Eighth Young Master, the Cui family's birthday banquet will be a gathering of heroes. If you attend, you must be careful with your words and actions."
This is a reminder to him that there are no good banquets.
"Thank you for the reminder." Lin Chen nodded. "I will definitely be on time."
Liu Zheng added in a low voice, "There was some unusual activity at the White Tiger Gate last night. Eighth Young Master, please be extra careful when you go there recently."
After saying this, he turned around, mounted his horse, and led his men away.
Lin Chen held the invitation card, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
At the Cui family's birthday banquet, the Imperial City Guard sent out invitations, drawing the Empress's attention...
This scene is getting more and more interesting.