Chapter 1007: Meeting Lord Yun

Editor: Henyee Translations

Li Hongye called after him, “What exactly do you want?”

Chu Tang replied slowly, “Peace and prosperity.” With that, he swiftly left the brothel.

Li Hongye stood there, stunned. He realized that Chu Tang was not someone he could align with.

Peace and prosperity, easier said than done!

“Why are you back so soon?” Zeng Huo was in the kitchen, making seafood porridge. The proximity to the sea made the eastern border a great place for seafood.

“The talk fell through.” Chu Tang walked over, fanning the aroma with his hand. “Is there some for me?”

“Of course.” Zeng Huo wouldn’t dare refuse what Chu Qingzhi wanted.

“Give me a bowl.” Chu Tang sat down, feeling slightly uncomfortable after the drink.

“Sure.” Zeng Huo quickly served him a bowl. “What did the Third Prince want?”

“What else? Power struggles.” Chu Tang stirred the porridge with his spoon, feeling particularly disgusted.

“People like him, who have enjoyed wealth and luxury all their lives, what else would they fight for?” Zeng Huo’s tone was slightly mocking, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit envious.

“True.” Chu Tang took a sip of the porridge. It was perfectly cooked, gradually easing his discomfort.

Half a month passed peacefully. Tang Jinghong and his army reached Liang City, setting up camp near the south gate, aligning with the border troops and Liang City.

General Chen, upon hearing this, personally came to see Tang Jinghong. “General Tang, you’ve finally arrived in Liang City.”

Tang Jinghong said, “I’ll need your help in the coming days, General Chen.”

General Chen laughed heartily. “Of course! I’ve prepared food and drink at Yipin Pavilion. Will you honor me with your presence? I haven’t properly thanked you for having Chu Tang investigate the missing arrows.”

Necessary social engagements were unavoidable. Tang Jinghong nodded. “Alright.”

Upon arriving at Yipin Pavilion, Tang Jinghong was surprised to see Xi Zhaoping there. What kind of setup was this?

Xi Zhaoping stood up and saluted. “Greetings, General Tang.”

Tang Jinghong glanced at the two men. “At ease, have a seat.”

“Thank you, General.”

The three men sat around the table. Xi Zhaoping poured wine for them and said, “General Tang, I had no choice. Recently, Yun Organization members have been watching me closely. I had to use General Chen’s name to see you.”

“I understand.” Tang Jinghong said, “What is it?”

Xi Zhaoping looked troubled. “General, recently a group of bandits has been causing havoc outside Liang City. Yesterday, they kidnapped the daughter of the Mu family and claimed they wanted to marry the second daughter. The Mu family head begged me to rescue her.”

“My office’s men are no match for the bandits, so I had to seek your help.”

General Chen was indignant. “Why didn’t you come to me?”

Xi Zhaoping explained, “The county magistrate cannot easily step into the border troops’ territory, especially since I’m the magistrate of this border city. It would raise suspicion.”

General Chen frowned. “That makes sense.”

Tang Jinghong considered this. “Alright, I’ll handle this. We’ll rescue the second daughter of the Mu family as quickly as possible.”

This would be an opportunity to make an example of the bandits!

Xi Zhaoping felt relieved. Without Tang Jinghong’s help, he would have been powerless.

Tang Jinghong said, “Now that business is done, let’s enjoy the meal.”

“Yes.”

Half a month later, Lord Yun made a move again, sending a letter to Chu Tang saying he agreed to meet but only Chu Tang alone.

Zeng Huo read the letter. “Lord Yun has finally fallen into your hands.”

Chu Tang was noncommittal. “Keep an eye out. Since Lord Yun agreed to meet, he’ll set a meeting place soon. Once he comes out, I’ll capture him.”

Zeng Huo was less optimistic. “Lord Yun is deep and unpredictable. He won’t be underestimated. If he agrees to meet, he’ll be fully prepared. He might try to capture you.”

Chu Tang said, “I’d welcome that. I’d like to follow him back to his base and burn it down, eliminating the threat once and for all.”

Zeng Huo thought about it and found the idea appealing. “That’s a good plan.”

That night, Lord Yun arranged to meet Chu Tang on a boat in the river outside the city.

It was a large boat covered entirely in black cloth, anchored in the middle of the river. In the night, it looked like a giant beast lurking in the water, mysterious and dangerous.

Chu Tang and Zeng Huo arrived at the riverbank.

Zeng Huo looked around. “No boats or people. How do we get across?”

Chu Tang crossed his arms, studying the boat. “I suppose we’re meant to fly over.”

Zeng Huo said, “What if someone can’t fly?”

“Then swim,” Chu Tang pointed to the water.

Zeng Huo, “…”

Well, there’s always a way.

As they spoke, a woman appeared on the boat. She clasped her hands in front of her, her voice clear. “Is that Mr. Chu Tang?”

Chu Tang replied, “It is.”

The woman said formally, “Please board the ship, Mr. Chu.”

Chu Tang leaped onto the boat with such speed that the woman was left gaping. In a blink of an eye, he was there. “Mr. Chu, Lord Yun is waiting in the cabin.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As she spoke, a mournful tune came from the cabin, the sound of a guqin, full of sorrow and resentment.

Listening at the cabin entrance for a moment, Chu Tang said, “Your guqin playing is excellent, but too sorrowful.”

A clear voice responded, “I am in a good mood right now, not sorrowful at all.”

Chu Tang thought to himself, judging by the voice, the person was barely twenty years old. Could this really be the man who dominated the eastern border?

If so, his abilities were formidable!

The voice continued, “You’ve been wanting to meet me, capturing all my subordinates. Now that the time has come, why not come in?”

Chu Tang extended his senses, enveloping the entire boat. There were six people on board: Lord Yun, a maid, and four guards. Chu Tang wondered why Lord Yun wasn’t afraid of being killed.

“Of course, I’ll come in. It’s just that finally being able to achieve my long-held wish makes me a bit nervous.”

Lord Yun chuckled. “Come in.”

This was far from the tense confrontation everyone expected. It felt more like old friends reuniting.

Chu Tang entered the cabin.

The cabin was spacious, arranged like a palace, with a young man sitting in the main seat.

Dressed in purple, he had a calm demeanor. On the table before him was a guqin, his long fingers plucking the strings to produce mournful notes.

Chu Tang thought, “This can’t be the real Lord Yun. His looks, demeanor, and gaze don’t match that of a villain. It’s not that I judge by appearance, but there’s no ambition in his eyes.”