Chapter 126 - 125: Investigation

Chapter 126: Chapter 125: Investigation

Drunken Creek Pavilion, a money pit that was once filled with song, dance, and the carriages of countless patrons, now appeared utterly deserted.

The ornate lanterns still hung high, but they exuded a lonely air, as if merely putting up a brave front.

It was noon, and the inside of the building was even more desolate.

Just as Chen Li and Chen Shouye stepped through the main entrance, an attendant hurried over to greet them, his face plastered with a professional, fake smile. "You two gentlemen are certainly early. Are you here to see a familiar young lady, or shall this humble one make arrangements for you?"

Though he spoke with a smile, an imperceptible flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

’It’s not often we see customers this eager in the middle of the day.’

Before Chen Li could speak, a figure suddenly stumbled into view.

It was the Thief King, Bai San, dressed in wrinkled, ill-fitting clothes. He was holding a large teapot, sweat beading on his forehead as he emerged from the back hall, his face a mask of exhaustion and resentment.

The moment he spotted Chen Li, his eyes lit up as if he had seen his savior. He dropped the teapot on the floor and rushed over in a few quick strides.

Grabbing Chen Li’s sleeve, he began pulling him inside, his voice a low, aggrieved wail. "Master! Oh, my dear master! You’re finally here! Just look, just look at the life I’m living!"

Bai San pointed at his own outfit. "Ever since I came to this godsforsaken place, that Miss Jing Hong has been using me as a beast of burden! Serving tea, fetching water, sweeping floors, wiping tables—she throws all the dirty, tiring jobs at me. I’m run off my feet from dawn till dusk, about to collapse from exhaustion. This isn’t the job we agreed on! Master, you have to stand up for me!"

"Oh? But I heard you were having a grand time, flirting with the girls here every day. I heard you were so lost in pleasure you’d forgotten everything else."

Of course, Chen Li wasn’t about to fall for Bai San’s tall tales.

During this time, Linglong had sent several letters to Chen Li’s home, telling him many things, though none of it had been of any real value.

The letters had also mentioned the Thief King Bai San’s situation.

"How could that be? Who’s been flirting? Master, who have you been listening to, spreading such rumors? Ai, Master, look, even if I haven’t made any great contributions during this time, I’ve certainly worked hard. Spare my life, I beg you."

Bai San hastily denied it and started wailing to Chen Li again.

Chen Li emotionlessly pulled his sleeve back, turning a deaf ear to the complaints, and asked directly, "Where is Jing Hong?"

Seeing that Chen Li was ignoring his sob story, Bai San resentfully fell silent. He quickly said, "She’s... she’s resting in her room upstairs... At this hour, she’s probably not up yet..."

"Take me to her."

Chen Li commanded in a flat tone.

Bai San shrank back, not daring to say another word.

He quickly led the way, taking Chen Li and his father upstairs to the door of a rather elegant room.

He knocked gently on the door and said in a low voice, "Miss Jing Hong, Master Chen... is here."

The room was silent for a moment, then the door opened with a CREAK.

Linglong stood there, dressed in a somewhat casual, lotus-root-colored dress, her hair slightly disheveled as if she had just woken up.

Upon seeing Chen Li outside, a flash of genuine surprise crossed her beautiful eyes before melting into a look of playful resentment. She stepped aside to let them in, her tone tinged with a teasing complaint, "Senior, what wind has blown a busy man like you to my humble little place today?

Chen Li strode into the room, with Chen Shouye close behind.

Bai San also followed them in, feeling deeply uneasy.

Chen Li had no time for pleasantries. He said directly, "Go get Jiang Li. Tell him you have urgent business to discuss and to come to your room."

Seeing Chen Li’s grave expression, Linglong realized he wasn’t joking. She dropped her resentful act and nodded. "Alright."

She didn’t ask any questions and turned to leave the room.

Before long, footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Linglong led in a man dressed in a navy-blue silk shirt. He had a lean face and the calculating eyes of a merchant.

It was the Drunken Creek Pavilion’s current steward, Jiang Li.

As soon as Jiang Li entered the room and saw Chen Li and Chen Shouye, he frowned, his face showing clear displeasure and wariness. "Linglong, what is the meaning of this? Who are these two?"

However, Chen Li gave him no opportunity to ask further.

Prajna Glaze Heart Sutra of the Self-Viewing.

A Dream of Millet Porridge.

Jiang Li only felt his head grow heavy, and the scene around him instantly blurred and distorted.

When he came to his senses again, he was shocked to find himself in a magnificent, luxurious study.

Seated in the master’s chair was a middle-aged man with a grim face and a naturally imposing aura. It was the Patriarch of the Jiang Family.

"Jiang Li."

Before he could react, the Jiang Family Patriarch snorted coldly. "You have some nerve. How dare you go behind the family’s back for your own selfish gain and send someone to the Black Market to harm the master of the Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall? Do you have any idea what kind of disaster the forces behind the Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall could bring upon our Jiang Family? Speak! Was it you?!"

Terrified by this sudden, thunderous rage, Jiang Li was scared out of his wits. Without a shred of doubt, he kowtowed repeatedly. "Patriarch, calm your anger! Patriarch, please see the truth! I’ve been wronged! I... even if this servant had ten thousand times the courage, I would never dare to do such a thing!"

"Still trying to argue?"

The Jiang Family Patriarch roared, "Didn’t you send Wang Lingui to Ji’an Hall?"

Jiang Li was sweating profusely with anxiety, his voice cracking as he kowtowed non-stop. THUD, THUD, THUD. "Yes, this servant sent him... but it was only because business at the Drunken Creek Pavilion is terrible, and the young master’s expenses are tight. So the young master had me find that old man to prescribe some performance-enhancing drugs to keep our clients... But that old man was so stubborn, he refused no matter what, which is why I resorted to this. But I truly know nothing about the Black Market affair... Please investigate, Patriarch! Please investigate!"

...

「Outside the dream.」

Linglong and Bai San, who had been watching from the side, witnessed a bizarre scene. Chen Li had merely glanced at Jiang Li, yet the man had instantly fallen into a trance, dropped to his knees, started kowtowing, and confessed everything with perfect clarity.

A chill shot up both their spines and into their skulls.

Such a silent, almost demonic method of controlling another person’s Heart Spirit was simply unheard of.

When they looked at Chen Li’s face again, their hearts filled with an indescribable mix of terror and awe, leaving only a profound sense of lingering fear and relief.

"Bai San, escort him out."

’In the dream, Jiang Li wouldn’t have been lying,’ Chen Li thought with a slight frown. ’It seems there’s more to this Black Market affair than I thought.’

Bai San quickly helped Jiang Li up and escorted him downstairs. A gust of wind blew past, and Jiang Li shuddered violently, snapping back to his senses. For a moment, his eyes were blank and unfocused.

Jiang Li seemed to have completely forgotten what had just happened. "Why am I here?" he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples, his face full of confusion.

"Steward Jiang, Steward Jiang, are you alright? Perhaps you’ve just been overworked with the accounts lately. Why don’t you let this humble one help you back to your room to rest for a bit?"

Bai San stepped forward, a sycophantic smile plastered on his face as he took Jiang Li’s arm.

Seeing Jiang Li’s state, he finally realized that this Master Chen before him was far more terrifying than he had ever imagined!

"Oh, right. I have been under a lot of stress lately. I’ll go rest for a bit."

Jiang Li touched his forehead and let Bai San help him back to his room.