plumnovel Chapter 132 Someone Came to Join Us
Chapter 132 Someone Came to Join Us
In the following days, Lin Chen's image as a "spoiled young master commander" became increasingly ingrained in people's minds.
Their marching speed was outrageously slow; they would set up camp after covering less than a hundred li each day.
The sounds of a woman's giggles and the music of a zither could be heard from the commander's carriage all day long.
Occasionally, one could see the three ladies playing and frolicking outside the carriage, either brewing tea, playing chess, or practicing swordplay and admiring flowers.
The eight Vajra Guardians patrolled the camp daily with dark faces, looking like they dared not speak out against their anger.
The Tiger Legion soldiers initially complained, but after learning that it was a scheme by their commander, they all cooperated and acted along.
They deliberately dragged their feet while walking, complained loudly when setting up camp, and some even "accidentally" spread the word that "the commander-in-chief is indulging in pleasure and disregarding the lives of his soldiers."
The five hundred Snow Dragon Riders remained cold and stern, but occasionally, when they glanced at the carriage, a hint of disdain would appear in their eyes.
The performance was so convincing that even Lin Chen himself almost believed it.
The seventh day, at dusk.
The army arrived at a place called "Qingfeng Ridge," a place nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with beautiful scenery.
Lin Chen waved his hand dismissively: "Set up camp! We'll rest here for a day tomorrow!"
Inside the command tent... no, the carriage, Lin Chen was holding Qin Shuyan as they looked at a map of the northern border.
Xiao Yulou wiped his soft sword, while Ye Qingying sorted through the secret reports that had just been delivered.
"Eighth Brother, we've been out for seven days and have only traveled less than eight hundred li," Qin Shuyan said, pointing to the map.
"At this rate, it will take another half a month to reach the North."
"What's the rush?" Lin Chen's fingers caressed her waist.
"Wanyan Honglie should have already received the news from the northern border."
I bet he's currently strategizing on the sand table, figuring out how to wipe out our "proud army" in one fell swoop.
After wiping his sword, Xiao Yulou leaned closer and said:
"Eighth brother, do you think the leader of the black-robed men might have already reached the Northern Border?"
"We arrived early." Ye Qingying handed over a confidential report.
"The Bad Guys sent back a message that three days ago, a man in black robes secretly entered the Northern Shuo camp. His cultivation level was unfathomable, at least at the late stage of the Celestial Realm."
Wanyan Honglie personally came out of his camp to greet him, his attitude respectful.
Lin Chen glanced at the secret report and smiled:
"They've finally arrived. I just wonder what this 'Venerable One's' status is in Zhongzhou."
"Zhongzhou..." A hint of worry flashed in Qin Shuyan's eyes. "Eighth Brother, is Zhongzhou's power really that strong?"
"Judging from the information the Empress provided, she is indeed ridiculously strong." Lin Chen nodded.
"However, we are not bad either. With Mr. Li by our side, we can handle even a terrestrial immortal from Zhongzhou."
Just then, Zhuge Liang's voice came from outside the carriage: "My lord, a guest has arrived."
"Guests?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "Guests at this hour? Please come in."
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Zhuge Liang led one person in.
He was a middle-aged scholar in his forties, dressed in a blue robe, with a refined and scholarly face, but his brows carried a hint of world-weariness.
Upon seeing Lin Chen, the scholar bowed respectfully.
"This humble subject, Chen Ping, pays his respects to the Duke of Zhenguo."
Lin Chen didn't get up, remaining half-lying down:
"Mr. Chen, there's no need for such formalities. Mr. Kongming, who is this gentleman?"
Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "My lord, Chen Ping is the manager of the 'Listening Wind Tower' in the northern border, specializing in buying and selling information."
"I have come here to discuss a business matter with you, my lord."
"Listening Wind Pavilion?" Lin Chen sat up straighter.
"One of the largest intelligence organizations in the North, known as 'knowing everything about the North'."
"Manager Chen, what brings you here from afar?"
Chen Ping took out a jade slip from his robes and presented it with both hands:
"I have come here to deliver some intelligence regarding... the death of the old Duke in battle years ago."
The atmosphere inside the carriage suddenly froze.
Qin Shuyan and the other two women stopped what they were doing and looked at Chen Ping.
Lin Chen took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
The jade slip records many details of the war in the North three years ago, including one:
The old Duke Lin Zhantian led his seven sons deep behind enemy lines and had successfully destroyed the Northern Shuo grain and fodder camp, but they were ambushed during their retreat.
The ambush was not carried out by the Northern Shuo army, but by a group of men in black. Their techniques were bizarre, and their teamwork was seamless, suggesting they were a well-trained assassin organization.
"Where did you get this information?" Lin Chen's voice was calm, but the temperature inside the car plummeted.
Cold sweat beaded on Chen Ping's forehead:
"Duke, three years ago, during that ambush, a scout happened to be nearby and witnessed the whole thing."
This man later left the military and went into hiding. Last month, driven to desperation by gambling debts, he sold this matter to my Tingfeng Tower.
Where is that person now?
"They've...they've been silenced," Chen Ping said in a low voice. "After receiving the intelligence, I immediately sent people to search for them, but it was too late."
The person who killed him was extremely powerful, at least a Grandmaster, and ruthless, leaving no survivors.
Lin Chen was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Manager Chen, what price do you want for this intelligence?"
Chen Ping was taken aback: "Your Excellency, I am not here to sell information..."
"Oh?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "Given away for free?"
"Yes." Chen Ping took a deep breath. "This humble subject has come here to seek refuge with the Duke."
The carriage fell silent.
Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, smiling without saying a word.
Qin Shuyan and the other two women exchanged glances but remained silent.
Lin Chen sized up Chen Ping and slowly said:
"Manager Chen, Tingfeng Tower has been operating in the Northern Territory for decades and is deeply entrenched. Why would you choose to pledge allegiance to me, a newcomer and commander-in-chief?"
Chen Ping smiled bitterly: "Your Excellency, you may not know this, but Tingfeng Tower... is about to go under."
"How so?"
"After the old Duke died in battle, the power structure in the North was reshuffled."
Several powerful families, led by the Cui family, joined forces to suppress all forces that did not obey them.
Because Tingfenglou refused to submit, it has been targeted at every turn for the past three years, and its business has plummeted.
Chen Ping sighed, "Half a month ago, the Cui family sent someone to tell me that I had to hand over control of Tingfeng Tower within a month, or else... not a single one of them would be spared."
A knowing glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes:
"So you want to use my influence to protect Tingfeng Tower?"
"Yes," Chen Ping replied calmly.
"I know that the Duke will definitely settle old scores with the Cui family during his northern tour."
"This humble citizen is willing to lead the entire Tingfeng Tower to surrender to the Duke and serve as his pawns. We only ask that the Duke... grant Tingfeng Tower a way to survive."
Lin Chen did not answer immediately, but tapped his fingers lightly on the coffee table.
After a long pause, he spoke:
"Manager Chen, if I accept you as a client, it will be tantamount to officially declaring war on the Cui family. Have you thought this through?"
"This humble subject has already thought it through," Chen Ping said solemnly.
"Rather than be devoured by the Cui family until nothing is left, it's better to take a gamble and seek refuge with the Duke. At least... I trust the Duke's character."
"Oh? You believe me?"
"Yes." Chen Ping nodded. "I have heard a little about what the Duke did in the capital."
The Duke is always protective of his own people, but ruthless and decisive in dealing with enemies. Such a master is worth following.
Lin Chen laughed: "Manager Chen certainly knows how to talk. But... words are meaningless; how can I believe you?"