Chapter Thirty-Six: The Canal Wharf – Baiting with Hardship

Up to this point, Han Chong still could not confirm the true background of Director Duan, who, for now, merely lectured and preached without taking any real action. Even if he summoned the constables to surround this place, Duan could easily claim he was teaching and educating, which was neither a crime nor grounds for imprisonment. There was nothing they could do to him.

Han Chong was even tempted to use magic to test whether the man possessed any martial skill, but if he were just an ordinary person, a single move might kill him outright. Yet, all signs suggested this man could very well be the Black Lotus cult leader, and Han Chong dared not let him spread his wicked teachings here unchecked.

As Han Chong hesitated, a masked figure dressed in black suddenly appeared at an entrance, pacing back and forth as if burdened with urgent matters. Moving closer, Han Chong observed the man's disordered breathing and frequent clutching of his chest—signs of internal injury—his eyes filled with anxiety.

Duan Wenxuan noticed him as well, frowned, and continued preaching for another half hour before descending from the lotus platform and walking over to join the newcomer. Together, they strode for more than ten yards before stopping.

"Why are you here? Are you injured?" Duan Wenxuan scolded first, then asked in surprise.

The man in black was cautious, covering his mouth and whispering in Duan's ear. Though Han Chong was concealed nearby, he could not make out their words. He dared not approach too closely, as even invisible, one's footsteps and body heat remain detectable.

"Hmm, go back for now. The situation is tense these days. Once things settle, I will come to assist you," Duan Wenxuan said after a moment's reflection.

The man in black hesitated, then bowed and turned to leave.

Duan Wenxuan was exceedingly cautious, leaving no trace behind, making it difficult for Han Chong to catch him in any wrongdoing. So Han Chong followed the black-clad man instead.

The exit of this branch tunnel was in a desolate graveyard. The black-clad man manipulated a mechanism, opening the tomb door, and Han Chong followed close behind.

Looking around, he saw they were in a burial ground backing onto a mountain and facing a river. The black-clad man went to the riverside reeds, launched a small boat, and rowed away. Han Chong used his water-walking technique to follow beneath the surface.

An hour later, the boat landed at the edge of a dense forest, and the man hurried off. Han Chong struggled to keep up, deducing that before his injury, the man's skills must have matched those of the scar-faced Right Envoy.

The man circled through the woods and arrived at a sprawling dock covering several acres. He slipped over the wall, entered a house, and changed out of his black attire. Now dressed in a blue robe, with a moustache and narrow brows, his face was bloodless.

Han Chong observed clearly: on his chest was a dark red palm print. Who could possess such power to wound a master like this with a single blow?

"Come in," the man called.

With a creak, a bald man in green entered, closing the door behind him.

"Deputy Leader Luo, you're back! When will we strike again?"

"Hmph! We’ll have to hold off for now. Who would have thought the old bastard was feigning illness—he’s stronger than ever! My assassination failed, and he’ll surely investigate. I must find an excuse to lay low for a few days. When the time comes, he’ll get what’s coming to him!" Luo's eyes gleamed with malice as he spoke.

"What should we do then? If the old bastard is using this ruse, he'll test every master one by one. How can we avoid suspicion for two days?" The bald man looked distressed.

"Hmph! I called you here to strategize. Think!"

Before they could devise a plan, shouts erupted outside the courtyard.

"Not good! They've come so quickly! Four deputy leaders, and they found me first—clearly the old bastard already suspects me! I'll hide in the secret chamber. You claim I've gone to supervise the grain shipment to Yinchuan River and haven’t returned!"

Luo's moustache trembled with panic. He hurriedly instructed.

"Will that work?" The bald man was at a loss, his worry deepening.

"Stop babbling! If you dare expose me, you'll find yourself without Black Lotus seeds next month!"

Luo rushed to the next bedroom, twisted a mechanism under the bed, and a slab slid open. He quickly slipped inside.

The bald man braced himself and stepped outside.

Twenty-odd green-robed, straw-hatted guards bearing blades followed several blue-robed middle-aged men into the courtyard. Among them was an elder with white brows and beard, clad in a gray-blue robe, at least sixty years old.

Han Chong's pupils narrowed. Despite his age, the elder strode with the vigor of a tiger and dragon, his eyes sharp and his aura steady as an ancient pine.

An innate martial master!

Rumor had it that when a warrior reached the innate stage, their acquired energy transformed into innate energy, purifying the body and vastly increasing physical prowess. Some could even materialize energy into destructive force—their lethality soared.

"Greetings, Master," the bald man quickly led the group in salute.

"Hmph! Zhang Cheng, why are you here? Where's your uncle Luo? Have him come out and see me," the elder demanded with quiet authority.

"Master, Deputy Leader Luo went with the barges to deliver grain to Li's Rice Shop the other day and hasn't returned," Zhang Cheng replied, sweating and bowing.

"Oh? Is that so? Our sect received a report that Deputy Leader Luo did accompany the shipment, but disappeared that very night! Zhang Cheng, do you know the consequences of deceiving me?"

"Master, I truly haven’t deceived you. I honestly don’t know where he is!" Zhang Cheng fell to his knees, terrified—without Black Lotus seeds, life would be worse than death.

The elder's eyes narrowed; Zhang Cheng seemed determined to conceal the truth.

"Open the doors!"

The group filed into the rooms, refraining from a full search, but being seasoned veterans, their eyes were sharp, scanning for any clue. Yet the secret chamber under the bed was so well hidden, it could not be discovered by mere observation.

The elder watched Zhang Cheng’s expression as he inspected, but found nothing—Zhang's brow was drenched in sweat, his gaze lowered.

Han Chong debated whether to expose Deputy Leader Luo’s hiding place, but if a battle broke out now, Duan Wenxuan would not be drawn out. So he watched coldly.

"Hmph! You may evade me today, but you won't escape forever. We'll see how long he can hide! Let's go!"

After a lengthy search, finding nothing, the elder led his men away.

Han Chong exited the dock, oriented himself, and returned to the sub-bureau.

"Captain Han, did you find anything?" The others rose to greet him.

Han Chong was about to report when he noticed the officer with peach-blossom eyes was present, chatting idly with Cold Moon. Cold Moon, icy as a sculpture, glanced at Han Chong as he entered and drifted over to listen.

The peach-blossom-eyed officer cast Han Chong a sidelong look.

"Oh! Isn’t this the busy man of Pei Jun Prefecture's sub-bureau? Captain Han, you’ve been quite the talk these days—slaying the One-horned Ghost King! Captain Wu and Captain Ning have sung your praises, urging me to recommend you for promotion to Martial Captain. Why, I've even drafted the memorial! But whether I submit it or not is still undecided."

"Greetings, Captain Chen. For me, serving the people, slaying monsters and demons, even if I forever remain a Wing Commander, I am content," Han Chong replied, feeling a stir in his heart. For such a dissolute and lustful officer to draft a recommendation, who knew what he intended?

"Heh, I hear Captain Han has uncovered another earth-shattering case. I must lend my support! Don't act alone anymore. If you include me, I'll submit the memorial immediately. But if you leave me out again, I'll report to the General—accusing you all of neglect and dereliction, getting you dismissed from office, and I'll hunt demons alone!"

The others felt contempt. That peach-blossom-eyed officer truly feared peace above all, always stirring trouble just to make himself relevant.