Chapter 410 - 374: Sudden Change

Chapter 410: Chapter 374: Sudden Change

Gao Changhe couldn’t clearly hear the voices of Li Wenqian and his nephew, Li Jishan, but he was in no mood to pay them any mind.

Right now, his face was as dark as a thundercloud, so grim it looked like you could wring water from it.

A knot of frustration tightened in his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.

He, who had always prided himself on his superior intellect and foolproof plans, never imagined he would stumble so spectacularly on what seemed like a simple, surefire scheme.

The Government Office ending up in debt for farmland... This absurd farce was more than just a failed plot; it was a repudiation of his ability to judge character, manage his subordinates, and control a situation.

He had to admit he was facing the most intractable problem of his career.

After this incident, he had completely lost faith in the officialdom of Liyang.

He had no way of knowing who among his subordinates was trustworthy, who was a mole, and who was a fair-weather friend ready to switch sides at a moment’s notice.

As a Governor "parachuted in" from Kyoto, he had no local foundation.

To quickly establish a foothold and take control, the most effective and common method was to win over one faction while suppressing another.

He had taken the governorship from Zhao Yuanhong, creating a natural conflict between them. It followed that all of Zhao Yuanhong’s former cronies had to be suppressed.

The officials whom Zhao Yuanhong had previously suppressed and marginalized were, therefore, his natural allies. They should have flocked to him to form his new power base.

Deputy County Magistrate Li Wenqian had entered his sights in this context. Although merely a Civil Servant, he would have allowed Gao Changhe to quickly place eyes and ears on the ground.

But he never imagined he would misjudge so badly and get played.

Gao Changhe forced a sneer through his teeth, heavy with self-mockery.

’It seems the waters in Liyang run deeper than I thought.’

He let out a long, heavy sigh, expelling the stifling frustration from his chest.

Things had already come to this; there was no point dwelling on it.

What’s done is done. The pressing matter now was to plan his next move.

In his heart of hearts, Gao Changhe had no desire to clash head-on with the Chen Family.

For one simple reason: the disparity in strength was too great. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

The raw power the Chen Family now wielded was likely on par with the Cao Family, long known as the foremost Noble Family in Jiangzhou.

They were far beyond what a mere Governor like him could hope to challenge.

Besides, he was not like the Garrison Command, which operated under Imperial decree and was only accountable for the outcome of its investigation.

Star Monarch Water-Participating Ape was an Imperial Envoy. Once the case was closed, he could return to Kyoto to report. The livelihood of the local populace, the suffering, the taxes—none of it concerned him.

But he was the Governor of Liyang.

The people of Liyang needed food and clothing, and the Court needed development and tax revenue. All of that rested on his shoulders.

A complete falling-out with the Chen Family would trigger local unrest. Regardless of the outcome, it would bring Gao Changhe nothing but harm.

But this matter was not his to decide alone.

Gao Changhe’s Divine Intent stirred; he sensed the other man had returned to the County Magistrate’s Office.

He hesitated no longer. With a flicker, his form blurred and he sped off.

Just as he neared the main hall of the Government Office, he saw two figures racing toward him down the deserted, silent street.

The two men rushed to the gate of the Government Office and, heedless of the late hour, began to pound on the tightly shut, vermilion-lacquered doors. The sound carried far into the silent night.

But it was now the dead of night, around two in the morning. Aside from a few guards on duty, the Government Office was deserted.

The old gatekeeper must have been sound asleep, for no matter how furiously they pounded, there was no response from within.

Gao Changhe’s gaze sharpened. He recognized the men in an instant.

One was Li Xinghe, the Dean of the Ritual and Education Department at the Commandery Magistrate’s Office. The other was Du Runian, Inspector General of the Inspection Department.

Both were officials from the Commandery Magistrate’s Office. What were they doing here in Mirror Mountain instead of the Commandery City?

Suspicion bloomed in Gao Changhe’s mind. With a flicker of movement, he materialized behind the two men and said in a low voice, "What has you in such a panic?"

His sudden appearance gave Li Xinghe and Du Runian a terrible fright. When they saw it was Gao Changhe, their faces flooded with ecstatic relief. They dispensed with decorum and hastily bowed.

"Governor, we’ve finally found you!"

"Your Excellency, something terrible has happened!"

Gao Changhe’s heart sank. "What happened?"

Li Xinghe rushed to report, "Your Excellency, a mysterious expert launched a surprise attack last night. The Vice-Governor and the Captain fought a fierce battle with the assailants but were defeated and forced to flee the Commandery City. Their whereabouts are unknown, and we don’t know if they’re alive or dead. The Commandery Magistrate’s Office is now leaderless and in chaos. We implore you to return to the city and restore order!"

The news struck like a bolt of lightning.

The color drained from Gao Changhe’s face.

’The Vice-Governor and the Captain, attacked at the same time, defeated and missing?!’

His first thought was a classic ploy: luring the tiger from its mountain.

Someone was using the chaos in the Commandery City to force him out of Mirror Mountain.

And yet, even knowing it was almost certainly a trap, Gao Changhe had to admit the move struck him right where he was most vulnerable.

The Vice-Governor and the County Captain were his top Assistant Officers, their status second only to his. With both of them gone, if he, the Governor, didn’t return to take command and stabilize the situation, he would be held responsible for any disaster that followed.

It was a blatant scheme, one that forced his hand. He had to go back.

Gao Changhe’s expression was frightfully grim. Forcibly suppressing his shock and rage, he said to Li and Du, "I understand. The two of you, wait here."

He wasted no more time. His figure blurred as he flew into a small courtyard deep within the County Magistrate’s Office, where he found Star Monarch Water-Participating Ape.

"What is it?"

The man sensed his arrival and opened his eyes. His gaze was as cold and sharp as a blade.

Gao Changhe quickly explained what had happened in the Commandery City. "Star Monarch, there’s been an incident in the Commandery City. I must return to Liyang immediately to take charge. I’ll have to trouble you to remain here in Mirror Mountain..."

Before he could finish, Water-Participating Ape cut him off. "I’m going as well."

Gao Changhe froze, looking at Water-Participating Ape in astonishment.

He had assumed the Star Monarch would insist on staying in Mirror Mountain to investigate the Chen Family. He hadn’t expected the man would want to return to the Commandery City as well.

But on second thought, Gao Changhe understood.

Their plans in Mirror Mountain had been completely thrown into disarray. Sticking around wouldn’t yield any breakthroughs anytime soon.

The attack in the Commandery City was just as important, so it made sense for the Star Monarch to go investigate. He might even uncover other leads there.

Gao Changhe nodded in agreement. "With you along, Star Monarch, things will certainly be more secure. We mustn’t delay. Let’s depart at once."

He knew the situation in the Commandery City was urgent and dared not delay.

He hurried back to his quarters, quickly packed a few belongings, and immediately went out. Calling over Li Xinghe, who was waiting outside the County Magistrate’s Office, he ordered, "Go arrange for a carriage and travel papers. Quickly. Du Runian, you come with me."

"Yes, my lord!"

The two men hastened to obey.

Then, Gao Changhe led Du Runian toward the depths of the County Magistrate’s Office’s prison.

Whatever happened, Luo Pingyuan could not be left in Mirror Mountain.

The man was entangled in too many affairs. If he and the Star Monarch left him here, it would be tantamount to handing their enemies leverage. It was far too risky.

Deep within the prison of the Jingshan County Magistrate’s Office.

The innermost cell, constructed of thick bluestone with a heavy, locked iron door, was designed specifically for imprisoning Martial Artists.

At this moment, Luo Pingyuan, the County Magistrate of Mirror Mountain, was imprisoned here.

Unlike an ordinary prisoner, Luo Pingyuan wore no shackles. His clothes were still tidy, and he had clearly not been subjected to typical abuse.

But his Dantian Qi Sea had been crippled. All his years of painstaking cultivation had been washed away, leaving him no different from an ordinary scholar.

The iron door creaked open.

Gao Changhe’s figure appeared at the entrance to the cell.

Luo Pingyuan raised his head, his cloudy eyes locking onto Gao Changhe with seething hatred.

Gao Changhe looked back at him, his face an emotionless mask, his eyes cold. He couldn’t be bothered with a war of words.

He simply waved a hand and ordered Du Runian, who was behind him, "Bind him and take him away."

"Yes, sir."

Du Runian stepped forward, taking out a set of leather cords. With practiced ease, he twisted Luo Pingyuan’s arms behind his back and bound them tightly.

Luo Pingyuan remained silent, allowing himself to be handled.

The group quickly left the prison.

Li Xinghe was already waiting outside the Government Office with a carriage.

Gao Changhe shoved Luo Pingyuan into the carriage, then he and Water-Participating Ape boarded as well.

Li and Du sat on the driver’s bench to handle the horses.

The carriage arrived at the town gate.

Li Xinghe tossed the prepared travel permit to the guards on duty. Not daring to interfere, they immediately pushed open the gates.

The carriage exited Jingshan County Town and sped along the main road toward Liyang.

...

After about six miles, Du Runian, who was driving, suddenly yanked on the reins.

"WHOA!"

The carriage lurched to a halt.

Inside, Gao Changhe frowned. "What is it?"

Before he had even finished speaking, Water-Participating Ape, who had been sitting silently beside him with his eyes closed, snapped them open.

A sharp, cold glint, almost tangible in its intensity, shot from his eyes.

His right thumb, resting on the hilt of his blade, pushed lightly. With a soft SHING, the sword at his waist slid three inches from its scabbard. An incomparably fierce killing intent instantly flooded the carriage.

A chill went down Gao Changhe’s spine.

At almost the same moment, Du Runian called back from the driver’s bench, "Your Excellency, there’s someone up ahead! Our way is blocked!"

Gao Changhe flung aside the carriage’s front curtain and looked out.

In the cold moonlight, a massive tree lay across the center of the road, its trunk severed. It completely blocked their path.

What made Gao Changhe’s pupils contract was the figure sitting silently, cross-legged, atop the fallen trunk.

The man wore a simple, long gray robe, his features indistinct in the moonlight.

He sat there casually, not emitting the slightest trace of an aura, as if he were one with the night itself.

’Chen Li?!’

Gao Changhe’s expression turned utterly foul. He stepped down from the carriage and said in a low voice, "I was not aware Patriarch Chen would be out so late at night. For what reason do you block my path?"

Chen Li’s figure shifted, and he floated lightly to the ground. "Mirror Mountain may be small," he said calmly, "but it’s a place of remarkable people. Why is Governor Gao in such a hurry to leave in the dead of night, instead of staying a few more days?"

A flash of anger crossed Gao Changhe’s eyes, and his tone grew cold. "My comings and goings are hardly for Patriarch Chen to question, are they?"

"Governor Gao speaks truly. I am but a commoner and naturally have no right to question the Governor’s movements. However..."

Chen Li smiled faintly. "Luo Pingyuan is the magistrate of our Mirror Mountain, a father and mother to its people. With him gone, there will be no one to manage the county’s affairs. I fear it won’t be long before chaos erupts. I hope Governor Gao will consider the circumstances and graciously leave Magistrate Luo here to reassure the people."

Hearing this, Gao Changhe’s face grew so dark it seemed water might drip from it.

’How does he know Luo Pingyuan is in the carriage?!’

’This was a secret known to only a handful of people!’

’Has the Jingshan County Magistrate’s Office been so thoroughly infiltrated by the Chen Family that it’s as porous as a sieve?!’