Chapter 168: What Is This? A Confession Before the Battle?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
He Youde was struck by the magistrate’s cunning and methods.
Direct exploitation would have faced resistance from the wealthy, but the promise of reduced taxes in exchange for enlistment swayed many.
He didn’t expect that today, he himself would be the target of the magistrate’s shearing.
Bo Chang, on the other hand, was straightforward. “I’ll contribute thirty thousand taels.”
That amount covered the cost for three hundred men.
Now four hundred slots remained.
He Youde and Gu Yang exchanged looks, knowing they had to spend as well.
He Youde sighed and said, “I’ll sponsor two hundred men.”
He consoled himself, it was only twenty thousand silver taels.
He believed he would recoup this investment when the profits were divided.
The next afternoon.
The magistrate’s carriage was ambushed halfway out of the city by the Black Lotus cultists.
They barely escaped back to the city, losing the one hundred thousand taels of silver meant for purchasing weapons, and many yamen runners died in the incident, most of them connected to the Bo family.
When this news spread in the city, Bo Chang was surprisingly calm.
He knew who was behind it.
After implementing the indulgence tickets, Gu Yang couldn’t sit still anymore. That very night, Bo Chang sent one hundred thousand taels of silver to the yamen openly and ostentatiously.
When passing by the Gu residence, Bo Kai, driving the carriage, rang the bronze gong thunderously.
As the Qingxian Festival approached, both parties cared less about maintaining a facade of peace.
Gu Yang stood at the entrance of the Gu residence, smirking coldly.
The afternoon’s Black Lotus Sect incident was planned with the magistrate.
Now, it seemed Bo Chang had fallen into the trap.
“Whatever indulgence tickets you sell, Bo family, you’ll have to spit it all back out to me!” Gu Yang thought fiercely.
The next day, a shipment of equipment arrived in the city.
This time, the yamen didn’t go out to purchase it, but had the seller deliver it to the city gate.
In the Great Kang Dynasty, those daring to sell swords, bows, armors were no ordinary forces.
He Youde sent spies to investigate. After seeing the quality of the equipment, they were astonished.
Reporting back, they said the magistrate must have contacted tomb raiders, unearthing antiques from a general’s grave.
The long swords were muddy, and the armors were covered in green rust.
Wearing them at night might make people think they were ghost soldiers.
He Youde sent people to the outskirts to see how the magistrate’s troops were training.
The spy reported back that there were no soldiers, only old men leaning on walking sticks, chatting under the trees.
When tired of chatting, they went out to bask in the sun. A few younger ones, looking frail, bragged about their exploits in brothels to their officers.
The officer in charge, an old hand himself, joined them in sunbathing and gossiping. The whole troop was exceedingly slack.
At this point, He Youde realized the truth.
It seemed the magistrate truly had no intention of training troops.
He Youde originally thought the magistrate would take at least half of the funds.
But he was wrong.
Because the magistrate took a hundred percent.
Three days later.
At the yamen.
“Sir, this is the third conflict today.”
Li Ming reported, “Recently, the tensions between the Five-Scale Sect and the
Eight-Scale Sect have intensified… Sir, what should we do?”
Lu Xuan, hearing this, was quite satisfied, “Of course, we continue to fan the flames.
The faith within Qingxian City had gradually split into two major forces.
One was the Eight-Scale Sect led by the Bo family, claiming they were the true followers of Qingxian, branding the Five-scale Sect as heretical.
The other was the Five-Scale Sect led by the Gu family, regarding the
Eight-Scale Sect as demonic outsiders trying to usurp Qingxian’s authority.
Currently, due to the Gu family’s larger influence, the Five-scale Sect was prevailing.
However, over time, with a complete religious system and the influence of indulgence tickets, the Eight-Scale Sect’s followers were growing.
The Eight-Scale Sect didn’t intimidate believers; they believed Qingxian was majestic yet gentle.
Just by spending a small amount of money on an indulgence ticket, one could absolve a large part of their sins.
Compared to the Five-Scale Sect, at least for now, the Eight-Scale Sect’s exploitation was much less.
As for the recent conflicts, they were fueled by Lu Xuan’s instigation.
It was said that Gu Feng, the Gu family’s steward, was beaten by Bo Kai, the Bo family’s steward, just as he was recovering from a previous injury.
Though Bo Kai claimed to suppress the “Five-Scale demons,” everyone knew the personal grudges between the families were at play.
Seven days later.
At the Qingxian City magistrate’s residence.
Two figures sat on the rooftop.
“Tomorrow marks the opening of the Qingxian Festival.”
Cheng Lingzhu leaned into Lu Xuan’s embrace.
“Yes, and it’s time to end this.”
Lu Xuan wrapped his arms around her and asked, “What do you think… Is this Qingxian City real or an illusion?”
Cheng Lingzhu looked up at the moon upon hearing this.
They had been brought to this place by the Nine Heavens Map, living here for nearly half a month.
Everything around them, the environment, the people, felt incredibly real.
Lu Xuan picked up a broken tile, examining it closely.
In fact, he had speculated about the city’s true nature before uttering those words.
At his feet, a little fox looked up, nuzzled him twice, then leapt lightly onto his shoulder.
Lu Xuan looked towards the distant streets.
The lights were bright, filled with a lively atmosphere.
To welcome the Qingxian Festival, according to tradition, every household placed oil lamps at their doors.
By tomorrow night, with the curfew lifted, the city would be even livelier. “For me, this being real or an illusion doesn’t matter as much.”
Cheng Lingzhu thought for a long time, then wrapped her arms around him, “Having you by my side is all that matters.” “Is this a confession before battle?” Lu Xuan laughed.
“When have I ever not been like this?”
Cheng Lingzhu buried her face in his chest, nuzzling affectionately.
Lu Xuan noticed a faint blush spreading to her ears.
“Hmm… if I’m like this every day, won’t you get tired of it?”
Cheng Lingzhu suddenly looked up.
After all, in a way, they were an old married couple. Constant affection might bring the seven-year itch sooner.
“Of course not.’
Lu Xuan thought for a moment, “Hmm… Let’s increase the dosage.”
“Really?”
Cheng Lingzhu blinked.
“Of course.’
Lu Xuan said earnestly, “My wife is so lovely, I could never tire of her.”
Cheng Lingzhu hummed sweetly, hugging his neck, kissing his lips.
After a long while, they parted.
Lu Xuan reached out, wiping her lips.
They sat quietly for a while before Cheng Lingzhu spoke up, “Without the Qingxian Society, the people here would probably live well.”
She gazed at the distant lights.
“Without the Qingxian Society, there’s still the Black Lotus Sect, the Great Kang
Dynasty…”
Lu Xuan sighed, “It seems this trial was set up by our predecessor to let us learn something.”
“Hmm.”
Cheng Lingzhu nodded gently.
“By the way, I’ve been performing quite well these days, haven’t I?” Lu Xuan asked.
“Hmm… From an observer’s perspective, manipulating so many forces, using your advantages, developing amidst multiple parties, finding opportunities… You’ve been quite impressive.” Cheng Lingzhu replied.
“An observer’s perspective?”
Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, “What about other perspectives?”
“Other perspectives… Are of course from my point of view.”
Cheng Lingzhu smiled, tilting her chin, “Gu Yang, the Black Lotus Sect, Bo Chang, He Youde… You’ve fooled them all. I didn’t know you were so good at deceiving.”
“I’ve never lied to you.” Lu Xuan said with integrity.
“Really?”
Cheng Lingzhu gazed into his eyes.
“Okay, I’ve lied a few times.”
Lu Xuan admitted, “But one thing I’ve always meant sincerely.”
“Which is?”
Cheng Lingzhu blinked.
Just as Lu Xuan was about to speak, the sound of a night watchman’s gong echoed from the street.
“Ah, it’s time to act.”
Lu Xuan blinked, “I can say that next time..”
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