However, it seemed that he didn’t realize the significance of this matter, but instead felt a huge pressure: "Can I really handle this? Maybe you should let Baoqi do it. He’s experienced and eloquent and definitely won’t disgrace you!"
Baoqi shuddered and waved his hands repeatedly: "I can’t do it, I really can’t. I’m just a reject from Mount Hua and half a member of the White Lotus Sect. How could I manage Yuelai Inn? If word got out, people would think Second Master has some shady dealings with the White Lotus Sect..."
It was only when he spoke that he suddenly realized that he indeed was the best candidate.
The others either had too much ambition or their stances were too clear.
Only he, unattached and solitary, and greatly resembling Second Master’s lazy temperament, was truly suited to take over Yuelai Inn.
Yang Ge looked at Baoqi with annoyance: "You indeed have a way with words..."
He reached out and gently patted his shoulder: "Don’t overthink it, all you need to do is manage the inn’s business. As for the rest, deal with it if you want, or leave it if you don’t. If there’s trouble, I’ll come back to handle it!"
He struggled for a few moments, then finally gave a deep bow with his fist: "Fine, if you think highly of me, Xun Shi, even if I’m scattered in pieces, I won’t disgrace you. From now on, as long as the inn stands, so will I; and even if I’m not there, I will still be there!"
"Don’t talk such nonsense."
Yang Ge smiled peacefully: "As much as I’m attached to the inn, it’s still just an object. If some blind fool really wants to seek death at the inn, just preserve yourself and let them do as they please. Worst case, we’ll just rebuild the inn later... Remember, the inn exists because we do!"
He nodded vigorously: "I get it!"
Yang Ge laughed and patted his shoulder again: "Alright, you guys go have your fun, I’ll chat with Flea a bit longer."
The three of them got up and went downstairs.
This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.
Yang Ge stroked the dog’s head and asked: "Got any news lately?"
Flea nodded repeatedly: "Yes, Second Master..."
While he said yes, his gaze shifted towards Zhao Miao standing next to Yang Ge.
Understanding the cue, Yang Ge casually picked up the teacup on the table and drank it in one gulp, then subtly asked Miaomiao: "Come on, Miaomiao, could you refill the water for Second Brother?"
Zhao Miao, sharp as ever, could clearly see the exchange of looks between the two.
Reluctantly standing up, she expressed her displeasure: "Fine, Flea, next time there’s good food, you’re not getting any..."
Flea hurriedly tried to flatter her: "Our Second Shopkeeper is beautiful and kind, surely she won’t lower herself to the level of someone illiterate like me!"
Zhao Miao huffed coldly, took the teapot, and left with heavy steps, intentionally stomping on the floorboards.
After they watched her go downstairs, Flea whispered sneakily: "With the temperament of our Second Shopkeeper, Second Master, your days ahead won’t be easy!"
"You worry too much!"
Yang Ge scolded him with a laugh, thinking to himself that he hadn’t seen the famous scenic spot in Sichuan and Chongqing, the old Purple Shu Road Mountain: "Speak up, or she might just come back."
Flea’s expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice: "I have two important things to report to you..."
"First, there’s news about Emperor Xiping’s untimely death!"
Yang Ge narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself that it was no surprise: "Go on!"
Flea: "Righteous Alliance, Cheng Dingjiang."
Yang Ge suddenly furrowed his brows and said gravely: "Is there evidence?"
Flea spoke quietly: "This information comes from the mouth of a traitor of the Righteous Alliance named ’Judge Xie Yanping.’ There’s no solid evidence yet... but there’s a saying, ’There’s no smoke without fire.’"
"I seem to recall that person..."
Yang Ge furrowed his brow as he spoke, "Isn’t this person the Left Protector of the Righteous Alliance? How could he betray the Righteous Alliance?"
Flea: "Cheng Dingjiang is getting old. In the battle for the position of the next leader of the Righteous Alliance, his eldest son ’Unique Whip’ Cheng Feifan and Xie Yanping have been fiercely contestive. Although Cheng Dingjiang deals with matters impartially on the surface, he has always been favoring his side in secret, weakening Xie Yanping’s popularity within the Righteous Alliance."
"Not long ago, Xie Yanping was ambushed in Hebei and nearly lost his life. He suspected that it was Cheng Dingjiang’s doing and immediately ran back to the east of the river. After getting drunk, he inadvertently mentioned this to a friend..."
Yang Ge: "Isn’t this too coincidental?"
Flea nodded solemnly, "Indeed, it is somewhat coincidental. The people who ambushed Xie Yanping were actually from Li, the leader of Lianhuan Fort."
Yang Ge paused, then said with a bitter smile, "Does that mean it’s very likely true?"
Flea: "According to our inferences in the building... It’s very likely."
Yang Ge stroked the dog’s head in his arms and fell into deep contemplation for a long time. Finally, he sighed silently and softly said, "Send the message to Shen Fa, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard... Explain the situation clearly and let him verify it on his own."
Flea, without asking further, immediately cupped his fist and said, "I will take care of it shortly."
Yang Ge: "What about the second matter?"
Opening his mouth, Flea spoke concisely, "The Tatar Department and the Oirat Tribe of the Northern Desert Grasslands have combined forces, deploying over two hundred thousand troops, and they are headed straight for Datong!"
’It has come at last!’
Yang Ge sighed inwardly, feeling as though a huge weight had been lifted, relieved yet burdened.
Alas, everything was fine before...
And now there is no going back.
"I understand."
His expression unchanging, he gently nodded his head, then continued, "My hometown is in Linjiang County, under Chongqing Prefecture. I plan to open a school there to teach and educate others. Think of a way to also establish a base there so that any urgent matters can be relayed to me. State whatever funding is needed... However, this matter needs to be kept confidential; I don’t want too many people to know where my hometown is."
Flea immediately nodded, "Please rest assured, Second Master, once the northern frontier matter is resolved, I will bring the trusted troops to Linjiang County to continue serving as your eyes and ears!"
His words were full of certainty, as if with his delivery of the news of the Tatars deploying troops to the south to Yang Ge, the countdown to the destruction of those more than two hundred thousand Tatar troops had already begun.
However, Yang Ge’s heart was not as light as his.
Even though it had been over a year, Yang Ge still felt a sinister presence whenever he recalled that Tatar spiritual being dressed in an imperial robe and crown.
With both adversaries having spiritual beings, it was as if neither had them.
He couldn’t attack directly as he had done with Yang Zaixian.
Because if he could go there, the Tatar spiritual being could certainly come here.
To achieve a quick victory, he would need to deal with that Tatar spiritual being first...
But that was easier said than done!
Even now, Yang Ge only felt he had an even chance when recalling that snowy night.
To completely suppress that Tatar spiritual being, he was prepared to risk his life!
To kill that Tatar spiritual being...perhaps the only way was mutual destruction!
Unless...
Yang Ge thought of an old friend.