Chapter 1048: Mutual Scheming

The Gray Heron tilted its head. Was this number important?

According to past intelligence, the West Xi puppet army's water camp had more than eighty boats, of various sizes.

Around twenty of them had quietly left in the past few days. Where did they go?

Other deceptions might fool people, but a reduction in the number of boats, which were used for movement, indicated that Fu Shanlie had already dispatched people.

"Please ask Mr. Zhang to continue watching Fu Shanlie, no, rather, watch Fu Shanlie's adjutant, Hong Ming." Fu Shanlie was adept at water arts and moved invisibly in the swamp, making him difficult for Mr. Zhang to keep track of. It would be best to assign someone else to the task.

He waved his hand, and the Gray Heron flew away.

Adjutant Chao Qian said, "It seems Fu Shanlie is also making preparations."

He Lingchuan's eyes flickered. "He knows our attack is imminent and is withdrawing his elites."

Both sides were making arrangements.

"Let's go." He Lingchuan put on his helmet and headed out, followed by Hu Min and Men Ban, among others.

Everyone in the know secretly took a deep breath; the final encirclement operation was about to begin!

Just as the warhorses were being led out, several people suddenly entered the City Guard Department, meeting them face to face.

Upon seeing the newcomers, He Lingchuan stopped his movement of mounting his horse, his expression changing drastically.

"Mr. Wen... Wen?"

The person leading them was none other than Wen Daolun!

At that moment, He Lingchuan's scalp tingled.

He had painstakingly sent Wen Daolun back to Panlong City, hoping he would avoid a tragic fate. Tonight was the decisive battle to encircle the Longchuan bandits, so why had Wen Daolun suddenly appeared at such a critical moment?

Wen Daolun had initially approached with a smile but was startled by He Lingchuan's expression. "What, am I not welcome?"

Commander He's gaze made him look as if he had seen a ghost.

While he was governing Yuheng City, they had some disagreements. However, these conflicts had almost entirely disappeared after his return to Panlong City.

Could it be that He Lingchuan still held a grudge against him?

"Welcome, most welcome!" He Lingchuan instantly regained his composure and went to give him a hug.

He had never been this enthusiastic before. Wen Daolun, whose hands had nowhere to go in the embrace, was unaccustomed to it. "I was ordered by the Commander to pick someone up at Baisha Port and need to stay overnight in Yuheng City."

"What do you mean 'stay overnight'!" He Lingchuan pointed eastward down the street. "Your residence has always been there, unoccupied and dust-free. I'll send two servants right away to open it up and clean it!"

Hearing this, Wen Daolun felt a warmth in his heart. "Oh? Then where does the new city governor live?"

"Zhao Linyang?" He Lingchuan smiled. "He lives in the official residences. A whole row of new official residences was just completed on Baimian Street last month."

After Wen Daolun was transferred back, Zhong Shengguang assigned a new city governor to Yuheng City, Zhao Linyang, who specialized in internal affairs and had far less experience than Wen Daolun.

Zhao Linyang clearly understood the Commander's intention in appointing him to the city, and He Lingchuan cooperated with him very smoothly.

At this point, He Lingchuan changed the subject. "Old Wen, which distinguished guest requires you to personally go out and welcome them?"

"His name is Qian Jishi. Our new allies sent him to study the Black Dragon Markings in Yuheng City and Panlong City." Wen Daolun didn't hide it from him. "This time, Qian Jishi might reside in both cities long-term."

Black Dragon Markings? He Lingchuan uttered an "oh."

Last time, Lu Xun saw the Black Dragon Markings in Yuheng City and only said that they were likely a recognition from the Heavenly Dao. This marking was too mysterious, appeared rarely, and its exact purpose remained undetermined.

He Lingchuan moved aside, revealing the Black Dragon Markings on the City Guard Department wall. "Are the new allies also interested in this?"

The "new allies" naturally referred to Ling Shan.

"This marking is rare; it might be worth studying."

The pleasantries concluded. He Lingchuan whispered, "I have something to attend to tonight, so I won't be able to host a welcome dinner for you. How about we have a good drink once I return to the city?"

Wen Daolun nodded with a smile. "Excellent."

Immediately, He Lingchuan bid farewell to Wen Daolun and strode out of the City Guard Department with his subordinates.

Before he even exited, his expression darkened, and he instructed Chao Qian, "Send a few dark guards to protect Mr. Wen. Make sure to keep a close watch."

Of all times, why did Wen Daolun have to arrive tonight!

He Lingchuan disliked such unexpected variables, but the arrow was already on the string; the operation could not be stopped.

Chao Qian acknowledged and went to make the arrangements.

He Lingchuan led over a hundred elites out of the city, but the further south they went, the larger the contingent became.

More troops continuously merged with them.

In the shadows, several pairs of eyes silently watched him, from inside the city to outside, and then continued to tail him southward.

The hidden confrontation had already begun.

An hour after He Lingchuan led his troops away.

In Yuheng City, the residence of the new city governor, Zhao Linyang, suddenly caught fire.

The fire started quickly, could not be extinguished with water, and burned down two rows of houses consecutively. This area was behind the official residence, and Zhao Linyang quickly arrived after receiving the news.

The fire at the official residence naturally attracted curious citizens and patrols maintaining order, creating quite a commotion.

No one noticed an owl perched on a large jujube tree nearby, observing everything.

It observed for a full fifteen minutes before flapping its wings and flying south.

Those with wings were indeed faster than those with four legs.

Tonight, there were dark stars and no moon.

By the hour of Chou (1 AM - 3 AM), everything was silent.

Fu Shanlie sat cross-legged in a stilt house over the water, with a single lamp burning dimly before him.

He stared blankly at the lamp.

The situation in Longchuan was like this empty room: dark on all sides, leaving him only a sliver of light, a glimmer of hope.

If he couldn't seize this opportunity, Longchuan would no longer be his territory.

The plan to support the Longchuan bandits was his own initiative, but he hadn't anticipated Yuheng City being so difficult to handle. Seeing that he hadn't achieved results there for a year, those devils in Lingxu City began to stir up trouble, accusing him of being too slow and criticizing his methods. Even the Demon Emperor was misled and urged him not to remain entrenched in Longchuan but to quickly regain the initiative.

He thought to himself, 'Then let's do it.'

But no matter what, he couldn't act recklessly. Commander He of Yuheng City, though young, truly had some tricks up his sleeve.

There was a flapping sound outside.

The owl flew in and landed on the wooden table beside him, uttering a few low hoots.

"Was Zhao Linyang the only one present at the fire?"

"He Lingchuan didn't appear at all? Are you sure?"

"What about the military camp to the south?"

"After Zhao's residence caught fire, did the soldier sent to report to the City Guard Department enter He Lingchuan's room?"

The owl gave him the answers, then flew away.

Seeing Fu Shanlie motionless, his confidant couldn't help but ask, "General, is that He fellow preparing to attack us here?"

"Nine times out of ten," Fu Shanlie chuckled. "He's afraid I'll set a trap on the day the Emperor's Dew descends, so he's opted for a night raid instead. What a pity. He's good at petty tricks, but when it comes to war, he'll see what I'm capable of!"

"The supervisor is urging you."

"Urge his ass!" Fu Shanlie scoffed. "Let's see what he can achieve! If he's so capable, let him do it himself!"

The confidant muttered, "Lingxu City is truly something. You were doing so well, yet they just had to send a supervisor over."