Chapter 184: Firelight

From the East City Drum Tower came the urgent, rapid sound of drums, the eight hundred sounds of the evening drums marking the arrival of night.

Outside the Welcoming Immortal Building, the setting sun sank behind the city moat. The immortal crane sculpture, as if heated by the day's warmth, had its shadow gradually stretched long, then disappeared from view.

Chen Ji stood outside the door, welcoming guests. Today, the Welcoming Immortal Building only had one table of guests. Originally, over ten tables had been booked, but when people heard that the newly promoted Secret Agent Department's Sea East Eagle was holding a celebration banquet here, they flocked to cancel their reservations.

Because of this matter, the entire White Clothes Lane fell silent. Outside White Clothes Lane, a horse-drawn carriage slowly drove in.

Gold Pig lifted the carriage curtain, leading West Wind as they jumped down from the carriage. His expression was strange as he circled around Chen Ji, examining him. Just moments ago, his cultivation realm had suddenly risen, and he could see that the Seek Way Realm was only one step away.

Gold Pig had never heard of such cultivation speed.

Chen Ji asked with a smile, "Lord Gold Pig, why are you looking at me like that?"

Gold Pig hesitated for a moment, finally not asking about the cultivation matter. "Nothing, nothing. You're wearing new clothes today, looking much more heroic than before. The tailor's craftsmanship is excellent. Where did you get your clothes made? I'll go get two sets as well."

Chen Ji laughed and said, "Li Record in front of the South City Gate..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw Cloud Sheep and Bright Rabbit, dressed in black tight clothes, walking side by side. Behind them, several dozen Secret Agents were actually following.

Gold Pig's face sank.

Chen Ji was puzzled. "Lord Cloud Sheep, Lord Bright Rabbit, why did you bring so many people? My purse is shy, I only ordered one table, there's not enough room for so many people."

Cloud Sheep smiled and said, "Don't worry, these people might not be here to eat."

After speaking, he waved his hand to the Secret Agents behind him. The Secret Agents, with their hands on their waist knives, swarmed into the Welcoming Immortal Building like locusts.

After all the Secret Agents went in, Cloud Sheep explained casually, "There are still remnants of the Liu Family causing chaos in Luo City, it's causing endless headaches. As the saying goes, a centipede dies but never falls, tonight our three Zodiacs of the Secret Agent Department are gathered in one hall, naturally we must be careful to prevent any Liu Family remnants from hiding inside the Welcoming Immortal Building. If the three of us fall into a trap, it would be a loss for the Secret Agent Department."

Chen Ji's expression didn't change. "Three people? Didn't Lord White Dragon and Lord Dream Chicken come?"

Bright Rabbit squinted with a smile and said, "Lord White Dragon never participates in banquets, after all, with a mask there's no way to drink wine or eat. Dream Chicken was originally coming with us, but suddenly had a temporary matter and returned to Kaifeng Prefecture. Don't worry, you don't need others, if you want to drink wine, I'll drink with you."

Cloud Sheep's face sank. "I'll drink with him, that's enough."

Bright Rabbit rolled his eyes.

At this moment, the Secret Agents who had searched the Welcoming Immortal Building filed out one by one. One of the Secret Agents silently shook his head at Cloud Sheep.

Cloud Sheep thought for a moment, still feeling a bit uneasy. He looked at Chen Ji. "The dishes at this Welcoming Immortal Building are all gimmicks, not actually delicious. How about we change to the Green Bamboo Garden in White Clothes Lane? I've tasted their fermented goose palm and duck gizzards there, they are truly unique."

Chen Ji frowned slightly. "Lord Cloud Sheep, I've already ordered a seat at the Welcoming Immortal Building, it's not good to just change, right?"

Cloud Sheep counter-asked, "Could it be that you arranged something inside the Welcoming Immortal Building, so you're unwilling to change locations?"

Chen Ji looked at Gold Pig, but Gold Pig uncharacteristically didn't refute Cloud Sheep, only lowered his head in silence.

Chen Ji took a deep breath. "What could I arrange inside the Welcoming Immortal Building? Lord Cloud Sheep is overthinking. If Lord Cloud Sheep insists on changing locations, I will naturally follow orders."

Cloud Sheep laughed heartily. "Then let's go, the Green Bamboo Garden isn't far."

After speaking, he led the way and walked several dozen steps, stopping outside a courtyard. The sound of a pipa came from inside the Green Bamboo Garden. Cloud Sheep casually waved. "Tell everyone inside to get out."

In less than the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, the guests in the garden fled in panic.

Cloud Sheep waved his hand, and several dozen Secret Agents suddenly dispersed, guarding the Green Bamboo Garden. Any carriages passing by the door were blocked and driven away by them.

Cloud Sheep looked into Chen Ji's eyes. "Now it's good, presumably no one in Luo City can ambush us now. Chen Ji, you don't need to overthink, this is also protecting you."

"Oh?" Chen Ji said curiously, "How do you say?"

Cloud Sheep said playfully, "Our Secret Agent Department has always had a bad reputation. Now that few people outside know you are our Secret Agent Department's Sea East Eagle, it's good to keep it a secret. Moreover, you stabbed King Jing in the back, betrayed the prince and county master... with King Jing's prestige in the Jianghu, if those Jianghu people know your appearance, perhaps you won't even be able to eat a bowl of noodles peacefully outside. Today someone poisons you, tomorrow someone sends a hidden arrow, how can you live?"

Chen Ji said without changing his expression, "Lord Cloud Sheep is absolutely right, thank you for protecting me, please come inside and take a seat."

Cloud Sheep laughed heartily and took the lead in walking into the Green Bamboo Garden.

Chen Ji was about to walk in when Gold Pig grabbed his wrist. "Brother, you cannot go against the tide!"

Chen Ji pretended not to understand. "What are you saying, Lord? What tide can I go against on such a happy day?"

In the dim light of the mingling night and evening colors, Gold Pig carefully stared at the young man in front of him. Only he knew that Chen Ji's cultivation realm had suddenly and violently risen this evening.

Although he didn't know how Chen Ji had done it, or what price he had paid, he knew that today was certainly very important for Chen Ji.

Chen Ji counter-grabbed Gold Pig's wrist and said warmly, "Lord Gold Pig, how many people in this Jianghu are sincere, how many are false? Who can see clearly? You and I are now in the same boat, don't be afraid."

Gold Pig watched Chen Ji's back enter the Green Bamboo Garden, gritted his teeth, and followed him in. At the same time, Black Cloud led over ten sturdy calico cats and silently snuck into the back alley of the Green Bamboo Garden, each carrying a bamboo tube in their mouth. The ten-plus cats huddled in the dark, closing their eyes, waiting quietly.

The next moment, a three-colored cat drilled out from a dog hole at the base of the wall, meowing. Black Cloud suddenly opened his eyes, bit the bamboo tube, and drilled in like flowing water.

On the second-floor pavilion of the Green Bamboo Garden, dishes flowed like water, including clear steamed duck with wine, shrimp balls and chicken skin soup, rouge goose breast, and crispy pine nut rolls with cream filling, all of which were rarely seen.

A clear-voiced girl, with a face veil, came forward with a pipa, but was blocked by a Secret Agent. "The lords are drinking and talking, idlers keep away."

At the table, Cloud Sheep sat opposite Chen Ji, picked up a piece of duck with chopsticks, and asked curiously, "Chen Ji, I heard your friendship with King Jing, the prince, and the county master is deep. At Lu Hun Mountain Villa, you once argued for the county master and vented your anger, and when you left, you even led her horse, like an immortal couple in a storybook... Storytellers in Jiangnan and the north all have to thank you, your story is enough for them to tell for a month without getting tired."

Chen Ji drank a mouthful of wine. "What does Lord Cloud Sheep want to ask?"

Cloud Sheep squinted with a smile and asked, "I'm curious if you planned to betray them from the beginning, or if you only betrayed them later for self-preservation? What do you think, how will the Jianghu tell your story afterward?"

Chen Ji smiled. "Lord Cloud Sheep is joking, you and I both work for the inner minister, where would son and daughter affection come from? Since King Jing committed the great crime of rebellion, we are naturally duty-bound. Before the country, there is no private emotion."

Cloud Sheep praised, "Well said!"

Gold Pig said coldly, "Enough, have you not betrayed others all these years? One year ago, when you were still the Sea East Eagle, Night Sheep believed your news and walked into the Jing Dynasty thief's ambush. If it weren't for that, how would the Sheep position be vacant for you?"

Cloud Sheep didn't care. "When I got the news, how could I know if it was true or false? Moreover, that group of Jing Dynasty thieves finally died in our Secret Agent Department's encirclement and annihilation. Lord Night Sheep also died properly. I know Night Sheep helped you inside No Thought Mountain, but his death is truly unrelated to me."

Gold Pig scoffed coldly and drained the strong wine in his cup.

Bright Rabbit said casually, "Drinking wine every day and you still can't stop? Why mention No Thought Mountain at such a happy time? Could it be that you all still have feelings for that place?"

Chen Ji asked curiously, "What kind of place is No Thought Mountain exactly?"

Bright Rabbit turned his head to look at him, smiling happily. "You only need to know that not going to No Thought Mountain is your luck in this life, don't ask any more. Drink, drink, let's have a cup of crossing wine."

Chen Ji quickly stood up. "Everyone, please enjoy slowly, I'll go change clothes, I'll be right back."

Bright Rabbit muttered, "No fun!"

Changing clothes was a euphemism for going to the toilet. Saying "toilet" at the table really affects the appetite. However, as soon as he stood up, Cloud Sheep also stood up. "I'll go with you."

Chen Ji smiled. "Then let's go together."

Gold Pig watched the two of them leave the table, his face looking slightly nervous. If Chen Ji wanted to make a move, it should be now. He looked around, but didn't find anything unusual.

A moment later, Chen Ji and Cloud Sheep returned together. He smiled and said, "Lord Cloud Sheep clearly didn't need to change clothes but still accompanied me, I guess you were afraid I would suffer a hidden attack. Or, you were afraid I would harm you."

Gold Pig stood up and said disdainfully, "He's small-minded, always thinking about harming others, so he also worries about others harming him every day... I'll also go change clothes."

He slowly left his seat, and subconsciously turned his head to look as he left, only seeing Chen Ji lowering his head and drinking wine, his eyes hidden in the shadows.

Gold Pig hesitated as he walked down the pavilion stairs. When he walked down a few steps and looked back again, he saw Chen Ji smiling and talking with Bright Rabbit, no longer acting abnormally.

He breathed a sigh of relief: they had already changed locations to drink, and there were dozens of Secret Agents guarding them, so he thought Chen Ji really wouldn't do anything more tonight.

Gold Pig walked out of the pavilion and went into the toilet not far away, pinching his nose and unbuttoning his pants. Only he knew that Chen Ji was exactly the same Chen Ji who had used firearms in Red Clothes Lane, a knife guest with firearms!

Just now, when Chen Ji went to change clothes, he almost thought Chen Ji wanted to make a move, luckily he didn't.

Gold Pig whispered to himself, "This is just right, just forget... just forget."

However, at this moment, with over ten loud bangs, a huge wave of air flipped the toilet over, and the brick wall pressed him down.

In an instant! Fire bloomed!

The wooden foundation of the Green Bamboo Garden's second-floor pavilion was ravaged by the firelight, and the entire pavilion collapsed with a boom, turning into a huge ruin.

Gold Pig's ears buzzed. He struggled to dig himself out of the toilet ruins and looked in a daze at the ruin in front of him.

Why? Why?

Chen Ji himself was clearly still inside, why did he want to detonate the firearms?!

Gold Pig murmured, "So you intended to die from the beginning, wanting to leave Cloud Sheep and Bright Rabbit here..."

Too much time had passed, even Cloud Sheep had almost forgotten the obsession in Chen Ji's eyes when he first saw him.

From the moment he walked out of Peace Medical Hall, he hadn't originally expected to live.

At this moment, shouts of killing came from outside the Green Bamboo Garden, someone was killing their way closer.

With a crack, a hand stretched out from the ruins. The arm slowly struggled to push away the broken walls and debris.

The ruin was slowly arching up, and finally, Chen Ji stood up from within. The furnace fire within his body burned fiercely, letting the heavy snow fall upon him.

In the firelight, Chen Ji gasped and looked at Gold Pig.

Gold Pig was silent for two breaths, then lay down again and closed his eyes.

Chen Ji looked around and shouted loudly, "Enemy attack, quickly come save Lord Cloud Sheep and Lord Bright Rabbit! Lord Gold Pig, Lord Gold Pig, where are you?!"

He originally wanted to find the traces of Cloud Sheep and Bright Rabbit, but it was now a ruin, and he simply didn't know where the other party was buried.

As he thought, a middle-aged man in a bamboo hat, agile and ferocious, killed his way in. He had the legs of a mantis, the waist of a worker bee, and his entire body was covered in blood.

Chen Ji drilled out of the ruins. "Thief, you're seeking death!"

The middle-aged man didn't like to fight and turned to leave. The two chased into the black, bottomless snowy night, one in front and one behind.