I Have A Qi Fortune Altar-Chapter 204 - 192 Matryoshka Dolls

Chapter 204: Chapter 192: Matryoshka Dolls?

Chapter 204 -192: Matryoshka Dolls?

Chen Yuan remained silent but shifted his gaze to Sun Yuan, the County Magistrate of Qingshui County, to see his response.

If unsatisfactory…

Heh.

The task Chen Yuan had taken up didn’t have a specified time limit…If it remained difficult, Chen Yuan might just go to investigate those bandits on Dagushan.

If nobody manifested their Qi Fortune, they might as well ignore it,

and make a move in a few days.

County Magistrate Zhang Hefeng kept signaling Sun Yuan with his eyes, as if to say, “Don’t provoke Chen Yuan. His strength and position are high; affronting him would be too costly.”

Moreover, the problem with Dagushan couldn’t be resolved.

After taking a deep breath, the ashen color swiftly disappeared from Sun Yuan’s face, replaced by a smile:

“Patrol Envoy Chen, do not worry. Even if this matter is difficult, we will definitely see it through.”

In his words, he seemed to regard Chen Yuan as if he were a superior.

When he had met Chen Yuan before, he indeed had some schemes in mind, thinking that a few words of flattery towards Chen Yuan’s good reputation could spur action against Dagushan without needing the county government to make a move.

To solve their troubles.

But from Chen Yuan’s words just now, it was clear he wasn’t easily fooled. He prioritized benefits above all else and had outright demanded two thousand taels of silver,

a sum he couldn’t have embezzled in two years!

Plus, two hundred constables to be used as cannon fodder…

It must be said, the loss was significant, but if they didn’t meet Chen Yuan’s demands, who knew what the consequences would be? He had heard of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau’s style of operation.

They could accuse someone of a crime and annihilate their entire household at the drop of a hat.

Although he had the status of a seventh grade official, what if Chen Yuan became impulsive?

Therefore, after weighing everything and heeding the caution in Zhang Hefeng’s eyes, he ultimately decided to relent.

The silver could just be demanded from the wealthy families within the county; the name of the Heavenly Patrol Envoy was frightening enough. If anyone refused, they’d simply invoke Chen Yuan’s name.

“Very well, since that’s the case, let’s take action tomorrow.”

Chen Yuan smiled, his expression clearing from cloudy to sunny.

Sun Yuan and Zhang Hefeng exchanged a glance and nodded subtly.

…

…

Dagushan,

within the stockade.

Dozens of bandits, their clothing slightly tattered, stood alert at the base of the mountain. The stockade was located midway up the mountain, on a very wide plateau, with nearly a hundred horses being guarded as they grazed.

At this moment, the atmosphere on the mountain was rather lively.

A group of robust men were merrily clinking their cups together, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

But the dark-faced man sitting at the head of the table was not as happy as one might imagine. Watching the somewhat noisy scene below, he felt inexplicably irritable.

After draining a bowl of wine in one gulp, the dark-faced man’s brows were slightly furrowed.

Suddenly, a handsome young man swiftly approached him from the side and bowed as he reached the dark-faced man:

“Chief, there’s trouble!”

The dark-faced man muttered a low, “As expected,” and asked with a composed demeanor:

“What happened?”

“Just now, brothers came back from Qingshui County and said… People from the Heavenly Patrol Bureau have arrived!” the young man said gravely.

“Heavenly Patrol Bureau!”

The dark-faced man clenched his fist, murmuring softly.

Of course, he had heard of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, and what he feared most was indeed the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, because… indeed, as reported within the Qingshui County Government, he was a deserter.

His name was Yan Kai, originally a regular colonel among the nearly one million-strong army at the Liangyou Border. Due to some issues and being deceived, he ended up deserting and fleeing all the way to the Nanling Prefecture within Qingzhou.

After absorbing several groups of bandits, he turned to banditry.

He thought that being relatively far from the Prefecture City of Nanling, he could disguise himself and survive, but he was ultimately exposed. However, he thought it was normal,

as he had unconsciously used a cavalry charge during a clash with the people from the Qingshui County Government, which could easily arouse suspicion.

Comforted by wishful thinking, he had been calm lately, but the people from the Qingshui County Government still reported it!

“Who are the people who came?”

Yan Kai asked gravely.

“Still investigating, but the leader seems quite young, probably hasn’t been a Patrol Envoy for long… perhaps the stockade can cope with them,”

the young man replied.

“We mustn’t be careless. Even if this person is no match for us, there are others behind him. Defeating the small ones will only bring the older ones. With the strength of the stockade, we’re not a match for the powerful of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau,”

Yan Kai felt it was unwise.

Having been part of the imperial court before, he knew the court’s strength wasn’t that simple. Even if somewhat weakened, it was not something he, a mere Gang Condensing Martial Artist, could provoke.

Subconsciously, he thought of retreat.

If he couldn’t survive in Qingzhou, then he’d go to Blood State!

He couldn’t believe that this world wouldn’t leave him any way out.

“So, Chief, you’re suggesting…”

“Notify the brothers, start packing immediately. The person from the Heavenly Patrol Bureau likely won’t delay. If not today, then tomorrow, they will definitely come to attack.”

“There’s little hope for leaving today. By the day after tomorrow, win or lose, we must leave,”

Yan Kai stood up and instructed the people next to him.

“Yes, your orders will be followed!”

“What’s there to panic about with Yan Chief? It’s just a little Chen Yuan. Kill him, and that’s it!”

A faint voice entered Yan Kai’s ears.

“Who?”

Yan Kai, immediately alert, rose to his feet. His gaze swept the surroundings, and a slight tremor of shock ran through him. The person who had just spoken had approached him silently and could… kill him!

“Leader.”

The young man beside him blinked in surprise, not expecting Yan Kai to suddenly react.

“Did you not hear that voice?”

Yan Kai turned his gaze to him.

“What voice?”

“Leader Yan, I mean no harm. I only wish to make your acquaintance,” came the voice again.

“If it’s about friendship, why not show yourself?” Yan Kai gripped the large saber by his side and spoke in a low, grave voice.

“There are too many people here; it’s not convenient to reveal myself. I will wait for you in the hills behind here, Leader Yan. If you’re interested, feel free to meet me there, rest assured that if I had ill intentions, why would I expose my identity?”

After saying this, Yan Kai spoke a few more words, but no one responded.

After a long silence, Yan Kai let out a breath, instructed the people around him briefly, and turned to head towards the hills alone; he wanted to see who wished to befriend him.

With the skill just displayed, it wouldn’t take much to kill him.

Without further ado, Yan Kai reached the hills. A cool breeze greeted him, and an old man in white robes stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. The breeze lifted his hair and beard, giving him an ethereal and sage-like aura.

Had the Blood Demon not introduced himself, few would have guessed that such a notorious figure could look like this.

“Sir, you are…?”

Yan Kai’s gaze fixed intently on the Blood Demon.

Although there was no sign of a fight, he still instinctively felt an overwhelming presence, his strength far surpassing his own.

“I have had the pleasure of meeting you, Leader Yan.”

The Blood Demon did not reveal his identity, instead pretending to be a Taoist person, but given his venerable appearance, Yan Kai had no suspicions.

“I am here uninvited to save your life,” the Blood Demon casually mentioned.

“Hmm?”

Yan Kai furrowed his brow and remained silent.

“Do you know who the Heavenly Patrol Envoy in Qingshui County is, Leader Yan?”

Yan Kai: “Who?”

“The Hidden Dragon List… Chen Yuan…”

The Blood Demon briefly mentioned some information about Chen Yuan, exaggerating certain details appropriately.

“Leader Yan, do you think you can handle such a person?” the Blood Demon asked with a smile.

“I cannot. If what you say is true, he is not someone I can contend with.” Yan Kai was aware of his limits.

“That is why I have come to assist you, Leader Yan.”

“What is your purpose?”

“To make Chen Yuan die!”

“To make Chen Yuan die?”

Yan Kai’s eyes flickered, wondering if this old man had some past grievances with Chen Yuan.

“Indeed, he is a scourge… I must eliminate him, but due to concerns about the court, I have not acted until now. Today, finally, an opportunity has arisen.”

“Chen Yuan has orders to kill you; there is no room for compromise between you two. Why not end it definitively and cooperate with me to kill him?”

“You seem to be using me as a tool in your hands, sir. The Heavenly Patrol Envoy is a high-ranking imperial official. Are you aware of the severe consequences should we kill him?”

When the County Magistrate attacked Mount Dagu previously, he had the opportunity to kill him but ultimately decided against it.

To kill the County Magistrate would mean being hunted.

“Because I am also a tool in Tang Qian’s hands…” the Blood Demon murmured.

This was simply like a nested doll. Tang Qian did not want to involve himself directly. Although he did not fear retribution, he did not want to be hunted either, so he turned to Yan Kai.

“Leader Yan, do you think not killing him will have lesser consequences? If you don’t kill him, he will kill you, and if you do kill him, I can help you escape from Qingzhou and go to Blood State…”

The Blood Demon calmly persuaded.

“What if I still refuse?”

“No, you won’t refuse.”

The Blood Demon’s body suddenly trembled, a bloody Qi enveloped him, and his imposing aura made Yan Kai feel somewhat uncomfortable being so close.

“You say so?” the Blood Demon chuckled.

“Fine, then let’s kill Chen Yuan!”

Yan Kai knew he had no choice.

But he was not one to sit and wait for orders; after talking with the Blood Demon, he gained a slight understanding of his identity, and of course, he quietly sent someone down the mountain to Qingshui County.

To use him as a tool, one had to be qualified first!

…

…

That night, staying in a top-tier room in somewhere in Qingshui County City, Chen Yuan received a letter expertly disguised. After checking thoroughly to ensure it was safe, Chen Yuan slowly opened it.

The letter read:

“Heavenly Patrol Envoy Chen Yuan, brother Chen, this is Yan Kai speaking, who took to the hills of Mount Dagu two months ago… I have no intention of being your enemy and initially planned to retreat, but today…”

After reading, Chen Yuan’s brow furrowed, contemplating the authenticity of the information in the letter.

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Someone was out to kill him and they knew ahead of his mission to Qingshui County.

White hair, white beard, bloody Qi…

Who could it be?

————

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