nagpurpolice Chapter 79: Deep in Green Willow Alley
Chapter 79: Deep in Green Willow Alley
The interior was a completely different world. Facing us was a rather spacious courtyard made of blue bricks, about three zhang square, the ground flat and clean, without a single weed. In the southeast corner stood an old pomegranate tree, its branches sparse, yet still laden with several reddish-brown fruits, their weight bending the branches. Beneath the tree were several waist-high earthenware jars, containing common aquatic plants, their leaves thick and still green. In the northwest corner was a square well carved from blue stone, its rim worn smooth, the hemp rope on the windlass still damp, indicating daily use.
Beyond the courtyard stood a row of main houses facing south, tall and spacious, with a layout of three rooms visible from the light and five from the shadows. The houses featured green tiles and upturned eaves, and the pillars, though slightly faded, were meticulously cleaned. On either side of the main houses were moon gates leading further in, through which the tips of the bamboo groves in the backyard could be faintly seen. The east and west wings also consisted of neat rows of three rooms each, their doors and windows tightly shut, but now they were opening due to the noise.
Lu Ling was wiping his hunting bow with a soft cloth when he heard the sound and looked up; Wang Dashan, shirtless, seemed to have just finished practicing in the yard and was wiping sweat with a cloth; Zhao Si was carrying a winnowing basket, as if sorting something. Li Tie, still injured, sat on a bamboo chair under the porch of the main house, basking in the sun. Several others were peering out of the windows.
All eyes turned to the two people who had suddenly appeared in the courtyard—Lin Yan, and the "young scholar" behind him who, despite his changed attire, still exuded a familiar aura.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Immediately, the cloth in Wang Dashan's hand fell to the ground with a "thud." His eyes widened, his mouth gaped open, as if he wanted to shout something, but something seemed to be blocking his throat, and he only managed a short, gasping "hoarse" sound. Lu Ling's movement of wiping the bowstring froze. His eyes, which were always as sharp as a hawk's, were now slightly wide open, staring straight at Su Qingyao's face, and the fingers gripping the bow unconsciously tightened. Zhao Si's winnowing basket tilted, spilling some of its contents without him noticing. Even Li Tie under the eaves suddenly straightened his back from the bamboo chair, wincing in pain from his injury, but his gaze remained fixed on that figure.
Looking at these familiar faces, at the undisguised shock, surprise, and the excitement of something lost and found, Su Qingyao's last trace of unease vanished, replaced by a surging surge of warmth that instantly shattered the defenses she had forcibly built up over the past few days. Her eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and her vision blurred rapidly.
She took a step forward, removed the scholar's cap from her head, and let her long, black hair cascade down like a waterfall. Although she quickly gathered it up again in a flustered manner, the fleeting glimpse of her female attire was enough for everyone to confirm her identity.
"Brother Lu, Brother Wang, Brother Zhou, Brother Zhao, Brother Li Tie..." she called out to them one by one, her voice choked with emotion, yet filled with an incomparably bright smile and tears, "It's...it's me. I...I'm back."
"Miss Su...Miss Su?!" Wang Dashan was the first to shout, his voice so loud it seemed to make the leaves in the courtyard tremble. He rushed forward, but stopped abruptly a few steps away from Su Qingyao, flustered and at a loss, as if afraid his recklessness would disturb her. He could only rub his hands, grinning foolishly, his eyes uncontrollably reddening. "It really is you! I thought...I thought I would never see you again! Lord Zhou brought you into the manor, and our hearts...feel so empty, so painful!"
Lu Ling also put down his bow and walked over quickly. Although he wasn't as overt as Wang Dashan, his eyes were still glistening with excitement. He solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Su Qingyao, his voice a little hoarse: "Miss Su, it's good that you're safe. These days... everyone has been thinking about you."
Zhou Fu and Zhao Si also gathered around, their faces beaming with barely suppressed joy. Zhao Si, quick-witted as ever, rattled off, "Miss Su, you've finally arrived! Everyone's been talking about it every day, wondering how you're doing at Lord Zhou's residence, whether you're eating well, whether anyone's bullying you… ugh, Lord Zhou is of course a good man! It's just… it's just that we haven't been able to see you, and it's been making us all anxious. Brother Lin doesn't mention it often either, but it's really worried us!"
Li Tie stood closer and looked at her. This honest and kind man's eyes welled up with tears. He nodded vigorously, wanting to say something, but could only choke out, "It's good that you're back... It's good that you're back... Miss Su, you... you've lost weight."
The simple phrase "you've lost weight" acted like a key, instantly unlocking all the suppressed emotions in Su Qingyao's heart. Looking at those sincere faces, brimming with concern and joy, and at the genuine, familial care in their eyes, the grief, loneliness, and deep-seated longing for "home" that she had suppressed for so many days burst forth like a flood.
Tears, finally unable to be held back, streamed down her slightly pale cheeks, washing away some of her makeup to reveal the fair skin beneath. She didn't wipe them away, but simply nodded vigorously, laughing and crying at the same time: "I...I'm fine. Thank you...thank you for remembering me. I...I miss everyone so much."
Lin Yan stood aside, quietly watching this scene. He watched as Su Qingyao finally let down her guard, revealing her truest emotions to these companions she could entrust her life to. He watched Lu Ling and Wang Dashan's undisguised excitement and joy. He knew that bringing her here was the right thing to do. This place might not have grand mansions or luxurious food, but it offered the most sincere friendship and the warmest acceptance, providing her wounded heart with tangible comfort and strength.
He also knew that from this day forward, this seemingly peaceful courtyard in Qingliu Lane would not only be the Black Stone Guard's stronghold in Qingzhou Prefecture, but also a crucial cornerstone for their fight against Liu Xiong's faction, their pursuit of the truth behind the bloodshed, and even their exploration of that shocking secret. Su Qingyao's addition would undoubtedly inject new and indispensable vitality and wisdom into this team.
***
At the same time, inside the garrison headquarters, the atmosphere was completely opposite to the warmth of Qingliu Lane.
The doors and windows of the study were tightly shut, and heavy brocade curtains hung low, completely blocking out the bright autumn sunlight. Only a few dim horn lamps were lit inside, casting a dim light. The air was filled with a strong, almost pungent, sandalwood scent, but it couldn't suppress the invisible, heavy sense of oppression and anxiety.
Liu Wenhuan sat in his large rosewood armchair, his dark brown silk robe with floral patterns wrinkled, as if he hadn't changed it all night. His face was ashen, his eyes puffy, and the pair of smooth, lustrous jade balls in his hands were no longer spinning, but were clenched tightly in his palms, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force. On the desk in front of him lay a brief report that had just arrived regarding Zhao Kun's family's report to the authorities searching for him, along with several secret reports from the city defense and customs offices, vague yet exuding an ominous aura.
Liu Xiong sat at the lower end, still wearing his dark green official robe, though the hem was no longer crisp and his sideburns were slightly disheveled. The warm smile that was usually on his face had vanished without a trace, replaced by a sinister calm, but the slight twitching at the corners of his eyes and the tightly pursed lips betrayed the turbulent emotions within him.
"Zhao Kun... left the branch yesterday afternoon, saying he was going to a banquet at 'Drunken Immortal Pavilion,' and hasn't returned since." Liu Xiong's voice was low and hoarse, as if he had been trekking through the desert for a long time without a drop of water. "His stupid wife only realized something was wrong this afternoon, and ran to the government office crying and making a scene, reporting that her master had disappeared. The government office gave a vague response, but the news... has probably already leaked out."
Liu Wenhuan snorted heavily through his nose, his voice thick with nasal congestion: "Missing? A perfectly respectable head of the Demon Suppression Division, how could he possibly 'disappear' in Qingzhou Prefecture? It must be Zhou Yan, or that little bastard Lin Yan's doing! Or... it's both of them working on it!"
"Brother-in-law, you have a clear conscience." Liu Xiong's eyes flashed coldly. "Zhao Kun knows too much. The things about Blackstone Town and Black Wind Ravine, and... the details of their dealings over the years. If he falls into Zhou Yan's hands..." He didn't finish his sentence, but Liu Wenhuan naturally understood. Zhao Kun was a bomb connecting them all; once it exploded, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"We must eliminate Lin Yan as soon as possible!" Liu Wenhuan slammed the jade ball in his hand onto the desk with a loud thud, making the teacup jump. "That kid is a troublemaker! Ever since Black Stone Town, he's been ruining our plans at every turn! Now that we're in Qingzhou Prefecture, he's become even worse! With him by Zhou Yan's side, strategizing and leading the charge, that old fox Zhou Yan is like a tiger with wings! We should cut off his arm first, then deal with Zhou Yan slowly!"
Liu Xiong nodded slowly; this was exactly what he had been thinking. Lin Yan's threat had far exceeded that of an ordinary inspector. Not only was this young man's cultivation progressing strangely and his combat strength formidable, but he was also meticulous in his thinking, decisive and ruthless in his methods, and utterly loyal to Zhou Yan. He had repeatedly broken through Zhou Yan's defenses and had become a major threat.
"Brother-in-law," Liu Xiong leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. The dim light cast deep shadows on his face, making his expression appear particularly sinister. "Zhao Kun did mention an idea a few days ago, and now it seems we can put it to use."
Liu Wenhuan raised his eyelids: "Zhao Kun? What good ideas could he possibly have?"
"It's about a dangerous place in the Mangcang Mountains—Seven Star Pass." Liu Xiong's voice carried a hint of scrutiny and calculation. "Zhao Kun said that we could use the pretext of strange movements of the monsters in Seven Star Pass to send Lin Yan to investigate and eliminate him through the monsters' words. Although this plan was crude, it hit the nail on the head. Now that Zhao Kun has disappeared, this plan itself... can be borrowed and used. With a little refinement, it will be flawless."
He paused, observing Liu Wenhuan's expression, and continued, "According to the 'Qingzhou Prefecture Chronicles' and oral traditions passed down by mountain dwellers and hunters, Qixing'ao is a treacherous place, perpetually shrouded in poisonous miasma, and home to several ferocious demonic beasts at least at the mid-stage or even late-stage of the Tongxuan realm. Ordinary cultivators dare not approach it. However, there is a peculiar feature within this valley—every sixty years, on the night of the full moon, 'spiritual milk' seeps from the tips of stalactites in a natural cave deep within the valley. This 'spiritual milk' is a spiritual treasure of heaven and earth, containing pure spiritual energy, and consuming it is of great benefit to cultivators."
"Now, exactly sixty years have passed since the last Jiazi year. Thirty days from now will be the night of the full moon of the next Jiazi year." A glint of light flashed in Liu Xiong's eyes. "I have already sent people to keep a close watch. Recently, we have been able to detect unusual restless auras of demonic beasts around the Seven Star Pass. It seems that powerful demonic beasts are being attracted by the soon-to-be-born 'Spiritual Milk' and are gathering from the depths of the Mangcang Mountains into the pass. Even... some scattered demonic beasts have already rushed out of the pass and attacked nearby mountain villages, injuring several farmers who were gathering herbs."
Liu Wenhuan's brows gradually relaxed, and a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes: "You mean..."
"We can exaggerate this 'abnormal activity' a bit and report it to the branch headquarters." Liu Xiong's voice grew increasingly steady, revealing a confident grasp of the overall situation. "We'll say that there's been an unusual gathering of demonic beasts in Qixing'ao recently, and they're showing signs of coming down the mountain to harm the local area, potentially causing a major disaster. As the inspector, it's Lin Yan's duty to investigate local demonic anomalies and eliminate the threat. At that time, I can use the pretext of 'supporting' and 'cooperating in the demon-suppression' to personally lead a group of elite troops from headquarters to 'go together' with Lin Yan to Qixing'ao."
"Upon reaching Seven Star Pass," Liu Xiong's voice lowered even further, almost a whisper, yet each word was clear and laced with chilling killing intent, "I will have Lin Yan lead his squad as the 'vanguard' to 'first' enter the pass and scout it out. Seven Star Pass has a complex terrain and a treacherous entrance. Once he's inside... I will immediately order my men to completely seal off the entrance, under the pretext of 'preventing a large-scale outpouring of demonic beasts' and 'sealing off the dangerous area'! We might even 'accidentally' trigger some landslides..."
He raised his hand, making a clasping gesture, as if he had already grasped Lin Yan and his team in the palm of his hand: "At that time, with ferocious monsters and natural dangers gathered in the valley ahead, and the retreat route completely cut off, even if Lin Yan has three heads and six arms, and extraordinary abilities, he won't be able to walk out alive! He will only end up with the fate of 'exploring the dangerous area, unfortunately encountering monsters and a landslide, and all members dying in the line of duty.' No matter who investigates, it can only be considered an 'accident.'"
After listening, Liu Wenhuan remained silent, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the smooth tabletop. The study was silent for a moment, broken only by the extremely faint crackling of the burning wick of the ram's horn lamp and the suppressed breathing of the two men.
After a long silence, Liu Wenhuan slowly raised his head, a resolute and ruthless glint in his eyes. He stared at Liu Xiong and said in a deep voice, "This plan... is feasible. But it must be done cleanly and efficiently, leaving no room for error. Lin Yan is a very cunning man, having survived many near-death experiences; we must not be careless. The people you take must be absolutely reliable, and afterwards... whatever needs to be dealt with must be dealt with cleanly. As for the movements of the demonic beasts at Qixing'ao, we must also ensure that they are as you described."
Seeing his brother-in-law's approval, Liu Xiong felt reassured, and his usual cold smile returned to his face: "Brother-in-law, rest assured. I have already made arrangements regarding the strange movements of the demonic beasts; there will be no problem. The people I brought are all loyal followers whom I have trained for many years, and they are extremely tight-lipped. As for Lin Yan... this Seven Star Pass will be his burial ground! Once we get rid of him, Zhou Yan will be like a man with a missing arm; we can deal with him later."
Liu Wenhuan nodded heavily, as if making his final decision. He waved his hand, as if to dispel the last trace of unease in his heart: "In that case, go and prepare. Thirty days from now... I want to hear the news of Lin Yan's death."
"Yes!" Liu Xiong bowed and accepted the order, his eyes flashing with a cold light.