I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 130: Chapter 58: Deeply Hidden (3)

’The Xia Family wouldn’t think of helping the Tiger Gang, either. After all, a subordinate’s subordinate isn’t my subordinate...’

’Besides, the Tiger Gang’s reputation is so rotten, the Xia Family probably wants nothing to do with them. It might have been fine before, but now, Changshan City is no longer run by the two great families. They have to answer to the Rebel Army...’

Thinking of the Xia Family, an idea struck Fang Rui. ’I killed Chong Jihu and Duan Lang. This move will most likely intensify the conflict between the Lin and Xia Families... I might have a good show to watch now!’

...

The Xia Family Estate, Main Hall.

”The Lin Family has gone too far! To think they would ambush and kill Chong Jihu and Duan Lang! We had a clear agreement: they manage the Black Market, and we control the city’s gangs...”

”Exactly! Isn’t this a slap in our Xia Family’s face?”

”I think the Lin Family is getting desperate!”

...

The core members of the Xia Family raised a clamor, all vehemently condemning the Lin Family.

That’s right, they were certain the Lin Family was behind it and didn’t suspect anyone else.

After all, to kill two Sixth Grade Martial Artists, the assailant was most likely a Fifth Grade Martial Artist. And in all of Changshan City, only the two great families possessed experts of the Dark Force Realm.

An unaffiliated Fifth Grade Martial Artist in Changshan City?

Impossible!

Training a Martial Artist is a huge drain on resources. The Xia Family’s three Fifth Grade Martial Artists alone consumed a massive amount of resources each year. For any other prominent family in the city, such an expense would be crippling.

As for the Old Master’s Fourth Grade Realm, that was achieved only by the entire Xia Family tightening their belts and pouring years of scraped-together wealth—the very fat of the land—into forcibly raising his level.

Just as a courtyard cannot train a stallion that runs a thousand li, and a flowerpot cannot grow a timeless pine, you cannot raise a powerful Martial Artist without the resources of an established power. It is like trying to raise a Flood Dragon in shallow waters.

The pie in Changshan County was only so big, and the two great families had already claimed a substantial share, leaving no fertile ground for an unaffiliated Fifth Grade Martial Artist to survive.

Theoretically, this was correct—but Fang Rui was the exception.

”Is it possible that the person isn’t a local from Changshan County, but an outsider?”

At these words, the others turned to look at the speaker. Unflustered, he spoke calmly and logically, ”For the past few days, our Third Branch has been investigating the source of that wooden plank. We’ve focused our attention on the other prominent families but have found no clues. It made me wonder if we’re looking in the wrong direction...”

”Now with this incident, let’s make a bold guess. What if the same person is behind both events? An outsider Martial Artist?”

”Impossible!”

Someone immediately retorted, ”An outsider Fifth Grade Martial Artist would need a steady supply of Great Medicine and Old Medicine to maintain their Realm. But in Changshan County, the supply of aged medicinal ingredients is limited. The slightest disturbance in that market wouldn’t escape the notice of our Fourth Branch!”

Just as the man said, a dragon in shallow water cannot be sustained by the limited resources. Before long, its Realm would fall, and its combat power would plummet.

This was the very problem Fang Rui faced.

”What if he brought his own Great Medicine and Old Medicine? I think my son is right. This is worth investigating. Second Branch, you’re in charge of intelligence, you need to assist us...”

”Third Brother, what are you saying? Are you doubting our abilities?”

”Exactly! Putting everything else aside, why would an outside Dark Force expert come to a small place like ours and go to such great lengths just to cause trouble for our family? I think you Third Branch folks are dreaming!”

...

The hall erupted into a chaotic argument.

A great family like the Xia’s was not a picture of perfect harmony. The various branches often fought amongst themselves, vying for benefits, shirking responsibility... intrigue and backstabbing were commonplace.

”Enough.”

A single word from the Xia Family’s Old Master silenced the entire hall. ”Xiaowu’s idea is a valid line of inquiry. Second Brother, you will assist the Third Branch with their investigation. Eldest, what does the Rebel Army have to say about this?”

”They said they would investigate it thoroughly, but if we can’t find anything, what can they possibly uncover? Thinking about it another way, the only ones who could handle this so cleanly would be the Lin Family... hmm, no, wait. Are you suggesting...”

The Head of the First Branch trailed off, his eyes widening in sudden realization.

”Do not speak of it!” The Xia Family’s Old Master waved a hand, cutting him off.

However, no one else was a fool. The same thought began to cross everyone’s mind.

’That’s right. If it wasn’t the Lin Family, then the most likely culprit is the Rebel Army. That’s a far greater possibility than some powerful expert appearing out of thin air.’

But still, something felt off.

Even if the Taiping Bandits wanted to demolish the bridge after crossing the river, they would have to actually get across the river first. The Lin Family was still around, so for them to be in such a hurry to prune the strength of their vassal forces... didn’t that defy logic?

’To provoke a fight between the Lin and Xia Families?’

’There was no need to provoke anything. From the moment the Xia Family surrendered the city, it was destined that only one of the Lin and Xia Families would be left standing in Changshan City!’

”For now, let’s just assume it was the Lin Family!”

The Xia Family’s Old Master tapped his cane, making a decision. ”Originally, because of Grand General Xuantong... I wanted to wait a while longer. But now... forget it. Contact the Rebel Army. See if we can move against the Lin Family ahead of schedule.”

”Yes!”

...

The Lin Family Estate.

”...What is the Rebel Army’s attitude toward our Lin Family?” Lin Xiong asked.

”The same as always. They accept our gifts, but their attitude remains ambiguous.”

The one reporting was the Third Young Master Lin, Lin Feng. As he spoke, he stole a glance at his father and lowered his voice. ”The higher-ups in the Rebel Army also refused to meet with you... According to our inside sources, that Grand General Xuantong hasn’t been seen for the past two days. It’s suspected he is not in Changshan City...”

”Oh? If Li Xuantong isn’t in Changshan City, where could he have gone?”

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Xiong’s eyes. He waved his hand. ”Let’s put that aside for now. The person who delivered the wooden plank to the Xia Family and started all this—have you found him?”

As one of the two great families of Changshan County, the Lin Family’s intelligence network was naturally powerful. They had already learned that someone had delivered a wooden plank to the Xia Family on the night the city fell...

”Not yet.”

Lin Feng wore a bitter expression. ”His methods were brilliant. He struck once and vanished without a trace, like a ghost. There’s been no news of him since...”

”You haven’t found him?”

A hint of disappointment was in Lin Xiong’s voice. ”Then so be it. Let’s drop the matter for now.”

He originally had high hopes for this third son of his, but now... it seemed this was the extent of his abilities.

”Yes!”

Lin Feng heard the disappointment in his father’s tone. In the past, he would have done everything in his power to win back his father’s favor, but now, he no longer had the heart for it.

In the current situation, he just wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible within the Lin Family. The weaker his presence, the better...

”There’s one more thing, Father. The Xia Family is adamant that we were behind the deaths of Chong Jihu, the Tiger Gang’s Leader, and Duan Lang, the Wild Wolf Gang’s Leader. They’re demanding an explanation!”

”Such slander, such mudslinging... It seems the Xia Family’s desire to see us destroyed is as strong as ever!”

Lin Xiong snorted coldly. ”When it rains, it pours. The Lin Family was already in a precarious position, and now this happens... Secure our escape routes... Prepare for the worst...”

”Yes!”

...

Setting sun. Beneath a willow. A stone table.

The evening breeze blew gently, rustling the grass and trees.

Fang Rui and Jiang Ping’an sat facing each other, a pot of warm, aged yellow wine on the stone table between them.

”...The Tiger Gang and the Wild Wolf Gang. Two of the most renowned major gangs, entrenched in Changshan City for over a decade, and now they’re gone just like that!”

Jiang Ping’an spoke with a voice full of wistful sighs.

Fang Rui, the very instigator who had driven the Lin and Xia Families to distraction, merely listened with a faint smile, saying nothing. He raised his wine bowl and took a small sip.

A line of poetry suddenly surfaced in his mind: ’Once the deed is done, I flick my sleeves and depart, hiding my accomplishments and my name from the world.’

...