Chapter 983: Breaking Camp and Setting Out

Editor: Henyee Translations

The two looked up at the sound of Chu Tang’s voice, visibly shocked, though the younger brother reacted quickly, rushing over to kneel before Chu Tang, “We are willing, please take us in.”

Chu Tang looked at the dirt-covered siblings, “First, go buy some clothes and take a bath at the bathhouse.”

The young boy quickly responded, “Yes, we will follow all your arrangements.”

Chu Tang led them back to the clothing store they had passed earlier, “Pick two sets of clothes each to change into, and then head to the bathhouse for a wash.”

“Yes.” Having nowhere else to turn, the siblings didn’t question his orders, fearing that Chu Tang might abandon them if they did.

By evening, after they were cleaned and changed, Chu Tang took them out for a meal. He ordered plenty of dishes and said, “Eat up. After this, go get the medicine for your father, and then come to the Yunhai Inn to find me. My name is Chu Tang.”

The young girl was incredulous that Chu Tang didn’t bind them with a servitude contract and even allowed her to buy medicine to take home, “Do you trust me that much, sir?”

Chu Tang casually replied, “If you leave, isn’t your brother still here?”

The girl fell silent, knowing she would never abandon her brother.

“We meet again!” Just then, Shang Zixing’s voice came from behind Chu Tang, carrying a hint of teasing and surprise.

Chu Tang rubbed her forehead; this man seemed to be everywhere. “What exactly do you want?”

Shang Zixing took a seat at the table, smiling, “Whatever you want me to do, as long as it’s within my power.”

“How did you find me here?” Chu Tang wondered internally; her whereabouts shouldn’t be known.

“It’s quite coincidental, I just happened to see you.” Shang Zixing placed his sword on the table, still smiling.

Annoyed, Chu Tang warned, “I’m going to count to three, and you’d better disappear from my sight, or you’ll regret it.”

“Why can’t we spend time together since we’re both alone… Ah—” Before Shang Zixing could finish his sentence, Chu Tang sent him flying out of the door with a palm strike, startling everyone around.

The siblings were shocked by her display of power and sat back down, realizing they were completely outmatched.

Chu Tang gestured for them to keep eating, “Hurry up and eat, and then leave this place. There’s an annoying person here.”

“Yes, yes,” they hurriedly resumed their meal.

Shang Zixing, still not deterred, staggered back into the inn, saw that Chu Tang had left, and sat down where she had been. He pulled out a silver ingot, “Tell me where Chu Tang is staying, and this money is yours.”

The siblings looked down; they would not betray the person who had pulled them from the mire.

Seeing they were unmoved, Shang Zixing drew his sword, “If you don’t tell me, both of you might not survive. Will you speak or not?”

The siblings exchanged a glance and defiantly raised their heads, “Go ahead and kill us then.”

Surprised by their loyalty, Shang Zixing’s eyes flashed with interest, “Quite intriguing.”

Meanwhile, in the military camp, Wen Shaoyuan reported to General Tang Jinghong, “General, I have finished investigating the matter with General Chen’s military provisions.”

Tang Jinghong looked up, “What happened?”

Wen Shaoyuan bowed slightly, “Over the past year, General Chen’s provisions were split into two parts; one sent to the camp and the other to an unknown location. The documents were tampered with, and any memorials he submitted were either altered or destroyed. The capital, far removed from here, has been unaware of these anomalies.”

Tang Jinghong’s eyes narrowed, “Have we found out who is responsible?”

Wen Shaoyuan replied, “We are still pursuing leads. So far, there are no clues.”

Tang Jinghong ordered sternly, “Continue the investigation, and ensure this matter is resolved.”

Wen Shaoyuan affirmed, “Yes, General.”

After Wen Shaoyuan left, Tang Jinghong informed Chu Qingzhi, who had been awaiting news.

Chu Qingzhi, upon hearing this, promised to finish her current tasks and then meet with him.

Tang Jinghong stored away his phoenix feather and called Meng Shengdong into his tent, “Is everything ready in the city?”

Meng Shengdong nodded, “All set.”

With all clandestine opium dens shut down and the divine paste destroyed, Tang Jinghong commanded, “Pack up immediately; we’re moving to Liang City.”

Meng Shengdong responded affirmatively, “Yes, General.”

As they prepared to leave, Tang Jinghong considered the strategic situation. Rather than heading straight to Shu City, where the situation was the most severe and the power struggles the most intense, he chose to first stabilize the peripheral areas. Liang City and the vassal state of Chen’an were next on his list.

…

Dong Denyu was visibly excited when he learned of the move. “Are we finally heading to Liang City?” he asked his chief guard.

The guard nodded, “The camp is already being dismantled. Should we start packing as well?”

“Hurry up, pack everything!” Dong Denyu was clearly eager, having waited long to return home, hindered by the rampant epidemic.

The guard bowed and complied, “As you wish, Your Highness.”

Dong Denyu left his tent to find Tang Jinghong, his demeanor much improved. “General Tang, when do we depart?”

“Once everything is packed. Is there something else?” Tang Jinghong’s tone was indifferent.

“General, will you deal with Chen’an immediately upon arriving in Liang City?” Dong Denyu was almost giddy with anticipation; he had waited too long for this day.

“It depends on the situation,” Tang Jinghong replied, not committing to any specifics even though the prince seemed eager for action.

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