C29 Digging a Tomb

Lee Cha nodded and gestured for his men to begin digging with vigor.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Xiao Qingsong maintained a slight, unwavering smile.

Even Gao Shuai, typically indifferent to everything, inwardly swore and discreetly distanced himself a few steps from Xiao Qingsong.

Soon, the coffin of the Xiao family's Old Master was pried open, releasing a putrid stench that made everyone instinctively cover their noses and step back.

Xiao Qingsong, however, approached deliberately and descended into the coffin to rummage around.

When he emerged, he clutched a paper book bound with fine thread, about an inch thick, resembling a ledger used by merchants.

Struggling to climb out of the coffin, Xiao Qingsong found no one willing or daring to assist him.

Lee Cha had a sudden realization: perhaps Gao Shuai wasn't the most ruthless person in the world; that title might belong to the pale, scar-riddled Young Master before him.

"Old Master Xiao entrusted this ledger to me just before his passing. Fearing discovery by Xiao Mengde's lineage, I concealed it beneath him during the mourning," Xiao Qingsong explained calmly.

He passed the dark red ledger to Lee Cha, "The Xiao family has been in cahoots with Yingchang Prefecture's officials, colluding to sell military supplies to mountain bandits. Every transaction is meticulously recorded."

Lee Cha, accepting the ledger, felt a wave of discomfort. He had ended many lives, but taking something from the deceased in a coffin was a first for him.

The faint stench of decay emanated from the pages.

"The Recruitment Ambassador? The official tasked with integrating thieves and bandits? Seems he might have been 'recruited' by the bandits himself," he mused, flipping through the ledger.

Xiao Qingsong speculated, "Old Master Xiao suspected that the main branch of the Xiao family harbored even darker secrets. Sadly, with Xiao Mengde and his son monopolizing the family's affairs, the Old Master was left in the shadows."

Lee Cha inquired, "Revealing this ledger would spell disaster for the Xiao family. Are you certain you want to give it to me?"

Xiao Qingsong laughed softly, "The Xiao family must be eradicated."

"And what's the story with this Recruitment Ambassador?" Lee Cha pressed.

Xiao Qingsong stated, "They're Zhang Ming's men."

"Zhang Ming?" Lee Cha narrowed his eyes.

...

At Lee Mansion.

"Of late, there's been quite the stir in the martial arts circles about the bounty on your heads and Qingsong's, set by Black Wind Ridge," Gao Shuai entered Lee Cha's room.

Lee Cha inquired, "How has the martial arts world reacted?"

"Several sects are itching to make a move. Yingchang City is now teeming with strangers, but the city guards have stepped up patrols, keeping them from acting rashly."

Lee Cha's frown deepened. "Who exactly?"

"The Five Peaks Sect, Kunlun Sect, and the Beggar Sect."

"The Beggar Sect?" Lee Cha took a deep breath and chuckled, "Excellent. These so-called paragons of virtue are in fact the most deceitful and sly."

He picked up a cloth and carefully polished his dagger.

"What's the status of that particular plan?"

Gao Shuai replied, "All set. The Yingchang Prefect and the Capital West Road Metropolitan Governor are hosting a trade fair at the Immortal Wine Tavern in three days, inviting Yingchang's leading merchants to raise funds for city fortifications and the campaign against bandits."

Lee Cha snorted derisively. "The old geezers have concocted quite the scheme. Ostensibly for Yingchang's growth, but they're really angling for imperial favor with our wealth."

"So, we're declining the invitation?" Gao Shuai asked.

Just then, Xiao Qingsong entered with a smirk. "Why decline? Far from it, we should eagerly contribute."

Lee Cha's eyebrows lifted. "What are you suggesting?"

"We leverage Xiao Mansion's resources, reveal the ledgers at the fair, and corner Zhang Ming and Xiao Mengde. It'll force the hands of the Yingchang Prefect and the Capital West Road Metropolitan Governor against them," Xiao Qingsong explained.

Lee Cha considered this. "Trading in military supplies could lead to confiscation and exile, or worse, implicate the entire clan. This could spell trouble for your family's mansion."

Xiao Qingsong replied coolly, "Since my escape from Xiao Mengde and his son's clutches, the Xiao Mansion ceased to exist in this world for me."

He paused, then added, "Rest assured, with the way I look now, no one will recognize me. My life and fortune... I entrust them to you."

Lee Cha nodded, "Don't worry. As long as I have a bite to eat, you'll never be in want, third brother."

Xiao Qingsong had utterly abandoned any thoughts of restoring the Xiao Mansion, content to work behind the scenes as Lee Cha's unseen hand.

What had dealt such a devastating blow to Xiao Qingsong was a mystery. Lee Cha found it hard to believe it was solely because Xiao Mengde and his son had burned his father alive.

In Xiao Qingsong's room, only the spirit tablet of Old Master Xiao was present, not that of his father, Xiao Mengchang.

Moreover, Xiao Qingsong rejected any medicinal ointments that could heal and beautify his features, opting for only the most basic wound salves.

Over time, this would mean the scars marring his once handsome face might never fully heal.

Lee Cha refrained from probing into Xiao Qingsong's peculiar behavior.

Everyone harbors secrets deep within, and even among brothers-in-arms, some things remain unsaid, much like his own secret as a time traveler.

Xiao Qingsong's competence was beyond doubt. With the intelligence handover from Gao Shuai, Lee Cha no longer felt in the dark.

Gao Shuai was better suited for assassinations, his energies primarily invested in the underworld.

Once the strategy to confront Zhang Ming and the Xiao family of the North was in place, Xiao Qingsong began to relay additional intelligence.

"The Beggar Sect's Vice Leader, Ma Da Yuan, and several elders attempted to assassinate the Marshal of Western Xia and were nearly captured. Qiao Feng arrived just in time to save them."

...

"Shaolin's Master Xuankuang was murdered in Dali."

"Ma Da Yuan attempted to assassinate the Western Xia Marshal? Master Xuankuang was murdered?" Lee Cha's face tensed, aware that the central storyline of 'Heavenly Dragon Eight Styles' began with these two significant incidents.

This meant that Duan Yu was about to stumble into extraordinary fortune.

The thought instilled Lee Cha with a sense of urgency. The system had granted him a six-month deadline, but clearly, he couldn't afford to wait until the last moment to act.

The North Nether Divine Arts is undoubtedly a Xiantian Cultivation Technique. Where would he find another if Duan Yu were to take it?

"What's the latest on The Infinite Sword School?" Lee Cha inquired urgently.

"I've been overseeing matters related to The Infinite Sword School," Gao Shuai interjected. "We've pinpointed its exact location on Mount Wuliang, three hundred miles northeast of Dali. The school is split into the East Sect for men and the West Sect for women, with a membership numbering in the hundreds. It's considered a third-tier faction in the martial arts community."

"Have you come across any leads about the Immortal Sword Dance?" Lee Cha pressed.

Gao Shuai affirmed, "The heart of The Infinite Sword School is the Sword Lake Palace. It's said that at sunrise, one can witness the Immortal Sword Dance there."

Excellent! I must secure the North Nether Divine Arts quickly. I wonder if it could aid my advancement to the Houtian realm... A glint of determination flashed in Lee Cha's eyes. "Has anyone managed to enter the Sword Lake Palace or locate the Immortal Sword Dance?"

Gao Shuai shook his head. "The Infinite Sword School may only have modest strength, but our people, being cultivators, have suffered injuries at the hands of their disciples and have since withdrawn."

Lee Cha's brow furrowed. Time was indeed too short. Given three to five years, The Infinite Sword School would be inconsequential, easily crushed by sheer wealth.

Before departing, he resolved to settle matters in Yingchang Prefecture, eliminating the Xiao family, Black Wind Ridge, and Zhang Ming from the Northern Kingdom.

It would be quite the predicament to return and find his stronghold compromised.

He was uncertain whether he'd be teleported back or assigned a subsequent mission. Teleportation would be ideal, but if another mission awaited, the riches of Lee Mansion would prove a powerful asset.

With this in mind, Lee Cha queried further, "And what of Black Wind Ridge?"

Xiao Qingsong reported, "Our informant has just uncovered a trail leading directly to the bandit stronghold at Black Wind Ridge."

Lee Cha's expression shifted. "Are you certain?"

Xiao Qingsong responded, "Absolutely certain. Our people have scoured the area multiple times. The terrain is treacherous, with overgrown brush and brambles everywhere. Without a local hunter to guide us, that place would remain undiscovered."

A glint of icy resolve flickered in Lee Cha's eyes as he declared, "Black Wind Ridge, Chi Zhangdan, you've ambushed me twice. Once with Gao Xiong, Mrs. Gao, and three wild wolves, and another time with the Lee Mansion's servants and maids. They say a gentleman can wait ten years to avenge a wrong, but I can't wait another day..."