A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 80: Undercurrent (I)

A boat was floating down the rapid waters on the Tongtian River. Suddenly, the boat rocked from a huge wave, making it seem like it would capsize at any time.

Even in the winter, the water in this river was not frozen. It should have been the dry season, so the water should be calmer than in the summer. Thus, it was unusual to encounter such strong waves.

On the other hand, an intricately woven model grass boat with sails and masts was floating in a basin of clear water. A pale finger slowly reached into the water, stirring it to create a vortex in the basin. As a result, the model boat slid uncontrollably into the whirlpool.

At the same time, a huge whirlpool appeared on the Tongtian River out of nowhere. The water also became increasingly rough.

A tall figure emerged from the cabin and stood on the boat’s deck, staring at the huge whirlpool with a calm expression.

Although this person was in casual attire, a small pendant hanging on his waist with the engraved and gilded words—Southern Military Commission—gave off his identity.

Emperor Gaozu of the Great Xuan Dynasty abolished the Five Armies Commander Office, only retaining the Green Phoenix Guard of the previous Wei dynasty. Therefore, the Green Phoenix Guard still implemented the military household system established by Emperor Taizu of the Wei Dynasty and kept the Military Commission that was responsible for internal audits.

Later, Emperor Taizong divided the Green Phoenix Guard’s Military Commission into two. The Southern Military Commission was responsible for punishments within the Green Phoenix Guard, while the Northern Military Commission was responsible for the cases designated by the Emperor. Their arrest, interrogation, and execution did not need to go through ordinary judicial institutions.

Since the previous dynasty, the major cases that emperors personally handled were often handed over to the Northern Military Commission without going through the Ministry of Justice.

Due to this, both politicians and the public feared the Northern Military Commission. The Green Phoenix Guard that the public referred to was actually the Northern Military Commission. In most cases, the Chief Military Commissioner reported directly to the Emperor. Even the Lord Commander of the Green Phoenix Guard was not allowed to interfere.

In comparison with the reputation of the Northern Military Commission, the Southern Military Commission was inevitably a little lackluster.

However, for the Green Phoenix Guards, the Northern Military Commission only dealt with the public and had no control over internal affairs, so the guards did not fear them. On the other hand, the Southern Military Commission was in charge of internal affairs. Many of the Green Phoenix Guard's “house rules” came from the Southern Military Commission, which was the real horror.

When Xu Kou wanted to leave the Green Phoenix Guards, he was hunted down by the guards from the Southern Military Commission. Xu Kou only managed to escape death due to Sage Qingwei’s interference and the close relationship between the Daoist Order and the Imperial Court.

The person on the deck was from the Southern Military Commission, which was even more mysterious than the Northern Military Commission.

The boatman was a member of the Green Phoenix Guard who had changed into civilian clothes. When he saw his leader coming out of the cabin, he immediately approached and said, “Sir, the wind and waves are too strong. It’s suspicious—”

Before he finished speaking, a wave of water splashed onto the boat, almost getting the cotton robe of the Green Phoenix Guard leader wet.

The leader looked at the approaching whirlpool with a calm expression. “There is indeed something fishy about Yishan City. I wanted to visit in disguise, but I didn’t expect someone to spy on my whereabouts before I could get to the gates of Yishan City. They even try to deter me with such tricks. I’m truly flattered.”

The subordinate asked, “Sir, should we dock the boat?”

The leader of the Green Phoenix Guard shook his head. “Don’t stop. Keep moving forward. I want to see if these people will dare bury me, an envoy of the Imperial Court, in this river today.”

The subordinate, dressed as a boatman, had no choice but to oblige and continue sailing forward.

The pale finger stopped stirring the water in the basin. Instead, it gently rocked the model boat until it almost capsized. When the boat was about to tip over, it was righted again. After a while, the pale person grew a little impatient and suddenly crushed the grass boat.

On the surging Tongtian River, shocking dents and cracks appeared on the hull of the boat. Then, the boat broke into two pieces and sank to the bottom of the river.

After all was done, the pale person flung away some water droplets and rolled up their sleeves. The basin of water had disappeared without a trace.

......

Qingbai Temple.

The abbot, Bai Yongguan, went out to visit some friends. The two disciples, Bai Yue and Lu Yu, were waiting for their master’s wife to have lunch together.

After a while, the abbot’s wife came belatedly, bringing with her a waft of fragrance. Lu Yu, seated on the side, had a strange expression on his face. He subconsciously turned to look at his master’s wife, Li Zhen’er, who was also staring back at him at this time. When their eyes met, Li Zhen’er winked at him with a seductive gaze. However, this moment was fleeting and illusory.

They broke eye contact before Bai Yue looked over, so all the latter saw was her master’s wife sitting properly at the table. Her junior brother, Lu Yu, was also sitting upright and keeping his eyes to himself. Bai Yue could not see anything wrong between them.

The atmosphere in the room was awkward. Since their master, Bai Yongguan, was absent, no one spoke.

Li Zhener did not have much appetite. She only ate less than half of a bowl of rice before leaving the table. Only the disciples remained seated at the table.

Lu Yu asked casually, “Senior sister, I have to go into the city today to run some errands. Do you need me to get anything from there?”

Bai Yue put down the bowl in her hand and thought about it seriously. “Buy me a box of rouge.”

“There are only three of us in this Qingbai Temple. Who are you dressing up for?” Lu Yu joked.

Bai Yue rolled her eyes at him, said nothing, and continued eating.

After lunch, Lu Yu changed into casual attire, left Qingbai Temple, and headed to Yishan City.

Yishan City was not prosperous, but it was well-equipped with everything, including inns and restaurants.

Most inns in Yishan City were not the two-story buildings that many people were accustomed to. Instead, the inns in Yishan City occupied a large area and were divided into small, independent courtyards.

Since Yishan City was located on Buddha’s Path, there were a lot of travelers, so the inn had good business.

After Lu Yu entered the city, he went straight to the inn and asked for a secluded courtyard with two guest rooms and a small main hall. He also bought some wine and food and asked the waiter to deliver them to the main hall.

Then he dismissed the waiter and ordered, “Don’t come over unless I call for you. You can come back tomorrow to collect the dishes and clean up.”

After the waiter left, Lu Yu bolted the courtyard door. However, he did not touch the food, seemingly waiting for someone.

About an hour later, someone in a veiled hat floated over the courtyard's wall and entered the courtyard. The veiled hat had a wide brim and was made of white gauze or silk that draped along the edges, used to cover the face. The longest veil could reach one's feet. In later generations, the veil around the hat was shortened to reveal half of the chin. This allowed for shallow exposure, which was popular for women when leaving the house.

The veiled hat that the woman wore was old-fashioned and hung down to her waist. It was different from the shallow-exposure style that was the current popular trend.

Through the white gauze hanging from the veiled hat, the woman’s graceful figure could be seen.

After Lu Yu saw her, he took the initiative to greet her in a low voice, “Master-mother, you didn’t eat just now. So I’ve prepared some more food and wine for you.”

The woman took off her veiled hat. She was the abbot’s wife, Li Zhen’er.

However, at this time, she no longer looked proper and dignified. She was sultry and charming.

Lu Yu stretched out his hand to hold his master’s wife.

Li Zhen’er was in her thirties and certainly did not need help to walk. But she just glanced at Lu Yu coquettishly and leaned her body on him.

Lu Yu helped his master’s wife into the main hall, and the two sat side by side. Li Zhen’er’s voluptuous figure was on full display under her gauze dress. Although Lu Yu sat still, he had already seen things he should not have. At this time, a faint fragrance filled his nostrils, making him a little dizzy.

To be fair, Li Zhen’er was a rare beauty. Even though she was over thirty, she looked to be in her twenties, with soft skin, bright eyes, and white teeth. Her body was supple, and she swayed her hips when she walked. She had the charm of a mature woman, so anyone who saw her always praised her as a beauty.

Li Zhen’er filled two glasses of wine and handed one to Lu Yu. She picked up the other glass and linked arms with him to drink.

After drinking a glass of wine, Li Zhen’er pretended to be drunk and leaned into Lu Yu’s embrace.

Lu Yu took the hint and could not wait to pick her up. He quickly carried her into the room at the back.

Her body was so soft, as if she did not have any bones. She wrapped her fair and slender arms around his neck, raised her pretty face, and squinted her enchanting eyes.

Lu Yu’s heart skipped a beat, and he could not help but lower his head to kiss her.

At the same time, an elderly Daoist priest happened to pass by the inn. The priest stopped for a moment in front of the courtyard's door before leaving expressionlessly.

About two hours later, Li Zhen’er put on her veiled hat again and left the inn first.

Lu Yu stayed for another hour before leaving. As soon as he left, he saw a young man and woman walking toward him, both wearing matching cloaks with hoods.

He was startled because he recognized this cloak from a unique clothing shop in Jade Capital, even though he had left Jade Capital for nearly ten years.

Lu Yu thought, What are these two Daoist priests from Jade Capital doing here?

Thinking of this, Lu Yu could not help but take another look. The woman had nothing noteworthy, but the man’s waist was slightly bulging, probably carrying weapons. He also had a bundle in hand.

At this moment, the man seemed to realize Lu Yu’s gaze and turned toward him.

Lu Yu quickly looked away and coughed slightly. Then he lowered his head and left the inn, heading toward the rouge shop. He still remembered that his senior sister, Bai Yue, had asked him to buy her a box of rouge.

Qi Xuansu looked at Lu Yu’s scurrying figure and asked, “Qing Xiao, that man looks like a Daoist disciple, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, he probably is.” Zhang Yuelu nodded.