Green Mountain-Chapter 600 - 457: Bai Long

By the time they left Chongli Pass, it was already evening.

The distant sunset fell beyond the mountains, with deep blue hues rising on the land and distant mountains outside the outline of the sunset.

Campfires were lit in front of tents in the military market, and even before the sky completely darkened, there were soldiers taking leave, already drunk.

Chen Ji and Zhang Xia walked side by side ahead, while Xiao Man and the little monk followed behind, murmuring.

Staring at the hands Chen Ji and Zhang Xia were holding, Xiao Man murmured to the little monk, "Tell me secretly what the young master was thinking just now."

The little monk hastily replied, "I cannot say."

Xiao Man insisted, "Then tell me what Sister Axia was thinking just now."

Still refusing, the little monk said, "I can’t say this either."

Xiao Man rolled her eyes, "Then I’ll guess myself, you don’t have to talk, just tell me whether my guess is right or not, that’s okay, right?"

With patience, the little monk clasped his hands and said, "Benefactor Xiao Man, being able to see through other’s thoughts is not necessarily a good thing. What one thinks and what one does may not be the same, don’t always probe others’ thoughts."

The military market was bustling with people and campfires, the sounds of hawking rising and falling, while Xiao Man kicked stones on the road unhappily, "Acting like a saint, aren’t you curious about others’ thoughts?"

The little monk shook his head, "No, I’m not curious."

Xiao Man snorted with a cold laugh, covered her eyes, and asked, "Before, the young master wanted to follow Mr. Wang to Korea, this journey was dangerous, not sure he would come back, so he wrote three letters, one of which was to Sister Axia. But later he couldn’t go, and when he came back, he burned them. I saw what was written in the letter, do you want to know?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The little monk casually replied, "Amitabha Buddha, I have seen it in your eyes."

Xiao Man glared at him, "You see others’ secrets but don’t share with me, usually urging you to recite the Ksitigarbha Sutra, you always slack off, what use is there for you!"

The little monk argued, "My master said the practice of Buddhism begins with the heart; until the heart’s tribulation is passed, reciting ten thousand times is just like any other. Only overcoming the heart’s tribulation can purify one’s true heart and achieve a no ego state with the realization of no self. Striving in practice may cause a sense of gain and loss, which is inferior."

Xiao Man pinched his waist fiercely, "Did your master calculate you would face this ego tribulation?"

The little monk grimaced, "Who could calculate that!"

At this time, Chen Ji saw Xiao Man bully the little monk and looked back, "Earlier, I entrusted you with Zhang Li, staying well at the City God Temple, why did you take it upon yourselves to come to Chongli Pass and join the fun?"

As soon as he spoke, Chen Ji noticed Zhang Xia’s palm tensed slightly.

He subtly observed, but Zhang Xia’s face showed no change. If they weren’t holding hands, he wouldn’t have noticed Zhang Xia ever being nervous for an instant.

Yet, Xiao Man unhappily said, "Why blame me, young master? I didn’t act on my own, it was Sister Axia who brought us to Chongli Pass."

Chen Ji’s heart stirred.

Earlier, Zhang Xia said Xiao Man wanted to come, but now Xiao Man’s explanation completely didn’t match.

Chen Ji turned to look at Zhang Xia, who calmly withdrew her hand, "What’s the matter?"

Chen Ji smiled, "Nothing... by the way, how did you get here with Third Master Hu’s caravan?"

Zhang Xia nonchalantly said, "It was arranged by Xiao Man. At that time, my mother sent Zhang Mansion’s servants looking for me, even mobilized the Five Cities Military Department, I said I must find a way to slip out of the Imperial Capital, so Xiao Man found the lamp."

Xiao Man nodded, "That’s right, I found the lamp, and unexpectedly met Third Master Hu. I didn’t have enough Lamp Copper Coins, but Third Master Hu recognized me, said he felt a kinship with you, so he didn’t charge for the Lamp Copper Coins and brought us over."

Chen Ji was half-believing, half-skeptical.

Following Xiao Man’s explanation made sense; Zhang Xia merely covered up the truth of who really suggested coming to Chongli Pass, which was within reason.

But he still vaguely felt something wasn’t right... numerous strange things have been happening with Zhang Xia lately.

Zhang Xia casually observed him, "Why do you suddenly ask this?"

Chen Ji smiled, "Just curious. Come on, I saw Mr. Hong enter a tent, let’s go have a look."

Outside the tent Mr. Hong entered, a massive campfire burned, roasting two sheep, skins already crisp and yellow, the aroma traveling far.

When Chen Ji arrived at the tent, Ah Sheng came out with several trays and handed them over, "This tent is the best tavern in the military market, and the roasted whole sheep is the specialty of Chongli Pass, no need to be polite, Mr. Hong has already paid the Silver."

Then she knelt by the campfire, waved to have a helper cut a sheep leg, and then sliced the meat piece by piece to distribute onto the trays.

Xiao Man’s eyes sparkled, "Can I eat as much as I want?"

Ah Sheng beamed, "Of course, there are no limits, Sister Xiao Man can eat as much as she likes."

Yet, at this moment, Chen Ji noticed two familiar figures among the crowd in the military market.

Two people dressed in black clothes and boots, surrounding another campfire, the man’s face was gloomy while the woman was holding a wine jar, drinking joyfully with a soldier.

Yun Yang.

Jiao Tu.

Previously, Emperor Ning’s secret decree mentioned there would be Twelve Signs coming to assist, and now they finally arrived. However, after coming, they did not seek him, but instead hid among the crowd, with unknown intentions.

Moreover, with only these two to assist, it seems insufficient.

Executive Officer may have the realm, but not necessarily the brains.

While pondering, Zhang Xia got up, "I’m going to Vermilion Bird Tent to change into something more subdued, this Archer’s outfit is too conspicuous."

Chen Ji gave a nod, "Alright."

He watched Zhang Xia leave, but when he turned his head, he suddenly discovered that Yun Yang and Jiao Tu by the distant bonfire had disappeared without a trace.

Chen Ji’s heart tightened.

Wait.

People are always like this, not thinking much when there’s no suspicion in their hearts, but once suspicion arises, they begin to connect the lines one by one.

And Zhang Xia and a certain someone he had always suspected seemed to have never appeared together.

Bai Long.

Chen Ji closed his eyes to recall; Mr. Feng once said, henceforth this Ritual Supervision, if you can only trust one person, it must be him.

With those words, it seemed inevitable that Bai Long was intricately connected to him.

Who could it be? Chen Ji had suspected everyone around him and even considered some he had never met.

He originally thought that Bai Long must be a man due to his stature, but later learned that masks could conceal both figure and voice, so Bai Long might not necessarily be a man.

Since Zhang Xia returned to the Imperial Capital, she frequently disappeared; she wasn’t seen at the Qi Family Literary Gathering, allegedly viewing the Four Dreams of Bianliang with a close friend; she wasn’t seen at the Silkworm God sacrifices, purportedly learning domestic skills at home?

Afterward, the ancient books recording the Five Mad Soldiers, the ’original’ should be in the Jiefan Building, while a copy transcribed by Corpse Dog might be in the Cao Guild, with another half in the hands of Lamp.

From where did Zhang Xia learn about the Five Mad Soldiers?

Lastly, Zhang Xia falsely claimed that Zhang Zhuo discovered Wu Yun entered the palace, sending her to deliver the Little Black Cat, yet Zhang Zhuo denied it vehemently.

On that day, when the Korea Envoy entered the palace, only the officials in the Forbidden City could see Wu Yun, how then did Zhang Xia learn about Wu Yun being in the palace?

Not just the officials, but also the Spy Department and the Jiefan Guard.

Furthermore, the new Bai Long was well-versed in Daning Law, seemingly possessing an extraordinary memory.

Chen Ji thought deeply and whispered to Xiao Man, "You and the little monk fill your bellies first; I’ll be right back."

Xiao Man ordered a lamb leg, eating with greasy lips: "Master, go ahead."

Chen Ji rose and went toward the Vermilion Bird Tent, his gaze piercing through the crowd, fixed on Zhang Xia’s back.

As Zhang Xia entered the Vermilion Bird Tent, Chen Ji didn’t approach hastily. He saw Zhang Xia take clothes from the Vermilion Bird Tent and then enter a small tent.

Chen Ji stopped where he was, looking elsewhere to search for Jiao Tu’s presence, wanting to see if Jiao Tu would also enter that tent.

However, Jiao Tu’s voice rang behind him: "Mr. Chen, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

Chen Ji turned swiftly, seeing Yun Yang and Jiao Tu standing not far behind him, walking soundlessly, no wonder they were the Twelve Signs most skilled in assassination.

He checked around to ensure no one was noticing them: "Whom are you here by orders of? What’s your purpose?"

Jiao Tu, face slightly flushed, teased while hugging his arm, "Naturally by orders of Lord Bai Long, to support Mr. Chen here."

Chen Ji stepped back, positioning himself behind a tent to avoid being seen by others while talking to Jiao Tu, and then said calmly, "Where is Lord Bai Long?"

Yun Yang replied expressionlessly, "Lord Bai Long is still behind, we are here as the vanguard for him."

Chen Ji was thoughtful, wondering if Bai Long, with his style, might have already arrived at Chongli Pass yet gone unrecognized.

Jiao Tu laughed and asked, "Thanks to your blessing last time, we achieved something in Changping, making Lord Bai Long happy and promoting us to Hai Dongqing. Just a step from returning to the Twelve Signs, if this succeeds, back in the capital we would invite Mr. Chen for drinks."

Chen Ji looked at Yun Yang: "Helping you two is the least I could do after all your help to me."

Jiao Tu said seriously, "By the way, we bring news, on the night of the Qionglin Banquet, the Prime Minister issued a decree to Wunian Mountain, as if transferring twenty-four new recruits to the capital. They might have already reached the Imperial Capital by now. These new recruits, freshly out of Wunian Mountain, yet to see the real world, their bloodlust is at its peak, intimidating indeed!"

Yun Yang nonchalantly added, "While at Wunian Mountain, we constantly thought of becoming the zodiac signs, never returning to that hellish place. These recruits likely have the same thoughts."

Chen Ji fell silent in thought.

Jiao Tu giggled, "Is Mr. Chen considering how to use them to eliminate Yun Yang and me?"

Chen Ji smiled, "Why would I? We are colleagues, and should unite our efforts."

Jiao Tu noted with intrigue, "But the most dangerous right now isn’t us, but you, sir! You’ve achieved several major successes recently. Although the Prime Minister hasn’t said so directly, it’s the first time we’ve seen him deploy Twelve Signs to cooperate with Hai Dongqing, you’re the most hopeful to become a sign. Now tell me, whom would the wolves freshly from Wunian Mountain target first?"

Chen Ji remained calm: "So, are you here to kindly warn me? Since arriving in the Imperial Capital, I’ve yet to meet the Prime Minister."

Jiao Tu laughed aloud: "There’s no hurry, the Prime Minister biding his time now, not meeting you as a form of protection. Once you do meet him, it might just be when you become a sign."

Chen Ji contemplated, "Why are you telling me all this?"

Jiao Tu responded earnestly, "Mr. Chen, we must return to the zodiac this mission; otherwise, we might become abandoned pawns, begging for your assistance. After the times we’ve spent together, we’ve had disagreements, yet supported each other, Yun Yang and I are already convinced; even if we regain our zodiac positions, we’re willing to serve you. How does having two zodiac subordinates sound, Mr. Chen, surely it’s promising."

Chen Ji pondered for a long time: "There indeed is something I need you two for..."

Meanwhile, he caught sight of Zhang Xia changing into a gray outfit emerging from the tent, hurriedly whispering some instructions to Jiao Tu, hinting them to leave.

As he watched Jiao Tu and Yun Yang go, Zhang Xia’s voice sounded in his ear, "What are you doing here?"

Chen Ji turned back with a smile: "The military market is bustling with all sorts, I’m here to guard the entrance for you."

Zhang Xia smiled back, "Thank you."