My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 655 - 433: Why Live (Two in One)_2

Duomian Ghost held one hand in front of him while the other was tucked behind his back, and he asked loudly:

"Min Qianhu, are you leaving the city too?"

Chen Yi's eyes slightly lifted, a teasing smirk curling at the corner of his lips. Duomian Ghost instantly felt his hairs stand on end—the man's gaze was cold and piercing, like a menacing dragon, stirring up tempests purely for selfish desires, seeking to corrupt and transform.

Duomian Ghost slightly turned his sleeve, as if ready to draw something hidden within, yet his voice remained calm as he said, "Min Qianhu?"

Chen Yi finally spoke, his tone slow and measured: "No need to keep acting, Duomian Ghost."

The color on Duomian Ghost's face shifted dramatically. Behind him, rustling sounds erupted as agents revealed wary expressions, several of them already flipping into wagons and cutting the ropes that bound their blade-wielding comrades.

The mountain pathway of Jinmen sank swiftly into an autumn hue of murderous tension.

Duomian Ghost's expression turned unpredictable, as though he was on the verge of raising his hand. Something seemed concealed within his sleeve, yet under Chen Yi's gaze, he forced a genial smile and spoke:

"Qianhu, what are you talking about? No one here is surnamed Duomian..."

"You killed Jiangxin Zhenren."

The words, spoken with deliberate weight, instantly silenced Duomian Ghost's rebuttal. His complexion drastically changed, his drooping eyelids shot up violently, and as his sleeve flicked, a short blade darted straight for Chen Yi's throat.

Chen Yi tilted his head slightly.

The blade veered off course, falling into the abyss below. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Having missed his strike, Duomian Ghost's gaze turned sinister. As the clash of weapons echoed, the agents around him raised their arms, while five or six stunned performers stood paralyzed, unable to comprehend the situation.

Duomian Ghost gazed into the distance, pursing his lips to let out a sharp whistle, then turned to Chen Yi, dragging his words as he asked:

"Min Qianhu… how did you figure it out?"

"Almost everyone was fooled by you—including Zhao Yan of Lifeng Pavilion. Wei the Governor searched his soul and believed you were hiding elsewhere, but that was merely a diversion. You swapped identities long ago. Huang Jing, even in death, never realized that the Western Jin people he desperately sought were right inside his Yuanfeng Building."

Chen Yi spoke gradually, then smiled as he added:

"You are... indeed cunning."

Duomian Ghost bowed slightly and also smiled, replying:

"You flatter me,

but… where did you spot the flaw?"

Chen Yi peeled back the truth layer by layer:

"I killed two of your agents at Yuanfeng Building, and their bodies were swiftly disposed of in no time. Huang Jing of Yuanfeng Building may not have been a fool, yet every one of his moves was under your control. Lastly… Jiangxin Zhenren instinctively used Taoist Skill to put out the fire but conveniently perished inside Yuanfeng Building.

You were very cunning… but you overplayed your hand and left many clues behind."

Saying this, his gaze turned back, restrained with latent aggression,

"And lastly, you tried to set me up."

Duomian Ghost's face shifted once again, his eyes flashing with a mix of regret and an incomprehensible assessment of the situation, seemingly revisiting every move.

Chen Yi opened his hands slightly and said:

"Xiao Tao, along with other innocent performers, were deliberately purchased while on your escape route. You provoked them to anger Huang Jing, gambling that I would intervene and kill Huang Jing. Then, after Xique Pavilion cleared Chongyang Temple, you would eliminate the final obstacle and escape Shantong City."

The group of Western Jin agents, having listened to the explanation, showed varying expressions—terror-stricken and wary. Duomian Ghost's face transformed multiple times before he let out a long sigh:

"Haste makes waste. It seems we should proceed more cautiously next time."

Chen Yi smirked and replied:

"Next time?"

Duomian Ghost pointed toward a distant mountain path, where a tiny black figure moved swiftly, and said:

"I've delayed you long enough. He's coming."

Duomian Ghost's "he" naturally referred to Lonely Smoke Sword.

"No matter. He's far enough away."

Chen Yi grinned, his icy gaze fiercely murderous. Killing intent thickened around him as his blade left its scabbard, gleaming in sharp, chilling light.

Delayed enough time?

"Before he arrives, killing you all will suffice."

......

Chen Qingyang's words validated all of Cao Wendo's suspicions. The latter understood clearly now, realizing that his reinstatement was inevitable—both the Prime Minister and Chen Qingyang sought to restore his position as Deputy Minister of Personnel.

The position in the Ministry of Personnel held authority over appointments and evaluations, playing a pivotal role in the promotion and assessment of court officials. For this reason, officers of the Ministry of Personnel were known as Heavenly Officials, and reinstating him as Deputy Minister was undoubtedly a step toward major political maneuvers.

After explaining necessary matters, Cao Wendo was escorted out of the manor by servants, leaving only the reigning Prime Minister and Left Minister in the guest hall.

Two men united by common purpose.

Chen Qingyang spoke slowly: "The border has remained peaceful for years; launching any military campaign hastily is inadvisable. Although the earlier rhetoric sounded bold and impassioned, in practice, our actions must be measured and gradual."

"The Left Minister speaks wisely. In the past, I considered members of the Chen family to be nothing but reckless warmongers, yet I did not expect you to be so prudent and cautious."

The Prime Minister paused before recalling a minor affair, then remarked:

"Two years ago, I privately sought Master Zhang of the Surveillance Academy—this was for the grand venture of expanding our territories."

Chen Qingyang was mildly shocked and asked:

"That Duomian Ghost? So there was such a matter?"

"Indeed. What I requested was his cooperation in facilitating agents at the borders and relaying intelligence from Dongyu's frontier, intending to sway the Wanyan Family."

After the Prime Minister finished speaking, Chen Qingyang pondered briefly and responded repeatedly:

"No, no!"

"No?"

"The timing isn't right. Back then, we hadn't fully aligned, so Prime Minister, you lacked crucial knowledge. Today, the Chen family's ambition to relive the heroic legacy of our ancestors—their desire to mount horses and set forth—is already at an uncontrollable peak! Your Wanyan family is certainly aware of this."

The Prime Minister frowned slightly, instinctively countering:

"Aware and yet? With me here, the Wanyan family would never openly oppose us."