Chapter 238: Ghost Doctor's Disciple

When Niu Youdao had said "we," it was not to curry favor with the three sects. The matter affected his own interests as well.

Setting aside the fact that the three sects were now an important source of support for him, he had to provide Wuliang Mountain with at least five hundred thousand gold coins every year. Not once, but every year. This year's payment had already been made, but the money remaining in his hands was not enough for the next. He needed a stable source of income too.

There was nothing he could do about giving Tianyu Sect the lion's share of the liquor profits. He did not have the strength to operate such a business himself. Without the protection of a powerful force, others would immediately devour him until not even the bones remained.

After causing so much trouble and still being able to live here safely, Tianyu Sect was, in a sense, his umbrella of protection. Its share of the liquor profits was essentially protection money...

Inside the dungeon, Shao Sansheng waved for the guards to hurry.

The cell door opened. Shao Sansheng entered and cupped his hands with a smile. "Eldest Young Master, it's over. The Inspector has already given the order. You may come out."

Still seated at the desk handling official documents, Shao Pingbo froze. "I expected to be locked up for several months. Why am I being released so quickly? Has something happened?"

Shao Sansheng said, "Dachan Mountain is no longer insisting on keeping you confined. Naturally, that means you can leave."

"That's not right. Something must have happened. Otherwise Dachan Mountain wouldn't let me out this soon."

Shao Sansheng hesitated. After waving for the guards outside to withdraw, he said, "Neither the Ice and Snow Pavilion nor Niu Youdao's side has made any move. Your judgment was clearly correct, Eldest Young Master. Dachan Mountain has no reason to keep you imprisoned."

Shao Pingbo set down his brush and rose. "Dachan Mountain would still want to observe the situation for a while before feeling secure. Tell me. What exactly happened outside?"

Shao Sansheng looked uncertain whether he should say.

Shao Pingbo studied his reaction for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "It seems it isn't good news, and it's directed at me. Have rumors appeared outside saying I murdered Madam Ruan?"

Shao Sansheng looked up in astonishment. "How did you know, Eldest Young Master?"

Shao Pingbo narrowed his eyes. "Isn't it obvious? Niu Youdao knows about the matter. How could he pass up the chance to smear me with it? Once the rumors spread, the commanders beneath us would naturally want to determine whether they were true. If I stayed locked in here and never appeared, it would effectively confirm the rumors. And once they were confirmed, what would follow? The commanders would inevitably have to consider one question: if something happened to me, Father would have no heir. Who would inherit the office of Inspector of Beizhou in the future?"

"Once that question arose, people's loyalties would waver and an undercurrent of struggle for power would inevitably begin. With Beizhou in its present state, internal disorder that gave others an opening is the last thing Dachan Mountain wants. Perhaps some people below have already begun making overtures to Dachan Mountain, hoping to replace Father, and Dachan Mountain has already felt the pressure. They know that no one in Beizhou currently has the prestige to replace Father. If someone else took control, who would submit to whom? Beizhou would inevitably descend into chaos. That, I suspect, is the real reason I'm being released early. Am I right?"

Shao Sansheng cupped his hands in admiration. "Eldest Young Master sees clearly. Once the rumors began, commanders from all across Beizhou came rushing to the Prefectural Capital, asking to see the Inspector. Clearly, they wanted to find out whether the rumors were true. At this moment, all the generals are gathered in the Government Affairs Hall. The Inspector wants you to appear with him."

Shao Pingbo nodded to show he understood.

Shao Sansheng hesitated again before adding, "Eldest Young Master, according to the reports, rumors targeting you are spreading through the other states as well."

Shao Pingbo's cheek tightened. He raised a fist and coughed twice. Then he smiled without mirth. "I should be pleased."

Shao Sansheng stared. "Pleased?"

"It means I've begun putting pressure on Niu Youdao as well. This is Niu Youdao acknowledging me. He believes I'm capable of growing into a major threat, so he wants to strangle that possibility before it matures. It seems Sister Zhao was right." With that, Shao Pingbo stepped out of the cell.

Shao Sansheng nodded in agreement and quickly followed him, continuing his report. "Eldest Young Master, Dachan Mountain is ordering the Shangqing Sect to leave Beizhou."

Shao Pingbo stopped in the dungeon corridor and looked back. "What do you mean?"

"Dachan Mountain believes the feud between you and Niu Youdao began because of Sect Leader Tang. They think that as long as Tang Yi remains here, you and Niu Youdao will continue fighting and eventually harm Beizhou. That's why they're forcing the Shangqing Sect to move out."

Shao Pingbo frowned. "Absurd! Others may not know, but surely you do. Tang Yi's father and Zhao Xiongge studied under the same master and were close friends. The fact that the Shangqing Sect's crisis was enough to bring Zhao Xiongge out proves it. The Shangqing Sect is extremely useful to me. They cannot leave!"

Shao Sansheng sighed. "If Dachan Mountain insists, what can we do?"

Shao Pingbo fell silent briefly, then strode onward. "It isn't up to them. I'll handle it."

The two emerged from the dungeon one after another and headed directly for the inner residence to see Shao Dengyun. When father and son met again, Shao Pingbo's expression was calm. Shao Dengyun's face shifted between light and shadow. His son's composure made his gaze extraordinarily complicated.

He rose from his seat without saying a word and strode directly out of the hall. Shao Pingbo quickly stepped aside, bowing slightly in respect, then followed close behind. The moment Shao Dengyun stepped outside, his gaze and expression became calm again, and his stride turned firm and commanding. Following behind him, Shao Pingbo remained imposing and elegant, still every inch the graceful Eldest Young Master.

They entered the Government Affairs Hall one after the other. The commanders lining both sides saluted in unison while quietly examining them. Shao Dengyun ascended to the principal seat and sat. Shao Pingbo stood beside him.

The discussion of Beizhou's military and civil affairs began. Shao Pingbo behaved exactly as he always had, actively interjecting with questions and suggestions. No one looking at him would have guessed he had been imprisoned.

When the meeting ended and everyone was about to disperse, Shao Dengyun swept his tigerlike gaze across the room and added in a ringing voice, "Rumors have been flying everywhere lately. Someone is obviously trying to stir up trouble. Whoever benefits most from Beizhou falling into chaos is the likeliest source of those rumors. In my view, the State of Yan and the State of Han are highly suspicious. This is a treacherous scheme. Keep your eyes open and judge clearly!"

Bang!

He suddenly slammed the table and rose, startling nearly everyone present.

"Eating, drinking, pissing, shitting, farting—that's human nature. Can't be helped! People having a little selfishness is something I can understand. Keep your private thoughts in your own hearts and I won't pursue them either. But I'll put my words here today. We're brothers who have gone through life and death together. I don't want to make things ugly for anyone. If somebody dares use this chance to cause trouble and smash the rice bowls of our brothers, I won't agree to it, and neither will the rest of the brothers!"

Shao Dengyun's furious shout exploded through the Government Affairs Hall like thunder. The commanding presence of a man accustomed to ordering thousands upon thousands of soldiers made every hidden calculation tremble. The assembled commanders lowered their heads slightly, none knowing exactly whom he was warning.

Shao Pingbo sighed inwardly. His father possessed the imposing authority of a commander that he himself lacked. It was not something he could simply imitate in a short time.

A commander below suddenly shouted, "Whoever dares disrespect the Grand General, I'll be the first to refuse!"

"That's right! I'll be the first to refuse too!"

The generals' shouts rose one after another until they filled the hall. Those who truly had selfish ambitions felt their hearts tighten. Seeing the mood in the room, they knew the matter could not be forced and reluctantly extinguished those private designs.

Zhong Yangxu, seated on a chair in one corner, finally relaxed. He knew the wavering hearts in Beizhou had been stabilized and the internal danger resolved.

He could not help feeling some admiration as well. In today's Beizhou, only Shao Dengyun had the prestige to hold everyone down. As long as Shao Dengyun remained, there would be no major disorder in the Beizhou for which Zhong Yangxu was responsible. After everyone dispersed, Shao Pingbo asked Zhong Yangxu to remain.

"Eldest Young Master, is there something you need?" Zhong Yangxu asked beneath the eaves, his gaze toward Shao Pingbo equally complicated.

Shao Pingbo asked, "Uncle Zhong, I hear Dachan Mountain intends to drive the Shangqing Sect out of Beizhou?"

"That is correct. What, you object?"

Shao Pingbo cupped his hands respectfully. "I wouldn't dare. But the Shangqing Sect cannot leave."

Zhong Yangxu narrowed his eyes. "It seems Dachan Mountain's wishes carry little weight with you. Have you grown addicted to holding us over a barrel? Let me advise you: leave yourself some room in everything you do. Don't take a yard just because you've been given an inch!"

"You misunderstand, Uncle. You should know what happened this time. The Ice and Snow Pavilion is probably still watching Niu Youdao's enemies. The Shangqing Sect's relationship with Niu Youdao and Tang Yi's relationship with Niu Youdao are no secrets. Rumors targeting Beizhou are now spreading everywhere, drawing attention to us. If we drive the Shangqing Sect away at a moment like this and accidentally attract the Ice and Snow Pavilion's notice, it would not be good. Please reconsider!"

Zhong Yangxu's brow furrowed. He fell into silent thought.

At the Provincial Inspector's Residence in Jinzhou, Hai Ruyue paced beneath the eaves of the inner residence, her expectant gaze repeatedly turning toward the moon gate.

Li Wuhua, standing nearby, glanced at her. "Why do you keep pacing back and forth?"

Hai Ruyue stopped. "Why haven't they arrived yet? Something couldn't have gone wrong, could it?"

Li Wuhua frowned. "The Ghost Doctor appears and disappears like a dragon, showing his head but never his tail. Even Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion can't find him. We only know such a person exists. Very few people have ever seen what he looks like, and I've never heard that he has any disciple. Are you certain this is Ghost Doctor Hei Li's disciple?"

Hai Ruyue rolled her eyes. "How would I know? My people happened to discover him by chance. Whether it's true or false, there's no harm in inviting him here to try."

Just then, a disciple of Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion hurried over and reported to Li Wuhua, "Martial Uncle, Steward Zhu has brought a physician to see the Grand Princess. We tried to place a restriction on him, but he refused and turned around to leave. Steward Zhu persuaded him to stay and asked us to make an exception this once. What should we do?"

Hai Ruyue immediately grew anxious. She hurriedly said to Li Wuhua, "People with real ability often have some pride in their talent. With so many of you here, what are you afraid of? What harm is there in making an exception once?"

Li Wuhua fell silent briefly. He also wanted to see this supposed disciple of the legendary Ghost Doctor, so he waved a hand, signaling them to make an exception but keep a close watch.

Not long afterward, Zhu Shun personally led in a middle-aged man with a grave, dignified bearing. A rattan case was strapped to his back. He wore a simple blue-green cloth robe and looked plainly dressed.

"Mr. Ming, this is the Grand Princess..."

Zhu Shun began the introductions as host and guest met.

The middle-aged man addressed as Mr. Ming wore an expression that suggested he saw no one worth respecting. "I didn't come here to meet some Grand Princess. Take me to the patient."

Li Wuhua studied him and asked, "You're Ghost Doctor Hei Li's disciple?"

Mr. Ming rolled his eyes. "Who said I'm the Ghost Doctor's disciple?"

"No one, no one!" Hai Ruyue quickly waved her hands and even glared at Li Wuhua, seeming to complain: I told you he refuses to admit it. Why expose it? "The patient is inside. Mr. Ming, please come in."

Li Wuhua was puzzled. He watched coldly and said nothing more, intending to see what happened first. If this man proved incapable, he would make certain the impostor paid for the deception. Truthfully, he still did not believe the man before him was a disciple of the Ghost Doctor.

[End of Chapter 238]