Aoyama

Chapter 185 Fire
There came the rapid sound of drums from the Drum Tower in the East Market, and eight hundred evening drums sounded as the night fell.

Outside the Yingxian Tower, the setting sun sank behind the city. The crane sculpture was like a sundial, its shadow gradually lengthened and then disappeared.

Chen Ji stood outside the door to welcome the guests. Today, he was the only guest at Yingxian Tower. Originally, more than ten tables were booked for the banquet. But when some people heard that the newly promoted Hai Dongqing from the Secret Service was going to hold a celebration banquet here, they cancelled their reservations.

Because of this incident, the entire Baiyi Lane became deserted.

Outside Baiyi Lane, a carriage slowly drove in.

Jin Zhu lifted the curtain of the carriage and jumped down from the carriage with Xifeng. He looked around Chen Ji with a strange expression. Just now, his cultivation level had increased sharply, and he was only one step away from the Dao-seeking realm.

This speed of cultivation was unheard of by Golden Pig.

Chen Ji smiled and asked, "Master Jinzhu, why are you looking at me like that?"

The Golden Pig hesitated for a moment, but in the end did not ask about the cultivation: "It's okay, it's okay. You changed into new clothes today, and you look much more heroic than before. The tailor has great skills. Where did you make your clothes? I'll go make two sets too."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "Li's in front of the South City Gate..."

Before he could finish his words, he saw Yunyang and Jiaotu coming side by side in black tights, with dozens of spies following behind them.

Golden Pig's face darkened.

Chen Ji was puzzled: "Master Yunyang, Master Jiaotu, why did you bring so many people here? I am short of money, so I only booked one table, which cannot accommodate so many people."

Yun Yang smiled and said, "Don't worry, these people are not here to eat."

After saying that, he waved to the secret agents behind him, and saw that the secret agents, with their hands on their waist knives, swarmed into the Yingxian Tower like locusts.

After all the secret agents had gone in, Yun Yang explained nonchalantly, "There are still remnants of the Liu family causing chaos in Luo City, which is a headache. As the saying goes, a centipede is still alive even after it dies. Tonight, the three zodiac signs of our Secret Service are gathered together, so we must be careful to prevent the remnants of the Liu family from hiding in the Yingxian Tower. If the three of us fall into their trap, it will be a loss for the Secret Service."

Chen Ji remained calm: "You three? Aren't Lord Bailong and Lord Mengji coming?"

Jiaotu smiled and said, "Lord Bailong never attends banquets. After all, he can't drink and eat with a mask on. Mengji originally came with us, but suddenly had to go back to Kaifeng Prefecture for something. Don't worry, you don't need anyone else. If you want to drink, I'll drink with you."

Yun Yang's face darkened: "I'll just drink with him."

Jiaotu rolled his eyes.

At this time, the spies who were searching Yingxian Tower came out one after another, and one of them shook his head silently at Yunyang.

Yun Yang thought for a moment, still a little worried, he looked at Chen Ji: "The dishes in Yingxianlou are all gimmicks, they are not delicious. Why don't we go to Qingzhuyuan in Baiyi Lane instead? I have tried the pickled goose feet and duck tongue there, it is really excellent."

Chen Ji frowned slightly: "Master Yunyang, I have already booked a table at Yingxian Tower, so I can't change it at will."

Yun Yang asked back, "Did you arrange something in Yingxian Tower so you don't want to move to another place?"

Chen Ji looked at Jin Zhu, but Jin Zhu rarely said anything to refute Yun Yang. He just lowered his head and remained silent.

Chen Ji took a deep breath and said, "What can I arrange in Yingxian Tower? Lord Yunyang is worrying too much. If Lord Yunyang insists on changing the place, I will obey your order."

Yun Yang laughed and said, "Let's go, Qingzhu Garden is not far away."

After that, he led the way forward for dozens of steps and stopped outside a courtyard.

The sound of a pipa came from the Green Bamboo Garden. Yun Yang waved his hand and said, "Let everyone in there get out."

In just a stick of incense, all the guests in the garden fled.

Yun Yang waved his hand, and saw dozens of secret agents suddenly dispersed, guarding Qingzhu Garden. A car passing by the gate was also stopped and driven away by them.

Yun Yang looked into Chen Ji's eyes and said, "It's all right now. I don't think anyone can ambush us in Luo City. Chen Ji, don't think too much. This is also to protect you."

"Oh?" Chen Ji asked curiously, "How do you mean?"

Yun Yang said playfully, "Our Secret Service has always had a bad reputation. Now few people in the outside world know that you are our Secret Service's Hai Dongqing, so it's better to keep it secret. Besides, you have stabbed Prince Jing in the back and betrayed the prince and the princess... With Prince Jing's prestige in the martial arts world, if those people in the martial arts world knew what you looked like, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to eat a bowl of noodles in peace. If someone poisons you today and shoots you from the dark tomorrow, how can you live?"

Chen Ji said calmly: "Master Yunyang is right. Thank you for your protection. Please come in and take a seat."

Yunyang laughed and walked into Qingzhu Garden first.

Chen Ji was about to go in, but Jin Zhu grabbed his wrist and said, "Brother, we can't go against the trend!"

Chen Ji pretended to be confused: "What are you talking about, sir? Why would we go against the trend on such a happy day?"

In the dim light of night and dusk, Jin Zhu stared at the young man in front of him. Only he knew that Chen Ji's cultivation level suddenly increased sharply this evening.

Although he didn't know how Chen Ji did it or what price he paid, he knew that today must be very important for Chen Ji.

Chen Ji grabbed Jin Zhu's wrist with his backhand and said gently, "Master Jin Zhu, who can tell who is sincere and who is fake in this world? You and I are on the same boat now, don't be afraid."

Jinzhu watched Chen Ji's back disappear into the Green Bamboo Garden, gritted his teeth and followed him in.

At the same time, Wu Yun led more than a dozen sturdy tabby cats and quietly sneaked into the back alley of Qingzhuyuan, each holding a bamboo tube in their mouths. More than a dozen cats huddled in the dark, closed their eyes, and waited quietly.

The next moment, a calico cat came out from the dog hole at the foot of the wall and meowed. Wuyun suddenly opened his eyes, holding the bamboo tube in his mouth, and rushed in like flowing water.

……

……

On the second floor of Qingzhu Garden, dishes were served in a continuous stream, including steamed duck with rice wine, shrimp balls and chicken skin soup, rouge goose breast, and cream-filled puff pastry rolls, all of which are not seen on weekdays.

A courtesan came with her face covered and a pipa in her arms, but was stopped by the secret agent: "The adults are drinking and talking, no one is allowed to approach." During the banquet, Yun Yang sat opposite Chen Ji, picked up a piece of duck meat with chopsticks, and asked curiously: "Chen Ji, I heard that you have a close relationship with the Prince of Jing and the princess. When you were at Luhun Villa, you once argued for the princess and held her horse before she left. You are like a fairy couple in a storybook... Storytellers from all over the country have to thank you. They can tell your story for a month without getting tired of it."

Chen Ji took a sip of wine and asked, "What does Lord Yunyang want to ask?"

Yun Yang smiled and asked, "What I'm curious about is, did you intend to betray them from the beginning, or did you betray them later to protect yourself? How do you think the world will tell your story in the future?"

Chen Ji smiled and said, "Lord Yunyang, you are joking. You and I both work for the Prime Minister. How can there be any sentimentality between us? Since Prince Jing has committed the crime of treason, we have no choice but to shoulder the responsibility. There is no personal sentimentality before the country."

Yun Yang exclaimed: "Well said!"

Jin Zhu said coldly, "That's enough. Haven't you betrayed anyone in these years? A year ago, when you were still Hai Dongqing, Ye Yang believed your information and fell into the ambush of the Jing Dynasty thieves. If not, how could the Yang position be left vacant for you?"

Yun Yang didn't care at all: "How could I know the truth when I got the news? Besides, that group of Jingchao villains were eventually killed in the encirclement and suppression by my Secret Service, and Lord Ye Yang died a worthy death. I know Ye Yang helped you in Wunian Mountain, but his death has nothing to do with me."

The Golden Pig sneered and drank the liquor in the glass.

Jiaotu said nonchalantly, "You never stop drinking every day. Why do you mention Wunian Mountain when you are so happy? Could it be that you still have feelings for that place?"

Chen Ji asked curiously, "What kind of place is Wu Nian Mountain?"

Jiaotu turned to look at him and said with a grin, "You only need to know that you are lucky not to have been to Wunian Mountain. Don't ask any other questions. Let's drink, let's drink a cup of wine together."

Chen Ji stood up quickly and said, "Please wait, my lords. I'm going to change my clothes and will be back soon."

Jiaotu muttered, "Boring!"

Changing clothes is a euphemism for going to the toilet. During the meal, people said that going to the toilet really affects their appetite.

However, just as he stood up, Yun Yang also stood up: "I will go with you."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "Then let's go together."

Jin Zhu watched the two people leave the table, his face becoming slightly nervous. If Chen Ji wanted to take action, it should be now.

He looked around and didn't see anything unusual.

After a while, Chen Ji and Yun Yang returned together. He smiled and said, "Lord Yun Yang obviously didn't need to change clothes but he still accompanied me. I guess he was afraid that I would be ambushed. Or maybe he was afraid that I would harm him."

Jin Zhu stood up and said disdainfully: "He has a mean mind, thinking about harming others every day, so he is also worried about others harming him every day... I will also go to change clothes."

He left the table slowly, and subconsciously looked back as he left. He saw Chen Ji drinking with his head down, his eyes hidden in the shadows.

Jinzhu walked down the stairs of the building hesitantly. When he walked down a few steps and looked back, he saw Chen Ji smiling and talking to Jiaotu, and there was nothing unusual.

He breathed a sigh of relief: the drinking place had been changed, and there were dozens of spies guarding it, so it seemed that Chen Ji would really not do anything tonight.

Jinzhu walked out of the building, went into the toilet not far away, pinched his nose and unbuttoned his pants.

Only he knew that Chen Ji was the swordsman who used firearms in Red Lane... Chen Ji had firearms!

Just now when Chen Ji went to change his clothes, he almost thought that Chen Ji was going to take action, but fortunately he didn't.

The Golden Pig whispered to himself, "That's right, I will forget it eventually... I will forget it eventually."

However, at this moment, there were dozens of loud bangs, and a huge air wave overturned the toilet, and the brick wall pressed him down.

In a blink of an eye!
Fire blooms!

The wooden foundation of the second-story building of Qingzhu Garden was destroyed by the flames. The whole building collapsed with a loud roar like a disassembled frame, turning into a huge ruin.

There was a buzzing in Jinzhu's ears. He struggled to dig out the ruins of the toilet and stared at the ruins in front of him.

why?
why?
Chen Ji was clearly still inside, why did he detonate the firearm? !
The Golden Pig murmured, "So you have been determined to die from the beginning, and want to leave Yunyang and Jiaotu here..."

It had been so long that Lian Yunyang almost forgot the paranoia in Chen Ji's eyes when he first met him.

The moment he came out of Taiping Medical Clinic, he never thought that he could go back alive.

At this time, shouts and screams were heard outside Qingzhu Garden, and it was unknown who was approaching.

With a click, a hand stretched out from the ruins, and the arm broke open the broken walls bit by bit.

The ruins were slowly arched up, and finally, Chen Ji stood up from it, with the fire burning in his body, letting the heavy snow fall on him.

In the firelight, Chen Ji looked at the golden pig, panting.

The Golden Pig was silent for two breaths, then lay back down and closed his eyes.

Chen Ji looked around and shouted, "Enemy attack, come and rescue Master Yunyang and Master Jiaotu! Master Jinzhu, Master Jinzhu, where are you?!"

He originally wanted to look for the traces of Yunyang and Jiaotu, but now it was a ruin and he had no idea where they were buried.

While he was thinking, a sturdy middle-aged man wearing a conical hat rushed in. He had mantis legs, a worker bee waist, and was covered in blood, looking extremely ferocious.

Chen Ji crawled out from the ruins: "The thief is looking for death!"

The middle-aged man did not want to fight and turned away. The two men chased after him into the dark snowy night, one in front and the other behind.

(End of this chapter)