Chapter 388 - 238: Yun Qing (2)
Fang Yue fell silent for a moment, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind.
He knew he wouldn’t get any more information from the black-robed man. Time was short; he had to act fast.
Fang Yue shot the black-robed man a cold glance and warned, "I’ll spare your life for today. But don’t let me see you again, or I won’t be so merciful next time!"
The black-robed man nodded hastily, giving Fang Yue a grateful look.
He knew he was incredibly lucky to have escaped with his life.
However, just as he turned to leave, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head.
The black-robed man’s eyes widened in terror. He tried to look back, only to find his vision blurring.
His body slumped to the ground, his consciousness fading away.
Fang Yue watched the black-robed man fall, a ruthless glint in his eyes.
’I can’t leave any loose ends.’
The man had seen his face, so he couldn’t be left alive.
After dealing with the black-robed man, Fang Yue searched the study thoroughly once more, but he still found no other useful clues.
He knew this residence surely held deeper secrets, but his time was limited. He couldn’t afford to linger.
So, Fang Yue decided to leave the residence for now and investigate the "Shadow Association" and Zhou Tiande’s identity from another angle.
He slipped out of the residence and returned to his temporary lodging.
’The Shadow Association? The Blood Dragon Platform? The currents in this Great Wei Dynasty truly run deep,’ Fang Yue couldn’t help but sigh.
The Blood Dragon Platform, a semi-official organization, had already rocked the Great Wei Dynasty to its core.
Now, a "Shadow Association" had unexpectedly appeared. And one of its members was actually a Tributor from the Great Wei’s Dynasty Sacrificial Department.
This was somewhat terrifying. Fang Yue sat at the table, lost in thought.
The Great Wei’s Dynasty Sacrificial Department was the dynasty’s most secretive and powerful institution. The Tributors were not only immensely powerful individuals but also key figures in the dynasty’s decision-making circles. If one of them was colluding with the "Shadow Association," the consequences would be unimaginable.
He had known nothing about the "Shadow Association" before, but now he at least had its name and a connection between it, Zhou Tiande, and this residence.
’I have to find out the truth about the Shadow Association as soon as possible,’ Fang Yue resolved.
He knew the clues he had were too few to uncover the mysterious organization’s true nature. But he also understood that the longer he waited, the more disadvantageous his position would become.
Fang Yue decided on a two-pronged approach. On one hand, he would continue to dig into Zhou Tiande’s identity and background, hoping to find more clues about the "Shadow Association." On the other, he needed to find a way to contact others who might know the organization’s secrets.
At this thought, Fang Yue stood up, walked to the window, and gazed out at the pitch-black night.
’I just came here looking to cause some trouble for Zhou Tiande. I never expected to be dragged into a vortex like this.’
Fang Yue stood by the window as the night breeze gently rustled his hair and the corners of his clothes. A determined light shone in his eyes.
He knew he had stepped into a massive vortex, but if his enemies wanted his life, he certainly wasn’t going to surrender without a fight.
He took a deep breath, cast aside his distracting thoughts, and focused on his next plan.
Or rather, the plan to entrap and kill Zhou Tiande!
His mind was filled with suspicion and wariness toward the "Shadow Association."
This mysterious organization seemed to be inextricably linked to Zhou Tiande, whose own identity and background were becoming increasingly shrouded in mystery.
’Whatever. Worst-case scenario, I kill Zhou Tiande and head straight back to Yujing City. I doubt the Shadow Association would dare cause trouble in Yujing City!’
Having made up his mind, a ruthless expression appeared on Fang Yue’s face.
The night passed uneventfully. Early the next morning, Fang Yue rose and began preparing for his next move.
"Young man, you look familiar. You bear a strong resemblance to an old friend of mine."
Just as Fang Yue was about to head out, a pleasant voice called to him.
Slightly taken aback, Fang Yue looked up to see a young woman standing a short distance away, smiling at him.
Fang Yue looked at the young woman, his mind racing. He didn’t recognize her, but her claim that he resembled an old friend made him wary.
𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"Miss, have we met before?" Fang Yue asked coolly, showing no emotion.
The woman smiled slightly and shook her head. "No, we have not. It’s just that your bearing and appearance remind me of a friend I haven’t seen in a long time."
"Perhaps," Fang Yue replied casually, turning to leave.
However, the woman seemed unwilling to let him go so easily. She walked over quickly, blocking his path.
"Don’t be in such a hurry, young man. I mean no harm," the woman said with a smile. "I just couldn’t help but want to chat, since you look so much like my friend."
Fang Yue’s brow furrowed. He disliked being pestered like this. He stared at the woman coldly, trying to read something in her eyes.
But the woman’s eyes were clear, with no hint of evasion or concealment. This made Fang Yue wonder, ’Could she have really just mistaken me for someone else?’
"I’m sorry, but I really don’t know you. Please step aside, I have things to do," Fang Yue said coldly.
Hearing this, the woman showed no sign of disappointment or anger. Instead, her smile grew even brighter.
"Since you’re busy, young man, I won’t disturb you any longer."
The woman smiled and said, "However, if you have some free time later, feel free to come find me for a chat. My name is Yun Qing, and I’m staying at the nearby Yunlai Inn."
With that, the woman turned and left, leaving behind a faint, lingering fragrance and a thoroughly perplexed Fang Yue.
Watching the woman’s retreating figure, Fang Yue felt a strange sensation.
He didn’t believe in coincidental meetings, much less that someone would approach him for no reason.
’Yun Qing? The great master Yun Qing?’ Fang Yue mused, a piece of information surfacing in his mind.
The world-renowned Master Yun Qing, hailed as the absolute master of the qin among the four arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
’She’s here in Gongzhou Prefecture, too? Could she also be here for the courtesan competition?’
A thought struck Fang Yue, and he found the situation increasingly bizarre.
Master Yun Qing was a talented woman famous throughout the Jianghu. Her skill with the qin was so sublime it could be called true art, and countless scholars and poets had fallen for her charms.
If she had really come to Gongzhou Prefecture, the excitement for the courtesan competition would likely reach a whole new level.
But Fang Yue wasn’t one to be easily fooled by appearances.
He knew that a celebrity like Yun Qing was bound to cause a stir wherever she went.
Her sudden appearance here, and her deliberate approach, surely meant there was some hidden secret involved.
"Yun Qing, Yun Qing..." Fang Yue repeated the name, trying to find some clue within it.
Fang Yue mulled over the name Yun Qing, a strong sense of curiosity welling up inside him.
Walking down the bustling streets, Fang Yue couldn’t help but marvel at the city’s prosperity and clamor.
As one of the Great Wei Dynasty’s major cities, Gongzhou Prefecture attracted countless merchants, scholars, and poets.
And the current courtesan competition had made the city even more lively and extraordinary.
Before he knew it, Fang Yue found himself standing before the Yunlai Inn.
It was a magnificent building, its tall gateway resplendent and dazzling. Carriages and pedestrians flowed past its entrance in a lively stream.
Fang Yue paused at the entrance to the Yunlai Inn. He hadn’t come specifically to find Yun Qing, but since he was here, perhaps he could inquire about the famous talent.
Stepping into the inn, he was greeted by a faint, pleasant fragrance accompanied by the gentle sound of a qin, creating a tranquil and comfortable atmosphere.
The inn’s main hall was already full of people. Some were sipping tea and discussing philosophy, while others chatted and laughed cheerfully. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Fang Yue scanned the room, spotted an empty table in the corner, and went to sit down.
"Sir, what can I get for you?" a waiter asked, walking over enthusiastically.
"A pot of your best tea."
Fang Yue said casually, handing over a piece of broken silver.
The waiter took the silver, his face breaking into a brilliant smile. "Right away, sir! It’ll be here in just a moment."
A short while later, the waiter returned with a fragrant pot of tea and poured a cup for Fang Yue.
"Please, enjoy, sir," the waiter said respectfully.