Heaven's Silence

Chapter 56 – Persuade

Some secrets are more important than many lives.

Including Chun Qiong's own.

So, whether he truly knew or just speculated, he buried these secrets deep within his heart, not daring to let them see even a sliver of light.

If the secrets were exposed, many people in the Qi Kingdom would die.

When Wen Chaoshen uttered the words "White Dragon Guards," Chun Qiong's body trembled ever so slightly.

Perhaps it was just a shiver from the winter cold, but it didn't escape Wen Chaoshen's eyes.

Many of Chun Qiong's unintentional details confirmed Wen Chaoshen's earlier suspicions.

The White Dragon Guards who came to find them that day were indeed not in league with Chun Qiong, which was excellent news for Wen Chaoshen.

Chun Qiong held an official position, which came with many restrictions, and he was often forced into difficult situations. With other forces pressuring him, he needed external help even more.

Wen Chaoshen originally didn't have much leverage to negotiate with Chun Qiong, but as luck would have it, he now had a formidable ally in his camp.

A woman with unfathomable martial skills, unafraid of death, who could privately help Chun Qiong fend off many troubles. Her value was immense, and Chun Qiong would not only be tempted but might even come to rely on her in the future.

"Wen Chaoshen, when did you see the White Dragon Guards?"

It had only been a short while since the two of them met in the room with Liu Jinshi's body, yet Chun Qiong's attitude towards Wen Chaoshen had undergone a dramatic change.

He was no longer arrogant or condescending; his tone was filled with suspicion, uncertainty, fear... and a hint of murderous intent.

Clearly, Wen Chaoshen had now completely taken control of the conversation.

Facing Chun Qiong's inquiry, Wen Chaoshen smiled slightly.

"Master Chun, you're so clever, think again."

Chun Qiong pondered seriously for a moment, his eyes flickering, and immediately corrected himself.

"The White Dragon Guards came to find you."

"Why would they seek out a mere refugee like you?"

Wen Chaoshen had already lied once to Lu Chuan, and it was a successful lie.

And now, he decided to continue with this lie.

"Why they came to find me... Master, haven't I already given you the answer?"

Wen Chaoshen pointed to his own nose, smiling, but his tone was cold:

"You might notice any Qi Kingdom citizen in the county city, whether it's a street vendor making a living or a fisherman chatting under a bridge, or even a middle-aged woman arguing over trivial matters in an alley... but no one would spare me a second glance, not you, nor Lu Chuan."

Chun Qiong said, "But last night, Lu Chuan clearly came to see you."

Wen Chaoshen replied, "That's because I found something that chilled him to the bone."

Chun Qiong glanced at him, frowning, "What was it?"

Wen Chaoshen lowered his voice, "This secret, Master, you might not even know. What will you trade for it?"

Chun Qiong's eyelids drooped, and his gaze towards Wen Chaoshen became particularly complex.

Wen Chaoshen continued, "I asked the woman who came to see you last night. You and Lu Chuan know each other, and you both came from Kuhai County at the same time. So, Liu Jinshi's death is not only related to you but also to him. Wangchuan is the largest assassin organization in the martial world, with countless dirty debts of lives on their hands. You wear the official robes of the Qi Kingdom, so you can't openly associate with them. So, I guess the bottle of gut-wrenching poison on Liu Jinshi was given by Lu Chuan, and he came to you with the same purpose."

"As you said, Liu Jinshi, who has been the local tyrant in Kuhai County for so many years, shouldn't have any cause and effect unless... he did something he shouldn't have done, and that matter is linked to a certain big figure in the Royal City."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chun Qiong suddenly drew his sword. The soft sword's blade swayed in the cold air, the sword wave traveling from the blade to the tip, finally settling into stillness.

The sword's edge was at Wen Chaoshen's neck.

Chun Qiong's hand trembled, drawing blood.

The sting spread across the skin of Wen Chaoshen's neck, along with the bristling hair and goosebumps.

He dared not move, his body tense, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Wen Chaoshen..."

Chun Qiong held the sword across Wen Chaoshen's neck, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins like a beast, the overwhelming murderous intent crashing like waves, sealing off all the surrounding space.

"Let me give you a piece of advice, your life wasn't easy to come by, don't seek death yourself."

"I've heard your story, three years outside the county, surviving till now proves you're someone who cherishes life."

"Some things are better left unsaid, best never to be spoken in a lifetime."

Facing Chun Qiong's almost ultimatum-like terrifying threat, Wen Chaoshen didn't retreat but advanced, stepping forward to face those beast-like eyes.

"Master Chun, Liu Jinshi's body hasn't even been buried yet. Why don't you invite a soul-caller and ask him how he died?"

"At your age, still so naive, how have you survived until now?"

"The words of the living, can they be as reliable as those of the dead?"

Chun Qiong's eyes widened, his teeth clenched tightly, this loss of composure was not due to anger, but fear.

Chun Qiong was afraid, afraid of Wen Chaoshen, afraid of the secrets he had discovered, afraid of that high-ranking figure in the Royal City.

Seeing him like this, Wen Chaoshen grinned, laughing like a madman:

"Master Chun, be honest, if today I brought that gut-wrenching poison and confessed everything to you, could I leave this County Office alive?"

Chun Qiong's lips trembled, and after a long pause, he reluctantly withdrew his sword.

"No."

Wen Chaoshen's smile vanished along with Chun Qiong's retraction of the sword, his gaze sharper and more dangerous than ever.

"Then do you think, if you obediently help Lu Chuan complete the task given by that big figure in the Royal City... can you leave alive?"

As his words fell, Chun Qiong's body shook, his entire breath seemed to halt.