The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1433 738: The Conspiracy Begins to Reveal Itself

West of the Capital, at the end of Jiangmi Alley.

Inside the "Forget Worries" tavern, the lights were dim.

Outside, fine rain drizzled. A few strings of dried chili peppers hung under the eaves, and inside, the pungent aroma of spirits and the fragrance of stewed meat filled the air.

Kuai Dayou and Kong Shangzhao sat opposite each other in a corner, a plate of peanuts, half a pot of loose wine, braised beef, and pork knuckles laid on the table.

Kuai Dayou's face was covered in stubble, his eyes bloodshot. He slammed down his wine bowl heavily, causing the wine to splash and dampen his clothes.

He spat, "That bastard Zhao Qingxu! Just one step away, Brother Shangzhao, and the Taodu Mountain Wood would be in our hands! If I'd known, I would have gone straight to the execution ground, why waste the effort."

Kong Shangzhao lowered his head and sipped his wine, his fingers stroking the rim of the bowl.

He was still wearing the faded Confucian robe and did not join in the conversation, clearly lost in thought.

As the saying goes, bonds of life and death bring people closer. After a calamity, Fatty Lin and the other two became friends and occasionally gathered to drink.

Kuai Dayou admired Kong Shangzhao's knowledge, so they became closer.

Seeing Kong Shangzhao's state, Kuai Dayou leaned in a little, lowered his voice: "Brother Kong, ever since you came back from the Nine Gates Yin Ruins, you've been absent-minded. Previously in the room, I saw your hand trembling while copying 'The Study of Cao River Evolution.'

"What's bothering you? Speak up, our friendship, why hide it?"

Kong Shangzhao sighed deeply, pushed away the wine bowl, and his eyes turned bloodshot: "Dayou, it's not that I won't speak, it's just this cage... I've really had enough."

He looked around and saw that only their table was left in the small tavern, even the shopkeeper had gone to the back kitchen to nap, then he whispered his grievances: "The small courtyard of the Captain Bureau is not much better than this. Every day, in that narrow corner, recording testimonies and examining case files for others, like a machine for others to build merit."

"Recently, I worked hard to discover some demon ritual clues, but the final credit in the record book was claimed by those yellow-robed Magician from the Ancestral Affairs Office!"

"I'm just a piece of paper, nodding and bowing in public, facing the withered lamp throughout the long night in my room!"

Kuai Dayou was about to comfort him when Kong Shangzhao suddenly clenched his fist, his voice hoarse: "I want to leave, Dayou! Like those Twelve Primordial Spirits, roaming the pugilistic world, traveling north and south, that's what life is!"

"But... but I can't leave!"

"Why can't you leave?"

Kuai Dayou rolled his eyes, "Your legs are your own, can't you even resign from the Captain Bureau? I've told you before, the government is as deep as the sea, it's not a place to stay long."

"However, following the Twelve Primordial Spirits is also not a good idea, look at what formidable enemies that group provokes, with your small body, following them will sooner or later lead to your death!"

"In any case, the Captain Bureau is definitely not a good place, better to leave early."

"It's not that easy."

Kong Shangzhao's voice lowered, full of guilt, "You also know, back then I offended the direct lineage of Qufu. If it weren't for Lord Luo Mingzi's mediation, I would have been expelled from the ancestral shrine by my family, reduced to a vagrant, who knows, I might have lost my life already."

"The lord personally promised me: 'Shangzhao, stay at ease in the Capital, the calamity of your family I shall resolve.' If I leave, wouldn't I become a treacherous scoundrel? The walls of the Capital are thicker than the walls of a Heavenly Prison!"

Kuai Dayou's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he slapped the table with laughter, causing the bowls and plates to tremble: "Is that what bothers you? You silly bookworm, going around in circles!"

He grabbed the wine pot, filled Kong Shangzhao's cup to the brim, a sly grin spread across his lips, "Lord Luo keeps his promises, you keep your loyalty, that's all true. But can't we 'borrow the wind to steer the ship'?"

Kong Shangzhao was taken aback, "What do you mean?"

Kuai Dayou downed his wine and laughed: "Those Twelve Primordial Spirits are frequent guests of the Captain Bureau — the Steam Engine case, the demon chaos in Japan, every major case involves them."

"Tomorrow, find an excuse to visit the case file library and spread rumors that a 'Ghost Nuo Mask' has appeared on the Cao River, possibly related to the theft of the Taodu Mountain Wood. The Captain Bureau will surely summon the Twelve Primordial Spirits!"

"Then I'll find someone to falsely report: the case involves the Ancient Map Scripture, and only someone like Kong Shangzhao, who is well-versed in ancient texts, can solve it!"

"We can throw in some 'tricks', such as 'losing' a few crucial talismans during handovers, or having a demon pretend to attack, forcing you to leave the Capital with the team — halfway through the case, you can logically follow Li Yan? It preserves your dignity and fulfills your wish!"

Kong Shangzhao froze, the alcohol surged up, and his cheeks flushed red:

"This... wouldn't this deceive Lord Luo?"

Kuai Dayou was about to explain when the wooden door of the tavern creaked open, and Fatty Lin, wrapped in dampness, stormed in, shaking off the oil-paper umbrella and putting it aside, "Damn it! Checking ship materials in East City hit a dead end again, and you two hide here enjoying leisure!"

He patted the rain off his sleeve, plopped down, and without ceremony, grabbed Kong Shangzhao's bowl and gulped down the wine.

Kuai Dayou's eyes shifted, turning to Fatty Lin: "Just as you arrived, I can't stand this foolish scholar, help me persuade him..."

He then recounted the earlier conversation.

Fatty Lin thought for a moment, shook his head, "This method is not appropriate."

"The Captain Bureau is a place where people can see through little tricks like yours at a glance. If things go sour, old friendships won't help. But I do have a matter I need your help with."

"Although the Lin Family is a major clan in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, with the rise of maritime trade, the court's heavy ocean taxes, and the seafaring fleet facing difficulties, coupled with pirate invasions and looting, the losses are severe, and the current family situation is dire."

"Although I don't like getting involved, I can't bear seeing my father worry himself gray, so I need to find a way to help the family through this tribulation."

Turning to Kuai Dayou, he said, "Brother Dayou, you understand Mystical Craft and can refine Water and Fire Spiritual Artifacts. Would you be willing to help me? We need to find spirit wood for the keel. Ancient texts record that there are many spirit woods from Ancient Times that can withstand Astra Bane Qi. If we can find it, the ship can cut through the waves like a god, passing through those perilous areas."

"No problem!"

Kuai Dayou heartily slapped his chest, "But there's one thing, common spirit wood can't withstand the ocean's wind and waves, we must find good materials. Though we're close, I can't ruin my reputation."