Double-Crossing

Qiu Zhiya's mind was screaming in disbelief. Couldn't he have just pretended to be a regular old schoolteacher?

The Hanlin Academy... and its Chancellor, at that! That was the very place responsible for drafting critical imperial edicts for the Emperor, and some of its scholars could even go on to become future Imperial Tutors.

Why didn't you just say you were the Emperor himself?!

However, she had still underestimated the sheer ignorance of these pampered playboys.

Young Master Wang's eyes instantly widened at Old Chen's words. The Hanlin Academy... that sounded incredibly prestigious! If he could exchange a few words with someone of such high standing, wouldn't it make him look extremely cultured?

At this thought, Young Master Wang hastily cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. “I have long heard of your esteemed name! Long heard of your esteemed name!”

Seeing this, Young Master Chen and Lin Mo hurriedly cupped their hands as well.

None of the three noticed that the seductive expression on the beauty's face beside them had slightly stiffened, her eyes filled with utter disbelief.

Old Chen chuckled softly, stroking his beard as he chanted, “At Fan Tower, vibrant garments warm the heart with grace, yet who hears the bitter song of the maiden's grievance?”

The moment the two lines of the poem were uttered, Young Master Wang's and Young Master Chen's eyes lit up. This kind of teasing, playful verse was exactly what they loved. Wouldn't it be absolutely wonderful to recite such a poem while sharing a drink with a beauty?

Old Chen laughed heartily. “Would you two young friends care to go downstairs with me to seek some inspiration?”

“Haha, my thoughts exactly! My thoughts exactly!”

The two eagerly agreed, and the three of them went downstairs chatting and laughing, leaving only Lin Mo and Qiu Zhiya on the second floor.

Qiu Zhiya still hadn't fully recovered from her shock. She had never expected the old man to actually know poetry.

Suddenly, a hand reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet Lin Mo's gaze. He stared at her with a lecherous smirk, completely failing to notice the fleeting look of disgust in her eyes.

“My beauty, you say I am dashing and untamed. Do you know exactly where my charms lie?” Lin Mo asked with a wicked smile.

Qiu Zhiya instantly restored her seductive expression and leaned down slightly to pour wine into Lin Mo's cup.

“This girl thinks that Young Master is at his most charming when he is drinking wine.”

“Hahaha! Your young master has far more charming qualities than just that!” Lin Mo laughed loudly. He picked up the wine cup from the table, threw his head back, and downed it in one go, playing the role of a dashing rogue to the absolute fullest.

Unfortunately, before he could show off any further after finishing the cup, blood instantly surged from his seven facial orifices, and he could no longer speak a word.

“Oh my, it seems Young Master has quite a weak tolerance for alcohol.” Qiu Zhiya smiled, covering her mouth as she gently nudged his back. Lin Mo's entire body immediately slumped onto the table, looking as though he had simply passed out from drinking.

Upon heading down to the first floor, Qiu Zhiya shot a subtle look at Old Chen.

Old Chen instantly understood. He found an excuse to leave the other two, waiting for a minute after she stepped out before slowly following behind.

As soon as Qiu Zhiya stepped out of the building, Xu Qing, who was waiting under a nearby tree, looked over. Their eyes met, and she subtly gestured to him.

“The plan succeeded!”

Seeing this, Xu Qing nodded slightly and departed in a different direction.

A quarter of an hour later, they reconvened at their original meeting spot.

Ning Qingzhu felt a bit of regret. Things had gone too smoothly, leaving her without any opportunity to make a move. However, she quickly put it out of her mind; after all, a successful mission was a good thing.

“The mission went very smoothly. To be honest, I was only able to succeed so easily thanks to him,” Qiu Zhiya said, looking at Old Chen.

The others turned their eyes to Old Chen as well, quite surprised that the old man had actually been of help.

Old Chen was still dressed in the scholarly robes, smiling as he stroked the white beard on his chin. Anyone who saw him now would likely mistake him for an actual academy teacher.

“So, of this hundred taels of silver, the elder can take twenty-five taels,” Qiu Zhiya said.

The others nodded in agreement, raising no objections.

Just then, Ning Qingzhu spoke up in a soft, tentative voice, “Um... aren't we missing someone?”

Missing someone?

The main door was violently kicked open. The thunderous crash startled everyone in the room. The doorway was already crowded with constables, and the one leading them was slowly stepping inside.

Qiu Zhiya's face fell. Given the situation, how could she not realize what had happened?

“Mo Lin!” Qiu Zhiya hissed.

The others also came to their senses, their faces turning grim, while only Ning Qingzhu remained utterly bewildered.

Seeing this, Old Chen had no choice but to explain.

“These constables were brought here by that rude fat fellow. He leaked our meetup location, leading to us being surrounded here.”

“But... why?”

“Little Qing,” the old man sighed, speaking with earnest gravity. “Some people live for loyalty, while others live for profit. Unfortunately, he belongs to the latter category.”

“Now that the plan is complete, as long as we are pinned down or captured by the constables, the hundred taels of silver will belong entirely to him.”

Humans die for wealth, just as birds die for food. It has been thus since ancient times.

The Constable Chief cold-snorted, drawing his long saber and pointing it straight at them. “Take them in!”

The moment the command was given, the constables surged forward with drawn sabers. Qiu Zhiya and her companions had no intention of surrendering without a fight, and the two sides instantly clashed.

Wielding twin blades, Xu Qing slashed left and right, firmly holding back three constables on his own, even gradually gaining the upper hand.

Qiu Zhiya brought out her weapon, the Bone-Cracking Whip. The whip lashed through the air with deafening sonic cracks, intimidating the surrounding constables so much that they dared not take a single step forward. The occasional daring soul who rushed her was sent flying the very next second, their bones broken and muscles torn.

Realizing they couldn't gain any ground against those two, two constables exchanged a look and charged in unison toward Ning Qingzhu.

Believing that capturing the youngest would make everything else easy, they closed in on her. When they were just a few paces away, they inwardly rejoiced, thinking it was a perfect opportunity.

Yet, to their surprise, the young girl shifted her feet and effortlessly dodged their pincer attack.

Their hearts went cold, but refusing to give up, they continued trying to seize her. In the end, they missed every single time. They were always just a hair's breadth away from touching her, which nearly drove them mad.

While the three of them were locked in fierce combat with the constables, a highly bizarre scene was unfolding around Old Chen.

Four constables holding long sabers stood quietly, watching the elderly man before them. His elegant scholarly robes fluttered in the draft, and even his white beard exuded an exceptionally celestial aura.

Confronted with this sight, the four looked at one another, their eyes filled with wariness.

Since even that young girl possessed such bizarre footwork, one could only imagine how formidable this elderly man must be. If they rashly made a move, they might very well lose their lives.

At this thought, they swallowed hard, deciding to simply maintain their surrounding formation and keep him at bay for the time being.

While they were pondering this, one of the constables was suddenly kicked and sent flying. The remaining constables' hearts tensed. Sure enough, the next instant, familiar footsteps echoed in their ears.

Both of them slowly stepped aside to make way.

Saber in hand, the Constable Chief walked toward Old Chen and said calmly, “Allow this junior to test just how much weight the elder carries.”