Chapter 4381 — The Fall

"Brother Ling, did you know that Cheng Haonan and Cheng Qitian, father and son, have also been practicing a kind of yin-plundering cultivation method?" Qi Wenmo asked.

"Of course." Wei Zhao nodded. The very first person he and Huang Xiaotao had met upon arriving in the Weihu Sea Region had been Cheng Qitian—and the man had tried to snatch Huang Xiaotao away the moment he laid eyes on her. How could he possibly forget a thing like that?

"In fact, in earlier years the two of them did not practice this yin-plundering method at all. It was only after the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps gained a new strategist that father and son began to cultivate it. This method shares the same root and origin as the evil art you spoke of, Brother Ling—the one that specifically poisons and harms women. I used to wonder how those two suddenly took up something so close to an evil art. Now I understand: their yin-plundering method was taught to them outright by that newly arrived strategist," Qi Wenmo explained.

"In that case, this new strategist of the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps—could he be...?" Wei Zhao's heart stirred.

"Exactly. None other than the very man you seek, Brother Ling—Wu Baoliang!" Qi Wenmo nodded emphatically. "Not long after he arrived in the Weihu Sea Region, he latched onto the Cheng father and son, and he has kept himself tucked away deep inside the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps ever since, rarely venturing out. His movements are extremely secretive; he seldom appears in public, so very few even know of him, and those who do meet him pay him no particular mind. One could say not a whisper of rumor has leaked out."

"If that is so, then how does he continue to cultivate his evil method without poisoning women in great numbers?" Wei Zhao asked, puzzled.

"I had my informants make discreet inquiries. The exact reason is still unknown, but ever since Wu Baoliang joined the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps he has been constantly in the company of the Cheng father and son. My guess is that the three of them are studying the method together—that they have improved it, so he no longer slaughters virgin girls in great numbers as before." As he spoke, Qi Wenmo let slip a bit of gossip as well: "Wu Baoliang's standing in the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps is extraordinarily exalted these days. The women he uses for his cultivation are in fact shared with the Cheng father and son, which is why outsiders find it so hard to notice!"

Pfft! Wei Zhao nearly burst out laughing at that. The Cheng father and son really were a piece of work—carrying on a foursome day in and day out with an outsider like Wu Baoliang. Weren't they afraid of catching something?

"I see. But if his movements are so secretive, how did you find out?" Wei Zhao asked then.

"Heh heh. If the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps had not entered into partnership with the Dragon Boat Escort Agency, we might have investigated another year and still never have discovered Wu Baoliang!" Qi Wenmo said with a laugh.

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Wei Zhao was somewhat baffled. Announcing a partnership was one thing, but the two houses could hardly have published a full roster of all their personnel over it—unless their brains had gone soft.

"The reason is simple. The Dragon Boat Escort Agency will also be taking part in this Nanzhou Escort Gathering, and by the rules of the assembly, every agency that registers must submit a list of the escorts competing. It was on the roster the Dragon Boat Escort Agency submitted that we spotted a new name—none other than the very Wu Baoliang you are looking for, Brother Ling!" Qi Wenmo said with a smile.

"No wonder!" Wei Zhao said, only now understanding. That explained everything. At such a critical juncture, the Dragon Boat Escort Agency's sudden merger with the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps must surely be in preparation for the Nanzhou Escort Gathering—drawing skilled hands from the mercenary corps to compete in the assembly. That was only to be expected. As the strategist of the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps, Wu Baoliang's name being on the list followed as a matter of course.

This was convenient indeed. If Wu Baoliang had stayed cooped up inside the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps, then even knowing of him would have done Wei Zhao little good—after all, he could hardly charge into the Poison Eye Mercenary Corps alone and cut the man down. With Wei Zhao's present strength, that was pure fantasy, and the odds of success all but nonexistent.

But since Wu Baoliang was confirmed to be attending the Nanzhou Escort Gathering, that was a fine opportunity delivered to his door. So long as Wei Zhao attended as well, killing him then would be entirely justified—and he could help the Qingtian Escort Agency into the bargain. Two birds with one stone.

"So it seems even Wu Baoliang is calling me to attend the Nanzhou Escort Gathering. If I declined after all this, it would be quite indefensible," Wei Zhao could not help saying with a laugh.

"Haha, if Young Hero Ling is willing to do us this favor, nothing could be better. Great kindness needs no thanks—and we are all friends here, so there is no need for further words. Come, it is all in the wine!" Qi Mingyuan and Qi Wenmo, father and son, exchanged a smile and raised their cups together in a toast of gratitude.

"Heh heh. You see this as my doing the agency a favor, but to my mind, the agency has given me a chance to deal with Wu Baoliang openly and honorably. A matter of mutual benefit—there is nothing to thank me for," Wei Zhao said with a smile, and drained his cup on the spot.

"Straightforward as ever!" Qi Mingyuan and Qi Wenmo, father and son, likewise emptied their cups to the bottom, and Steward Song and the others around them all joined in drinking, raising a thunderous cheer.

"By the way, Brother Qi, has any news come in about my senior brother Lu Bianren?" Wei Zhao asked, turning the conversation.

"On that front there is still no word at all. His distinguishing features are too few, after all. Your senior brother Lu must be a man who keeps a low profile and would not appear at any public occasion; even if he did, he would not draw anyone's notice. So to date we have not turned up anything of value," Qi Wenmo said with a shake of his head, then added: "But rest easy, Brother Ling. I have already put the word out. From now on, the moment your senior brother Lu shows himself, we should catch wind of it here. Just wait patiently for news."

"Mm. For the time being, that is all we can do." Though Wei Zhao was somewhat worried about Lu Bianren, there was no use fretting over a matter of searching for someone; he could only set it aside for now.

The banquet was a thorough delight for host and guest alike. Whether it was Qi Wenmo, whom he already knew well, or Qi Mingyuan, whom he was meeting for the first time, both father and son were kindred spirits to Wei Zhao. There was no need for false courtesy, nor any awkward silences—it was simply the natural ease of friends in one another's company, all harmony and joy.

The meal lasted deep into the night, and only then did the company disperse, each well fed and well wined. At the earnest insistence of Qi Mingyuan and Qi Wenmo, Wei Zhao stayed two days at the Qingtian Escort Agency. During that time he went out once more with Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao; the Morning Star Academy's selection assembly was about to conclude, so this was in the nature of a gathering before their parting. And on the third day, Chai Laoshi arrived. (To be continued..) R527