“Good! Official Chen is truly a good man.” Chu Yang praised happily.
Then suddenly he seemed to have realized something, then said sincerely, “Official Chen, Heavenly Secret Brigade is something that has to be carefully handled. Every piece of information must be verified because I want us to be one hundred percent sure. Then I could send the brothers from Fierce Blood to complete their missions. If on the small chance that… Well, the responsibility of Heavenly Secret Brigade would not be small. Official Chen, all these lives in Bu Tian Pavilion are placed in your hands. The great responsibility that you have shouldered is not light at all.”
Chen Yu Tong almost choked with anger.
This guy talked like a righteous person, but in truth, he was clearly just seizing power! Complete certainty! Who can be so certain about anything like he wanted? Forget about sneaking into the enemy’s lines and assassinating their general; even if you just got married, there would still be a chance of impotence when the night comes.
“Once we have information, this brigade leader will immediately discuss it with Minister Chu. Then we can analyze the bad and the good carefully. Finally, we can come up with the perfect plan together.” Chen Yu Tong suppressed his anger and continued, “At that time, I hope Minister Chu can put aside some time out of his busy schedule to deal with such urgent matters, and join in the intel work of Heavenly Secret Brigade for the safety of all the martial bothers.”
Chen Yu Tong had lost his Deputy Pavilion Lord position in a painful way. These words of his were the same as to him handing his intelligence leader position over as well. At this point, he was just an intelligence gathering machine, without any decision-making capability.
“This…” Chu Yang made a show of facing a tough decision and said, “Official Chen does not need to do that. I only said so without any other hidden meanings. Besides, I am in charge of both Iron Blood and overseeing the whole operation. Everything will keep me very busy; I am afraid I won’t have time…”
“I hope the Minister will carefully reconsider for the sake of the greater good, and all the martial brothers!” Chen Yu Tong’s mouth was saying this while his heart was cursing this shameless Chu Yang’s eight generations of ancestors. You clearly forced me to hand my rights over, but, now, you are putting up your false pretense.
“Ahhh…” Chu Yang sighed and spoke with great reservation, “If that is the case… Ok, ok! I shall take a chance with these old bones, then.”
Below, a number of people pursed their lips.
“Then I officially announce that we now have three leaders for the brigades!” Chu Yang dealt with the two Pavilion Lords without pulling out his blade. Now that all the power was completely in his hands, he could not help but feel exhilarated.
Next, Chu Yang took the opportunity to hand out assignments as if he had lived with these people for decades. Who was good at what, who was bad at what, who was best suited for what brigade so they can show their full potentials… Everything was arranged in their rightful place. There was nothing that was not clear and orderly.
Everyone was given the position most suited to them! The three brigades in the great hall were just formed, and they immediately divided clear responsibilities. One could imagine how such divisions could make their strength increase tremendously compared to what they were before, when everyone were just tossed in one pile.
Cheng Zi Ang and Chen Yu Tong were currently critical of Chu Yang, but they could not help admiring his arrangements.
Without wasting one ounce of strength, Chu Yang completely controlled Bu Tian Pavilion!
Chu Yang looked at Heavenly Secret Brigade, and immediately thought of Gu Du Xing. How are things progressing on his end?
*******
Within the Prince’s manor.
Tie Bu Tian frowned as he looked at the two people in front of him, “Wait a moment.”
Sitting opposite of him was two officials dressed in court attire; their faces looked worried. The two of them came here because of the incident of Gu Du Xing taking over Emerald Flow Lake. After all, Gu Du Xing was essentially throwing names and said that it was Tie Bu Tian’s order. With the prince’s name, the officials did not dare to do anything rash, and came here for a consultation.
They did not expect when they came here in the late afternoon that it would be midnight and Prince Tie Bu Tian’s attitude was still ambiguous. He did not say they could leave, but he also did not say they were not allowed to leave. He only kept saying one phrase: Wait a moment.
Wait a moment more… It has been a few dozen times since Tie Bu Tian said “Wait a moment more,” making the two unable to leave. They had to sit like that for a long time. Every time the two people tried to talk, the prince would only say, “Wait a moment.”
These two pitiful men sat so long that they became antsy. They did not even dare to go to the bathroom. Their stomachs made sorry gurgling noises.
Finally, there was an announcement at the door, “Your Highness, Official Cheng asked to see you!”
“Send him into the side hall.”
Then Tie Bu Tian slowly stood up, and turned to the two people, “Please wait a moment. I will be back shortly.”
The two officials quickly nodded. They smiled and said, “Your Highness is busy, please feel free to go.”
Tie Bu Tian nodded and walked out.
*********
Side hall.
Cheng Zi Ang was pacing back and forth. After performing his ceremonious greeting with Tie Bu Tian, he seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” Tie Bu Tian asked quietly.
“… Your Highness has a keen eye for people!” Cheng Zi Ang finally managed to squeeze out one sentence after half a day of suppression, “Bu Tian Pavilion is right now under his sole command!”
“What? Did he use force to control everyone?”
“It is not the case. He managed to dig out nine spies from within Bu Tian Pavilion! From beginning to end, he only used the façade of a weak scholar to take care of everything. Finally, he took away Chen Yu Tong’s and my power.” Cheng Zi Ang sighed, looking ashamed.
“What?” Tie Bu Tian was a bit shock, and murmured, “So fast?”
“Yes. Moreover, all the martial brothers at the pavilion respect him completely!”
“Respect…” Tie Bu Tian stood up and walked a few steps back and forth. Of course, he had faith that Chu Yang was capable of controlling Bu Tian Pavilion. What he did not expect was that it would be so fast. Plus, he never bothered to use force to achieve his goals.
This made him see Chu Yang’s abilities in a whole new light.
After contemplating for a moment, he said, “You may go.”
Looking at Cheng Zi Ang leaving, Tie Bu Tian faced the heavens, quietly thought and muttered, “If he has such capabilities, then I have to give him Emerald Flow Lake. What’s there to hesitate about? Without trust, the person can’t be used; if the person is used, there should be no suspicions.”
It was true that Chu Yang had an existing agreement with Tie Bu Tian, but that was for part of Emerald Flow Lake only. However, Gu Du Xing currently played a big game, and took over all of Emerald Flow Lake. The area he took over was much larger than what was agreed upon…
Even though this was outside of his original expectations, Tie Bu Tian patiently waited. He was waiting, waiting to see if Chu Yang could control Bu Tian Pavilion… That was all.
If he did not have the ability to control, then he would not get anything. However, Chu Yang had now demonstrated abilities surpassing everyone else. Even if he asked for the whole world, Tie Bu Tian would acquiesce if he could!
********
The two officials in the great hall exchanged gazes. They had a bad feeling, as if the prince had already made some promise with Emerald Flow Lake. But… if that was the case, the Prince only needed to say so and this whole thing would be buried. Why did he hesitate like this?
“I have made you two wait long.” Tie Bu Tian slowly walked forward, smiling as he spoke, “With so much work, it could not be helped. Please forgive me.”
The two hurriedly said they did not dare.
“Ah, you were talking about Emerald Flow Lake, correct?” Tie Bu Tian rubbed his brows, and said sadly, “My memory is not that good.”
“Yes, it’s about that Emerald Flow Lake. We wanted to know if the Prince has any orders.”
“I heard that person’s attitude was very bad?” Tie Bu Tian frowned and asked with some displeasure.
“Your Highness, that young man had no reason! He isolated the entire Emerald Flow Lake and turned it into an off limits area. He made it into his personal property. Moreover, he announced that it was the Prince’s idea. This commotion drove the people’s anguish to the breaking point. If we don’t intervene in time, it might cause a great upheaval in the citadel.” In front of Tie Bu Tian was a middle-aged man with a big position in the royal court. Tie Bu Tian’s less than happy attitude gave him the hint that the prince was not pleased with that person, so he immediately made a big deal out of it.
“The people’s anguish reached the breaking point? Might cause a great upheaval?” Tie Bu Tian mouth’s curved up, showing a mocking smile, “Official Wang, you are the head scholar of the court. When I was little, I was also taught by you. From you, I learned many valuable ideas. But these words ‘the people’s anguish reached the breaking point’ that just came out of your mouth disappointed me.”
Official Wang was momentarily stunned, “The prince’s words, this lowly official does not understand.”
“Five years ago, this Emerald Flow Lake became your family’s property!” Tie Bu Tian used a calm and peaceful voice, enough to lull people to sleep. He said lightly, “Official Wang, your nephew is Wang Bao Ping. That year, he helped the son of You Xiang take over Emerald Flow Lake. Afterward, You Xiang was killed by Royal Uncle in the golden hall, and all his properties were confiscated. And the person in charge of confiscating that property was you, Official Wang!”