Chapter 56
Deng Chaochan arrived in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Entering a city whose lights never seemed to go out, Deng Chaochan quietly melted into the shadows.
Many considered Hangzhou the most beautiful city in Central China. Some even said, “In heaven, there is paradise; on earth, there are Hangzhou and Suzhou.”
Once the capital of the former empire, this land was famous for its silk, beautiful lakes, and for being a city of pleasure and gambling.
At the very heart of this city of indulgence lay the main headquarters of the Hao Sect.
Jingsong Academy.
Deng Chaochan looked at the signboard written in majestic calligraphy and let out a bitter laugh, heading toward the back gate of the academy.
“The pine that never falls… tsk.”
The West Lake, shimmering throughout the seasons, was beloved by many. Scholars praised its beauty in poems and paintings.
Those who remained in this land left behind disciples, and the influx of visitors made the city one filled with scholars.
Ironically, a city famed for pleasure also had many academies where students diligently studied.
The academy’s back gate led to the entertainment district. Inside the back gate were small quarters for servants and storage rooms.
Deng Chaochan, vigilant of his surroundings, opened the warehouse door without hesitation and stepped inside. It was an ordinary storage room with miscellaneous items scattered about.
Standing in the center, Deng Chaochan stomped his feet with a series of thuds: thud, thud-thud, thud, thud-thud-thud. He then stepped back a few paces.
After a while, the floor of the warehouse creaked open. A figure leaped up from the stairs beneath the floor.
“I’m here to see the Sect Leader.”
Deng Chaochan presented a golden token marked with the character “Ha.” This token, given only to Hao Sect’s benefactors, was of the highest rank—granting the holder access to the Sect Leader at any time.
The figure checked the token by running a finger over its underside. Then, stepping back, he returned the token.
“Enter.”
Deng Chaochan snatched the token and descended the stairs silently.
The guard closed the warehouse door behind him, leaving no trace that anyone had been there.
“You’ve come?”
Deng Chaochan entered the room where he was guided and was greeted first by Sect Leader Ye Shangyang.
Though his expression was pleased to see him, signs of illness remained. It had been a long time since he had fallen into possession-possession demonism.
Though good medicines had been administered and many physicians consulted, no cure had been found. Even Deng Chaochan had been unable to help. The herbs and tonics were the only things keeping him alive.
“Tsk… you’ll die soon.”
“Old man, watch your tone.”
Knowing these were words of concern, Ye Shangyang laughed, even as he lightly chided him. Only with years of experience could he read the meaning behind the rough words.
“Bring some tea.”
“No, liquor.”
Deng Chaochan sat down and spoke.
“Very well. Bring the liquor.”
Ye Shangyang called out, and the sound of footsteps receded as someone fetched it.
Soon, light snacks and a bottle of liquor were set before them. Deng Chaochan picked up the bottle and drank deeply.
Watching him, Ye Shangyang forced a wry smile and spoke:
“You’ve come to handle the Golden Command, Brother?”
At that moment, Deng Chaochan’s expression stiffened. Ye Shangyang, reading his face, realized something.
“…You knew?”
Deng Chaochan let out a weary sigh.
Racing from Hong’an County to Hangzhou, he had hoped that the words of Yunying were false. Yet Hao Sect had already discovered the situation.
In a few words, both realized that something had gone wrong somewhere.
The order given by the Hao Sect leader had been intercepted.
“It wasn’t delivered… hah… such a thing…”
Unable to contain his anger, Ye Shangyang trembled violently. A fierce aura began to pour from his body.
“Somewhere, information has vanished… I, the Hao Sect Leader… the information I sent… hah… how can this be…”
Through gritted teeth, his rough voice escaped.
Coughing up blood, Ye Shangyang spat repeatedly.
Tsk. Deng Chaochan clicked his tongue and placed a hand on Ye Shangyang’s back, sending internal energy through him.
“…It’s alright. You’re alright now.”
Wiping the blood from his sleeve, Ye Shangyang spoke. Deng Chaochan’s gaze was full of concern for his friend.
Taking a sip of tea, Ye Shangyang exhaled deeply and began to speak slowly.
“Let me summarize. About a month ago, we received intelligence that suspicious individuals were entering the estate of the Hangzhou Golden Command.”
Deng Chaochan listened silently, his eyes filled with concern.
“Upon investigation, they were part of a dark-sword group called the Black Night Gang.”
“The Black Night Gang?”
“A faction under the control of the Dark-Sword Sect, operating mainly in Hangzhou.”
“Just… a faction of dark swords?”
Deng Chaochan ground his teeth. Ye Shangyang continued calmly.
“The Dark-Sword Sect has recently grown strong and joined the Martial Alliance. It seems likely they are involved.”
“The Dark-Sword Sect… what about their numbers?”
Deng Chaochan’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Ho Zheng, the sect leader, is said to be at the peak. He wields a great sword….”
“Enough of that. Their numbers?”
“Three peak-level enforcers, about ten first-tier, and roughly a hundred second- and third-tier members.”
“…Quite a few little rascals, then.”
Deng Chaochan spoke as if it were trivial.
“This is unprecedented, so we’ve been watching. I thought any small matter should be reported to you before Jinliang left for Beijing. That’s why I sent a covert team…”
Ye Shangyang’s composed expression twisted. After a heavy sigh, he continued:
“They haven’t returned. I assumed they’d come back with you.”
Neither spoke aloud the grim possibility—that the missing covert team might never be found.
“What about the interior of the Golden Command?”
“Everything is as you knew. We’ve noticed the Golden Command attempting to consolidate its own power.”
“Could… could it be that they’ve taken more than half for themselves?”
Deng Chaochan recalled Yunying’s words and asked.
*”More than half… hm…”
Ye Shangyang trailed off in thought.
“Brother, to be honest, I don’t know. I wasn’t entirely unaware—there were always those in Hao Sect who tried to blind my eyes and ears.”
There was a trace of sorrow in Ye Shangyang’s voice. As Hao Sect leader, it made no sense that he wouldn’t notice missing information.
“I suspected it, but didn’t want to believe it. Five years is a long time… I apologize to you.”
His expression was contorted in despair.
“No. Now that I’m here, it’s alright. Nothing has happened yet.”
Deng Chaochan waved his hand and tapped the table.
Both fell into silence, lost in their thoughts.
Deng Chaochan hadn’t entrusted the Golden Command to Jinliang without precautions.
He had placed the headquarters in Hangzhou and expanded the Golden Command in Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi—regions where righteous sects lacked influence—all carefully planned.
Hangzhou was the perfect place for Hao Sect to monitor it, and his younger foster brother Ye Shangyang could guard it.
For over thirty years, the Golden Command had caused little trouble.
Perhaps Deng Chaochan had been slightly complacent. Trusting people after so many years may have been a mistake.
His thoughts returned to the past, trying to trace the missteps.
Had it been a mistake to entrust his grandson Jinliang to the Golden Command and let him grow up as Jin Zhenliang?
Jinliang is brilliant. He enjoys reading classics and seeks wisdom from the words of sages.
Had it been wrong not to reveal that his grandfather existed?
Jinliang seems to have no weaknesses. He wants to become an administrator. What do you think, elder?
Had he trusted the words of a worn-out merchant too readily?
Jinliang studies at the Astronomy Academy. A teacher from the Hanlin Academy often praises him. He will become an exceptional scholar.
Had his heart fluttered at the thought that a thief’s grandson could become a scholar?
We prepared a residence near the academy for Jinliang. It mustn’t be inconvenient for his studies.
Had all of this been genuine consideration for Jinliang? Why hadn’t he been suspicious?
Jinliang passed the provincial exam this year. In half a year, he will take the imperial exam at the palace. We must ensure he is well-prepared.
“…Everything was wrong.”
Deng Chaochan sighed. Yunying’s warning face flashed in his mind.
“What will you do?”
In response to Ye Shangyang’s question, Deng Chaochan’s voice was heavy:
“We fix it immediately.”
After that, they would have to pay a steep price.
