Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 136 Confess Identity
Banshu.

Jingbian Division.

The turmoil that has recently swept through Southwest China is gradually subsiding.

The Yang family claimed to have an army of 100,000, which included dozens of local chieftains who were subordinate to the Yang family.

This time, the imperial court took drastic measures, ordering the An and Song families to restrain the vassal chieftains of the Yang family. They secretly gathered a large number of experts and directly attacked Longya Fort. The head of the Yang family committed suicide, and the two patriarchs were executed. The chieftains were leaderless and quickly withdrew their troops from the front line, no longer entangled with the An and Song families.

The most important task for the Jingbian Division these days is to appease these chieftains.

As long as they are kept in check, the thousands of Dragon Cliff troops of the Yang family outside pose no threat whatsoever.

Moreover, those Longya soldiers were not elite troops to begin with. After learning of the Yang family's destruction, most of them scattered like birds and beasts, and were completely routed, allowing the An and Song families to take the opportunity to recruit them.

As for those chieftains, when the Yang family was powerful, they all bowed down and submitted to them. Now that the Yang family has perished, they naturally will not continue to fight desperately.

Inside Lin Xuan's duty room, he was preparing for the establishment of the Bozhou Thousand-Household Office.

Previously, Bozhou was controlled by the Yang family, and the imperial court simply forcibly placed a centurion there.

Now that Bozhou is under the actual control of the imperial court, it is natural to strengthen its military forces.

This place is extremely important, as it can both restrain the two major chieftains of An and Song, and also contain Nanzhao. In addition to setting up a Jingbian Commandery with a thousand households, two military garrisons will also be set up here.

Lin Xuan was selecting suitable centurions based on their resumes when a guard strode in and respectfully said, "Lord Chen, the Tian family's caravan has entered Bozhou City..."

Lin Xuan's eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly: "Understood."

The entrance to Jingbian Simen.

A guard looked at the beautiful woman opposite him and shook his head, saying, "Miss, Lord Wenren has already returned to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Tian Qingluan's expression darkened.

She learned of the Yang family's destruction immediately through a telescope.

Without delay, she immediately led her people to Bozhou.

Hearing that the Yang family was to be escorted to the capital, she guessed that Wenren Yue would probably go with them. As a friend, she rushed over, wanting to see her one last time, but she was a few days too late.

A'Luo is gone, and so is she.

The memories of the four of them are still vivid, but now she is all alone.

She sighed softly, then turned and left with a touch of melancholy.

Lin Xuan walked out of Jingbian Division and watched her figure disappear into the crowd.

Bozhou, a certain street.

Tianji Shop.

Shopkeeper Tian Kun argued anxiously with a flag officer from the Jingye Division: "Sir, this is clearly our Tian family's shop, how did it become the Yang family's? You can't just shut it down like that!"

The officer affixed the seal to the shop's door, glanced at Tian Kun, and said indifferently, "Whether it's a Yang family shop or not isn't up to you to decide. The Yang family's accounts clearly state that half of your shop's profits go to the Yang family. According to regulations, any shop with a stake in the Yang family must be sealed off first. If you have anything to say, go talk to your superiors..."

Tian Qingluan watched this scene from afar, then quickly walked forward and asked, "Third Uncle, what's wrong?"

Seeing the young lady, Tian Kun finally felt reassured and said, "Young lady, this official insists that this is the Yang family's shop and wants to seal it up. What should we do..."

Tian Qingluan's heart sank. She had anticipated the downfall of the Yang family, and thus she had sacrificed huge profits to gain the opportunity to enter the game early.

For profit, the Yang family helped the Tian family open more than a dozen shops in Bozhou.

If all these shops are shut down, all of the Tian family's previous efforts will be in vain.

Not only will the advance planning fail, but it will also result in significant losses.

She did not attempt to bribe the banner officer before her. Those qualified to set such rules must be high-ranking officials of the court, and this banner officer was merely acting on orders.

If Wenren Yue were still alive, she could still be used to discuss matters with those above.

After she left, the Tian family had no connections in the imperial court in Bozhou.

Just as she was in a dilemma, a voice suddenly came from behind her.

"what happened?"

Tian Qingluan turned around, and a familiar figure appeared in her eyes.

She was slightly taken aback: "Lord Chen..."

Tian Qingluan was no stranger to the person in front of her.

The two had met many times at Yang Xiao's residence and occasionally bumped into each other when they went out.

At first, she thought the other party was a guard from the Yang family.

Later, I learned from Wenren Yue that he was actually an undercover agent planted by the imperial court in the Yang family.

When she evacuated Bozhou with the people from the Jingbian Division, the other party was also among them.

Tian Qingluan hadn't exchanged many words with this Lord Chen, only knowing that he held a very high position in the Jingye Division, and that even the fifth-rank commanders treated him with utmost respect.

Although the flag officer did not recognize the man in front of him, he noticed that the man's uniform was somewhat similar to that of the Jingye Division, and that it was black in color. Only high-ranking officials of the Jingye Division were qualified to wear black uniforms.

He was startled and respectfully replied, "Your Excellency, this Tianji Shop has a deep connection with the Yang family. The higher-ups have said that all shops related to the Yang family must be shut down..."

Lin Xuan asked, "Above, which above?"

The officer said, "Wei Zhong, Commander Wei."

There are countless centurions in the Jingye Division. Of the five thousand men transferred this time, there are one hundred centurions and deputy centurions. Lin Xuan couldn't possibly know them all, so he asked directly, "Who is your commander?"

Upon hearing this, the officer's expression became even more respectful, and his voice trembled slightly as he said, "This humble officer belongs to the Ningzhou Thousand-Household Office."

“Ningzhou, that’s one of Sheng Bin’s men.” Lin Xuan nodded slightly and said, “Go to Jingbian Division and ask Sheng Bin to come over. Tell him that Chen Yu needs to see him.”

"I'll go right away!"

Upon hearing this, the flag officer respectfully replied and immediately ran away.

He dared to address even the Commander of a Thousand Households by his name, so this person must be someone of immense power and influence. He dared not waste a single moment.

Under the shocked gazes of Tian Kun and his servant, Lin Xuan casually tore off the seal on the door, then looked at Tian Qingluan and asked, "Miss Tian, ​​won't you invite me in for a cup of tea?"

Tian Qingluan snapped out of her daze, immediately pushed open the shop door, and said, "Lord Chen, please."

Lin Xuan entered the shop, casually found a chair to sit down, and Tian Qingluan personally brewed him a cup of tea, saying softly, "The shop only has some coarse tea, please forgive me, Lord Chen..."

Lin Xuan picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

Even though it was just some coarse tea, the tea that Qingluan brewed herself tasted better to him than the tribute tea that Lu Feng brought from the capital.

Tian Qingluan stood three feet away from Lin Xuan, gave a slight bow, and said apologetically, "I was unaware of Lord Chen's identity before. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me..."

That familiar aroma was so close to him.

Although he longed to hold her in his arms to ease the pain of missing her for the past few months, Lin Xuan could only endure it for the time being because there were other people around.

He put down his teacup and said with a smile, "Miss Tian, ​​you flatter me. You have never offended me in any way."

Tian Qingluan, unaware of Lord Chen's intentions, stood quietly beside him without saying another word.

Lin Xuan pointed to the chair beside him and spoke up, "Miss Tian, ​​please sit down. I don't mean anything by it, but I feel that the rules they've set for the Yang family's shops are too harsh. The Yang family has dominated Bozhou for hundreds of years, and many merchants in the city have been forced to share their profits with them because of their coercion. They are the victims, and such a blanket approach is too unfair to them..."

Tian Qingluan's beautiful eyes lit up slightly, and she immediately said, "Lord Chen is wise. The Tian family is extremely grateful that you can think of us small merchants..."

Lin Xuan smiled and said, "Miss Tian, ​​you don't need to be so polite. This is what the imperial court should do."

Tian Qingluan said respectfully, "Having a good official like Lord Chen is a blessing for the people of the Southwest..."

Her politeness carried a strong sense of distance, and Lin Xuan didn't know what to say for a moment, so she silently drank her tea.

A long silence fell over the shop.

After an unknown amount of time, a figure hurriedly ran into the shop.

A middle-aged man clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute to Lin Xuan and said, "Lord Chen, you're looking for me?"

This person was Sheng Bin, the commander of the Ningzhou Thousand-Household Office.

He had just heard from his subordinates that Lord Chen was looking for him, so he rushed over anxiously.

While others were unaware of Lord Chen's identity, he knew it all too well. The Sixteen Guards of Jingye were not under the jurisdiction of the Town Government Office; they were directly responsible to the Commander and held a position far above those of the chiliarchs like himself.

It can be said that in the Southwest today, he is the number one person under Commander Lu.

Lin Xuan cut to the chase and asked, "Did you give the order to seal up all the shops that have any connection with the Yang family?"

The imperial court had no foothold in Bozhou, and after the Yang family's downfall, there were too many things to arrange.

Lu Feng delegated some details to his subordinates.

Sheng Bin nodded, somewhat uneasily saying, "Yes, sir. What instructions does Lord Chen have..." Lin Xuan stood up, smiling, and said, "Commander Sheng, don't be nervous. I didn't call you here to interrogate you. There are many merchants in Bozhou like the Tian family, who were forced by the Yang family to give up part of their profits. If we were to confiscate all these shops, wouldn't it make the court seem even more domineering than the Yang family? This is not the court's intention, nor is it conducive to the stability of Bozhou. Let's change this rule..."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Bin's face showed respect, and he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Lord Chen's consideration is indeed thorough. This humble official will go and make the changes immediately..."

Lin Xuan nodded and said, "Go."

Sheng Bin clasped his hands in a fist salute again and hurriedly left.

Tian Qingluan was filled with emotion as she watched this scene.

For the first time, she felt the power of authority so clearly.

With a cultivation level of 6th grade, one can command respect and smile obsequiously from a 5th grade expert.

The fate of many merchants in Bozhou, including the Tian family, rested entirely on his decision.

She bowed slightly to Lin Xuan and said, "Thank you, Lord Chen!"

Lin Xuan breathed a soft sigh of relief and said, "Miss Tian, ​​may I have a word with you in private?"

Tian Qingluan looked at him, as if she had thought of something, and became a little wary.

She wasn't familiar with this Lord Chen, and he seemed to have no reason to help her.

Moreover, this Lord Chen was well aware that the profits the Tian family gave to the Yang family were not due to coercion by the Yang family, but rather were offered voluntarily by the Tian family.

There is no good in this world without reason.

Thinking back to his journey back to Sizhou, he would often glance at her.

She seemed to have guessed something.

But after thinking it over, she nodded and said, "Please, Lord Chen, move to the inner room."

His strength is inferior to mine, so even if he has other ideas about me, he will not succeed.

At worst, we can just give up the business in Bozhou.

The two walked into the inner room, and Lin Xuan turned around and closed the door.

Tian Qingluan's eyelids twitched involuntarily, her vigilance already at its highest level.

She looked at Lin Xuan and asked, "Lord Chen, is there anything else?"

Lin Xuan looked at her, his gaze softening, and said softly, "Qingluan, it's me."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Tian Qingluan trembled and almost lost her balance.

She gripped the table, her gaze fixed on Lin Xuan, and said in a trembling voice, "You, you say another word..."

Lin Xuan stepped forward, looked into her eyes, and resumed his original voice: "You heard me right, it's me."

Hearing that voice she had longed for again, Tian Qingluan's eyes shone with ecstatic joy, but it quickly turned to wariness. She forcibly suppressed the urge to throw herself into his arms, took a few steps back, and asked nervously and expectantly, "You, who exactly are you..."

Lin Xuan's face changed in a flash, then returned to its original shape.

This scene startled Tian Qingluan, who took two steps back and asked nervously, "Who are you? Why are you looking like him?"

Lin Xuan was somewhat amused and exasperated, and could only say, "You should have received the booklet I gave you, right? Do you still remember my friend who was afflicted with the Heart-Eating Gu, and what kind of deal I made with Youmeng...?"

Hearing these secrets known only to the two of them, Tian Qingluan had no more doubts.

She suddenly threw herself into the embrace she had longed for day and night, tears instantly blurring her vision.

Having regained her beloved, she was speechless for a moment. Overwhelmed with joy and grievance, she bit down hard on Lin Xuan's chest...

"You bad person, do you even know how I've been getting through these past few days..."

Lin Xuan let her bite down, and even deliberately dispersed his true energy.

He simply held her tightly and whispered, "It's all my fault, I've made you suffer..."

After a long, deep kiss, Tian Qingluan curled up in Lin Xuan's arms, completely abandoning her usual strong-willed demeanor. She gently stroked Lin Xuan's chest and whispered, "Does it hurt...?"

Lin Xuan hugged her and said with a smile, "It doesn't hurt."

She reached out and touched Lin Xuan's face, asking in confusion, "Your face..."

Lin Xuan explained, "A few months ago, the imperial court sent me to infiltrate the Yang family to gather intelligence. This was a top-secret mission, and I couldn't tell anyone. Chen Yu was my false identity. To avoid giving myself away, the court had a renowned physician alter my appearance..."

Tian Qingluan exclaimed in surprise, "But I asked Wenren Yue to inquire, and she said..."

Lin Xuan said, "This mission is top secret; she doesn't know about it either."

Tian Qingluan frowned and said, "You should have told her. She's always felt guilty, thinking she's the one who killed you..."

When it came to his own life and fortune, Lin Xuan had no other choice.

Tian Qingluan finally realized something, stared blankly at Lin Xuan, and asked in surprise, "How can you change your appearance so easily?"

Lin Xuan thought for a moment and asked, "Have you ever heard of the Jiuli tribe having a technique that can change one's appearance?"

After recalling for a moment, Tian Qingluan said, "I've heard Sister Youmeng mention it before."

Then she remembered something else and asked again, "What about Luo Wei's death..."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly and said, "I killed Luo Wei. He wanted to harm you, so I killed him."

Tian Qingluan murmured, "What about Yang Sen and Yang Yu..."

Lin Xuan did not deny it, nodding and saying, "I killed them too. After you left Yang Xiao's residence that day, they started watching you. I won't let anyone hurt you, not even a single hair..."

Tian Qingluan's heart was filled with immense happiness.

It turns out he had always been by her side, silently protecting her.

All the grievances I had felt during this time seemed to have vanished into thin air.

She held Lin Xuan tightly, afraid that what had just happened was just a dream.

Suddenly, she straightened up, regretting, "Oh no, A'Luo left a while ago. I should have kept her here. I'll send someone to her hometown to look for her right away..."

Lin Xuan tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and shook her head, saying, "No need to look anymore, you won't find it."

Tian Qingluan asked blankly, "Why?"

Lin Xuan took a deep breath and said, "A'Luo is just her false identity. Her real identity is Mandala, the chief of the Nanzhao Secret Service. She is infiltrating our ranks to gather intelligence..."

Tian Qingluan trembled, shocked, and said, "How is this possible? How could A'Luo be..."

She looked into Lin Xuan's eyes, her voice gradually fading.

She knew very well that he wouldn't joke about this.

At this moment, a complex and indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.

During this time together, she truly regarded her as a real sister.

Was all of this just a facade?

Her sincerity was met with insincerity, leaving her deeply disappointed...

But the thought that Lin Xuan would belong to her alone from now on brought a touch of secret joy to her heart...

She straddled Lin Xuan and couldn't resist kissing him again, quickly forgetting about A Luo.

After a long while, she collapsed against Lin Xuan, still clinging to him and unwilling to let go, asking, "What have you been doing these past few days? Tell me everything, one by one..."

Lin Xuan inhaled deeply the fragrance of her hair and recounted her experiences over the past few days to her.

This includes going to the Xuanwu tribe to help Youmeng complete the Saintess Trial, undergo marrow cleansing and breakthrough in cultivation, returning to Bozhou, infiltrating the Yang family, and returning to the Xuanwu tribe to undergo bloodline baptism and receive rewards and promotions from the imperial court...

Of course, he selectively ignored some of the less important things.

For example, he and Youmeng received the ancestral spirit's inheritance together, and then some unexpected things happened.

After a long separation, the reunion is a time of tenderness and beauty.

Bringing up these things at this time seems rather unromantic...

I'll find a suitable opportunity later to explain it to her slowly.

Tian Qingluan suddenly remembered something, looked up at Lin Xuan, and asked, "That day, A Luo and I ran into you at the alley entrance. You were covered in the smell of alcohol and a woman's fragrance. What were you doing that day?"

Lin Xuan paused for a moment, then coughed lightly and explained, "As an undercover agent, sometimes you don't have a choice. That day, after the mission, they invited me to a brothel for drinks, but I can guarantee that I only drank that day. I didn't touch any of the prostitutes..."

"Really didn't touch it?"

"Touching it doesn't count. You know, in that kind of situation, I can't act too strangely..."

(End of this chapter)