Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 105 The Blade Rises on a Winter Night
Originally, Chen Qing did not intend to get entangled with the White Lotus Sect for too long. After all, he did not have the patience to keep pretending with these cult bandits. If he stayed for too long and became a hall master or deputy leader, it would be even more difficult to end the situation.

However, this time, the Zhenfu Division's operation was carried out more than half a month earlier than Chen Qing had previously set.

Originally, he had planned to try to meet with that Master Yang over the past two weeks, but now that he only has a few days left, he has given up on that idea.

Since we're going to act early, we need to make the necessary preparations. At the very least, we must not let the people we already have get away get away.

Especially Bai Sanping.

This Master Bai is practically the person in charge of the White Lotus Sect in Jingzhao Prefecture, and he has been in contact with Chen Qing the whole time. If we don't capture him and let him escape, this man will definitely be able to figure out who tricked him.

At that time, Chen Qing himself might not have any major problems, but Master Gu and Miss Gu would face some danger.

Chen Qing spent the entire night in his room, going over the whole incident in his mind.

The next morning, Chen Qing changed into a new set of clothes and had Xiao Yue comb his hair. When the sun rose, he stepped out of the Gu family's gate, his feet crunching on the snow that had been frozen solid overnight.

After leaving the Gu family, Chen Qing first went to Gu's Bookstore to finalize the action plan with Yan Cong. After confirming that there were no problems, he had lunch with Yan Cong.

In the afternoon, Chen Qing asked around on the street and eventually found Baiyun Temple.

This is one of the largest Taoist temples in the capital.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Baiyun Temple, Chen Qing looked at the young Taoist priest guarding the gate and said with a smile, "Young Taoist priest, my name is Chen Qing. I'm here to see Miss Mu from Yingtian. May I announce my arrival?"

Upon hearing this, the young Taoist priest glanced at Chen Qing, nodded, and then went inside to report.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the young Taoist priest returned and led Chen Qing into the Baiyun Temple. Finally, they arrived at the entrance of a small courtyard. The young Taoist priest bowed to Chen Qing and said, "Young master, Miss Mu is inside. Please come in."

Chen Qing nodded, thanked him, and then knocked on the door.

The courtyard gate opened quickly, and Mu Xianniang, dressed in a Taoist robe, stood behind the gate, quietly watching Chen Qing.

How did you know I lived here?

Chen Qing looked at her and said with a smile, "If Miss Mu knows where I live, why can't I know where Miss Mu lives?"

Chen Qing indeed had no power in the capital, and he himself did not have any extraordinary abilities for the time being, but now he had "attached" himself to the Northern Garrison Command.

Both the Northern Garrison and the Imperial Guard were part of the Emperor's personal army, but the Northern Garrison focused more on investigating and handling cases, meaning it placed greater emphasis on intelligence capabilities.

Especially in the capital region, the manpower of several thousand-household units of the Northern Garrison Command can be said to be spread throughout the entire Jingzhao Prefecture.

With the support of the Zhenfu Division, it would be incredibly easy for Chen Qing to find out where Mu Xianniang lived.

Mu Xianniang's eyes showed suspicion, but she still stepped aside to make way for Chen Qing and invited him in.

The two quickly sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard. After Chen Qing sat down, he almost jumped up. He turned around, looked down at the stone bench, and said, "In the dead of winter, this is ridiculous."

Mu Xianniang sat down with a calm expression, looked up at Chen Qing, and said, "Young Master Chen has just arrived in the capital and has been writing books at home. I have never told you where I live. I am very curious, how did Young Master Chen find his way here?"

A hint of apprehension seemed to have crept into her eyes: "Could it be that Young Master Chen possesses some abilities I'm unaware of?"

Chen Qing sat down opposite her, enduring the discomfort in his buttocks, and said with a smile, "Miss Mu is skilled in Taoist arts. There are only a few famous Taoist temples in the capital. Are they hard to find?"

"But Miss Mu is quite remarkable."

Chen Qing sighed, "I've heard that Baiyun is the ancestral home of the Quanzhen School, and it's very aloof. You can't get in without some real ability."

Mu Xianniang glanced at Chen Qing and said, "Young Master Chen, you also know who invited me to the capital. With someone like that around, where can't I stay?"

At this point, she glanced at Chen Qing, a hint of allure suddenly appearing in her eyes, and chuckled softly, "Young Master Chen, you went to all this way to find me. Aren't you afraid your fiancée at home will be jealous?"

"She doesn't know."

Chen Qing also laughed and said, "Unless Miss Mu tells on us, she won't be able to feel jealous even if she wants to."

"All right."

Chen Qing coughed lightly and said, "Let's get down to business."

“Last time, Miss Mu came uninvited, sneaked into Mr. Chen’s room, and took the manuscript.”

Chen Qing looked at her and said, "I thought Miss Mu had handed it over to the Holy Sect, but yesterday, Hall Master Bai came to me again to ask for it back. Did Miss Mu not hand over the manuscript?"

"It's been handed over."

Mu Xianniang said calmly, "It has already been sent directly to Sect Leader Yang. Sect Leader Yang said that Young Master Chen, you are very talented and he is very satisfied with what you have written."

Chen Qing frowned and asked, "How come Master Bai still knows how to do that?"

"Master Bai probably doesn't know."

Mu Xianniang said calmly, "I don't need to go through Master Yang when I meet him."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing's eyes flickered.

He was right; this woman didn't think much of that Master Bai either. "That makes sense then."

Chen Qing said, "Master Bai is pressing for the manuscript, and I have no other choice. In a little while, I would like to ask Miss Mu to come with me to He Family Manor to see Master Bai."

"Explain this clearly to Master Bai for me."

Mu Xianniang looked at him and said, "Young Master Chen is exceptionally talented. Just write another copy for Bai Sanping."

"Miss Mu, you don't know."

Chen Qing shook his head, looking troubled, and said, "We story writers forget what we wrote as soon as we finish it. How could we possibly remember what we wrote?"

At this point, Chen Qing looked up at the sky and said with a smile, "Judging by the time, if we leave the city at this hour, we should arrive at Hejia Village around dusk. Would Miss Mu like to come with me?"

Mu Xianniang looked at Chen Qing intently for a long while before slowly saying, "Chen Qing, something is wrong with you."

Chen Qing stood up and smiled, "What's wrong with me? I'm about to leave the city to go to He Family Village to explain to Master Bai. If Miss Mu wants to come with me, we'll go together. If Miss Mu doesn't want to go..."

"Then I'll have to go by myself."

After saying this, Chen Qing was about to get up and take his leave. Just as he reached the entrance of the courtyard, Mu Xianniang also stood up and said calmly, "Young Master Chen, please wait a moment. I will change my clothes and then go with you to see Bai Sanping."

Chen Qing nodded slightly to express his gratitude.

He watched Mu Xianniang return to the house. Not long after, Mu Xianniang pushed open the courtyard gate and came out. This time, she was no longer wearing a thin Taoist robe, but had changed into a winter outfit, making her look much more robust.

Chen Qing glanced at her.

"I thought Miss Mu was never afraid of the cold."

"It's not that I'm not afraid of the cold."

Mu Xianniang glanced at Chen Qing and said calmly, "I'm just enduring the cold."

With that, she strode toward the courtyard gate: "Let's go, or we won't be able to leave the city once the gates close."

Chen Qing smiled and nodded, following behind her. The two left Baiyun Temple one after the other.

After leaving Baiyun Temple, the two traveled through the capital city and finally left before sunset.

After leaving the city, we walked another two or three miles, and the original Hejiazhuang village was already vaguely visible.

At this moment, the sun was setting in the west, and the sunlight shone down, casting two long shadows on the two people.

Mu Xianniang turned to look at Chen Qing, took a deep breath, and said, "Young Master Chen, you must be hiding something from me."

"Before we meet anyone from the Northern Cult, could you tell me about it?"

"I do have something to hide from Miss Mu, but it's not the right time to say it."

Chen Qing walked briskly towards Hejiazhuang with his hands behind his back.

“If Miss Mu wants to leave now, I won’t stop her. If Miss Mu is curious, she can come with me. Tonight, all the mysteries will be revealed.”

After saying this, Chen Qing walked towards Hejiazhuang without looking back.

Mu Xianniang gritted her teeth and followed behind him, heading towards Hejiazhuang.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Hejiazhuang, one can still see several disabled beggar children returning to the manor from the direction of the capital.

At a glance, there were a dozen or twenty beggars, in groups. Some of these beggars were already seasoned veterans, and they would even joke and laugh with their companions.

Those who have recently become disabled often appear numb and remain silent, as if they have lost their souls.

Chen Qing arrived at the entrance of Hejia Village, looked at the men at the gate, and asked, "Is Master Bai in the village?"

The two men didn't recognize Chen Qing, but they did recognize Mu Xianniang. They looked at Mu Xianniang, and when she nodded, they replied, "The head of the hall is in the manor."

"It's fine as long as you're inside."

Chen Qing walked in with his hands behind his back, and Mu Xianniang followed him into the depths of the manor.

Not far from the two, Commander Yan, accompanied by two subordinates and three centurions, also arrived near He Family Village.

Commander Yan first lowered his head to adjust the crossbow in his hand, then looked up at Hejiazhuang, checked the time, and slowly said, "Surround it first, and make sure no one can escape."

"After a short while, we wiped out this cult stronghold, but anyone who resisted was executed on the spot!"

The three centurions, including Yan Cong, all clasped their hands in a salute.

"As ordered!"

(End of this chapter)