If he was asking this, it seemed Bian Lingbai was ready to proceed with his rebellion. Bian Lingbai hadn’t purposefully concealed his intentions from Duan Ling, though considering the way he was only hinting at his designs without revealing the actual plan, it was clear he aimed to test Duan Ling’s loyalty.
“I’ll do whatever you ask me to, Uncle,” Duan Ling answered.
Not expecting such a forthright answer, Bian Lingbai burst into hearty laughter. Rarely did the foolish perceive their own foolishness, yet they were quick to guard against the overly clever around them. This, too, was something Li Jianhong had taught Duan Ling.
“I need you to do something for me,” Bian Lingbai said. “That Tangut prince seems to have taken a liking to you. Ask him for a rendezvous in the outskirts of the city; I’ve got plans for him there.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Duan Ling agreed. “Yes, Uncle.”
Bian Lingbai was perplexed by his lack of questions, but perhaps it was just as well. Blind obedience was exactly what he needed.
“But…” Duan Ling ventured after some thought, “I’m not sure it’ll work. What if he doesn’t want to come with me? And what if he gets…suspicious? What are we going to do with him?”
Bian Lingbai raised a brow. “Can’t you figure it out yourself?” When Duan Ling pressed his lips shut, he added, “Just spend some time getting friendly with him. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask Mister Fei.”
Duan Ling nodded, though to himself he thought, You’re asking me to trade on my looks, aren’t you? But this too was just as well—he’d been wanting to have a private chat with Helian Bo anyway.
Upon their arrival at the small stream that had been the site of the ambush, the mist had largely dissipated, though dark clouds still loomed over Qin Ridge.
“It’s somewhere near here,” Duan Ling said.
But before Bian Lingbai could order a search, Duan Ling gave his sleeve a subtle tug. “Uncle, I’ve something to tell you.”
As Bian Lingbai walked with Duan Ling a little way from the group, Duan Ling abruptly realized Fei Hongde hadn’t joined them on this trip. He had to give it to the sly old fox—he must’ve guessed Duan Ling had found the entrance to the treasure trove, yet he’d remained silent on the matter.
Whispering into Bian Lingbai’s ear, Duan Ling told him, “There’s a place I suspect, but I haven’t told anyone about it.”
“Take me there now,” Bian Lingbai said. He promptly ordered his subordinates to remain where they were and await his return, then turned to Duan Ling. “Can you use a blade?”
“I can use a bow,” Duan Ling replied.
Bian Lingbai retrieved a bow and quiver, tossing them to Duan Ling along with a sword. Armed with his own blade, he gestured for Duan Ling to mount his horse. Duan Ling took the lead, and together they rode into a dense stretch of woods.
“Over here,” Duan Ling said, coming to a stop by the cliff face. “I spotted the opening last time I was here, but I didn’t tell Mister Fei.”
He had merely meant to warn Bian Lingbai so he didn’t let the secret slip, but Bian Lingbai misunderstood him. With an unthinking nod, he said, “Mm. Good boy.”
Duan Ling was both baffled and amused.
Bian Lingbai dismounted with caution, and the two peered into the cave the assassin had passed by previously. A brisk, chilly breeze blew from within. Bian Lingbai approached the opening while Duan Ling nocked an arrow to his bowstring to cover their rear. He raised the bow and aimed, but when he swung it to point toward the back of Bian Lingbai’s neck, his hands trembled.
If he shot him now, it would all be over—but with the general’s men all around, he also wouldn’t be able to escape. It was better to wait patiently for Wu Du’s return.
“Come on in,” Bian Lingbai said from inside the cave.
Someone had left tracks around the cave; they led into the deepest recesses via a twisting, winding path. At the end was a spacious cavern, dropping abruptly off in an underground cliff. Duan Ling lit the candle he’d brought and gestured for Bian Lingbai to examine the precipice. Sure enough, there were more tracks along the edge.
“Uncle, we can’t go any further,” Duan Ling said.
Bian Lingbai appeared preoccupied, his expression flickering uncertainly.
“Look there. There’s a rope.” Duan Ling pointed further out.
Nodding distractedly, Bian Lingbai said, “Yes, it must be here. We’ll get Mister Fei to divine a fortuitous day and unearth the treasure another time. Come on, let’s go.”
He stood protectively in front of Duan Ling, and just like that, Duan Ling’s will to kill him wavered. This man intended to start a rebellion and kill Helian Bo—but he hadn’t treated Duan Ling very badly at all.
Turning back, Bian Lingbai cast Duan Ling a strange, almost absent-minded glance. Head filled with thoughts of Wu Du, wondering when he would return, Duan Ling was caught completely off guard when Bian Lingbai suddenly swept his legs out from under him. Duan Ling tumbled over the edge of the cliff with a panicked shout.
Bian Lingbai watched him struggle to hold onto the ledge, only a trace of regret in his eyes. “Sorry, Rong-er. I’ve thought it over. It’s best if as few people as possible know this secret. There’s no one left in the Zhao family anyway; you can reunite with your dad down there. Let’s leave it at that, shall we? I’ll burn you some joss money.”
With a final hard stomp, he crushed Duan Ling’s hand under his boot. Duan Ling yelled furiously as he tumbled down the rock face.
On the evening of the third day, Wu Du entered Xichuan on a fast horse. Orders to relocate the capital had been issued, throwing the city into upheaval. In less than two weeks, the nation’s great houses had begun to abandon this thousand-year-old city, sending chaos rippling through the streets.
“Where’s the prime minister?” Wu Du asked as soon as he arrived at the residence, looking around for Mu Kuangda.
His eyes were bloodshot; he hadn’t slept a wink since stealing the ledger, and it had been three days and nights since. He found the residence empty with hardly any souls about—the family might have already moved to Jiang Prefectural City. Wu Du bit back a curse, praying that wasn’t the case. If he had to ride all the way to Jiang Prefectural City, he would never make it in time.
In the courtyard, Changliu-jun was kicking a shuttlecock back and forth with Mu Qing. The pair turned to look at Wu Du when he rushed in. While Changliu-jun glowered with his usual suspicion, Mu Qing was visibly surprised to see him.
“Wu Du? Where’s Wang Shan? Where did you guys go?!”
Still catching his breath, Wu Du cupped his hands before him. “Urgent military intelligence. I request an audience with Prime Minister Mu.”
“‘Request an audience’?” Changliu-jun jeered. “It really must be urgent. Unluckily for you, Prime Minister Mu has already gone on ahead to Jiang Prefectural City.”
Wu Du stared at him without a word.