It was nearly a full hour after taking his medicine before Li Chi managed to drift into a fitful sleep. Gao Xining stayed beside him, not moving an inch.

But before dawn had even broken, someone appeared outside their lodgings, announcing that the King of Qingzhou summoned them — a summons not directed specifically at Li Chi, but at all members of the Shanhai Army.

Li Chi’s sleep had not been deep. He sat up at the sound of voices, every inch of him aching sharply — yet he knew he had to go.

Last night, the Holy Blade Sect’s young martial uncle had come to blows with someone, and the outcome had been mutual devastation. When word reached Gan Daode’s ears, he would be desperate to investigate.

At this moment, Gan Daode would want to accomplish two things: first, find his young martial uncle and kill him; second, find whoever had wounded the young martial uncle — and kill that person too.

Kill the young martial uncle, and the Holy Blade Sect’s hold over him would be reduced by half. Kill whoever had fought the young martial uncle, and he could offer the Holy Blade Sect an accounting.

Of course, Gan Daode had no idea who had fought his young martial uncle — but anyone he had even the slightest suspicion of, he would not let go. Every one of them would be investigated, thoroughly and carefully.

“Let’s go.”

Li Chi looked toward Gao Xining. “Get me a couple of heads of garlic.”

“Garlic?”

Gao Xining blinked. “What do you need garlic for?”

Li Chi smiled. “It has miraculous uses.”

Yu Jiuling, nearby, said, “Boss, why don’t you stay behind — the rest of us will go. He may not even remember your face.”

Li Chi smiled and asked: “Are my injuries on my face?”

Yu Jiuling shook his head. “Your face is fine.”

Li Chi said: “Then since it doesn’t affect my dashing appearance, since it won’t interfere with me dazzling them all with this peerless countenance, what’s there to be afraid of? Not only am I going — everyone who has already shown their face publicly, all of you are going too.”

Yu Jiuling worried: “What if he wants to examine for injuries…”

Li Chi said: “We’ll deal with that when we get there.”

Outside, quite a few carriages were already waiting — and from this, it was apparent that Gan Daode did not, in fact, hold strong suspicions against Li Chi’s group. He had not imagined that among the Shanhai Army’s people, there could be a peerless martial artist of that caliber.

This was part of why Li Chi had decided to go. Gan Daode simply did not believe the Shanhai Army could harbor such a supreme fighter.

Otherwise, Mu Fengliu would certainly have told him.

What Gan Daode did not know was that Mu Fengliu had long since breathed his last.

Judging by the arrangement of carriages, Gan Daode still maintained at least a baseline of courtesy toward them — which further indicated his suspicions of them were not particularly strong.

This was simply a precautionary measure; everyone was to be checked.

Before long, the carriages stopped at the gates of the Qingzhou King’s residence. The armored general standing at the gate was one of Gan Daode’s Five Tiger Generals — a man named Chou Yi.

Li Chi’s group did not know the origin of this man’s name, but it had the sound of something thoroughly unpleasant.

Chou Yi looked them over, showing no particular hostility, and instructed his men to escort Li Chi’s group inside.

When they reached the front courtyard, they found quite a few people already standing there — including Gui Yuanshu’s group.

Most of those gathered in the courtyard were outside guests who had come for the ceremony, including leaders of other rebel factions.

Among them, Gui Yuanshu and his people were clearly of somewhat higher standing — they were standing alongside Gan Daode himself.

Gan Daode was speaking quietly to Gui Yuanshu: “In Lord Gui’s estimation, who might have been responsible for last night’s altercation?”

Gui Yuanshu replied: “Things have been unsettled lately. The King’s grand ceremony is imminent. Those seeking to cause trouble are no doubt plentiful. Wulai City’s own people would absolutely not dare — so it can only be someone who came from outside.”

Gan Daode asked: “Then who do you think is most suspect?”

Gui Yuanshu said: “This subordinate believes the first ones to suspect are the leaders of the other Qingzhou factions. They are not, in truth, submissive to the King. With the ceremony approaching, these men have been invited here and are now within Wulai City — they may well harbor some unsavory intentions.”

He glanced at the crowd, saw Li Chi’s group arriving, and then lowered his voice slightly to say to Gan Daode: “There is also the Shanhai Army’s people — they warrant suspicion as well.”

“Oh?”

Gan Daode was taken aback. He had not expected Gui Yuanshu to suspect the Shanhai Army’s people — after all, that contingent had come as escort for the Shanhai Army’s young mistress, here for a marriage alliance.

With the stakes of an alliance between two forces, this was a matter of mutual benefit. The Shanhai Army’s people had the least possible reason to cause trouble.

“Why do you say so?”

Gan Daode asked Gui Yuanshu.

Gui Yuanshu replied: “There is no concrete evidence — only a sense that these people are suspicious. Just a feeling.”

Gan Daode smiled. “Alas, Lord Gui, you really should not let emotion color your judgment. Why would the Shanhai Army’s people need to stir up trouble? They have been here for quite some time now. If they wanted to cause trouble, there would have been signs of it already.”

Gui Yuanshu said: “I still think these people should be thoroughly investigated. Every single one of them. Last night’s altercation left people dead and people wounded. Start by checking whether any of the Shanhai Army’s people are unaccounted for. If someone has unaccountably gone missing, that would be strong cause for suspicion. And if anyone is found to have injuries on their body, that would be enough to prove they were behind it.”

Gan Daode shook his head. “They are my honored guests. One of them is to become my wife. How could I be so discourteous?”

Gui Yuanshu appeared to reflect for a moment, then lowered his voice further: “If the King sends people to investigate, naturally that would be unsuitable — it could genuinely harm the alliance. Why not leave the matter to this subordinate? I will handle the investigation.”

Gan Daode’s advisor Xu Ru immediately said: “Lord Gui must not act rashly. They represent the Shanhai Army. This marriage alliance is a matter of great consequence for the future of our cause. If the Shanhai Army’s people are antagonized, how will Lord Gui account for that?”

Gui Yuanshu replied: “I am not, in public appearance, yet one of the King’s people — and besides, I will not act precipitously.”

He smiled at Gan Daode. “Tomorrow, under the pretense of goodwill, I will invite them to the hot springs at the foot of Xiaoyao Mountain outside Wulai City. If they do not dare go — that in itself indicates a problem. If they do go, and strip down together — with everyone bare-shouldered in plain sight, suspicion can be ruled out.”

Xu Ru asked: “Why does Lord Gui keep feeling there is something wrong with the Shanhai Army’s people?”

He was clearly already showing signs of displeasure.

Gui Yuanshu replied: “No logic, no evidence. Simply a sense that they ought to be suspected. Just instinct.”

Xu Ru gave a cold snort, turning to Gan Daode: “My King, the grand ceremony is days away and will be followed by the wedding. The King must not be swayed by a few words. What if it is this very man who is the one with ulterior motives? I rather think someone is deliberately trying to wreck the King’s alliance.”

Gui Yuanshu flared immediately: “Is Advisor Xu speaking of me?!”

Gan Daode let out a sharp, furious grunt: “Enough — both of you!”

Then he sighed. “You two are my left and right hands. Advisor Xu has served me faithfully for many years — I know Advisor Xu’s character through and through. Though Lord Gui has only recently arrived, the loyalty he has shown me is equally clear to my eyes. Do not let those on our own side start quarreling.”

Xu Ru said: “My King — in my view, this man came here with intentions he cannot openly state. Otherwise, why would he insist on doing something that could so plainly undermine the King’s alliance?”

Gui Yuanshu snapped: “You have followed the King for years — does that prove you are clean? I have my own suspicions that you are a spy planted beside the King by someone else. Otherwise, why would you try to stop me from investigating on the King’s behalf?”

Xu Ru erupted: “You outsider!”

Gui Yuanshu came right back: “You are the insider traitor!”

“Enough!”

Gan Daode cut them off: “Both of you, close your mouths!”

Both men simultaneously bent in a bow — and then simultaneously shot each other a glare.

Gan Daode looked as though he was genuinely furious. But inside, Gui Yuanshu was delighted. With things as they stood, Gan Daode would naturally not go after Li Chi’s group.

He had still been anxious just moments ago, not knowing how he could be of help — and then the instant he saw Li Chi’s group walking in, something sparked in his mind, and he knew exactly what to do.

Just as he had anticipated, Gan Daode was now thoroughly provoked by him. And with Xu Ru speaking up on the other side, Gan Daode would absolutely not move to directly investigate Li Chi and the rest.

“We still haven’t found the outside agitator!”

Gan Daode said, anger threading through his voice. “You two are both my people, both trying to help me — and instead of finding the outsider, you’re pointing at each other and calling each other the outsider? If this is all you’re capable of, then neither of you needs to stay. Both of you — get out.”

Gui Yuanshu and Xu Ru looked at each other. Neither could stand the sight of the other — yet both bent in unison to offer Gan Daode an apology.

Gan Daode waved them off wearily. “Do not keep going at each other like this. Advisor Xu has been of immense service to me — I know Advisor Xu’s character. Lord Gui, I would ask that you show Advisor Xu more respect in future.”

Gui Yuanshu made a show of reluctant compliance, bowing: “Yes. This subordinate will heed the King’s command and show that man more respect.”

Xu Ru gave a cold, dismissive snort.

Gan Daode said: “Summon Li Xiaoxin of the Shanhai Army.”

His attendants hurried to bring Li Chi over. Everyone else — Gao Xining and the others — was tense, but Li Chi only smiled and shook his head, signaling there was nothing to worry about.

When they had set out from Jizhou, once they were nearly into Wulai City, Gao Xining had disguised herself as a man. Their disguise techniques were quite accomplished — unless someone stared closely and deliberately, the truth would not be apparent.

As for Little Zhang Zhenren…

*Ahem.*

Li Chi walked quickly over to Gan Daode and bowed. “Greetings, my King.”

Gan Daode looked Li Chi over and smiled. “Why does General Li speak to me from so far away? Come closer.”

“That… might not be appropriate,” Li Chi said. “This foreign subordinate will just speak to the King from here.”

Gan Daode’s brow furrowed slightly. He thought: could this man truly have something to hide? Otherwise, why would he be afraid to come nearer?

So he put on an expression of displeasure. “I told you to come closer. Come.”

Li Chi then drew nearer, closing to just a short distance from Gan Daode, opened his mouth to speak: “What would the King like to ins—”

As those last syllables came out, a powerful wave of something pungent issued forth.

Gan Daode caught the smell. His expression changed immediately.

He instinctively stepped back half a pace. “You… what on earth did you eat this morning?!”

Li Chi gave a sheepish grin. “This morning I had a bowl of noodles. This foreign subordinate has a habit — noodles must be eaten with garlic, or they just don’t taste right. My King, I have to say — Qingzhou’s garlic is far superior to the garlic back home in Yanzhou. Crisp, mildly spicy, with just the faintest hint of sweetness…”

He had not even finished speaking before Gan Daode smiled awkwardly and said: “Please — go stand over there.”

Li Chi acknowledged this with a sound of assent, then turned to Xu Ru and cupped his fists in a salute: “Advi… sor Xu.”

He drew that first syllable out slightly — so that it sounded less like “Advisor” and rather more like “Vacuous” —

Xu Ru turned his head away. “General Li, greetings.”

Li Chi then looked toward Gui Yuanshu. Before he could say a word, Gui Yuanshu had already shuffled a step aside. “General Li, hello — hello…”

“I find Lord Gui remarkably familiar at first sight,” Li Chi said. “We must be kindred spirits. I’ll stand with Lord Gui.”

Gui Yuanshu: “That… really won’t be necessary.”

Li Chi said: “Lord Gui need not stand on ceremony.”

Gui Yuanshu: “…”

Li Chi went to stand beside Gui Yuanshu. Gui Yuanshu threw him a sidelong look of profound disdain.

“Has Lord Gui eaten breakfast?” Li Chi asked.

Gui Yuanshu: “I have not.”

Li Chi said: “Three meals a day cannot be neglected — breakfast especially must never be skipped. Without breakfast, a person is sluggish all day.”

He reached into his sleeve and produced a head of garlic, holding it out to Gui Yuanshu: “I have a bit left over. Would the Lord care for a little something to tide himself over?”

Gui Yuanshu looked at Li Chi, then looked at the head of garlic.

“I… am truly, deeply grateful to you.”

—