Jiang Shangli raised his wine bowl and said, "Shall we discuss state affairs first?"

"Discuss state affairs."

"That Lonely Smoke Sword is a cunning one. He trusts no one, scurrying about everywhere, and excels at selling out friends to survive. To catch him is truly difficult." As he spoke, Jiang Shangli turned his gaze to Zhao Yan.

The matter of Lifeng Pavilion sheltering the Lonely Smoke Sword was no secret between the two. This County Magistrate Jiang clearly intended to take advantage… Zhao Yan narrowed his eyes and said, "Luring the snake out of its hole—how hard can that be? I'll spend extra money to draw him out. However… debts must be repaid, and borrowing again won't be an issue."

Jiang Shangli cupped his hands and said, "Understood. After tonight, we'll act on capturing the Lonely Smoke Sword..."

At this moment, Chen Yi suddenly interjected, "The Lonely Smoke Sword has already been caught."

Zhao Yan and Jiang Shangli both widened their eyes simultaneously.

When was he caught?

Lu Ying also widened his eyes in confusion.

Chen Yi held his wine bowl, swirling it as he said, "That little thief Lonely Smoke Sword, though possessing some martial arts skills, is no match for me at all. Capturing him was incredibly easy."

Zhao Yan squinted his eyes and asked, "May I ask Young Master Long, where is the Lonely Smoke Sword?"

"Right here."

"Oh?"

Chen Yi leisurely declared, "I am the Lonely Smoke Sword. Magistrate Jiang, didn't you already know?"

As his words fell, the room suddenly quieted.

Jiang Shangli glanced at Zhao Yan, then at Chen Yi, his pupils trembling violently.

Damned schemers—had these two planned this all along?!

In the small side chamber now, all three were martial arts experts. If two decided to join forces, one would surely perish on the spot. With these words hanging in the air, it was as though the thin veil separating them had become almost translucent.

Zhao Yan, who had seen the Lonely Smoke Sword before, cast another glance at Chen Yi, then Jiang Shangli, and his pupils contracted sharply.

Dammit—those two had already joined forces?!

Chen Yi, on the other hand, continued to sip his tea leisurely.

After maneuvering so long and exchanging probing moves multiple times, Chen Yi had finally pieced together the structure.

Zhao Yan had repeatedly urged action, eager to strike, but feared being betrayed in a joint effort with Jiang Shangli. Jiang Shangli, meanwhile, seemed restrained, unwilling to act directly within the room.

As for what Jiang Shangli was fearful of.

Chen Yi glanced at Lu Ying.

The answer was now clear.

This was a game of strategy. Inside this small chamber, no one dared to make the first move. Each person's knowledge was painfully limited, maintaining an intricate equilibrium.

And Lu Ying, clueless about what was happening, was the fulcrum stabilizing this balance.

Chen Yi knew this. Jiang Shangli knew this. But the one seated on home turf, Zhao Yan, did not—because he was a Westerner.

"What a joke!"

After a long silence in the chamber, Jiang Shangli snapped out of his daze, clapped his hands, and laughed:

"Young Master Long is truly amusing. This Lonely Smoke Sword doesn't even carry the surname Long!"

"One can fabricate a false name, but swordsmanship cannot deceive." Chen Yi paused before smiling: "Lonely Smoke Sword and Broken Swordman both hail from the school of the Loulan Sword Emperor. All their swordsmanships are killing swords."

With a flash, the sword was unsheathed.

Cold light glinted, the blade emitting a sharp and resounding hum. Chen Yi's aura shifted dramatically, the invisible force spreading from him causing cracks to spider across the wine bowl on the table.

Jiang Shangli squinted his eyes, discerning the style of sword moves through the fissures.

Indeed, it was the killing sword!

Zhao Yan was equally astonished. At that moment, Chen Yi's murderous intent erupted fully, and his hand reached toward the weapon hidden within his folds.

His palm was damp with cold sweat.

Facing two opponents alone, the odds were grim.

The faded yellow tablecloth steamed with heat, adorned with braised lamb, stir-fried beef, red-braised lion's head, steamed bass... The tempting aromas of dishes wafted in, making one's mouth water. Yet the four sets of chopsticks remained untouched. Lu Ying noticed this detail and realized the atmosphere was already tense, ready to explode at any moment.

All three were primed to kill.

But who should strike first?

Each faced the dilemma of one against two, and none had moved.

Chen Yi considered, recalling that this was Lifeng Pavilion's territory, thus holding the advantage, and took the lead: "Let's each take a step back. Magistrate Jiang need not capture me; those spies accompanying me will remain here as collateral."

By now, Jiang Shangli had already accepted Chen Yi as the Lonely Smoke Sword, laughing: "Good proposal, excellent proposal. No need to make this difficult—this way benefits everyone, a perfect solution!"

Having said that, Jiang Shangli and Chen Yi simultaneously turned to Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan pondered briefly, thinking these two must be wary of Lifeng Pavilion's hidden forces within the Clear Wind Inn and had proposed a negotiation to avoid confrontation.

If that were the case, feigning agreement and biding time wouldn't be a bad idea.

Zhao Yan laughed: "A perfect solution indeed. Then it's agreed?"

"Why waste words at this point?" Chen Yi sheathed the Hou Kang Sword, raised his cup, and said, "Let's eat and drink!"

"Tonight, I'll have the oiran host you both," Zhao Yan lifted his cup as well: "Why not enjoy ourselves?"

Jiang Shangli clasped his cup with both hands, offering a toast to the two: "Haha, what fine eating, drinking, and merry-making!"

"What a group of..."

The three spoke in unison:

"Partners in crime!"

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