The Prefect's expression shifted the moment he heard those words. He cautiously asked,
"Immortal Master, are you certain of this?"
Lin Eryou smiled.
"What, do you think I would lie about something like this?"
The Prefect quickly bowed and said, "I wouldn't dare."
He hesitated, then added, "It's just... I'm curious, where did Immortal Master obtain this information? And... why would you tell me this...?"
That line, "a message you cannot afford not to hear", had left him on guard.
After all, discovering the whereabouts of the former royal mother and daughter of the Liang Dynasty could have two motives: to kill them, or to protect them.
And Lin Eryou's stance wasn't yet clear. His sudden arrival with such a bombshell gave the Prefect the sneaking suspicion that he might be testing his loyalties.
Especially considering that Lin Eryou was a disciple of Liberty Mountain, whose revered Master emphasized moral integrity above all, and whose students were known for being upright and unflinchingly honest.
As Prefect of Liang, still nominally a Liang official, if he were to casually admit he'd colluded with the Zhou Kingdom's Enlightenment Envoy, it would be no different from publicly declaring his betrayal of the state.
Hosting the envoy was one thing. Letting that alliance come out in the open was another.
At the very least, until their current scheme succeeded, the Prefect wasn't keen on stirring up extra trouble.
Lin Eryou shook his feather fan and said gently,
"I naturally have my own means of acquiring information. As for why I'm telling you... surely, Prefect, you already know."
He gave a knowing smile.
"We're at a pivotal moment. In chaotic times, heroes emerge. If you're the one to capture the former royal mother and daughter of Liang, that's a massive merit to your name."
"Wouldn't that be far more useful than merely tagging along behind the Enlightenment Envoy?"
The Prefect's eyes flickered with a gleam of interest, though he continued to feign ignorance.
"This... I wouldn't dare call it merit. Besides, I've only hosted the Enlightenment Envoy for a single day. Right now, he's staying with Fan Hailong of the Canal Guild. How could I be said to be assisting him..."
Lin Eryou laughed and lightly tapped the Prefect's shoulder with his fan.
"No need to play dumb. We're both smart men. What's the point in pretending?"
"Since you're still wary, let me be frank."
"I may be a cultivator from Liang, but my family runs a business. Though it's a modest one, now that it's in my hands, I naturally want to take it further."
"But in recent years, Liang's Emperor Su Yu has been a debauched fool, levying all sorts of taxes and forcing even officials to pay up to fill the national treasury."
"My business was suffocated under that system."
He smiled faintly.
"Now, finally, it seems an opportunity has come, wouldn't you say, Prefect?"
The Prefect hesitated.
"And Immortal Master means...?"
Lin Eryou casually slung his arm around the Prefect's shoulder and spoke earnestly:
"If you want your business to thrive... it all depends on people."
Standing off to the side, Zhou Yanwei, still posing as a bookboy, couldn't help twitching at the scene.
This guy...
Was this really a top disciple of Liberty Mountain?
He had completely redefined the phrase "speaking to devils with devil-speak, and to humans with human-speak."
No wonder Zhou Yanwei had been deceived by him at the beginning, assuming Lin Eryou was just some high-sounding wastrel.
The guy had almost ruined him.
Being called the "Walking Library" didn't mean he had a good character, just that he had a lot of knowledge.
Do not judge a person by their words, nor dismiss their words because of who they are, this was precisely the meaning.
Lin Eryou's exaggerated flamboyance and his practiced familiarity with worldly affairs made it hard to imagine the depths of strategy and ambition beneath his surface.
At the very least, most cultivators especially from prestigious sects wouldn't stoop to rubbing shoulders with a greasy, corrupt official.
But Lin Eryou showed no discomfort. In fact, he seemed quite at ease, even pleased.
As expected, the Prefect relaxed.
So he's in it for profit. Good. That makes him easy to work with..
The Prefect grinned, "Absolutely. The Enlightenment Envoy, Lord Ding, is a reasonable man. Immortal Master can rest assured."
He hesitated, then offered, "Since we seem to understand each other, perhaps we should talk in more detail soon?"
Lin Eryou waved his fan cheerfully.
"Why trouble ourselves?"
"You, Prefect, are a brilliant man destined for great heights. Compared to that, this little tidbit I bring is merely a small favor."
"No need to delay, I'll tell you now. The former royal mother and young princess of Liang... are currently at the Chen residence in South Wharf."
The Prefect inhaled sharply, eyes glinting.
"That... is quite the coincidence."
"Oh?" Lin Eryou asked, smiling. "And how so?"
The Prefect, seeing that Lin Eryou didn't mind being blunt, dropped all pretenses:
"One of the factions that Fan Hailong of the Canal Guild is preparing to eliminate, happens to be the Chen family."
"Now isn't that just convenient?"
Lin Eryou affected surprise, covering his cheek with his fan.
"How shocking."
"I'd heard the Canal Guild was the local powerhouse here in Jishao Prefecture. With them moving in tandem with you, Prefect, I'd say your success is all but guaranteed."
"Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your imminent rise in power."
He bowed again.
The Prefect, flushed and grinning ear to ear, said:
"Oh, not at all, not at all. I may yet need your help in future business ventures, Immortal Master."
The two chatted a while longer, each beaming with satisfaction.
Both got what they wanted, there was no need to say it aloud.
After Lin Eryou left, the Prefect grew more and more excited. He slapped the table and made his decision.
"Fan Hailong originally wanted to probe further and gather evidence before acting. But now, I say we strike directly, lest delay brings us complications."
"Daoist Jingshan, what say you?"
From behind a room divider, a white-browed Daoist stepped out.
He was the mid-tier cultivator the Prefect had hired, a Sea-Cleaving Realm demonic cultivator.
In exchange for a rare Spiritual Treasure the Prefect had stumbled upon, they had entered into a soul-binding contract.
Should the Daoist betray him, his soul would be severely damaged.
The Prefect would never dare work with a demonic cultivator otherwise.
Daoist Jingshan stroked his long beard. He had a serene, immortal air about him.
He chuckled kindly and said, "I have no objections. Best to resolve things sooner rather than later."
The Prefect nodded.
"Very well. I'll inform Lord Ding that the human sacrifice will commence tomorrow!"
He turned and pulled a list from under his writing desk.
It was a roster of live sacrifices, prepared for the Eastern Court Lake Dragon King.
Seventy-six families. Nearly ten thousand people.
To make the people of Liang kneel, start with a mountain of heads!
...
Lin Eryou leisurely boarded his riverboat.
He turned and asked:
"Did you get the list?"
"Of course," Zhou Yanwei replied. "It was right there on the desk. It was easy to memorize."
He sneered.
"You said you were my assistant, that you'd serve me as lord and I'd be your sovereign, yet I feel like all I do is run errands for you."
Lin Eryou blinked innocently.
"What are you talking about? His Highness is merciful and benevolent, doing a great deed for all under heaven."
Zhou Yanwei ignored him and asked, "So, what now? Go find Chen Kuang?"
Lin Eryou nodded.
"Yes. We'll give him the list."
Zhou Yanwei eyed him.
"This is part of your test, too?"
But Lin Eryou simply spread his hands, then smiled bitterly.
"No. This time... I really have no other choice."
He lowered his voice.
"Saving one person is often harder than killing ten. That's just how the world works. There's no rhyme or reason to it. Especially when what's at stake is more than ten lives, it's thousands upon thousands."
He turned solemn.
"Your Highness, you are a prince of the kingdom. I am a son of the Lin clan. These are shackles that bind us. We cannot fully unleash our strength, nor openly stand against Zhou."
"But Chen Kuang..."
"He can save Liang..."
Only this one man can do it.