Chapter 116: The Purpose of Jin Mailang

The horse was undoubtedly orchestrated behind the scenes by Yan Jiu and Fourth Miss. Only their identities could plausibly allow Zhong Shuman to lead the horse away under the pretense of “borrowing” or “renting.” But all that no longer mattered.

What was crucial was that Fourth Miss and Yan Jiu, acting on Jin Mailang’s hint, had deliberately planned to insult Zhang He and the others. How could they then kindly gift a horse to Zhong Shuman? That simply didn’t add up, indicating something was amiss.

Moreover, there was no need for Fourth Miss to say much now; Zhang He could already imagine what had happened. To ensure safety, she personally escorted the two of them to the manor’s gate before sending them off.

Along the way, Zhang He’s mind was a whirlpool of thoughts and complex emotions. His normally sharp and keen observation and insight had long been dulled by a faint sense of parting sorrow. Naturally, he never suspected that Zhong Shuman would circle back on horseback, making her way to the small peach grove behind Mingjian Manor.

Fourth Miss only needed to find an excuse like “touching up her makeup” to help Third Miss upstairs, making the switch seamless and easy.

Now, the previously inexplicable gaps all made sense. Every seemingly illogical element had become reasonable. Yet, at this moment, Teacher Guangxi was furious, pointing accusingly at Fourth Miss’s nose and shouting, “Did you eat too much back then? Why didn’t you just tell Cuihua the truth? Why did you strike her acupuncture points from behind while she was fixing her makeup? If you hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been harmed!”

Fourth Miss replied coldly, “There wasn’t enough time to explain clearly. She was so loyal to Boss Jin, and I just didn’t want her to take risks. What if she really was killed on the carriage by that martial brother? Besides, the technique I used wasn’t strong, only the ‘Little Orchid Finger.’ At most, within an hour, she could have practiced lightness skill.”

Guangxi snapped, “Don’t lie! You’re clearly hiding something. If you have a clear conscience, then why did you cover your face at the time?”

Fourth Miss retorted angrily, “If I hadn’t covered my face, she would have recognized me and known I had a problem. Once she told Boss Jin, all our plans for the year would be ruined.”

“You’re both wrong,” Zhang He suddenly interrupted their quarrel.

All three turned to look at him, reading contemplation on his face. “We’ve all been played by this mysterious person. Not only was I fooled, but Yan Jiu and Fourth Miss were also betrayed, and in the end, the assassination was successful.”

Yan Jiu said, “I know we were double-crossed, but I don’t understand why he would help us and then betray us.”

Zhang He’s expression grew serious. “You’re misunderstanding. This assassination plot was planned and calculated for at least a month, maybe longer. Every detail was considered. Do you know what the hardest part of executing a plan is?”

All three shook their heads simultaneously.

“It’s the unpredictability!” Zhang He said gravely. “No matter how perfect a plan, the worst is unexpected changes. Even the smallest shift can cause everything to backfire. To avoid this, he had to eliminate those unpredictable variables as much as possible.”

His words echoed Jin Mailang’s viewpoint. Yan Jiu and Fourth Miss looked at him with fear.

Zhang He continued, “I only realized this now. To avoid risks, the mysterious man actually prepared two plans running simultaneously. The first, which we can call the overt line, involved me coming to the manor, passing notes, swapping the bride, and then assassinating on the carriage. But that was a decoy.”

“Why?” the three asked in unison.

“Because he didn’t fully trust you. A schemer capable of such a brilliant plan wouldn’t trust anyone but himself. He must have anticipated your bride swap.”

Yan Jiu was stunned. “Impossible. I don’t believe anyone could calculate so well.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Zhang He said. “Even if you hadn’t switched the bride, he had other means. Even if you suspected him, betrayed him, or told Third Miss or Boss Jin the whole truth, he wouldn’t be afraid. Those actions would only sow distrust within Mingjian Manor. He would remain detached, unaffected by the internal chaos. His overt line was just to draw attention and cover the real truth.”

Guangxi couldn’t help but ask, “What about the other line?”

Zhang He said, “The other is the covert line — the true core of the assassination. He waited until the bridal party was gathered at the gate or had left, when the manor’s main forces had departed and it was vulnerable. Then he struck at Third Miss, who would be defenseless. Perhaps even he didn’t expect your kindness to aid him so much. He was able to capture Third Miss calmly and then race ahead of you on horseback before you set off. Remember the six Death Judgment men you encountered? Your attention was diverted because they came from the east. Those decoys and reinforcements were all arranged in advance. No matter how much we suspected each other, it wouldn’t affect the overall plan. His real assassination would succeed. Later, at Happy Forest, all he had to do was deliver the head to Boss Jin. After that, it was none of his concern. His goal was achieved, and he wouldn’t risk prolonging matters.”

Guangxi, Fourth Miss, and Yan Jiu were all deeply impressed. This was what it meant to be a master! Zhang He was even more remarkable—every detail, every step, every possibility was thoroughly scrutinized by him.

If anyone could confront this mysterious man, it was undoubtedly Zhang He. At this moment, Guangxi and the others believed this without a doubt.

Guangxi couldn’t hold back any longer. “I still say it—this damn fool wasted so much effort just to kill Cuihua. What the hell was he thinking? Playing mysterious and pretentious? What’s the point? I don’t get it. I really don’t.”

Yan Jiu showed a confused expression. “Yeah, me neither. Using so much manpower and resources just to kill one protector of Mingjian Manor? Brother Wu, how do you explain this?”

Zhang He lowered his head, deep in thought.

He didn’t fully understand either, but he was certain of one thing: this mysterious man had reasons, no matter how strange or bizarre. There must be one or two hidden, reasonable explanations.

After a long pause, Zhang He suddenly asked, “What was Boss Jin’s reaction after returning to the manor?”

Fourth Miss quickly answered, “He ordered me and Jiu Ge to stay behind to guard the manor and sent Third Miss to the Nangong family to gather clues.”

Zhang He couldn’t help but ask, “What about himself?”

Yan Jiu said, “He left for Cangjian Manor with Baili Feng and Ximen Jian.”

Zhang He’s pupils contracted sharply, and he pressed, “When did he leave?”

Yan Jiu replied, “He left right after returning at noon.”

Zhang He’s face darkened as if carved from stone. “Did he say why he was going to Cangjian Manor?”

Fourth Miss said, “He said he was going there to negotiate with Qi Shiqi about the Xie family post. He said this in front of everyone. I swear I heard correctly.”

A gust of night wind swept past, and a cold chill suddenly enveloped Zhang He.

Seeing his terrifyingly shifting expression, Yan Jiu and the others felt a shiver down their spines. They had never seen Zhang He look so dreadful; his expression was almost frightening.

Fourth Miss even thought this look was more terrifying than the cold gaze of Jin Mailang.

“Brother Wu…” Fourth Miss stammered, “Is… is there… something wrong here?”

“There’s more than wrong—there’s something unimaginably grave,” Zhang He said, his tone chilling enough to freeze a soul. “Boss Jin is going to negotiate with Master Qi, but why?”

Guangxi hesitated, “Maybe… maybe today’s incident with Cuihua hit him hard. He might want to take a step back—sometimes stepping back opens the sky.”

Even he knew this explanation sounded off, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

Zhang He sneered, “Boss Jin built Mingjian Manor into an almost first-rate self-founded sect in just a year. Do you think he’s the kind to easily bow and give in?”

Yan Jiu’s face showed fear as he whispered, “Could it be… he’s going to…”

Zhang He nodded expressionlessly, “Exactly. He’s not going to negotiate. He’s going to retaliate. He deliberately told his disciples he was going to negotiate to spread false information to Master Qi, lulling Cangjian Manor into lowering their guard so he can strike back.”

Cold sweat broke out on Yan Jiu and Fourth Miss. They realized they had underestimated Boss Jin—it was both laughable and terrifying.

Guangxi looked at Zhang He anxiously, “Can we hurry back to check?”

“No need,” Zhang He said firmly.

“Why not?” Guangxi asked.

Zhang He replied coldly, “It’s already too late to return. Besides, I now know the real purpose of the mysterious man.”

“What purpose?” the three asked curiously.

Zhang He enunciated each word: “His goal is to use this assassination to ignite conflict between Cangjian Manor and Mingjian Manor. Once the two fight a large-scale battle or sect war, both will suffer heavy losses and decline in reputation and standing. Only then can he fish in troubled waters and profit. This is the classic case of the clam and the snipe fighting, while the fisherman gains.”

Guangxi, Yan Jiu, and Fourth Miss were speechless. No words could describe the terrifying and formidable nature of this mysterious man.

Zhang He added, “But we still have to return.”

Guangxi asked, “Why? Didn’t you say it’s too late?”

Zhang He pondered, “Whether it’s too late is one thing, but whether we go back is another. If we don’t, none of us will fare well. If he succeeds, our future won’t be bright. If we can turn this around, the benefits will be great.”

Yan Jiu knew the time had come to choose his side. Choosing the wrong side meant ruin; choosing the right one meant boundless prospects.

He wasn’t a fool, so he decisively said, “While I’m still the steward of Mingjian Manor, I’ll bring out some fine horses. The four of us will go together! It’s safer on the road with company.”

Zhang He nodded resolutely, “Let’s go. We leave now!”