IDWBE -Chapter 545 No One Is a Fool

Supported by Li Sanniang, Old An finally managed to stand upright. But after hearing Tian Shiyou’s words, he trembled like a sieve, his whole body shaking uncontrollably.

After hearing the four words “Absorbing Star Technique,” Li Sanniang also quickly let go of the hand supporting Old An, stepped back, and said in disbelief:

“Did you secretly learn it?”

But after asking, she immediately felt the question was pointless.

A technique like Huiyuan Gong—even peddlers and laborers could learn a bit of it, but only in a limited way.

Those who knew the complete Huiyuan Gong manual numbered fewer than a hundred people.

Let alone the Absorbing Star Technique!

This technique could only be learned by certain soldiers in the army, government constables, and guards of the Prince’s residence—with Chief Steward Hong’s approval.

Even people from Sanhe like them had only heard fragments about it. They only knew that the technique could absorb another person’s internal energy.

It was an extremely terrifying martial art.

Not something an ordinary person could learn.

Yet Old An—a native—actually dared to secretly learn it.

Where had he even learned it from?

Tian Shiyou snorted coldly.

“We’ve known each other for a long time, so I shouldn’t really push you this hard. But this matter is too serious. I have no choice but to send you to the Ankang Prefecture Office.”

“Shopkeeper Tian…”

Old An’s face turned ashen.

Ye Chen glanced at Zhang Shun beside him.

“What are you standing there for?”

“Yes, I’ll go right away.”

Zhang Shun hurried off and soon returned with Jiang Yi, the Deputy Commander of the Military Police Office who was nearby maintaining order.

Jiang Yi didn’t even look at Old An. He simply waved his hand.

Two soldiers immediately stepped forward and took Old An away.

“Thank you all,” Jiang Yi said, cupping his hands.

“We’re very busy today. I’ll repay this favor properly another day.”

After Jiang Yi left, Liang Qingshu couldn’t help sighing.

“What exactly are these natives trying to do? Their courage is unbelievable.”

He had long heard of the reputation of the Absorbing Star Technique.

But if Chief Steward Hong didn’t grant permission, no one could learn it.

Steal it?

Even if someone had the courage, they still needed the connections.

People like them—who considered themselves influential in Sanhe—couldn’t manage it.

Yet these natives not only had the courage, they even had the means.

It really forced people to look at them differently.

Ye Chen said calmly, “Anyway, it has nothing to do with me. I’ll take my leave first.”

With that, he left directly with his follower Zhang Shun.

---

At the Prince He’s Residence, inside a small side room, people were kneeling all over the floor.

Fang Pi glanced at Chen Xinluo, who was kneeling beside him. Seeing that he showed no reaction, Fang Pi secretly lifted his head and glanced at Chief Steward Hong Ying, whose face was stern.

The air seemed frozen for a moment.

Then Hong Ying said calmly: “Investigate. Investigate thoroughly. Show absolutely no leniency.”

“Yes!”

Everyone answered in unison.

Fang Pi followed Chen Xinluo out of a side gate of Prince He’s residence.

The guards at the gate were Yu Xiaoshi and A-Dai, who were still undergoing punishment.

Fang Pi grinned.

“How does it feel guarding the gate every day?”

Yu Xiaoshi turned his back and ignored him.

Only A-Dai replied in a muffled voice: “It’s too hot. Lend me some money.”

“What did you say?”

Fang Pi pretended not to hear and quickly chased after Chen Xinluo, who had already mounted his horse.

“Brother Chen, wait for me! Don’t rush!”

“You brat,” Chen Xinluo rubbed his forehead. “Instead of running around all day, why don’t you hurry up and investigate? The Chief Steward only gave us one month. If we don’t find anything by then, we’ll all suffer.”

Fang Pi protested. “This should clearly be the job of the Ankang Prefecture Office and the Military Police Office. Why did it fall on us?”

Chen Xinluo sighed. “You really haven’t improved after all these years. The Chief Steward chose us because our martial arts were taught by him. We may not be his official disciples, but in reality we are. So no one can criticize him for assigning us. If he had asked Jiang Yi or Cao Xiaohuan, it would have crossed a line. Outsiders might say he doesn’t follow proper boundaries.”

After all, Hong Ying was just a eunuch.

If he extended his authority too far, people might start suspecting things.

Fang Pi said, “Then the Prince could just issue the order.”

Chen Xinluo replied slowly, “The leak of the Absorbing Star Technique is ultimately a martial world matter. The Prince is busy with countless affairs. How could he worry about such trivial things?”

Though that was what he said, he didn’t really believe it.

Having once served as a guard in the Prince’s residence, he understood Prince He very well.

Prince He often said that martial artists shouldn’t hoard their techniques selfishly. They should have a spirit of sharing.

If the Prince had his way, everyone would know Huiyuan Gong, and everyone would know the Absorbing Star Technique.

So if the technique had spread outside, the Prince probably wouldn’t mind.

Why would he push people to investigate it?

Of course, while Prince He admired martial artists who could fly around, he still believed martial arts were unscientific.

Prince He hated unscientific things.

He believed in one principle: “Truth lies within the range of cannons.”

Cannons were truth.

Cannons were science.

Fang Pi sighed. “That makes sense. Brother Chen, just tell me what to do. I’ll listen to you. I’ll mobilize every Imperial Guard I can.”

Chen Xinluo said, “You just keep an eye on the native delegation led by Dag. Leave the rest to me.”

“No problem,” Fang Pi laughed. “I’ll handle it.”

Chen Xinluo added, “I’m heading to the Ankang Prefecture Office now to interrogate Old An.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Watching Chen Xinluo ride away, Fang Pi sighed. “Why can’t there ever be a peaceful day?”

Zhou Jing asked, “Sir, should I send more men to watch the inn?”

Fang Pi replied calmly, “Even if a fly comes out of there, keep an eye on it. The Chief Steward is very angry this time. The consequences will be serious.”

“Yes!”

Zhou Jing and Shan Sanguan replied together.

Fang Pi looked at them both. “If you two perform well this time, I’ll teach you the Absorbing Star Technique.”

Not many people in the Liang Empire knew that technique.

And Fang Pi happened to be one of them.

Unfortunately, his talent was limited.

He had only learned the basics.

Absorbing someone else’s internal energy?

He’d be lucky if he didn’t get backlash himself.

Thinking of this made him sigh gloomily.

“Thank you for your favor, sir!”

The two men knelt immediately, excitement written all over their faces.

That was the Absorbing Star Technique!

Fang Pi continued, “According to the new Liang civil service regulations, your current rank as Xiaoqi is roughly equivalent to a township-level official. If you complete this mission well, I’ll recommend you for promotion to Baihu. That’s basically a county-level position. Even county magistrates would bow politely when they see you. And when you return to your hometown, wouldn’t that count as returning in glory?”

“Thank you for your support, sir!”

This time they were less excited.

After all, even as Xiaoqi officers of the Imperial Guard, they already held considerable authority.

Even court officials treated them politely.

But they certainly didn’t want to remain minor officers forever.

They stayed in the Imperial Guard precisely to rise in rank.

Fang Pi warned them: “If you slack off, I won’t say much about the consequences. At worst I’ll just lie flat and do nothing. I’ll comfortably remain a commander, and you’ll stay Xiaoqi forever.”

“Understood!”

They were startled.

But they still didn’t move.

Fang Pi frowned.

“Why are you still standing there?”

Zhou Jing and Shan Sanguan looked at each other.

Finally Zhou Jing said, “Sir… there’s something I’m not sure whether I should say.”

“You’re trying to hide something from me?” Fang Pi asked.

“Of course not,” Zhou Jing said hurriedly. “It concerns Lord Chen Xinluo. I was afraid I might be speaking out of turn.”

Fang Pi’s eyes lit up. “What gossip about him? Hurry up and say it, or I’ll beat you.”

Zhou Jing chuckled awkwardly. “Last night, our informants discovered Lord Chen Xinluo spending the night in a romantic encounter with a woman.”

Fang Pi snorted. “A grown man sleeping with a woman—what’s so strange about that?”

Shan Sanguan continued, “Then General Wei Yishan arrived. When he saw Lord Chen, he immediately drew his sword. The two fought dozens of rounds. The Military Police Office was alerted, and Commander Zhang Mian personally escorted them both to the Governor’s Office for Lord He to handle.”

Fang Pi was stunned. “This is… quite the surprise.”

It wasn’t a secret among the Imperial Guards that He Hong and Chen Xinluo both liked Wei Yishan’s mother.

But what shocked him was—

Chen Xinluo had actually slept with her.

Wei Yishan’s mother…

Even someone as hot-blooded as Fang Pi would feel his heart stir upon seeing her.

Shan Sanguan added, “Judging from how spirited Lord Chen looked today, it seems Lord He didn’t punish him much.”

Fang Pi laughed.

“Our Liang Empire promotes free love under Prince He’s ideology. If Chen Xinluo and Madam Wei truly love each other, what can Lord He say? Otherwise he’d be going against Prince He’s philosophy.”

Zhou Jing nodded.

“Under Prince He’s wise guidance, the Liang Empire prospers!”

“But,” he added cautiously, “Wei Yishan is a commander of the capital garrison. He probably won’t swallow this humiliation so easily.”

Fang Pi glared at him.

“Stop beating around the bush and say what you mean.”

Zhou Jing grinned. “If we’re not in a hurry, we might get to watch a good show. If I’m not mistaken, Wei Yishan has already gone to Prince He to ask for justice.”

Fang Pi pondered for a moment and sighed. “Even though Wei Yishan and I aren’t close, we were classmates in primary school. If I just stand here watching the show, people will definitely talk. This place is dangerous. Let’s leave!”

He immediately rode off with the two men.

Meanwhile…

When Lin Yi (Prince He) heard the news that the natives had arrived, he kept tossing grapes into his mouth.

“They came too? What excitement are they trying to join?”

Chen Jingzhi hurriedly stood up and bowed.

“Your Highness, the one who arrived is the native High Priest Dag, whom you’ve met before. He claims that the Westerners have committed countless atrocities on the South Sea islands. He begs Your Highness to save the countless suffering people there.”

Lin Yi grimaced from the sour grapes.

“And I’m supposed to save them how? With my mouth?”

Chen Jingzhi said quickly, “The South Sea islands wish to become vassal states of Liang and swear eternal loyalty.”

“And what else?” Lin Yi asked lazily.

Chen Jingzhi smiled awkwardly. “They will forever remember Your Highness’s great kindness.”

Lin Yi rolled his eyes. “So it still comes down to words. You’ve been the Minister of Foreign Affairs for so many years. How can you still believe this nonsense?”

“I deserve punishment!” Chen Jingzhi immediately knelt and knocked his head three times.

Lin Yi waved him off. “Tell them to stop the tricks and show some sincerity. If that Dag doesn’t offer real benefits, don’t promise them anything. I may be kind, but I’m not a fool. If it doesn’t benefit the people of Liang, I won’t do it.”

“I will follow Your Highness’s guidance!” Chen Jingzhi quietly withdrew.

Lin Yi sighed. “I must have failed somehow. Why did I train all these people to act like gentlemen?”

His country’s diplomats were not good people by nature.

Yet they always acted polite to foreign envoys.

No business sense at all.

Hong Ying poured him tea.

“Your Highness has worked hard. If you’re tired, you should rest.”

At that moment Hong Ying suddenly paused and looked toward the doorway.

Jiang Chou was standing there.

Hong Ying stepped outside.

Jiang Chou whispered, “Chief Steward, Commander Wei Yishan of the capital garrison has arrived—with his mother. They request an audience with the Prince.”

Hong Ying returned and carefully informed Lin Yi.

“Wei Yishan’s mother?”

Lin Yi jumped up.

“I’ve heard of her many times but never seen her. Today I really must see her.”

He was extremely curious.

What kind of woman could captivate two of his top subordinates?

Soon Jiang Chou led a man and woman inside.

Lin Yi’s eyes immediately focused on the woman.

He barely heard what Wei Yishan was saying while kneeling on the floor.

A woman with snow-white skin, delicate features, and charming elegance—

This was Wei Yishan’s mother?

He could hardly believe it.

Now he finally believed a saying he’d seen online:

“A flirtatious girl isn’t scary—what’s scary is a charming mature woman.”

Irresistible.

Enchanting.

No wonder He Hong and Chen Xinluo weren’t fools.

Any man who saw such a woman could believe in love at first sight.

“Your Highness, please give justice to this humble officer!”

Wei Yishan shouted loudly.

At the doorway, Jiang Chou sighed inwardly.

“Such a clever man like Wei Yishan… yet he still did something this foolish.”