Chapter 809: Wang Chong Wins Out! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
In Wushang's City of Steel, everyone was still waiting in silence. They had lost contact with all five targets, and their morale was at its nadir, though no one was willing to come out and say it. Yet at this very moment, the completely unexpected occurred.
”Reporting!”
A scout rushed into the hall. ”Lord Marquis! We've received news that the last two targets are not returning to Qixi. Our forces have not seen any sign that they're coming back!”
”Ah!”
”How could that be? Given the time that's passed, they should already be back!”
”That shouldn't be. Has the situation changed? What's going on here?”
This news sent shockwaves through the gathered officers, and all of them were struck dumb. Even the slowest of them could sense that something wasn't right. Quite a few hours had passed since those targets had begun to make their way back, and logically speaking, they should have arrived or been about to arrive at Qixi. That they had still not returned could only mean one thing: they had never planned to return to Qixi in the first place.
And things were only just getting started.
”Reporting!
”Lord Marquis, Zhang Que has sent a report that the three missing targets have reappeared and are currently beginning to return to Qixi. Lord Zhang requests orders on what he should do next.”
”Reporting!
”Lord Marquis, Xu Keyi has sent a report that those two targets that we didn't inspect who turned back have suddenly reappeared on the road. Lord Xu requests orders on what he should do next.”
These two pieces combined left all the officers in a daze.
The twists and turns had happened far too quickly, and no one knew what was happening or why it was happening.
”Hahaha!”
Wang Chong suddenly began to laugh, a smile finally appearing on his face.
”As expected, Fumeng Lingcha, you took the bait!”
Although no one else in the hall had understood what was going on, Wang Chong knew that he had guessed right, bet right, and done right. Fumeng Lingcha's actions of having three of his men speed up and the other two go back was truly an attempt to lure his opponent out, but in this contest, he had still lost.
”When evildoers rise one foot, the righteous rise one zhang. Fumeng Lingcha, in the end, you still couldn't restrain yourself,” Wang Chong laughed.
He could be almost certain that ordering Xu Keyi to send back the horseman who had crashed the carriage had played a critical role. Otherwise, there was no explaining how Fumeng Lingcha had so quickly decided to resume his plan after the order had been carried out.
”Tell Xu Keyi and Zhang Que to go according to the original plan. Follow those two targets, but until they reach the point that they originally turned around, they shouldn't be alarmed. As for the other three… since they've already turned around, there's no need to worry about them!” Wang Chong declared, his orders immediately rousing his men to life.
”Your subordinate understands!”
The scout quickly left.
All the officers in the room had rather ashamed expressions. It was now very obvious that Wang Chong's judgment had been correct. If they had pursued those missing targets, they would have failed and attracted Fumeng Lingcha's attention. When they thought about how they had been so certain that Wang Chong was wrong just moments ago, they felt even more embarrassed.
Wang Chong waved his hands and indifferently said, ”Haha, it's fine. There's no need to worry about such minor trifles. Get moving!”
In an exchange with a crafty individual like Fumeng Lingcha, even Wang Chong, with all his future knowledge, had to commit all his focus, much less his subordinates. This sort of performance was very normal. It was still not the time for them to participate in contests of this level.
With this, everything is settled!
Wang Chong looked out the door. It seemed like the dark clouds over the City of Steel were finally dispersing, and he felt a sense of relief washing over him.
……
Xu Keyi quickly sent back news that they had found the man with the black tattoo on his right wrist. It had been one of the two people they had been tracking, and both Xu Keyi's men and Zhang Que's rock eagles were currently following him.
But there was still one last problem. Wang Chong had no way of confirming whether the letter was in that person's hands or Fumeng Lingcha had sent the letter separately.