Master Qin was startled by these words but then, as if he had thought of something, he suddenly let out a chuckling laugh, "Oh, I understand now, Gang Leader. Rest assured, I will definitely ensure Wu Zhongās safety in completing the mission, so that Mr. Bai doesnāt have to send off his loved one to an early grave. But Gang Leader, swords and spears have no eyes. If I get excited while fighting or if Guild Cao has a martial arts expert, I wonāt be able to hold back. If something happens to Wu Zhong then..."
"You canāt blame me for that, at most when the time comes, Iāll send two extra wreaths, okay?"
Hearing this, Nan Batian frowned and said, "Alas, if something really happens, thereās nothing that can be done about it. Oh right, Jiu Si, since you are master and disciple with Doctor Bai, if something were to happen, help console him more, so the old man doesnāt take it too hard."
Chen Jie listened to these words with an impassive face, but he understood in his heart that Nan Batian was using Wu Zhong to coerce him into taking on the task.
If he didnāt accept, Qin Ying would, and Uncle Zhong would have to go along then, and there would be no good end for Uncle Zhong.
As Chen Jie thought about this, his brow furrowed deeply. What exactly did Nan Batian want to do? Why was he forcing him to take on this mission?
Certainly, Nan Batian had no good intentions, but such matters should not involve Uncle Zhong and his family.
There was no choice, since Uncle Zhong was also part of the Fishing Guild and couldnāt refuse the Gang Leaderās order without being disloyal, which was a serious crime indeed.
Upon further thought, Chen Jie looked at Nan Batian and said, "Gang Leader, Iām familiar with the Xiantao Village Ferry. Why donāt I go?"
"Ah, Jiu Si, if you could go, that would truly be excellent. There would be no need to trouble Wu Zhong, and Doctor Bai wouldnāt have to worry unnecessarily. It would be an immeasurable act of merit!"
Nan Batianās face showed a smile.
Chen Jie looked at Nan Batian, and from his smile, he could see the ill intent. At that moment, Chen Jie turned to look at Tang Ziyue and saw that Tang Ziyue was also smiling and nodding at him.
Chen Jieās brows furrowed deeply, feeling that the two were definitely plotting something.
Nan Batian said, "Alright, then itās settled. Tomorrow at the hour of Yin (3 to 5 AM), let Jiu Si and Ziyue go together to take care of this matter."
Chen Jie looked at Nan Batian, who smiled and said, "Jiu Si, even a brave man needs help. I know your abilities are outstanding, but Ziyue is also capable. With his assistance, you will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Tang Ziyue gave Chen Jie a fist salute, "Master Chen, I hope you wonāt find me a burden."
Chen Jie replied, "How could I? Mr. Tang is the Gang Leaderās top strategist after all."
Tang Ziyue said, "Iāve only done some vain reading, where does the term strategist come from."
The two exchanged a look, and then Nan Batian said with a laugh, "Alright then, since thatās settled, letās have a feast tonight at my place. Would that be good for everyone?"
Chen Jie responded, "Gang Leader, there is an important task tonight, Iām afraid I need to prepare."
Nan Batian frowned slightly, then Qin Ying said, "Chen Jiu Si, you know there is an important task tonight and yet you still wish to leave? Arenāt you going to inform Elder Liu Laoguai, your actions are tantamount to betrayal, punishable by death!"
Chen Jie frowned and retorted, "Iām betraying the gang? Qin Ying, do you have any proof?"
"If you werenāt thinking of betrayal, why would you want to return home? Stay right here, where everyone can witness and see clearly, nobody would have doubts."
Chen Jie frowned deeply and looked towards Nan Batian, who smiled and said, "What Master Qin said makes sense, Jiu Si, youāll just have to be inconvenienced, wonāt you?"
Chen Jieās frown deepened, and then Nan Batian said, "Donāt worry, you wonāt be bored tonight. I hear that Jiu Si likes to play Go, and Mr. Tang is also a master at the game; the two of you could spar in that."
Upon hearing these words, Chen Jie said, "Gang Leader, weāve talked so much, Iām hungry."
"Then letās have dinner."
Nan Batian laughed, "Qin Ying, Elder Liu, keep him company."
Chen Jie asked, "What about my brothers outside?"
"Fine wine and dine await, donāt worry."
Chen Jie narrowed his eyes and said, "Alright then, Iāll take advantage of your offer."
Chen Jie was aware that the others now saw him as a sitting duck, but he didnāt believe he would be so easily trapped. What was most crucial now was figuring out exactly what they were planning.
Chen Jie was speculating, but the feast was already being served.
The feast was indeed sumptuous, and Nan Batian was not stingy in this respect. Qin Ying was the companion, with Liu Yishou standing by.
Chen Jie invited Xiao Hu to sit down and eat, opposite him were Qin Hu and Qin Bao, each with their own thoughts as they faced the meal.
Meanwhile, in the study room, Nan Batian, with a smile at the corners of his mouth, said, "Mr. Tang, the trap is set; all that remains is for Chen Jiu Si to walk right into it. And this is all thanks to your strategizing!"
Tang Ziyue chuckled, "Gang Leader flatters me; all this Planning stems from the Gang Leaderās foresight. Iām just adding a flourish."
Nan Batian laughed, "Chen Jiu Si wouldnāt dream that the convoy heās going to escort today carries Elder Liuās precious son, Liu Song, nor would he know that we have a traitor placed beside Liu Song. Once Chen Jiu Si arrives, with the help of the traitor, the two sides will start fighting."
"Then, hehe, the traitor will stab Liu Song from behind, killing Elder Liuās beloved son. Elder Liu will surely go mad then."
"Chen Jiu Si will be seen as the mastermind since heās leading the team. Elder Liu will never let him go. At that time, hahaha... Chen Jiu Si will become Elder Liuās mortal enemy. Given Elder Liuās character, heāll seek Chen Jiu Si in a fight to the death. Both sides will be wounded, and we can reap the benefits."
"Mr. Tang, I must say, your scheme is truly ingenious!"
Tang Ziyue replied, "You flatter me, Gang Leader. The success of the scheme also relies on the Gang Leader. The key was how to plant a traitor close to Liu Song, considering he is the son of Elder Liu and all those close to him are handpicked by Elder Liu himself. To be able to plant someone close to Liu Song, the Gang Leader indeed has people within Guild Cao."
Nan Batian said with a chuckle, "Ah, this world, always there are those who would betray their brothers and benefactors for profit, nothing surprising."
Tang Ziyue nodded in agreement, and Nan Batian said, "Well then, the net is cast; we just wait for Chen Jiu Si to make the jump. Mr. Tang, do you think Chen Jiu Si can break out of this trap?"
"Itās impossible. The scheme is so intricate, no one can see through it in such a short time unless he has a way to get the intelligence in advance! Otherwise, thereās no solution!"
Tang Ziyue unfolded his fan and spoke confidently.