Chapter 112: Pingzhou, The Undercover Agent

The boy being carried was unusually quiet. After traveling for quite some time, he glanced sideways toward Kangding City. Seeing that the city had long since disappeared from view, he patted the horse’s flank and said, “Hey! I say, Fang, how long are you going to carry me like this? Hurry up and untie me.”

Fang Meng held back a laugh for a long moment, then let out a long howl to the heavens before tightening his grip on the reins. “Zi Yun, you have sharp eyes.”

Tang Chen tore at the ropes binding him, casting a glance at the others with a triumphant expression. “Of course. You might fool some fools like the Kangding city guards, but if any of Tamon’s top generals were here, you’d probably be confessing everything right now!”

Fang Meng draped an arm over Tang Chen’s shoulder, a sly smile playing at his lips. “Well, I just happened to pick up a lucky break. Besides, I call it skill paired with courage.”

“No matter what, I must thank Brother Junyi for saving my life. I shall never forget this kindness!” Tang Chen bowed respectfully, clasping his fists with sincerity.

Fang Meng helped the boy to his feet, a gentle smile on his lips. “Brother Zi Yun, you’re too polite.”

On the way back to the Chu family army camp, the boy’s clear, joyous laughter rang out from time to time, echoing through the land.

…

Inside the Chu family army camp, Tang Chen stood with a sullen expression in the main quarters, beside a boy clad in flowing white robes who seemed to exude an ethereal aura.

Chu Junhan rested his chin on his hand, circling the celestial boy three times on the left and three times on the right, clicking his tongue in admiration.

“Junhan, I was the one captured, yet you don’t care about me at all. What’s so interesting about him…” Tang Chen pouted, glancing sideways at the boy, then swallowed down his resentment. “Alright, even if he is quite handsome…”

The child paid no attention to Tang Chen’s sulky demeanor and spun around by himself, murmuring softly, “Fang Junyi, oh Fang Junyi, it’s a pity you aren’t a spy!”

Fang Meng smiled faintly. “If my lord wishes for me to be a spy, I would accept without hesitation.”

Chu Junhan looked at the boy with hopeful eyes and spoke earnestly, “Of course I want you to be a spy, but you must think it through carefully. The path ahead is fraught with danger. If you do not wish to go, I will not force you.”

Fang Meng’s smile remained gentle, but his eyes gleamed with sharp determination. “Right now, what we need most is spies. Otherwise, my lord wouldn’t have been turned away at the Nine-Age Trading Company. I may lack other talents, but I am a master at hiding my identity. If I don’t serve as a spy, then who else would be more suitable?”

“Very well. Since Brother Junyi agrees, I will arrange an identity for you to travel to Pingzhou. Once there, you will have only two tasks.”

“What are they?”

Tang Chen listened closely, curious about the mission the boy would assign to Fang Meng.

The child raised one finger. “The first is to uncover the true background of the Nine-Age Trading Company.”

Fang Meng nodded in acknowledgment, silently taking note.

The child raised a second finger. “The second is to monitor the governor of Pingzhou, Du Yong, including his associates and military strength!”

At this, Tang Chen’s face filled with confusion. “Du Yong is known for his righteousness and integrity, a gentleman of virtue. Why does Junhan want to investigate him?”

The child stood with hands behind his back, eyes deep and penetrating. A cold wind carrying mystery brushed against his face, lending him an air of spirited ambition. “Because he is a man of virtue, he can be of use to us in the future…”

“Lord Junhan plans to win him over?” Fang Meng raised an eyebrow, as if reading the child’s intentions.

“Exactly!” Chu Junhan’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. Not only would he win over Uncle Du, but he would also bring him along to rebel against the Tianqing Kingdom!

Fang Meng’s eyes flickered with excitement. The prospect of becoming a spy in Pingzhou had already set him itching for action. Pingzhou, just wait and see how I, Mengmeng, will show my true talents!