Chapter 1037: Ten Thousand Kilos of Official Salt Missing
Editor: Henyee Translations

Nighttime at Tang’s camp was brightly lit.

Xi Zhaoping came hurriedly to report, his expression filled with fear and gravity. “General, the ten thousand kilos of official salt we were transporting to the capital has disappeared.”

Tang Jinghong looked up. “When did this happen?”

“Half a day ago,” Xi Zhaoping stammered, his lips trembling. “The soldiers escorting the salt were all killed by the assailants. The soldier who came back to report the news died from his injuries just after delivering the message.”

Tang Jinghong furrowed his brows deeply. “Summon Jiang Zhanglin and Yan Zihao.”

“Yes, General.” The guard at the door immediately went to fetch them.

Jiang Zhanglin and Yan Zihao had been on a mission in Liang City and had just returned to report their progress. They weren’t at their tent.

Soon, Jiang Zhanglin and Yan Zihao arrived at Tang Jinghong’s tent. “General.”

Tang Jinghong instructed, “The ten thousand kilos of official salt has gone missing. Go investigate and report back immediately if you find any clues.”

“Yes, General.” The two men left promptly to investigate the site.

Tang Jinghong pondered. Was this incident on the eve of the sacrificial ceremony a coincidence?

A while later, Chu Qingzhi entered Tang Jinghong’s tent, a smile on her face. “Jinghong, do you know who the thieves that looted the prince’s mansion were?”

Tang Jinghong made a gesture of attentiveness. “Who?”

“The Xuan family’s shadow guards,” Chu Qingzhi said as she sat down beside Tang Jinghong. “My parrots have been monitoring the mansion, otherwise I wouldn’t have known the Xuan family’s shadow guards were involved.”

After a moment, Chu Qingzhi remembered something. “Jinghong, do you remember the map of the prince’s mansion I gave you?”

“Yes, I had someone investigate, but nothing was found, so the matter was left unresolved.”

“It seems the other side had their eyes on the mansion for a long time. But the Xuan family isn’t short of money. I don’t understand their purpose.”

Tang Jinghong put his arm around Chu Qingzhi’s shoulder. “We can figure it out by seeing if any special items were stolen.”

“I’ll go take a look,” Chu Qingzhi said. “I’ll be back by dawn.”

“Be careful.” Tang Jinghong wanted to properly compensate Qingzhi once the matters in Eastern Tomb were resolved.

Chu Qingzhi nodded, left the camp, and headed to Shu City.

Using her flight technique, she reached Shu City within half an hour, transformed into Chu Tang, and entered the prince’s mansion, sneaking into the prince’s room.

Casting a truth spell, she asked the sleeping prince, “What was the most valuable item stolen from the prince’s mansion?”

The prince’s breath halted for a moment before he replied, “The military tally.”

A military tally?

Why would shadow guards steal a military tally?

Chu Tang asked, “Can someone else use the tally to mobilize troops?”

The prince replied, “No, I’ve sent a letter to the barracks. Only I can mobilize the troops in person.”

Chu Tang grew more puzzled. What use was the tally then?

Unable to solve the mystery for now, Chu Tang returned to Tao’s mansion to deal with the captured elders and their followers.

Mu Xiao and Hong Feiyu came forward to greet her. “Greetings, Master.”

Chu Tang, with one hand behind her back, asked, “What have you discovered while I was away?”

Mu Xiao handed two maps to Chu Tang. “Master, please take a look.”

The maps marked the various strongholds and poison manufacturing sites of the Yun organization, clearly and precisely.

Chu Tang said, “For providing these maps, I will credit you both. Now, I’ll assign you some men. Lead them to destroy these places. If you succeed, you’ll earn another credit.”

The two bowed. “Yes, Master.”

Chu Tang then summoned Tang Jinghong’s men to Tao’s mansion, divided them into two groups, and sent them to dismantle the strongholds.

After assigning tasks, Chu Tang went to the secret chamber and resolved the lives of the captive elders and followers, ensuring the Yun organization could never rise again.

A letter arrived for Chu Tang: “The Third Prince is Lord Yun.”

The letter, sent by Xia Yuncheng, explained that the Third Prince intended to cover up his crimes in Great Ling by eliminating all witnesses. One survivor, saved by Xia Yuncheng, confirmed Lord Yun’s identity.

Chu Tang smirked mockingly. So, it was the Third Prince all along. He hid well.

Soon, another letter arrived: “The prince of Eastern Tomb has gone missing.”

Chu Tang frowned. “How could the prince go missing?”

She immediately informed Tang Jinghong and headed to Liang City. Dawn was approaching, and ensuring the sacrificial ceremony’s success and capturing the Xuan family’s shadow guards was the priority.

…

Liang City.

Today was the annual Five Grains Sacrifice, a ceremony praying to the heavens for good weather and a bountiful harvest.

Early in the morning, citizens gathered around the sacrificial platform, creating a bustling scene of prosperity.

Previously, the ceremony was conducted by the city magistrate. Now, with Tang Jinghong in Liang City, he would preside over it.

Eager to see the general, the crowd swelled, filling the surrounding tea houses and taverns.

Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong’s men mingled with the crowd, observing.

Zeng Huo pushed through the crowd to Chu Qingzhi. “No suspicious individuals, only citizens.”

Shadow guards, trained to emit a unique aura, were easy to spot.

Chu Qingzhi advised, “They might be well-disguised. Stay alert.”

“Yes.” Zeng Huo went to arrange things.

Chu Qingzhi thought for a moment and went to Tang Jinghong’s preparation room. “Jinghong, I’ll disguise myself as your bodyguard. Something feels off.”

Tang Jinghong agreed. “My men noticed it too. It seems the other side hasn’t shown up.”

“If they didn’t come, it means something went wrong with the succession ceremony. But there’s no news…” Chu Qingzhi pondered.

“Perhaps the news was blocked.” Tang Jinghong added, “We can’t verify it now. All we can do is stay vigilant.”

“You’re right.” Chu Qingzhi changed into a guard’s uniform to accompany Tang Jinghong to the ceremony.

Soon, Xi Zhaoping entered. “General, the auspicious time for the ceremony has arrived.”

Tang Jinghong nodded. Xi Zhaoping left, and Tang Jinghong, along with Meng Shengdong and the disguised Chu Qingzhi, headed to the sacrificial platform.

The platform was a five-meter-high stage. If someone were to shoot arrows, those on the platform would be easy targets.

Atop the platform was a large cauldron with a blazing fire. In front of the cauldron was a long table with offerings.

Tang Jinghong approached the table, picked up three incense sticks, and lit them in the cauldron’s fire.

As soon as the incense touched the flames, it burst with fireworks-like explosions. The three on the platform tensed—was this a signal?