Chapter 93: Tie Butian's Wait

"Good! Lord Chen is indeed a fine man," Chu Yang praised, then changed his tone and earnestly said, "Lord Chen, however, the Heavenly Secrets Bureau must be cautious. No matter what news, it must be verified. I want absolute certainty! Only then can I arrange for the Blood Brothers to carry out the mission. If anything goes wrong... the responsibility of the Heavenly Secrets Bureau will be significant. Lord Chen, this is equivalent to entrusting the lives of all the people in the Butian Pavilion to your hands. The burden on your shoulders is not light."

Chen Yutong was left speechless.

This man spoke grandly, but in reality, he was still trying to seize power! Absolute certainty? Who could have absolute certainty in such matters? Not to mention infiltrating the enemy's territory to assassinate their general, even marrying a wife could result in impotence at night...

"Once there is any news, I, the captain, will naturally consult with Lord Chu immediately. Then we will carefully analyze the pros and cons and, together with Lord Chu, create a perfect plan," Chen Yutong said through gritted teeth. "At that time, I hope Lord Chu can spare some time from your busy schedule to oversee the intelligence matters for the safety of our brothers."

Chen Yutong had already been demoted from the position of deputy pavilion master. With these words, he was essentially handing over the role of intelligence chief as well, reducing himself to just a machine for collecting information, with no decision-making power.

"This..." Chu Yang put on a troubled face and said, "Lord Chen, there's no need for this. I was just saying it, with no other intention. Besides, I am already very busy managing the Iron Blood and overseeing the entire situation, so I may not have the time..."

"I hope the Lord will prioritize the greater good! Think more about the brothers!" Chen Yutong was inwardly cursing this man's shamelessness. Clearly, it was you who forced me to give up power! Now you're even pretending to be reluctant...

"Alas..." Chu Yang sighed, reluctantly saying, "Since that's the case... very well! I will do my best."

The people below all rolled their eyes.

"Next, I will announce the division of the three battalions," Chu Yang said, having quietly eliminated two pavilion masters and made them battalion commanders, concentrating all power in his own hands, feeling secretly pleased.

But the assignments Chu Yang casually announced next seemed as if he had known these people for decades. He knew each person's strengths and weaknesses, and where each person would be most effective in the three battalions, all arranged in perfect order.

Everyone was placed in the most suitable position! When the three groups stood separately in the hall, the responsibilities were clear and distinct. It was easy to imagine how much more combat effectiveness this division would bring compared to the previous situation where everyone was crowded together.

Cheng Ziang and Chen Yutong had initially been quite dissatisfied, but after seeing this arrangement, they could not help but be convinced. Chu Yang had quietly completed his control over the Butian Pavilion!

Chu Yang looked at Tian Ji and thought, I wonder how Gu Duxing is doing?

Inside the Crown Prince's residence.

Tie Butian frowned at the person in front of him. "Wait a little longer."

On the opposite side, two officials in fine clothing sat, their faces filled with anxiety. They had both come because of Gu Duxing's occupation of Liucui Lake. After all, Gu Duxing was holding the Crown Prince's name as a shield, and they did not dare to act rashly, so they had come to seek instructions.

Little did they know that they had been waiting here since the afternoon, and it was now nearly midnight. Tie Butian's attitude was extremely ambiguous, neither saying yes nor no, just repeating the same phrase: "Wait a little longer."

"Wait a little longer..." They had heard this phrase dozens of times, yet were not allowed to leave. Every time they requested to return, the Crown Prince would only say: "Wait a little longer."

The two officials were already on edge, their hearts filled with anxiety.

Finally, a report came from outside: "Your Highness, Lord Cheng requests an audience!"

"Please him to the side hall."

As he spoke, Tie Butian slowly stood up and said, "Please wait a moment. I will be right back."

The two officials hurriedly nodded and smiled, "If the Crown Prince has matters to attend to, please go ahead."

Tie Butian nodded and walked out.

In the side hall.

Cheng Ziang strode in, bowed to Tie Butian, and hesitated to speak.

"How is it?" Tie Butian asked calmly.

"..." After a long pause, Cheng Ziang finally managed to say, "The Crown Prince has a keen eye for talent! The Butian Pavilion is now his domain!"

"Oh? Did he use force to intimidate?"

"No, he exposed nine spies! Executed them on the spot, and swiftly took away the power of both me and Chen Yutong, all while maintaining the appearance of a weak scholar." Cheng Ziang sighed, his face showing a hint of shame.

"Oh?" Tie Butian raised his head in surprise, muttering, "So quickly?"

"Yes, and the brothers below are all convinced!"

"Convinced..." Tie Butian stood up and paced back and forth. He had believed that Chu Yang would eventually gain control of the Butian Pavilion, but he had not expected it to happen so quickly, and without using force.

This gave him a new appreciation for Chu Yang's abilities.

After a moment of thought, he said, "You may go."

Watching Cheng Ziang leave, Tie Butian raised his face and fell into deep thought, muttering, "Since he has such ability, then giving him Liucui Lake... what harm could it do? Remember, if you doubt a person, don't use them; if you use a person, don't doubt them."

Chu Yang had initially agreed with Tie Butian to take only a part of Liucui Lake. But now, Gu Duxing had occupied the entire lake, which was far from the original agreement...

But despite this, Tie Butian still decided to give it to him; his wait was only to see if Chu Yang could gain control of the Butian Pavilion... and nothing more.

If he lacked the ability, he would get nothing. But now that Chu Yang had shown such ability, even if he asked for the whole world, as long as Tie Butian could give it, he would!

The two officials in the hall exchanged glances, both sensing something was amiss. It seemed the Crown Prince had indeed spoken about Liucui Lake? But if so, the Crown Prince could have settled the matter with a single word. Why the delay?

"Your Excellencies have waited long," Tie Butian walked over slowly, smiling. "Trivial matters kept me occupied. Please forgive me."

The two officials hurriedly said they dared not.

"Ah, the matter of Liucui Lake, right?" Tie Butian rubbed his temples, looking troubled. "My memory isn't very good."

"Yes, the matter of Liucui Lake. What are the Crown Prince's instructions?"

"I heard... that person's attitude was quite恶劣?" Tie Butian frowned, looking somewhat displeased.

"Crown Prince, that young man is utterly unreasonable! He has completely cordoned off Liucui Lake, claiming it as his own, and even says it's the Crown Prince's will. This has caused great public outrage. If not curbed soon, it could cause a major disturbance in the capital," the fat, middle-aged man speaking to Tie Butian seemed to sense some displeasure from the Crown Prince, and his courage grew.

"Great public outrage? Major disturbance?" Tie Butian's lips curled into a slightly mocking smile. "Lord Wang, as a grand scholar of the court, you taught me when I was young, and I benefited greatly. But saying 'great public outrage' at this moment disappoints me greatly."

Lord Wang was stunned, saying, "I do not understand the Crown Prince's meaning." He thought, Could I have guessed wrong?

"Five years ago, Liucui Lake was your family's property!" Tie Butian said in a gentle, almost soporific voice. "Lord Wang, your nephew Wang Baoping once helped the son of the Right Chancellor to seize Liucui Lake. Later, the Right Chancellor was killed in the imperial court by Uncle Wang, and his property was confiscated. At that time, the person responsible for the confiscation was you, Lord Wang, wasn't it?"