novelapdf Chapter 32 The Spy
Chapter 32 The Spy
Qinghe Town, the residences of four prominent families.
Night had fallen, but none of the key figures from the four great families were at rest.
The strange phenomenon that shot into the sky last night in the direction of Moyuan in the western suburbs was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves in their hearts.
The Zhao family's martial arts hall was brightly lit.
The patriarch, Zhao Yuanqing, stood with his hands behind his back in front of a huge map of Qinghe Town and its surrounding area, his brows furrowed. Behind him stood several family elders and core members.
"Have you found out? Is the source of last night's strange phenomenon confirmed to be that abandoned villa in the western suburbs?" Zhao Yuanqing's voice was deep and carried an unquestionable authority.
An elder in charge of intelligence stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Reporting to the Master, after multiple confirmations, the source of the anomaly is undoubtedly Mo Garden in the western suburbs. That villa is now occupied by a young man named Lin Mo. His origins are unknown. He appeared in Qinghe Town about half a year ago, first infiltrated the Canal Gang, and later rose to a minor leadership position after exposing an internal traitor. Soon after, he left the Canal Gang, took control of some black market channels, and gathered a group of vagrants to occupy Mo Garden. The conflict between the teahouse and the mysterious person some time ago is suspected to be related to him as well."
"Lin Mo..."
Zhao Yuanqing pondered the name. "In just half a year, he went from being an unknown nobody to occupying the manor, controlling the black market, and even managing to trigger such a celestial phenomenon... This young man is no ordinary person. The contradictory aura of death and rebirth contained in that phenomenon cannot be caused by ordinary techniques; it probably involves some ancient inheritance or forbidden power."
He turned abruptly, his gaze sharp as an eagle's: "We can't let this go unchecked! Immediately send more men to keep a close watch on Mo Garden. I need to know Lin Mo's every move, who his subordinates are, who comes and goes from the manor every day, and what connections he has with the outside world!"
"Remember, they are secret agents, the most capable and skilled in concealment and reconnaissance. They must not be alerted!"
"Yes!" The elder accepted the order with a stern expression.
At the same time, similar scenes were unfolding in the Qian, Sun, and Li families.
Inside a secret room in the Qian family mansion.
The patriarch, Qian Guangyuan, sank into the armchair, his short, stout frame sinking in. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, and his narrowed eyes gleamed with shrewdness. "The strange phenomenon in the western suburbs...tsk tsk, this is a very serious matter. No matter what opportunity Lin Mo has obtained, since he is within the territory of my Qinghe Town, he cannot escape the control of my four great families. Send a few clever 'Shadow Rats' to infiltrate among the refugees he has gathered, or plant spies among the people operating around his manor. I need to know what secrets are hidden in his manor, and what exactly caused that strange phenomenon."
"Yes, Master. 'Shadow Rat' is best at infiltration and reconnaissance; it will surely be able to find out the truth."
The Sun family's back garden pavilion.
The patriarch, Sun Wenyuan, dressed in a scholar's robe, appeared to be admiring the moonlight, but his mind was already wandering to the western suburbs. "Strange phenomena in the heavens and earth are either auspicious or ominous. My Sun family has passed down its traditions through poetry and literature, but we are also well aware of the dangers of the martial world. The appearance of such phenomena will inevitably attract the covetousness of all sides. Although my Sun family will not actively compete for them, we must know ourselves and our enemies in order to remain invincible."
He instructed his trusted steward, "Select a few skilled and meticulous guards to patrol the surrounding area and investigate bandits, and have them move close to the Silent Garden area, keeping an eye out for any unusual movements, especially any spying from other aristocratic families or unidentified forces. Report any suspicious activity immediately."
"This old servant understands."
The quiet room behind the weapon-making workshop in the Li family compound.
Patriarch Li Lie had just finished meditating, and the intense heat emanating from his body slowly subsided. He was known for his fiery temper and direct actions. "What strange phenomena? I only care about the power that caused them! That kid Lin Mo, capable of causing such a commotion in half a year, must be quite skilled. Send someone to investigate him, see what his martial arts style is like, and whether the strange phenomenon is related to his cultivation method. If he's worth recruiting, we might as well; if he's a menace, we should make plans early!"
He ordered the captain of the family's elite guards, who was standing by, "Select a few skilled men, disguise them as hunters or merchants, and get close to Mo Garden. Find an opportunity to test Lin Mo or his men's abilities. Be careful not to kill anyone; the main purpose is to probe their strength."
"Yes, sir!"
With a command from the heads of the four great families, a series of secret instructions were issued from their respective residences.
The Zhao family's "Dark Feathers," skilled in stealth and agility; the Qian family's "Shadow Rat," adept at disguise and infiltration; the Sun family's guards, meticulous and cautious; and the Li family's elite, valiant and adept at practical testing—like four silent undercurrents, began to converge towards the Silent Garden in the west of the city.
These spies were all carefully cultivated eyes and ears by the four great families, each with their own strengths.
They changed into coarse linen clothes, disguised themselves as nearby farmers, hunters, traveling merchants, or even homeless vagrants, and quietly blended into the environment around Moyuan.
Some set up hidden observation points in the woods surrounding the Silent Garden, using specially made telescopes to monitor the comings and goings of the manor day and night; some tried to infiltrate the nearby villagers who delivered vegetables and provided odd jobs to the Silent Garden every day, attempting to enter the manor; some loitered near the black market stalls controlled by the Silent Garden, paying attention to transactions and personnel exchanges related to the Silent Garden; even more extreme, several skilled fighters sent by the Li family deliberately revealed their presence within the line of sight of the guards patrolling the perimeter of the Silent Garden, and even created some minor frictions, in an attempt to lure out the core figures of the Silent Garden and assess their martial arts prowess.
For a time, the area within several miles centered on Moyuan appeared calm and normal, but in reality, it was teeming with spies, and all sorts of prying eyes were focused on the abandoned manor that had caused the astonishing phenomenon the night before.
A tense atmosphere, like the impending storm, filled the air.
Although these spies operated covertly, their frequent, purposeful activities, as well as the occasional display of a demeanor and skill that set them apart from ordinary people, ultimately left some subtle traces.
For Lin Mo and his forces, who had just experienced a complete restoration of their memories and a surge of power, and who had already established a preliminary intelligence network and were in a state of high alert, these quietly infiltrating "guests" were destined to be unable to completely hide their whereabouts.
A storm is brewing, but the eyes that are watching have already arrived.