But once Zhao Ya arrived,
the pressure on the Inspection Envoy was enough to make Yelu commit acts of desperate sacrifice, and didn’t this pressure, descending out of the blue, help him a great deal?
This was how to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.
Chen Jie thought this as he watched Yelu change into the clothes of an ordinary wealthy man, prompting Qimu Ge to change his clothes as well. Chen Jie, already dressed plainly, did not need to change.
He watched them bustling about, and Chen Jie took out a small porcelain bottle, applying a bit of white cream from inside onto the scar at the base of his right thumb.
Upon returning home last night, Chen Jie found his master, Bai Wenjing.
He asked if there was a medicine capable of removing scars, and upon hearing this, Bai Wenjing thought for a moment and concocted scar removal ointment for Chen Jie overnight, chastising Chen Jie for his wastefulness while doing so.
Because this ointment contained an ingredient called White Spirit Root, which was used in Energy Transformation medicines, primarily to enhance Martial Power, but was now being used to make this scar-removing medicine, which was a squandering of precious resources.
And though Chen Jie also felt it was a painful waste, he had no choice but to use the scarce White Spirit Root to ensure he remained undetected.
The White Spirit Root was also one of the thirty-six auxiliary medicines Chen Jie planned to use for making Qi Blood Pill; it had been hard to find, but now it was necessary to use it to remove his scar.
Chen Jie felt the ointment, put away the porcelain bottle, and recalled Bai Wenjing’s words that daily application for three days would remove the scar and allow new skin to grow.
Chen Jie packed away the porcelain bottle just as Yelu approached, and he quickly paid his respects, only to see Yelu now dressed in the white attire of a scholar, with Qimu Ge in the black attire of a servant, while Chen Jie wore ordinary merchant robes.
The three together looked quite inconspicuous.
Yelu said, "Let’s depart. We’ll take a carriage to South City first and then walk to Shengping Inn from there."
Chen Jie replied, "Yes."
With that, the three set off directly, quickly reaching South City.
Upon arriving at Shengping Inn, which was across from Yongtai Tea House, Yelu immediately found a window seat at the tea house and ordered a pot of tea.
Chen Jie entered from outside and reported, "Lord Yelu, I’ve gathered that they’re currently eating and will soon be heading out."
Yelu poured a cup of tea and said, "Then let’s wait here for a while."
The three sat drinking tea when four people emerged from the Shengping Inn outside.
"They’ve emerged, they’ve emerged."
Qimu Ge spoke up to alert Yelu, who shot Qimu Ge a glare and said, "Don’t stare, those four are skilled fighters."
Chen Jie merely glanced out, confirmed it was Zhao Ya and her companions, and then lowered his head to drink his tea.
Yelu now looked out the window, and suddenly his eyes narrowed, "Commandery Princess!"
Yelu had seen Zhao Ya before, as he had accompanied his uncle on a visit to Prince Ruyang’s mansion, where he had met Zhao Ya. Later, due to the Ni Manzi case, he compared her face to artist sketches issued by authorities and could undoubtedly confirm that this was Prince Ruyang’s eldest daughter, Yaya Timur!
It seemed clear now who the Inspection Envoy was, and he had also heard from others that the Commandery Princess was appointed for this role.
He thought it was merely a rumor, but it turned out to be true.
But why had the Commandery Princess come to Mianshui County without any notice? Was this a secret inspection? Was she here to catch him red-handed?
Secret inspections in officialdom were meant to catch minor local officials’ misdemeanors, and certainly, they had their risks. For instance, if a local official realized they were caught, they might, in a fit of anger, decide to take a drastic risk, attempting to kill the inspector to destroy evidence.
These kinds of incidents were actually quite popular.
However, Yelu harbored no such plans, knowing that Zhao Ya was accompanied by three persons, not ordinary folk but renowned figures among the Jianghu people gathered by Prince Ruyang—The Western Regions Three Heroes.
Their master was said to be an expert, a distinguished guest elder at Prince Ruyang’s mansion, respected just like Prince Ruyang’s two most capable masters, Xuanbing Second Elder.
That made them first-class guest elders at the Prince Mansion!
Moreover, each of these three was a formidable expert likely at the Qi Blood Holding Core Realm Cultivation.
That in Mianshui County alone was enough to hold enormous sway.
Thinking this, Yelu’s face darkened, sensing ill intentions.
As he pondered, Qimu Ge said, "Master, those three are powerful experts."
Yelu replied, "Don’t stare directly, they might notice."
Qimu Ge hastily lowered his head, but clearly seemed a bit lost.
Just then, the four individuals outside suddenly stopped, and Ah San looked around, saying, "Feels like someone is spying on us?"
"Is it the local Darugachi?"
Ah Er squinted and speculated.
Ah Da said, "It shouldn’t be. We only arrived yesterday."
Zhao Ya looked around, and catching sight of the partially closed window of the tea house, squinted and chuckled, "Don’t underestimate the local Darugachi; he belongs to the Yelu family."
"The Yelu family? What’s so impressive about that?"
Ah Er said, "Yelu family, a century’s family with deep heritage."
"Idiots, both of you are idiots. Yelu, descendant of Yelu Chucai, a family known for their cunning."
"Yelu Chucai? That name sounds familiar."
Ah San mumbled while Ah Da, looking exasperated, added, "Third Brother, stop focusing on just building muscle. Read some books sometimes, use your brain."
Ah San replied, "I won’t read that stuff. It just gives me a headache."
The trio went back and forth, and Zhao Ya’s gaze remained fixed on the tea house’s partially closed window. Ah Da approached and suggested, "Young Master, should we invite the person upstairs?"