Chapter 1459 – Sun Wen as a Messenger (Part 7)
Upon hearing this, Sun Wen’s whole body trembled, quickly reaching out to grasp the servant’s wrist.
“What do you mean, only two bites at a meal, or every meal is just two bites?”
If it was the former, it meant Nie Liang had a poor appetite; if it was the latter, it indicated major health issues.
“I’ve tested it too; almost every meal is like this. Additionally…” the servant followed up, “I’ve heard other news. That Noble/High-Ranking Person eats very little at each meal, but medicinal concoction is never short. The leftover dregs must be burned clean and buried in secret.”
After hearing this, Sun Wen smacked his lips in surprise, “I thought I overestimated Nie Liang, but I guess I underestimated his caution.”
It was truly rare for someone to be this meticulous.
If Sun Wen hadn’t played his cards differently, it would have been hard to catch ironclad evidence of Nie Liang’s poor health.
Sun Wen pondered for a moment before instructing the servant, “Find a way to sneak some of that medicinal dregs, the sooner the better, and be extra careful.”
“Understood,” the servant replied.
Once the servant left, Sun Wen shook his sleeves and exhaled a puff of lingering breath.
“It’s time to find an excuse to take my leave; this dragon’s lair and tiger’s den is truly uncomfortable to stay in.”
Ever since Sun Wen arrived at Nie’s camp, his life had been out of his control, a blade hanging over his neck that could snatch his life away at any moment. He couldn’t show a hint of cowardice or nervousness; he had to maintain a facade of ease while inside he was brimming with confidence to keep the atmosphere steady.
Days like this, it felt like time stretched on endlessly.
Sun Wen considered an excuse for his departure while patiently waiting for news from the servant, not revealing a hint of fear.
The next day, Fan Chen received news of Sun Wen’s intended departure, raising an eyebrow in curiosity as to what trick this old man was trying to pull.
After a thorough inquiry, he realized Sun Wen genuinely meant to leave.
Feigning confusion, Fan Chen remarked, “Sir is a messenger representing Lan Ting; you come and go freely without the need for my lord’s permission, right?”
Sun Wen smiled broadly on the surface but cursed inwardly, what nonsense!
If he silently took his people and left, would Nie Liang not drop his forty-foot-long blade right after him?
The more anxious one felt about being caught, the more it proved they had something to hide. Following the principle of “better to kill a thousand innocents than let one guilty escape,” could Nie Liang let Sun Wen get away?
With a smile, Sun Wen replied, “That’s where you’re mistaken; what kind of person is Lord Guangshan? If my lord learned I had slighted him, I would certainly be reprimanded upon return. I’ve lived most of my life; even if I’m not wise, I know the ways of the world. How could I not understand this?”
While he felt urgent inwardly, he maintained an air of leisure, as if he was waiting for Nie Liang to let him go whenever he felt like it.
“I feel like we’ve gotten along so well; I’d love to share a drink and talk late into the night,” Fan Chen probed again, “But alas, there are mundane matters to attend to, and I haven’t had the chance to step away… Why not stay a few more days? Surely our military didn’t treat you poorly or neglect you?”
Just days ago, Sun Wen had acted as if he’d made Nie’s camp his second home; now he wanted to leave—how could that not raise suspicion?
Fan Chen had come to test Sun Wen; without prying out some information, he wouldn’t let it go.
Sun Wen, with a smile on his lips but none in his eyes, responded to Fan Chen, “We each have our own masters, wouldn’t you agree?”
Fan Chen nodded, somewhat sincerely, stating, “What a pity, one day… I’d love to serve alongside you in the same court.”
“Perhaps that day will come,” Sun Wen replied nonchalantly, “Since we each have our own masters, you should also recognize my position. I’m still living off the rations provided by my lord, doing my duty. With both armies about to engage, my mission as a messenger is already complete. Lord Guangshan’s intentions are clear; there’s no chance of withdrawal, so what reason do I have to stay?”
Was he supposed to linger in Nie’s camp waiting for our forces to breach the gates and wind up caught in the crossfire?
Sun Wen’s reasoning took Fan Chen by surprise; he thought Sun Wen would concoct some flowery excuse.
Unexpectedly, the latter was straightforward, leaving Fan Chen speechless.
Indeed, they each served their masters, and both armies were about to go to war; what use was it for Sun Wen to remain in Nie’s camp?
Fan Chen restrained his stiff smile and stated seriously, “I will inform my lord about this immediately.”
Sun Wen clasped his hands together, “Thank you for your trouble.”
Fan Chen conveyed the message to Nie Liang, who, instead of permitting Sun Wen’s immediate exit, intentionally delayed for an entire night, secretly keeping a close watch on Sun Wen and his party, monitoring their reactions for any sign of unease. A person eager to leave would certainly reveal some flaw in their demeanor.
But to his surprise, Sun Wen remained composed, revealing no signs of distress. The following morning, he went about his business as usual and once more criticized the camp’s food.
By the evening of the third day, when Nie Liang found no lead on any evidence, he finally relented and let Sun Wen go.
Fan Chen personally led his troops to escort him, and seeing the show of force, Sun Wen felt apprehensive deep down, though on the surface he appeared calm and collected.
“Sending you off is bittersweet; we must part ways here!”
Surrounded by overgrown weeds, the vast and desolate land stirred an eerie chill in the air.
Sun Wen smiled as he clasped hands with Fan Chen in farewell, stepping onto the sedan chair and secretly instructing the driver.
“Take it slow; no need to rush, and have someone keep a close watch on that group behind us.”
Fan Chen brought five hundred soldiers, all mounted on war horses, and would catch up to them soon.
If Sun Wen hurriedly left, Fan Chen would be able to catch up and eliminate him on the spot.
Even without lifting the curtain of the sedan to look back, Sun Wen could feel the searing gaze of the watcher fixed on him.
He touched his chest, feeling the strong and vibrant heartbeat along with a small protruding bulge.
The servant managed to sneak a bit of the medicinal dregs by bribing a kitchen laborer, and Sun Wen didn’t dare keep the dregs in his luggage. Instead, he carefully wrapped them and tucked them into the inner lining of his shirt. He noticed that for the past two nights, someone had secretly tampered with their luggage; though they were cautious, Sun Wen still detected the signs and grew more vigilant.
“Military Adviser, they’re still following us—”
Sun Wen’s heart jolted. “What do you mean, following us?”
The driver replied, “They’re moving at a steady pace; it doesn’t seem like they want to kill.”
Sun Wen instructed, “Pass the word; don’t act rashly and treat them as if they don’t exist. Maintain this speed.”
Though he said this, the pursuing enemies felt like grim reapers with chains locked onto his soul, haunting him close by—who wouldn’t feel tense?
After following for a quarter of an hour, Fan Chen noticed Sun Wen remained exceptionally calm, alleviating most of his doubts.
“Let’s go back,” Fan Chen sighed, “If fate allows, we shall meet again.”
He wrapped up his plan to take action against Sun Wen with a facade of reason.
He didn’t wish to kill Sun Wen; he just couldn’t bear to part with a comrade, which was why he lingered to escort him on his way.
“Go!”
Fan Chen glanced back, reluctantly turning away on his horse.
As long as Sun Wen showed even the slightest hint of weakness, he’d be able to act without hesitation, what a pity it was.
