Green Mountain-Chapter 668 - 525: Irrefutable Evidence

The roaring fire burned behind Chen Ji.

As Chen Ji rushed out from the sea of flames, the shelves within began to collapse, and the beams groaned under the strain, as the flames completely engulfed the entire warehouse.

In the backyard, everyone halted, leaving only the crackling sound of the burning fire.

Aunt Ping turned to see Chen Ji, covered in soot and smoke, with his clothes burned into tattered holes, and his messy hair singed and curled.

In his arms, he tightly held a pear wood carving plate, something he risked his life to save from the inferno.

Though he appeared disheveled, he remarkably resembled a sword freshly tempered in fierce fire.

There is no sharper sword than the youthful spirit in this world.

The Jiefan Guard exchanged glances, disregarding what Chen Ji said, intent on capturing him first.

But Aunt Ping could no longer conceal her identity, her palms forming the Eight Diagrams, instantly blasting the surrounding Jiefan Guards away, and in a flash stood before Chen Ji.

Chen Ji glanced at Aunt Ping's silhouette, lifted his head, and sternly addressed the Jiefan Guard: "You are merely acting under orders, but now there is conclusive evidence that Lin Chaojing is a spy for the Military Intelligence Department. Do not err in judgment."

The Jiefan Guards were at a loss, unsure of what to do.

Chen Ji's gaze turned to Lin Chaojing: "I have always been curious about how the Military Intelligence Department in the Imperial Capital transmits messages and issues orders. I spent a month at the Glass Factory searching for clues in books, but it seemed incorrect, as many spies from the Military Intelligence Department disguise themselves as vendors and cannot frequently visit bookstores. Hence, there must be an even more cunning way, allowing all spies to discreetly receive messages."

"This method must be subtle, hiding seamlessly in daily life, undetectable to the average person. Moreover, it must be precise and effective, ensuring that messages are delivered within 24 hours; otherwise, delays of a few days would ruin everything."

Chen Ji shifted his tone: "I suddenly remembered that every day at 5 to 7 AM, I would encounter children selling poems from the daily Literary Meeting as I left the Chen Mansion. Among them, the poems of Lord Lin Chaojing were the most popular… Until this moment, I finally understood that the Military Intelligence Department relies on Lord Lin's poems."

Lin Chaojing, with both legs completely broken by Er Dao, sat on the ground and sneered: "Lord Chen must be deluded by the fire. How can I not understand what Lord Chen is saying?"

"It's fine, I will explain it slowly," Chen Ji calmly responded: "There are many Literary Meetings in the Capital, almost every day, and scholars and poets write poems there. You are a renowned scholar-poet in the Capital, and wherever you attend, poems are produced. Just printing your previous day's poems lets bookstores earn plenty of silver. And those children, selling the poems from Literary Meetings every morning, spread the messages by dawn, never caring who buys them."

Chen Ji, holding the wood carving in one hand, picked up another plate with the other: "Does Lord Lin remember, this is from the second day of the ceremony to honor the Silkworm God, the poem you composed at the Zhou Family's Literary Meeting: 'Clouds hang low over the post road, rain newly arrives; a horse ties among the withered flowers, the guest wishes to leave; unexpectedly, the Qing Niao calls outside the willow; at sunset, a lonely star appears.'"

Lin Chaojing's expression changed.

Chen Ji tossed the wood carving to the Jiefan Guards: "Clouds low denote urgency, new rain denotes commencement, tying horse denotes holding back, sparse guests denote scattering, sudden willow denotes threat, arrival of the bird denotes action, sudden willow denotes imminent action, and lonely star denotes escape… Link the four lines, it reads 'urgent matters necessitate return'."

Lin Chaojing angrily retorted: "A far-fetched theory, based on piecing together a poem's tones and rhymes, can you accuse me of being a spy for the Jing Dynasty?"

Chen Ji picked up another wood carving: "Refusing to cry until seeing the coffin. This poem is from your recent Literary Meeting at the Lin Family, where the envoy approaches the Golden Palace, and the wise ruler grants a feast… Keep an eye on Huitong Hall."

Lin Chaojing remained silent.

Chen Ji tossed the carving into Lin Chaojing's lap: "And this one, composed recently at Yuanjue Temple. 'Sweeping the bridge reveals empty color, at dusk the mirror starts to shine… Lord Lin truly possesses remarkable skill, effortlessly capturing the ethereal quality of the river reflecting the moon as it rises, while concealing the message 'burn Shijia Lane' deep within. No one else could achieve it. The Military Intelligence Department is indeed brilliant; Lord Lin only needs to write a poem, and others will ensure the message is conveyed to the spies."

Lin Chaojing silently observed the carving in his lap.

After a long while, he finally laughed and said: "Lord Chen, you have impressive skills. It seems quite a few from the Military Intelligence Department have fallen to your hands… Indeed, I should have eliminated you sooner."

Chen Ji exhaled deeply, he had finally captured him.

The Jiefan Guards exchanged worried looks; a Jing Dynasty spy had infiltrated the scholars of the Hanlin Academy, as well as the newly appointed scholars. This could shake the Empire. No, it was even worse, there was also Lin Chaoqing, the Commander of Jiefan Guard!

If even the Commander of Jiefan Guard was a spy, the Jing Dynasty might as well have spies inside Your Majesty's Renshou Palace!

The Capital was on the verge of chaos.

Chen Ji handed the carving to the Jiefan Guards and squatted down in front of Lin Chaojing.

First, he lifted Lin Chaojing's sleeve, then cut open the back of his clothes without finding anything.

Others did not understand what he was doing, but Chen Ji remembered Princess Liyang had mentioned that an orphan of Lu Er, the Great Commander of Hu Ben Army, bore a plum blossom birthmark on his elbow, while the Deputy Commander's orphan had an arrow scar on his back. Both were sent to the Ning Dynasty after being taken by Lu Jin's Death Soldiers and were raised by the Military Intelligence Department Chief.

By age, Lin Chaojing matched these two, yet Lin Chaojing's elbow and back showed no abnormality.

Chen Ji also checked Lin Chaojing's mouth: "As a Hanlin Academy Scholar, you pass through the Imperial Palace Gate and undergo a search, so you cannot hide poison… Hopefully, you know enough to help us completely dismantle the Military Intelligence Department's network in the Capital."

Lin Chaojing burst into laughter: "You might be disappointed, Lord Chen. The tight security of our Military Intelligence Department is beyond your Southern people's imagination. I only pass on messages, I know nothing else."

Chen Ji stood up: "Since you don't know, then we must ask Lord Lin Chaoqing."

With that, he turned to the Jiefan Guard: "Now is your chance to redeem yourselves. Let me ask you, where is Lin Chaoqing?"

A member of the Jiefan Guard hesitated and said, "We haven't seen Lin Da... Lin Chaoqing today."

Chen Ji's heart sank. He had been cautiously guarding against Lin Chaoqing all evening, yet the latter had not appeared.

He asked in a tense voice, "Who ordered you to guard this place, and who informed you?"

The Jiefan Guard answered, "Our unit has always been responsible for secretly protecting Lin Chaojing. We rushed over as soon as we got the report from the hidden sentry."

The Jiefan Guard was supposed to capture spies, but they had been protecting Jing Dynasty spies right under their noses. Lin Chaoqing was indeed bold enough to have the Jiefan Guard watch Lin Chaojing without fear of exposure.

Lin Chaojing laughed heartily, "Mr. Chen, I'm afraid you won't be able to catch my brother."

At that moment, Liang Chuan from the Wenchang Bookstore could no longer bear the weight, and the roof caved in along with him. Outside, shouts from the Five Cities Military Department's Fire Armor could be heard, and someone was pushing a heavy water cart over.

The Glass Factory was mostly comprised of bookstores, and if the fire spread, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Chen Ji whispered to Aunt Ping and Brother Pao, "I'll distract everyone later. Your identities are not suitable for staying here long. Leave quickly; I can handle the rest myself."

Then he said to the Jiefan Guard, "Send six people immediately back to Taiye Pond to inform Bai Long, telling him the evidence is conclusive and to promptly issue a sea capture order for Lin Chaoqing. The rest of the Jiefan Guard will follow me to escort Lin Chaojing into the inner city, and anyone who approaches recklessly will be killed without mercy."

The Jiefan Guard's expressions were obscured by the shadows under their helmets, their hands tightly gripping their sword hilts, hesitating to speak.

A man without official title ordering them around was one thing, but to order the Jiefan Guard to issue a sea capture order for their own Commander?

The Jiefan Guard was momentarily indecisive.

Chen Ji suddenly shouted, "What are you waiting for!"

The Jiefan Guard exchanged a silent glance, and one of them suddenly said, "Yes. Wang Zhong, you come with me. The others will guard the Marquis of Wuxiang."

Chen Ji led Lin Chaojing out, but just as they exited, they were blocked in the alley by the scholars and literary men from Wenyuan Bookstore.

The person in the lead saw Chen Ji carrying Lin Chaojing like a sack of tatters and was immediately outraged, "Villain, how dare you use private punishment on a Hanlin Academy Scholar? Release Lord Lin quickly!"

Chen Ji looked up, his gaze icy, "Lin Chaojing is a Jing Dynasty spy, with conclusive evidence. Move aside!"

Lin Chaojing, in Chen Ji's grasp, suddenly screamed, "The Marquis of Wuxiang is jealous and harms the loyal; he has broken both my arms and snapped my fingers. Please, everyone, redress my grievances!"

Chen Ji frowned. The spies of the Military Intelligence Department were indeed difficult to handle. Even now, he was trying to muddy the waters. Lin Chaojing wasn't planning to escape. He knew he couldn't run. He just wanted to leave an indelible stain on Chen Ji's name in the city.

And those scholars were at the most impulsive age, assuming that Chen Ji was framing Lin Chaojing, unwilling to believe what Chen Ji said. Hearing Lin Chaojing's wails, their blood boiled.

Qi Zhaoning stepped forward and stood in front of Chen Ji, "Chen Ji, earlier, I only pretended to be close to him to irritate you; I wasn't truly close to him. Now that you've beaten him like this, your anger is surely spent. Quickly release him, and I'll go to my father to have him plead for you with His Majesty..."

Chen Ji looked coldly at Qi Zhaoning, unexpectedly taking a step back, retreating into the ranks of the Jiefan Guard, "What are you waiting for? Clear the way. Anyone who dares to snatch him, kill without mercy."

With a clang, the Jiefan Guard unsheathed their swords, frightening Qi Zhaoning and the scholars into retreat.

The Jiefan Guard didn't wield their weapons in earnest but used their shoulders to jostle the scholars left and right, protecting Chen Ji as they charged out of the Glass Factory.

Qi Zhaoning was jostled and fell to the ground, and as Chen Ji passed by her, she sat on the ground looking up at his chin, but Chen Ji never spared her another glance.

The group escorted Chen Ji out of the Glass Factory and entered the inner city through Zhengyang Gate.

Before they could reach Chang'an Street, they saw dozens of Jiefan Guards rushing towards them. Not only the Jiefan Guard but Jin Zhu also led a team from the Spy Department close behind, and drums were beaten on the city walls.

Chen Ji called out loudly, "What's going on?"

Jin Zhu rode past him, "Lin Chaoqing is missing. His Majesty is furious. If we don't catch him today, many people will suffer tomorrow!"

Lin Chaojing laughed aloud, "You won't catch him!"

Chen Ji expressionlessly reached for Lin Chaojing's jaw, dislocating it with a swift motion.