Chapter 39: Something Is Clearly Off...

Chief Envoy Lin Xianrong of the Great Zhou Mission marvelled at how swiftly Chen Duolong responded; especially since at this moment, they had not seen the chief reception officer Bai Muge in person.

Thus, Lin Xianrong found himself half skeptical about Chen Duolong’s assurances.

How could it be that even the chief reception officer would not come? The Emperor of Great Tang... had only sent a few deputy reception officers to escort them into the city?

Something was clearly amiss.

Lin Xianrong harbored suspicions in his heart.

But since ancient times, even if two countries were openly at war, there had never been a precedent of summarily executing emissaries.

Though they had lied earlier, turning the breaking of an engagement into a betrothal, the Emperor of Great Tang had already issued orders permitting their entry. Surely, the Emperor would not wish their deaths.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Lin Xianrong decided to acquiesce. The primary reason was that, suffering from hunger and cold, they could hardly endure much longer.

“Then we must trouble the esteemed officials,” Lin Xianrong said, clasping his hands in thanks.

He did not rashly inquire about Bai Muge’s whereabouts, nor why he had not come. Lin Xianrong understood well enough—asking would likely be futile. Perhaps no one would bother to answer.

Indeed, as expected.

Upon hearing Lin Xianrong’s words of gratitude, Chen Duolong and the other reception officials atop the city gate remained impassive, showing no intention of descending to greet them. They stood unmoving, perched upon the city wall.

Only the guards who had opened the gates gave a cold, terse reminder: “Please, enter the city quickly!”

This frosty attitude alone raised doubts within their hearts.

From such words, it was easy to discern the true sentiment the Tang reception officers held towards the Zhou envoys.

At the same time, this indirectly confirmed Lin Xianrong’s earlier suspicions.

Yet, at this hour, Lin Xianrong could not afford to dwell on it. At least entering the city would not mean their immediate demise.

All matters could wait until their bellies were full.

“Thank you for your reminder,” Lin Xianrong replied with a smile to the gate guards.

Only then did Lin Xianrong and the rest of the Zhou envoy group finally enter the gates of Great Tang.

They followed Chen Duolong and his fellows, heading together toward the Sifang Pavilion.

...

At the entrance of the Sifang Pavilion in the capital of Great Tang.

Chen Duolong and the reception officials halted first; Lin Xianrong and the Zhou mission followed suit.

“Wine and refreshments have been prepared. You may enter on your own,” Chen Duolong said blandly, glancing at Lin Xianrong and then feigning a look at the sky. “It’s already late; I have other matters to attend and will return to my residence.”

“We shall take our leave as well,” chimed in the other reception officials from the Ministry of Ceremonies.

Before Lin Xianrong and his group could respond, the Tang officials departed, leaving the Zhou envoys alone.

Only when all the Tang officials had vanished did Lin Xianrong and his companions come to their senses, gazing at the Sifang Pavilion before them.

For a moment, the group was bewildered by the obvious disdain shown to them.

“Sir, should we...?” one of them began, but Lin Xianrong interrupted with a sigh, “Let us enter first and discuss later.”

“Yes, sir,” the Zhou envoys replied, following Lin Xianrong inside.

Under another’s roof, one must bow one’s head.

After all, they were on Tang soil, not their own.

Being able to enter the city tonight was a stroke of fortune amid their misfortune—far better than shivering and starving outside the walls.

Inside the Sifang Pavilion, they were received, though the attitude of their host was equally cold.

Lin Xianrong and his companions ignored it.

Within the room, a feast was laid out on the table, just as Chen Duolong had promised; fine wines and delicacies awaited them.

The food was plentiful and still steaming, clearly freshly prepared.

Famished and parched, the Zhou officials could hardly restrain their longing, swallowing their saliva.

“Sir...” one of the officials, unable to contain himself, looked to Lin Xianrong for permission.

Lin Xianrong understood at once and commanded, “Eat first.”

“Yes, sir!” The Zhou envoys responded, sitting down and devouring the meal hastily.

The meal was peaceful; no one disturbed them, and the food was not poisoned.

After eating and drinking their fill, Lin Xianrong checked the time—it was late, and fatigue weighed heavily upon them. Each prepared to retire for the night.

But then—

‘Bang! Bang! Bang!’

The clash of weapons erupted outside their door, unmistakably the sounds of combat.

Simultaneously, they heard the guards outside shout into the night air, “Who goes there?!”

“Hmph!” came a cold snort from the intruder, with no further reply, only the clamor of battle growing louder.

“???” Lin Xianrong, just lying down.

“???” The Zhou envoys.

Alarmed by the chaos outside, they scrambled up from their beds, peering through the window to identify the intruders.

At that moment, a dart whistled through the window.

“Bang!”

The dart embedded itself in the doorpost near Lin Xianrong’s ear, bearing a slip of paper.

Startled by the sudden attack, Lin Xianrong was momentarily terrified.

Yet, being an old hand, he had encountered such situations before and recognized the style immediately.

“Is it the followers of the Sun Moon Divine Sect?” Lin Xianrong wondered, furrowing his brow.

But when he looked again, the figure who had thrown the dart had already vanished.

Cautiously, Lin Xianrong pulled out the dart.

Upon the paper, a line was written:

Do not be anxious, sir. The sect leader has infiltrated Great Tang; detailed intelligence on Tang’s internal affairs is placed in Room Two of the Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant, thirty meters outside the Sifang Pavilion.

“???” Lin Xianrong was stunned.

What was happening?

Could it be that the sect leader had pretended to surrender, only to covertly scout Tang’s situation for them?

If so...

Lin Xianrong began to suspect his earlier conclusions may have been mistaken.

Yet, this could also be a cunning trap laid by the Emperor of Tang.

Despite his doubts, Lin Xianrong could not resist the temptation.

After all, one purpose of their mission was to investigate Tang’s situation closely.

His previous speculation was only half confirmed, with the other half still unresolved.

“This matter requires my personal attention; I can’t trust anyone else with it.”

Determined, Lin Xianrong quickly changed clothes and, under cover of night, slipped out toward the Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant.