Chapter Seventy-Eight: Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea

Meng Di’s thoughts stemmed from four words: Tian Clan’s campaign against Qi.

Through generations of effort, the Tian family of Qi, beginning with Tian Qi, had implemented the policy of “taking in with small measures, giving out with large,” winning the people’s favor and elevating their prestige among the masses to remarkable heights.

At this moment, Meng Di had no intention of antagonizing the Tian Clan, for a stable and powerful Qi was not in his interest. Meng City and Yun City lay close to each other; should friction arise between Qi and Lu, Meng City would be the first to bear the brunt.

Just then, Liu Xia Tuo hurried in, bowing with clasped fists: “Master, we have caught several men lurking nearby.”

There was no need to guess; these men were surely sent by Tian Chang.

Meng Di glanced at Wang Bo and asked, “Wang Bo, is Tian Chang familiar with your appearance?”

Wang Bo furrowed his brow in thought, then replied, “He would have recognized me in years past, but now, perhaps not. So many years have passed, and my features have changed much. Besides, I was but a servant beside our master then—he may not have paid me much mind.”

This meant Tian Chang might still recognize Wang Bo. Meng Di lowered his head, pondering for a moment, before an idea struck him.

Turning to Liu Xia Tuo, Meng Di instructed, “Among those captured, select the one whose appearance most resembles Wang Bo’s. Behead him—I have use for it.”

Seeing Wang Bo’s confusion, Meng Di explained, “As fate would have it, we caught several men. I’ve considered it carefully; if we confront the Tian Clan now, it may not bode well. If I bring a head to Tian Chang, he may let his guard down and reveal the truth.”

Wang Bo cared only for uncovering the cause of Tian Rang Ju’s death, indifferent to the means, and thus nodded in assent.

Meng Di’s brow tightened. “Even if Tian Chang doesn’t recall your face, he surely knows your age. So I must ask you to do something.”

Without hesitation, Wang Bo replied, “As long as I can learn the cause of my master’s death, I would brave boiling water and fire without complaint.”

His words carried resolute determination. Meng Di, hearing such resolve, nodded slightly. “Then please, Wang Bo, cut some of your hair for me. It will help deceive Tian Chang.”

Without a moment’s pause, Wang Bo drew his knife and sliced off a handful, asking, “Is this enough?”

Tian Chang, upon receiving word, displayed a face clouded with uncertainty.

Before him crouched the only subordinate who had been sent to watch Meng Di.

“How could you be so careless? You took several men, and only you returned alive?”

The man hurried to answer, “Meng Di’s men were exceedingly vigilant. Before we got close, we lost consciousness. When I awoke, I was alone. They learned our identities and sent me back to say, Master, your orders have been fulfilled!”

He hadn’t expected Meng Di’s actions to be so swift—completing the task in so short a time.

But without the Sima Code, how would he explain himself to his father?

After a moment’s brooding, Tian Chang asked again, “Is Guo Yuan alive or dead?”

“I do not know. Meng Di only told me to report back.”

“Useless fool!” Tian Chang cursed harshly.

His greatest concern was that Meng Di had rescued Guo Yuan; if so, the Sima Code might end up in the Guo Clan’s hands. With all the effort expended, it would only amount to killing a servant.

If Guo Yuan were dead, he could pin the blame on Meng Di and his men, excusing himself from previous promises—a double gain. Yet his subordinate had brought back no reliable news, which only fueled his anger.

Though irate, Tian Chang knew the most pressing matter was to ascertain whether Guo Yuan lived or died.

After consideration, he formed a plan: as long as Meng Di left Eagle Cliff, he could bring his men and fabricate charges—how splendid!

“Tell them to meet at Jimo,” he ordered.

Hearing this, the subordinate quickly said, “Master, Meng Di invites you to Eagle Cliff, saying he has other matters to discuss.”

Other matters? Surely, he intended to search for Guo Yuan, perhaps coveting the Guo Clan’s influence.

With a snort, Tian Chang rose. “Very well, I shall meet him.”

Meng Di was not kept waiting long. Within days, a large contingent appeared at Eagle Cliff. Tian Chang sat firmly astride his horse and saluted Meng Di, “Brother Han, I hope you’ve been well. I didn’t expect you to act so quickly.”

Meng Di returned the gesture, “It is nothing. To take money and relieve others of trouble is but duty.”

Yet seeing Tian Chang arrive with so many men, he could not help but sneer inwardly. If this were truly a transaction, such a show of force would be unnecessary—clearly Tian Chang had other intentions.

At this moment, Liu Xia Tuo approached, carrying a severed head and tossed it to the ground, letting it roll before Tian Chang’s horse.

The head was gruesome, with deep cuts across the face, still wet as if freshly retrieved from water. The hair was mostly gray, but its color was obscured by heavy bloodstains.

Frowning, Tian Chang asked, “Brother Han, this head is in such condition—how am I to verify its authenticity?”

Meng Di remained calm, “In the chaos, this villain chose death over surrender. Not a few of my men were wounded before his head was taken. You bring so many men—do you intend to break our agreement?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than his five hundred men formed ranks, ready for action.

Tian Chang’s expression flickered. Even if he wanted to fight, this was not the place; the circumstances were too sensitive. If word spread that Guo Yuan died here, the truth would be hard to untangle.

After a moment, his face broke into a smile. “Brother Han, there’s no need for alarm. Ask around in Qi, and you’ll know the Tian Clan’s reputation. We do not break our word.”

He waved, and a foot soldier picked up the head, presenting it to him.

The head had been so mutilated that only a vague resemblance remained. Tian Chang frowned as he examined it, finding it somewhat familiar, then waved dismissively, and the soldier threw it to the ground.

Meng Di silently breathed a sigh of relief. Then, somewhat regretfully, he said, “Some of the river bandits escaped to the sea. If you wish, I can remain here to continue purging them.”

Tian Chang quickly replied, “Since the bandit chief is dead, the deal is done. Brother Han, come back to the city with me.”