The play at the Gathering Treasures Pavilion had concluded, but the violent undercurrents it created had only just begun to ripple.
Tran Kien, acting under the identity of Ve Nhan, did not spare a single glance back at Vuong Lao or the whispering crowd. He merely gestured for the two constables to support the still-dazed Ly Sinh, one on the left and one on the right, and then openly and legally departed the casino. His back was straight and imposing, carrying the undeniable momentum of an imperial official executing his duties, ensuring no one dared to obstruct him.
Once they had left the luxurious street and slipped into a quiet alley, "Ly Sinh"—the previously gaunt and frail scholar—suddenly lost all traces of his daze. He gently pushed away the hands of the two constables and stood up straight.
"Lord," he bowed respectfully before Tran Kien. His voice was no longer weak, but deep, steady, and filled with profound reverence. "The play is finished."
He was no scholar who had failed the examinations. He was one of the finest spies of the Six Gates, personally dispatched by Tao Chinh to coordinate with Tran Kien. The entire gambling session, from the consecutive wins to losing all his money, was entirely within the script Tran Kien had drafted. The "Bitter Flesh Stratagem" had been executed flawlessly.
"Well done," Tran Kien nodded. "For now, remain at my quarters. Remember, this play is not over yet. You are still a crucial witness under the protection of the Six Gates."
"This subordinate understands."
On the third floor of the Gathering Treasures Pavilion.
Trieu Phuong sat behind a pearl curtain, her slender fingers lightly tapping against a desk made of purple sandalwood. Vuong Lao, the masterful dealer, stood before her, respectfully reporting the entire sequence of events.
"...and that is exactly what happened, Manager. He paid the full one thousand taels of silver and took the man away."
"Ve Nhan..." Trieu Phuong murmured the name, a dangerous and highly interested light flashing within her beautiful eyes. "A newly appointed Strategist, daring to ride a lone horse into my Gathering Treasures Pavilion to demand a person. And generously tossing out a thousand taels of silver just to save a nameless scholar."
"Manager," Vuong Lao hesitated. "This person... is somewhat extraordinary. This subordinate felt that the aura radiating from him was unfathomably deep, completely unlike an ordinary scholar."
"Of course I know he is not simple," Trieu Phuong sneered. "How could someone capable of cracking the Black Dragon Stronghold's blood sacrifice case, causing a Foundation Establishment Protector to die beneath heavenly lightning, possibly be an ordinary person?"
She fell silent for a long while, seemingly analyzing the chessboard.
"That old fox Tao Chinh has finally found himself a sharp knife, has he?" she spoke to herself. "To act so openly is a clear display of force; he wants us to know that the Six Gates has begun to set their sights on this place."
"Then... should we..."
"We need do nothing," Trieu Phuong waved her hand. "When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water rises, earth will dam it. If he wishes to investigate, let him investigate. I also wish to see exactly how capable this young Strategist truly is."
"Have someone tail him," she ordered, her voice turning cold. "I want to know his every move, who he contacts, and where he goes. Especially that scholar, Ly Sinh. He is the absolute crux of this chessboard."
"Understood!"
The old fox of the Gathering Treasures Pavilion had taken the bait. But she did not panic. She was casting an even larger net, waiting for the angler to walk right into it.
At Ve Nhan's manor.
Tran Kien showed no signs of triumph. He knew that although his first move was successful, it had completely exposed his intentions. Trieu Phuong had certainly been put on high alert, and countless invisible eyes were already monitoring him.
For the next few days, he made no moves whatsoever regarding the Gathering Treasures Pavilion. He acted exactly like a newly appointed Strategist. During the day, he went to the headquarters of the Six Gates, perusing old case files and learning their operational procedures. Occasionally, he would "interrogate" Ly Sinh, but he only asked casual, unrelated questions. Every single action was incredibly mundane, revealing not a single flaw.
He was waiting. Waiting for the opponent to lose their patience.
On the night of the fifth day, the opportunity finally arrived.
A black shadow, as swift as a cat, silently infiltrated his manor. This person's movement arts were exceedingly profound, producing not a single sound. His target was not Tran Kien, but the room where Ly Sinh was staying.
Yet, upon slipping inside, he discovered the room was completely empty.
"Disaster! It's a trap!" Horrified, he attempted to retreat. But it was already too late.
Whoosh!
A massive net woven from magical beast silk, pre-rigged on the ceiling beams, abruptly dropped, completely enveloping him. At the exact same time, from the four corners of the room, four experts of the Six Gates led by Black Crow lunged out from the shadows.
The intruder was captured alive.
A short while later, in the study.
Tran Kien sat opposite Tao Chinh, who had personally come. Beneath their feet lay the tightly bound assassin from the Gathering Treasures Pavilion.
"Excellent! Truly excellent!" Tao Chinh slammed the table, roaring with laughter. "Not only did you anticipate their strike, but you used their own scheme against them, setting a trap to capture them alive. Ve Nhan, you truly have not disappointed me!"
"It is all thanks to Your Excellency's brilliant foresight," Tran Kien replied humbly.
"Enough with the flattery," Tao Chinh waved his hand. "Now that the man is captured, what do you intend to do next? Kill him to make a display of force, or use him as evidence to openly confront the Gathering Treasures Pavilion?"
Neither choice was the optimal strategy. Killing him would only intensify the conflict. An open confrontation without sufficient evidence would merely beat the grass and scare the snake.
Tran Kien smiled faintly.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, why must we choose one or the other?" he said. "We can have a third option."
He looked at the trembling assassin on the floor, then back at Tao Chinh, his eyes glinting with profound strategy.
"This fish... we shall neither kill nor eat," he said slowly.
"We shall release it back. And let it carry a new piece of bait, returning to its old pond."