Chapter Nine: Preparing for a Win-Win

“Supervisor Wu, what brings you to me?”

Two days later, early in the morning, Chen Yi entered the Western Depot and immediately saw Supervisor Wu Qingsheng wearing a gloomy expression.

“Follow me,” Wu commanded.

Chen Yi, unaware of the reason, followed Wu up the stairs to the study, where someone was already waiting.

It was Li Baihu from the Eastern Depot.

“Greetings, Inspector Chen,” Li Baihu said, clasping his hands.

Chen Yi returned the gesture, still puzzled. Why was someone from the Eastern Depot here?

Wu approached the desk, and after a moment, slammed a crimson memorial slip onto the table before Chen Yi.

Chen Yi remained calm, not bending down but skillfully flicking the raised edge of the slip with his foot. The slip flew into the air and gracefully landed in his hand—an effortless display of refined lightness skill.

Witnessing this, Wu’s eyelid twitched slightly. Such exquisite movement, steady breath, and the stance of a warrior. But wasn’t this man supposed to be a blank slate, a mere figurehead? Chen Yi had only appeared in the public eye for a month, yet in that short time, he had mastered such subtle martial skills...

Had he encountered some extraordinary fortune, a master’s guidance, or had he always concealed his true strength?

Wu frowned, deep in thought. Previously, he had regarded this Eastern Depot inspector, who was backed by the Lin faction, with polite caution but little concern.

Opening the memorial, Chen Yi glanced through it, then looked at Li Baihu and immediately understood the situation.

It turned out that the Eastern Depot’s supervisor had reported Chen Yi to the Empress Dowager, who held imperial power. At the end of the memorial, it was stated that Chen Yi had disregarded the law by privately taking a maid away for interrogation.

Seeing Chen Yi had read the memorial, Wu spoke, “I intercepted this in the Directorate of Ceremonial, and it hasn’t yet reached the Empress Dowager. But how long can I hold it back? By rank, Supervisor Xue is the Chief Eunuch, while I am merely a lower official.”

Chen Yi held the slip, pondering briefly.

At that moment, Li Baihu interjected, “Inspector Chen, Supervisor Xue is also in a difficult position. We all serve the imperial household; if one prospers, we all prosper, if one suffers, we all suffer. If you are reported, not only will the Western Depot lose face, but our Eastern Depot brothers as well.”

Chen Yi smiled faintly and asked, “So, what should I do now?”

Wu replied coldly, “Naturally, you must return the maid to Prince Xiang’s residence, and this matter will be settled.”

Before Chen Yi could respond, Li Baihu added, “Inspector Chen is a tall, strong man, acting on impulse. I believe this matter can still be negotiated.”

From their words, Chen Yi narrowed his eyes, sensing something. One played the villain, the other the mediator. But was this a well-rehearsed act or was Wu being manipulated?

Wu snapped coldly, “Negotiate? What more is there to negotiate?”

Li Baihu quickly said, “Supervisor Xue said, leave a way out. He doesn’t want to offend the Western Depot and is willing to withdraw the memorial.”

He then turned to Chen Yi with a threatening tone, “But Inspector Chen, you must be cautious in the future. Don’t provoke the Eastern Depot or break its rules. Matters of the Eastern Depot are not for an inspector to meddle with.”

Chen Yi listened expressionlessly, silent.

Wu also felt uneasy at Li’s veiled threat. Was this Li Baihu using him as the heavy in this charade?

Never mind. No matter who plays the villain, as long as they serve the imperial household, that is what mattered.

Seeing Chen Yi’s silence, Li sneered inwardly and said, “Inspector Chen, I know you are young and bold, but being too sharp only brings trouble. Charging ahead recklessly will only lead to ruin. Let me remind you—if someone wants to kill you, it won’t be difficult.”

At these words, Wu frowned.

Realizing he had spoken too harshly, Li softened his tone earnestly, “Better to stop now. The Eastern and Western Depots are brotherly agencies with close ties. Our good relations ensure mutual support...”

Halfway through, Chen Yi suddenly smiled kindly.

“Inspector Li, you speak truly.”

Li was taken aback, not expecting such a forthright response.

“Speak... what do you mean?”

Chen Yi raised his hands in a respectful gesture and said sincerely, “The Eastern and Western Depots are brother agencies and should support each other. Previously, I inadvertently offended the Eastern Depot, but Supervisor Xue was merciful. Now, with the demonic cult wreaking havoc in the capital, I will lend my strength to the Eastern Depot. Matters under your jurisdiction, I will assist. Matters you don’t want me involved in, I will stay out.”

Li was slightly stunned, not expecting Chen Yi to be so agreeable.

“Since the matter is settled, you may leave.”

Wu spoke.

As they exited the study, Li was about to depart when Chen Yi suddenly grabbed his arm.

“Inspector Li, I have something to tell you.”

Li stopped.

“May I ask what it is?”

Lowering his voice, Chen Yi said, “I wonder if Supervisor Xue is aware of the demonic cult’s holy maiden?”

Li looked puzzled and urged, “Please explain.”

Chen Yi noticed his unfamiliarity and spoke slowly, “With Supervisor Wu absent, I’ll be frank. The reason I killed those cultists was not for personal gain, but for your Eastern Depot.”

Li questioned, “For our Eastern Depot?”

Chen Yi continued, “The cult’s attempt to ally with a royal prince is extremely risky. One misstep would mean total failure. Have you considered why they insist on this? From my investigations, it’s because the cult has a grand scheme involving the birth of their holy maiden. Once she appears, the Eastern Depot, responsible for raiding Prince Xiang’s residence, will likely be implicated.

I suspect the Eastern Depot is unaware of this and being used by the cult. That’s why I intercepted and killed those cultists—to prevent them from executing their scheme and dragging the Eastern Depot down.”

Li was shocked and fearful. He had heard rumors about the holy maiden, but they were just rumors.

Chen Yi observed his reaction carefully.

Having passed through this ordeal before, Chen Yi knew that only a handful in the entire capital knew of Yin Tingxue as the holy maiden.

Supervisor Xue Yuge of the Eastern Depot was not among them. Though he colluded with the cult, his main concern was his official position.

After all, no high-ranking official would foolishly abandon his power to run off with a cult into some remote mountain.

Li, seeing Chen Yi’s sincerity and recalling his past deeds, thought: This Western Depot inspector, once corrupt and self-serving, suddenly turning against the cult and acting righteously—there must be more to it.

“I killed those cultists to sever ties and stop before things got worse. Some matters...” Li was stunned, but Chen Yi lightly said,

“If something isn’t measured, it’s worthless; once weighed, it can’t be stopped.”

Li broke into a cold sweat, bowing repeatedly.

“Thank you for the warning, Inspector Chen. If the holy maiden’s birth is exposed, who knows how many heads the Eastern Depot might lose.”

Chen Yi patted Li’s shoulder sincerely, “Supervisor Xue said it well. We either rise or fall together. The Eastern and Western Depots are like grasshoppers on the same rope.”

Li felt a grim relief and now trusted Chen Yi more.

“Thank you, Inspector Chen. This is a great favor. How can I repay you?”

Chen Yi said, “I’ve heard of a martial manual called the ‘Bronze Bone Technique’ circulating within the Eastern Depot. Might I borrow it for a look?”

Li hesitated, “That manual was compiled by Supervisor Xue and is not for outside circulation...”

Chen Yi sneered, “Just now you said it was a great favor. Do I owe nothing to the Eastern Depot?”

Li thought it over. Given how close they had come to disaster, what was a martial manual compared to that? Besides, Chen Yi was no longer the upright man he once seemed; perhaps they could work together long-term...

“Very well, I shall bring it to you.”

Chen Yi bowed, “Thank you, Inspector Li. I gain the manual; the Eastern Depot gains intelligence. A true win-win.”

Li laughed, “Indeed, a win-win.”

Watching Li hurry away, Chen Yi’s lips curled into a smile in the shadow.

If this were a second playthrough, he might have charged about recklessly—after all, he could always reload.

But now...

He had to be subtle.

He had to make experience points come to him willingly and gratefully.

Did he understand what it meant to be a second-playthrough player?

A second-playthrough player always prepares to win twice.

Now it was a matter of whether it would be a great win, a moderate win, or a small win.