Chapter 256: The Grand Preceptor is Supreme Commander’s jinx

“What did Supreme Commander find me for?” Song Xu asked. He didn’t serve under Lou Zigui’s command, but was still on good terms with the man. Thus, he didn’t feel restrained or awkward in the other man’s presence.

Lou Zigui smiled. “I never got to ask you how Seventh Song was doing. Today I’m sitting in the watchtower and watching the show, so I found you for a chat.”

Song Xu smiled back at his words. “Old Seventh’s in the army as well. Supreme Commander will be able to see him in a few days.”

“Mm,” Lou Zigui nodded slightly. “It’s good that he’s unharmed.”

“Old Seventh’s martial arts skills aren’t bad. Whatever could happen to him?” Song Xu asked. “Supreme Commander, you don’t have to worry.”

“Something happened to Fang Tang,” Lou Zigui said suddenly as he looked at Song Xu.

Song Xu gave a start. “Fang Tang?”

Lou Zigui nodded and lowered his voice. “I can’t verify the news, but I’m still investigating.”

Song Xu grew concerned. “What kind of news is it?”

“I received word that Fang Tang might have been captured by Xie Wenyuan,” Lou Zigui murmured.

Song Xu grew alarmed.

“Perhaps not,” Lou Zigui added. “So that’s why I’m still looking into it. If Fang Tang was captured, then the Black Frost Cavalry’s advance towards the capital would have been exposed.”

Song Xu asked, “And if it is?”

“If it is exposed, then we’ll have to give up the idea of the Black Frost Cavalry invading the city. I’ll think of another way,” Lou Zigui replied. “Fortunately, it’s still not to late to withdraw the men.”

Song Xu asked, “Where did Supreme Commander get word that Fang Tang was captured?”

“I asked if you saw Fang Tang before,” Lou Zigui wiped his face, seemingly looking exhausted. “And you said no, which was when I began to suspect. Fang Tang followed right after Seventh Song’s footsteps, so he should have returned to Anyuan like normal.”

“So Supreme Commander sent someone out to investigate?”

“Mhm,” Lou Zigui said as he continued to stare at Fang Tang. “I have to thank you for that. If you hadn’t mentioned it to me, I would never had thought to investigate Fang Tang’s whereabouts. No matter what, I owe you big for this.”

Song Xu’s expression changed minutely, but he recovered within the next second. Still, Lou Zigui noticed the micro changes and took it to heart. Is he afraid that the situation’s changed and he’ll be credited with making it happen, thus making Xie Wenyuan think he’s defected to my side again?

Song Xu rose to his feet and approached Lou Zigui with a murmur. “How is Supreme Commander planning to investigate this?”

“I have my own methods,” Lou Zigui smiled at him. “You don’t need to worry.”

Song Xu nodded. “I hope Fang Tang’s alright.”

“I feel the same way. Alright, your injuries haven’t recovered yet, so you should go rest,” Lou Zigui waved a hand at him.

Song Xu didn’t dawdle but left after a bow.

“Shadowbolt, come in,” Lou Zigui called after he was gone. Shadowbolt entered the room.

“Follow after Song Xu,” Lou Zigui ordered him in a low voice. Shadowbolt grew alarmed.

“No matter what you see, make sure not to alert him,” Lou Zigui added. “Be careful, don’t let him catch you.”

Shadowbolt nodded and hurried out.