Chapter 472: 479: Truly a Traitor

Yin Shi’s answer to Han Yu was confident, “Of course, If I had discovered anything, I would have acted against those two traitors long ago and would not have waited until now. Having two traitors by our side is such a dangerous matter, General Han, you surely understand.”

“I understand, which is why I reported to My Lord without evidence, knowing the great danger it posed. However, My Lord didn’t fully believe my words, allowing those two traitors to seize their opportunity and leading to today’s situation. If we cannot obtain irrefutable evidence, we cannot move against Chen Chu and Liu Kuan, and cannot even allow them to come to harm.”

After Han Yu spoke, he turned to look at Yin Shi: “I never knew Vice General Yin trusted me so much, even taking action based on my word while My Lord still harbored doubts.”

Yin Shi fully grasped the implications of Han Yu’s words, replying with a mix of truth and deception, “I highly regard your integrity, General Han. A person like you would not stoop to framing others. Besides, you have no grudge against Chen Chu and Liu Kuan, so there’s no reason for you to frame them, especially under these circumstances. The only possibility is that they are indeed traitors.”

Han Yu neither affirmed nor denied Yin Shi’s words. He believed that Liu Xiu respected his integrity, but as for Yin Shi, he took his words with a grain of salt, “Then I must thank Vice General Yin for his trust.”

“General Han, let’s not talk about these matters. We are colleagues, akin to grasshoppers on the same rope. If one prospers, so does the other. There’s no reason for me to distrust you. Now, the most urgent matter is dealing with the two traitors. Their positions are high and after many years by My Lord’s side, they have woven a complex web of relationships, possibly even having accomplices. The threat is too great. Although my assassination plan failed this time, we cannot let it continue unabated. We need to find a way to eliminate these two spies.”

Yin Shi himself could not think of any way to deal with the two traitors and had to pin his hopes on Han Yu. He had to admit that whether it was in scheming or direct confrontation, he was no match for Han Yu. If Han Yu had been involved, perhaps the situation wouldn’t have reached this point, right?

Yet Han Yu merely shook his head, “Liu Kuan’s act today of ‘proving his innocence with death’ was ingeniously executed. Although I managed to reduce some of its impact, the shock and influence it had on the generals was too substantial to be quickly dispelled, potentially leading to unpredictable consequences and even real internal chaos. We should not act rashly for the time being.”

“But they are traitors, the enemy’s spies hidden within our ranks. Should we just let them be?”

“Of course not, but Liu Kuan is cunning and on guard. Even if we take action, it’s unlikely to succeed and might give him an opportunity to strike back, like what just occurred. It’s worse than not taking action at all. Right now, all we can do is assign more people to closely monitor these two, denying them any chance to make contact with the enemy and preventing them from leaking information. The rest we’ll just have to play by ear.”

Han Yu was no more content with the situation than Yin Shi, who detested traitors. Han Yu loathed them even more but recognized what could and could not be done. He had already had a plan to eliminate the two traitors, but who could have predicted Yin Shi would suddenly intervene? His plan had to be abandoned.

“It seems we have no other choice,” Yin Shi said, aware of the rationale in Han Yu’s words. For now, they had to settle with the situation, determined to keep a tight watch on the two men.

Chen Chu left Liu Xiu’s presence and stayed in his own tent for half a day, feeling very unsettled. Somehow, he got through the night, and the second day, early in the morning, he went to Liu Kuan’s tent.

In the past, because they needed to avoid suspicion, they could not be seen together often. But now, there was no need to avoid each other any longer. After today, everyone would know about the close relationship between him and Liu Kuan, allowing him to visit Liu Kuan’s tent openly and without having to find a secluded place for secret meetings.

“You’ve come?” Liu Kuan had already woken up by then. He lay on his side on the bed, struggling to sit up as he saw Chen Chu enter, and leaned back on the large pillow behind him.

“How is the injury?” Chen Chu asked with genuine concern. Having survived the assassination attempt together and after yesterday’s events, their relationship had grown stronger, with new elements added. Chen Chu truly admired Liu Kuan; a man who was not only shrewd but also ruthless enough to injure himself. What couldn’t he achieve?

“Fortunately, it’s nothing vital, just some blood loss, not a major issue. Some rest will suffice. We are soldiers, not so delicate! The most gratifying thing is that My Lord is willing to trust me. That brings me more joy than anything. As long as My Lord trusts me, what’s giving up my life in comparison?” Liu Kuan said while watching the departure from the military camp.

Chen Chu understood Liu Kuan’s point and added, “Vice General Liu, don’t talk like that. With your unwavering loyalty, how could My Lord not trust you? The previous rumors were nothing but the enemy’s trap. With My Lord’s wisdom, he surely understands the situation. Just focus on recovering. Once you’re healed, you can return to the battlefield and vanquish more foes.”

After finishing his words and seeing the Military Doctor had left, leaving no one else in the tent, Chen Chu was about to speak softly when Liu Kuan’s gaze stopped him.

Liu Kuan said nothing but gestured toward a spot in the tent. Chen Chu looked carefully and indeed saw a shadow flitting by. His expression changed to one of concern as he looked at Liu Kuan.

Liu Kuan shook his head and signaled for Chen Chu to stay calm while he said aloud, “Little Brother Chen is right. I was misguided to use such an extreme method to prove my innocence. Looking back, it was irrational. People may weigh as heavy as Mount Tai or as light as a feather after death. As military officers, we should die on the battlefield—that’s the proper way to die. I should not have fallen for the enemy’s trap, causing My Lord such a difficult predicament. Truly, I was mistaken.”

As Liu Kuan spoke, he used the cup from which he drank and wrote a line of words on the table with water: “How are things progressing? Have there been any developments regarding the tasks assigned by the other side?”

Chen Chu shook his head and wiped the water traces off the table. Continuing with Liu Kuan’s spoken words, he wrote, “No good. I’ve been watched too closely these last few days to make contact with anyone outside. I fear exposure. You instructed to prioritize caution, even if it means doing nothing to avoid giving anyone a handle on us.”

“While that’s true, our superiors are pressing hard, insisting we find a way to obtain information about Han Yu’s inner house to facilitate their move.” Liu Kuan, seeing Chen Chu’s helpless demeanor, knew he could not push too hard lest he spoil their plans further. He then continued writing,