Farmer's Wife Has Magic Skills

“You’ve worked hard. Eat and rest tonight before continuing your investigation.”

The three parrots cheerfully began to eat.

Chu Qingzhi summoned the Golden Phoenix. “Jing Hong, have you heard anything about Jiang Zhaozong?”

Tang Jinghong replied, “No, I had people start searching on my way to the eastern border, but we’ve yet to receive any updates.”

With no news from Jing Hong’s people or the parrots, Chu Qingzhi’s unease grew stronger. “I hope nothing bad has happened to Zhaozong.”

Tang Jinghong paused before responding, “No news doesn’t necessarily mean something’s wrong. Perhaps he’s just hiding.”

“I hope so,” Chu Qingzhi instructed. “Let’s not tell my fourth sister about this yet; I’m afraid she can’t handle it.”

“I understand,” said Tang Jinghong.

Chu Qingzhi suddenly remembered something. “By the way, Jing Hong, the fake Magistrate from Linzhang City has come to defect to you. Has he arrived?”

“He has,” Tang Jinghong confirmed. “He’s in the camp being interrogated.”

“I have no other matters then,” said Chu Qingzhi.

“Rest early, Qingzhi.”

“You too,” she responded, cutting the communication.

Suddenly, a faint noise reached her ears. She contemplated briefly before swiftly leaving the inn.

“Let me go, let me go…” Chu Qingzhi pinned a young man against a tree trunk by the throat, his feet dangling as he struggled.

Chu Qingzhi’s gaze was sharp. “Why were you eavesdropping on my conversation?”

The young man grasped at Chu Qingzhi’s hands, arguing, “I wasn’t eavesdropping; I just heard you talking and got drawn in.”

Was this an insult to her intelligence? Chu Qingzhi pressed, “Isn’t that eavesdropping?!”

Gasping for air, the young man’s face turned red, “Cough, cough, it wasn’t on purpose. Let me go, I’m going to suffocate.”

Chu Qingzhi threw the young man aside. “Tell the truth, or I’ll hang you upside down for public viewing tomorrow.”

The young man crawled backward, clearly frightened of Chu Qingzhi. “I stopped because I heard you mention General Tang, and then someone called you Chu Qingzhi.” Seeing her skepticism, he quickly added, “I stole the Elixir of Immortality from the Magistrate and didn’t know what to do with it…”

Chu Qingzhi scrutinized the youth, who looked like a petty thief. “You stole the Elixir of Immortality?”

Regaining some bravado, the youth boasted, “Yes, I’m the famed little thief of the eastern border. Even with the city gates locked, the Magistrate couldn’t catch me.”

Chu Qingzhi raised an eyebrow. “Why would you tell me something so crucial?”

The youth’s expression was earnest. “Because you are Chu Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi was puzzled. Was her face that recognizable?

The young thief got up, cautiously avoiding Chu Qingzhi’s gaze. “Everyone says Chu Qingzhi works for the people and never seeks personal gain. I wanted to take a chance.”

Chu Qingzhi crossed her arms, a smile playing on her lips.

The young thief, intimidated by her stare, stood his ground. “Don’t you believe me?”

Chu Qingzhi was done with the conversation. “Show me where you’ve hidden those ointments.”

The young thief nodded. “Let’s go.”

To everyone’s surprise, the thief had hidden the ointment in a dilapidated building in the Magistrate’s backyard!

Proudly, the young thief lifted his chin. “Surprised by my cleverness, aren’t you?”

Chu Qingzhi rarely expressed approval, but she did now. “The most dangerous place is often the safest. Indeed, a smart move.”

“I’m worried about how to destroy these ointments, Sister Qingzhi. Do you have any ideas?” the young thief scratched his head, looking troubled.

To ingratiate himself, he had already started calling her “Sister Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi looked at him. “You leave.”

The young thief was puzzled.

Chu Qingzhi instructed, “Go out; I’ll handle the destruction.”

The youth blinked in curiosity. “How will you destroy them?”

Chu Qingzhi simply said, “Burn them.”

The young thief gave her a thumbs up. “Go ahead with the burning. I’m leaving now. Oh, and be careful not to breathe in the smoke—it’s addictive.”

With that, he darted off.

Chu Qingzhi stood by the window, performing a Fire Control Technique, and incinerated everything inside the building. After ensuring everything was reduced to ashes, she swiftly left through the window.

By the time anyone from the house noticed, the flames had already died down.

Back on the streets, the young thief caught up to her. “Sister Qingzhi, let me accompany you on your quest for justice. Can I come along to fight for the greater good?”

Chu Qingzhi glanced at the somewhat naive young man. “I’m busy with important matters right now, so I can’t have you follow me. However, you can investigate the locations where the Elixir of Immortality is stored, steal it, and I’ll help you destroy it.”

The young thief pondered her proposal. “You mean that?”

Chu Qingzhi responded, “There are over two hundred opium dens in Linzhang City. Start by stealing the ointment they have stored.”

His eyes lit up. “I never thought of that before. I’ll start right away.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “You’re teachable, indeed.”

The two then went their separate ways.

…

Hong Feiyun was furious. “How could this fail!”

Zeng He knelt on one knee before Hong Feiyun. “We arrived at the government office only to find he had already fled upon receiving some information, and later we learned he has sought refuge with Tang Jinghong!”

Hong Feiyun slammed a hand down on Zeng He’s shoulder, causing him internal injuries. “Damned fool! I entrusted this task only to you, how did he find out? There must be a leak!”

Zeng He felt a chill. “Master, I swear I haven’t leaked any information.”

Hong Feiyun banged his hand on the armrest. “Find out who it was, then kill them!”

“Yes, master,” Zeng He responded.

“Tomorrow, Tang Jinghong will deploy his troops outside Linzhang City. Find a way to sabotage them and tarnish Tang Jinghong’s reputation among the people, so he won’t have easy days in the eastern border.”

“Yes, master.”

With a flick of his robe, Hong Feiyun flew out the window.

…

The next day around noon, Chu Qingzhi was waiting for a message from Zeng He and did not leave the inn. Around midday, there was a knock at her door.

She scanned the area with her spiritual sense and saw several strangers, led by a young man in a white robe.

Lu Changyu bowed slightly, his demeanor polite. “Young master, my name is Lu Changyu. I seek your help with a matter.”

Lu Changyu?

Chu Qingzhi reflected; this was the leading family of Linzhang City. Known for their integrity, they had refused to cooperate with the fake Magistrate and had kept their doors closed, only venturing out to buy necessities.

A thought crossed Chu Qingzhi’s mind, and she altered her appearance to resemble Lou Ze as she walked to open the door.