PDLP Chapter 2061 The storm is coming
Chapter 2061 The storm is coming
Liu Jiulang watched as his fingertips gently rested on Liu Balang's wrist, then he withdrew his hand after a moment.
The doctor shook his head and whispered, "Master Jiu, Master Ba hasn't been lucid once since he came back. He can't even drink a few sips of water."
Liu Jiulang was silent for a moment, raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows: "Is there no way?"
"Forgive me for my incompetence."
Liu Jiulang waved his hand and the doctor walked out with the medicine box on his back.
Liu Jiulang looked at the unconscious Liu Balang and murmured, "The sacrifice cannot be delayed. Since you can't wake up, I have to preside over it."
Liu Jiulang turned and walked out, his expression showing an unquestionable determination.
After returning to his house, Liu Jiulang just sat down and asked Zhou Lie: "How are the people you brought back this time?"
Liu Jiulang picked up the teacup, gently rubbed the rim of the cup with his fingertips, and his eyes fell on Zhou Lie.
Zhou Lie's voice was steady, without a trace of hesitation: "Don't worry, those who were not brought back have been dealt with according to your instructions, and there will be no trace left. Anyone who can come back with us has been tested and is reliable. You can reuse them."
Liu Jiulang nodded and put the teacup back on the table. "Okay, let's make the arrangements. On the day of the sacrifice, you must bring them with you and stay by my side. They must not leave my side for a single step."
"Yes," Zhou Lie replied, then paused, unable to resist asking, "Is there any danger? Do we need to dispatch more personnel? Or perhaps deploy defenses at the sacrificial site in advance?"
Liu Jiulang waved his hand, his tone lighter: "No need. This matter must be carried out secretly, and not publicly. Too many people will attract attention. That's why I want you to bring a few of them. They are all good fighters, so they are more than enough."
"Yes, I understand." Zhou Lie didn't ask any more questions. Just as he was about to turn around and go out to make arrangements, he saw the housekeeper running in in a panic.
"Nineth Master!" the butler called out as he entered the room, his voice a bit panicked. "It seems something happened at Eighth Master's shipyard!"
Liu Jiulang's expression froze, and he straightened his relaxed body slightly. "What happened?"
The shipyard is one of the Liu family's foundation industries. Although it has always been managed by Liu Balang, he also sent people to keep an eye on it privately. There has never been any major trouble on weekdays. Why did something suddenly happen now?
The housekeeper took two steps forward and lowered his voice, "Manager Zhang over there just rushed to the Eighth Master's residence. It looked like he had something important to report.
But you know the Eighth Master's current situation. He can't see anyone. Manager Zhang was pacing anxiously at the Eighth Master's house. My subordinates saw him and hurried back to tell me.
Liu Jiulang tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said thoughtfully, "Go and bring that shopkeeper Zhang here. I want to ask him in person."
"Yes!" the butler responded, turned around and ran out.
Zhou Lie stood aside, watching the butler's back, thinking quietly in his heart: The prince and princess went to Longyin Island using a ship from the Eighth Master Shipyard. Now that the shipyard has suddenly encountered an accident, could it be related to the prince and princess? If there is a connection, it cannot be left to Liu Jiulang to find out first. He must send a message quickly.
Zhou Lie made up his mind and said to Liu Jiulang, "Master Jiu, I will go and arrange the staff for the sacrifice day."
Liu Jiulang didn't think much about it and waved his hand: "Go ahead and make arrangements as soon as possible."
Zhou Lie responded and left. After leaving the mansion, he immediately quickened his pace, walked around two alleys, and made sure that no one was following him before walking towards the Su Mansion where Huo Changhe and Yan Ruyu were.
At this time, Yan Ruyu and Huo Changhe were sitting at the table, on which was spread the sacrificial procedure list and a simple topographic map.
"On the day of the sacrifice, has Su Zhenhai arranged the defenses around the altar?" Yan Ruyu pointed at a place on the topographic map and looked up to ask Huo Changhe.
Huo Changhe nodded: "It has been arranged. There are secret guards in every corner. If anyone dares to take action during the sacrifice, they will be captured immediately."
As soon as he finished speaking, a cheerful whistle like a bird's cry came from outside the door. It was the secret signal agreed upon by him and Zhou Lie.
Huo Changhe winked at Yan Ruyu, then stood up and walked out: "I'll go out and take a look."
When he got to the back door, it was indeed Zhou Lie. He looked around and confirmed that no one was there before he lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, something has happened. There's been some movement at Liu Balang's shipyard, and Manager Zhang is going to inform Liu Balang."
Huo Changhe frowned slightly and pondered for a moment: "Yes, this matter is indeed related to us. But according to the situation at the shipyard, the letter should have been sent long ago..."
He suddenly remembered that Liu Balang had also gone to the water fort. Manager Zhang probably wanted to report the news but couldn't find anyone. When he came back from the water fort, Liu Balang had already fainted.
Zhou Lie nodded. "So what should we do now? If Liu Jiulang gets anything out of Shopkeeper Zhang, it might ruin your plan."
"Find a way to stop Shopkeeper Zhang. We can silence him if necessary." Huo Changhe said calmly, "The later Liu Jiulang finds out, the better. Even if we can't stop him, it doesn't matter if he finds out. We've already made preparations."
"Yes, I understand."
Zhou Lie responded and turned to leave. Huo Changhe reminded him again: "Be careful, don't leave any traces."
Zhou Lie replied "yes" and left quickly.
Zhou Lie walked back and just as he turned a corner, he saw the housekeeper leading the shopkeeper Zhang towards Liu Jiulang's mansion.
Shopkeeper Zhang looked anxious, but he didn't want to go to Liu Jiulang's house, and looked back from time to time.
The housekeeper walked over and soothed him, "Don't worry, Manager Zhang. The Ninth Master has already given instructions to ask you to go over and inquire about the situation. Now that the Eighth Master is unconscious, someone has to take charge, right? The Ninth Master and the Eighth Master are brothers. There's no one more reliable than him."
Shopkeeper Zhang smiled and thought to himself that maybe that wasn't necessarily the case. Who didn't know that the two brothers had been fighting fiercely in recent years?
Zhou Lie hid in the dark, watching the two men approach. He took out a thin needle from his arms, flicked his fingertips, and the needle flew silently towards the back of Manager Zhang's neck.
Shopkeeper Zhang was walking forward when suddenly his body went limp and he fell straight down, his eyes wide open, and he couldn't make a sound.
The housekeeper was startled and quickly squatted down and nudged Shopkeeper Zhang: "Shopkeeper Zhang? Shopkeeper Zhang, what's wrong with you?"
Seeing that Manager Zhang did not respond, he reached out to feel Manager Zhang's breath and found that he was dead. His face turned pale instantly. He got up and ran to Liu Jiulang's house, forgetting even to take care of Manager Zhang's body.
Zhou Lie took the opportunity to come out from the dark, quickly dragged Manager Zhang's body to the alley next to him, and sent a signal.
Two secret guards came over immediately to take over. Zhou Lie did not stay for long and left quickly.
The housekeeper ran all the way back to Liu Jiulang's house and rushed into the house, his voice trembling: "Jiu Ye! Jiu Ye is in trouble! Manager Zhang... Manager Zhang is dead!"
Liu Jiulang was sitting at the table drinking tea. Upon hearing this, he paused with the cup in his hand and his face darkened: "How did he die? Just now..."
"I don't know!" The housekeeper was sweating profusely. "Just now, he and I were walking on the road. He was fine, but suddenly he collapsed. I checked and found he was dead!"
Liu Jiulang pinched his cuffs with his fingers, feeling uneasy.
Manager Zhang suddenly wanted to report the news and then suddenly died. This was too much of a coincidence. Something important must have happened.
He stood up and said, "Let's go to the shipyard and see what happened."
The butler quickly responded "yes" and followed Liu Jiulang out.
As the two men arrived at the gate of the mansion, they saw a servant running towards them, his face full of fear, shouting, "Master Jiu! Something terrible has happened!"