Moreover, he deeply realized that Wu Jizhang's clean and efficient ascension to the throne, bypassing his spies, proved that this new king was no ordinary person; at the very least, he had resourceful advisors around him. If he wasn't mistaken, there was something fishy about the old king's sudden death. Such a person dared to so brazenly strip him of his military power and threaten to bring him back to the capital for interrogation; he wouldn't have done so without thorough preparation. He was unwilling and unable to tell his subordinates these things, firstly for fear of causing them unnecessary worry, and secondly because although his generals had followed him for a long time, he still dared not completely trust them. Who knew if Wu Jizhang had planted some people among them? Or, did the person behind Wu Jizhang's conspiracy still have a backup plan?
Thinking of this, a cold light flashed in his narrowed eyes, but the light was only for a moment before he put on his usual calm expression again.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
"Wu Jizhang has indeed usurped the throne!"
After learning of Wu Yuzhang's succession, in a city of Huai, which was destroyed by Heng, the target of Liu Guang's expedition, a handsome and extraordinary man picked up a glass cup, drank the amber liquid inside in one gulp, and then put the cup down, a blush rising on his fair cheeks.
“Young master’s plan is naturally foolproof.” The old man standing in front of him, who was three times his age but whose attitude was extremely respectful, said, “Does young master have any further instructions?”
The young master elegantly raised his chin, and the beautiful maidservant beside him, holding a wine pot, moved gracefully, skillfully filled a cup, and then quietly withdrew.
Gongzi Chong picked up his wine cup, walked slowly to the window, and gazed at the indistinct scenery outside through the paper window, lost in thought. Although he had long warned himself not to carry too many memories, he couldn't help but recall them.
"That old scoundrel Wu Yuyu." Even someone as elegant as him couldn't help but curse when talking about the culprit who caused his country's destruction, his family's ruin, and the loss of his beloved. Then he continued, "He's finally dead. Was it Wu Jizhang who did it?"
"Indeed, Wu Jizhang killed him with his own hands. The expression on his face before he died must have been quite something," the old man said through gritted teeth. The monarch of the enemy country had not earned his respect even in death. Some hatreds cannot be erased by blood and death.
The young master gave a cold laugh. Such is the way of the world. For power, for the power to live and die with all people, what wouldn't they do? Throughout history, how many families, not just the Wu clan of Heng, have turned against each other for power, fathers and sons becoming enemies, brothers turning against each other? How many of those seemingly noble and respectable figures aren't filled with the same filth? Why was he born into such a family? Perhaps he would be happier as an ordinary person?
Thinking of this, he frowned slightly with disgust, his gaze, like the morning star, piercing through the window paper, looking through time, as if he saw the girl from years ago who never saw him return, the only pure and innocent girl in the prestigious family, and the unresolved sorrow between her forever closed brows...
"Then Wu Yuyu will benefit." The young master's words were filled with an intense, unyielding hatred. "The next step is to deal with Liu Guang, Liu Guang..."
“Wu Jizhang has already ordered Liu Guang to hand over his military power and return to the capital to await trial.” The old man bowed and said, a hint of joy between his brows. “Once he arrives in Changping, it will be no different from him falling into our hands. It will be no problem for you, young master, to deal with him however you wish.”
The young master turned and stared at him for a moment, a smile appearing on his lips. This smile made him look even more handsome, and it made the old man feel as if he had said something wrong. From the young master's youthful face, there was an irresistible pressure.
"Do you think Liu Guang will just sit and wait to die?" the young master said leisurely.
A shadow crossed the old man's face as he said, "Back then, Lu Xiang faced his killers with almost no resistance. Even if Liu Guang is different from Lu Xiang, I doubt he would do anything treasonous."
"Yes, he will." The young master looked away again and returned to the window.
"Young master's prediction is certainly correct." The old man trusted the young master's deduction very much, even more than his own judgment, not only because the young master stepped forward when they were at a loss and led them out of their predicament, but also because of the young master's status, which made him difficult to look at on equal terms.
"You must be wondering why I would want Wu Jizhang to turn against Liu Guang when I knew he would commit such a heinous act," the young master said slowly. "If it were just about killing Liu Guang, that would be easy, but how could that satisfy my hatred? I not only want Liu Guang dead, but I also want him to be utterly disgraced and despised by the world!" With that, the young master burst into laughter, but his laughter was filled with hatred and chilling intent, causing the old man's heart to tremble involuntarily.
"What we need to do next is to integrate the old forces of my Huai Kingdom. This uprising is not only about restoring the kingdom, but also about conquering the world, so that everyone will know that the great Huai Kingdom has capable men!" The laughter subsided, and he downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, toying with the exquisite glass cup as he spoke softly. If Li Jun had spoken these words, they would have been incredibly grand and powerful; he spoke softly and slowly, yet with the same imposing presence. The old man looked at his lord with a reverence far beyond his years, firmly believing that what the young master spoke would surely come true.
"This old minister will take his leave now to attend to this matter." The old man understood the young master's meaning, bowed, took a few steps back, and then turned and left.
"Ruo'er...you saw it, I will definitely avenge you..." The young master looked up at the sky, his heart surging with emotion. He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly waved his hand to signal the maid to leave.
"Now that you're here, come out," the young master said coldly.
A dim yellow light flashed in the room, and a white-robed man holding a long staff suddenly appeared, a smile on his face.
"As expected of Your Highness Ling Qi, even my earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that can't hide from Your Highness's discerning eyes) cannot deceive you." This person seemed to be under thirty years old. Although his tone was respectful, his expression was much more confident than the old man from before.
"..." Ling Qi responded to his praise with silence. This person was definitely not here to say a few flattering words.
"Your Highness, I am here to deliver a message from the Sect Leader." Despite Ling Qi's indifference, the man remained composed, seemingly unfazed by the situation. He continued, "Your Highness, though you are eager for revenge, please do not let the enemy escape. If a cat tries to play with a mouse, the mouse will get away."
“My affairs are none of your concern, Master,” Ling Qi retorted. “Master, just wait and see, and you will become the only Pope in the entire Huai Kingdom.”
The man's eyes flickered, and he suddenly said, "I was relaying those words on behalf of the sect leader. I also have a few words I would like to say to Your Highness."
Ling Qi looked directly into his eyes, and the two stared at each other for a long time, seemingly seeing something in each other's eyes.
“There is no unusual activity within a hundred feet radius,” Ling Qi said slowly. “Speak your mind.”
"I actually hope Your Highness can make the situation as chaotic as possible." The man's expression became much more respectful. "To cooperate with Your Highness's plan, I persuaded the sect leader to order Chen Guolian Fazong to raise an army and start an uprising."