Kiyomi Tsuki and His Fox

Chapter 4

Qingjian Yue didn't give him a chance to speak, and said slowly, "Zhong Dakun, just now, I heard you say that you only obey Madam's orders, and you will never send troops without Madam's orders, is that right?"

“Not bad,” Zhong Dakun roared.

Before he could finish his sentence, Qing Jianyue declared passionately, "The one with ulterior motives is not me, but you, Zhong Dakun. Everyone knows that Madam has painstakingly raised the Lord of the Fortress for twenty-two years, hoping that he would one day inherit the family business, become a powerful figure, and bring glory to Madam. Instead of sharing Madam's burdens and assisting the Lord of the Fortress, you openly sow discord between Madam and the Lord of the Fortress. Saying that you only listen to Madam and not the Lord of the Fortress is utterly malicious."

Liu Jianhua shouted, "Qing Jianyue, don't make baseless accusations."

"Kiyomizuki, how dare you frame me!"

Enraged, Zhong Dakun leaped from his chair into the air as if his backside was on fire.

Cai Bo'an frowned and looked at Lu Qingcheng.

Qing Jianyue not only showed no restraint, but instead shouted sternly, "Zhong Dakun, is Madam the master of Lu Family Fortress? Answer!"

Zhong Dakun was momentarily intimidated by Kiyomi Tsuki's imposing presence and replied, "Of course."

Kiyoshi gave him no chance to catch his breath or think, firing off a barrage of questions, each one more stern and louder than the last.

"Then is the Lord of Lu Family Fortress the ruler of Lu Family Fortress?"

"certainly."

"Must we always listen to what Madam says?"

"good."

"Should we listen to the lord's words even more?"

“That’s right.” Zhong Dakun was surprised, and quickly added, “But the Lord of the Fortress is still too young, so everything should be decided by the Madam.”

Kiyoshi interrupted, "Is everything to be decided by Madam?"

"good."

"You only listen to your wife?"

"good."

"You only listen to the lady, but not the lord of the manor?"

"good."

"So, Lu Family Fort belongs to the Madam, not the Fort Master. You only acknowledge the Madam, not the Fort Master, and you absolutely refuse to listen to the Fort Master?"

"good."

Only after those two words escaped his lips did Zhong Dakun realize he had fallen into Qing Jianyue's trap. His face turned from red to black, smoke billowed from his nose, and fire shot from his eyes, making him one of the fire-breathing bulls.

People's faces showed expressions of surprise or horror, even Liu Jianhua and the others looked on incredulously. Everyone turned to look at Lu Qingcheng. Lu Qingcheng was still sitting in that relaxed posture, still with that lazy smile, but the light in her eyes was colder than ice.

Qingjian Yue coldly laughed, "Zhong Dakun, you've finally admitted your wicked intentions. What is your punishment?"

Zhong Dakun, who was always arrogant and spoiled, could not swallow his anger and roared, "Qing Jianyue, you little bastard, you dare to set a trap for me. What do you think this place is? I can kill your whole family with just one word. Yan Jiujin, drag this little bastard out and behead him."

Cai Zhonghe looked anxiously at his elder brother, but Cai Bo'an was intently staring at Qing Jianyue. Cai Zhonghe became wary and immediately looked at Qing Jianyue.

The seventh lord, Yan Jiujin, leaped out of his seat and charged straight at Qing Jianyue like a ferocious demon. The white fox at Qing Jianyue's feet let out a sharp cry and pounced like an electric current. Yan Jiujin hadn't expected the beast to be so ferocious and dodged quickly. In that instant, no one expected that the Star Transformation Treasure Blade at Qing Jianyue's waist would be drawn from its sheath with a flash of starlight.

A string of blood droplets arced through the air, and before Yan Jiujin could even scream, he collapsed to the ground with a thud. People were stunned, never dreaming that this young man could be so ruthless.

The moment Yan Jiujin fell to the ground, Zhao Feihu, the fifth lord who was related to him by marriage, his eyes bloodshot, roared and rushed onto the high platform, drawing his sword and slashing at Qing Jianyue. Everyone present rose from their seats, and after a fierce clash of weapons, Zhao Feihu staggered back several steps, a spurt of hot blood gushing from his chest.

"Kiyomizuki, I'll kill you."

With a clang, Zhong Dakun drew his longsword and leaped onto the high platform.

Liu Jianhua said sternly, "Da Kun, be careful."

Qing Jianyue moved swiftly, leaping aside and deliberately exposing Lu Qingcheng completely to Zhong Dakun's sword. Cai Bo'an and Cai Zhonghe roared, "Zhong Dakun, you are not allowed to be disrespectful to the fortress lord!"

Zhong Dakun's body stiffened. Suddenly, a hateful glint flashed in Lu Qingcheng's eyes, piercing straight into his heart. Zhong Dakun's heart clenched violently, and Qing Jianyue's Star Transformation Blade, like a bolt of lightning, snapped off his head with a "crack," then kicked his massive bear-like body off the platform.

Everyone was horrified, staring at the bloodied head spinning on the ground, their mouths agape, speechless.

The council chamber was deathly silent.

Only Qingjian Yue's voice, as clear as colliding crystals, echoed in the council hall: "Reporting to the Lord, Zhong Dakun, Zhao Feihu, and Yan Jiujin harbored treacherous intentions and plotted to murder the Lord and usurp his position. They have been executed by your subordinates."

"You did a great job."

Lu Qingcheng slowly rose, her sharp gaze sweeping over Liu Jianhua, Tong Sen, Cai Bo'an, Cai Zhonghe, Li Anguo, and the others like cold arrows. They were secretly horrified, only now realizing the true nature of this young fortress lord beneath his lazy and frivolous exterior.

Liu Jianhua felt a chill run down his spine. This kid was indeed like a dragon awakened from its slumber, ready to wreak havoc and rebel for independence. This was the day I feared most, and it had finally come.

Lu Qingcheng said with a stern and cold expression, "Now obey my orders. Li Anguo!"

"Your subordinate is here."

Li Anguo stood solemnly and bowed respectfully.

Lu Qingcheng said calmly and firmly, "From now on, you are removed from your position as the eighth lord and promoted to the fifth lord."

A glint of fire flashed in Li Anguo's eyes. "Thank you for your promotion, Lord. I will do my best to serve you."

"Very good." Lu Qingcheng then said, "Liu Xicheng! He Zhiqiang!"

"Your subordinate is here."