Chapter 1305: Welcoming the Royal Army (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Cui Xiao couldn't wait for Cui Hui to arrive.

In the middle of the night, he received a message from someone sent by Cui Long.

Cui Xiao hurriedly put on his clothes and got up, not having time to tidy himself up. He tidied himself up as he walked, and even a blind man could see how much he valued that female ruler.

"What happened?"

The steward of Cui Long's residence was panting as he rushed over. His legs were practically spinning as he barely managed to keep up with Cui Xiao, whose pace was leisurely yet incredibly fast. He inwardly complained about how all these scholars were the same; they all had two legs, yet they covered a distance that an ordinary person could run. He wiped his sweat and said, "The residence has been assassinated."

"Assassination? Has your mistress been frightened? Are there any casualties in the manor? Who did it? Was it a rebel army lurking in the city?"

Cui Xiao anticipated that the next few days would not be peaceful.

Regardless of Choi Ryong's motives, it's an undeniable fact that she colluded with the Eternal Life Cult to open the city, and it's also a foregone conclusion that the city's wealthy households were plundered and harassed. Whoever suffered the most losses hated Choi Ryong. An ambush and assassination were inevitable, and Choi Hyo had already ordered defenses to be set up near Choi Ryong's residence to protect her and ensure her safety through the crisis.

"Only two were captured alive; the others committed suicide."

These people were dressed in disguise, making it impossible to tell where they came from.

Cui Long was worried that the two survivors would find an opportunity to commit suicide, so he dared not dispose of them on his own and hoped to borrow people from Cui Xiao. Only by eliminating future troubles could he rest easy. Cui Xiao was relieved to hear that Cui Long had only been frightened, and he rode all the way to Cui Long's villa.

The three courtyards were brightly lit.

Every now and then you can see several groups of servants patrolling.

When Cui Xiao arrived, the atmosphere in the hall was somewhat awkward.

Cui Long, dressed in a plain white dress and a moon-shadow gauze veil, her black hair untied, leaned against the armchair, lost in thought. She must have been preparing for bed when the assassination occurred. To her left and right sat two young men, one slightly older, the other younger, their features somewhat similar, yet each possessing a distinct charm. Standing in the hall was a man clad in martial armor, exuding a chilling aura.

Of the three men, Cui Xiao knew two of them.

The younger ones, and that military officer.

As for the assassins lying on the ground, bound hand and foot and imprisoned by their words, no one paid them any attention. Cui Xiao didn't even glance at them, stepping on the back of one of their hands. The one who was stepped on screamed in pain but couldn't make a sound; he must have been silenced.

Choi Hyo's arrival broke the almost frozen atmosphere.

The three men exchanged glances, their subtle expressions revealing their true feelings.

They never expected that the person who came was Cui Xiao—a very important figure within the Eternal Life Cult rebels! The assassination order had just been sent out, and he came in person. If this isn't showing importance, then what is? But perhaps it was showing far too much importance.

The older youth glanced at Lord Cui, who sat at the head of the table, secretly annoyed by her flirtatious behavior, but there was nothing he could do about it.

The other two had dealt with Cui Xiao before, so they remained calm.

The military officer cupped his hands in a fist salute and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Brother Cui."

"It was nothing, I'm just glad that Your Majesty is safe and sound."

Cui Xiao nodded slightly, immediately recognizing the relationships among those present. His thoughts were so complex that he didn't know where to begin—was this how Cui Zhi taught his daughter? But then, considering the chaotic and sordid private life of the aristocratic families, he felt that Cui Long had been quite restrained.

However, safety should still be a priority.

When men get jealous, they use more tricks than women.

Under Cui Xiaoyan's spell, the two assassins obediently told the truth, explaining everything clearly. Unsurprisingly, they were assassins kept by powerful families in the city. Cui Long had taken advantage of the Eternal Life Cult rebels entering the city to kill them, and these were the people who escaped to take revenge on her.

They acted hastily and were not adequately prepared, and Cui Long was protected. Before they could avenge their blood feud, they exposed themselves first.

Cui Long's eyelids didn't even twitch.

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

"You vixen, you're talking nonsense!"

The assassin, heartbroken and disillusioned, realized that revealing the secret meant suicide was pointless. In his despair, upon hearing Cui Long's words, he wept bitterly, denouncing Cui Long's evil deeds. He accused her of colluding with foreign enemies, of disregarding human life, of murder for profit… In short, he vowed she would face retribution, meet a terrible end, and that the Cui family would die without an heir. Cui Xiao frowned deeply upon hearing this.

He shouted at the military officer, "Are you dead?"

The general's rage casting bar was interrupted: "Huh?"

Cui Xiao said calmly, "Either cut out his tongue or cut his throat. He's insulting our lord, and you're just going to stand by and listen?"

He issued orders too naturally, confusing everyone else, including Cui Long. One of the two assassins was killed, and the other was dragged away and held captive. They would use this man as bait to lure out the others who had escaped, and then catch them all in one fell swoop.

Cui Xiao bypassed the splattered blood on the ground and took a few steps forward to close the distance with Cui Long. Before he could speak, the other three people present exchanged glances, wondering if they should be sensible and give him some space.

In terms of spiritual cultivation, Cui Xiao's move just now impressed the three of them.

Having talent and ability is always better than being a slave who only has a decent-looking face and knows nothing but empty words.

but--

Cui Xiao's demeanor is far beyond what ordinary people can possess. If the lord becomes involved with him, it will be difficult to extricate himself from any future troubles.

Cui Long was also trying to guess what Cui Xiao wanted to say.

"...The Queen comes from a noble family, and her knowledge and experience are far broader than those of ordinary people. She also has an understanding of the current situation; otherwise, you wouldn't have helped me open the city gates. Times have changed, and the rules of Qi State might not be universally applicable in other countries..."

Cui Xiao's words were not warm and comforting, but rather like a warning and instruction; they were devoid of emotion and were entirely about the clash of interests.

Cui Long said, "Sir, you may speak frankly."

Cui Xiao touched the bloodstain on the ground with his sword-fan.

"I don't know why Your Majesty has made this enemy, but I can guess a thing or two. The means of vying for power and profit can be either overt or covert. Some can be tolerated by those in power, while others cannot be brought into the light of day. Your Majesty should take some time to reflect on yourself and make a decisive decision."

He just didn't understand.

Did the Cui family withhold her benefits?

Cui Long's face turned cold.

Cui Xiao could tell she was displeased, but since he had already said it, he simply said it all at once: "To speak too deeply with someone you barely know is to cause trouble. I understand this principle, but I hope Your Majesty will believe me: I have no ill intentions towards you, and I only wish you well."

His response was too blunt.

Cui Long was not moved; instead, he became suspicious.

She asked, "Are you a guest of my father?"

They both share the same surname, Cui, and he's always been helpful to me...

Cui Long could only think that Cui Xiao was her father's man.

Cui Xiao chuckled, "I dare admit it, but your father wouldn't dare agree, lest he shorten his lifespan! However, I do indeed have some connections with him. Right now, the Cui family only has one path to take: to completely defect to Kangguo. To be honest, Your Majesty, I come from the Northwest, and this army of the Eternal Life Cult is merely a smokescreen. The Southwest Allied Forces are insignificant; at most, the outcome will be decided within half a year. Based on my years of experience serving as an official, Your Majesty, if you don't stop now, I fear it will implicate the Cui family in the future."

Cui Long and the others: "..."

They were unaware of Cui Xiao's relationship with Kang Guo.

Unexpectedly, Kang Guo dared to reveal his identity in public.

No, will they even be able to walk out of this door alive?

"You're saying all this for no reason?"

"What could possibly happen? The troops in the city are all my men, and those around the Lady... they shouldn't be able to turn the tide." Cui Xiao's gaze swept over the three men who appeared to be his grandsons-in-law, trying to suppress his strangeness. He was somewhat curious about how other families viewed their younger concubines. Did they feel as awkward as he did?

Ask Cui Zhi later.

Cui Long: "..."

She didn't immediately agree to Choi Hyo's request, only saying she would think about it.

It wasn't that Cui Long was ungrateful, but the more she secretly operated, the more people were involved at each stage, many of whom depended on these businesses for their livelihoods. Her arbitrary orders could affect the livelihoods of dozens or even hundreds of households…

Not to mention the partners with whom there is a direct conflict of interest.

Cui Xiao also knew that he couldn't be impatient.

Having dealt with the assassination attempt and increased patrols in the area, Cui Xiao finally felt relieved and got up to leave. Cui Long rose to see him off. Knowing the relationship between Cui Xiao and his father, Cui Long thought of changing how he addressed him. A more personal form of address would create a closer connection.

"May I address you as Uncle?"

Being of the same generation as one's father, this title is correct.

“Your father should call me Uncle…” Cui Xiao almost lost his footing. “If you don’t mind, call me Grandfather.”

After saying this, Cui Xiao mounted his horse and rode away.

Judging from their backs, they seemed to be fleeing in panic.

He dared not stay a moment longer.

A maternal grandfather who had never appeared in his life—in his heart, Cui Xiao wouldn't acknowledge him either. He feared Cui Long's resistance, and even more so, he feared Cui Long's refusal to acknowledge him… so he chose to run away. Pathetic, but practical.

Cui Long: "...???"

I stood there dumbfounded, wondering if I was hallucinating.

"What did he just say? What did he call him?"

The older young man draped the smock over her neatly.

"Call him maternal grandfather."

Cui Long was in a state of utter confusion: "But didn't my maternal grandfather already..."

She didn't doubt that Cui Xiao was just playing along and taking advantage of her; after all, it wasn't impossible for a maternal grandfather to appear out of nowhere. With Cui Xiao as a backer in the city, her safety would be more guaranteed, and she was happy to see it happen. In chaotic times, a close ally was more reliable than family background.

only--

I can't help but think of my maternal grandmother.

Does he know anything about his maternal grandmother?

The other three also breathed a sigh of relief.

It's much better to be the lord's maternal grandfather than to be the lord's new favorite.

The night passed, and Cui Long sent someone to deliver a message to Cui Xiao.

She would seriously consider Cui Xiao's proposal, but the complex web of interests involved couldn't be untangled in a day or two. She hoped Cui Xiao would give her some time to sort out the accounts. This decisive and ruthless approach brightened Cui Xiao's mood for several days.

Sister, this child looks just like you.

Not only do they look alike, but they also have similar temperaments.

The same decisiveness, the same swift and decisive action.

While dealing with the trivial matters of the Eternal Life Cult's soldiers, Cui Xiao was also thinking about other things, and would occasionally laugh, which made his friend's skin crawl. He suspected that Cui Xiao had been bewitched by someone—why was he laughing so creepily for no reason? It wasn't like he was some kind of rare beauty.

"What do you know?"

Cui Xiao waved his sword fan in a very good mood.

He said slowly, "My Cui family needs a successor."

Old friend: "...Have you found your son?"

Cui Xiao's sword fan almost fell to the ground.

Images of her son's youthful appearance with rosy lips and white teeth, and his current disfigured look, flashed through her mind. Disappointed, she said, "He... he's no good."

It doesn't resemble me, nor does it resemble my elder sister.

A weak and easily bullied bunch, only fit to be a rich old man.

Old friend: "..."

Along with Cui Hui, came news that the new ruler of Qi was forced into a besieged city and that the four armies of Kang were advancing triumphantly.

Cui Xiao utilized the resources of the Eternal Life Cult that he currently controlled. Whenever Kangguo's troops arrived in a place, he would use the influence of the Eternal Life Cult's holy son among the believers to cause trouble, using their strength against them. He would first let the Eternal Life Cult rebels fight with the local warlords, and then Kangguo would take advantage of the situation to invade.

If that doesn't work, they'll use public opinion among believers to spread rumors. Calling them rumors isn't entirely accurate; the southwestern countries are indeed facing severe food shortages. War is one factor, but the timing is also crucial.

This year has seen frequent wars and natural disasters in various regions, leaving many unable to provide relief.

The more refugees there are, the more will join the Eternal Life Cult rebels.

The larger the rebel army, the more difficult it is for local defenses to withstand.

Beset by internal and external troubles, coupled with the pressure from the Kingdom of Kang, the pressure was immense.

The influence of the Eternal Life Cult extended far beyond the lower classes; many powerful families and warlords were also followers, though these followers preferred to exploit the cult for their own profit. In order to escape the ravages of war, many simply defected to the Eternal Life Cult, essentially crippling the entire southwest region.

Those who refuse to defect?

Shen Tang simply doesn't have time to deal with them right now.

"Close them all for now, we'll settle the score later."

The army raced against time to attack the city. After each city fell, they made brief reorganizations and immediately set off again. Someone sensed an opportunity: "Let's feign surrender, wait for the rebel leader to lead his troops past, then unite with all sides, gather our forces, and launch a surprise attack on her rear, cutting off her escape route."

Military campaigns aren't just about conquering a city; the most important thing is to establish a foothold and turn the conquered city into your own fortress. You can attack or defend as you wish! If you only focus on taking the city and ignore everything else, the moment she leaves, her enemy will turn against her.

Once you venture deep into enemy territory, you can easily be surrounded and annihilated by the enemy.

The abacus was being used with great gusto, until—

They saw that the military generals who took over the city were either disciples of the Cui family or had received favors from the Cui family... The riots of the Eternal Life Sect refugees that they had expected did not happen. The Kang Kingdom troops set up relief points wherever they went, and the food was scattered indiscriminately as if it were free.

Even the powerful Cui family couldn't sustain such a display for more than two days, could they?

Cui Zhi: "..."

That's giving Cui family far too much credit.

The entire savings of the Pantheon branch in the southwest region wouldn't last two days, let alone the Cui family's. Grain takes time to grow from the ground; if the land doesn't cooperate, no amount of money can buy it. He thought the Kang Kingdom's military food supply was severely limited, but he never expected they planned to solve their millions-strong food shortage through disaster relief!

They directly bribed millions of Eternal Life Cult rebels with food.

Grain suppression is far more effective than the military suppression by the nineteenth-rank Marquis of Guannei. No matter how strong the latter is, there will be fearless people who will fight to the death. But the former is different. Who would turn down food?

The Eternal Life Cult rebels were able to expand to millions precisely because they were starving. Whoever feeds them is their god! Only a god would give them food without expecting anything in return.

Here comes an even more outrageous move.

The Holy Son of the Eternal Life Church requests to return to his rightful place.

“I have received a divine decree to serve Lord Shen for the rest of my life.”

Gongyang Yongye ate a meal of disaster relief food. The thick porridge was still a bit hot, and he sneered, "What a charade."

"He who eats another's food is bound to be obligated to him. It's not very respectable to eat my food and then insult me." Shen Tang, dressed in coarse linen clothes, was drinking porridge not far from the soup kitchen with another inconspicuous barefoot doctor. In addition to the porridge, there were also two coarse flour buns.

One steamed bun is the size of two fists.

"Which leader doesn't embellish their own image and concoct some mysterious miracles? Otherwise, how can they deceive ordinary people?" Shen Tang was simply doing what everyone before him had done. "The southwest is either damp and cold or damp and hot, it's really deadly."

She still prefers the Northwest.

(︶.︶)

I wasn't attacked by the Duan family. I mainly use Xianggu for PV City, pet hunting, dungeon farming, and other things. Recently, my main and alt accounts got two "Rainbow of the Years" encounters one after the other (is this some kind of amazing and rare encounter? Is this what you call a peerless event? Pointing fingers, pointing fingers.)

(End of this chapter)