Chapter 393: Lies
When Xiao Zhuo mentioned Jiao Yong, Shen Yuexi remembered that there was such a person.
Jiao Yong was nominally the magistrate of Tongliao County, but in reality, he was Pei Jingyun's confidant and had once hunted her in the underground caves of Daliang Village. Later, during the Battle of Leshan, Jiao Yong led the Iron Pagoda to support Xiao Beiheng, but was defeated and surrendered, and was imprisoned in the Leshan County Prison.
Since Jiao Yong has worked for Pei Jingyun for many years, he can indeed get some information from him.
The next thing to do is to go back to Leshan to find Jiao Yong.
At the same time, Su Mo also learned that her father had been kidnapped and was very anxious. However, neither Xiao Zhuo nor Xiao Beiheng could guess Pei Jingyun's purpose. The only consensus among them was that Pei Jingyun was a very formidable opponent, and she happened to be the mother of Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Beiheng.
The four of them drove a carriage and hurried to Leshan. On the way, Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Beiheng took turns to be on guard to prevent assassins from attacking.
To everyone's surprise, the journey was very quiet. The mysterious woman, Long, never appeared again, as if she had vanished into thin air.
When the carriage arrived at Leshan City and they were protected by the army, everyone's worries were finally put at ease.
Generals Geng Hong, Qi Shengjue and others, including the injured Zhao Mu, were all in Leshan. Only Qiang Lin went to the north of Nanping City to reorganize the scattered army of King Duoma and was not in the city.
Among all the generals, besides Qiang Lin, Zhao Mu held the greatest hatred for Xiao Beiheng. Shen Yuexi didn't want to cause a conflict, so Xiao Zhuo accompanied her into the city to find Jiao Yong, while Xiao Beiheng and Su Mo remained outside.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Xiao Zhuo and his companion arrived at the gate of Leshan City, a large group of court officials came out to greet them with great fanfare. The scene was extremely lively, as grand as if Xiao Zhuo was about to ascend the throne in Leshan.
This group of officials had previously made a big bet in the capital, placing all their chips on Xiao Zhuo. If they won, they would be lucky, but if they lost, their entire family would be executed. As Xiao Zhuo and his brothers fought fiercely in Xiliang, these officials waited in fear in the capital for the verdict.
Now that the situation was settled, everyone was restless and rushed to Leshan to find Xiao Zhuo. Starting with the Prime Minister, everyone from the six ministers and assistant ministers to the censors of the Metropolitan Censorate, and even the Imperial Academy and the Imperial College joined in the fun.
Xiao Beiheng had already been defeated and would undoubtedly abdicate. Xiao Zhuo would officially ascend the throne, and officials like him would have to hurry up and pledge their loyalty. After all, once Xiao Zhuo ascended the throne, he would likely reappoint a number of his former confidants. Even the Prime Minister felt his position was insecure, let alone the others.
Therefore, before the collapsed Leshan city wall was repaired, these officials had already filled up the inns in the city and kept asking Zhao Mu, Geng Hong, Qi Shengjue and others about Xiao Zhuo's whereabouts every day.
Geng Hong and Qi Shengjue were both uneducated military commanders who were unable to cope with this group of civil officials. Fortunately, General Zhao Mu had a plan. He required officials who came to discuss matters to drink three bowls of strong liquor before they could talk to him. He got many officials drunk, and finally had a few days of leisure.
These officials welcomed Xiao Zhuo and Shen Yuexi into Leshan City like they were welcoming emperors. Xiao Beiheng could see them clearly from the distant hills.
Su Mo leaned against his chest, also looking towards Leshan City, and whispered, "Bei Heng, do you regret it?"
Xiao Beiheng didn't answer, but just hugged her tighter.
At this moment, a low laugh suddenly sounded behind the two of them. Xiao Beiheng's face changed. He turned around and protected Su Mo behind him, putting his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"How could the young master not regret it? He definitely regrets it in his heart."
Following the sound, Long jumped down from a tall poplar tree, shaking off a lot of snowflakes.
She was still dressed the same as that night, and she bowed to Xiao Beiheng and said, "I greet the young master." Then she bowed to Su Mo and said, "I greet the young lady."
When Su Mo saw Long appear again, she hurriedly asked, "Where did you take my father?"
Long spread his hands and said, "Why are you so panicked, Madam? You are the master's daughter-in-law. Could the master possibly harm your in-laws? We were just taken to the master. They are unharmed. Don't worry."
Su Mo was still worried and was about to ask again, but Xiao Beiheng stopped her with a look.
Xiao Beiheng said: "Since you recognize me as the young master, then tell me immediately where my mother is now?"
He knew that Long's martial arts skills were extremely high, and the scimitar and Yanque sword behind him were equally powerful. He also didn't know if there were any other companions of Long around, so he didn't act rashly and wanted to find out the whereabouts of his mother first.
Long smiled but did not answer. He walked to the edge of the hill with his hands behind his back, looking at the bustling scene below Leshan City, and said:
"Young Master, are you really going to give up all this? This is the goal you've been striving for since childhood. Are you willing to give it up so easily to Xiao Zhuo?"
Su Mo said: "Bei Heng is no longer the same person he used to be. Don't try to seduce him."
Long glanced at her and smiled, "Young Madam, you are truly infatuated with the Young Master. He has lied to you so many times, beaten and scolded you, yet you still trust him so much."
After saying this, without waiting for Su Mo to answer, Long looked at Xiao Beiheng again.
"Young Master, take a good look at the city gate. So many officials, from the Prime Minister to the Imperial Censor, are groveling and fawning before Xiao Zhuo like the stars surrounding the moon. Those two people are walking on the red carpet, full of vigor and energy. This should be the pinnacle of a person...but it should be you and the Young Madam standing there."
Su Mo interrupted her and said, "Shut up, Bei Heng said he doesn't want these anymore."
Long narrowed his eyes with a smile and said, "Young Madam is always so naive. No one knows a child better than his mother. The master said that a person's nature cannot be changed. Everything the young master said was a lie. He clearly wants the throne, to be second only to the emperor and above everyone else. Isn't that right, young master?"
Xiao Beiheng remained silent for a moment before he looked up and said, "You're right. I really do want to stand there."
Su Mo was shocked when she heard this and was speechless for a moment.
Long clapped his hands and said, "That's right, Young Master. The Master said that as long as you nod, all of us assassins will obey your orders. For us, assassinating Xiao Zhuo and Shen Yuexi will be a piece of cake."
Su Mo nervously hugged Xiao Beiheng's arm and said, "Beiheng, do you still want to be an enemy of Big Brother?"
Long said, "Do you know why we didn't take action all the way to Leshan? The master still hopes that the young master will kill Xiao Zhuo personally. She hopes that her son can defeat that bitch's son with her own hands. This is the master's greatest wish. We have also been waiting for the young master to make up his mind."
Xiao Beiheng smiled and said, "I've figured it out. I want Xiao Zhuo's life. Come over here and I'll tell you the plan in detail."
Long came over and said, "Young Master, you've finally figured it out. Losing our troops is actually nothing. As long as we want it, the throne is within our grasp. If you continue to side with Xiao Zhuo, you'll truly be left with nothing."
Su Mo's expression changed. She pulled Xiao Beiheng's sleeve hard and said, "Beiheng, what did you say on Wangyou Peak? Are you lying to me again?"
Xiao Beiheng pushed her away and said, "Of course I lied to you. I have always been like this. Who told you to believe me?"
At this time, Long had already come to Xiao Beiheng. Xiao Beiheng said, "Please whisper closer. Don't let Momo hear. Otherwise, she will inform Xiao Zhuo."
Long leaned his ear over and said, "Young Master, please speak."
Xiao Beiheng whispered, "I... want your life!" As he said that, he slapped Long in the abdomen.
Long was prepared and slapped Xiao Beiheng's arm, deflecting his palm power. Then Long flipped over and jumped onto an old tree behind him, holding onto a branch and said with a smile: "Young Master, you are really good at pretending."
Xiao Beiheng withdrew his hand with some disappointment and said, "You're not bad at pretending. It turns out you've been on guard against me all along."
Su Mo originally thought that Xiao Beiheng was really going to conspire with Long to deal with Xiao Zhuo, but when Xiao Beiheng suddenly attacked, she realized that he was trying to lure Long closer to him so that he could capture him in one fell swoop. She couldn't help but feel surprised and happy.
Long waved his hand and said, "Young Master, you are a habitual liar. You even deceived the Young Madam with all your tricks. I have to be on guard. It seems that you are determined to stand against the Master?"
Xiao Beiheng said: "Not bad."
Long smiled and said, "The master has already anticipated this. She said that if the young master really can't do it, she has nothing to say. Then our extraordinary assassin will take action."
Su Mo came up to Xiao Beiheng and said, "Beiheng, we have to hurry and inform Big Brother and the others."
Long looked back at the closed city gate and said with a smile, "No need to go. My companions are already waiting inside the city. You think you are acting cleverly, but you don't know how clever our master is. She had already guessed that you would come to find Jiao Yong."
At this point, Long shook his head: "Young Master's decision to break with the Master is truly a wrong one. But even so, I cannot harm the Young Master and the Young Madam. Let's say goodbye for now. After Xiao Zhuo and Shen Yuexi die, the Young Master can still become the Emperor. Pity the love of parents in the world."
After saying that, Long jumped into the forest and disappeared after a few jumps.
Su Mo knew these assassins wouldn't harm her and Xiao Beiheng, so she didn't have to worry about her own safety. Unfortunately, she still couldn't get the assassins' base from Long. Furthermore, Long said the assassins were already hiding in Leshan City, which meant Xiao Zhuo and Shen Yuexi were definitely in danger.
She said anxiously, "Beiheng, what should we do? My brother and sister-in-law don't know there are assassins in the city."
Xiao Beiheng looked embarrassed: "Neither you nor I can enter the city. What if we are recognized by the soldiers?"
"Are you just going to watch my brother and sister-in-law fall into crisis and do nothing?" Su Mo stomped her feet in anger and said, "Then you can stay here. I'll go to Leshan City by myself."
"Wait," Xiao Beiheng grabbed her and said, "Don't be angry, I'll go with you."
"You didn't lie to me, did you?"
"Absolutely not, and I won't lie again in the future, I swear."
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