Chapter 384 Entering the Game
"Sixth Young Master!"
The Persian merchant Li Li's voice was a mixture of surprise and delight.
Li Li, who had just returned from Zhu Lingxu's mansion, stared wide-eyed at Wei Shaoxuan, who had suddenly boarded the carriage halfway through the journey. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at the starry night sky outside the carriage window.
The Persian merchant rubbed his eyes, wondering if he had misread it.
Zhu Lingxu was about to set off on an expedition the day after tomorrow, and invited Li Li to discuss important matters. Li Li had just finished discussing matters with Zhu Lingxu and left Zhu Lingxu's residence in the city.
His carriage traveled discreetly through the streets of Chaisangfang under the cover of night.
As a result, halfway there, Wei Shaoxuan, who had been missing for a long time and was heading to Yunmengze, suddenly boarded a carriage and appeared in front of them.
"You...you've come all this way." After a pause, the surprise faded slightly, and joy filled Li Li's face:
"You're finally back! I've been looking for you for so long."
Wei Shaoxuan looked much the same as before, with a black iron token bearing the character "Wei" hanging from his waist. After boarding the carriage, he remained calm and composed, sat down in front of Li Li, and reached out to lower the carriage curtain.
Wei Shaoxuan didn't look at Li Li. He patted his sleeves, then picked up the brown ceramic teapot on the small tea table in the center of the luxurious and spacious carriage and poured a cup of hot tea.
He took a sip, and in front of the curious Persian merchant, let out a long sigh: "Phew—"
Li Li felt a little awkward when Wei Shaoxuan didn't reply.
A brief silence fell over the car.
Having not seen each other for a long time, Li Li, with her pair of green bean eyes, cautiously sized up the effeminate young man who had returned in the middle of the night.
Just then, the guards who were following Li Li's carriage, after their initial surprise, finally realized that someone had boarded the carriage halfway and showed themselves to come over. The carriage then slowly came to a stop.
Who is it?
"Is Mr. Li alright...?"
The guards inquired with concern.
Li Li glanced at Wei Shaoxuan, who was sitting calmly watching him from inside the car, then turned his head. A withered hand, adorned with icy jade and gold-inlaid white jade rings, emerged from the curtain and silently waved to the guards outside the window.
The guards all withdrew.
Li Li turned around, her face beaming with smiles:
"Congratulations, Sixth Young Master! After more than half a year of training, your spiritual cultivation has become increasingly profound. Just now, until you got into the carriage and sat down, your dashing figure was not noticed by your subordinates. You are truly amazing..."
"However, Sixth Young Master, did you come back from Yunmengze...? How did you find me?"
Wei Shaoxuan smiled and said, "After I came out, I received a letter from my father."
Li Li frowned: "A letter from the Prince?"
"Ha, do you think you're the only one under Father's command in Jiangnan? That you monopolize all of our family's resources in this region?"
He chuckled softly, his voice a little louder.
"No, I wouldn't dare." Li Li quickly lowered her head and wiped her sweat.
Wei Shaoxuan returned from Yunmengze and seemed to have learned a good tea ceremony. He was now brewing tea and enjoying it alone.
Across from him, the Persian merchant paused awkwardly for a moment, glanced around, and quickly tried to start a conversation:
"By the way, Young Master Wei, you're back. Where is Mr. Qiu, and most importantly... the Dingjian sword?"
Lower your voice:
"The Prince is waiting anxiously for the young master and Dingjian in the capital. The planned Great Zhou Ode to Heavenly Pivot and the Four Directions Buddha statues are almost completed. Apart from the rebellion in Guizhou, which requires a new site selection, it won't slow down the plan..."
"Your Highness is now just waiting for the new Ding Sword. He wants to give His Majesty a surprise. This is the true blessing of Heaven upon the Great Zhou Dynasty. It's much more reliable than any other 'restored jade' idea."
"Oh? Tian Shu and the others are waiting for the Ding Sword..." Wei Shaoxuan nodded and muttered to himself.
Li Li's eyes widened in suspicion: "This... Young Master doesn't know?"
Wei Shaoxuan looked up and smiled: "Of course I know, it's just... I didn't expect it to happen so soon."
Li Li sighed:
“Ah, young master, you may not know this, but for more than half a year before you returned, the situation in the Prince’s mansion was not good. Before the news of Li Zhengyan’s rebellion came out, the Prince could only rely on this. Now that you have secured the position of Grand General of the Jiangzhou Road Army, military merits are in sight, and you have regained some ground and can breathe a little easier.”
Wei Shaoxuan nodded, then suddenly said:
"Actually, I not only know this, but I also know that there are people who are even more anxious."
Who is it?
"His Majesty."
Wei Shaoxuan uttered two words, and Boss Li became solemn.
"What, you didn't expect that? Isn't it obvious?"
The effeminate young man spoke softly:
"Li Zhengyan is causing trouble in the southwest, acting aggressively. As for the giant Buddha in Jiangzhou... well, His Majesty is certainly quite eager for it to be completed as soon as possible."
"Just before I entered the city, I went to Shuangfengjian. It is said that the Buddha statue is still under construction. I suppose the female official sent by His Majesty to supervise it is already urging it to proceed."
Li Li was taken aback, her eyes filled with admiration:
"Sixth Young Master is truly insightful and his guess was spot on. He grasped the situation as soon as he returned... I thought you were too busy with matters of Yunmengze to attend to anything else..."
"Now that you mention it, Sixth Young Master, I also feel that His Majesty should indeed be a little more anxious."
"This matter concerns the secrets of the Dingjian sword and the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty. His Majesty fully supports the Prince's construction of the Tian Shu and the Four Directions Buddha statues. However, His Majesty probably does not yet know that the Prince and the Sixth Prince have been able to obtain a new Dingjian sword, nor does he know the Prince's full plans."
"But it still concerns the foundation of the Great Zhou Kingdom. No wonder so many palace ladies have been sent here. It seems that it's not just about protecting the Xunyang Prince's Mansion. This great Buddha in Jiangzhou is also very important. His Majesty must have made some advance arrangements in case of any unforeseen circumstances."
"The secret of the cauldron and the sword, the foundation of the Great Zhou Kingdom..." Wei Shaoxuan muttered to himself, nodding.
Seeing that the effeminate young man's smile had widened, Li Li asked softly, "What makes you so happy, young master..."
Wei Shaoxuan ignored him, took a sip of tea, and then said leisurely:
"This time, after lying low in Yunmeng Marsh for more than half a year, I found that the group of female cultivators from Yunmeng were difficult to deal with, especially that eldest female ruler named Xue something-candle. Fortunately, with the help of my adoptive father, I was able to take the opportunity to obtain the Longevity Elixir Sword Manual. Heh, this time I can say I've returned with a full harvest."
"Don't worry, Dingjian has been taken back to the capital by my godfather and is on its way."
"That's good, that's good!"
Upon hearing this, Li Li's face immediately lit up with joy:
"Next time the Prince writes, I won't have to urge him anymore. Alas, Sixth Young Master, you don't know that you and Dingjian were delayed in returning. I had no choice but to make a solemn vow before the Prince that if I couldn't find you, I would offer my head to the Prince."
Wei Shaoxuan glanced at Li Li, who had a wry smile on her face, nodded slightly, and smiled:
"I also left Yunmengze and received my father's latest letter. After inquiring with the messenger, I learned that the matter was so urgent, so I asked my godfather to bring the Dingjian back immediately."
"As for your side, I learned about the matters concerning the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, Wang Lengran, and Zhu Lingxu from the letter. I came here specifically to wait for my father, who, as the Grand Commander of the Jiangzhou Road Army, will arrive soon. We will meet again then."
"Sixth Young Master is wise."
Wei Shaoxuan patted the Persian merchant on the shoulder:
"It's all thanks to you, Li Li. After tonight's events are over, I will reward you handsomely."
"ah?"
The reward came too suddenly, leaving Li Li somewhat bewildered.
Wei Shaoxuan said in a serious tone:
"If it weren't for the Ink Dragon Pill you provided last time, it would have been difficult to obtain the sword manual in Yunmeng Marsh this time. It's a good thing; it can not only save lives in critical moments but also kill people."
He flashed his white teeth.
"I see."
Li Li nodded, her expression still curious, and was about to ask a question.
Wei Shaoxuan suddenly interrupted: "But there's one thing, Li Li, didn't you do a good job?"
"What is it?" Li Li asked nervously.
"I heard the messenger mention the scheme against the Xunyang Prince's Mansion. Li Li, didn't I ask you to reply to my father and tell him that the Xunyang Prince's Mansion had no ill intentions and that we could try to win them over? Did you just ignore what I said and fail to deliver it?"
What was the purpose of setting up that night?
Li Li quickly shook her head:
"I told the Prince what the Sixth Young Master had said a long time ago, but the Prince had a different opinion, saying that they didn't need to be sent back to the capital."
"Since the Sixth Young Master is fond of that cousin Guo'er, and the lineage of the Prince of Xunyang has some value and cannot be severed, then we should leave some widows and daughters to return to the capital. This will give His Majesty an explanation, and it will also allow the Sixth Young Master to marry the daughter of the Prince of Xunyang, which can be considered an intermarriage between Wei and the Central Plains, thus easing the situation. Therefore, there is no need for them all to return, lest we raise a tiger to cause trouble..."
Wei Shaoxuan was speechless for a moment, then nodded seriously:
"It still has to be Father."
Li Li sighed with regret:
"It's a pity that Guo Yu and Meng Shouguang are both useless. Ouyang Lianghan managed to see through their scheme, and all their efforts were in vain. It's truly hateful!"
Wei Shaoxuan raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at the Persian merchant whose face was full of dissatisfaction and resentment, thought for a moment, and decided to speak the truth:
"This Ouyang Lianghan is actually quite smart, well, he's probably about half as smart as me."
Li Li nodded resentfully: "So, he's just a half-baked amateur, all talk and no action!"
Wei Shaoxuan: "..."
Li Li quickly added:
"What I mean is that Mingming is lucky enough to have half of the Sixth Young Master's wisdom, which is already a blessing he has earned in his lifetime. Yet he is smug and wants to show off his half-baked knowledge. He is jumping around everywhere. Humph, this kid really needs to learn from the Sixth Young Master. As a rare swordsman, he is low-key and hides his talents."
"It seems that the saying 'it is difficult for a poor family to produce a noble son' is true. How can such a poor scholar compare to the refinement of the Sixth Young Master from a noble family?"
"Li Li, oh Li Li." Wei Shaoxuan patted the Persian merchant on the shoulder with a sigh:
"You have a promising tongue; you truly deserve a reward."
Li Li chuckled awkwardly, "Thank you for your kind words, young master."
Wei Shaoxuan suddenly asked, "The scheme was well set up, and it's about half the level of mine. Ouyang Lianghan and the Xunyang Prince's family didn't fall for it, so they are indeed quite capable."
Li Li defended himself by saying:
"The reason for the breakdown seems to have been found recently. It seems that Ouyang Lianghan and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion bribed Qin Heng, the commander of the Zhechongfu under Wang Lengran. It's possible that this man was so audacious that night, both participating in the operation and secretly sending a message."
"Um."
Wei Shaoxuan nodded slightly, and, unsure if it was acceptable, lowered his eyes and asked:
"However, there is one thing I am a little curious about in this situation: how exactly did we obtain the Hetian jade pendant belonging to Prince Xiang Li Lun? Was it really Uncle Liang who, at the princess's birthday banquet, took advantage of Prince Xiang's moment of inattention and exchanged tokens with him?"
Li Li was speechless: "Uh..."
Wei Shaoxuan changed the subject, pursing his lips: "In other words, do we have a deal with the Prince Xiang's Mansion that we've made after some deliberation?"
"Sixth Young Master, are you referring to cooperation?"
Li Li understood the implied meaning and scratched his head in reply:
"Actually, I don't know much about it either. I heard from the prince that this deadly trap was set up by a strategist in Prince Liang's inner circle."
"The Hetian jade plaque was handed directly to me by someone from the Liang Prince's Mansion. I don't know the specifics of how I obtained it."
“The King of Liang’s strategist, huh.” Wei Shaoxuan nodded: “What a cunning strategist, interesting.”
Li Li flattered, "He's only half as good as Sixth Young Master."
Wei Shaoxuan smiled.
He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "I have something important to inform you of today."
"Please speak, young master." Li Li's expression immediately turned serious.
Wei Shaoxuan narrowed his eyes slightly: "While searching for the sword manual in Yunmengze, I met a group of unexpected people."
"who?"
"Li Zhengyan, Wei Shaoqi, and others."
Mr. Li was taken aback.
Wei Shaoxuan squinted, as if recalling something, and continued:
"Li Zhengyan brought over a strange scroll, which seems to be about searching for some kind of Peach Blossom Spring. It is suspected that he has some connection with Yue Nu of Yunmeng Sword Marsh. I wonder what kind of deal he made."
"I suspect it might be related to an unknown cauldron sword."
"Li Zhengyan probably possesses a powerful sword, which concerns the safety of his father, the king, who is leading the army, and the vanguard of Jiangzhou."
"I need to see Zhu Lingxu to give him some instructions."
"Take me to see him immediately."
"The Cauldron Sword!"
Li Li didn't have time to think further and nodded vigorously:
"Yes, sir!"
The Persian merchant lowered his voice and ordered the groom outside:
"Quickly, go back the way we came..."
Half an hour later.
In a private study in Zhu Lingxu's new residence in Chaisangfang.
Wei Shaoxuan leisurely sipped his tea while waiting, with Boss Li sitting beside him.
"Please wait a moment, young master. Zhu Lingxu has just fallen asleep and has already been notified. He will be here shortly."
Wei Shaoxuan nodded, seemingly asking casually:
"Who was that hunchbacked old monk standing at the door just now? He seems interesting."
Mr. Li answered truthfully, as if pouring beans from a bamboo tube:
"This ascetic monk was once the gatekeeper of Miyin Temple. He was extremely talented when he was young and was considered one of the disciples of Tantric Buddhism. Later, some things happened, and he became an outcast and a wandering ascetic, begging for food... Last year, he was unexpectedly recruited by the Prince's Palace, and the Prince called him Miyin Ascetic."
"What is the level of cultivation of this secret mantra ascetic?"
"Sixth rank," Boss Li whispered, then added, "Vajra."
Wei Shaoxuan smiled and nodded:
"good."
Setting down his teacup, he patted the Persian merchant on the shoulder with a face full of praise:
“You’ve done things quite thoroughly. In the current situation, Zhu Lingxu is indeed crucial. He’s leading the charge for our family, so we really need to be careful about his safety.”
"Young master, you may not know this, but the main problem is that Ouyang Lianghan is too cunning, so we have to be extra careful."
Li Li gritted her teeth at the mention of that four-character name:
"Now it seems that Ouyang Lianghan is determined to assist the Xunyang Prince's Mansion and oppose us."
"Let me do it."
Wei Shaoxuan picked up his teacup again, took a sip, and said without even lifting his eyelids:
"The scheme devised by the strategist of the Liang Prince's mansion had some merit, but it lacked something."
"I also have a plan that can make people die without a burial place."
Li Li's eyes lit up: "Young master is very talented. I would like to hear more about it."
Wei Shaoxuan smiled slightly, blew on the tea, and drank it.
"It'll be kept secret for now." He kept them in suspense.
He raised his hand and, as if out of habit, touched his chin, but Li Li, who was beside him, didn't seem to notice.
However, after spending some time together, Li Li, who was good at observing people's expressions, could clearly sense that the Sixth Young Master had become much more subdued after his recent training, and was no longer as arrogant as before.
His spiritual energy fluctuations were so subtle that they were imperceptible, much like the unfathomable Mr. Qiu.
However, Mr. Qiu's cultivation is too high, like a high mountain, while others are at the foot of the mountain, their vision obscured by floating clouds.
The Sixth Young Master was different. What was clearly a raging river had vanished without a trace, its course dried up. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to have become an underground river, concealing its power.
I wonder what great opportunity the Sixth Young Master obtained in Yunmeng Marsh, could it be the divine power of the Longevity Elixir Sword Technique...?
The Persian merchant served tea to the effeminate young man in front of him while thinking to himself.
At this moment, Zhu Lingxu rushed over and, after being warmly introduced by Boss Li, respectfully cupped his hands in greeting:
"Sixth Young Master, it's an honor to meet you here so late at night. What brings you here?"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
