Chapter 404 The Demon Reappears
"King Wu, something terrible has happened! The Prime Minister has disappeared!" The head of the personal guards, who had been sent by Ji Fa to protect and monitor Jiang Ziya, rushed over to report this.
"What do you mean the Prime Minister is missing? How do you know the Prime Minister is missing?" Ji Fa jumped up. Although Jiang Ziya was a bit idealistic, many of his policies were very beneficial to Xiqi.
Looking at Xiqi alone, it has basically maintained self-sufficiency since Jiang Ziya arrived. The reason why he and his father were able to rise up with such confidence was that Jiang Ziya gave them unparalleled confidence and strength behind the scenes.
"Today it was time for the Prime Minister to rise, but I looked left and right and couldn't find him as usual. I dared to go in, but found the Prime Minister's tent empty. His favorite books were also gone. King Wu, the Prime Minister obviously left on his own." The guard analyzed logically.
"Then what are you waiting for? Immediately issue the order to arrest the Prime Minister." Ji Fa's eyes were red with hatred. Prime Minister, I have treated you well, how could you betray me like this?
"Yes..." The head of the guards turned around, about to go down to convey King Wu's order.
"Wait..." Ji Fa suddenly called out to the head of his personal guards, his eyes filled with a sinister look.
"King Wu, please give your orders..." The head of the personal guards knelt on one knee, listening attentively to the instructions.
Ji Fa lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then said quietly, "Besides you, who else knows about this?"
"Reporting to King Wu, after I discovered it, I immediately ordered my deputy to guard the gate and not allow anyone to enter. Currently, only I know that the Prime Minister is missing," the head of the guards reported truthfully.
“Very good,” Ji Fa stood up and walked around to the table. “Go and do it.”
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." The head of the guards turned and walked out.
Suddenly, a sharp blade pierced through his chest, dripping blood. The head of the guards glanced down at the familiar blade, then turned to ask King Wu why…
“I’m sorry,” Ji Fa said, drawing his bronze sword. “The Prime Minister can only be murdered and disappear, not defected.”
Keeping the head of the personal guard increases the risk of leaks, and his situation is already precarious. At this critical juncture, no more rumors that could be detrimental to him can be allowed to surface.
A fire quietly broke out in Jiang Ziya's tent. After everyone extinguished the fire, they discovered that the Prime Minister was missing...
Upon learning that Jiang Ziya was missing, the eleven Golden Immortals were all furious. They had come to Xiqi solely for the sake of following the will of Heaven and the people; if they had known the fire had occurred in Jiang Ziya's camp, they wouldn't have stood by and pretended ignorance.
They thought it was Ji Fa, that troublemaker, who had been assassinated again...
“I am willing to secretly search for the Prime Minister’s whereabouts,” Yang Jian volunteered.
"Very well, we cannot leave without permission, so we will trouble you, nephew." Guang Chengzi nodded in agreement to Yang Jian's request. Yang Jian possessed the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts and was proficient in transformation techniques, so he would have no problem protecting himself.
Yang Jian pursued Jiang Ziya openly and without suspicion from anyone except Shen Gongbao.
Shen Gongbao smiled knowingly. He had secretly helped Jiang Ziya leave Xiqi. He never expected that Yang Jian would also have ulterior motives. If he had known, he would have let Yang Jian take Jiang Ziya away.
………………
Chang Hao couldn't help but laugh as he watched the good news coming from Xiqi one after another, especially the few things Shen Gongbao had secretly sent. At the same time, a plan came to mind.
"Shen Gongbao is truly a remarkable man, both resourceful and cunning." Xiqi is in complete chaos, and Shen Gongbao deserves the greatest credit for this.
"Your Majesty, you're still laughing? A spy has sent word that Ji Fa, that scoundrel, is plotting to assassinate you. Your Majesty, you must immediately order the arrest of the spy from Xiqi." Bigan wished he could personally lead the troops to arrest him.
"Uncle, please calm down. I'm going to use this to my advantage and lower Xiqi's guard," Chang Hao said with a smile, trying to reassure Bigan.
Firstly, Xiqi is truly useless. Their Ten Deadly Formations have held them back for so long. If they don't let up, Ji Fa will be able to immediately return to defend when Grand Tutor attacks Xiqi.
If the war goes badly, Ji Fa will surely incite the people to resist to the death, causing the Xiqi Uprising and rivers of blood to flow.
Although the people of Xiqi are ignorant, it is not their fault, and there is no need to sacrifice for them; it is not worth it.
Secondly, a personal campaign would be too grand, and the Prince's uncle and Shang Rong would be difficult to deal with, and would likely remonstrate with him to the death, which would be very troublesome. He could use this as an excuse to feign illness and order a Taoist to transform into his appearance and impersonate him in Chaoge.
He then impersonated that person and went to Mengjin, where he set up the Heavenly Net Formation, asking the people from the three religions on the other side to break the formation.
With his current strength, he could defeat the Tongtian Sect Leader. With the support of the formation, he should be able to hold out against the other saints until his army suppressed the Xiqi rebels.
Chang Hao silently pondered, going over the plan again and again. He had to consider the possibility that the opposing saint might unite all their forces to attack him for the sake of their sect.
"It's good that Your Majesty is aware of the situation. Safety is of utmost importance." The King now holds great power and makes decisions unilaterally. Once he makes a decision, there is no room for negotiation. Bigan knows he cannot persuade him, so he can only urge the King to pay more attention to his own safety.
"Uncle, rest assured, I know what I'm doing." Chang Hao's expression was inscrutable; who would have thought that he had imprisoned a sage?
"As for Su Daji, the daughter of the former Marquis of Jizhou, she sacrificed herself for the country, remaining loyal and steadfast. I intend to posthumously confer upon her the title of general." Chang Hao thought of the Investiture of the Gods. Since Su Daji died at this time, would she be deified after death?
"That's to be expected," Shang Rong stroked his long beard and sighed inwardly. It was a pity that Su Hu had originally planned to send his daughter to Chaoge for the sake of the family.
Bi Gan and Shang Rong had the same thought, and looked into the Qiankun Palace. "That demon—cough, where is that Taoist priest?"
"The Taoist priest has returned to the mountain and is not here, so Uncle Wang need not look." Chang Hao glanced at Bigan with a half-smile, knowing perfectly well what Uncle Wang was up to.
“Well said,” Bigan blurted out his true feelings, then smiled awkwardly, “That’s not what I meant. What I meant was that the Daoist is no ordinary person. How can he be caught up in the mundane world? Now that he has returned to the mountain, we should wish him immortal bliss and longevity.”
"Uncle Wang is absolutely right..." Chang Hao clapped his hands. Anyone unaware of the situation would think that Uncle Wang genuinely hoped that the Taoist priest could enjoy eternal bliss and live as long as the heavens.
"Just don't say it again next time." Chang Hao's face fell; he was really bringing up the very thing he didn't want to talk about.
"Alright, alright, Uncle Wang won't say it then." Bigan smiled broadly. He wasn't stupid; why would he keep bringing it up? What if the king had almost forgotten about that sorcerer, but then he brought it up again and remembered it? He would regret it to the core.
"Uncle Wang, military affairs are busy. You should go and handle the matters I have assigned you," Chang Hao said coldly, trying to shoo him away.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Bigan took his leave decisively.
"I should get back to work now." Shang Rong, ever the astute man, followed Bi Gan and slipped away as well.
"Shang Rong, hurry up, arrange for the young ladies from the Huang family, the Deng family, the Chong family, and your family..." Bigan's eyes suddenly went blank, and the smile on his face turned gloomy, all because of the demon who walked towards them in a generous manner.
Hey! In broad daylight, what kind of monster dares to cause trouble in the royal palace?!
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