Chapter 1116: Annexation of Gao Kingdom (Part 3) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
The Gao Guo delegation is anxiously awaiting news.
No one had ever felt that a quarter of an hour could be so long.
Finally, the deadline arrived, but Shen Tang still hadn't appeared. Instead, Chu Yao arrived. The head envoy's heart skipped a beat, but he forced back his anxiety and stepped forward politely, saying, "Lord Chu, what does Lord Shen mean..."
Chu Yao's brows were furrowed, as if he were filled with sorrow and melancholy.
His tone was no longer as friendly as before, and his eyes conveyed a strong sense of pressure: "His Majesty is unwell and cannot give a reply at the moment. If the messenger cannot wait, he may return home first."
The envoy nearly had a heart attack upon hearing this.
They were certain that Shen Tang was just playing a trick on them.
He seemed quite well when he walked over, how come he's so ill after only fifteen minutes? It's obvious he's deliberately keeping them waiting. The envoy was furious inside, but outwardly maintained a concerned demeanor: "What? Lord Shen is unwell?"
Chu Yao nodded and said, "Yes."
The messenger then requested to visit.
It's not to urge them, it's just to express our sincerity.
The messenger was certain that Chu Yao would refuse—the man surnamed Shen was not sick at all; he was just using illness as an excuse to avoid people! Unexpectedly, Chu Yao nodded in agreement, but said he would wait until the doctors' consultation was over.
Now, the envoy was somewhat unsure of what to do.
Chu Yao caught the messenger's shifty eyes out of the corner of his eye and gave him a heads-up beforehand, reminding him: "His Majesty is very dissatisfied with your demands, and his anger has aggravated his old injuries."
The messenger's heart pounded like a drum.
He knew exactly which "conditions" Chu Yao was referring to, and he had prepared himself for a protracted negotiation before coming.
However, he was even more convinced that his side had leverage in negotiations.
If Shen Tang agrees, the benefits she gains will far outweigh the promises she makes! Such tempting terms are irresistible. In war, every extra day of delay consumes a day's worth of provisions.
Even if Kangguo had the upper hand, Gaoguo would stubbornly resist, and conquering Gaoguo would take months or even a year. Had she considered how much grain and supplies would be consumed over such a long period?
If they agree to cooperate, Gao Guo will be easily obtained.
It can also send a friendly message to the aristocratic families.
At the beginning of the founding of Kang Kingdom, Shen Tang had a falling out with the aristocratic families. The aristocratic families in the Northwest Continent had relatively shallow foundations, small scale, and were not so united, but the aristocratic families in other places were different! If she wanted to make her mark elsewhere, now was the perfect opportunity to mend fences with the aristocratic families! Losing this opportunity would result in immeasurable hidden losses.
The principles they understand, Shen Jun should understand even more.
Therefore, the messenger smiled with confidence.
Confident and fearless, he said, "We have come with sincerity."
Seeing that he was still acting clever, Chu Yao remained silent, his mind preoccupied with the consultation results. Yes, there really was a consultation; his illness wasn't a lie to deceive the messenger. Shen Tang had just erupted in anger, and the next moment he felt his vision blur, followed by a dizzying sensation, and his body swayed precariously. Chu Yao nearly suffered a cardiac arrest from fright, reaching out to support the unsteady Shen Tang: "My lord!"
Shen Tang tried her best to resist the dizziness with her willpower.
Before falling into a coma, he left behind the words: "Go find a physician."
Chu Yao then noticed that her skin was incredibly hot.
Summon physicians from the medical profession immediately.
He scooped Shen Tang up in his arms and carried her into the main tent, only to find it collapsing without warning. As astute as Chu Yao was, he immediately guessed this was one of the side effects of the Word of Power; no wonder his lord hadn't gone in.
Chu Yao reassured those who had come to his rescue and ordered his soldiers to cordon off a space with long cloths until the medical professionals arrived. He then explained in detail the cause and effect of Shen Tang's illness. The medical professionals, lacking experience in this area, consulted with other physicians to ensure a proper diagnosis.
When the message was received, Ji Moqiu was not far away.
He also joined the consultation.
After a flurry of chatter, they arrived at a surprising conclusion.
"The Lord's symptoms appear to be caused by the flaws in the power of words, but after careful examination, we have found that this is not the case! In addition to the Lord's own literary and martial energy, there is a third energy intertwined within the Lord's meridians. This energy is the key to causing the Lord's coma."
In an instant, the surrounding air was filled with murderous intent.
The physician's words were practically implying that Shen Tang had been betrayed.
Whose aura is this third one?
When did they do this?
Bai Su, Luan Xin, and Cui Xiao's faces were exceptionally grim, their eyes gleaming with barely concealed killing intent. Chu Yao's suspicious gaze swept over the three of them one by one, finally settling on Gong Xi Chou and Ji Mo Qiu. Chu Yao asked coldly, "These past few days, General Gong Xi has been spending time with the Lord. Has he noticed anything unusual? Or perhaps seen any strangers?"
Gong Xichou knew immediately that his brothers were suspected.
Since Chu Yao hadn't made it public, he assumed he hadn't guessed it—Chu Wuhui was Mama's confidant, so he still had to give him some face. He crossed his arms and said, "There's nothing unusual. Mama's strength is about equal to mine. If she didn't notice, it would be difficult for me to notice either. If we're talking about strangers, would that woman named Miao Ne count? Mama has seen her."
Chu Yao asked, "Who is Miao Ne?"
Luan Xin never expected to hear Miao Ne's name on this occasion.
After a while, he stepped forward and said, "This boy is considered half a student of Xin, and it was Xin who recommended him to the Lord."
Chu Yao asked again, "What's her background?"
Luan Xin's reaction time seemed to have increased even further, something Chu Yao was already used to. But this time, Luan Xin's delay in replying wasn't just due to his slow reaction time, but because he didn't know how to answer—Miao Ne's background did indeed suggest a motive to plot against their master.
Seeing that Luan Xin did not answer for a long time, Chu Yao revealed an unusual stern expression.
"Justice, what's her background?"
Luan Xin sighed and said, "The Miao woman from Longwu."
Before recommending him, he observed Miao Ne for a long time, even going so far as to study Gu Chi's scholarly jargon to confirm that the man was trustworthy before introducing him to the lord. On the path to conquering the world, one faces only oneself and others as enemies; to become the ruler of the world, one must possess the ability and magnanimity to govern all. Miao Ne might serve as a prime example.
Let the Lord's enemies see a way out after defeat.
As long as there is a way to survive, it is difficult to have the courage to fight a desperate battle.
I didn't expect this to go wrong.
"A Miao woman from Longwu?"
Chu Yao immediately knew which one it was.
Gong Xichou said, "Mama couldn't have been killed by her."
Martial arts masters at their level could survive a single stab to the heart without dying instantly! Miao Ne's ability to assassinate Mama is utterly ridiculous. After Gong Xi Chou finished speaking, Ji Mo Qiu, who was taking Chen Tang's pulse, seemed to notice something. Ji Mo Qiu carefully extracted a portion of the third aura from Chen Tang's body.
This aura was only a tiny wisp.
Ji Moqiu: "This aura feels somewhat familiar."
Chu Yao and the others: "..."
It's more than just familiar.
This aura clearly belongs to Ning Yan.
Mentioning Ning Yan, Chu Yao realized she hadn't come. Actually, her absence wasn't unusual; the camp was so large that news couldn't spread immediately, and Ning Yan was in the vanguard camp, not the main camp. However, Ji Moqiu had detected Ning Yan's literary aura from Shen Tang's meridians, so he needed to ask her about it: "Where is Attendant Ning?"
The group looked at each other, then shook their heads.
Not to mention today, I haven't seen Ning Yan for the past few days.
Chu Yao inquired about Kang Shi, who was also in the vanguard battalion.
"Does Ji Shou know?"
Kang Shi's answer was similar.
Chu Yao immediately sent someone to invite Ning Yan.
Before anyone else returned, Shen Tang woke up first. She sat up blankly, her eyes looking different from usual. Turning her head, the first thing she saw was Ji Moqiu standing beside her. Suddenly, she flashed a pure and innocent smile, making Ji Moqiu's heart almost stop.
Why is the child so afraid?
It's not that I'm afraid.
Shen Tang leaned closer, smiling innocently: "Don't be afraid, I only kill bad children. Good children are all treasures. Don't you agree?"
Ji Moqiu's body stiffened uncontrollably, and a dull ache throbbed in his heart. In a certain year before he had fully awakened his senses, this prince before him had stabbed him in the heart, nearly sending him to his death. His response this time was poor; a second blow awaited him: "Your Highness's divine decree is right or wrong."
Chu Yao and the others were all too familiar with Shen Tang; they knew every single change in his expression by heart. They recognized at a glance that the person who had woken up wasn't their master. Yes, it wasn't Shen Tang; it was the three-year-old Shan Nian.
As we all know, it doesn't just appear out of nowhere.
When asked why she appeared,
Three-year-old Good-natured said, "Oh, it was your silly master who asked me to tell you that she will be back soon. Don't worry about her, and don't speculate. It's not good to scare people."
Everyone: "..."
Luan Xin breathed a long sigh of relief.
Chu Yao asked, "Where did our lord go?"
Three-year-old Shan Nian said, "Go find Ningning."
Ningning?
Does this refer to Ning Yan?
San Sui Shan Nian and Shen Tang were originally one, so she naturally knew certain things, but she didn't want to say more. Chu Yao and the others could only suppress their anxiety and wait for news. This wait lasted for an hour.
Three-year-old Shan Nian suddenly clicked his tongue and said, "You're back."
With lightning speed, he pinched Ji Moqiu's cheek and said fiercely, "Little kid, there won't be a next time! If there is a next time, it won't just be a sword through the heart, it will be being torn into eight pieces!"
Ji Moqiu cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Yes, Your Highness."
The tone carried a hint of helplessness.
Whether it's good intentions, evil intentions, or the prince she's most in contact with, isn't it all the same prince? It's just that the three of them have different temperaments. The prince and evil intentions are alright; they can be reasonable. But good intentions are completely unreasonable. Even if Ji Moqiu is helping another version of herself, she will still be annoyed.
The three-year-old said with good intentions, "Yes, that's right."
She said with satisfaction, "Children should behave well."
When Shen Tang regained consciousness, she heard these two sentences. She hurriedly manipulated her body to pull her hand back, and goosebumps rose all over her body.
She scolded the three-year-old with a hint of annoyance: "Seriously, what's wrong with you today? Even if you're a yandere, there's a limit."
Three-year-old good intentions made a slight face in her mind.
“You don’t know anything, Yuri is ignoring you.”
Shen Tang: "..."
The three-year-old's good intentions vanished without a trace.
Looking up again, I saw a group of familiar faces.
Anyone who didn't know better would think she was terminally ill.
Shen Tang could only explain what had happened concisely. Her coma was not caused by an ambush, and it was indeed related to Ning Yan: "Tu Nan completed the Path of the Scholar's Perfection Ceremony during the adventure, and my Danfu had the literary energy she left behind, which resonated with me in the moment of crisis."
Coincidentally, she was also suffering from the side effects of the Word of Power, and her body and mind were both in a weakened state, which led to the scene of her fainting just now.
Everyone knew or had vaguely heard that Ning Yan and Shen Tang's lives were intertwined, but they still didn't understand the connection between the two.
This loyalty binds Ning Yan. As the one to whom loyalty is pledged, even if Ning Yan dies, the lord will not be affected.
Wait, what did they just hear?
"Tunan's... completion ceremony?"
Chu Yao voiced what everyone was thinking.
The completion ceremony is no child's play. To start it without proper preparation is tantamount to ruining one's future. There's been no news of Ning Yan preparing for this recently. They serve in the same court and share common interests, so there's no need to worry about colleagues sabotaging the ceremony.
Shen Tang said, "Mm."
She only realized what was happening after she had fallen into a coma and her consciousness was drawn back to her.
"Tu Nan was really too reckless. If I hadn't intervened and taken advantage of the situation, she would probably have been killed by Wu You." Thinking of the scene she had just witnessed, Shen Tang couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for Ning Yan.
But after she got involved, Wuyou was no longer enough.
"Nonsense?"
"Wu You almost killed Tu Nan?"
"But Wuyou is not..."
Everyone was shocked; Shen Tang's words were too outrageous.
Wu You is the embodiment of Ning Tu Nan's unique literary spirit, which is the condensation of his scholarly way. The two are one. Why kill Tu Nan?
This act is tantamount to suicide!
It was a perfect ceremony, and it made perfect sense.
Each person's ritual of achieving perfection is unique, and the methods of achieving perfection are even more varied. It's understandable that Ning Yan needs to kill Wu You to achieve perfection. Shen Tang said, "Her ritual of achieving perfection began before Tu Nan knew about it. To be precise, it was when Tu Nan decided to sacrifice Zi Xu to restore the border barrier. The ritual of achieving perfection begins and lasts for half a year. If Wu You is not killed within half a year, then Wu You wins. [Zi Xu Wu You] means that reality and illusion are reversed. Tu Nan will be replaced by Wu You."
"How could the embodiment of literary talent betray the original self?"
Most of those present were scholars and intellectuals, and they instantly felt a chill run down their spines.
Shen Tang said, "You don't need to worry. Tu Nan is a special case. Her successful assessment was indeed quite insidious."
How could a scholar with a literary mind doubt the embodiment of his own literary spirit?
Especially those that are completely fabricated.
As long as these two remain, Ning Yan essentially has two lives. If she were to kill or sacrifice them, Ning Yan's path as a scholar would be destroyed. A normal person's thinking would be to preserve what can be preserved!
Ning Yan was no exception.
So, when Shen Tang saw Ning Yan almost get killed by Wu You, she was stunned. Shen Tang was stunned, and Ning Yan was stunned too.
At the brink of life and death, I heard the voice of the Lord in my mind.
[Tu Nan, what are you doing?]
Even if you're sparring with Wuyou, you don't have to be this ruthless.
Shen Tang soon discovered that Wu You was there to kill someone.
They retaliated without hesitation.
Yes, her way of helping was by using someone else's account to play games for her.
Wu You also noticed that Ning Yan's body had been replaced, and his expression twisted into a grimace for a moment: [Using this method to cheat, the Scholar's Path Completion Ceremony is destined to fail. Ning Tu Nan, do you want to become a cripple?]
Ning Yan must have killed Wu You herself.
Shen Youli took her place; can this really be considered doing it herself?
Ning Yan said, "Even if I become a cripple, I will still have a place in the court. But if I let you live, Ning Tunan will cease to exist!"
With those words, Shen Tang had no more reservations.
Ning Yan, now in her weakened state, used her sword to slay Wu You.
After the chopping was done, Shen Tang was kicked back.
We still don't know how Ning Yan is doing.
|ω`)
Guess when Tu Nan discovered that Wu You had a problem?
(End of this chapter)
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