Chapter 1338: The Wrath of Thunder (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
"Ms. Lin is quite confident."
The second person's voice was clear, cool, and refined, with a soft, southern Wu dialect accent. Even their harsh words sounded like a sign of weakness. Judging from the voice alone, the owner seemed more like a young scholar from a high-ranking official family. How could a bandit's den possibly produce someone like that?
"I wonder if you ever guessed that you would never return?"
"I dared to come, and I'm confident I can return." Lin Feng's gaze fell on the thick fog, and he asked with a smile, "Lord Wei, wouldn't you agree?"
Those who can be addressed as "Marquis" are either those who have been granted a title in the secular world, or those whose cultivation has reached the level of a Marquis within the Pass at the nineteenth rank or a Marquis at the twentieth rank, and who can be addressed as a king or marquis without being granted a title.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
There was still no response after a few breaths.
Just as everyone was holding their breath, thinking Lin Feng was bluffing, an even more shrill and bizarre laugh came from all directions, complete with electronic reverb effects: "Hey old buddy, you're almost in your coffin, isn't it a bit too embarrassing to be bullying kids here? Give me some face, let them go, and how about we find a place to catch up?"
Crimson fog rolled up from the ground.
The whirlwind coalesced into a strange-looking... no, to be precise, a horrifyingly shaped skeleton.
The skeleton was clad in a sinister suit of armor emblazoned with ferocious demons and beasts. He had removed his helmet and was clutching it in one hand, while his other hand toyed with a mace. Two flickering flames danced within the eye sockets of his stark white skull, adding to the eerie atmosphere. The skeletal warrior grinned in a certain direction, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth—a gesture that, while seemingly friendly, inexplicably gave the impression of provocation.
Um……
How can this not be considered a provocation?
"Weicheng?"
The person in the shadows uttered this name that was both strange and familiar.
"Hmph, it is indeed this old man." He took two steps forward, letting out a sinister laugh. "One word: will you give me face or not?"
"I'll give you the hell face!" The other person's voice clearly broke down, becoming sharp, urgent, and grating. "What do you think you are, you piece of trash? You think you deserve my respect?"
The color of Wei Cheng's life fire became three times more intense.
The body was filled with malevolent energy, and the air temperature dropped sharply.
“Tsk, it seems we can’t reach an agreement—” Wei Cheng tilted his head slightly and said with regret, “I carry a three-foot sword in its sheath on my back, to stand up for justice and to defend the people. I don’t want to work for that old man surnamed Shen, but I just can’t stand this old scoundrel bullying the weak.”
He's determined to meddle in this trivial matter.
Seeing that Wei Cheng was serious, the man's voice cracked several times as he spoke. His tone was sinister, as if every word was being forced out from his back teeth: "You, surnamed Wei, really want to go against me?"
Wei Cheng didn't waste any words with him and sneered, "I've already invited my uncle out, how could it be fake? We haven't seen each other for over a hundred years, this is a rare opportunity, how about we have a fight to loosen up our muscles?"
The person in the shadows did not respond directly, but judging from the increased shaking of the ground and the falling stones, they were also eager to dismantle Wei City and make bone soup. Lin Feng concealed the dark look in his eyes: "Lord Wei wants to have a good chat with his old friends, and I shouldn't disturb him. However, the capital is indeed in dire need of attention. Do you gentlemen really want to waste your time here?"
After a long while, the thick fog gradually dissipated.
The moonlight returned to its bright shine, and there was no wind or cloud.
Wei Cheng scoffed, "He ran away. Back in the war, this bastard was the fastest runner. Now he's a coward too."
Lin Feng: "Give each other a way out, save face."
Instead of getting angry, Wei Cheng laughed: "Do I need him to give me a way out?"
"Since the Marquis of Wei's uncle hasn't come, and they're not confident of winning, it's better to pretend nothing happened than to actually fight."
When Wei Cheng deliberately mentioned Wei Lou, Lin Feng knew that he was also feeling insecure. Because of the special nature of the seal back then, and the fact that Wei Cheng was not a living person, his strength was far from his peak after regaining his freedom. He had not fully recovered his vitality after all these years of recuperation. This 20th-rank Marquis was still quite weak, but Wei Lou's presence could make up for that.
Lin Feng couldn't just watch the two sides actually start fighting.
Bringing up the fact that King Qu was in danger was a way to give both sides a way out.
How do you know my uncle didn't come?
Lin Feng did not answer, and Wei Cheng was not annoyed at all. He learned a lesson from his uncle—literary figures all had a penchant for concealment and pretense, always leaving things unsaid. Working with these people could be unbearable if one's curiosity was too strong.
Wei Cheng then asked, "How did you know I was nearby?"
Lin Feng has responded this time.
“Those whom the Lord entrusts with important tasks are always reliable.”
"I am not under the command of the man surnamed Shen. If I am in a bad mood, I may watch you die here." Wei Cheng arrived relatively early, but he couldn't show his face in Qu Kingdom to avoid being caught by old acquaintances. He didn't intend for Lin Feng and the others to get into trouble, but he just didn't like the people under Shen Tang's command and liked to say a few sarcastic remarks.
“Even if Lord Wei doesn’t show up, I have a backup plan.”
"Not very old, but quite arrogant."
Wouldn't a frail scholar be doomed if he got involved?
Lin Feng didn't argue with him.
It wasn't that she was bluffing, but rather that her mentioned backup plan might cause Wei Cheng some unpleasant psychological trauma. Since someone had traveled a long way for her, she figured she might get a few sarcastic remarks; it wouldn't hurt her. The rest of the journey went smoothly.
The officials responsible for receiving them upon their departure were very courteous.
Sensing its master's mood, Wei Cheng's skeletal horse snorted. He sneered irritably, "After such a mess last night, you can still cover it up as if nothing happened at dawn... Tsk, your skin is so thick you can't punch it through."
Gong Xichou muttered, "They're all old foxes, why are they pretending to be innocent? I bet you saw them back in the Wu Kingdom."
Wei Cheng sneered: "Our late lord conquered the world with his military might, not with these underhanded schemes and treacherous tricks. Only the weak would resort to such underhanded methods! In the face of absolute power, all schemes and plots are a joke! Do you understand, young man?"
Gong Xiqiu gave a perfunctory "Oh".
He bluntly stabbed the other party in the back, retorting, "The Wu Kingdom was indeed founded on military might, but wasn't it ultimately destroyed by conspiracy?"
One sentence made Wei Cheng want to hit him on the head with a mace.
You brat, why do you have to bring up something you shouldn't say!
Gong Xichou's words hit him where it hurt.
He thought his old comrades were as loyal and devoted as he was back then, but looking back now, he realizes they all had their own agendas, and he was the real clown. The fall of the Wu Kingdom is a hurdle he can never overcome; anyone who mentions it will be attacked!
Luo Sha couldn't help but move closer to Lin Feng.
They were afraid of being caught in the crossfire.
"...I had never heard of a Marquis of Che assisting the royal court before." With the crisis over, Luo Sha's tense nerves could finally relax. He became interested in this "Marquis of Wei" who had fallen from the sky—a Marquis of Che at the twentieth rank was the ultimate dream pursued by all martial arts warriors throughout their lives. It was easy to imagine how attractive Wei City was to him. "I have also heard that General Gongshu is not human."
Gong Shuwu was still far from being a Marquis of the twentieth rank.
If he weren't unfamiliar with the place, he would have liked to go up and ask for advice.
Lin Feng: "I didn't expect Marquis Wei to come."
The Lord had given her advance notice that the people coming to meet them would definitely intimidate the Qu Kingdom, so she didn't need to panic. Lin Feng wasn't afraid; just as she had said, she was confident she could return just as easily. Who wouldn't be happy to lower the overall difficulty?
"...Wei Hou was not a military general in the Kang Kingdom's court. It was only because the lord had some private acquaintance with him, and because he was of pure character and had a chivalrous spirit, that he was able to persuade him to come and help with this matter..." These comments were not hers, but the lord's own words.
Wei Cheng: "...Hmph, it's rare to hear you say something human."
It was worth the long journey he made.
Lin Feng and his group did not immediately return to Kangguo to report back.
Kangguo dismissed Quguo's probing request for grain, allowing Quguo to maintain a stalemate with the central region for a while longer. The domestic situation remained relatively stable for the time being. Lin Feng and his group's next destination was Hua Shen Zixu's territory. Wei Cheng escorted them for a day to ensure no one was following before making his successful withdrawal. Marquis Wei was a principled Marquis! He only agreed to provide temporary assistance to Lin Feng, but made no other promises.
"He really is a strange person."
Even Luo Sha could see the awkwardness in this situation.
With Wei Cheng stepping forward this time, Qu Guo sees him as someone from Kang Guo's camp, and it's too late for him to draw a line now.
Lin Feng looked down at the map, analyzing the route ahead—there were warlord forces fighting nearby, and they needed to cross the border between the two sides; they couldn't afford to go the wrong way. She didn't even look up, saying, "The bottom line is that if you retreat one step, you retreat every step."
If you agree once, you'll agree a second time.
This time it was Wei Cheng; next time it will be the uncle and nephew coming out together.
"The next step is Suginaga County. The lord said he would send troops there, but I don't know if he has taken it or not. If he hasn't, we can take it as a gift." Lin Feng rolled up the map, tossed it into his saddlebag, and nimbly mounted his horse.
"drive--"
Less than fifteen minutes after they left, scouts discovered a corpse lying in the ground.
Judging from the clothing of the corpses, this group was clearly enemy scouts engaged in battle, murdered while on a mission. Searching the bodies and belongings, they were shocked to find that all the military intelligence was there, except for a map which was missing. Could it have been their own people?
When they returned to check the accounts, no one claimed credit for it.
Two flowers bloom, each representing a different branch.
Having failed to intercept Lin Feng and his group, they hurriedly returned to the capital. Before even arriving, they received devastating news at an inn along the way: the situation in the capital had suddenly changed. The message was vague and did not mention any specifics.
When they rushed back, the capital was under martial law.
People frequently splash water and sweep the streets.
Although a whole day had passed, the air still reeked of blood, and in some places, the bloodstains had not yet been cleaned up. The scholar in the blue robe rode into the palace at breakneck speed, relying on his token. The stench of blood was even stronger inside the palace, and the number of palace servants was visibly much smaller. He couldn't help but recall a rumor—the night the late king abdicated the throne to the current emperor was also a scene of carnage.
What other upheaval could compare to that one?
Haha, there really is.
"Prime Minister Yu, what exactly happened in the capital? How serious is it?"
Yu Hai had already learned of the failed interception operation, but he didn't blame the other side when he saw them rushing back—the operation itself wasn't entirely certain, and his superior had even bet him that they might return empty-handed, leaving Yu Hai speechless...
You have no idea how much Shen Youli values her.
It's impossible not to provide Lin Feng with adequate insurance.
Yu Hai scoffed: "If you valued them, why send them here to die?"
[Does loving someone mean keeping them by your side like a child for life?] In Zhai Le's view, as long as they don't die, all the ups and downs and dangers are worth it. [But, what if something happens?]
Lin Feng came over and saw some of Qu Guo's trump cards.
Everything should be done fairly and justly; he should also be shown Kangguo's true colors.
Food supply is crucial, but not the most crucial. Without absolute strength, even mountains of gold and silver can be plundered.
Zhai Le estimated Lin Feng's pace and patiently waited for news from the front.
Before the news even arrived, their own house caught fire.
Yu Hai sighed: "Apart from the Grand Court Assembly, all the other smaller court assemblies have been suspended... How serious do you think it is? I'll take you to see the Lord, just to get down to business. Don't go near him these days and risk offending him."
He said this in a low voice.
"The lord executed several families and even crippled the Prince of Xun. The Prince of Xun is still alive, but his wives, concubines, and children have either been killed or exiled... Forty percent of the palace staff in the royal court have also been wiped out..." Zhai Le's actions this time were far more ruthless than Zhai Huan's back then.
After Zhai Le ascended to the throne, he bestowed the title of king upon all his cousins.
He was to be allowed to retire comfortably at home and focus on having children for the Zhai family, with his daily expenses for his wives, concubines, and children paid for by him.
"King Xun..."
Those were Zhai Huan's own brothers.
Unless it's something serious, Zhai Le wouldn't be willing to touch the other party.
"What...what exactly happened..."
He suddenly became hesitant to hear the truth, fearing he would be implicated.
“…That day at the family banquet, His Highness was late in arriving. The Queen sent someone to invite him, and the palace maid replied that…” Yu Hai lowered his voice to a very low tone, “and replied that His Highness was unwell and unable to come. His Majesty noticed that the palace maid’s demeanor was strange, and worried, he went to visit her himself…and saw His Highness behaving very intimately with the lady-in-waiting of the Left Spring Palace.”
The scholar in the blue robe gasped: "That—"
Yu Hai couldn't bear to recall how chaotic that day was.
Zhai Le, enraged to the point of losing control; the palace maid, terrified and screaming; the queen, stunned and falling ill… The queen's demeanor was strange; the physician came to examine her pulse and said she had come into contact with something that could stimulate blood circulation. Without saying a word, Zhai Le wanted to kill the female official.
Of course, the killing didn't happen.
The Crown Princess stepped forward to stop his execution.
Zhai Le was furious but couldn't bring herself to do anything to her daughter. She ordered the female official to be thrown into the dungeon and tortured until she could extract all her secrets! Her suicide attempt failed, and under the torture of her words, she confessed everything.
It would have been better if they hadn't confessed, because once they did, a bunch of secrets were unearthed!
Her identity as a female official was a lie; her true identity was the "daughter" of a disgraced official whose entire family was massacred by Zhai Le. She paid a price to live in anonymity for revenge: [Ha... I had many opportunities to make Zhai Xiaofang taste the bitterness of a parent outliving their child, but why should he get away with it so easily? I'll make him feel disgusted for the rest of his life! I'll make him feel like he has a fishbone stuck in his throat every time he thinks about it!]
What princess?
[They're nothing but fools, completely manipulated.]
Those who deceive others will always be deceived; this is their retribution!
"That family... weren't all the bodies carefully examined? How could there still be someone who escaped? If it really is that family, this person must have started cultivating at a very old age. Without a foundation or resources, and constantly on the run, how did they manage to cultivate to this level? Are they truly a genius?"
"Because...it was originally a man..."
The female officials sent to the Crown Princess's residence were all carefully selected, and even underwent physical examinations. That particular official had also gone through this process, leaving a detailed file. The coroner also checked when collecting the body; it was indeed a woman! Who would have thought he was a man?
If the person hadn't been so far away and hadn't had no malicious intent, Yu Hai would have suspected that Qi Shan was deliberately trying to provoke him.
The secrets uncovered by this female official don't stop there.
Not only did she have people encouraging and supporting her behind the scenes, but some female officials, knowing that this person had a problem with His Highness, not only turned a blind eye at home but also welcomed it, subtly coaxing His Highness and maliciously leading him to become addicted to it...
"...In private, the atmosphere of vying for favor and currying favor was even more prevalent."
(つД`)
The game is constantly running in the background, and the character appearance is never stopped...
Why doesn't XSJ just take the money out of my pocket...?
I feel like I have to keep updating this lousy game just to keep it afloat _(:з」∠)_
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