Chapter 1522 (1521): The Grand Finale (Twenty-Four) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Tan Qu's intuition told her that the other party was up to no good.
But how could he refuse Yu Hai, who treated him so thoughtfully and meticulously?
“…Guilong, this is inappropriate. After all, I am just a commoner and not a subject of the Qu Kingdom. It is not suitable for me to get involved.” Tan Qu’s gaze shifted from the familiar new clothes. “I remember I once had an identical set of old clothes, didn’t I? Why make two identical sets?”
Yu Hai changes into a new outfit every day, while Tan Qu doesn't have such a need; his clothes don't need to be elaborate, as long as they are clean, tidy, and impolite.
There's even less need to make identical clothes.
"Alas, it's all because we have no one to rely on," Yu Hai said pitifully, sighing repeatedly. "You haven't been in Qu Kingdom for a while, so you probably don't know how perilous the situation is. The situation is beyond our control, and even the lord has to compromise for the sake of the people. But even so, that villain is still arrogant and wants to force the lord to his death. The officials in the court have been sown apart, and now their morale is low."
"Is Kangguo really this arrogant?"
Yu Hai: "The truly domineering one is someone else!"
"You mean Qi Shan, the Grand Secretary and Grand Tutor of the Kang Kingdom?"
"Who else could it be but him? This man used to run rampant in various places and earned the nickname 'wicked schemer.' He is not ashamed of it, but rather proud of it, and he still refuses to change his ways to this day. Knowing him as I do, now that this villain has gained power, he will probably become even more rampant."
Seeing that he was in a bad mood, Tan Qu handed him a cup of tea.
"Clear away the internal heat."
Yu Hai angrily said, "He has a life-or-death feud with you."
Tan Qu should help himself!
"Let's put the matter of our life-or-death feud aside for now..." Tan Qu was interrupted by Yu Hai's glare before he could finish speaking. He swallowed the rest of his words and said, "I understand. I will help Gui Long."
The great edifice is about to collapse, yet the officials of Quguo refuse to listen to Guilong.
Guilong asked for my help, which shows that he has encountered difficulties.
Yu Hai relaxed his brows: "With Le Zheng here, I'm at ease."
Being a teenager, he wasn't as robust and broad-shouldered as an adult man. Furthermore, after waking up, he developed a strong aversion to raw food, refusing to eat unless he couldn't control his urge. Overall, he looked noticeably thinner. His new clothes seemed a bit too loose on him.
Unlike Yu Hai, Tan Qu felt a little guilty.
He didn't think he could be of any help to the other person. However, he swallowed those words the moment he saw the other person's expression and changed the subject: "This matter shouldn't take too long, right?"
Yu Hai knew what Tan Qu meant by those words.
Previously, during the spread of the strange plague, the Qu Kingdom could only barely maintain calm using the treatment plan shared by the Kang Kingdom, and any relaxation could lead to loss of control. Tan Qu unexpectedly discovered that not only did he find the "patients" delicious, but these "patients" were also attracted to him.
He then conceived a bold idea.
He will act as bait to lure away the aggressive "patients".
Furthermore, Tan Qu discovered that as time went on, he could vaguely hear the unconscious groans of these "patients." This discovery led Tan Qu to stop Yu Hai's plan to massacre these "patients": [They seem... not completely dead.]
Yu Hai: [You've seen what their internal organs look like... This is not completely dead? What do you mean by completely dead?]
Tan Qu said: "But I heard them begging for mercy."
Yu Hai: [I didn't hear it, and neither did anyone else.]
Qu Kingdom lacks the medical resources of Kang Kingdom, and it doesn't have as many medical practitioners. Aside from a small number of patients diagnosed early and with mild symptoms, who can be saved, those whose illness has penetrated to the bone marrow must be abandoned. Qu Kingdom also cannot allow these pathogens to roam freely.
A concentrated cleanup is the safest approach.
Even Zhai Le cannot listen to Tan Qu's one-sided account.
But they soon had no time to pay attention to these things.
More and more "patients" are being discovered arriving from the north on the border of Qu Kingdom. These "patients" wear clothing with distinctly foreign characteristics, indicating that cases have also appeared in the northeastern continental countries, and the epidemic is out of control. If left unchecked, this will evolve into a major threat that will engulf Qu Kingdom. Qu Kingdom will then be unable to seek help from Kang Kingdom and will have to find a way to resolve the issue internally.
At this point, Tan Qu brought up the old matter again.
If he could find a way to attract all the "patients" to one place, it would surely alleviate the medical and defense pressure on Quguo.
Yu Hai didn't expect Tan Qu to succeed either.
But he underestimated the special nature of Tanqu.
What he didn't know was that the longer Tan Qu remained lucid, the more attractive he became to the "patients," who saw him as a walking, fragrant piece of Tang Sanzang's flesh. Tan Qu took advantage of this, and with the cooperation of the Qu Kingdom, he created a special island in the middle of a lake to imprison these "patients." The island's edges were surrounded by high walls, which even ordinary low-level martial artists couldn't easily scale, let alone a group of "patients" who were not very agile and had withered, stiff limbs.
Tan Qu, as the prison warden, was in charge of watching over the "patients" on the island.
Over the course of six months, several of the "patients" gradually regained their senses. Although they were not fully recovered, they had the communication abilities of a seven- or eight-year-old child. Tan Qu then hired them to help manage the "patients" on the isolated island, which allowed him to leave for ten days to half a month at a time.
If Yu Hai's negotiations with Kang Guo do not go smoothly and drag on for too long, Tan Qu will have no choice but to leave halfway. He told Yu Hai about his concerns, and Yu Hai pondered for a moment before saying, "As long as Qi Yuanliang doesn't interfere, it shouldn't take too long."
Tan Qu, still thinking about the isolated island, said, "That's good."
As the sun rose higher, he could only seek refuge in the shade indoors.
The guard, who knew Tan Qu somewhat, watched him leave, lost in thought. Only after Tan Qu had gone far away did the guard say, "I have a question. Although Kang Kingdom is powerful, we are not without the ability to retaliate. If... if Young Master Tan is willing, perhaps..."
Yu Hai: "Or what? Why did you stop talking?"
The guard knelt down, as if to apologize.
Yu Hai added, "Perhaps we can use Tan Qu's control over those 'patients' to make him command those monsters who are unaware of life, death, and pain to stand in front of the two armies? And let the soldiers of Qu Kingdom use them as shields?"
The guard sensed the displeasure in Yu Hai's words and lowered his head even further.
"Not to mention that this method is vicious and goes against the natural order, he wouldn't do such a thing..." If even the guards could think of it, how could Yu Hai not? When he discovered Tan Qu's special ability, he had already thought of this despicable method, but it was just a thought.
It's not that he has high moral standards.
It was simply because he knew Tan Qu would never agree.
Once this door is opened, and the powerful and wealthy of Qu Kingdom learn of Tan Qu's existence and how he can be exploited in this way, they will stop at nothing to squeeze every last drop of oil out of Tan Qu's small body.
This goes against Yu Hai's original intention.
He Yu Hai boasted that he was immoral, but not lacking in conscience.
They are fundamentally different from those lunatics in the Pantheon.
Reviving Tan Qu was his way of repaying a debt of gratitude, not repaying kindness with enmity.
"There's no need to bring this up again."
The guard broke out in a cold sweat: "Yes, sir."
The mission departed at dawn, and Tan Qu had to wear a dark, heavy veil that covered his feet, shielding every inch of his skin from the sunlight. Yu Hai would occasionally send someone to check on his condition, and if he was feeling unwell, he should go to the carriage to avoid the light.
Tan Qu shook his head and politely declined the offer.
The other members of the delegation occasionally cast strange glances at Tan Qu.
I wonder whose young master this is.
The current situation is not suitable for people with connections to come in and boost their qualifications.
When this news reached Yu Hai, he said, "What do you know? This young man is a very important person."
After these words were spoken, no one dared to say anything more.
Having received advance notice, Kang Ying sent men to meet them ten miles outside the camp. Xu Quan rode forward and asked, "Is that Prime Minister Yu Guilong ahead?"
Yu Hai said, "Did Qi Yuanliang send you?"
Looking Xu Quan up and down, Qi Yuanliang could tell at a glance that he was a military general of considerable importance, and he was slightly satisfied—Qi Yuanliang knew how to conduct himself.
Xu Quan said, "That's right."
Behind him, soldiers marched out in orderly ranks to escort the delegation.
These soldiers weren't dressed for battle, and they didn't exude a murderous aura; instead, their brows displayed a high level of discipline and spirit. Yu Hai calmly withdrew his gaze, saying with displeasure, "Is this some kind of show of force?"
"This is the Grand Tutor's intention; he said Prime Minister Yu will understand."
Yu Hai sneered, took something out of his pocket and tossed it to Xu Quan, saying rudely, "Then give this to him, and he will understand."
Xu Quan looked down.
Yu Hai tossed over an accessory that wasn't of very good quality.
Then Yu Hai, whip in hand, sat arrogantly on his horse, speaking rudely: "Let him come here in person! If he doesn't come today, I will not set foot in the Kang camp. Just tell him that, whether he comes or not is up to him!"
Xu Quan felt slightly annoyed.
They wondered whether these people were there to negotiate or to cause trouble.
The rest of the Qu Kingdom delegation were also terrified.
I don't understand what's wrong with Yu Hai. Why did he suddenly start an attack and deliberately provoke Qi Shan, the current leader of Kangguo?
Isn't this a blatant attempt to make things difficult for them?
Yu Hai remained unmoved, and Xu Quan could only suppress his anger.
He gave a perfunctory bow, making this trip on Yu Hai's behalf.
Tan Qu at the back of the line: "..."
A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes beneath the heavy veil.
Gui Long is not such an arrogant and domineering person.
What's wrong today?
Qi Shan, who was sitting in the camp waiting for news, raised an eyebrow: "What idiot possessed him? Openly provoking me to come out of the camp to greet him?"
Yu Guilong isn't that brainless.
Xu Quan presented an item with both hands.
"That person said the Grand Tutor would understand his meaning..."
His words were interrupted by a shattering sound.
Xu Quan looked up and saw that the usually composed Grand Tutor Kang Guo was now completely unsteady, almost staggering as he ran to him, holding the accessory in his hands. His facial muscles twitched with a complex range of emotions, finally settling on a look of overwhelming rage.
Qi Shan gritted her teeth: "What a Yu Guilong!"
The old friend's belongings that Lin Su took out back then were given to her by Yu Hai!
Xu Quan didn't hear clearly; he only felt a gust of wind brush past his ear. He turned his head and saw Qi Xiang striding towards his warhorse. The wind blowing outside the tent filled his robes, making him look like a furious moth. Then the moth leaped onto the horse and rode off.
The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance.
Xu Quan stamped his foot anxiously: "Grand Tutor, wait for me!"
I don't know how a scholar could run faster than a military general.
Seeing the dust rising in the distance, Yu Hai smiled knowingly.
"Long time no see, Qi Qing."
He seemed oblivious to the murderous rage on Qi Shan's face.
Qi Shan gripped the accessory tightly.
He tried hard to suppress his anger, but the bulging veins on his forehead betrayed his true feelings: "You, how dare you desecrate him?"
"Desecration? You mean these burial objects?"
A few words were enough to ignite Qi Shan's murderous intent.
Yu Hai added fuel to the fire: "Qi Qing, you can't be so unreasonable. Your master, that infamous Shen Jun, has dug up countless ancestral graves over the years. She can disturb the peace of the dead and plunder their property, but for me, that would be blasphemy?"
So you'll be fine as long as you don't dig up your own grave, right?
Don't ask Yu Hai why he's angry.
His ancestral graves were also dug up.
However, considering that ancestors are dispensable, he didn't mind.
Qi Shan didn't argue with him.
Where did you bury his body?
Yu Hai admires the collapse beneath Qi Shan's feigned calm.
"I know you're in a hurry, but Qi Qing, don't rush." He had imagined this scene countless times, but only now that it was actually happening did he realize that imagination was not as satisfying as reality. Yu Hai toyed with the whip in his hand, resisting the urge to slap Qi Shan's face, and spoke even more slowly.
"Yu! Gui! Long!"
Yu Hai couldn't suppress the smile playing on his lips. Behind him, Tan Qu saw Yu Hai, on horseback, slightly bend down and whisper in the ear of Qi Shan, supposedly his enemy: "Don't rush, let's settle this privately. Minister Qi, you are now the Grand Secretary of the State, how can you let personal matters interfere with your official duties?"
Even the most devastating events must wait until negotiations are concluded.
"Qi Qing shouldn't have forgotten what I told you back then." Looking at Qi Shan's ashen face, Yu Hai felt pleased.
Xu Quan, who was standing nearby, quickly interrupted the two of them.
He was in a real hurry.
Physician Fang Liu gave an extra instruction: Qi Xiang's brain meridians had been injured before, and even after healing, they were not as strong as before. He should try not to get angry to avoid aggravating the old injury. However, he could not say this openly in the current situation, lest the enemy country seize on his weakness.
Qi Shan took a deep breath: "You'll regret this."
Yu Hai gestured for him to proceed.
"I am new to Kangying, shouldn't you, Qi Qing, show me the proper hospitality?" After saying that, he gave Qi Shan a meaningful and subtle look, reminding Qi Shan not to do anything rash, since he had Qi Shan's weakness in his hands.
Qi Shan: "..."
His expression was so ugly it looked like he'd eaten shit.
After a long pause, he finally said, "Don't shout like that, it's disgusting."
What do you mean by "Qi Qing"? Even the Lord doesn't call him that.
Yu Hai pressed his advantage.
He wanted Qishan to lead his horse; he wouldn't move unless Qishan led it!
Qi Shan: "..."
Although Qi Shan's expression was not much, Tan Qu's intuition told him that Grand Tutor Qi was in a bad mood and on the verge of exploding.
Tan Qu, as if possessed, said, "I'll lead it."
The negotiations between the two countries were ostensibly on equal footing.
How can one prime minister lead the horse for another prime minister?
Kangguo could not tolerate this humiliation.
Tan Qu was worried that the two groups would start fighting here.
Normally, a fight wouldn't break out, but Yu Hai was acting strangely today. Worried about the potential negative consequences of the conflict, Tan Qu reluctantly stepped in to smooth things over, hoping Yu Hai would act a little more normally for his sake. Little did he know, his words would only make the already awkward atmosphere even stranger, drawing everyone's attention, including Qi Shan, who had a blood feud with Tan Qu.
Qi Shan frowned as she looked at Tan Qu, who walked forward from the back of the group.
The latter wore a thick, airtight veil, completely covering his entire body. Outsiders couldn't even see what shoes he was wearing; they could only roughly judge his age from his outline. Judging from his figure and voice, he was probably a young boy.
sound……
It sounds somewhat familiar.
Qi Shan didn't pay much attention to him, but she accepted the other's offer of a way out, thinking to herself that although this person was traveling with Yu Hai, he wasn't the type to cause trouble. The boy's voice was slightly hoarse; he knew his behavior was inappropriate, but there was no going back now.
"Metaphor?"
No one knew how depressed Yu Hai was at that moment.
"snort."
He was unhappy, but he acquiesced to the boy leading Qi Shan's horse.
Tan Quchong bowed respectfully and said, "Please, Prime Minister Qi, mount your horse. Do not disregard the people of both nations for personal vendettas."
Qi Shan retorted angrily, "You should say that to your prime minister."
Who exactly is it that starts acting unreasonably and being sarcastic the moment we meet?
(▼ヘ▼#)
Yu Hai: It's worthless.
Praying for good: It's not worth it.
Tan Qu: ? ? ?
(End of this chapter)
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