Chapter 565: Sneaking into the Palace (New January, please guarantee the minimum monthly ticket)
Dadada...
The sound of horse hooves hitting the stone floor, mixed with the sound of wheels rolling, the entire carriage was like a ghost, shuttling through the morning mist.
Zhao Duan was surprised to see the carriage speeding through Yongjia City through the curtain that was shaking on one side, but the early risers seemed to ignore the carriage.
After a while, the carriage arrived at the city gate. There was no need for him to reveal his identity. The carriage passed through the thick city wall like a ghost and appeared outside the city.
After leaving the city, the "unicorn" became more and more unbridled, with its four hooves almost in the air and its traction wheels seeming to leave the ground.
Zhao Duan felt as if he was riding on a "ghost train". The mountains and forests in front of him were flat as if on the ground, and the trees were flying backwards outside the window.
"Is this car also a talisman?" Zhao Duan retracted his gaze and looked at the jade sleeve beside him.
The carriage was only of average size, and it was extremely difficult to squeeze five people in, like sardines in a can.
Zhong Pan was sitting outside the carriage driving the car, Lang Shiba and Ji Yue were at the very edge, and the golden tablet was further inside.
Zhao Duan and Yuxiu were tucked in the innermost part, their bodies almost sticking together.
"It's not really a car, but the materials used to build it are somewhat special. It can travel a thousand miles a day, thanks to the strange beast with its peculiar bloodline and the spell cast by Senior Brother Zhong." Yuxiu explained.
Then he twisted his body uncomfortably, trying to find a more comfortable sitting position:
"Brother Zhong, if we can go at full speed, we can reach our destination quickly. And it will be concealed enough."
It feels awkward, Taoist priest, it feels awkward... Zhao Duan felt uncomfortable all over and felt the air in the car was stuffy. He tried to twitch his arms, and his elbow hit the soft spot.
Feeling the sharp gaze from Yu Xiu, he shaved the scalp of Jin Jian, who was leaning against his arms, expressionlessly.
"Sit up straight! You're crowding me."
Because it was bright outside, Jin Jian, whose eyelids began to droop, was suddenly hit. Bewildered, he turned his head, let out a pitiful "oh", and curled up into a ball.
The little butt twisted and turned, trying to find a comfortable position for sleeping, mumbling:
"Put away the flying knife. It's scratching me."
Zhao Duan: "..."
At this time, Zhong Pan, who was sitting cross-legged in the car, asked in a deep voice without turning his head:
"You came in such a hurry. You only said you were going to Jingchuan. Where exactly is that? Or are you going straight to where King Mu is?"
Zhao Duan shook his head: "No."
He had other plans for this and wanted to find an assistant before assassinating Xu Jingtang.
…
…
Jingchuan Town, a forest garden for hundreds of generations.
This is King Mu’s temporary residence.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the beautiful mountain, water and forest garden was solemn.
Xu Jingtang was wearing armor, military uniform, holding a long sword, and sweating profusely in the martial arts field.
"boom!"
The heavy sword chopped down, and a human-shaped target standing on the field was shattered into pieces!
“Huff…Huff…”
Xu Jingtang was leaning on his sword, breathing heavily, sweating profusely, and his eyes were filled with bloodshot.
"Your Majesty..."
Beautiful concubines came forward with towels soaked in clean water in their hands, and tried to carefully remove and wipe his armor.
"Bitch!"
Unexpectedly, Xu Jingtang cursed violently and suddenly swept his sword across, cutting off the concubine's crown with a bang.
"Ah! Your Majesty, please spare me! Your Majesty, please spare me!"
The concubine in a low-cut dress had her black hair disheveled. She whimpered, knelt on the ground, trembling, her legs limp, and begged for mercy in fear.
A group of servants around also knelt on the ground.
As attendants in the palace, they all knew that when the prince was angry, he would really vent his anger and kill people randomly!
"Get out!" Fortunately, although Xu Jingtang was angry, he did not completely lose control. The "bitch" he just called did not seem to be directed at the concubines present.
Suddenly, the servants and concubines fled in a panic as if they had been pardoned.
The prince has been in a bad mood recently!
Ever since Zhao Ke'er ran away, Xu Jingtang has never smiled.
He originally thought that with the ability of the embroidered clothes to point directly, combined with the layers of guards, he could always stop it after a thousand miles.
Unexpectedly, the imperial guards were more difficult to deal with than expected. They chased them all the way, and the paper cranes that Nie Yurong kept sending back showed that they were not able to intercept them.
Instead, he folded a lot of embroidered clothes and pointed directly at them.
"Waste, a bunch of waste!"
Xu Jingtang wanted to kill someone.
Unfortunately, Nie Yurong had already fled Jingchuan County on the pretext of being pursued, thus escaping the disaster.
What really made Xu Jingtang furious was the latest news he received last night.
The group sent to Yongjia City to investigate Zhao Shixiong's embroidered clothes pointed out that he had escaped with serious injuries and risked his life to bring back important intelligence:
"Zhao Shixiong has rebelled. He publicly executed the palace's military supervisor and slaughtered all the palace's officers. He then opened the city gates to welcome the Beijing troops into the city!"
The thing I was most worried about finally happened.
"Father——"
In the distance, the second young master, also in military uniform, hurried over. He looked at his father, who was standing in front of the tattered puppet, leaning on his sword. He stopped and dared not move forward. He clasped his fists and said:
"Father, the army has been assembled and will immediately march north to intercept the imperial troops."
"Also, the ships and convoys responsible for transferring the supplies have been dispatched."
After learning of Zhao Shixiong's rebellion, King Mu held an emergency meeting late last night to formulate a strategy:
The troops of Jingchuan County will be divided into two groups. One group will go north and intercept Zhao Shixiong by taking advantage of the terrain.
One group started evacuation and tried to transport Huaishui materials back to Yunfu as soon as possible within the limited time.
"Rather than fighting to the death with the imperial court and letting Prince Jing take advantage, it is better to take away the supplies and retain the troops. As long as we evacuate in time, relying on the strategic location of Yunfu, Zhao Shixiong will find it difficult to attack Yunfu Road."
"By then, he will definitely turn around and join forces with Xue Shence to deal with the Jiancheng Dao Jing Wang army."
At the meeting, King Mu's adviser made a proposal.
Based on the principle of "a friend's death is better than my own death", Xu Jingtang nodded happily.
At this moment, he straightened his hunched back inch by inch, took a deep breath, and adjusted his emotions. Then he turned back and looked at his second son with a gentle and loving expression:
"You've done well. Zhao Shixiong has defected to the enemy, and I, your father, should have led the army to resist. However, evacuation is more urgent. I have no choice but to have you lead the troops north on my behalf. Are you afraid?"
The Second Young Master spoke passionately and resolutely, "Zhao Ke'er was kidnapped. This is my son's fault. How can I trouble my father to clean up this mess? I will stop the thief Zhao outside of Jingchuan!"
"Having a son like this comforts me greatly." Xu Jingtang encouraged with a smile:
"Today's retreat is not a rout, but a strategic shift. When we retreat to Yunfu, we will leave them with an empty shell. When the snow melts in the spring of next year, we will launch a counterattack and will be unstoppable."
The second young master nodded in agreement.
This set of rhetoric was spread to the entire Yunfu rebel army in order to stabilize the morale of the army.
"Go ahead."
Xu Jingtang gave a few more instructions, watched the second young master stride away, and led the army in the city to march out.
After the Second Young Master left, Xu Jingtang said, "Come out."
Not far away, an inconspicuous figure walked out:
"What are your orders, my Lord?"
Xu Jingtang looked straight ahead, gazing out at the garden:
"Go keep an eye on the major Huaishui families in Jingchuan County and make preparations. When I give the order, I will invite the leaders of these families back to Yunfu."
Xu Jingtang was unwilling to keep these local gentry.
However, this action cannot be taken too early, so as not to provoke strong resistance from these nobles.
We also need to see how the situation develops. If Prince Jing is willing to send troops to support us, we don't have to withdraw.
The leader pointed at by the embroidered robe said, "What if anyone disobeys?"
Xu Jingtang's eyes were filled with murderous intent:
"They have no choice but to obey! Humph, there was one Zhao Shixiong who rebelled, and there can't be another one."
"Then the Huai'an Palace also wants one?"
"Of course. When the time comes, you will personally lead the team to do it. If necessary, you can ask the people from the Shenlong Temple for assistance." Xu Jingtang said calmly, "Please invite them respectfully, so as to avoid the other princes gossiping that I am ruthless."
"yes!"
The leader took the order, retreated step by step, and then disappeared.
Xu Jingtang stood alone in the martial arts field for a while before throwing away his sword and walking to the deepest part of the garden with a stern face.
Deep in the garden, a tightly closed gate is covered with ivy.
Xu Jingtang pushed the door open with both hands, and saw that in the elegant courtyard, there were sorcerers stationed there. They were wearing white mourning clothes, holding white banners, and had palm-sized coffins of different colors hanging around their waists.
"This king wants to see the sect leader."
Xu Jingtang said coldly.
A disciple in white robes made a "please" gesture, and soon, King Mu saw a person sitting cross-legged on the ground in the inner courtyard.
He was wearing a pure white hood that covered his entire body.
"The imperial army is heading south, it's time for you to contribute." Xu Jingtang said coldly.
The pure white hood was slowly raised, and as the wind blew, strands of silvery-white, flowing and shiny hair fluttered out from the hood.
"Can."
…
…
Zhong Pan's carriage was very fast, but because it set out two days late, when it arrived at Jingchuan Town, it deliberately avoided the place where the two armies were fighting.
But one can also clearly feel the atmosphere of war in the air.
When this ghost carriage passed through the city gate and entered Jingchuan County, the sun had just set.
The night was like a veil, covering the horizon, and the entire sky was dark blue.
Zhao Duan looked out the curtain at the few pedestrians on the street and said calmly:
"Do you feel it?"
Yuxiu was sitting cross-legged in meditation, chanting the meditation mantra all the way. At this moment, she opened her eyes and looked at him suspiciously:
"Feel what?"
"Fear." In the dark carriage, Zhao Duan's eyes were deep:
"Prince Mu is afraid, and so is the entire Jingchuan County. This is a good sign. This kind of atmosphere also appeared in the capital when the six rebel kings entered the capital and the Qingzhou army approached the city. Now it's their turn."
Jin Jian opened her eyes from her sleep. The girl slowly climbed out of Zhao Duan's arms, took out her gold-rimmed glasses and put them on, and said softly:
"The moonlight is beautiful tonight."
Around the 15th of every month, the stars and the moon shine brightest at night.
This was also the period when the power of the Golden Tablet Magic was the strongest.
Only when it is dark and the stars and moon are bright can the golden tablet exert its true power.
This also means that if Zhao Duan wants to take action, it is best to do it at night.
Zhong Pan held the reins in his hand, without looking back. His tall figure was like a mountain, reassuring. He then said:
"Boy, we've arrived now. Shouldn't you tell me where you're going?"
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"According to intelligence, Xu Jingtang is stationed at Baishi Garden. However, given the current situation, old intelligence may not be accurate. Therefore, our first stop tonight is the Huai'an Palace."
Huai'an Palace? Everyone was a little surprised.
Zhao Duan continued:
"If all goes well, we will take action tonight to capture and kill Xu Jingtang. You must also be prepared."
Hearing this, everyone in the car felt a chill in their hearts, not because of fear, but rather a little excitement.
After holding it in for the whole journey, they were almost exhausted and couldn't wait to fight and stretch their muscles.
However, Zhao Duan, the "mastermind", was extremely cautious about this action and was vaguely worried.
Zhang Yanyi's words with him in the capital kept lingering in his mind.
If there was no major crisis on this trip, the old Taoist priest would not have given him the secret bag to save his life. This is almost a clear indication.
But at the same time, Lao Zhang's failure to dissuade also means that the danger is controllable.
"So, the danger exists, but it should be within controllable limits? However, the revelations bestowed by Heaven are inherently vague and can be altered; they are not predetermined fate.
Therefore, I must act before they discover our infiltration. I cannot delay for too long, but I must also obtain sufficient intelligence or bring in help."
While Zhao Duan was thinking, the ghost carriage passed through the streets, went into the alleys, and turned the last corner.
The carriage suddenly stopped in an alley.
"We've arrived at the palace."
Zhong Pan's low voice sounded, and he said jokingly:
"Shouldn't I need to drive the carriage into the mansion?"
It would be best if you are willing to deliver it to my door… Zhao Duan complained in his heart, but a smile appeared on his face:
"Brother, you're joking."
Several people who had been feeling depressed for a long time came out of the carriage one after another.
The white unicorn exhaled air, and Zhong Pan grabbed a bag of strange food, hung it around the white horse's neck, and let it eat on its own.
"call……"
Zhao Duan stepped on the ground with both feet, exhaled deeply, and felt the cool breeze of the autumn night blowing away the heat all over his body.
My body feels a little lighter.
Yuxiu, Jinjian, Lang Shiba, and Jiyue were also stretching their hands and feet, and then turned their gaze to the outside of the alley, where there was an extremely imposing and large mansion diagonally across the street.
Hidden under the red lanterns at the main gate is a huge plaque that reads "Huai'an Prince's Palace".
"We can't go in directly. I'm afraid someone is watching nearby. It's best to hide our tracks first to avoid being noticed by King Mu." Zhao Duan said, turning his gaze to the three disciples of Tianshi Mansion.
Warlocks are better at this kind of thing.
As night fell, Jin Jian, who was exceptionally energetic and lively, pushed his glasses, volunteered, and raised his hand:
"I'll do it!"
She still remembered that Zhao Duan promised to give bonuses to those who performed well, so she was very motivated.
The young priestess grabbed a staff with one hand, which looked like it was made of a vine and had a golden single eye fixed on the top.
She held the staff and drew a circle in the air in front of her with the pointed end.
“Squeak—”
Dots of mottled starlight gathered together, following the traces drawn by the staff, and condensed into an illusory full moon.
Teleportation!
Back then, in the battle to capture Zhuang Xiaocheng on the Huai River Road, Jin Jian had used this signature technique, which could allow people to cross space within a short distance.
Jin Jiandan stepped into the full moon, and grabbed Zhao Duan with his free hand. Zhao Duan grabbed the jade sleeve... One by one, like a string of candied haws, they entered the full moon.
The young Taoist priest Zhong Pan did not enter, but remained beside the carriage and smiled:
"I'm keeping watch outside."
In name, it was to spread the word, but in reality it was to prevent the presence of spies from Prince Mu's Mansion around. If the whereabouts of Zhao Duan and others were exposed, someone would want to deliver a letter.
Zhong Pan can intercept at the periphery to prevent his whereabouts from being leaked and causing the operation to fail.
Even if there were experts in the Huai'an Palace, it would be impossible for them to defeat Zhao Duan and his four companions in a short period of time.
If there is an unexpected event, Zhong Pan will be able to provide support immediately.
In the alley, the four people disappeared, and the full moon shrank into a point of light and disappeared.
…
Deep inside the Huai Palace.
In a certain garden, a full moon appeared out of thin air.
Zhao Duan and the other three stepped out and put their feet on the ground. They saw mountains, rocks, and vegetation all around them, and pavilions and towers in the distance.
"Where is this? It seems to be the inner house instead of the front yard."
Zhao Duan had never been to the Huai'an Palace, but the general structure of the garden mansion was always similar.
He looked around, trying to determine his direction.
Jin Jian awkwardly held his eye sockets and stammered, "I don't know the way either..."
The main feature is a random teleportation, just tell me whether you got in or not.
"Well, let's investigate before taking action..."
As Zhao Duan was speaking, his ears moved and he vaguely heard the voice of a maidservant talking in front of him.
Following the sound, I saw red lanterns approaching from afar.
It should be a servant on night patrol.
Zhao Duan was wondering whether to avoid it, when suddenly, a figure like an eagle came flying from the nearby roof.
A grey-robed old man can be vaguely seen!
"Who dares to trespass into the palace?"
As soon as the words fell, two violent gusts of wind blew over, and in the garden, the wind was blowing violently, and sand and stones were flying!
…
Typos should be corrected first and then replaced
(End of this chapter)
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