Chapter 99, Chapter Ninety-Nine: A Plea for Mercy, Chapter Ninety-Nine (Part 1)...
Chapter Ninety-Nine: A Visit to Plead for Mercy
Despite saying that, Linghao was still quite curious about the Kyoto massacre back then. What this emperor was doing would have been enough to draw attention even in other dynasties. After all, there were many emperors who killed their fathers, sons, brothers, and relatives, but it was rare to see someone wipe out the entire royal family.
Gongzi Yu guessed that his busy older sister thought those people were too many and that killing them would be quieter. Moreover, his desperately poor older sister might also think that with fewer members of the royal family, less money would be needed.
He recalled the joy on his sister's face when they were alone and concluded that his guess was correct.
Ling Hao: "..."
She looked at Gongzi Yu with an extremely complicated expression. "Does your older sister know how much you miss her? And can't this just be a normal power struggle?" "Forget it, let's not continue this discussion, or who knows where it will lead."
"I'm going to practice my sword in a bit, do you want to come with me?" Let's change the subject. Ling Hao's daily sword practice is done without fail, rain or shine.
Of course, if there's a strong wind or heavy rain, she'll practice her swordplay indoors. She's not stupid; if there's room indoors, why would she go out into the wind and rain?
"Yes." Gongzi Yu nodded quickly. "I'll play the zither for Ahao, okay?" He liked Ahao, liked every different side of her, but secretly he thought she was most beautiful when she was dancing with a sword, shining like a star. He felt that being a supporting character at that moment was already a great happiness.
“Okay.” Linghao nodded in agreement. His piano playing was so beautiful, of course she wanted him to stay by her side.
Unfortunately, Gongzi Yu's wish to play the zither for his beloved Ahao was thwarted, as the emperor summoned him to the palace. Perhaps this was the price he paid for his cricket-playing? In any case, Gongzi Yu entered the palace with a somber face and great reluctance.
Linghao had no choice but to practice her swordsmanship on her own. After one round, she stood in the small garden with Suixue in her arms, feeling that it was too quiet and a little empty.
“Miss,” Shici said, standing at the moon gate, “Chu Liuxiang requests an audience.”
"Chu Liuxiang?" Ling Hao was somewhat surprised. How did he find his way here? "Please invite him in." She looked around. "He's in the pavilion."
"Okay." Shici nodded.
Ling Hao sheathed the Broken Snow Sword, regulated his breathing in a few breaths, and then sat down in the pavilion to wait for the guests to arrive.
Chu Liuxiang was able to find the villa thanks to his friends. Although their reputation in the capital wasn't as widespread as Su Mengzhen's and Di Feijing's, they had their own connections. When Chu Liuxiang wanted to find someone, he went to them first.
That's how he found out where Linghao was staying.
The houses in this area are reserved for powerful figures in the imperial court, as the land deeds are held by the royal family. Unless granted by the emperor, no one, regardless of their status, can live here. Not even the wealthiest merchant or the most skilled martial artist in the land can reside here.
Chu Liuxiang had already suspected it when he entered; the man holding the token was indeed a member of the royal family. He just didn't understand how the man could mobilize so many people and interfere in the affairs of the martial world. That was the reason he had come.
He followed the poem through the moon gate and looked up to see Linghao sitting in the pavilion. The breeze was gentle and the sun was warm; behind her was a field of jasmine blossoms, their pure white petals making her appear even more like frost and snow. But compared to the cold frost and snow, she possessed a warmth that added to her beauty.
"Master Chu." Seeing Chu Liuxiang approaching, Ling Hao stood up to greet him.
"Miss, I'm sorry to have bothered you so much." Chu Liuxiang stepped forward.
"How could it be an intrusion? It is an honor to have you grace us with your presence, General Chu." Linghao stepped aside to invite him in.
Chu Liuxiang sat in the pavilion, sizing up Ling Hao's striking beauty, and couldn't help but sigh, "It's only been a short time since I last saw you, Miss Ling, and your sword intent has become even stronger. It seems your swordsmanship has improved." He couldn't help but laugh at his own poor judgment earlier. Ling Hao was nothing like Shuangxue; she should be described as a divine weapon of our time.
How can you say that this intense sword intent, which seems to cut people, is not a divine weapon?
Ling Hao then noticed that although she had calmed her breathing, she hadn't concealed her sword intent. She smiled sheepishly and quickly withdrew it, saying, "You flatter me, Master Chu." Her decision surprised Chu Liuxiang even more. He had seen people with sword intent before, but he had never seen anyone so easily control it. New talents emerge in every generation, and each new generation surpasses the old.
After a few pleasantries, Chu Liuxiang's face showed a hint of embarrassment. "Miss, the reason I have come here so abruptly is that I have a favor to ask of you."
"What matter requires you to use the word 'beg' to help me, Xiang Shuai?" Ling Hao chuckled as he poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Chu Xiang Shuai. "And what is it that makes me need to help you, Xiang Shuai?"
She wondered if Chu Liuxiang had gotten into some big trouble and needed a sharp sword, which was why he had come to her. After thinking it over, Ling Hao realized that the only thing she could do to help him was with her sword.
"Or rather, I came here to plead for mercy," Chu Liuxiang said with a deep breath and a helpless expression.
"Plead for mercy?" Ling Hao's mind immediately flashed back to the person he had recently beaten up and thrown into jail. "Are you pleading for a womanizer? Or a murderer? Or perhaps a notorious bandit?"
Aside from Bai Choufei, Fang Yingkan, and Jin Jiuling, the people she's been beating up lately have mostly fallen into these categories. "If you, Xiang Shuai, are going to plead for them, I can only say that I'm afraid I can't help you. They've violated the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Once I bring them to justice, the subsequent matters are no longer my concern. Besides, they deserve what they got, and I won't let them go."
As she said this, her expression darkened considerably. If Chu Liuxiang were to plead for them, then she shouldn't blame her for turning ruthless. Hmph.
Chu Liuxiang quickly explained, "That's not it. I'm not pleading for those people." He was well-informed in the capital and knew what Ling Hao had been doing all this time, as well as who she had arrested.
Those people have committed numerous evils, and since they have been arrested, they should be punished according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Why would he plead for them? If he did, he would despise himself.
“That’s more like it.” Ling Hao nodded, then looked at him with a hint of doubt. “If it’s not them, then who is Xiang Shuai pleading for? Bai Choufei?”
Chu Liuxiang shook his head, "I have no dealings with that person, and besides, he's among the people your young lady just mentioned, isn't he?"
"Is that Fang Yingkan?" Ling Hao asked again.
“No, not exactly.” Chu Liuxiang continued to shake his head. “I have no dealings with that young marquis, and besides, I know you have your reasons for targeting him.” He had vaguely heard that Fang Yingkan’s arrest was related to the Youqiao Group.
Given that, how could he possibly plead for Fang Yingkan?
"Is that Jin Jiuling?" Ling Hao continued to ask.
Chu Liuxiang shook his head again, "Jin Jiuling and I can be described as government officials and bandits, how could we possibly have any friendship?" If he were caught by Jin Jiuling, it might just be one of his achievements.
"So who is it?" Ling Hao didn't want to guess anymore; she couldn't guess. Sigh, she felt these martial arts figures were really inconcise, especially those from Gu Long's world. They always liked to beat around the bush and use cryptic language, making it really difficult for her.
Can the riddle teller get out of here?
Chu Liuxiang probably sensed Ling Hao's emotions and quickly said, "It's Nangong Ling."
“Nangong Ling?” Ling Hao was genuinely surprised. “Isn’t he in Jiangnan? How did he get involved with me again? I’ve never laid a hand on Nangong Ling, and I’ve never even met him.”
Of course, if she were to meet Nangong Ling, the first thing she would do would be draw her sword. However, she wouldn't tell Chu Liuxiang this; she believed she had a firm grasp on matters of social etiquette.
“I’m not saying Nangong Ling is in your hands, but rather in the hands of the young master beside you,” Chu Liuxiang sighed.
When he received the message from the Beggars' Sect disciple, he was completely bewildered. Nangong Ling had been captured? And brought to the capital? Had he offended someone? After regaining his senses, Chu Liuxiang inquired throughout the capital and eventually learned about the young master beside Ling Hao.
Actually, it was because he was so open and even used people from the imperial court that Chu Liuxiang found out it was him. He didn't understand what entanglement existed between Nangong Ling and that young master, but he thought it was better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. If there was no deep-seated hatred, why not sit down and have a drink together?
So, Chu Liuxiang came looking for him. He originally wanted to meet the young master, but the poetry girl said he wasn't there, so he thought of looking for Ling Hao instead. Besides, Chu Liuxiang had already noticed that the young master cared a lot about Ling Hao.
If she's willing to lend a hand, it should be much more effective.
"Ah Yu sent someone to capture Nangong Ling? Why didn't he tell her?" Ling Hao didn't show her doubts, but shook her head and said, "I'm sorry, Commander Xiang, I can't help you with this matter either."
"Why?" Chu Liuxiang asked, puzzled. Weren't the people Nangong Ling and Ling Hao had arrested different from those he'd captured before?
"You should have guessed it by now, Ah Yu has some royal blood." Actually, that's an understatement. Gongzi Yu is the emperor's cousin, and his lineage is the closest to the emperor. Otherwise, Gongzi Yu's biological father wouldn't have been so confident in plotting a rebellion. It was because he was the late emperor's brother that he believed he was more qualified than his brother to sit on the throne.
As it turned out, he was overthinking things, and he also implicated his wife, as well as the brothers Gongzi Yu and Mingyue Nu.
Chu Liuxiang nodded, "I know." If one is not a member of the royal family, or someone close to the emperor, how could one command the officials? He and many others knew that the emperor was ruthless towards the imperial family, showing no mercy whatsoever.
If they were just ordinary members of the imperial family, they would probably already be buried deep in the earth. Only close relatives could survive and possess the emperor's token.
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Author's Note: Chu Liuxiang: It was precisely because I knew his identity was extraordinary that I could only plead for him instead of kidnapping him. [emoji]
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