activa-t Chapter 163 It turns out Qin Mu didn't actually have any terrestrial immortals by his side! Xu
Chapter 163 It turns out Qin Mu didn't actually have any terrestrial immortals by his side! Xu
"Young Master! Master Mo!"
Sikong Xuan's voice was filled with obvious relief, "You're finally back!"
Fan Li's sharp gaze swept over the two men. Seeing that Xu Longxiang's face was gloomy but he had no obvious injuries, he breathed a sigh of relief: "How is he?"
Mo Ya pulled off his mask, revealing a slightly pale face that couldn't hide his excitement.
"The test has been successful!"
His voice trembled slightly with excitement, "We've found out! There's no terrestrial immortal by Qin Mu's side at all!"
"What?!" Sikong Xuan and Fan Li exclaimed simultaneously, their eyes flashing with disbelief.
Mo Ya quickly recounted everything that had just happened:
"I infiltrated the Imperial Garden, where Qin Mu was strolling at night with Miss Jiang. He didn't even have a decent guard with him, appearing completely unguarded. I seized the opportunity, made a move to test him, and aimed straight for his vital point in the back—"
He paused here, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, before his excitement returned:
"Qin Mu's reaction was utterly pathetic! When he saw me, his face turned deathly pale, and he took two steps back, looking completely panicked. If it weren't for... if it weren't for Miss Jiang rushing out to shield him at the crucial moment, I might have killed Qin Mu on the spot!"
"Killed Qin Mu?!" Fan Li gasped. "Mr. Mo, are you sure he really didn't have any hidden experts around him?"
"Absolutely not!"
Mo Ya stated firmly, "When I attacked, my aura locked onto a radius of ten feet. Anyone with a skilled guard would have reacted perfectly. Qin Mu himself acted as if he were completely defenseless, unable even to dodge properly. He relied entirely on Miss Jiang to block that attack for him!"
"If there truly were a celestial being by my side, how could they possibly allow me to escape unscathed so easily?"
A brief silence fell over the courtyard.
The candlelight flickered in the night breeze, casting flickering light and shadow on the faces of the four people.
Sikong Xuan was the first to react, and an excited blush appeared on his old face:
"Good! Good! If that's really the case, then all of Qin Mu's previous performances were just a bluff! That feat of telekinesis on Qinglan Mountain must have been some kind of illusion we don't know about!"
Fan Li also became excited, spinning the white jade chess piece in his hand rapidly:
"Now all the doubts make sense! Why did Qin Mu pretend to be incompetent? Why did he force the young lady to become his concubine? Why did he feign profundity? Because he was afraid! He was afraid of the 300,000 iron cavalry in the north, afraid of the million-strong army of Liyang, and afraid of the forces in the court who were dissatisfied with him!"
"So he fabricated such a colossal lie!"
Fan Li's eyes gleamed with increasing intensity. "Using a non-existent terrestrial deity to intimidate the world and deter everyone from making any rash moves!"
Mo Ya nodded emphatically: "That's exactly right! Although tonight's test failed to kill Qin Mu, it's enough to prove that he doesn't have any so-called terrestrial immortals by his side. We've all been deceived by him!"
All three of them turned their gazes toward Xu Longxiang.
Xu Longxiang stood in the courtyard, the moonlight shining on him and outlining his cold, hard features.
His face was expressionless, like a lifeless statue.
"Your Highness," Sikong Xuan asked cautiously, "what do you think...?"
Xu Longxiang slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the excited faces of the three men.
"Mo Ya," his voice was calm, unusually calm, "you just said... it was Qing Xue who blocked your attack?"
Mo Ya was taken aback, then nodded: "Yes. Miss Jiang suddenly rushed out and stood in front of Qin Mu. I was afraid of hurting her, so I forcibly stopped my attack..."
"Is she badly injured?" Xu Longxiang interrupted him.
"It should only be a superficial wound," Mo Ya recalled. "My subordinate withdrew his attack in time, but the aftershock of the energy grazed her shoulder, drawing some blood, but it was by no means fatal."
Xu Longxiang remained silent for a moment.
The excited atmosphere in the courtyard cooled slightly because of his question.
Seeing this, Fan Li immediately tried to smooth things over:
"Your Highness, this is not Miss Jiang's fault. We did not inform her of the plan beforehand, and it is only natural for her to react in a panic when she was suddenly attacked. Perhaps... she risked her life to gain Qin Mu's trust."
Sikong Xuan quickly echoed:
"Mr. Fan is right. Miss Jiang is in the deep palace, isolated and helpless. If she wants to gain a foothold by Qin Mu's side, she must show unwavering loyalty. This act of blocking the emperor's path, though dangerous, is also an excellent opportunity to demonstrate her loyalty to Qin Mu."
As Xu Longxiang listened to their analysis, his taut jawline relaxed slightly.
Yes.
How could Qingxue possibly really want to protect Qin Mu?
She must have been forced, she must have been trying to gain his trust, she must have been plotting something bigger.
He forced himself to suppress the complex emotions surging within him and nodded: "You're right, I was overthinking it."
The atmosphere in the courtyard became lively again.
"Your Highness," Fan Li's eyes gleamed with calculation, "now that we've ascertained Qin Mu's background, what should we do next?"
Xu Longxiang took a deep breath, his eyes regaining a cold resolve:
"First, immediately share this information with Empress Li Yang. Tell her that Qin Mu has no terrestrial immortals by his side, and that everything before was just a bluff."
"Secondly, we cannot leave the capital tomorrow."
Sikong Xuan was taken aback: "Not leaving? Why?"
"If we leave in a hurry tomorrow, it will make us seem guilty and make Qin Mu suspect that tonight's assassins were related to us."
Fan Li explained on Xu Longxiang's behalf, "We need to act as if everything is normal, even... more open and honest."
Xu Longxiang nodded: "That's right. Tomorrow, I will enter the palace openly, under the pretext of paying my respects to my sister, and at the same time, request to return to the Northern Border the day after tomorrow. In this way, it will be legitimate and will not arouse Qin Mu's suspicion."
"Brilliant!" Sikong Xuan clapped his hands in praise. "The young master's considerations are thorough!"
Mo Ya asked, "Then shall I accompany the Crown Prince to the palace tomorrow?"
"No." Xu Longxiang shook his head. "You and Fan Li stay outside and be ready to provide support at any time. I will only take Mr. Sikong and a few personal guards into the palace."
He paused, then looked at Fan Li:
"Mr. Fan, you have an important matter to attend to tomorrow."
"Please give your orders, Your Highness."
"Go and make contact with Meng Fang, the commander of the Imperial Guards."
A cold glint flashed in Xu Longxiang's eyes. "Tell him that the Northern Border will not forget the help of its friends. If he is willing, after the matter is accomplished, he can be made a king or prime minister, or even granted land and a marquisate."
Fan Li's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Understood, subordinate."
"Okay." Xu Longxiang nodded in satisfaction.
After issuing a series of orders, the four men stood in the courtyard, their faces filled with barely suppressed excitement.
Fan Li muttered to himself, "Qin Mu has no terrestrial deity to protect him, and his own strength is also extremely weak... In this way, the chances of our four-step plan succeeding have greatly increased!"
Sikong Xuan's old eyes reddened: "Heaven has eyes! The Xu family's century-old foundation can finally be revived!"
Mo Ya clenched his fist: "As long as the Crown Prince gives the order, I am willing to be the vanguard, storm the palace, and take that tyrant's head!"
Seeing the three people's excited expressions, Xu Longxiang felt the fire that had been suppressed in his heart for a long time finally ignite completely.
He slowly turned around and looked in the direction of the palace.
Under the moonlight, a fiery light, unlike anything seen before, shone deep within those usually cold and resolute eyes.
Qin Mu...
You deceived the world, you deceived Empress Li Yang, and you deceived me.
But you didn't expect that, did you?
Your lies have been completely exposed tonight.
From now on, it's my turn to make the moves in this game.
........
The Liyang Mission.
Meanwhile, on the top floor of the "Star Gazing Pavilion" at the welcoming post station.
Zhao Qingxue stood alone by the window, holding a secret letter she had just received.
The handwriting on the secret letter was as fine as a mosquito's gnat, clearly indicating that a special secret writing technique was used.
After reading the letter, she slowly raised her head and looked towards the direction of the palace.
The moonlight shone on her face, making her stunningly beautiful face appear exceptionally serene and aloof in the interplay of light and shadow.
"Imperial Preceptor," she called softly.
A gray figure appeared silently behind her; it was Li Chunfeng.
"Your Majesty," Li Chunfeng bowed.
Zhao Qingxue handed him the secret letter: "The message from Xu Longxiang says that they have already tested Qin Mu's background and found out that he has no immortals by his side. All the previous actions were just a bluff."
Li Chunfeng took the secret letter and read it carefully.
After a long while, he slowly raised his head, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"What does Your Majesty think?" Zhao Qingxue asked.
Li Chunfeng remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking:
"This kid's information... is clearly inaccurate."
Zhao Qingxue raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What makes the Imperial Advisor say that?"
"Last night, the old Taoist used his primordial spirit to explore the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and the vast and abyss-like aura he encountered was definitely not fake."
Li Chunfeng's voice was solemn, "Even if Qin Mu has no other terrestrial immortals by his side, he himself... is by no means simple."
He paused, then added:
"Moreover, Xu Longxiang's probing methods were too crude. Could a simple assassination attempt really confirm that Qin Mu didn't have any terrestrial immortals by his side? If there really were such powerful individuals, why would they easily expose themselves? It's more likely that... the other party simply disdains to make a move, or perhaps, all of this was a scheme set up by Qin Mu."
Zhao Qingxue sighed softly.
The sigh was soft, yet it carried a deep sense of disappointment.
"Sigh," she said slowly, "I still overestimated Xu Longxiang."
Li Chunfeng remained silent.
Zhao Qingxue turned around, walked behind the long table and sat down, her fingertips lightly tracing the smooth rosewood surface:
"He's too young, too impetuous, and too easily deceived by appearances. If Qin Mu were truly as incompetent as he claims, how could he have secured the throne of Qin? How could he have had veteran ministers like Li Si and Wang Ben willingly assisting him? How could he have managed to control the court so tightly in just six months?"
She paused, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes:
"Xu Longxiang thought he had seen through Qin Mu's true nature, but little did he know that what he saw was likely only what Qin Mu wanted him to see."
Li Chunfeng nodded deeply: "Your Majesty is wise. Although Xu Longxiang has risen from the ashes, he still lacks sufficient experience and composure. His hatred is too intense, and his eagerness for revenge makes him easy to manipulate."
"Then..." Li Chunfeng hesitated, "Should we still form an alliance with him?"
"Let's get married." Zhao Qingxue said without hesitation. "Why not?"
She picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and a cold smile curved her lips:
"Although Xu Longxiang is not very smart, the 300,000 iron cavalry in the northern border are real, his hatred for Qin Mu is real, and his determination to take revenge is real."
"Such pieces are difficult to control, but... if used well, they can play an unexpected role."
Li Chunfeng seemed to be deep in thought: "Your Majesty means..."
"Let him make a scene," Zhao Qingxue said calmly. "Let him think he's seen through Qin Mu's secrets, let him think he has victory in his grasp, and let him go all out to deal with Qin Mu."
"And we," she paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes, "will just watch from behind. We'll see just how many cards Qin Mu has up his sleeve, and see where this game will ultimately lead."
Li Chunfeng suddenly realized: "Your Majesty intends to... sit back and watch the tigers fight?"
"It's not just about watching the tigers fight." Zhao Qingxue slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards the northern border. "I also want to take advantage of their weakened state... to reap the benefits."
A night breeze blew by, lifting the stray hairs at her temples.
Under the moonlight, the figure in moon-white was as aloof as an immortal, yet exuded a chilling majesty.
"Pass down the order."
Zhao Qingxue slowly said, "Reply to Xu Longxiang that Li Yang trusts his judgment and is willing to fully support his plan. Also, have the 200,000 troops on the east bank of the Lancang River ready to cross the river at any time."
"Yes." Li Chunfeng bowed and accepted the order.
"Also," Zhao Qingxue added, "have all our people in the capital evacuate. Qin Mu is no simple man; we can't leave any evidence against him."
"This old minister understands."
After Li Chunfeng left, only Zhao Qingxue remained in the Star Gazing Pavilion.
She stood alone by the window, gazing in the direction of the palace, her deep purple phoenix eyes gleaming with an unfathomable light in the night.
Xu Longxiang, Qin Mu...
This game is getting more and more interesting.
And she, Empress Zhao Qingxue of Liyang, will surely have the last laugh.
Because a true chess player never makes a move lightly.
They will not be deceived by appearances.