activa-t Chapter 31 A deadly trap set for Qin Mu!
Chapter 31 A deadly trap set for Qin Mu!
Sikong Xuan was taken aback, then replied, "According to reports from our spies in the capital, the dog emperor also received an invitation, and... intends to attend in person."
Xu Longxiang's pupils contracted slightly.
Is Qin Mu going too?
This was unexpected.
That incompetent emperor who indulged in wine and women all day long actually had an interest in matters of the martial arts world?
Why would he go?
Xu Longxiang muttered to himself, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
"Is it to win over the Sword Sect? Or... for my sake?"
Sikong Xuan hesitated and asked, "Your Highness, are you saying that the dog emperor may have already discovered our plan?"
"Not necessarily," Xu Longxiang shook his head, "but one should always be wary of others. Qin Mu's departure must have a deeper purpose."
He stood up and walked to the map of Kyushu hanging on the wall.
Their gaze fell upon Mount Qinglan in the northern part of Central Continent.
Qinglan Mountain is located in the northern part of Zhongzhou. Its terrain is steep and easy to defend, but difficult to attack.
The Sword Sect has been established for three hundred years. Having operated in the mountains for a long time, it is filled with traps and formations, making it a veritable den of dragons and tigers.
But similarly, it is also a place where various forces converge.
On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the new sect leader will be enthroned, and heroes from all over the world will gather, a diverse and extraordinary gathering.
This is both a dangerous place and... a golden opportunity.
A resolute glint flashed in Xu Longxiang's eyes.
"Tell the Sword Sect that I will personally attend the ceremony on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month."
"Yes." Sikong Xuan bowed. "However, Your Highness, this journey is dangerous, and we must make thorough preparations. If the dog emperor also goes, I'm afraid..."
"What are you afraid of?" Xu Longxiang turned around, a cold smile curving his lips. "If he really dares to go, then things will be much easier."
Sikong Xuan was taken aback: "Does the young master mean...?"
"Qinglan Mountain is not the imperial city."
Xu Longxiang walked back to the long table and sat down, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
"The martial arts world there is deeply entrenched, and the imperial court's influence is limited. If something unexpected were to happen there, such as... the emperor being assassinated, or suddenly dying, who do you think would be the prime suspect?"
Sikong Xuan gasped, "Your Highness, this is far too risky! Without a suitable reason, the crime of regicide is punishable by the entire world!"
"Who said I did it?" Xu Longxiang sneered.
"Martial arts feuds, sectarian conflicts, or... assassins from Liyang, spies from Xiliang—anything is possible. As long as we keep things clean, who can trace it back to us?"
He paused, his eyes flashing even colder: "Moreover, if Qin Mu dies, the court will surely be in chaos. At that time, I can lead my troops into the capital under the pretext of purging corrupt officials and quelling national turmoil, which will be perfectly logical."
Sikong Xuan remained silent.
He had followed Xu Xiao for thirty years and experienced countless ups and downs, but such a bold plan still made him tremble with fear.
Emperor murder...
This is a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.
But then I thought, the victor is king, the loser is villain.
If he succeeds, Xu Longxiang will be the new emperor, and history will be written by the victors.
"This matter requires careful consideration," Sikong Xuan finally said. "The situation within the Qinglan Sword Sect is complex, and our people may not be able to fully control it. Moreover, His Majesty is sure to be protected by expert guards, so an assassination will not be easy."
Xu Longxiang nodded: "I know. That's why we need allies."
"ally?"
"Li Wuhen," Xu Longxiang said slowly, "He has been operating within the Sword Sect for many years and knows the terrain and defenses of the mountains like the back of his hand. If we can get his help, we'll be halfway there."
"But will Elder Li agree?" Sikong Xuan hesitated. "King slaying is no small matter."
"He will agree," Xu Longxiang said confidently.
"Li Wuhen is a pragmatic person. As long as you give him enough benefits, such as... after the matter is accomplished, help him become the sect leader of the Sword Sect, he will definitely be tempted."
Sikong Xuan's eyes lit up: "Your Highness is brilliant! Li Wuhen is a senior member of the Sword Sect with high cultivation, but he has always been relegated to the position of Third Elder, which has long been a source of dissatisfaction for him. If he is offered the position of Sect Master, he will definitely do his best to help him."
"Not only Li Wuhen," Xu Longxiang continued.
"As for Fan Li, tell him to speed things up. Make sure Meng Fang completely sides with us before the seventh day of the seventh month. At that time, with the Imperial Guards in our hands, we can attack or defend as we please."
"yes!"
"Furthermore," a ruthless glint flashed in Xu Longxiang's eyes, "order all armies in the northern border to begin assembling at the border under the guise of drills in early July. If anything happens in the capital, immediately head south."
Sikong Xuan bowed: "This old minister understands, I will make the arrangements immediately."
He turned to leave, but Xu Longxiang called him back.
"Wait a moment."
Sikong Xuan turned around: "Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"
Xu Longxiang remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "As for Qingxue... have her find a way to find out Qin Mu's true purpose in going to Qinglan Sword Sect, and... the list of his entourage."
When Jiang Qingxue's name was mentioned, his voice unconsciously lowered a few decibels.
Sikong Xuan saw this and sighed inwardly.
The prince could never let go of that Miss Jiang.
"This old minister will send her a message through secret channels."
Sikong Xuan said, "However, Your Highness, Miss Jiang is currently in the palace, and transmitting messages there is extremely risky. What if..."
"I know," Xu Longxiang interrupted him, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes, "but this is a necessary sacrifice. For the greater cause, she has to do it."
He spoke with absolute certainty, but his clenched fist betrayed his inner struggle.
Sikong Xuan said no more and bowed as he withdrew.
Zhenyue Hall returned to silence.
The candlelight flickered in the night wind, casting Xu Longxiang's shadow on the wall, long, very long.
He sat alone on the tiger-skin chair, remaining motionless for a long time.
My gaze fell on the invitation, where the image of the Azure Cloud Sword gleamed faintly in the candlelight.
On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, at Qinglan Mountain.
That will be the most important turning point in his life.
If successful, one will rule the world.
Defeat means utter ruin.
There is no third way.
Xu Longxiang closed his eyes, and Jiang Qingxue's face appeared in his mind again.
This time, it's not her as a child, but now, the one who forces a smile and pleases the emperor in the deep palace.
"Qingxue, just bear with it a little longer."
He murmured to himself, his voice tinged with a rare tenderness and remorse.
"When I succeed, I will bring you out in grand style. At that time, you will be my queen, the most honored woman in the world."
He seemed to see that day before him:
He sat on the dragon throne in the Golden Palace, wearing a black dragon robe and a twelve-tassel crown.
His Highness and all the officials knelt and bowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
And she, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, sat on the phoenix chair beside him, embodying the majesty of the nation.
They overlooked the vast land and enjoyed unparalleled honor.
And Qin Mu...
Xu Longxiang opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.
That tyrannical ruler who stole Qingxue's chastity, that stumbling block to his great cause, must die.
He will kill him with his own hands.
With the "Broken Army Sword," pierce his heart, watch him fall into a pool of blood, and breathe his last.
Then, he will step over Qin Mu's corpse to ascend to that supreme position.
"Qin Mu, enjoy your last moments." Xu Longxiang's lips curled into a cold smile. "The seventh day of the seventh lunar month, on Qinglan Mountain, will be your death day."
The night wind howled through the hall, causing the candlelight to flicker violently.
Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, Xu Longxiang's face flickered between light and darkness, like a demon from hell, radiating a chilling killing intent.
.........
As night falls, the octagonal glazed lanterns of Yuxiu Palace light up one after another, casting a warm yellow glow on the bluestone bricks.
Jiang Qingxue sat in front of the dressing table, gazing at her familiar yet unfamiliar reflection in the bronze mirror.
The person in the mirror wore a flowing, moon-white dress with wide sleeves, the hem embroidered with delicate cloud patterns in silver thread, flowing like moonlight as she moved. Her long, black hair was styled into a flying phoenix bun, adorned with a white jade phoenix hairpin.
This was her final act of persistence.
During the day, the Imperial Household Department delivered another new gift: a complete set of gold jewelry inlaid with rubies, even more luxurious and dazzling than the one Su Wanqing had worn that day. The palace maids were filled with envy, but she only glanced at it before ordering it to be stored away in the storeroom.
Some things, once you've put them on, you can never go back.
"My lady, His Majesty has decreed that he wishes to see you dance tonight."
The head palace maid, Qiuyue, carefully adjusted her skirt, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement, "The imperial kitchen has prepared refreshments, and the musicians are waiting in the side hall."
Jiang Qingxue's fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.
Dancing again.
Since the incident three days ago, Qin Mu has not set foot in Yuxiu Palace again.
She thought she could catch her breath for a while, use these three days to calm those humiliating memories, and use cold reason to wrap her broken heart again.
But what's meant to happen will happen eventually.
"Understood." Her voice was calm and even. "Go and prepare."
Qiuyue bowed and withdrew, and the hall returned to silence.
Jiang Qingxue stood up and walked to the window.
The night sky was starless, with only a crescent moon hanging in the mid-sky, its clear light spilling across the courtyard and casting a long, lonely shadow of the plum tree.
She recalled a moonlit night many years ago.
She was only ten years old then, and had just learned the first half of the "Dance of the Startled Swan". Xu Longxiang returned from the military camp, travel-worn and still in his armor, and ran straight to Tingxuexuan.
"Qingxue, I heard you've learned a new dance. Show me."
The young man stood under the plum tree, his brows showing the heroic spirit honed by the battlefield, yet when he looked at her, his eyes were filled with gentle moonlight.
She was a little shy, but still stretched out her sleeves under his expectant gaze.
The moonlight was like water, and the fragrance of plum blossoms wafted in the air.
She twirled and leaped in that small courtyard, her skirt billowing like a blooming white lotus. At that time, her dancing was still quite raw.
After the song ended.
"I didn't dance well..." she whispered.
"Who said that?" Xu Longxiang smiled and said seriously, "This is the most beautiful dance I've ever seen."
She later learned that he had traveled 300 miles overnight to see her, and had to return to the military camp before dawn.
But he said nothing, he just sat with her in the courtyard until the moon was high in the sky, listening to her play the piano and watching her dance.
The moonlight then was warm.
now……
Jiang Qingxue closed her eyes, forcefully suppressing her surging emotions.
I can't think about it anymore.
Those are all in the past, a time that can never be returned to.
She is now the Xue Cairen of the Qin Emperor, a pawn planted in the palace by Xu Longxiang.
Chess pieces should not have feelings.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
A palace maid's clear voice announced something from outside the hall.