Chapter 263: Three Plans
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
In early August, the second round of the Breaking Obsession was conducted. The sky was clear, and Prime Minister Shi performed divination for the guests in his mansion. Mo Yang was flipping through an almanac from the Central Plains. Shangguan Hong had drawn a mark in front of the small Buddha statue that was in the house. They found that all things were going well today and it would continue to be a perfect day.
Gu Shenwei got up early and put on clothes from his entourage. He also put on make-up and a disguise with the help of Tie Linglong. He also carefully hid his saber. Then, he sat down and carefully thought of his plan. All plans have the possibility of failure and the risks would increase exponentially for every added accident.
He did not beg the spirits because he felt that he had already minimized the risks.
Fang Wenshi did not know what the details of the Dragon King’s plan was, but there was a sense of ominousness in his heart. However, he calmed down before he departed as he had a well thought-out plan. He believed that even if there was interference due to personal grievances, he could still persuade the King of Shu-lik.
As usual, Chu Nanping dressed fancily and could not understand why everyone was so interested in his appearance that he often had to cover up. His sword was the thing that he cared the most about.
Xu Xiaoyi knew a bit more about Brother Huan’s plans. His worries had also deepened. Brother Huan was always rescued from desperate situations, but nobody knew which desperate situation would be the last time. He looked at Chu Nanping, the beautiful youth that had turned into an ordinary person. He felt that there were some words that he had to say.
Then, he carefully ripped off the fake beard around his lips while he frowned, “I look like this without a beard.”
Chu Nanping personally kept his long sword hidden. Chu Nanping was surprised by Xu Xiaoyi’s sudden obedience, even though Xu Xiaoyi had only done something simple. Looking at Xiaoyi’s appearance, it seemed like life-and-death had no boundaries.
“It will be fine. You should just stay back.”
“You’re not angry with me?”
“I don’t know.” Chu Nanping said truthfully. He was never that good at analyzing emotions. “But I am very happy.”
Xu Xiaoyi smiled and carefully stuck his beard back on.
The only unhappy person was Tie Linglong. “Why can’t I go, haven’t I killed anyone? Are my machete skills not good enough?”
If she was a killer, she would not ask these pointless questions. Gu Shenwei thought for a while and patiently explained, “This operation does not require you. You have your own mission.”
Tie Linglong pursed her lips and quickly retracted her words. She did not want to look like a child, but the Dragon King’s explanation was the same as if he didn’t say anything at all, so she was very upset.
A group of people from the Great Snowmountain entered the palace after going through detailed inspections.
Fang Wenshi apologized to the Officials the day before. The Great Snowmountain prepared gifts for the King of Shu-lik, but it had been delayed. They had just arrived and could only offer it before the second round of the Breaking Obsession.
The gifts included a number of silks, gold and silver jades, spices, and twenty handsome boys and girls.
The venue for the second round of Breaking Obsession was changed back to the main hall. There were also fewer ministers involved. There were only a dozen of them, and their leader was still Moyang.
Before the formal debate, the messenger of the Great Snowmountain read out the list of gifts. The list was very long, so he brought in one of his followers.
Gu Shenwei was holding a roll of map that had a dagger hidden inside it. This was an ancient strategy that will prove its effectiveness once again.
As for the other weapons, they were hidden in a box that was guarded by Chu Nanping. When he hears the signal, he would rush in with it.
Prime Minister Shi was the first to recognize the true identity of his follower and immediately turned his face to nod in agreement with the other ministers.
Moyang soon saw through the disguise of the killer and stared at him for a while. Gu Shenwei pretended to look at the items that was held in his hand and nodded at the military counselor.
Three borrowed blade murder plans. Everyone had been informed of a set of plans by Gu Shenwei:
Prime Minister Shi thought that the Dragon King would carry out his plans at the end of the Breaking Obsession. After killing the king, he would take Prime Minister Shi as a hostage and demand all of their guards to withdraw and simultaneously take away the letter of commitment.
The plan that Moyang had heard of was a completely different version. After the end of the Breaking Obsession, the Dragon King would be among the teenagers who were sent as gifts and secretly stay in the palace to assassinate Prime Minister Shi. If it was successful, the news would immediately reach his ears.
As for Shangguan Hong, the only thing he knows is that Slave Huan will start sooner or later, but the time and place were not clear to him.
The eunuch announced the start of the Breaking Obsession.
Fang Wenshi felt that something was going to happen in the main hall, but his task was to persuade the King of Shu-lik as much as he can. He didn’t have time to think about other things. The scholar coughed twice and walked towards the king and the ministers, to pay his respect. “Balance of the Western Region is the most important matter for the Shu-lik country. The Central Plains and the Norlands, regardless of which country are the largest, would swallow up the Shu-lik. A storm is coming, and each party is just lacking the suitable excuses and opportunities. It is the biggest opportunity to change the balance of power for Shangguan Fa to claim the throne. Today, the best way to delay his claim to the throne is to cut the weeds and dig up its roots, and exterminate the Golden Roc Fort.”
Fang Wenshi stopped and waited for the ministers to refute. As a result, no one spoke. It seemed that everyone already knows the results of today’s meeting and there was no need for unnecessary arguments. Fang Wenshi’s heart sunk slightly, but he quickly adjusted his mindset and continued to say, “While the three countries are big, they have mutual jealousy and have no choice but to prepare themselves. Anyone who attacks the Jade City will retaliate against the other two parties. Among them, the Shu-lik is the weakest. As long as one single solder enters the boundaries of Jade City, it will cause the Central Plains army to march, which is the best outcome.”
Shangguan Tian exchanged half of the land of the Jade City for the Shu-lik country to send troops. This was the plan that Moyang would use to persuade the King of Shu-lik. Fang Wenshi refuted in advance, but Moyang still does not speak. Instead, a black-faced minister was instructed to get up and say, “What the Mister said was grand but it would be for naught. Since he is a messenger of the Great Snowmountain, he does not need to care about other countries’ affairs. Just talk about the Great Snowmountain.”
Fang Wenshi smiled and shook his head. “A country’s life and death are often determined by other countries. Without seeking outside help, how does one protect themselves? However, it is true that I should talk about the Great Snowmountain. You must think that this Fang is very strange, the Great Snowmountain and the Golden Roc Fort are currently feuding. The grievances cannot be washed away like melted snow that easily. Why does he want the Shu-lik to send troops to attack? Although there are thousands of miles of in the Great Snowmountain area, it is snowy all the year round. It is not suitable for human habitation. It is nothing more than a wedding dress for Golden Roc Fort. In the case of defeat, it would be a laugh for the world.”
The black-faced minister felt that he was being provoked and got up again. “The Snowmountain Gang is nothing but a small group. How dare they think that they can defeat the Shu-lik? Snowmountain swordsmen are barbaric and rude. They often steal the livestock and loot the citizens of our country. The Shu-lik are constantly besieged by the Great Snowmountain. It is not wise to open our border. It’s designed to protect our land and our people.”
Fang Wenshi opened his hands and said, “Then it would be much simpler. The Great Snowmountain is bent on seeking revenge against the Golden Roc Fort. Why not lend a path and let the two sides fight decisively?”
“Sounds good, but nobody knows if the Great Snowmountain has any ulterior motives. As soon as the Shu-lik country lends a path, it would be the same as letting a wolf into the room.” The black-faced minister was determined to answer the question.
“Hehe, this Fang remembers that someone said that the Shu-lik country has 500,000 soldiers during the last Breaking Obsession. Why would you be afraid of 10,000 swordsmen from the Great Snowmountain? To say the least, a swordsman relies on their own roots and can’t compete with the brave soldiers of Shu-lik. Once they leave the Great Snowmountain, former allies are no longer reinforcements. Food and fodder are controlled by the Shu-lik, which is the most important thing in the hearts of the people. Therefore, they are more afraid of the Shu-lik country being dishonest and retaliating.”
The black-faced minister sneered. “Do you think our Shu-lik is like the Golden Roc Fort, treacherous and unscrupulous?”
“Well said. Treacherous and unscrupulous. These words are engraved on the gates of Golden Roc Fort. Surely you don’t mean that the great Shu-lik country is working for the Supreme King, right?”
The two men were at loggerheads with each other and attracted everyone’s attention in the hall. Only Prime Minister Shi seemed to be uninterested. He looked indifferent and occasionally yawned. He was the younger brother of King of Shu-lik. He did not pay much attention to the Breaking Obsession ceremony. Just as it reached its climax, he seemed to have remembered something very important. The eunuch who was rushing to the king nodded and sneaked out behind the ministers.
Gu Shenwei received hints from Prime Minister Shi’s eyes.
Moyang has been staring at Fang Wenshi, but he kept Prime Minister Shi within his peripheral vision and suddenly said, “Prime Minister Shi, what do you think?”
Fang Wenshi was arguing with the black-faced minister, both going back and forth with their arguments. They could only pause and feel uncomfortable.
Prime Minister Shi was still more than ten steps away from the entrance of the main hall and stopped embarrassedly to say, “Hey, this Great Snowmountain messenger is recommended by me. It’s better to avoid unfounded suspicions. The views of the ministers are the same as my views.”
Moyang took advantage of his status as the military counselor, not caring about etiquette. He walked over and grabbed the sleeves of Prime Minister Shi. Moyang took him back to his original place. “This is a national event, there are no suspicions. As a country’s prime minister, it is always necessary to say a few words in regards to the Great Snowmountain that has asked to borrow our roads to attack the Golden Roc Fort. Is this appropriate or inappropriate?”
Prime Minister Shi was unhappy and broke free from Moyang’s hands. “Lending a path is not going to be a problem, but the five peaks of the Great Snowmountain have only joined hands for a mere few months. It is still at the beginning of its creation. It seems that they are not worthy opponents of the Golden Roc Fort, and the Shu-lik has no reason to offend its neighbors.”
Fang Wenshi was prepared for this. He raised his finger and pointed in the direction of the area that is northwest of the Great Snowmountain. “The 10,000 swordsmen of the Great Snowmountain faced the soldiers of Shu-lik in three wars and won all three wars. They do not fear nor are concerned of your 500,000 man army, not to mention the jianghu. It has been three years since my leader, the Dragon King has forsaken the darkness for the light. The Golden Roc Fort is called the strongest killer organization in the Western Region, but it has never been able to harm the Dragon King. The Dragon King is familiar with the inside and outside of the Golden Roc Fort. One blow is sure to win. What he lacked in the past was only the manpower. Now with numerous swordsmen and soldiers, how are we not the opponent of the Golden Roc Fort? “
Gu Shenwei blushed at Fang Wenshi’s boasting. The killer did not care about lying but he was not used to boasting. The counselor was the opposite, telling lies would cause his face and ears to redden. However, he was poised when exaggerating his master’s strength.
“Please allow this Fang to demonstrate the situation of Shu-lik country’s eastern borders and the topography of the Jade City to His Majesty. Bring me the map,” Fang Wenshi ordered.
This was the moment that Gu Shenwei had been waiting for.
Prime Minister Shi pretended to make way and took a few steps away. He kept his distance from Moyang.
Gu Shenwei spread the map on the ground and stepped back slowly.
The map was getting more and more complete, the scrolls were getting smaller and smaller. The ministers were watching intently, and the King of Shu-lik was also sat up straight.
“The checkpoint here…”
The most important act in Fang Wenshi’s life ends here.
Gu Shenwei pulled out the dagger and rushed to the target of assassination. Before anyone cried out alarmingly, the mission has been completed.
At the same time, there was a loud noise outside the hall. A group of people wanted to rush in and clashed with the temple guards.
Gu Shenwei had only one thing left to do, to ensure the safety of himself and his military counselor.
