Chapter 746: Summons to the Palace of Mystery |
Speaking in a cold tone, Shang Jian Xiong turned and left. Tian Yu glanced at the ministers and followed the Emperor.
Leaning against a pillar, Tong Mo sighed, relaxing his tense shoulders.
Shang Yong Zhong approached him and whispered, "My lord, did you wish to remove her?"
Tong Mo's eyes widened. "Prince, do you know what you just said?"
"Hehe, just asking. A joke, my lord, don't take it seriously." Shang Yong Zhong clasped his hands into his sleeves and, placing them on his belly, began to laugh.
Gao Jian Cheng, looking outside, sighed and said, "A fatal woman!"
Tong Mo agreed, nodding his head. He, too, was somewhat henpecked and understood what a fatal woman was.
Shang Yong Zhong couldn't help but shake his head. "At such a time, an outsider woman appears. Matters in the harem are dire. I fear many will be displeased." As he spoke, a glimmer flashed in his eyes. He, too, wished for the Jade Concubine's demise.
They understood whom Shang Yong Zhong implied by "many." These were the powerful individuals standing behind the concubines.
No one wanted to find themselves at a disadvantage because of a single woman.
"My lord, you should contact Tian Yu and give this some thought." Gao Jian Cheng hinted at him.
Shang Yong Zhong thought so too. If one wanted to do anything to the Emperor's favorite, nothing could be achieved without Tian Yu's support.
Tong Mo was also thinking about it. However, Gao Jian Cheng's hint made him wary. He cast a cold gaze at Gao Jian Cheng and departed.
...
"Look."
Also in the library, Tai Shu Xiong tossed a letter onto the table.
Shao Ping Bo, standing below, approached and respectfully took the letter. He read it and realized that the Yan Kingdom had turned the tide. They were now on the offensive.
"Shang Jian Xiong is still fortunate. He walked straight into a trap, yet his people pull him out. Shang Chao Zong is truly capable in battle. Truly capable!" Tai Shu Xiong smirked sardonically. However, he was genuinely pleased.
The four eastern kingdoms had begun fighting. All were expending their strength. Even the Qi and Wei Kingdoms had begun to exhaust their forces and resources. And he simply stood there, watching them all bite at each other.
Shao Ping Bo looked at the report. "If not for the support of the Qi and Wei Kingdoms, the Yan Kingdom would have long perished."
Tai Shu Xiong nodded. He clearly understood all of this. If not for the support of others, how could the weakened Yan Kingdom have fought for so long?
"No matter what, it's all good. The Qi and Wei Kingdoms are expending their strength," Shao Ping Bo added.
Tai Shu Xiong chuckled. He tapped the armrest of his throne. This was exactly what he wanted to see. Then, delighted, he added, "That Wu Gun Lin is quite a fellow!"
Shao Ping Bo understood him. Wu Gun Lin was hindering the Han Kingdom, preventing them from winning so easily, which led to the Han Kingdom's wastage of strength. Now all four eastern kingdoms were squandering their forces, and this benefited him. After a moment of thought, Shao Ping Bo said, "Your Majesty, this man cannot be underestimated. Before, my father also didn't consider Wu Gun Shan an outstanding man. And now, he must have realized he underestimated him."
"In troubled times, heroes emerge. He truly is one of them." Tai Shu Xiong nodded and suddenly asked, "I heard Mu Zho Zheng's beloved concubine is now with Shang Jian Xiong. And Shang Jian Xiong now cherishes this concubine dearly. If the news is true, many people in the Yan Kingdom's capital are displeased because of this woman. We paid her no mind before. Now we are curious. Mu Zho Zheng loved her so much, and now Shang Jian Xiong dotes on her. What do you know about her?"
Shao Ping Bo looked at him. It seemed this Emperor was also interested in that concubine.
It would be one thing if only Mu Zho Zheng loved her, but here, Shang Jian Xiong also fell under her charms. This involuntarily drew the attention of other emperors. For emperors possessed vast harems and had seen many beauties. What was so unusual about this concubine?
"Your humble servant did not follow her before. She must simply be beautiful. However, falling into Shang Jian Xiong's hands, she will likely become a calamitous influence for him! Beautiful women often have tragic fates. Although this woman is beautiful, she will likely come to a bad end sooner or later. She will probably fall under someone's knife." Shao Ping Bo said calmly.
Tai Shu Xiong laughed. "A mere woman. How could she possibly become a calamitous influence? At its root, this Shang Jian Xiong simply has weak self-control. We are interested in this woman. If there's a chance, we would like to capture her and see her. How beautiful can she be, to have commanded the hearts of both Mu Zho Zheng and Shang Jian Xiong?" He didn't even conceal his true intentions.
Ambition, the desire to possess women, was one of men's ruinous traits. Shao Ping Bo understood him. But he said nothing and did not attempt to evaluate the Emperor.
However, Tai Shu Xiong changed the subject. "Given this situation, with the Qi and Wei Kingdoms expending resources, we can accelerate our process."
Shao Ping Bo bowed. "Your Majesty, rest assured. The people are already there, everything is prepared. However, for now, it's best not to rush the process. Otherwise, everything could be ruined."
There was no need to remind him of this matter at all. He himself constantly monitored the situation in the Qi and Wei Kingdoms.
He fully understood that the outcome of his operation depended on his future and his position in the Jin Kingdom.
Although Tai Shu Xiong supported him, Shao Ping Bo could not eternally rely solely on Tai Shu Xiong's favor. Especially when both court officials and military figures looked at him with displeasure. In that regard, he could not maintain his position with just Tai Shu Xiong's support.
Therefore, he needed to put a lot of effort into the operation Tai Shu Xiong entrusted to him.
...
In the war between the Zhao and Yan Kingdoms, offense and defense had swapped places. Zhao Xing Yan's defeat caused concern at the Zhao Kingdom's imperial court. And the stubborn Emperor Hai Wu Ji, who had wanted to attack the Yan Kingdom, now felt immense pressure. He constantly urged his military to halt Shang Chao Zong.
Although the imperial court pushed them, Grand Marshal Pan Teng himself knew he needed to dispatch a detachment to stop Shang Chao Zong.
It was clear that the Yan Kingdom was currently incapable of swallowing the Zhao Kingdom. But since they had broken through the Zhao Kingdom's defenses, they needed to penetrate deeper and disrupt the Zhao Kingdom's internal peace and system. Just as Meng Shan Ming had taught the Song Kingdom a lesson, so too did the Zhao Kingdom need a lesson now.
Shang Chao Zong began to attack from one side. And Meng Shan Ming, knowing that Pan Teng would send a detachment to stop Shang Chao Zong, began to lead the offensive.
Having dispatched a detachment to stop Shang Chao Zong, Pan Teng became wary, fearing he might create a loophole.
And Meng Shan Ming was waiting for this!
Meng Shan Ming seized this opportunity. If there was no opportunity, he had to create the conditions for one. Therefore, he suddenly began to attack, exerting pressure.
At this moment, a weak link appeared in the Zhao Kingdom's defenses. And leading the Gongzhou warriors, Xu Jing Yue unexpectedly struck at the weak link. He broke through, dividing the Zhao Kingdom's forces into two parts.
Meng Shan Ming, from his side, continued to exert frontal pressure on Pan Teng.
Shang Chao Zong, with his detachment, joined Xu Jing Yue. They began to attack the detachment Pan Teng had sent to them.
Pan Teng immediately sent men to rescue the surrounded detachment he had recently sent.
Meng Shan Ming issued an order. And Xu Jing Yue, along with Shang Chao Zong, began to retreat and penetrate deeper into the Zhao Kingdom.
If Pan Teng did not save his detachment, Xu Jing Yue and Shang Chao Zong would annihilate it. If he sent aid, they would simply flee.
At the same time, instead of just one Shang Chao Zong detachment, there were now two enemy forces inside the kingdom. This gave Pan Teng a headache.
If he sent another detachment to stop them, Pan Teng would find it difficult to withstand Meng Shan Ming, who was increasing pressure on him. After all, Meng Shan Ming had sent an army of a million warriors against them.
Of the Zhao Kingdom's four-million-strong army, one million had been routed by Shang Chao Zong. Another million had been sent to stop Shang Chao Zong. If he sent yet another million, he would have only one million warriors left. Meanwhile, Meng Shan Ming had one and a half million warriors before him.
Meng Shan Ming looked at him with predatory intent, awaiting a chance to utterly crush the enemy.
However, not defending the border was also impossible. Pan Teng was currently suffering.
In the end, he had to fully withdraw his army and choose a geographically advantageous defensive position.
They had already entered the territory of the Southern Domain. But now they were returning to Zhao Kingdom territory. And the Yan Kingdom's forces were entering the Zhao Kingdom's territory.
As they moved, Elder Yue Yuan of the Black Gold Cave approached Meng Shan Ming's carriage and, opening the window, called out, "Leader!"
Gong Ling Ze flashed out of the carriage and stopped on the road. Yue Yuan dismounted and handed him a letter. "Leader, the Palace of Mystery is summoning all sect leaders."
Gong Ling Ze took the letter and asked with doubt, "What is it?"
"Unclear." Yue Yuan shook his head.
Gong Ling Ze took the letter and looked. Indeed, there would be an elders' meeting in three days. The reason was not yet stated!
After a moment of thought, Gong Ling Ze decided that this matter could not be postponed. He returned to Meng Shan Ming to bid farewell...
Among the stretching mountains, two old acquaintances met again. Niu You Dao met with Yu Cang.
Niu You Dao had refused the meeting. But Yu Cang insisted. Therefore, Niu You Dao was forced to meet.
In the end, Niu You Dao chose the time and place. Yu Cang was ready to accept any of his conditions, as long as he agreed to meet.
After they reached a certain spot, Niu You Dao sent a bird to guide Yu Cang's arrival.
Yu Cang brought only his disciple, Du Gu, with him.
Niu You Dao kept only Guan Fang Yi by his side. When they met in the mountain valley, Yu Cang couldn't help but look to the side. Not far away, under a tree, he saw a man in colorful clothes standing!