Chapter 407: The Oriole Behind (3)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

On the other hand, Northern Liang’s Jianghu, which was very tolerant of unorthodox methods, was different. It also talked about martial ethics, but not much. As long as people were powerful, they could obtain the corresponding status in Jianghu. For this reason, it had nurtured countless unorthodox experts, of which poison masters and mechanism masters were among the most outstanding.

Mechanism masters were proficient in poison, hidden weapons, traps, and so on. They were also skilled in psychology and could figure out the thoughts of their targets. Usually, when they took action, they would set up the traps and leave. They rarely stayed close.

In the past, there had been many mechanism experts who had come to Great Wei to cause trouble, but this was the first time Dongfang Liren had encountered someone who dared to scheme against a Martial Chief. She frowned and said, “The Hong Mountain Gang has extensive connections in Northern Liang’s Jianghu. They must have spent a lot of money to hire top experts from Northern Liang’s Jianghu…”

Ye Jingtang felt that this wasn’t right. He gestured at Shi Yanfeng, who was about to stop breathing. “Why would the Hong Mountain Gang spend so much effort to deal with me? I don’t have any grudges with the Hong Mountain Gang. Jiang Zhahu sacrificed two of his main members as bait to plot against me. Is there something wrong with his brain?”

Dongfang Liren thought about it and agreed. The two experts sent by Jiang Zhahu were equivalent to her subordinates Ox-Head and Horse-Face. It would be too generous to throw them out for free as deathsworn. “There’s something fishy about this matter. We have to investigate clearly. Is this person dead?”

After Ye Jingtang retreated far away, he put Shi Yanfeng down and checked his pulse. He found that he had lost consciousness. The poison had attacked his heart, and the flesh on his wounds had turned black. Even Imperial Physician Wang might not be able to save him. He could only say, “He’ll be dead soon. Take Zheng Kun back and interrogate him. We must investigate the ins and outs of the matter. Since the enemy can ambush here, they must know the whereabouts and goals of these two people. They can’t not even know who used them…”

Hearing this, Dongfang Liren didn’t say much. Under Ye Jingtang’s protection, she quickly walked toward the imperial guards rushing over…

The sudden thunder and intense light in the east of the city attracted the attention of half of the people in the city. The streets were crowded, and all the constables on duty were rushing toward Dragon Creek Alley.

Dragon Creek Alley wasn’t far from Literary Virtue Bridge. The commotion also disturbed the officials and dignitaries living on Literary Virtue Bridge. They went up to their observation towers and even roofs to observe the situation.

In an elegant observation tower by the Southern Breeze River, the heir of the Prince of Yan, Dongfang Shuoyue, was standing in front of a window with his hands behind his back, looking at the distant flames. Behind him stood the goateed steward.

Puff! Puff!

After he waited for a moment, a jackdaw flew over from afar and landed in front of the window.

Then a figure in a black cloak silently landed on the observation terrace. He slowly walked into the tower and took off his hood.

Under the bamboo hat was a rather fair face. He was about 60 years old and looked slightly sinister.

Dongfang Shuoyue turned around from the window and gestured at the tea table with his folding fan. “Mr. Zhongsun, you’re really capable. How’s the situation over there?”

Zhongsun Yan sat down at the tea table, picked up a teacup, and slowly took a sip. He shook his head and said, “He’s unharmed. Ye Jingtang is indeed worthy of the name of the Eight Chiefs. His skills, reaction, and vigilance are all impeccable. There’s even a snow eagle in the sky guarding the surroundings. People can’t win, can’t run, and can’t dodge. If nothing unexpected happens, anyone below the Eight Chiefs will die if they encounter him.”

Dongfang Shuoyue had been staying in the capital and understood what kind of monster Cao Ailing and the others had encountered. He said, “Everyone has a weakness. Those who are perfect are deities. As long as you plan carefully, you will always be able to find a way to restrain him. Mr. Zhongsun, you’re an expert in mechanisms and hidden weapons. I don’t expect you to get rid of this person, but it shouldn’t be difficult to make him lie down for a month or two without being able to use his combat strength, right?”

Zhongsun Yan thought for a moment. “This time, Ye Jingtang will definitely be on guard. It will be harder than ascending to the heavens to set another trap in the future. We can only wait for the right time to move. Your Highness is just trying to make Daoist Xuanji and Ye Jingtang unable to interfere in your plan in the capital for a short period of time. To do this, there’s no need to deliberately plot and poison.”

“Oh?” Dongfang Shuoyue picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Zhongsun Yan. “Mister, do you have any brilliant ideas?”

“If you don’t want these two people to interfere, you can just make them leave the capital temporarily. For example, you can find a group of horse bandits outside the pass to dig up Ye Jingtang’s ancestral grave. He will definitely return to his hometown…”

??

Clatter!

The teapot was put back on the table.

Dongfang Shuoyue’s expression was indescribable. After a moment of silence, he said, “Mr. Zhongsun, this plan concerns the fate of Great Wei. Don’t say such nonsense.”

The goateed steward thought for a moment and said, “Mr. Zhongsun’s words do have merit. However, death is like the extinguishing of a lamp. It’s just digging a grave. It’s impossible for Ye Jingtang to leave the empress’s side and return to his hometown now.

“If Qiu Tianhe doesn’t have long to live, Ye Jingtang might visit him…”

Dongfang Shuoyue shook her head. “Qiu Tianhe is famous for being slippery. Jun Mountain Terrace chased Qiu Tianhe for twenty years without catching him. It’s easier said than done for us to find him and beat him until he’s on his last breath.”

Zhongsun Yan thought for a moment. “We don’t have to lure Ye Jingtang away. It’s the same if we can lure Daoist Xuanji away.”

“Daoist Xuanji…” Dongfang Shuoyue thought for a moment. “Daoist Xuanji is from Void Jade Mountain. If we want to lure her away, something must happen to Void Jade Mountain. The imperial preceptor, Lu Taiqing, is cultivating the Dao on Void Jade Mountain. I’m afraid it won’t be easy for something to happen to Void Jade Mountain.”

Zhongsun Yan said casually, “Your Highness has connections all over the court. As long as we plan carefully, there will always be a way.”

Dongfang Shuoyue tapped his fingers on the table.. After some consideration, he nodded…