Chapter 117: Chapter 110: A Visit from Qingqiu Temple, the Middle Trigram of Good Fortune

The rear courtyard of Prince Jin’s Mansion.

A waterside pavilion stood beside a small bridge over a flowing stream.

Lu Guangjing sat in a grand preceptor’s chair, his expression placid as he listened to Gongyang Hu’s report.

Gongyang Hu’s expression was grave. He clasped his hands and said, “Your subordinate has already dispatched men to deal with Chen Ke. However, Chen Ke possesses a truly sincere heart and repays grievance with virtue. He not only speaks well of the scholars who once insulted and sabotaged him, but he has even recommended them for official positions.”

“Furthermore, I implanted the Confucian True Word ’Furious’ in the Heir of the Qin Family, intending to use the Saint Inquiry Platform to overwhelm his Wenxin. The Heir of the Qin Family has always been well-read in classics and history, yet he couldn’t win the debate against Chen Ke. Chen Ke proposed a self-justifying hypothesis that the people are the National Fortune, rendering the True Word useless in the end.”

Lu Guangjing’s gaze was deep. “This man is truly difficult to deal with. Once he returns to the Wenyuan Pavilion, it will be much harder to handle him.”

He had never expected a mere poor scholar from back then to become so troublesome.

Gongyang Hu said in a low voice, “Mr. Xun says we have been too hasty. We shouldn’t move against both families at once. We should hold off on dealing with the Sixth Prince for now, or we’ll just be increasing our own burden. We should resolve the matter with the Fourth Prince first, then worry about the others.”

Lu Guangjing took a deep breath, his gaze calm. “For now, we’ll listen to Mr. Xun.”

“Have the Soul Lamps of those C-Grade Tributors been extinguished?” Lu Guangjing asked, turning his head.

“Not yet.”

Lu Guangjing mused slowly, ’It seems we still need some time for things to develop. Since Old Fourth is so fond of the Yang Supplement and Ascension Method, let’s let him supplement himself to his heart’s content this time. Qingqiu Temple was also a major threat, and I wanted to use the Fourth Prince to get rid of that Fox Girl. Now that the Taoist Sect is involved, they have their hands full, which finally frees us up.’

’Next, it’s time to prepare to deal with Lu Yunqing.’

He looked at Gongyang Hu, rubbing his chin. “Didn’t Mr. Xun say he would find time to come to the Imperial Capital soon? Is there any news?”

“No news, but he is likely on his way.”

Lu Guangjing, who was usually arrogant, showed a hint of anticipation and respect when speaking of his teacher. “If Mr. Xun comes, so what if there’s a Confucian Saint? When he personally makes a move, he alone can match three Saints.”

These days, news of the Eighth Prince marrying the Military Saint’s daughter had spread far and wide.

To be safe, he hoped Mr. Xun would come to the Imperial Capital personally to oversee the situation.

And Mr. Xun had not refused.

“Your Highness, it is time to assign the missions,” Gongyang Hu reminded him.

“Have them all come,” Lu Guangjing said flatly.

Soon, a group of B-Grade Tributors walked down the long, garden-lined corridor and stood in a row before Lu Guangjing, each with a respectful expression.

Lu Mingyuan was among them. After so many days of effort, he was finally standing before his second brother.

He could now silently observe this wolf who had thrown the Capital into chaos.

Who could have imagined that this handsome, smiling young man, with a face as fine as jade, was the mastermind behind so many of the Capital’s major plots? He was also one of the instigators stirring up the storms roiling the Great Yan.

Through [Recognizing People], he could see this man’s insidious cunning and unscrupulous nature. He was a complete “smiling tiger”—not to be fooled by his appearance, lest he suddenly turn into a venomous snake and strike.

Besides himself and Elder Mr. Qi, the number of people in the entire Capital who could see through this man’s methods could be counted on one hand.

But Lu Guangjing would never guess that the very person he was so fixated on assassinating was now looking right at him, albeit with a different face.

’If I were strong enough, if I had reached the Twelfth Realm, I could kill him on the spot right here and now.’

’But unfortunately, I can’t do that yet.’

As Lu Mingyuan was sizing up Lu Guangjing, the ever-perceptive prince quickly noticed someone watching him.

His sharp, bright eyes quickly locked onto Lu Mingyuan.

Onto the eyes beneath the Evil Tiger Mask.

Lu Mingyuan met his gaze without revealing any flaws or panic. Instead, he simply lowered his head slightly as a sign of respect.

Lu Guangjing stared at the Bronze Mask and chuckled softly.

“I know you. You were on guard duty at Prince Zhuang’s Mansion that night. You were lucky to survive and escape with your life. The mission proceeded smoothly, and much of the credit goes to you. Even more so for being able to save your colleague.”

He praised Lu Mingyuan’s actions in front of everyone.

At the same time, he gave Gongyang Hu a look.

Gongyang Hu understood and took a snow-white porcelain vial from his sleeve. He smiled at Lu Mingyuan.

“This is Snow Ginseng Nourishing Acupoints Ointment, a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object. It is extremely beneficial for a Martial Artist’s Nourishing Acupoints. It is a Treasure bestowed upon you by His Highness.”

Lu Mingyuan accepted the item with great surprise, bowing his head and clasping his fist in thanks. “Thank you, Your Highness, for bestowing this Treasure Ointment.”

Many of the Tributors looked at Lu Mingyuan with envious eyes.

Lu Guangjing looked at the crowd below and declared loudly, “All of you are my brothers, my right and left hands. I would be heartbroken if any of you were to fall. I hope that in the future, you will all be more careful with your lives.”

After he finished speaking, many of the Tributors shouted in unison:

“We are willing to die for Prince Jin!”

“We are willing to die for Prince Jin!”

Seeing this, Lu Mingyuan simply followed suit.

’This Snow Ginseng Nourishing Acupoints Ointment is good stuff. It’s a Hundred Treasures Level Heaven and Earth Spiritual Treasure, harvested from the Snow Ginseng Divine Tree that grows inside the Xueling Cave Heaven. It’s an ointment refined from many precious treasures and Spirit Medicines, and it can help a Martial Artist open their Acupoints more smoothly.’

’But for him to be so generous, it must be a ploy to win people’s hearts and minds.’

’To make his subordinates willing to die for him.’

’I’d be a fool not to take it.’

…

After the meeting ended, everyone dispersed. Lu Mingyuan had not managed to gather any useful information.

It was said that all missions within the Endless Pavilion were independent of each other, and it was impossible for others to know the details.

The identities of the Endless Pavilion’s members were kept secret from one another, with the exception of those within the same team. Tributors only called each other by nicknames and codenames to prevent leaks and betrayal. After this whole affair, he still didn’t know who was who, nor did he know what Prince Jin’s Mansion was planning next.

This made things rather difficult.

’I’ll have to get more of my clones to infiltrate Prince Jin’s Mansion. Otherwise, I’ll never learn the specifics of his plans.’

After leaving Prince Jin’s Mansion and walking along the bustling streets of the Imperial Capital, Lu Mingyuan noticed someone was following him. Beneath the arched bridge, a constant stream of flower boats and people flowed by, making it impossible to see who it was.

Suddenly, the familiar, enchanting scent of Fox Fragrance drifted to his nose.

It captured his attention.

[Venerable Purple Fate Grid – Nine Orifices Exquisite, Refinement Level increased to 10%]

After reading the text that appeared before his eyes, he scanned the surrounding streets but saw no one, only the endless shouts of street vendors echoing in his ears.

Finally, he found an empty alley and suddenly spoke:

“Come out, Hu Susu. I know it’s you.”

TING-A-LING!

A copper bell chimed. A fox’s shadow split off from the corner of the wall, and with a wisp of cyan smoke, it transformed into the figure of a woman in a pink silk dress, holding a green bamboo umbrella, her chest full and ample.

It was none other than the Fox Girl from a while ago, Hu Susu.

Lu Mingyuan stared at her and sneered, “You still dare to come to the Imperial Capital? You really aren’t afraid of death.”

“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll tell the Second Prince you’re here and have you annihilated, leaving not even your bones behind? No matter how powerful Qingqiu Temple is, it’s just a regional True God. This is the Great Yan Imperial Capital.”

But Hu Susu was completely calm, her enchanting eyes twinkling. “Brother Yang, you’re as unromantic as ever. You don’t have to try and scare me. If you were really going to do that, you would have already run for your life, and you wouldn’t be seeing me now.”

“A smart man like Brother Yang shouldn’t be saying such things.”

Seeing that playing dumb wasn’t working, Lu Mingyuan said flatly, “What do you want from me?”

Hu Susu’s full, vermilion lips curved into a light smile. “I’d like to ask you for a small favor.”

“I would never do anything to betray the Second Prince,” Lu Mingyuan said, crossing his arms and shaking his head.

“Really?”

Hu Susu wore a playful expression as she paced around Lu Mingyuan, sizing him up repeatedly. She then said:

“As far as I know, the Saintly True Monarch Temple you mentioned doesn’t exist. True Monarch Qingyuan Miaodao, was it? I’ve checked the county records for the Ba and Shu Region, and there’s no such place. There is only a Cyan Nether Grand Mysterious True Monarch Temple. Did you misspeak intentionally, or did you just make the whole thing up?”

Hearing this, Lu Mingyuan’s expression tightened.

He hadn’t expected that Hu Susu, a Middle Fifth Grade expert, would actually investigate the background of someone in the Lower Seven Realms.

’What is her goal?’

At the same time, it served as a wake-up call for Lu Mingyuan. As a Spirit Monster from Qingqiu Temple, Hu Susu could investigate this easily. With the Second Prince’s resources, if he wanted to investigate, how could he possibly fail to find out?

’Maybe the Second Prince has known all along and is just waiting for the right day to sell me out.’

’Just like that group of C-Level Experts from Prince Zhuang’s Mansion.’

’However, there are ways to solve this.’

’For now, Hu Susu has given me a good reminder: I need to choose real places for my cover stories.’

Just as Lu Mingyuan was thinking this,

far away in Qingzhu Hall, the Six-Yao Turtle Shell emitted a dazzling light and flew out from the Cold Palace.

A line of text appeared before Lu Mingyuan’s eyes.

[Settle accounts with the Second Prince. Act with caution. Walls have ears. Accept the goodwill to resolve this misfortune.]

Then, two balls of light flew out from the Six-Yao Turtle Shell and formed trigrams.

[Middle Trigram of Good Fortune: Agree to Hu Susu’s request and cooperate with Qingqiu Temple. Bring up Erlang God. You will gain Hu Susu’s help and win Prince Jin’s favor. The fortune is killing the eavesdropper and turning misfortune into good fortune. The risk is that playing the role of the Saintly True Monarch will create a hidden danger for your identity. The “Swordsman” Fate Grid can be directly promoted to the Azure Fate Grid “Sword Master.” Moderately Auspicious!]

[Middle Trigram of Evil: Refuse Hu Susu. The fortune is that you will sever ties with Qingqiu Temple and the person behind the wall will also be at ease. The risk is exposing your identity, losing the initiative, and alerting the enemy. Minorly Inauspicious!]

’So the person following me wasn’t Hu Susu.’

Lu Mingyuan was slightly surprised to see these trigrams.

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep