Jingtai thirty-third year, ninth month, twelfth day, late night, seven days before the coup d’état, foot of Nu Cang Mountain

The desert was like a sea as swift horses galloped with flying hooves – these were Guli Han’s troops. A thousand cavalry descended the mountain on patrol, rushing toward the vast silver sea. Under the moon’s illumination, four thousand horse hooves thundered to earth. A thousand riders galloping splashed up silver-white waves over a zhang high, sand sea silver waves surging skyward. The five people running on the desert all stopped, seeing the fleeing figure ahead holding up a square seal stone, gradually collapsing to the ground. A baby hung at his chest – it was Lu Yun.

The fury-character banner flew toward them. Lu Yun collapsed on the ground with no strength left to move. The others, seeing the military horses arrive, were all terrified. Hu Mei’er, Gao Tianye, and Gao Tiancheng gradually retreated, ready to turn and flee if the situation went badly. But Sa Mao wore a cold smile. With a strange roar, this brute threw his spear – “whoosh” – the sharp sound passed as the spear flew like a dragon straight toward the approaching cavalry.

The spear flew straight ahead. The mounted general tightened his horse’s belly, using waist and leg strength to flip man and horse together, thus saving his life.

That general was exactly Sha Jin’s adopted son Guli Han. Qingyang was about a hundred li from Nu Cang Mountain. Guli Han had been ordered down the mountain to patrol the borders and observe the court’s arrangements when he unexpectedly encountered Lu Yun’s group. Seeing Sa Mao so insolent, in shock and fury he shouted in the barbarian language: “Lasso this man!”

A thousand swift horses spread out in formation. Countless rope loops flew to bind Sa Mao’s massive form. Guli Han angrily shouted: “Pull!” Whip cracking, a bright sound flashed through the night sky, striking the horse’s rump. Five fine horses, pained by this, charged in five different directions. Among the hundreds and thousands of ancient execution methods – there was lingchi’s thousand cuts, there were hundred-jin bone-crushing shackles – but among all tortures, being torn apart by five horses had the most gruesome death. Seeing Sa Mao take such force, his body should surely be torn into five pieces, impossible to reassemble. With a “beng” sound, the ropes under great force became taut and suspended. Suddenly the five horses reared up, neighing loudly. Guli Han was shocked and furious, shouting back: “Use force! Use force and pull!” The whip in his hand struck down, boot spurs kicked repeatedly. Though he constantly applied more force, those five horses only panted heavily, being pulled backward by Sa Mao.

The Northwest’s Dayuan region produced famous steeds – horses with long legs and tall bodies. Though not matching Mongol horses for endurance, in terms of strength they still far exceeded horses from Central Plains, Mongolia and other regions, being first under heaven. Who would have thought that today five fine Dayuan horses meeting this wild bull would actually bow down in defeat? Everyone living to this age had never seen such savage business, all stunned speechless. Even Hu Mei’er, Gao Tianye, and Gao Tiancheng were bewildered and speechless.

Since five-horse dismemberment wouldn’t work, they’d try ten thousand spears piercing the heart. Guli Han shouted: “Attack!” Gritting his teeth, he threw a spear straight at Sa Mao. In an instant, cold light flashed, sounds of air being split arose everywhere as a hundred spears flew out, sealing off Sa Mao’s retreat paths front, back, left and right. Suddenly a strange cry rang out. The black shadow in the desert’s center spun in circles, five thick ropes swaying back and forth like long whips spinning, instantly blocking countless spears.

The crescent moon hung like a hook high in the sky. Sa Mao exerted all his strength with strange roars. In the sand curtain, the five horses screamed miserably, all tumbling to the ground. Flying sand rose, silver dust curtained over a zhang high, momentarily blocking stars and moon. The demon in the desert’s center turned back to look at Lu Yun, a sinister smile hanging from his mouth.

Lu Yun stared dumbfounded at the demon figure under starlight, his right hand gripping “Yunmeng Lake” trembling slightly. The baby in his arms, seeing those bronze bell-like beast eyes, immediately began crying “wah wah.” Sa Mao’s terror wasn’t simply immense strength but his extremely despicable behavior. Facing such a demon, even Wu Dingyuan had suffered greatly – what could Lu Yun do?

Sa Mao sneered coldly, bringing his mouth to the rope on his wrist. Suddenly opening his mouth to bite, he actually bit through the thick rope knot. He chewed in his mouth, then “ptui” – spat the rope knot on the ground. Lowering his body, he tore apart the ropes on his feet. This savage before them was truly brutal – even newborn calves knew to fear it. Nearby, Gao Tianye, Hu Mei’er and others meeting its gaze also secretly felt fear.

Seeing that Nu Cang’s military horses not only couldn’t capture the expert but would probably have half their number injured by it, Lu Yun was extremely frightened. He immediately embraced the baby and fled desperately westward. Behind him, Sa Mao roared to the sky, his feet striking the ground repeatedly as he pounced toward Lu Yun.

Lu Yun had taken two kicks from Sa Mao, suffering internal injuries with impure power. His earlier desperate flight had already exhausted his strength. Now mentally fatigued, he could hardly persist. Indeed, after fleeing only a few chi, wind sounds rushed urgently behind him – Sa Mao’s fist as big as a bushel was already within inches of his back heart. Just then, Hu Mei’er had also intercepted him in front. Lu Yun gasped for breath, not knowing how to resist, when he heard her shriek:

“Fool! If you still want to live, surrender immediately! Stop being stubborn!” Though Hu Mei’er’s mouth was scolding, the advisory meaning in her words was quite clear. Presumably her heart hoped not to see Lu Yun die so miserably.

Lu Yun’s life hung by a thread. He knew that if struck by the fist, both he and the baby would be killed. He cried out and threw the baby away. Sa Mao at this time only wanted to seize the jade seal and didn’t bother with the child’s movements. But Gao Tianye was sinister – seeing this man carrying a jade seal while fleeing with an unknown child, he had already taken note and thought: “This man carries a jade seal, and several corpses are missing from Yongding River… could this child be…” Realizing this, he immediately shouted: “Quick, catch this child! This baby might be Liu Angtian’s orphaned son!” Speaking thus, he leaped to snatch the baby.

Seeing the baby in danger while Lu Yun’s life also hung by a thread, at this life-and-death moment suddenly a black shadow arrived first, already taking the baby away, actually faster than Gao Tianye by a step. Lu Yun was both shocked and delighted, hurriedly looking to see the baby safely held in a young woman’s arms. Gao Tianye was about to snatch when suddenly he heard a delicate shout: “Hit!” A blue light flew toward him, forcing him to dodge in panic – it was a poison dart. This hidden weapon didn’t look unfamiliar, but looking at the thrower, he saw she was quite beautiful with eyebrows carrying a hint of fierceness – naturally Nu Cang Mountain’s “Pink Qilin” had arrived.

Lu Yun stared blankly at the baby’s life and death, actually ignoring Sa Mao’s heavy fist. Just as he was about to be struck, suddenly cold light flashed as a long blade cut horizontally through mid-air, forcing Sa Mao back a step. A young general leaped over, shouting loudly: “Where did this ugly bull come from? How dare it cause trouble on Nu Cang Mountain!”

Nu Cang’s second wave of reinforcements had arrived. Lu Yun saw this person’s face full of whiskers – it was the “Nine Lives Madman” Chang Xuehen! Lu Yun, seeing him arrive as an ally against enemies, was delighted and immediately cheered. Chang Xuehen, seeing this person’s face full of whiskers like his own brother, couldn’t help but be shocked: “Who are you?”

Before Lu Yun could answer, Sa Mao raised a spear to smash down. Chang Xuehen raised his blade, and when both forces met, it shook his wrist numb, the weapon nearly slipping from his hand. Chang Xuehen was alarmed: “What a formidable wild bull – where did he come from?” Seeing Sa Mao’s attacks putting Chang Xuehen in grave danger, Lu Yun’s face changed color as he drew “Yunmeng Lake,” ready to risk his life in resistance. Just then, someone shouted: “Everyone stand back, let me meet him!”

Before the words finished, a tall figure leaped into the field, actually faster than Lu Yun. That person, upon entering the field, immediately spun like a top, stirring up countless cold lights. His two hands grasped a massive weapon – like a blade yet not a blade, like a spear yet not a spear. Cold light dazzled like a white dragon. Amid the crisp sounds of weapons clashing throughout the field, he had already received Sa Mao’s countless killing moves.

Indeed it was him – since Yan Er’niang had appeared, this person must be nearby. The newcomer was about forty years old, with a massive physique and handsome appearance – it was “Little Lü Bu of Western Liang” Han Yi.

With Yan Er’niang appearing and Chang Xuehen entering the fray, neither was particularly fearsome. Though Yan Er’niang was vicious and sharp, she wasn’t necessarily stronger than Hu Mei’er – both being female generals accustomed to hidden weapons, one-on-one she naturally wasn’t afraid. That Chang Xuehen wasn’t necessarily Gao Tianye’s match either. But “Little Lü Bu” wasn’t comparable to ordinary jianghu figures – this person ranked among the Five Tigers with superb martial arts, absolutely not to be underestimated. Hu Mei’er knew trouble was brewing and had decided to retreat. Her feet touched down as she leaped back over a zhang. Gao Tianye, Gao Tiancheng and others’ eyes flickered, presumably also intending to withdraw. But Sa Mao was a savage brute – hearing him laugh heartily, he directly picked up two spears from the ground, wielding them left and right like discs, walking straight toward Little Lü Bu, actually wanting to compete with him. Sa Mao was nine chi tall, a giant rarely seen in the world. When wielding spears, his strength was immense, truly like a monster with human face and beast body. But Little Lü Bu was Nu Cang’s vanguard general with heroic courage, ten chi tall, still half a head taller than Sa Mao, his build even more imposing and massive. Seeing the demon’s provocation, how could he be afraid? He immediately struck out proudly with his “Heavenly Painted Halberd,” continuously attacking. Sa Mao’s two-handed spears swept over. Two massive black shadows rolled and tumbled, three weapons spinning like discs, pulling streaks of cold light through mid-air with continuous clanging collisions.

After the two exchanged five moves, in terms of brute force Sa Mao held a slight advantage. Little Lü Bu, unwilling to compete in strength, relied on his divine weapon. The halberd’s crescent blade twisted once, immediately locking one spear. Great force transmitted, yanking the spear from his grip to fly away. Just as he was about to follow suit and remove the other spear, suddenly Sa Mao roared strangely, threw away his weapon himself, and strode forward, actually wanting to fight with close-quarters combat skills.

Han Yi laughed coldly. Though his great halberd was long, it excelled in mobile long-range attacks, invincible everywhere. He immediately sank to his knees, swinging the halberd around – “hong” – the halberd staff struck backward, sweeping toward Sa Mao’s head. Sa Mao cried wildly, unable to dodge in time, and forcibly took the blow from the steel iron staff.

With a great “bang” and blood flowing, everyone cheered loudly. But Sa Mao definitely wouldn’t take losses for nothing – though his forehead took the heavy blow, his hands seized “Little Lü Bu’s” collar, and his foot swept out, already throwing Han Yi to the ground. This was exactly Mongol wrestling’s unique technique, specialized for close-quarters combat, and indeed he succeeded.

Sa Mao pressed down on Han Yi, twisting his arm to break it while he had the chance. Everyone knew Sa Mao’s strength was like a bull’s – earlier using his physical body alone to drag five swift horses showed his terrifying brute force. Chang Xuehen, panicked and afraid, was about to enter the fray to help when Yan Er’niang said lightly: “Don’t worry – in wrestling competition, he can’t beat my husband.” Her words showed complete trust in her husband’s martial arts.

Before her words finished, indeed Little Lü Bu braced one hand on the ground. Amid wild roars, though a great bull sat on his back, his body still rose from the ground. Sa Mao hadn’t expected the man beneath him to be so fierce and couldn’t help but be stunned. Just then, Han Yi turned and flipped, throwing Sa Mao to the ground. With this twisting reversal, instead he lay on Sa Mao’s body, using his back’s strength to pin him down.

Han Yi pressed his advantage ruthlessly, his right elbow raining down repeatedly on his back, beating Sa Mao until his face was covered in blood. His hammer-like left elbow desperately jabbed upward at Sa Mao’s kidneys – a sinister move that made this monster foam at the mouth. Though Little Lü Bu was formidable, Sa Mao still had countless dirty tricks unused. Indeed, Sa Mao’s eyes rolled white, and in anger and hatred he reached toward Little Lü Bu’s groin, desperately grabbing. Han Yi, seeing such lowly tactics, was naturally greatly alarmed. In his panic he rolled sideways, and as the two slightly separated, Sa Mao saw the opportunity couldn’t be lost and kneed forward viciously, striking the back. With a great “dong,” Han Yi somersaulted out with his entire guard down.

The enemy’s methods were extremely despicable. Han Yi was naturally shocked and furious. Seeing Sa Mao roar and cry as his body pounced straight toward him, actually intending to strike a killing blow, but at this moment tumbled to the ground with flaws exposed – what could he do?

This Nu Cang expedition had many experts – besides “Little Lü Bu,” there were also Yan Er’niang, Chang Xuehen, Guli Han and others standing by. But Sa Mao’s moves were both savage and strange, catching them off guard. In the blink of an eye it was a life-and-death moment, with no one able to help in time.

Yan Er’niang’s beautiful face paled as she hurriedly reached into her bosom, barely drawing out a flying dart when the demon’s iron fist had already struck toward her husband’s Baihui acupoint – she was a step too late. The Baihui acupoint was a vital point on the human body – under heavy attack, brain matter would surely splatter. Observers were terrified and helpless. Just then, something suddenly flew through the air – it was a horse whip that instantly caught Han Yi’s ankle and pulled him away three chi. With a “bang,” Sa Mao’s heavy fist still swung down but struck empty air.

Everyone was surprised and delighted, hurriedly looking in the moonlight to see a scholarly general sitting on horseback. This person had dignified bearing, holding a whip in his right hand – presumably he was the one who saved the man. Lu Yun suddenly seeing an old friend, his eyes reddened as he hurriedly rolled over and cried loudly: “Lord Lu!”

Nu Cang’s third wave of reinforcements – the newcomer was exactly the Twin Dragon Stronghold leader, one of the Five Tiger Generals, “Jiangdong Sail Shadow” Lu Guzhan. Han Yi, secretly harmed by the opponent’s dirty trick, was naturally extremely angry and furious. He immediately flipped up and grabbed his Heavenly Painted Halberd to fiercely attack Sa Mao. But Lu Guzhan’s whip was faster – the whip head swept out a semicircle, then spun in mid-air with a “crack,” striking the demon first.

With Nu Cang reinforcements arrived – Little Lü Bu alone was already troublesome, much less adding Lu Guzhan? Hu Mei’er, Gao Tianye and others, seeing the situation was bad, all turned to flee. Sa Mao, savage and stupid as he was, knew two fists couldn’t match four hands. He immediately roared wildly, stomped his feet heavily on the ground, and fled far away. Little Lü Bu, having taken his despicable dirty trick, how could he let him pass? He immediately laughed in extreme anger, shouting: “Demon! Is that all? Take another strike from my great halberd!” Regardless of his own safety, he actually rode in pursuit. Guli Han and others were shocked, deeply fearing Han Yi might be in danger alone, so they also hurriedly followed.

Lu Guzhan coughed and said: “Nine Lives Madman, aren’t you going to help?” Chang Xuehen chuckled and said to Yan Er’niang: “We’re fighting for your husband – you owe me a favor… Next time this old man asks a woman down the mountain for tea, you must help me deliver the message…” Chattering away, he also rode and pulled reins to chase.

As the experts pursued the powerful enemy, Lu Yun had already collapsed on the ground with no words left, as if dead. Lu Guzhan had heard this person call his name earlier and had taken note, but seeing his face full of short whiskers, he couldn’t recognize him. He immediately dismounted and embraced Lu Yun, saying in a deep voice: “Friend, are you alright?” Speaking thus, he patted Lu Yun’s face to revive him.

Lu Guzhan was holding Lu Yun without recognizing him when Lu Yun had already awakened. His gaze was confused as he lay in Lu Guzhan’s arms, his eyes slowly focusing. In an instant he saw Lord Lu who had taught him martial arts. He gasped “ah ah,” tightly gripping the large hand: “Lord Lu! Lord Lu! Save us! Commander Liu was murdered… take me up the mountain, I want to find Zhonghai…” Ever since witnessing the tragedy, Lu Yun had gone a full month without news of his family. Both bitter and sad, yet unable to find anyone to confide in, suddenly seeing Lu Guzhan, his heart was naturally excited. Lu Guzhan’s heart jumped – this person both recognized him and called the mountain master by the name “Zhonghai,” presumably must be a court figure. Just as he was about to say more, Lu Yun had already clenched both fists, suddenly rising and crying wildly: “Zhonghai!” Under the influence of internal injuries, his whole body lost strength and his body fell forward.

Everyone was shocked and hurriedly supported him. Lu Guzhan held Lu Yun and looked him up and down for a while, then said tremblingly: “Yun’er?”

Yan Er’niang looked for a long while and was also shocked, saying anxiously: “It’s really Scholar Lu – isn’t he a court official? How could he become so down and out?” She had seen Lu Yun three times in the past – once was assassinating Princess Yinchuan, once was at the Huaiqing guest house for food, and most recently was the great Shaolin battle. But no matter when they met, Lu Yun was always refined and cultured, never this disheveled. Yan Er’niang was shocked in her heart, not knowing what great disaster had befallen the court.

Lu Guzhan’s brow was deeply furrowed as he secretly pondered, not knowing why so many people were chasing Lu Yun. Full of doubts, he ordered the soldiers behind to bring horses over, then lifted Lu Yun with both hands and put him on horseback, first returning to the mountain for treatment and recovery.

Just then, with a “dong” sound, something fell from Lu Yun’s bosom. Lu Guzhan glanced at the ground and looked carefully – it was a square seal stone. Reading character by character, it was exactly “Emperor’s Orthodox Treasure.” Lu Guzhan was greatly shocked, his shoulders actually beginning to tremble. The transmitted state jade seal’s origins were secretive, definitely not known to ordinary people. Yan Er’niang couldn’t read seal script and was naturally full of doubt, saying anxiously: “What is this thing?”

Lu Guzhan took a deep breath and said in a low voice: “An inauspicious object.”

Seeing Yan Er’niang’s heart full of shock, Lu Guzhan naturally couldn’t say more. He immediately gestured lightly to everyone, and the cavalry clustered around, protecting Lu Yun and the baby back to the mountain.

The moon wheel hung high in the middle sky. Looking to the limit of vision where heaven and earth met, there was stark blackness. Before them stood a crouching black tiger – that massive creature crouched in the western frontier desert, glaring down at the Central Plains with tiger-like eyes.

Military intelligence urgent reports – scouts brought back dire news. The emperor’s hateful fire had been ignited, and the Northern Expedition Commander had become the first sacrificial victim of the restoration story.

Fire God Zhurong had the appearance of a celestial being. The world’s chaos arose from the emperor’s psychological knot. The Son of Heaven lived in constant fear, thus was seduced by the Fire God. It used the warm jade seal as tinder, used the Son of Heaven’s weeping as fire sparks, and used the world’s people’s mutual deception and scheming as firewood. The court was burned into a hateful fire. That rebellious fire destroyed the capital and now was speeding and pouncing to burn toward the court’s four borders.

Northern border Juyong Pass, western frontier Yumen Pass – everything became a sea of fire. The great fire pressed forward step by step when suddenly the flames stopped, pausing in a desert.

Eight directions ghost realm, nine provinces forbidden boundary – east, south, west, north, all roads ended here. No matter how fierce the flames, they couldn’t burn this place. Here was Nu Cang’s main stronghold – in the court’s eyes a sink of evil, and also the homeland and native place of the world’s grassroots.

“No matter how ruthless you are, you can’t burn your father.” Under moonlight illuminating the world, that mighty figure capable of competing with the Asura King stood thus atop the black tiger’s head, carefully estimating the world’s situation.

Marquis Liu had fallen.

Marquis Shanmu was like a great rock of the Jingtai Dynasty. For the world to reach this step of turmoil and unrest, the Northern Expedition Commander had to fall. Only when Commander Liu’s hundred thousand troops became headless flies could treacherous heroes have the possibility of rising. Pitiable and lamentable – Liu Angtian’s downfall wasn’t due to anyone’s hatred but for the hundred thousand elite troops in his hands. This was called “an innocent man suffers for possessing a treasure.”

Truly ruthless… something even Liu Jing couldn’t do, that person actually could accomplish? The man atop the black tiger sighed – that sigh carried regret and indignation, but more was awe for his opponent.

Having eliminated Liu Jing, the next target skipped over Jiang Chong and went directly to Liu Angtian. So sharp, so poisonous – with Liu and Liu factions successively falling, that most alert and capable Grand Tutor Jiang was caught off guard, only able to watch helplessly as the situation reversed. Now he was isolated and helpless, already a waste, probably unable to exert any more influence.

With the Northern Expedition Commander fallen and even Jiang Chong dismissed, civil and military officials lived day to day in fear, the situation extremely precarious. The stubborn stone blocking the great gate of unified territory was only himself left. In other words, the only one in the world still able to contend with the Asura was only himself.

Qin Zhonghai stabilizes heaven and earth’s situation!

The man atop the black tiger’s head had light blazing from his eyes as he stared at the distant eastern capital.

Beside the beacon tower, scouts rushed to report, continuously presenting military intelligence: “Right Phoenix Military Advisor sends word back to the stronghold – Beijing coup is imminent, requesting the general immediately raise troops and make arrangements. He will return to the mountain stronghold within three days.” With such a person of the blue-robed scholar’s capabilities helping, nothing was beyond grasp. Qin Zhonghai, hearing the military intelligence, immediately narrowed his eyes and sighed to himself: “Among the world’s heroes, only you and I… boy, you indeed did what you said, you’re really going to stage a restoration…”

In Damo Academy, that powerful enemy had once intended to borrow troops from him. At that time, without thinking, he immediately refused. Now the situation had reversed – that person had consecutively broken through barriers and was already invincible. After his coup, the next step would be to deal with himself.

“Come then – you’re poisonous, I’m sharp; you’re ruthless, I’m stronger. Let’s have a good fight.” Nu Cang’s commander crossed his arms and smiled coldly, glancing sideways at the powerful enemy ten thousand li away.

“Go ahead and stage your coup – Nu Cang has long been prepared. You have the emperor clear the way for you, we’ll have you build bridges for us… You borrow a blade to kill, I’ll secretly cross at Chencang; you charge straight into the capital, I’ll kill into the passes. You do business without capital, we’ll do cheap deals.” The heaven-sent opportunity for reaping benefits while others fought had finally come.

Who cared who was the sage Son of Heaven? The more chaotic the court situation, the happier Nu Cang’s heroes were. Beijing coup, new emperor urgently staging restoration, old emperor busily suppressing rebellion – both sides fighting to the death, the court too busy to manage itself. He, Old Qin, would take the opportunity to occupy mountains and strategic positions, recruit surrendering rebels. When troops killed into the passes and the opportunity for eastern advance matured, Nu Cang’s great army could enter Luoyang at any time, henceforth standing as equals with the court.

“You, ah you, think you’re the most vicious? In competing for cunning and scheming power, you’re still far behind.”

Nu Cang’s commander gazed at the vast desert and couldn’t help but laugh heartily. The Nu Cang commander who need never kneel to anyone in this life – he was different from his father Qin Baxian – he was a true rebel!

“Work harder – Beijing has deployed hundreds of thousands of troops. How many military horses can you mobilize? Don’t get killed in just a few moves – hold on a bit longer.” Qin Zhonghai laughed loudly and was about to turn back down the peak when suddenly a messenger ran up, saying anxiously: “Report to the Mountain Master – you have a guest in Loyalty Hall.” Qin Zhonghai was somewhat puzzled and asked back: “Guest?”

That messenger nodded repeatedly: “Exactly. Lord Lu requests you hurry down.”

Qin Zhonghai nodded. Since rebuilding Nu Cang, Loyalty Hall’s doors were wide open, with heroes from the three mountains and five peaks constantly coming to join. He hadn’t expected that even in the deep night there would be heroes coming to join after hearing their fame. He wondered if local government pursuit was tight, actually causing them to come up the mountain in the deep night.

Qin Zhonghai was in good spirits, smiling as he entered Loyalty Hall. He first saw a woman holding a baby, looking at him timidly – it was Yan Er’niang. Qin Zhonghai coughed, squeezed out a smile at the corner of his mouth, and didn’t say much. Just as he was about to call subordinates to ask questions, he suddenly saw a man collapsed limply in a wooden chair, already fallen asleep in the hall.

That person had a rectangular face. Though his chin was covered with short whiskers, his handsome appearance was still hard to conceal. That person was… was…

Just then Lu Guzhan’s tiger palm extended, holding a square seal stone in his hand. Qin Zhonghai’s tiger eyes opened wide, his smiling mouth corner frozen.

Lu Yun had come! Bringing the “Orthodox Treasure” with him!

So this was it – this was the powerful enemy’s final scheme. Qin Zhonghai picked up the jade seal, already stunned speechless.

For a restoration coup, who was most suspicious? Twenty years ago, whose father had supported the previous emperor, occupied mountains to rebel, and fought endlessly with Jingtai? A month ago, whose superior had harbored the jade seal, challenged the current dynasty, and finally had his entire family executed?

Finished – his close friend had come to the mountain, actually bringing this great gift. Nu Cang was already a thorn in the emperor’s eye. Now sheltering the baby and taking in the jade seal, this square seal stone was like a fire starter – just a few provocations to make rumors fly everywhere, and the emperor’s suspicion and hateful fire would all be vented on himself.

Beijing’s hundreds of thousands of deployed troops wouldn’t obediently stay home – they were coming out. Nu Cang, in a position of suspicion with no room for maneuvering, would inevitably face direct confrontation. Hatefully, with overwhelming troops surrounding them, Nu Cang was in mortal danger, while the capital’s defenses became empty…

The one reaping benefits while others fought wasn’t himself but that guy… He wanted himself and the emperor to fight to the death so he could easily rise up and reap a peaceful Buddha kingdom. Poor Lu Yun, with loyal liver and righteous courage, traveling thousands of li, had fallen into that person’s calculations.

In the peaceful night sky appeared a proud silhouette. That confident, slender figure smiled and raised the wine in his hand, toasting toward himself in invitation. Qin Zhonghai looked up at the sky, gnashing his teeth as his shoulders shook continuously.

“Yang Suguan! This old man will draw your tendons and flay your skin!”

Qin Zhonghai’s tiger eyes blazed with fury, both hands clenched into fists as he roared angrily at the figure in the night sky. Everyone in the hall, not knowing why he was angry, were all shocked, but only Lu Yun slept peacefully, completely unaware that danger was already before his eyes.