noveltune 0017 Drink this cup of wine, and kill Zhang Yujing under the cover of night.
0017 Drink this cup of wine, and kill Zhang Yujing under the cover of night.
On the tenth day of the tenth month of the sixtieth year of the Hongjing reign, at midnight.
It was a dark and windy night, yet a bright red sun hung high in the sky.
Even though we are thousands of miles apart, the red sun still shines through the long night.
The night's light was crimson, like blood, as if it were a grand mourning for this coup.
It seemed to foreshadow great chaos in the world.
The crows in the forest kept cawing, as if drawing back the curtain on a chaotic world.
But Zhao Jing understood.
This is the eldest brother after he was promoted to Grandmaster, when he merged with martial arts and transformed into a red sun.
He died, but his martial spirit remained undiminished.
Just to hold out a little longer against the siege of the Grandmasters.
With the sun never setting, Yuwen Huan and his men were trapped in Yujing and had no time to pursue them.
Zhao Wei seemed to be saying:
"Run away, little brother."
"Escape to the ends of the earth, to a place where the enemy can't find you."
"I'm buying you this time so you can regroup and plan for the future."
It is this unwavering determination that makes the red sun hang high in the sky above the capital.
Zhao Wei lit up the light, hoping that Zhao Jing would take the opportunity to escape.
But he chose to gather his forces and march back to Yujing.
The first batch of innate masters who received the Flying Dragon Order had already arrived.
Zhao Jing didn't have time to assess and select everyone.
He only raised two points.
First, this mission is extremely dangerous, with a very low chance of survival.
Secondly, if they are willing to leave, the Crown Prince will not pursue any responsibility.
Charging into battle relies on self-discipline.
As a result, no one left.
Zhao Jing then released the Floating Pagoda, requiring everyone to make a vow.
Mystic arts have their advantages.
Even psychological suggestion can be used for further assessment.
Similarly, no one refused.
They inscribed vows on the stupas, pledging to follow them to the death.
Only with this premise will one be informed of the actual task.
This morning, Zhao Jing fled from Yujing, looking as lost and bewildered as a stray dog.
Now, at midnight, he will lead a group of experts, like steel knives, to plunge into the heart of the enemy.
It will make the usurper suffer terribly.
It's just unknown how many of them will survive to the end.
Zhao Jing thought of a few names.
Lin Xiu, Lu Fang, Wang Sen...
These were his guards, now buried in the earth.
Zhao Jing slowly closed his eyes.
No wonder those in power must be heartless.
"Your Highness, we are ready."
"Give the order!"
Seeing that His Highness was in a daze, Chen Zhong immediately spoke up to remind him.
Zhao Jing opened his eyes, his heart already as hard as stone.
He glanced at the crowd and said only one sentence:
"Let's drink fine wine together, and then set off on our journey."
The Crown Prince was powerless to repay the loyalty, so he could only drink wine to bid farewell.
The assembled immortals, never expecting His Highness to be so generous, all raised their bowls:
"Thank you for the wine, Your Highness!"
Zhao Jing grinned:
"Come and have fun with me."
Everyone was startled.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Jing chose to toast each of the innate masters.
They were retainers, and Zhao Jing was the ruler.
Logically speaking, he could have simply offered a toast, or even just a token gesture.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Jing planned to drink a bowl of wine with everyone.
Since material things cannot repay us, let's satisfy our spiritual needs.
Zhao Jing is always considerate of his subordinates, and his emotional value is off the charts.
Everyone was immediately envious, but dared not step forward.
"I'll go first!"
The eldest, the Heavenly King You Nian, stepped forward first.
He raised his glass in a toast and cheerfully shouted:
"I am over sixty years old and have never accomplished anything significant."
"In my early years in the army, my leg was broken by a horse, leaving me practically a cripple."
"Thanks to the Crown Prince's kindness, I was given a miraculous medicine and was able to recover."
"I am ashamed to say that it took me decades of arduous cultivation to finally achieve the Innate Realm."
"May Your Highness live a long and prosperous life!"
Zhao Jing responded by raising his bowl:
"Wang Younian, with a loyal minister like you in the Eastern Palace, the chaos will surely be rectified."
"I'll drink with you, even if it's just me."
Zhao Jing drank it all in one gulp, while Wang Younian was so excited that his face turned red. He didn't even taste the wine before finishing it all.
With a loud clang.
After finishing his drink, Wang Younian accidentally broke the wine bowl.
Zhao Jing also smashed the wine bowl in front of him.
Ah!
This life has been worthwhile.
Everyone else was incredibly envious.
They never raised a glass in respect to the imperial family and nobility.
As long as they survive, they can brag about it for the rest of their lives.
"Your grandfather accomplished something truly remarkable back then."
"His Highness the Imperial Grandson personally offered me a toast!"
I'll do it, I'll do it!
The next young man, Qin Ying, immediately squeezed through:
"Brother Wang may not have done anything significant, but have we?"
"Your Highness, rest assured, we have already arranged for the families to evacuate."
"This time, we're determined to accomplish something great and make a name for ourselves in history!"
May Your Highness live a long and healthy life!
The retainers never sought only basic sustenance.
A scholar will die for one who understands him, not for the sake of food and clothing.
Zhao Jing's crazy plan was too insane for a loyal minister like Tu Huaiyuan.
But to the retainers, who were steeped in the spirit of the martial arts world, it was just right.
Zhao Jing did not hesitate:
"Very well, I'll drink with you."
Everyone felt a pang of sympathy and cried out in unison:
"We wish to drink with Your Highness."
"Me first, me first!"
The group almost came to blows.
In the future, when people are bragging, whoever drinks with His Highness first will be considered a kind of seniority.
Back in the day, I was drinking with His Highness. Who do you think you are?
Chen Zhong immediately roared:
"One at a time!"
Tu Huaiyuan was dumbfounded.
In such a desperate situation.
Those in positions of power should avoid being aloof; only by humbling themselves can they win people's hearts.
Zhao Jing disregarded his status and violated etiquette to push morale to its peak and satisfy his emotional needs.
All the innate beings were excited, and they drank fine wine with Zhao Jing one by one.
This was the best wine they had ever drunk in their lives.
Zhao Jing, who never drinks alcohol, downed ten bowls in a row.
As a result, the more he drank, the more sober he became.
Wang Younian, Qin Ying, Ye Ling...
Zhao Jing toasted each of them, memorizing their appearances and names.
He has a good memory; the Imperial Guards who killed Lin Xiu and others have all been sent away.
Revenge should not be delayed overnight.
Now he remembers the new faces, which will be useful in the future, whether for celebrations or memorial services.
After drinking, the eyes of the innate beings were filled with fervor.
Do it, Your Highness!
Zhao Jing pursed his lips and gave the order:
"Ignition, go!"
Tea shops must leave no trace.
Tu Huaiyuan obeyed the order and personally ignited the culmination of half a lifetime of hard work.
The cold wind howled.
The wind fanned the flames, and the tea plantation was engulfed in an instant.
The Tu family members all shed tears.
Twenty years of hard work have passed like a dream.
He rose from a humble tea merchant to a wealthy tycoon, and then to the head steward of the Eastern Palace's businesses.
Twenty years of hard work have now been reduced to ashes.
Tu Huaiyuan did not cry, but instead rebuked:
"Stop acting like a child, hurry on your way!"
"We split into several groups and met at Donglin Academy in Jiangzhou."
"Twenty years from now, I will return to you a tea plantation exactly the same!"
Donglin Academy is a branch of Yuelu Academy and the largest academy in Jiangzhou.
Jiangnan, Jiangnan.
In fact, Jiangnan is divided into Jiangzhou, Yuzhou, and Nanzhou.
Donglin Academy is the perfect meeting point.
Because Master Liu will definitely go here after he escapes.
The Tu family members all agreed in unison:
"Yes, Master!"
go!
The group packed their valuables and fled under cover of night.
Tu Huaiyuan took one last look at the fireworks display, then left without looking back.
I will be back.
Then we'll plant our own cultivated tea on all these hills.
When the tea leaves bloom, the tea-picking girls will sing in unison.
The Tu family began their escape.
Zhao Jing's men, on the other hand, headed in the opposite direction, rushing towards Yujing at breakneck speed.
A master born with innate abilities, possessing profound inner energy.
With everyone working together, they lifted the Blood Raven Flying Carriage, moving with the speed of a ghost.
Their speed was so fast that even the Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn't keep up.
After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard needed to conserve their strength for war, while they did not need to.
Once exposed, it's a dead end.
Then it would be better to burn through all one's true energy and only seek maximum speed.
Zhao Jing even issued a crazy order:
"Take the official road."
"We are now members of the Yuwen family."
"Let's see who dares to block our way!"
Everyone laughed and accepted the order:
"Yes, young master!"
In the darkness of night, eleven men carried a sedan chair, carrying the seriously injured Yuwen Zhe and Miss Tu Su.
As for Zhao Jing, he lay on Bao'er's back at the rear.
The flying sedan chair led the way, with Bao'er following closely behind.
Zhao Jing was unwilling to increase Bao'er's burden, but everyone insisted.
If anything goes wrong, Bao'er can still help him escape.
Therefore, Zhao Jing did not ride in the sedan chair, but left Qianhuanzhu in the sedan chair to remotely control the overall situation.
All the innate beings wore human skin masks, impersonating Yan Shuangxing, Wang Tianyi, and the like.
Their disguise skills weren't particularly sophisticated, but they had a complete set of props, making it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake at first glance.
Sometimes the dead are indeed more useful than the living.
Zhao Jing has already extracted a lot of value from us, and now we will continue to exploit him.
What should I do?
Zhao Jing couldn't help but look at Yan Shuangxing.
Among Yuwen Zhe's guards, besides Wei Zheng, only Yan Shuangxing has a character illustration.
Zhao Jing recognized him at Mingxinlou.
When Shen Changsheng first entered the martial arts world, he was robbed by petty thieves, and Lai Yanshuang bravely came to his aid.
He was a chivalrous and warm-hearted man.
When Yan Shuangxing learned that Shen Changsheng wanted to go to the capital to learn martial arts, he further pointed out the dangers of the martial arts world:
"The world is a deep and treacherous place; countless people have drowned there."
"Stay."
The Yan Family Martial Arts School may not be of a high standard, but it does possess internal martial arts techniques and some superior martial arts skills. It would be better to stay and learn them.
He was willing to waive all of Shen Changsheng's tuition fees.
But Shen Changsheng, burdened by a blood feud and homeless, insisted on going to the capital.
Seeing that he could not persuade him to stay, Yan Shuangxing wrote a letter recommending that he go to his uncle in the capital.
Later, Shen Changsheng and Yan Shuangxing crossed paths in two ways: one was by gifting Yan Shuangxing superior martial arts techniques to repay a debt of gratitude and help him advance to the Innate Realm; the other was in the final chapter, where Yan Shuangxing joined the battle as a friend.
Clearly, after Yuwen Yi killed Shen Changsheng, he sent someone to contact Yan Shuangxing and used some means to recruit him.
Yan Shuangxing once said that the world of martial arts is a deep and treacherous place, and he himself drowned in it.
It does not matter.
Since Yan Shuangxing has pledged allegiance to the Yuwen family, he has no choice but to accept his fate.
Zhao Jing showed no pity.
The only one who was of concern was Yan Shuangxing's uncle, Yan Li, who was a guard at the Princess's residence.
Wait a minute, this is interesting.
Zhao Jing reviewed the plot and discovered blind spots.
When Shen Changsheng first arrived in the capital, he did not know that the person who massacred the village was Yuwen Xiao; he only knew that his enemy should be in Yujing.
However, upon arriving in the capital, Shen Changsheng harbored deep resentment towards the Yuwen family.
All because Yan Li instilled the crimes of the Yuwen family, and later the "Lady Lin" case.
Was it unintentional, or intentional?
From a game perspective, it's setting the stage for the players.
For the eldest princess, stirring up trouble and inciting bloodshed would be most advantageous.
After all, the eldest princess never expected that she would recruit a martial arts prodigy like Shen Changsheng. It seemed very strange and must have been a conspiracy.
But the truth is not important.
Zhao Jing is not a detective and does not rely on evidence.
There's no need to analyze the true thoughts of the two members of the Yan family.
One served Yuwen, and the other served the eldest princess.
They all deserve to die.
A family should be together, all together.
He was going to the capital, and he could use Yan Shuangxing's name to lure Yan Li here and kill him, while also gathering information about the Princess.
Isn't that wonderful?
The situation in Yujing is currently chaotic, and Zhao Jing needs a suitable entry point.
I'll choose you.
Just as Zhao Jing was pondering, the Blood Raven Flying Sedan Chair and Bao'er transformed into two afterimages and sped along the official road.
The official road was unusually quiet, unlike in the past.
No merchants traveled under the cover of night, and even the birds dared not sing at night.
On an October night, a cold wind suddenly rose.
Miss Tusu, inside the sedan chair, felt a chill and cried out in alarm:
"Young master, there is a mystical formation ahead."
"stop!"
Zhao Jing gave the order, and everyone forcibly stopped.
Immediately, everyone swallowed Qi-replenishing pills to restore their Qi.
Every second counts.
Zhao Jing asked:
"What kind of formation?"
Tu Su's starry eyes sparkled, and she was no longer shy.
Under the gaze of the stars, mystical arts have nowhere to hide.
"A detection array commonly used by the military."
"If a master of innate level passes by, an alarm will be triggered."
"The alarm is divided into three levels."
"First report to nearby outposts, second report to distant troops, and third report to light your own beacon fire."
Tu Su's mastery of metaphysics is clearly superior.
Because she received orthodox training in mystical arts, coupled with her starry eyes, she was naturally invincible.
She saw through the deception at a glance.
Zhao Jing immediately demanded:
"Can it be destroyed?"
Miss Tu Su nodded in agreement:
"able."
"But it will trigger an alarm, attract the monks at the outpost, and even light a signal fire."
Such an exquisite array of mystical techniques could not have been created by a local post station.
It must be the military.
The true elite.
The Xuanwu Army has arrived.
Li Shuo's words still resonate:
"The troops from Xuanzhou were the first to enter the capital."
Marquis Xuanwu was the eldest princess's maternal uncle and was stationed in Xuanzhou.
He and the Prince of Zhenbei have always been at odds, like oil and water.
Even if Emperor Hongjing were foolish, he would not allow the two to become friends.
The three northern prefectures—Liangzhou, Yanzhou, and Xuanzhou—belonged to the Grand Tutor's Office, the Prince of Zhenbei, and the Marquis of Xuanwu, respectively.
They were each deployed by one of the three major military groups of the Dayong Dynasty: the Xiliang Army, the Beifu Army, and the Xuanwu Army.
The relationship between these three is terrible; they are hostile to each other.
Otherwise, the imperial court would be in grave danger.
The most terrifying aspect of the Xuanwu Gate Incident was that the three parties truly united.
Now the Xuanwu army has arrived first and is gradually taking control of the situation in Yujing.
Once the Northern Army or the Western Liang Army arrives, even if the experts of the Eastern Palace launch a counterattack, they will be wiped out one by one.
A large army may not be able to kill a Grandmaster, but it is enough to hold down a position in the region.
To enter Yujing, we must first eliminate the outposts.
Although Zhao Jing and his group were disguised as members of the Yuwen family, they could not give the enemy time to react.
Otherwise, the Xuanwu Army will send people along the way to investigate and verify Yuwen Zhe's identity.
Wouldn't that give us away?
The later the enemy finds out, the better.
Zhao Jing immediately asked everyone:
Who is skilled in assassination?
"Take down this outpost."
"This old man!"
"I used to be a military officer, so I'm familiar with this outpost."
Wang Younian stepped forward, and Qin Ying responded accordingly:
"And me!"
Zhao Jing nodded:
"very good!"
"I'll lend you this flying sword. Go quickly and return quickly."
The flying sword flew out of the sedan chair and landed in Qin Ying's hand, making him overjoyed.
After Bao'er forged the spirit sword, Zhao Jing was also blessed by the Floating Pagoda, making it convenient to control remotely.
"Yes, young master!"
Wang Younian and Qin Ying immediately agreed.
Tu Su added:
"There are at least two people at the outpost, one in the open and one in the shadows."
Wang Younian patted his chest and said:
"Don't worry, Miss Tu Su, I do have some experience in the martial world."
Tu Su didn't mind and continued to add:
"Judging from the way the magic is maintained, the outpost is most likely located on the hills ahead, overlooking the surrounding area."
"If there are caves in the hills, the sorcerer is in the cave."
A sentry post has at least two people, and possibly even three.
They will form a defensive triangle to prevent being silently eliminated by the enemy.
Now Wang Younian couldn't help but ask:
"Why in the cave?"
"It was rare to see this in the military before."
Tu Su answered simply:
"There is a spirit in the cave; it is suitable for worship."
It turned out to be the case.
As expected, having an expert around makes all the difference.
Everyone was overjoyed.
Having said that, Tu Su reverted to her shy demeanor:
"Young master, this is all we have."
very good already.
Zhao Jing nodded upon hearing this:
"Did you hear that? Find the person first, then take action."
"clear!"
Wang Younian and Qin Ying vanished from the spot in an instant.
……
Just as Tu Su had said, two sentries were chatting idly on the hill.
"Damn it, where are all the other businessmen?"
"All the brothers who went to the city made a fortune, but we didn't get a single penny!"
"The only woman who passed by was snatched away by Xu Gongfeng."
One of the sentries complained incessantly.
The other person frowned:
"Hei Zi, according to the rules you have to lie in ambush in the shadows."
Yang Heizi chuckled:
"You're enjoying yourselves in the cave, what's wrong with us chatting for a bit?"
Chen Ergou's face tightened involuntarily:
"Master Xu is a sorcerer, only in charge of formations."
Yang Heizi was helpless:
"Okay, okay, I'll go back."
"Take this, we'll continue talking later."
Yang Heizi took out a conch shell.
This was originally a gadget for eavesdropping, but it was used for chatting.
According to the rules, you should be whipped.
But considering the great victory, Chen Ergou no longer cared:
"Okay, you can go back now."
Yang Heizi walked and daydreamed:
"This time when we enter Yujing, we'll confiscate so many houses and make so much money."
"An imperial capital for eight hundred years!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Ergou couldn't help but show his envy.
But when he thought of Military Advisor Song, his face immediately hardened:
"Military regulations."
"Okay, okay, okay."
As soon as Yang Heizi turned around, he suddenly felt sleepy.
Strange, I definitely took a stimulant!
Enemy attack!
Yang Heizi is lazy, but his reactions are extremely fast.
He instinctively roared:
"Enemy attack!"
But he suddenly realized that his throat was hoarse and he couldn't make a sound.
Quick, light the signal fire.
Chen Ergou and he shared the same view.
But it was too late.
A dark shadow swept past, but the black sword flashed without a trace.
This person had even painted the sword black, making it impossible to kill without leaving a trace.
The heads of the two sentries fell to the ground.
"The combination of mute powder and sleep powder works really well, and the price is cheap too."
"Luckily, I put up a silencing talisman, otherwise these roars would have been dangerous."
"I am old and frail, so I have to resort to more methods."
"Young people should be more understanding."
"However, the Xuanwu Army is becoming increasingly incompetent."
You, a master of innate level, actually resorted to poisoning two sentries.
Old people don't practice martial ethics.
Chen Ergou died with his eyes wide open in disbelief.
Wang Younian chuckled as he cleaned up the battlefield:
"Let's see what happens to Qin next."
"Mystic masters are not easy to deal with."
Before the words were even finished, Qin Ying had already reached the watchtower and was imitating the cry of a cuckoo.
signal:
"Old man, are you done?"
Qin Ying's shoelaces and the carefree sword instantly severed the head of the enchanting sorcerer who was indulging in a life of pleasure.
Wang Younian's smile froze:
"Young people these days really don't know how to respect the elderly and care for the young."
What's wrong with letting this old man be smug for a bit longer?
Soon, Zhao Jing received news that the outpost had been cleared.
With the worry about the outpost gone, Tu Su casually deactivated the mystical array.
The group continued their journey to Yujing, eliminating two or three more outposts along the way.
About an hour later, they saw the regular Xuanwu Army blocking their way.
The outskirts of Yujing City are heavily fortified with checkpoints.
Amid the coup, a murderous atmosphere pervaded the air.
"Who is in the sedan chair?"
"Curfew imposed in the capital!"
"No one is allowed to enter or exit. Stop immediately!"
Hundreds of fully armed elite Xuanwu soldiers blocked the road in the middle.
There are also scattered troops nearby, totaling more than a thousand people, which can be described as a large force.
In particular, the guerrilla general [Du Jin] was startled when he saw that the speed of the flying sedan chair did not decrease.
Strange, why is there no response from the outpost?
Why did I set up so many outposts?
Where have they all gone?
Without time to think, Du Jin shouted:
"Prepare the Breaking Army Crossbow!"
"Stop right now!"
Du Jin's voice boomed like thunder, his true energy surging.
If they dare not stop, they will be killed without exception.
This crossbow is a deadly weapon in the army; its arrows are imbued with powerful energy and are worth a fortune.
Even a half-step Grandmaster should avoid his sharp edge.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Jing's forces not only did not decrease but increased, and they roared in unison:
"Young Master Yuwen is here! Make way immediately!"
"Young Master Yuwen is here! Make way immediately!"
"put……"
Before the word "arrow" could be uttered, it was abruptly cut off by the four words "Young Master Yuwen".
Du Jin's deputy urgently advised:
"General, that's Commander Li's sedan chair. Let's take a look first!"
"good!"
"These sentries are outrageous."
"Young Master Yuwen arrived without even announcing it!"
Du Jin gritted his teeth, and the flying sedan chair suddenly stopped in front of the gate.
The next second, Yuwen Zhe lifted the sedan curtain and took out the Yuwen family's Qilin Token.
A tyrannical and arrogant voice boomed in the ears of all the Xuanwu soldiers:
Are you all deaf?
"Can't you see my sedan chair?"
"Get out of here right now!"