Chapter 156: Chapter 155: Enemies Ahead, Blocking the way
Translator: 549690339
A few months ago, Yangzhou, Ning King Residence.
The Ning King Residence, which spans hundreds of acres, is tightly guarded by countless soldiers, so much so that not even a fly could enter.
At noon, a gentle breeze was stirring up ripples on the shimmering lake inside the residence.
King Chujiang, one of the ten Yanluo of the underworld, came walking slowly, crossing a stone bridge to reach the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
Ning King lounged on a chair, holding a small celadon cup in his hand, and slowly sprinkled fish food into the lake, enticing a swarm of fish into a feeding frenzy.
Next to him, a young monk dressed in white interrupted, his refined appearance emanating an air of natural elegance and detachment from the world.
There was also a young woman in a red dress, playing with a jade pendant and wearing a faint smile.
“You are late,” the monk in the white robed said unhappily at King Chujiang•s arrival.
King Chujiang chuckled, cupped his fists and said, “I was held up on the way here. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
“The small matters don’t matter.” Ning King emptied the remaining fish food in his cup into the water, causing a frenzy among the fish. He put down the celadon cup, shrugged nonchalantly, and said.
Then, he stood up, stretched his body, and said, “Since you’re here, let’s get down to business!” “Very well.” King Chujiang said with a smile.
The monk in white pointed to the young woman in red and said, “I presume you’re familiar with this lady! The Holy Maiden is here on the orders of the Master to discuss this important matter.”
The woman in the red dress was indeed the Holy Maiden Yu Yiyao, a disciple of Zhao Baiyang, the leader of the Mire Sect. She stood up, gave a slight bow and said, “Yu Yiyao, greets senior King Chujiang.”
King Chujiang furrowed his brows, “This is a matter of great importance. Even if your Master couldn’t come in person, there should at least be a Protector or Elder. Why are you here instead!”
His tone was rather cold; clearly, he was quite displeased with the Mire Sect for sending such a person.
Neither Ning King nor the monk in white spoke at King Chujiang’s dissatisfaction, only watching Yu Yiyao with interest, to see how this Holy Maiden would respond. After all, the Mire Sect’s actions had indeed caused them some dissatisfaction as well.
With Yu Yiyao•s wisdom, she knew King Chujiang was trying to assert his dominance. Unfazed by his reproach, she answered with a smile, “Ever since Pei Xuanjing rose to power, he has caused significant losses to our sect, killing many of our experts. And now with a significant matter pending, Northwest Dao is of utmost importance. To prevent oversights and mistakes, the Master decided to personally guard the Northwest Dao and has summoned all the sect’s experts. Recently, he wanted to meet with some old friends to get them to join us, which is why he sent me here to seek understanding.”
After hearing the explanation, while it seemed forced, there was no further inquiry. After all, the three parties were in a partnership and the power of the Mire Sect was not insignificant. Being given such an explanation was respect enough to their faces.
Ning King glanced at the monk in white, who nodded, and asked, “Do you two know how prepared you are? If we give you a tip-off, can you respond immediately?”
This alliance had already lasted for quite some time; Ning King was willing to cooperate with notorious forces like the Mire Sect and the Underworld in order to ascend to the throne— a signal of his considerable ambition, disregarding any external ramifications, and focusing solely on attaining the supreme position.
In Ning King’s view, winners were kings and losers were reduced to bandits. As long as he could ascend to the throne, any price was worth paying, for there would always be a chance to recover later.
Who did not know that the founding Emperor was once a beggar, but when he eventually created the Great Ming Empire, it only added to his prestige and fame rather than being ridiculed.
As a descendant of the founding emperor, Zhu Chenhao wasn’t concerned about losing a bit of reputation.
The monk in white had a mysterious background, but everyone knew that he was the most trusted person in Ning King’s circle.
Yu Yiyao and King Chujiang nodded simultaneously and promised, “Everything is ready. As soon as your side starts, we will take action.”
Upon hearing this, the monk in white nodded in satisfaction.
Like the famous minister Yao Guangxiao, the monk in white was confident that he could similarly influence Ning King’s rise to power.
After Pei Xuanjing parted ways with Taoist Qingxu and Bai Xiaosheng, he quickly set off towards Yangzhou.
It would take about twenty days to reach the site of the rebellion in Yangzhou from where he was. No matter how hard Pei Xuanjing pushed, riding day and night, it would still take at least ten days.
However, Pei Xuanjing’s current identity was rather sensitive. He knew that if he showed himself, he would surely draw the attention of many, especially those who held grudges against him, like the Underworld and the Mire Sect.
There was also the hurdle of the imperial court, for they knew that Ning King was causing trouble in Yangzhou. However, no one knew why Pei Xuanjing was heading to Yangzhou and his intentions.
Perhaps he wanted to join forces with Ning King to conspire against the Great Ming Empire?
It wasn’t impossible, so the imperial court would surely attempt to stop him in order to prevent such a union.
Thereby, Pei Xuanjing couldn’t push his travel too hard. He had to reserve some energy to prevent potential accidents, such as ambush or assassinations from the imperial court, Underworld, and the Mire Sect.
Therefore, ensuring his own safety, it would still take Pei Xuanjing at least ten days to reach Yangzhou.
Just as he expected, seven days after he departed, and just a few days away from entering Yangzhou, he encountered his first roadblock.
And this roadblock was neither from the underworld nor the Mire Sect, but the Great Ming Empire.
“Who are you? Why are you obstructing my path?” Pei Xuanjing frowned at the soldiers blocking his way.
The commander dressed like a general coldly said, “Pei Xuanjing, I am General Yang Yunhui of the Dehua Guard Command Department. I am here to arrest you.”
He had already received news that Pei Xuanjing would arrive here and had set up an ambush, hoping to arrest Pei Xuanjing.
Pei Xuanjing coldly said, “You don’t bother with Ning King’s rebellion, but you come to arrest me?”
Without another word, Yang Yunhui gave the order, “Take action, dead or alive.”
He of course knew about Ning King’s rebellion, but Ning King’s power was larger than what he could handle..