Chapter 138: You

Upon hearing this, Commander Wu Shang furrowed his brows and asked doubtfully:

"Could there be other factions within the court secretly plotting to strike at Luoshen Peak?"

Yet Hu Rui'an still shook his head and said:

"The likelihood is extremely low. Though the court's various agencies operate independently and sometimes their actions overlap, targeting a colossal force like Luoshen Peak would require prior coordination—no one would recklessly waste manpower repeating the same task."

Hu Rui'an's words were already clear enough: this implied that the Six Ministries and the Hidden Spy Bureau's situation was likely the same as the Tianjin Guard's.

Each had their own covert plans targeting the Four Great Sects of the Jianghu, but their targets were certainly not Luoshen Peak.

At this moment, Cao Gaoshan fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the half-jade pendant in Hu Rui'an's hand, and said:

"I think figuring this out is actually simple. According to the Bai Sha Gang's leader, it was the Tianxia Alliance that ordered them to seize this item—so this matter is clearly tied to the Tianxia Alliance. Add to that the fact that the messenger was a court official: investigate which faction in the court is plotting against the Tianxia Alliance, and you'll know which side the messenger belongs to."

Hu Rui'an glanced at him, yet still shook his head and said:

"This method sounds feasible, but the Tianxia Alliance is the most complex Jianghu force in all of Da Li, having absorbed countless Daxiaozong Sects. Perhaps the messenger was once embedded in some minor sect before defecting to the Tianxia Alliance."

"Perhaps the Tianxia Alliance merely stumbled upon the messenger's secret and seized the jade pendant and map by chance—there are too many possibilities here; it would be nearly impossible to investigate thoroughly in a short time."

Just then, Li Musheng scanned Hu Rui'an and the others, suddenly raised an eyebrow, and waved his hand:

"What are you all talking about? Do we really need to overthink the jade pendant? What does this have to do with us?"

As he spoke, he fixed his gaze on Hu Rui'an and asked:

"Why don't you, my lord, answer me two questions: First, does Luoshen Peak need to be eradicated? Second, will the Tianjin Guard's plan against Luoshen Peak be halted because of a single word from that messenger?"

Hearing this, Hu Rui'an frowned, then fell silent for a moment.

Finally, he set down the jade pendant and gave a slight nod:

"Your Highness speaks truly. The messenger's matter may indeed conceal deeper secrets, but for our Tianjin Guard at present, there is no need—and no ability—to consider it."

As he spoke, Hu Rui'an lifted his head and gazed deeply at Li Musheng.

The fact that this newly recognized Imperial Prince maintained a calm, detached demeanor toward this near-suicidal mission to Luoshen Peak had already astonished him.

Now, his direct, decisive, no-nonsense approach further earned him a measure of respect.

Yet his doubts about Li Musheng's true nature remained unchanged.

At this moment, Wu Shang and the others also snapped back to attention. Though the situation was odd, they had clearly overthought it.

What lay before them now was only one thing: the eradication of Luoshen Peak.

For them, everything else truly wasn't worth pondering.

"I'll keep this half-jade pendant for now. The half-map on it can be cross-referenced with our Tianjin Guard's map—it might prove useful when we attack Luoshen Peak."

As Hu Rui'an spoke, he picked up the jade pendant again, never once considering sending it back to the capital.

Wu Shang and the others all nodded in agreement, seeing nothing wrong with this action.

After all, under current circumstances, anything that could aid in eradicating Luoshen Peak was deemed invaluable.

Li Musheng watched all this without concern—he had no use whatsoever for such trivial matters.

Meanwhile, Murong Xiaoya, who had sat silently beside the table like an invisible person throughout, finally gathered her courage after much hesitation and whispered to Li Musheng:

"Um… Your Highness, I have a very puzzling question I'd like to ask you."

Hearing this, Li Musheng glanced at the socially anxious Miss, whose voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz—he nearly missed it.

Though Murong Xiaoya appeared easily intimidated, he did not ignore her, but nodded gently:

"Miss Murong, ask whatever you wish."

At this, Murong Xiaoya's cheeks flushed red. She glanced at Shangguan Qingqing beyond the Qi barrier, bit her lip, and said:

"I'm confused—why does this lady call you 'the Number One Under Heaven'? Is there some reason behind it?"

Hearing this, Hu Rui'an and the others all turned their gazes toward Li Musheng.

This was indeed a question they had all long wondered about, but their status had prevented them from asking.

Murong Xiaoya's words had now voiced the hidden curiosity in all their hearts.

As everyone waited for Li Musheng's reply, he raised an eyebrow and said:

"Miss Murong, your questioning skills need improvement. Is there not a possibility that Shangguan Qingqing calls me 'the Number One Under Heaven' simply because I am?"

At these words, everyone—including Murong Xiaoya and Hu Rui'an—froze in surprise.

Recovering, Murong Xiaoya stared at Li Musheng for a moment, then shrank back and quickly lowered her head.

Yet in that instant she lowered it, a flicker of profound, unusual suspicion flashed in her eyes.

Hu Rui'an cleared his throat softly, then dismissed the surrounding Qi barrier and said to Wu Shang:

"Uh… go urge the waiter—get the food and drinks here as soon as possible. After we eat and rest, we can continue our journey."

Wu Shang immediately agreed, stole a glance at Li Musheng, and hurried off.

The driver Cao Gaoshan said nothing. He stared at Li Musheng's figure, recalling the earth-shattering slash that had cleaved the entire street in Yangcheng's rain.

Soon, a thought surfaced unbidden in his mind:

"Could the one who struck that blow last time have been His Highness?"

He had always assumed Li Musheng was protected by a martial expert he couldn't perceive—but just now, that belief had begun to waver.

"Your Highness, was my senior's intelligence useful?"

After the Qi barrier was removed, Shangguan Qingqing immediately whispered to Li Musheng.

Hearing this, Li Musheng narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced at Hu Rui'an and the others:

"It was somewhat useful."

Then he turned to the graceful Shangguan Qingqing and slowly nodded.

Hmm, his own little fangirl still had keen eyes—she provided the emotional value he craved; everyone else fell just short.

Thinking this, Li Musheng ignored Hu Rui'an and the others, and began chatting warmly with Shangguan Qingqing.

Behind him, Qin Hao watched this scene, his frown deepening—he believed his junior sister had not been possessed.

But the way his junior sister looked at Li Musheng—with such delight, eagerness, and adoration—made him suspect an improper romantic relationship between them.

"My junior sister has truly grown up on this long journey; she's fallen head over heels in love but hides it behind talk of being the number one in the world—what 'thoughtful deceit'!"

Qin Hao's eye twitched, then he bowed and took his leave, returning to the stone-paved street below to handle the aftermath.

"Your Highness, to meet you—the number one in the world—so soon again is truly my great fortune."

Shangguan Qingqing was delighted; when the wine and food arrived, she lifted the wine jar, drained three large bowls of strong liquor in one go.

Li Musheng squinted, gave a thumbs-up, then asked:

"What are your plans, Miss Shangguan?"

"I plan to destroy the Bai Sha Gang with my senior brother, then return to our sect to prepare for a final showdown with the Tianxia Alliance."

Shangguan Qingqing's high ponytail bounced as she spoke casually.

Hearing this, Li Musheng raised an eyebrow and asked skeptically:

"Do any of your Tianhedao Sect members know you intend to go to war with the Tianxia Alliance?"

Shangguan Qingqing waved her hand and said:

"They certainly don't know yet—but once my senior brother and I return and tell them, they'll know."

At this, Li Musheng's eyelid twitched as he stared oddly at the spirited young woman beside him, who had just let out a drunken burp.

Those in the Tianhedao Sect who encounter you two disciples can only be paying for too many sins from a past life—this is their destined calamity.

Thinking this, Li Musheng rubbed his chin, then said to Shangguan Qingqing:

"If the Tianxia Alliance truly attacks your Tianhedao Sect, and you two can't hold them off, just say you've joined the Tianjin Guard—then perhaps the Tianxia Alliance will think twice before acting."

Hearing this, Shangguan Qingqing blinked, clearly not understanding Li Musheng's words.

After all, a colossal force like the Tianxia Alliance could crush a sect without the Great Li court ever intervening; the mere name of the Great Li Tianjin Guard meant nothing to them.

But Li Musheng offered no explanation; instead, he asked Hu Rui'an for a Tianjin Guard seal and handed it casually to Shangguan Qingqing to keep.

The events in town today could never be hidden—but even if the Tianxia Alliance wanted to strike the Tianhedao Sect, they'd still need time.

By then, he and the Tianjin Guard should have already destroyed Luoshen Peak.

Once word spread, even the most arrogant Tianxia Alliance would have to weigh the cost of angering the Tianjin Guard.

Seeing this, Shangguan Qingqing asked no further questions but happily tucked the seal away; whatever the gift from the future Sword Dao Emperor, useful or not, she would treasure it carefully.

…

Gatherings are always brief; after wine and food, the faithful little fangirl reluctantly parted from Li Musheng.

After all, she still had to follow her senior brother to destroy the Bai Sha Gang.

Qin Hao had been unwilling to break up this pair of lovers, but Shangguan Qingqing feared he couldn't handle the Bai Sha Gang alone and insisted on helping.

Watching their riding figures vanish into the distance, Li Musheng waved his hand.

Next came the dull, tedious journey again—but fortunately, there was the modified Qinglong Cangming Scripture to occupy his time, so he wouldn't be too bored.

After resting at the inn for a while, Hu Rui'an and the others mounted horses and continued their journey in the carriage.

Inside the carriage sat Li Musheng, Hu Rui'an, and Murong Xiaoya—the same as before, mostly silent.

But Li Musheng noticed Murong Xiaoya had suddenly changed; she kept stealing glances at him along the way.

Seeing this, Li Musheng said nothing, only sighed softly and rubbed his chin.

I knew it—men as handsome as me, even if briefly resisting temptation, will eventually lose their composure over time; it's unavoidable.

…

Thus, Li Musheng and the others traveled uneventfully toward Lan Prefecture; another day passed.

At the third watch of the next morning.

The entire Shangyang City lay in darkness, yet an ordinary carriage silently slipped past all watchers and quietly departed the Great Li capital.

Fu Qiwén sat inside the carriage, lifted the curtain, and gazed back through the heavy night at the city behind him, a colossal beast crouched in slumber.

His deeply lined face remained silent for a long while; his heart swelled with emotion, and finally, he couldn't help but sigh softly:

"I hope I may return one day."

Then he turned away, refusing to look back even once.

From this moment on, whether it was Imperial Prince Li Zhu's matter or all affairs within the Shangyang City Tianjin Guard, they were no longer his concern.

His only goal now was to destroy Luoshen Peak!

…

Shortly after Fu Qiwén's departure, in the Tianjin Guard Headquarters, Zeng Hai—haggard and spiritless—suddenly jolted awake from his daze.

He quickly rolled over and looked beneath his bed; seeing the slightly foul-smelling pale corpse still there, he touched his damp, sweat-soaked back and let out a heavy sigh of relief.

He'd just had a nightmare: Li Zhu's corpse had vanished, and a mob stormed in, accusing him of murdering the Third Prince.

No matter how he explained, they dragged him off to be flayed alive.

He'd had this nightmare nearly every night lately—each time the death was different, but always horrific.

At that moment, his hand brushed against a slip of paper; he snatched it up and held it to the dim moonlight outside the window.

The note bore a single line of writing; instantly, he trembled with excitement, nearly shouting:

"The Commander has finally left—I can finally throw away this damned corpse!"

The next instant, he lunged beneath the bed, pinched his nose, and dragged out Li Zhu's body.

For days, Zeng Hai had stayed glued to the corpse to avoid discovery; the invisible pressure of fear and dread had nearly driven him mad.

He longed to hurl the corpse away at once—as if only then could he sever all ties to the Third Prince's death.

On the cold, curfew-enforced streets, Zeng Hai carried Li Zhu's body wrapped in a bedsheet, carefully exiting the Tianjin Guard Headquarters, heading straight for the Third Prince's mansion.

Not long after, he peeked from a dark alley and saw the mansion ahead lit brightly, guards patrolling even at the gate.

Seeing this, Zeng Hai froze in terror; gritting his teeth, he simply tossed the corpse into the alley and ran without looking back.

(End of chapter)