Chapter 58: The Great Zhou Secret Spies

Fu Qiwén may be right—the martial world ought to be cleaned up properly.

Li Muxian, of course, was pleased to see it.

But it didn’t have to be his burden alone.

He was naturally carefree and had no ambitions, yet the world was never short of ambitious men.

Whether in Da Li or other dynasties, there were no shortage of old men like Emperor Yuanwu—ambitious and full of drive—perfect for leading the charge.

As Li Muxian pondered, his frown gradually eased, and he glanced at Fu Qiwén and said:

“I can see you, Master Fu, are a man who hates evil with a passion.”

Speaking, Li Muxian paused a moment, then said calmly:

“Then pick an auspicious day, and we’ll pay a visit to Luoshen Peak.”

Hearing this, Fu Qiwén fell silent, narrowing his eyes at Li Muxian:

“Your Highness is certain you’ll accept my request?”

“What else did you think?”

Li Muxian raised an eyebrow, then stood and patted Fu Qiwén’s shoulder, leaning close beside him to whisper:

“I know such a major matter is beyond your resolve—you should ask His Majesty himself.”

Saying this, Li Muxian’s voice grew slightly colder, continuing:

“And there’s only one chance: after success, the Tianjinwei is mine, and His Majesty must also agree to one additional condition.”

Fu Qiwén turned his head, staring at Li Muxian’s young, handsome face, his gaze filled with disbelief.

He had made the stakes perfectly clear to the man, yet the man remained unmoved, still as casual as ever.

As if, in his eyes, Luoshen Peak—one of the four great sects dominating the martial world—was nothing but trash, utterly unworthy of mention.

At that moment, Li Muxian noticed the man staring unblinkingly at him and frowned.

Obviously, this fellow was jealous of his looks!

“Master Fu, think it over yourself.”

Li Muxian rubbed his chin, then turned to Yu Jin, whose face was still stunned, and said:

“Master Yu, show me around—let me get familiar with the Tianjinwei headquarters.”

Hearing this, Commander Yu Jin snapped back from the earlier conversation, his expression shifting rapidly.

Was this… really something he was meant to hear?

Though he had always known the Tianjinwei had plans against martial sects, he had never before heard from Fu Qiwén such a clear intent to eradicate Luoshen Peak—one of the four great sects.

Worse still, that wasn’t the worst of it.

Even more astonishing: this newly confirmed Eighth Imperial Prince had just volunteered to lead the destruction of Luoshen Peak?

Yu Jin even wondered if he’d misheard.

Immediately, he stole a glance at Fu Qiwén, who ignored him entirely, his expression strangely altered; Yu Jin could only turn to Li Muxian and say:

“Your Highness, please follow me.”

Saying this, he suppressed his shock and doubt, leading Li Muxian out through a corridor beside the main hall.

In an instant, the hall was left with only Fu Qiwén alone; he turned toward the direction Li Muxian had left, lost in thought, murmuring:

“Is he merely a bold youth unaware of danger—or does he have some hidden advantage?”

At that moment, Han Li and Sun Changyu entered the hall, wearing bamboo hats and rain capes.

“Master, the five assassins’ bodies have been retrieved, and our men have handled the aftermath.”

Hearing this, Fu Qiwén turned back, his expression returning to normal, and asked:

“Any findings?”

“There are some.”

The gaunt-faced Han Li nodded slightly and said:

“After a cursory examination of the five corpses, aside from the three men with the skull-cracking bamboo staffs, I found hidden tattoos on the other two—they’re likely secret assassins from Da Zhou.”

Fu Qiwén gave a slight nod, unsurprised.

Da Zhou and Da Li had been locked in constant border warfare; unlike the other three dynasties, Da Zhou and Da Li shared an irreconcilable mortal hatred—so it was no surprise they’d sent assassins after Li Muxian.

At this, Fu Qiwén paused briefly, then asked:

“What do you think of the assassin’s strength?”

Hearing this, Han Li hesitated, then bowed:

“If the assassin were a half-step Tianren, he could likely handle five Grand Masters, but to kill them all so effortlessly? That’s impossible.”

“Therefore, I believe the assassin is a true Tianren.”

Fu Qiwén narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, then ordered:

“Hand the two Da Zhou assassins over to the Hidden Spy Division. Their ability to pinpoint the whereabouts of Grand Eunuch Sun and the others means there’s a mole in Guangguang Pavilion—this matter is yours…”

Saying this, he paused slightly, then his gaze shifted, adding:

“Go find the Eighth Imperial Prince. Ask him to assist you in investigating this. I must return to the palace.”

Saying this, a sharp gleam flashed in Fu Qiwén’s eyes, and he turned and left the hall.

“The Eighth Imperial Prince?”

Han Li and Sun Changyu exchanged glances, both stunned into silence.

…

Meanwhile, the imperial decree recognizing Li Muxian as the Eighth Imperial Prince was issued from the palace and announced to the realm.

Though the storm still raged over Shangyang City, from imperial consorts and princes to court ministers, from martial sects to street vendors, the news spread like wildfire through the capital.

Tiangong Palace.

On either side of the bamboo curtains, Commander Fu Qiwén stood bowed, while Emperor Yuanwu sat in silence.

After hearing Fu Qiwén’s return report—that Li Muxian had immediately accepted the mission to destroy Luoshen Peak—Emperor Yuanwu fell utterly silent, not speaking for a full half-burn of incense.

Finally, Emperor Yuanwu spoke slowly:

“What do you think, Qiwén?”

Fu Qiwén shook his head slightly and said:

“Even if the Eighth Imperial Prince has a Tianren behind him, it means nothing against a giant like Luoshen Peak.”

“Then why rush back to see me?”

Hearing this, Fu Qiwén hesitated a moment, then said solemnly:

“I believe that since we’ve decided to strike the martial sects, waiting for some uncertain opportunity is worse than acting now.”

“The longer we wait, the stronger the sects grow, and the more elusive the opportunity becomes.”

“I dared not act before out of caution—but now, with the Eighth Imperial Prince as this chance, I’m ready to gamble everything!”

Emperor Yuanwu stared through the bamboo curtains at Fu Qiwén, silent for a moment, then spoke coldly:

“Do you know what consequences you’ll face if this fails?”

Fu Qiwén’s body twitched slightly, yet the deep wrinkles on his forehead relaxed as he lowered his head calmly:

“I know. I am ready to die for Da Li.”

(End of Chapter)