Chapter 2701

The Demon Emperor might not have been able to see his expression clearly through the fire scales, but he could sense the indignation in his tone.

"Do you think, why would Tiger Wing not seek out anyone else, but specifically leak these few pieces of intelligence to you?"

Fu Shanlie thought for a moment: "I am unswervingly loyal to the Emperor; he determined that I would report truthfully."

No matter how major this intelligence, it only takes effect once it reaches the Emperor's ears.

"On the battlefield, you are indeed a rare talent, but in this regard, you can't even withstand a single round from him!" The Demon Emperor sneered, "Once the Heavenly God discovers it was you who brought back this intelligence, do you think you can still remain on the front lines?"

"This..." Fu Shanlie's mind turned a few circles, finally reacting, and he cried out, "This bastard, this son of a bitch, screwed me over!"

In a moment of angry indignation, he didn't notice he had let coarse language slip before the Emperor.

In the eyes of the Heavenly God and the Heavenly Palace, Panlongcheng and the Bega army were fighting to the death, and Fu Shanlie had only just arrived at the front; on what grounds would General Tiger Wing tell major secrets to Fu Shanlie across the battlefield?

Unless these ostensibly irreconcilable enemies had already secretly colluded!

Would that Heavenly God still allow him, Fu Shanlie, to command troops on the front lines? Wouldn't he trap the Bega army to death?

Thinking here, Fu Shanlie murmured: "However, the Heavenly God..."

He originally wanted to say, would the Heavenly God know about this matter?

But he was a smart person after all; on second thought, Panlongcheng had plenty of ways to let the Heavenly God know!

The Demon Emperor didn't quibble with him either: "Panlongcheng's scheme kills two birds with one stone, both sowing discord between me and the Heavenly God, and removing you, this threat. Heh, truly a brilliant calculation!"

Fu Shanlie was skilled at employing troops, an outstanding commanding general, but right now he was still a novice in the imperial court, his level too low; facing General Tiger Wing, he fundamentally couldn't truly detect that within the great gift the other sent, layer upon layer of sinister plots were hidden.

No, this is an open stratagem.

Even knowing the other party had set a trap for him, the Demon Emperor had no choice but to brace himself and jump in. Because the formula for "Intestine-Entangling", every generation of Demon Emperor had sought tirelessly; how could it be so stupid as to refuse it at the door?

If Panlong subsequently really went to the Heavenly God to inform — no, no need to inform, just spreading the news would suffice — it truly is a superb political maneuver. Without exchanging blows, without consuming lives, General Tiger Wing merely moved his lips a little, and scrapped the fiercest commander on the Bega front lines.

Is General Tiger Wing really just a general? What general could pull off something like this?

Is Zhong Shengguang making trouble behind the scenes?

Who should be sent to take over Fu Shanlie's command? The Demon Emperor thought until his head ached.

"Back then, did you really fight this person at Longchuan?"

"Yes." Cold sweat dripped down Fu Shanlie's back; he hadn't noticed the implication in the Demon Emperor's words at all, "If the Heavenly God forcibly pins the charge of 'treason and aiding the enemy' on my head..."

"No need to worry about that; whether you commit treason or not is still up to me." The Demon Emperor said lightly, "In the end, no one will come seeking verification from you either."

But the Heavenly God's anger and pressure would certainly be directed at the Demon Emperor.

"On the contrary, Panlongcheng actually managed to grasp so much top-secret data?"

Fu Shanlie steadied himself: "The intelligence has not yet been verified; truth or falsehood is hard to determine."

The Demon Emperor gave a low hum, not speaking.

At this time the fire scales also burned to the end, turning into a wisp of black smoke.

Fu Shanlie and the Demon Emperor's communication ended.

He walked out of the tent, took two deep breaths, adjusting his complex state of mind.

Actually, Fu Shanlie knew very well in his heart that the intelligence Tiger Wing gave was most likely true.

Only true intelligence could shake the Heavenly God's foundation in Bega.

He also knew why the Demon Emperor hurriedly ended the call.

Deciphering the formula for the "Intestine-Entangling" secret medicine required time. And the Heavenly God most likely didn't intend to give them that much time.

$$$$$

Tonight there is no battle.

The chief culprit about to turn Bega's political scene upside down was currently huddled by the pond with Wen Daolun roasting a fire, throwing yellow millet cakes into the pot.

These cakes could be chewed as dry rations during forced marches, not too choking; when leisurely, water could be added to boil them into rice porridge, just like now.

He Lingchuan also threw a dozen black fungus and two pieces of tough jerky that was all sinew — otherwise it couldn't be chewed — and a large handful of chopped Houttuynia into the pot; stir it around and the fragrance comes out.

He ladled a bowl for Wen Daolun first: "Come, Chief Secretary Wen, please."

"This address is too distant."

"Then I'll still call you Mr. Wen." He Lingchuan also served himself half a bowl, slurping a mouthful first, "You mentioned the throne struggle of the Asura Kingdom earlier. I want to ask, between the Asura Crown Prince and the Second Prince, which one is the pro-Emperor faction, or rather, which one wholeheartedly serves the Heavenly Demon?"

Wen Daolun thought for a moment: "The late Asura King supported the Demon Emperor more, and the Demon Emperor also mediated border disputes between Asura and neighboring countries twice, and quite a few policies benefited Asura. He designated his eldest son as Crown Prince very early; perhaps one reason is that the Crown Prince inherited his ideas and views. Also, I heard the Asura Crown Prince once studied in Lingxu City for ten years, living in the Qinggong."

He Lingchuan understood: "The Qinggong State Preceptors have always been supporters of the Demon Emperor."

Every Qinggong State Preceptor's chosen successor inherits the previous generation's political stance.

It can be said the Qinggong is one of the Demon Emperor's basic power bases.

"Seen this way, the Asura Crown Prince will also support the Demon Emperor after ascending the throne." He Lingchuan smiled, "The Asura Kingdom's throne struggle won't end within half a year."

Wen Daolun asked in surprise: "Why?"

"The Demon Emperor needs time."

These words left Wen Daolun even more baffled.

But He Lingchuan didn't explain, only continued: "Within this time, Asura Kingdom's throne struggle must be fought back and forth, evenly matched. But right now the Crown Prince's forces are overall inferior to the Second Prince's; dragging out time lowers his win rate."

Wen Daolun didn't understand why he cared about Asura Kingdom's throne struggle:

"So what?"

"So, the Giant Ape Legion under Fu Shanlie might soon be recalled to Asura Kingdom to help the Crown Prince deal with his younger brother."

Wen Daolun was stunned: "Would Bega and the Heavenly Demon allow it?"

"This time, they probably can." He Lingchuan smiled, "First, the Giant Ape Legion was originally left by the Asura King for the eldest son; second, the Demon Emperor cannot let the Asura Crown Prince lose the throne struggle; third... Fu Shanlie won't last long on the front lines, that is Asura Kingdom's good opportunity to withdraw the Giant Ape Legion. As long as the Giant Ape Legion withdraws from this battlefield, our pressure will lessen considerably."

Even he had to admit, Asura Kingdom's Giant Ape Legion is truly a powerful army, especially adept at jungle warfare.

Yes, precisely the environment the Tiger Wing Legion currently finds itself in.

Wen Daolun was greatly surprised: "Fu Shanlie won't last long? How did you..."

But he immediately realized: "Oh, this has to do with your meeting just now?"

(End of chapter)