Chapter 106: Power and Virtue, Conspiracies and Open Plots

In the Sophora Tree Courtyard, a few long tables and cushions had been added.

Haidong Lai, Cheng Xiazi, and several guards most trusted by Zheng Hui were all still waiting here.

In the night sky, the moon was cold and the wind was chilly, and a red shadow flashed on the wall.

Chu Tianshu had already vaulted over the wall, and as he walked, he casually tore off the cloak on his body, shook it into a ball, and threw it on the long table.

"It seems it's done."

Cheng Xiazi said, "That shout of yours just now was truly resonant; it could be heard clearly even from here."

Chu Tianshu picked up the teapot and took two gulps.

"But, I'm really not used to speaking at such a high volume."

He was born in the Jianghuai region and, unlike people in mountainous areas, did not have the opportunity to sing mountain songs or practice shouting from afar since childhood; although after practicing fist arts, his heart and lung power were strong, allowing him to emit a very high sound.

But that was usually a roar or a whistle, a relatively monotonous sound.

That time on the island when he lured Zhu Heng, shouting for so long, was thanks to the large megaphone in his hand.

If he didn't rely on tools, while maintaining such a high volume and still being clear in every word, he was indeed not very used to it.

Chu Tianshu cleared his throat, recalling the feeling of shouting at the top of his lungs just now, but felt a different kind of joy.

If there was a chance in the future, he could practice this technique too.

Cheng Xiazi sighed slightly: "The collusion between the Duan family and the Yuwen family, and the conspiracies of Zhong Jinqiu, are all placed in the dark."

"If he accepts the challenge this time, it will give rise to a sense of representing Nanzhao martial arts to fight against Great Tang martial arts."

"I'm afraid many people will view him as a hero and therefore be even more hostile toward Haidong Lai."

After nightfall, Haidong Lai did not use his umbrella again.

He had also changed his clothes, into a deep red robe with a black belt.

Although it was also red, it was very different from the bright and flamboyant red clothing he had originally worn.

When he sat behind the long table playing with the tea set in this attire, he looked like a scholar.

"The people in the world who are hostile to me are already enough; having another batch doesn't matter."

Haidong Lai said, "Physician Chu using my name to act, one of the considerations is precisely because my reputation is bad enough, right?"

Chu Tianshu chuckled and did not answer.

He had indeed thought so.

Having a bad reputation also had the benefits of a bad reputation.

The reputation of the Great Tang internal guards was so bad that even their own citizens were afraid.

There would absolutely be no one who would equate the style of Haidong Lai, the commander of the Great Tang internal guards, with that of a normal Tang person.

Even if the Duan family wanted to use this duel to incite opposing emotions within Nanzhao, they wouldn't be able to.

For more than ten years, or even decades, the reputation that "internal guards are not like people, each one is like an evil ghost" had been continuously rendered.

At this time, you suddenly say that the things done by the internal guard commander represent the attitude of the vast number of Tang people.

Who would believe that?

Steward Zheng said worriedly: "This time, to deal with the Yi Prince and his conspiratorial allies, the act of a duel is indeed an excellent method."

"But this life-and-death duel is very risky; even if he wins, there will be great hidden dangers in the future."

"Some generals in the army were originally wavering, and many still view Zhong Jinqiu as a great hero and senior among Nanzhao soldiers; if Zhong Jinqiu is defeated and dies in a public duel, I'm afraid it will incite them to share a common hatred."

Chu Tianshu didn't care, walked to Haidong Lai's side, and took a cup after he finished brewing the tea.

Seeing Haidong Lai's skillful appearance, he knew his tea art was very good.

Ever since the Tea Saint Lu Yu became famous, the tea ceremony had flourished, and tea art had become a form of enjoyment.

Half of Haidong Lai's life was spent in struggle, and half was spent in enjoyment, so naturally, he had some research into tea art.

Chu Tianshu drank two gulps with a *gulu* sound and couldn't taste much difference between this tea and tea brewed by casually throwing tea leaves into hot water.

"Will defeating Zhong Jinqiu definitely make them share a common hatred?"

Chu Tianshu said while exhaling hot air after drinking, "I think it's more likely to make them fear power, and then cherish virtue."

Only by first fearing power can one understand cherishing virtue.

If one considers too much because of one's own benevolence and virtue, others may not appreciate your kindness and will only think you are weak and easy to bully.

Among small groups, it is indeed possible that because the person receiving virtue has good character, a situation arises where one does not need to fear power to cherish virtue.

But in the face of the massive scale of Great Tang and Nanzhao, counting on character is a very ridiculous thing.

One of the biggest reasons for the change in Nanzhao's governance policy over these years was that they lost the great battle ten years ago.

But the one who failed back then was Yi Mouxun, not Zhong Jinqiu.

Then this time, let Zhong Jinqiu fail as well.

"According to your plan, when the day of the duel comes, it will definitely be you facing Zhong Jinqiu."

Haidong Lai's expression was a bit regretful, and he flipped his wrist, "I haven't fought him, but back then, when I assassinated Nanzhao generals, several of them were his disciples."

"Their sword art and palm-finger skills were all quite good."

"Their styles seem different, but they have connected veins; only by piecing them all together might they approximate Zhong Jinqiu's appearance."

"In these two days, I can practice a little, and let you see."

Although Haidong Lai could not fight intensely yet, if he only used slightly more than ordinary physical strength to practice move styles, it was not a burden.

Chu Tianshu nodded.

It's a pity, if the allies on the other side jump out, this side will definitely have to think of ways to deal with them together.

There is no way to guarantee that all the heads belong to him.

However, with Zhong Jinqiu as the big fish, others were also implicated and forced to appear because of Chu Tianshu's actions.

In that case, the energy obtained should not be small.

At the very least, it should be enough for me to travel through, and enough for me to bring back the Three-Seven Divine Sword that has a soldier spirit.

*Tsk*, if I bring a sword through in the future, will the token charge me a fee every time?

When, if I could practice the Three-Seven Divine Sword into an invisible and intangible object, and melt it into my body, that would be great.

Chu Tianshu had just finished a battle, his body and mind were relaxed, and he couldn't help but fantasize in his mind.

Greetings came from outside the courtyard.

"You all really don't return to your rooms at night; it seems my late-night snack was prepared very appropriately."

Madame Wenjing came over with a smile, carrying two food boxes.

"There is more in the kitchen; I'll go get it in a while."

There were several kitchen helpers in the kitchen, but it seemed there was some important matter in the Sophora Tree Courtyard.

The guards of the Zheng Mansion were guarding outside, and except for Madame Wenjing, they refused to let many people in.

Moreover, that particularly loud duel invitation outside just now also made everyone a bit absent-minded, each wanting to look out.

Mo Daniang almost slipped and dropped the steamer on the ground.

Only Madame Wenjing remained calm, busy only with her own affairs.

The first food box was handed to Chu Tianshu.

"I tried this way of making sesame cakes that Physician Chu mentioned; you take a look."

Chu Tianshu uncovered it and saw a plate of crispy, golden, oily sesame cakes.

Although there were many ways to make sesame cakes at this time, the common ones were still biased toward the large flatbreads of later generations, or looked like lamb naan.

Chu Tianshu loved eating Huangqiao sesame cakes, so he mentioned it, and he didn't expect Madame Wenjing to really be able to make them.

"Good!!"

Chu Tianshu took a bite; it was indeed crispy, with a thousand layers inside, and he immediately beamed with joy.

"Good, good, good, after I finish fighting that day, I want to eat this again!"

*Crack! *

The sound of crispy breaking rang out in the Yi Prince's Mansion.

Zhong Jinqiu stepped on a broken lantern that had been mostly burned.

The bamboo lantern frame, the remaining parts, had also been baked dry and brittle.

Listening to this sound, one knew that this lantern frame was already fragile.

Just like the Yi Prince's Mansion tonight.

Several guard leaders followed Zhong Jinqiu with faces full of shame, not daring to breathe loudly.

They were able to survive not because their martial arts were particularly good, but because they were guarding further away and did not encounter the intruder.

Zhong Jinqiu did not scold anyone, walked quietly into the central hall, and saw that the tables and chairs were destroyed, and among the mess lay six or seven corpses.

One could imagine that when they were surrounding someone, they were all blown away in an instant.

Zhong Jinqiu stepped, his figure suddenly rose, passed through the roof of the central hall, and with just one flight, stepped onto the wall of the side courtyard.

In the side courtyard was the pavilion that had collapsed by half, and the corpses of the Three Elders of Diancang.

There were also a large number of guards standing beside Duan Rusu's corpse.

"It was the Three Elders of Diancang who fought Hai Donglai on the pavilion roof first; they were very dutiful."

Zhong Jinqiu finally spoke, his tone somewhat sorrowful.

"I only blame Rusu for being too stupid."

"Even if he was in the side courtyard and couldn't hear with his ears what kind of physical strength that person showed by throwing the stone lion and smashing the screen wall."

"At least he should have known that if the Three Elders of Diancang couldn't take that person down together, he himself wouldn't be that person's opponent."

"Not thinking about preserving himself first, but thinking about forming a force of four."

This was not bravery; this was not knowing when to advance or retreat.

Some things indeed cannot be retreated from, and should not be retreated from.

But you were just facing an assassination; if you don't retreat, don't hide, what are you waiting for?

Zhong Jinqiu sighed long and closed his eyes.

Sure enough, the hope of the Duan family could only be placed on the grandchildren, or even the great-grandchildren.

But the premise of all this was that I must win this duel.

Hai-dong-lai!

This person was indeed too elusive; Chang'an gave the route of the envoy group, but couldn't give his route.

Yet I didn't know he was actually in the envoy group.

It must have been him leading the envoy group who fought those Tubo people.

He should still be injured.

Otherwise, with his past style, he should have directly sought Zhong Jinqiu himself, instead of just killing in the mansion and leaving, setting a battle appointment.

Zhong Jinqiu opened his eyes: "This is also deliberately giving time for my allies to make a response."

Zhong Jinqiu had already seen through the purpose of the duel.

But Zhong Jinqiu felt that this purpose was very good.

It was never just the Duan family that needed those people; those people also needed the Duan family!

Whether it is the Military Governor of Huaixi or that person in Chang'an, they are no longer young; this may be the only chance left for them to accomplish what they desire.

Great Tang wanted to recover lost territory, and Tubo wanted to fight back; they all wanted to take this opportunity to succeed.

The change in Nanzhao was something that must be promoted.

"Then come, I have already paid with a nephew, and you must also bring out strength to help me avenge this public grievance and private hatred."

Zhong Jinqiu looked at the moon, and the prayer beads in his hand were suddenly covered with a layer of frost.

Not only were the prayer beads frozen, but the gold thread connecting them was also frozen as hard as a gold ring.

But in the next moment, a raging fire suddenly enveloped this circle of gold rings, and a charcoal-red light shone through from each prayer bead.

With the sudden change of cold and heat, the prayer beads exploded and scattered before they could burn to their heart's content.

Zhong Jinqiu's hands were completely exposed from his half-covered sleeves, facing the moonlight.

On each finger of his right hand was a silvery-white ring, as if forged from refined steel, set near the base of the finger.

And on the index finger of his left hand, there was also a ring.

The six rings were usually dim, almost covered by the skin color of his fingers and the shadows of his sleeves, not attracting any attention at all.

At this moment, the bright state of these rings contrasted with the moonlight.

It was as if any one of the rings possessed the agile aura of a soldier spirit.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 107 =====