Chapter 189: First Destroy the Black Flag, Then Pacify Zhao Ming

In the late night, Lin Yuan City was unusually lively.

Chu Danqing didn't know the specifics of what had happened, but he was certain of one thing: the entire city was under martial law.

When Chu Danqing left the city at dawn, the Black Flag Army had taken control of all four city gates.

Clearly, yesterday Li Yutang and Wei Chu had used some method to force Zhao Tiechuan into joining their rebellion.

But because Ma Yunfeng seemed to have been on guard, they hadn't fully succeeded.

Chu Danqing had seen Ma Yunfeng at the North Gate—the man had clearly been waiting for him.

"Young Master Chu, your move was well played," Ma Yunfeng called out to Chu Danqing, completely ignoring the Black Flag soldiers guarding the gate.

"Are they still running the school?" Chu Danqing asked directly, unconcerned by the misunderstanding.

"Li Yutang took over the matter. How to put it? He did quite well," Ma Yunfeng said, smiling. "At least he's bolder than I am."

"Last night, not only did I lose, but the city's wealthy clans suffered as well."

"But don't worry—I've already spread your news far and wide."

"If nothing goes wrong, in two hours Qi Qianshan will learn you possess the Nine Tripods Map," Ma Yunfeng added, still thinking about it.

Chu Danqing didn't mind—if anyone dared come after him, he'd kill them outright.

"What about Chen Jiunan and the others?" Chu Danqing asked.

"Probably under house arrest at their residences," Ma Yunfeng admitted he didn't know for sure.

At that moment, Zhao Tiechuan arrived with a contingent of troops, his sworn brother and Black Flag Army's second-in-command Han Meng among them.

"Young Master Chu, your journey ahead is fraught with peril," Zhao Tiechuan said at once. "Why not leave the Nine Tripods Map behind? It would safeguard the realm."

Zhao Tiechuan had come not just for Ma Yunfeng, but for the Nine Tripods Map in Chu Danqing's hands.

He had learned this secret from Ma Yunfeng last night.

Forced into rebellion and now trapped in Lin Yuan City, he needed a righteous cause.

If he obtained the Nine Tripods Map, the very symbol of the Great Shuo Dynasty's founding emperor, he could claim legitimacy.

Chu Danqing glanced at Ma Yunfeng—Da Bao understood instantly, tore open his claws, and ripped the man apart on the spot.

"I've done so much for you, and you have no regard for old ties," Chu Danqing sneered.

Ma Yunfeng had deliberately leaked the information to Zhao Tiechuan, hoping to incite conflict between them.

Zhao Tiechuan needed the claim; Chu Danqing needed the Map—their conflict was irreconcilable.

So Chu Danqing struck first and killed the old man.

"As for you, you must know Ma Yunfeng's scheme—do you really think so little of my strength?" Chu Danqing knew Zhao Tiechuan was ambitious, but not this foolish.

"Your friend isn't here. What do you think?" Zhao Tiechuan feared Guo Ming—but Guo Ming was nowhere to be seen.

"Another who believes only what he hears," Chu Danqing said. A flash of golden light appeared before him, forming the Son of Heaven, who instantly stood before Zhao Tiechuan.

He reached out to seize Zhao Tiechuan by the throat, aiming to capture him.

Zhao Tiechuan reacted quickly, reaching for the sword at his waist.

But his speed was no match for the Son of Heaven—he never even drew his blade before being yanked off his horse and dragged to Chu Danqing's side.

The move was lightning-fast; by the time Han Meng and the Black Flag soldiers reacted, Zhao Tiechuan was already captured.

"Da Bao is still a child—he's not strong," Chu Danqing said calmly. "But I have stronger adults on my side."

Zhao Tiechuan's face darkened. He sighed at last. "You've won. What do you want?"

Chu Danqing said nothing, lost in thought about how to handle the aftermath.

The deed was done—there was no turning back.

"Actually, I want nothing," Chu Danqing said. Da Bao's claws pierced Zhao Tiechuan's chest.

In Zhao Tiechuan's stunned gaze, his heart was torn out—he died on the spot.

The scene unfolded so suddenly that even Han Meng hadn't expected Chu Danqing to actually kill Zhao Tiechuan.

He knew Zhao Tiechuan's sudden rebellion had been orchestrated by Chu Danqing behind the scenes.

Logically, for the sake of the greater good, Chu Danqing would never have killed anyone.

But reality had deviated wildly from their plan.

"Everyone, stop! No one moves!" Han Meng reacted instantly, roaring.

If they fought now, victory was uncertain.

"You're far calmer than Zhao Tiechuan," Chu Danqing praised. "I suggest you take command and continue working with Wei Chu and Li Yutang."

Han Meng had already considered this—that's why he had halted the Black Flag Army's actions.

Fighting Chu Danqing would mean winning at a loss.

If this ended here, he wouldn't just become leader of the Black Flag Army—he'd have a chance to seize the throne.

But now Chu Danqing had openly voiced this possibility.

He couldn't agree, and he couldn't refuse.

Before Han Meng could speak, a whistle pierced the air.

Han Meng clutched his neck—but blood gushed uncontrollably from the wound.

A whistle arrow had struck him in the throat, out of nowhere.

Chaos erupted instantly—but before it could spread, a third force appeared.

Wei Chu arrived with a large contingent.

At first glance, they looked like Lin Yuan City's troops—but upon closer inspection, their formations, physiques, and gear were utterly mismatched.

They were civilians of Lin Yuan City, dressed in soldiers' armor and weapons.

"Drop your weapons. Those who surrender live," Wei Chu declared. Instantly, the Black Flag Army clashed with this ragtag force.

Chu Danqing saw this and groaned.

Because when chaos broke out, he was at its center.

This wasn't chaos spilling over him—it was war erupting around him.

Yue Lan Wu Ying didn't hesitate—she plunged her totem pole into the ground and attacked within the Black Flag ranks.

The Beast-Mask Warriors and Savage Blood Warhorses charged forward, smashing a path through the enemy.

The Son of Heaven and Ghost Mother unleashed spells to clear the area.

The Black Flag Army had only three thousand armored troops, scattered across Lin Yuan City.

Thus, the number at this gate was small. Under Chu Danqing's pressure, once casualties reached a critical threshold, the remaining soldiers broke morale and surrendered.

"Why are you here?" Chu Danqing asked helplessly.

Wei Chu handed him a towel to wipe blood, then said apologetically, "Ma Yunfeng sent word—Zhao Tiechuan coveted your Nine Tripods Map. He told me to come aid you."

Chu Danqing narrowed his eyes—Ma Yunfeng had predicted everything.

Had the standoff lasted five more minutes, Wei Chu's ragtag force would have arrived, turning the confrontation into open warfare.

But he hadn't predicted his own death—or that Chu Danqing would dare kill Zhao Tiechuan.

Now Han Meng was dead too—the Black Flag Army was leaderless.

"Your immediate priority is to take control of the remaining Black Flag troops and Lin Yuan City's defenses," Chu Danqing said.

"I… I'm not sure I can do that," Wei Chu replied, feeling utterly unprepared.

If this succeeded, he'd rise overnight to become a regional power.

"Then let you, Young Master Chu, take command—we all follow you," Wei Chu immediately offered the position to Chu Danqing.

The core of this ragtag force were his former intelligence agents—Chu Danqing had once arranged livelihoods for them; they naturally owed him loyalty.

So if Chu Danqing nodded now, he could assume command immediately.

But Chu Danqing shook his head. "Ma Yunfeng has already spread the news. Whether he wins or loses, imperial troops will come to crush the rebellion."

"I need to buy you time to build your strength."

Ma Yunfeng hadn't predicted his own death, but he had planned for failure from the start.

His entire scheme was meticulously arranged.

Even in death, he ensured the Great Shuo could swiftly quell the rebellion.

"But—" Wei Chu hesitated.

"No buts. Move out," Chu Danqing said, then added: "Remember—eliminate Liu Bai, Chen Jiunan, and all other loyalists of the Zhao Ming Society."

"Yang Wenju, Bai Xiaohe, and others can be spared."

"They were coerced into joining Zhao Ming Society—they're victims, like you. They can be won over."

"Know clearly who is friend and who is enemy," Chu Danqing warned.

Seeing Chu Danqing's resolve, Wei Chu could only say: "I understand, Young Master Chu."

"Return quickly—I'll wait for you to rise against the Great Shuo."

But Chu Danqing said: "Don't wait for me."

"If you wish to repay me, remember your humble origins. Enlighten the people, strengthen their strength—that's how you earn their hearts."

"If you become the dragon you once slew, I won't spare you out of old ties," Chu Danqing added, issuing a threat.

"I killed the Empress Dowager and the Shuo Emperor—I can kill you too, if you turn tyrant."

Chu Danqing had given Wei Chu a warning.

When Wei Chu offered the position, Chu Danqing had considered signing a pact with him.

He ultimately abandoned the idea—he knew he lacked enough Paradise Points to cultivate Wei Chu properly.

The trial world where Xiong Zhigang resided was special—he had the courage to gamble there. But Wei Chu's trial world had no such foundation.

Signing a pact would more likely drag him down.

"Big Brother Chu, rest assured—I'll remember your words well," Wei Chu said with a firm nod.

"I won't believe what you say—I'll only believe what you do. I hope the day never comes when our blades cross," Chu Danqing said, then climbed onto the war chariot and left Lin Yuan City without delay.

Wei Chu immediately calmed himself, his mind racing as he issued one order after another.

He sought to seize control of Lin Yuan City at the fastest possible speed.

(End of Chapter)