[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign":3,"chapter-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-167":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Eternal Green Immortal Sovereign",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2270175,4432,"Chapter 167: Hard to Guard Against Hidden Arrows","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-167",167,"\u003Cp>Zui Xianju, private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The food smelled fragrant, and melodious guqin music drifted past his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was one of the top three taverns in Qinghe County; Li Rui had been here a few times and rated it: the food was worth ten taels, the music a hundred taels—you paid for the ambiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Brother Li, Old Brother Zhao, let’s drink one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong raised his wine cup first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui and Captain Zhao chuckled and drained their cups in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine slid down in a single fiery line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burning sensation made Captain Zhao grimace; he picked up a slice of roasted deer meat and said, “Old Brother Li, Old Brother Ge, the matter’s been cleared up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spill it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong had been obsessed with this matter; it had kept him awake and appetiteless for days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He urged impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone really set a trap for him, that day had been dangerously close to disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Zhao put down his chopsticks and tapped the table with his right index finger: “It was adultery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the words “adultery,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui and Ge Hong both narrowed their eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I checked: Li Yangshi was involved with Ma San three months ago. Many neighbors know it—it’s no secret.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong’s veins bulged instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was certain: someone was trying to destroy him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that talk of rape? It was just an affair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d killed Ma San that day, and Li Yangshi then turned on him, with someone behind the scenes stoking the fire, he might’ve been forced to resign under pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His career would’ve been over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a vicious heart!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t afraid of real blades—hidden daggers concealed in ordinary things were the hardest to guard against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Zhao continued: “To avoid alerting the enemy, I haven’t interrogated Li Yangshi yet. The mastermind remains unknown. What do you two think we should do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Old Brother Zhao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he was a professional—his methods were always cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Li Rui: “Old Brother Li, what’s your take?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui paused, then said: “Old Brother Zhao, punish Ma San under military law—don’t hold back. Whether he lives or dies is up to his fate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma San was indeed framed, but he had consorted with the wife of a soldier—a violation of military law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Kingdom’s military code stipulates that families of soldiers deployed to the frontier must be treated well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This includes forbidding adultery—even initiating it is forbidden, to maintain morale at the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma San’s case warrants thirty military lashes without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for Li Yangshi, she’s just a woman. Once she hears Ma San is dead, she’ll contact her handler. We can try to lure out the bigger fish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong’s eyes lit up—baiting a fish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brilliant plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never intended to spare Ma San anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s move would not only satisfy his vengeance but also let them trace the mastermind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two birds with one stone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Li Rui and Ge Hong’s approval,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma San’s fate was inevitable—he was beaten so badly his buttocks were shredded; he didn’t even survive ten lashes, choked on his breath, and died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it plainly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>military lashes weren’t ordinary sticks—they were spiked clubs, studded with thorns like wolf teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention thirty lashes—one strike would split skin and flesh, half-dead already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why soldiers often said: “Record the lashes, earn merit through service.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you took the full punishment, you couldn’t even stand, let alone fight on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma San’s death\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>stunned the old soldiers who thought they’d seen every kind of corruption—they never expected Li Rui, so cunning and shrewd, to be a man of righteousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the news reached Li Yangshi’s ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yangshi, a mere woman, heard Ma San was dead and grew frantic, unable to sit still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t leave home all day, pacing back and forth endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By evening, after putting her son to sleep, she slipped out quietly under cover of darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she arrived at the bridge beneath the willow tree, a mile from her home, and whispered: “Sir… Sir?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She called for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in black, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, appeared silently behind her without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yangshi turned and nearly collided with him; she screamed in fright, trembling: “Sir, Ma San’s dead—but he didn’t die at Ge Hong’s hands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days ago,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>this man approached her, promising a vast reward if she followed his instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to live comfortably for generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman like her, hearing such wealth was possible, gritted her teeth and agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through his arrangement, she infiltrated Anning Guard and waited along Ma San’s daily training route, looking for a chance to escalate the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her task: make a certain Officer Ge kill Ma San.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, everything went smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the critical moment, an old man ruined it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew exactly what she’d done—Ma San wasn’t a good man—but what she wanted wasn’t justice?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted silver!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning home, she’d been anxious, terrified the plot would be exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when she heard Ma San was dead did she dare contact the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man in the hat chuckled: “You did well. I’ll pay you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yangshi rejoiced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t expected to get paid even though she’d failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the next instant, her smile froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of cold light darted from the man’s fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silver needle pierced her forehead; without struggle, the poison surged into her heart, and she collapsed lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whore—you failed your task and still expect payment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dream on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man sneered, glancing contemptuously at Li Yangshi’s corpse—no blood spilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the body was dragged away, not a trace would remain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the man was an old hand at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She has a son at home… can’t leave him alive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s eyes flashed with cold intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since framing Ge Hong had failed, he had to erase all traces to prevent Ge Hong from tracing the trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to drag Li Yangshi’s body away\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a slender, glinting blade slashed diagonally from his right rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s pupils contracted sharply:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Willow Leaf Blade!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a voice rang out from behind: “Damn it! You dare target me? Eat this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>=9+shu_ba\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slash was ferocious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s cultivation was inferior to Ge Hong’s—only eighth rank—and his arm was instantly severed by Ge Hong’s Willow Leaf Blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth, trying to leap into the Qing River below and flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Rui, leaping from beneath the willow tree, kicked him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong’s hands clamped down like eagle talons, pinning the man in place—no blade used, to prevent suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Brother Li, you truly see through everything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only wanted to know who was behind this, and why they wanted to ruin him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s face revealed no expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had done all this, seemingly helping Ge Hong, but in fact helping himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through his Insight Eye, he noticed the smoke suddenly turn red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already been alert then, reducing his outings significantly; this morning, upon hearing from Liang He about Li Yang’s affair, he sensed something suspicious and rushed over immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he uncover what had happened afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suspected the person setting the trap intended to target not just Ge Hong, but also him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grab this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red hue of the smoke had faded slightly, further confirming his suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak. I’ll let you die quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sneer flickered at the man’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, his head slumped to one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong didn’t even know what had happened until he saw black blood oozing from the man’s lips, and only then did he check his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui chuckled: “A real man—he hid poison inside his body, activated it with Shu Gu Gong. Impossible to guard against.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was a trained death agent; who else would be this ruthless toward himself? Everyone prefers to live, however poorly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face darkened: “Brother Li, now the trail’s gone. What do we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui crouched down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calmly searched the man’s body for clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong frowned: “Brother Li, this man was ready to die—he probably left no trace on his person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had ample martial world experience and knew how ruthless such death agents could be toward themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently and carefully searched, and after a long while, found a short dagger hidden beneath the man’s shoe sole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hidden dagger in the shoe sole—quite devious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, his martial skill far surpassed this man’s; otherwise, he might have been caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, what’s special about this dagger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui stood up, holding the dagger: “Possibly something. Can’t say yet. Let’s take all the bodies back to the guard battalion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about this woman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui nodded. The day’s events had been discreet; taking the bodies away might buy them more time before the enemy discovered and severed the trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blacksmith’s shop was bustling with activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man was hammering fiercely on a glowing red piece of divine iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saw an familiar old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Li! You’ve come!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man recognized Li Rui and beamed with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui smiled: “Last time I left in a hurry—I never asked your name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly man scratched his head, grinning: “I’m Liu Tiezhu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tiezhu—good name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu knew his name wasn’t impressive, but since it was given by his parents, he had no intention of changing it: “Master Li, are you here to buy weapons again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled a dagger from his sleeve: “I’d like you to examine it—see where it came from.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu took the dagger, studied it for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Li, may I melt this dagger down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui nodded: “Do as you wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Li Rui’s permission, Liu Tiezhu eagerly placed the dagger into the furnace; soon, the intense heat turned it glowing red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu bent over, watching with unprecedented intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full quarter-hour passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he straighten up and declare firmly: “This dagger uses two materials—one is Xuan Jin Iron, common enough; the other is far rarer—Blood Ice Crystal. It’s found only in Nanliang. I’ve only heard of it from senior masters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanliang\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a coincidence—the Zhuang family was in Nanliang, and the County Magistrate of Qinghe was surnamed Zhuang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1782,"2026-06-19T22:01:09.077Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7dbad528d713a4c21474d47a583a7cd1b6d7b26baf10b6b403da5c0e9d833750","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-168","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-166",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-green-immortal-sovereign-cover.jpg"]