Chapter 96: Discussion

"Ha!"

Zhao Gao gently shook his head and said, "Death is not frightening; what is frightening is losing oneself. If you cannot even control yourself, how can you control others?"

But at that moment, Weng Zungu did not speak; he merely looked at Zhao Gao with a mocking gaze.

Zhao Gao said nothing more, just stood there silently, watching the opponent's breath as it was about to fade away.

"Take him back."

"He will be very useful in the future!"

His face showed no expression, as if everything was under his control.

Fell into the hands of the Heavenly Net.

Death is a luxury!

The bloodstains appeared especially alluring in the moonlight, and Zhao Gao's blood-red robe was even more striking.

The three princesses were startled by the sudden crimson palm strike from Weng Zungu just now.

At that moment, they huddled together, faces pale, yet their composure remained steady.

Obviously, as imperial princesses of a royal lineage, they had not forgotten their identity and duty.

After a brief panic, they straightened their backs and faced Zhao Gao as he approached.

Zhao Gao walked slowly toward the three princesses, his steps light and graceful, as if performing an elegant dance.

"Your Highnesses, I, Zhao Gao of the Heavenly Net, have failed in my duty, allowing these ruffians to disturb the princesses' marriage procession."

"Please forgive us, Your Highnesses."

He bowed deeply, palms together, and lowered his head.

"You are Zhao Gao of the Heavenly Net, right?"

"Where did these assassins come from?"

The three princesses exchanged glances, and finally the Second Princess, Si Luo Ying, who had been leading among them, stepped forward and spoke slowly.

Regarding Yun King's heir Su Ye, whom the three princesses were about to marry into, the three Si sisters naturally would not have neglected to learn about him before setting out.

Therefore, regarding the Heavenly Net organization that had recently emerged under Su Ye's command, stirring up a bloody storm in the Great Qian martial world...

The three of them were naturally not unfamiliar with it.

"These assassins are naturally sent by certain officials in the court or by the hidden rats of Great Qian."

"They are dissatisfied with the Emperor's arrangements and believe that the marriage of the three princesses threatens their interests."

"Isn't it reasonable to act?"

Zhao Gao slightly lifted his head, a fleeting hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, and spoke softly.

"Then, Minister Zhao, how did you learn of this assassination operation?"

Beside her, the Second Princess Si Luo Shi, lost in thought, then asked.

"Your Highnesses are the future and hope of Great Qian, and also the Emperor's most beloved daughters."

"And you are the objects of this marriage alliance with the Lord of Cangzhou."

"Zhao Gao naturally cannot let these ruffians harm the three princesses, nor allow their plot to succeed."

Zhao Gao remained bowed, his expression unchanged.

"Moreover, from the moment the princesses' party passed through Dongning Pass..."

"... the Heavenly Net launched a full-scale search throughout Cangzhou, and Zhao Gao simultaneously identified several suitable ambush sites."

"Thus, he was able to arrive in time."

Zhao Gao lowered his head, fell silent for a moment, then spoke.

"Minister Zhao, what do you plan to do next? We can't just stay here forever, can we?"

The Sixth Princess, Si Luo Qing, furrowed her brows and asked doubtfully.

"Please rest assured, Your Highnesses, the Heavenly Net will surely exert every effort to protect the safety of the three princesses."

"We have roughly traced the identity and purpose of these ruffians."

"Whoever dares to plot and launch an attack in my Cangzhou, the Heavenly Net will certainly take necessary measures, cleansing the entire Cangzhou to ensure the smooth progress of the princesses' marriage."

Zhao Gao raised his head, his gaze firm as he looked at the three princesses, and spoke in a low voice.

The three princesses glanced at each other, unable to help feeling a myriad of emotions.

"In this perilous age, to speak of cleansing an entire prefecture is something even the Night Peace Office of Great Qian would not dare to say."

"Each prefecture hosts countless martial sects, with disciples and former officials everywhere; one could say that pulling a single thread moves the whole body."

"Yet the Heavenly Net can say so lightly."

"One can imagine how strong their control over the entire Cangzhou martial world must be!"

"Then we will trouble Minister Zhao."

Si Luo Ying shook her head, took a deep breath, and said to Zhao Gao.

Zhao Gao bowed again, saying, "I will surely do my utmost and not disappoint the princesses' expectations."

In the moonlight, Zhao Gao's figure gradually faded into the night.

After Zhao Gao left, the three princesses, upon digesting that the Heavenly Net could easily cleanse an entire prefecture, couldn't help but glance at each other, their eyes showing deep worry and emotion.

"The strength of the Heavenly Net under the command of Yun King's heir Su Ye is truly beyond our expectations."

"I fear that the Heavenly Net under our future husband's command will pose a great threat to the Great Qian imperial house and dynasty in the future."

The Second Princess Si Luo Ying watched as the six sword slaves and others, who had seized Weng Zungu, departed in disarray, sighed, and said to her two sisters beside her.

"I feel the same. We need to roughly understand the true strength and scope of the Heavenly Net."

The Fourth Princess Si Luo Shi nodded, indicating agreement.

"We cannot only see the Heavenly Net's great strength; we must also see its relations with other martial sects."

This time, the Net is wantonly slaughtering in the martial world, which will surely arouse a common hatred among the martial forces.

If Great Qian were to ally with Cangzhou and Yunzhou, it could exacerbate tensions with other powers and even trigger a large-scale martial conflict.

As a disciple of the Daoist sect's leader, who is the foremost figure among the martial world's sects, Sikong Qing sees the current situation in Great Qian's martial world more clearly and reminds them.

Alas, we three are also left with no choice.

We can only take things one step at a time.

When the three of them felt perplexed about Great Qian's future, Sikong Ying sighed, then waved a hand, interrupting his two sisters' thoughts.

Moreover, we three are now going to Cangzhou for a marriage alliance.

From now on, we will belong to that Yun Crown Prince; isn't it better for us if the Net grows stronger?

After we ally with Cangzhou by marriage, when Great Qian later confronts the two Eastern Prefectures, it's uncertain whether they will still recognize us three princesses.

Seeing that his two sisters still wore worried frowns, Sikong Ying offered an optimistic reassurance.

Meanwhile, on a mountain cliff not far from the attack site.

Night fell, a cold moon hung high in the sky, casting its light over the land of this Cangzhou.

Clad in a blood-red robe, Zhao Gao stood atop the desolate ruins, his silhouette appearing especially sinister and eerie in the moonlight.

A breeze swept by, causing the blood robe to flutter like a burning flame, illuminating this dark world.

Zhao Gao's gaze was deep and cold; he stared into the distance at the battlefield, where the Net had left traces of silently disposing of those martial folk.

Obviously, during the attack on the marriage alliance entourage, these Net assassins under Zhao Gao's command were certainly not idle.

Gazing at those traces in the distance, Zhao Gao curled the corner of his mouth into a cold smile, as if mocking those who overestimated their abilities.

He turned around to face a group of elite warriors in black robes behind him; their faces were shrouded in darkness, revealing only pairs of icy eyes.

Gentlemen, tonight's affair is surely clear to all of you.

Zhao Gao's voice was hoarse and low, yet carried an unquestionable authority: 'That gang of martial folk actually dared to act thus in Cangzhou—this is sheer audacity!'

The black-clad subordinates replied in unison: 'Yes, sir!'

Their voices were filled with anger and killing intent; clearly, like Zhao Gao, they harbored intense hostility toward that attack.

Zhao Gao raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.

It seems someone in Cangzhou is not satisfied with that previous massacre.

Then let's cleanse the entire martial world of Cangzhou once more!

He drew a deep breath, a flicker of ruthless light flashing in his eyes.

Now the lord has just gone on campaign to Qi Prefecture, and this matter has occurred right under our noses in Cangzhou.

I hope that before the lord returns, we can completely prevent such incidents from happening again!

The martial forces of Cangzhou must submit before us!

Zhao Gao waved his hand, letting everyone quiet down, then continued speaking.

(End of chapter)