Chapter 77: Enemies Have Enemies Too (4k Requesting Votes)

Yang Dechang appeared inside the carriage, unnoticed by any member of the Demon Suppression Corps.

The dog and mistress in the carriage had long since lowered their feet and sat upright, as if nothing had happened.

Yang Dechang cleared his throat softly, knowing Lu Xingzhou now assisted Shen Tang—but he never imagined their relationship had reached this point… In this moment, many thoughts raced through his mind…

Setting aside the impropriety of a man and woman hiding in a carriage and touching legs, Yang Dechang actually found the leg-treatment itself perfectly normal. To everyone's eyes, they were still two cripples—even the Demon Suppression Corps let them ride in a carriage, showing deference to the disabled…

He offered a well-meaning remark: "Actually… the Princess's legs would be better off untreated…"

Both glanced at him, surprised.

The words sounded cold, yet they truly came from goodwill… Could he possibly have goodwill?

Then his intentions became intriguing… Lu Xingzhou's mind flashed with thought, and he smiled: "Young Master Yang, what new counsel do you bring?"

"I dare not." Yang Dechang bowed slightly, then said: "I have come to beg forgiveness from Young Master."

Lu Xingzhou glanced at Shen Tang, his expression unreadable.

She said she wanted to be Huo Shang herself.

Lu Xingzhou sighed, speaking coolly: "Young Master Yang claims I am Huo Shang—there is no basis for that."

"That doesn't matter." Yang Dechang smiled faintly: "As long as Young Master wishes to be, then he is."

In truth, this meant that as long as Yang Dechang—sent by the Huo Clan to verify Lu Xingzhou's identity—could prove he was Huo Shang, then he was, at least until the Huo family employed other methods to verify his identity; Yang Dechang's word would be the strongest evidence.

Lu Xingzhou tapped his fingers lightly on the chair, speaking slowly: "So what, precisely, is Young Master Yang referring to when you speak of begging forgiveness?"

Yang Dechang sighed: "With Young Master's wisdom, the truth should be as clear as a mirror."

Lu Xingzhou said coolly: "You are the one who coordinated the various families to disrupt our grand ceremony... You were the one who hinted that the Incense Pavilion broke the rules to carry out an assassination... And you are the one who secretly backed the Incense Pavilion's full-scale war."

"Yes." Yang Dechang admitted readily: "That is why I beg forgiveness."

Lu Xingzhou glanced at Shen Tang; she said: "Do you assume our lack of casualties means this crime can be easily overlooked?"

Yang Dechang remained silent. The truth was, he had merely followed orders, never personally acted, and no matter what fires he stoked behind the scenes, the Heavenly March Sword Sect suffered not a single loss and even gained much. Thus, it was easily overlooked—Shen Tang, as a political figure, should consider broader matters rather than fixate on personal grudges.

Shen Tang said: "But have you considered that your crime is not something we can decide how to handle? You have truly offended Your Majesty. He may not yet know it was you… but he will know someday."

"If Princess and Young Master are willing to show leniency, then Your Majesty will never learn."

"What of the Incense Pavilion?"

Yang Dechang smiled faintly: "Did you not come here precisely to ensure the Incense Pavilion can never speak again?"

"You must have something else you don't want them to say…" Lu Xingzhou murmured: "Young Master Yang, you truly are a talent."

Yang Dechang bowed again: "Young Master flatters me."

Lu Xingzhou paused, then smiled: "If Young Master Yang can compile a complete dossier on the Incense Pavilion's current strength, their external alliances and enmities, and especially the type or weaknesses of their mountain-protection array, I will forgive all past deeds."

Yang Dechang glanced at Shen Tang; she smiled faintly without speaking, as if Lu Xingzhou's decision were her own.

Yang Dechang inwardly marveled, then swiftly pulled out a jade slip: "I prepared it in advance—all the data is within. Moreover… if Young Master requires anything of me, as long as it doesn't expose me, I may still lend a hand."

Lu Xingzhou took the jade slip and tapped it lightly in his palm, pondering: "Old Yang, you're third grade, aren't you?"

"Ashamedly, just third grade, upper tier."

"Ordering you to strike the Incense Pavilion might make you fear exposure and refuse… but if I entrust you with another task, could you assist?"

Yang Dechang hurriedly said: "Young Master may command me freely."

Lu Xingzhou pointed toward Sheng Yuanyao at the front of the column: "Protect her. Don't let her come to harm."

Yang Dechang blinked in surprise: "How could anyone in Dongjiang Commandery dare harm the Lord of Xiazhoucheng?"

"I don't know—but better safe than sorry. If you're willing to help, I'll feel more at ease…"

Yang Dechang solemnly said: "For such a matter, I, Yang Dechang, cannot refuse."

Watching Yang Dechang's retreating figure, Lu Xingzhou fell into thought.

No matter what he truly thought, he was a figure within the system, unlike the Incense Pavilion and other sects that operated outside it. At the very least, protecting Sheng Yuanyao's safety was a great opportunity to earn favor with Sheng Qingfeng—he wouldn't likely refuse.

As for the rest…

Shen Tang's identity could not be revealed; to the Incense Pavilion's clueless fools, it meant nothing. But to men like Sheng Qingfeng and Yang Dechang, it was a rare treasure… Their attitudes toward Lu Xingzhou, too, had been shaken by it.

He had never intended to exploit Shen Tang's Princess status to scheme against the Huo Clan—but without realizing it, he had been drawn into it involuntarily.

"What are you thinking?" Shen Tang's voice came.

Lu Xingzhou snapped back, smiling: "Nothing."

Shen Tang huffed: "You're thinking about my Princess status and your revenge plot."

Lu Xingzhou blinked.

"The world isn't full of only you being clever," Shen Tang said lazily, leaning back and propping her head up to rest: "Use it. I have nothing else to offer you. If you don't use it, what face do I have left before you?"

Lu Xingzhou laughed silently, reaching again to grasp her foot: "And this—can this be used too?"

Shen Tang kept her eyes closed, but her cheeks flushed crimson like morning clouds.

You're already using it—why ask?

Lu Xingzhou idly toyed with her small foot, while in his other hand he held the jade slip Yang Dechang had given him, probing its contents with his spirit.

These political figures are ruthless… Having used the Incense Pavilion, and now seeing it as useless—or worse, a threat to their secrets—they sell it out without a trace. This dossier is so detailed it could pass for the Incense Pavilion's annual evaluation report…

He wants to leave the Incense Pavilion utterly barren…

As for the weaknesses in the Incense Pavilion's mountain-protection array, Yang Dechang didn't know—but he described its nature with remarkable clarity.

Lu Xingzhou himself was an array expert; finding a way to break it was still possible, though facing a third-grade array would require time.

Shen Tang noticed his hand had stopped moving, and secretly opened one eye—she saw Lu Xingzhou arranging an array plate, inserting colorful small flags, as if simulating and calculating.

The way he concentrated on his calculations was truly beautiful… Especially when he furrowed his brow in deep thought—it was even more beautiful.

And so she quietly watched, watched all the way to Dongjiang Commandery.

…………

When Xiazhou was both provincial and commandery seat, Dongjiang was merely a subordinate county.

Since the spiritual energy of Xiazhou vanished and Dongjiang flipped the celestial norms to become the prefectural seat, exactly a hundred years have passed.

That is to say, the fact that Mohe concealed the Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm and refined the Dragon-Tiger Elixir is not ancient at all—certainly not ancient in this cultivation world.

The Huo family's maxim has only been passed down for a few generations.

Mohe was certainly no ancient immortal, merely a man who sought to refine an immortal elixir and ascend in one step… such people have always been numerous in this world; even the Incense Pavilion belongs to this category, just at a lower level. Mohe ranges from First Rank to Super Rank; the Incense Pavilion? Forget it…

Thus, Dongjiang Prefecture is very close to Xiazhou—only a few dozen li away. The group's pace was swift; they departed at noon and arrived precisely at dusk.

Sheng Yuanyao's guard unit numbered only a dozen or so; besides the dog-couple disguised in official uniforms among the guards, Zhang Shaoyou, Qin Buwang, and others had each dispersed quietly and returned to Dongjiang Prefecture, gathering together in Zhang Shaoyou's private mansion there, long since arrived.

Du Guo Qingli pushed Shen Tang's wheelchair into the mansion… now she pushed with increasing irritation; that dog-couple had been playing foot games in the carriage, delighted as ever, yet stepped out and pretended to be crippled so someone else would push them. Du Guo Qingli simply could not find a precise word to describe such audacity—she felt if this continued, their friendship would vanish.

As they entered the mansion, Zhang Shaoyou and the others were eating in the courtyard; seeing Shen Tang enter, they all rose to bow: "Master."

Shen Tang, observing the respectful demeanor of these former enemies, still felt a strange unease, and nodded: "No need for such formalities… How is the Incense Pavilion?"

Zhang Shaoyou said: "The Incense Pavilion has recalled all its disciples abroad and sealed its mountains entirely; the mountain-protection array has been activated. There seems to be no opening to exploit."

Shen Tang smiled: "True Person Yiyang is quite alert."

"He's not alert—he's cowardly," Zhang Shaoyou sneered. "Our strength isn't even significantly greater than the Incense Pavilion's; if we truly fought, we wouldn't necessarily lose. To seal the mountains entirely is to cut off one's own path of development—there will come a day they can't hold out forever. I'll just wait here; every one that steps out, I kill one. Eventually, the Incense Pavilion will collapse."

"The Incense Pavilion has outside connections; dragging things out isn't wise," Shen Tang waved dismissively. "Don't rush—we may still have allies… Everyone, have your meal first. Wait for Elder Lu's signal. Later, we may need to participate in another matter—perhaps a precursor to the Incense Pavilion affair."

Only then did they realize Lu Xingzhou was absent, and the child pushing the wheelchair was gone: "Where has Elder Lu gone…?"

Shen Tang smiled faintly: "When the governor's carriage passed the Dongjiang Gang, he got off."

Zhang Shaoyou's heart stirred: "Could the Dongjiang Gang cooperate with us?"

"That's uncertain… How can one allow another to sleep soundly beside one's own bed? Shi Bangzhu of the Dongjiang Gang is a man with ambition…" Shen Tang sighed. "Lu Xingzhou says turning a power struggle into a one-on-one battle is the stupidest thing possible. The Incense Pavilion's connections stem from external factors beyond our control—we mustn't be so foolish."

Shi TieLong, leader of the Dongjiang Gang, was in council with Deputy Leader Wang and others when they heard "Someone from the Demon Suppression Bureau is here"—they all froze. When they invited the visitor in, it was An Nuo pushing Lu Xingzhou in calmly.

"Lu Xingzhou…" Deputy Leader Wang had attended the Tianxing Sword Sect's grand ceremony—he recognized him at once: "Why are you wearing a Demon Suppression Bureau uniform?"

Lu Xingzhou said calmly: "That's another matter. I've come here with a purpose."

Less than a day had passed; the people of Dongjiang Prefecture knew nothing of the Incense Pavilion's surprise attack on the Tianxing Sword Sect—or its total annihilation. They only knew the Incense Pavilion had suddenly sealed its mountains… Seeing Lu Xingzhou appear here, they realized something was amiss.

Shi TieLong's expression turned grave; he raised his hand: "Bring tea for Lu Mou."

"No need for tea… I'll speak plainly and leave. The governor is waiting elsewhere." Lu Xingzhou smiled. "I'll cut to the chase: when your gang attended our ceremony, you clearly had ties to the Incense Pavilion—yet your conduct was utterly different. I suspect you have grievances with them, correct?"

Shi TieLong cleared his throat: "Lu Mou, you overstate it. We're neighbors; minor disagreements exist, nothing more. After all, we have no direct industrial conflicts with the Incense Pavilion…"

"If conflicts led to fights, there wouldn't be so much bloodshed in this world…" Lu Xingzhou said calmly. "Don't fault me for being blunt: first, your Dongjiang Gang claims to be the largest gang in Dongjiang Prefecture, yet because of the Incense Pavilion's presence, isn't that title somewhat hollow? All other factions here pay tribute or seek favor—but not necessarily through your gang. This is the core conflict between you and the Incense Pavilion: one mountain cannot hold two tigers."

Shi TieLong's face darkened. He said nothing.

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "Second, the purpose of a gang differs from that of a sect… Gang members join for money, for resources. There are many ways to acquire resources—honest business is one; robbery is another—and faster. Conveniently, the Incense Pavilion is very wealthy."

Shi TieLong's cheek twitched; finally, he said: "I don't understand what you mean, Lu Mou."

Lu Xingzhou said: "Last night, the Incense Pavilion launched a surprise attack on my sect—its elite were wiped out, many powerful figures defected. The Incense Pavilion is now at its weakest; sealing its mountains is proof. If you, Master Shi, are interested, let us jointly break open the Incense Pavilion. We split the spoils fifty-fifty. What do you say?"

Shi TieLong leapt to his feet, knocking over his chair: "You… are you serious?"

"Of course. Otherwise, why would the Incense Pavilion seal its mountains? Master Shi, send someone to investigate secretly—you'll see I speak no falsehood."

Excitement flushed visibly across Shi TieLong's face; he gestured to those around him. They understood at once and dashed out to investigate.

Shi TieLong gave Lu Xingzhou an awkward smile, then paced back and forth, rubbing his hands: "If we attack their mountain without cause, the prefect will intervene. How do we handle that?"

"It's mealtime, Master Shi—you might as well eat first," Lu Xingzhou smiled warmly. "You asked earlier why I wear this uniform… I'm going to dine with the prefect now. Afterward, we'll resume this conversation. I assure you, you won't be disappointed."

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(End of Chapter)