Chapter 164: Sudden Backstab

Jiang Jiang Mingyu flashed lightly to one side, dodging Li Bo's vicious slash. Li Bo sneered darkly, "Surnamed Jiang, keep dodging if you can. This Regional Military Commissioner wants to see where else you can hide!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu showed no fear at all, instead letting out a cold laugh, "Commandant Li, do you think with just these few tricks of yours you can take my life?"

Li Bo widened his cloudy eyes and twisted his large mouth, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you still have the mind to show off here? The situation has reached this point today; you know clearly in your own heart, it can only be described by four words: the tide has turned against you!"

"In front of Lord Song and me, you still dare to be so reckless, truly making me laugh my teeth out! You had better quickly figure out how to dodge my next slash!"

Having said this, he turned his head to glance at Song Song Yusheng, revealing a lecherous smile, "Lord Song, isn't that right?"

Before Song Song Yusheng could reply, Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke calmly, "Since you are so confident, then let me show you Jiang Mou's methods."

As soon as the words fell, a figure suddenly leaped down from the roof beam above, it was none other than Tu Tu Kesiluo!

"Ah!" Li Bo jumped back in shock, his hand holding the knife trembling, stammering, "You... how... aren't you already poisoned... this this this..."

Seeing the long sword in Tu Tu Kesiluo's hand, Li Bo was so frightened his tongue nearly tied itself. He looked at Song Song Yusheng in terror, incoherently saying, "My lord, what is going on?!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed lightly, seizing the opportunity to say, "Commandant Li, at this moment, do you still think everyone around you is so trustworthy?"

Speaking here, he deliberately drew out his tone, looking meaningfully at Song Song Yusheng, "Jiang Mou speaks correctly, doesn't he, Magistrate Song?"

Just then, Song Song Yusheng suddenly drew a dagger from his sleeve and stabbed it viciously into Li Bo's lower back!

Song Song Yusheng spoke with a smile, "Really sorry, Commandant Li. When you went to administer the poison, I had already told my lord your plan. Tu Tu Kesiluo was in my lord's room at the time; after learning the full story, he entered the room through the window and acted out a scene with you!"

"You were still smugly thinking your scheme succeeded, but in fact my lord saw through your plot long ago, only patiently playing along with you. You plotting against my lord is simply a joke!"

Song Song Yusheng's eyes were full of contempt for Li Bo, and of flattery towards Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

The sharp pain in his lower back made Li Bo gasp sharply, his face filled with an expression of disbelief. He widened his eyes at Song Song Yusheng, "You beast, you actually betrayed me! I promoted you personally!"

Song Song Yusheng sneered, "Commandant Li, in the face of interests, what difference is there between loyalty and betrayal? I simply chose the more correct path."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched coldly from the side, though his heart was surging with waves.

Li Bo panted in pain, struggling to speak, "Song Song Yusheng, you... why betray me... why exactly?"

Song Song Yusheng looked at him coldly and scoffed, "Why? To survive, of course."

"Now Longteng County and Monk Mu County, together with Regional Military Commissioner Asmo, are all in my lord's hands. Even if you cling on desperately, it is impossible for you to leave here alive and well."

"Besides, you fool, do you really expect to rely on your own martial prowess to resist my lord's army of over ten thousand? Wishful thinking!"

Song Song Yusheng sneered, "Let me betray my lord? Dream on in broad daylight! What virtue or ability do I have to dare disobey my lord's orders? To follow closely behind and enjoy some of the droplets, I am already content."

Song Song Yusheng thought to himself that he had heard somewhat of Fei Hou's temperament. If Fei Hou knew he had participated in digging up his ancestral grave, even if Song Song Yusheng had merit, he would most likely hardly escape death.

Rather than risk everything, it was better to take this opportunity to perform well before Jiang Jiang Mingyu and strive for his trust. Besides, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's bloody methods today had already made him tremble with fear and unbearable.

So the moment he picked up the dagger, he had already planned to stir up trouble and betray Liu Bo, hoping to ask for a future before Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu nod in satisfaction, Song Song Yusheng then stabbed Liu Bo's back twice more viciously, speaking coldly, "You have learned all you need to know, go on your way with this satisfying answer."

Liu Bo, blood foam bubbling from his mouth, still wanted to say something, but was already dead.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled mockingly and nodded in satisfaction, "Not bad, Magistrate Song, I greatly appreciate your actions tonight. Back to the matter at hand, Jiang Mou treats people with sincerity; if you continue to strive, you must bear weight."

Song Song Yusheng responded repeatedly, secretly sighing with relief, then withdrew from the room.

Watching Song Song Yusheng leave, Tu Tu Kesiluo smiled, "Luckily for him, otherwise tonight would have nearly gone wrong."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu made a soft "Hmm" sound and said lightly, "Although Song Song Yusheng is utilitarian, he also knows how to preserve himself; he may be shaped. In the future, he may become one of our confidants."

Seeing the change in Longteng was settled, Tu Tu Kesiluo asked, "My lord, what are our plans for the next step?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed at the starry sky outside the window and said softly, "Lord Lord Murong's side has likely already concluded. Tomorrow morning we return to Regional Military Commissioner Asmo to organize the troops. Now Longteng and Jingyang are both in our grasp; Dongping and Dingtao are our next targets."

Speaking here, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes revealed cold light, and he spoke with hatred, "Fei Hou, I and you cannot coexist under the same sky. Tie the rope around your neck and wait to die!"

Early the next morning, as Jiang Jiang Mingyu was leaving, he instructed Song Song Yusheng, "Magistrate Song, Longteng County is entrusted to you. The more success you achieve, the more generously Jiang Mou will treat you."

Song Song Yusheng nodded repeatedly. The lord mounted his horse and rode straight for Asmo.

Song Song Yusheng watched the lord depart, thinking to himself: Jiang Jiang Mingyu's methods are decisive, his depths are extreme; I must be extremely careful to establish myself under his banner. Only after accumulating merit can I seek real power. Though a temporary defection can save my life, for a long-term plan, only staying close to Jiang Jiang Mingyu is the best strategy.

Wherever Jiang Jiang Mingyu goes, he will surely fight east and west, continuing to expand his power. Having assisted him this time, I can temporarily stabilize Jiang Jiang Mingyu for now, but how should I conduct myself in the future? To gain favor under the lord is most likely not an easy matter. This defection was merely a desperate move; the true way of conducting oneself still needs careful contemplation.