Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 161: Confrontation

The Zhao family has completely lost its footing in Yangcheng, and the Fourth Prince has not given you any support. A loss is a loss. Everyone in the Jin State remembers that it was you who abandoned the Crown Prince back then. No excuses or explanations matter; the fact is that it simply happened. The ordinary-looking young man stood unremarkable among the crowd. Forgot to mention, my name is Wu Fengyun. So what is the use of the Zhao family still holding onto these assets? Are you desperately struggling, hanging on by a thread, or planning to continue operating in Yangcheng under another name? But how far can you go without the support of officials in the capital? Is the Zhao family still the same old Zhao family?

You flatter us indeed, wanting to seek us out the moment you enter the capital, and hoping to take over our assets in Yangcheng. The Zhao father and daughter sighed with mixed emotions. Come to think of it, long before the Crown Prince, we had been operating in Yangcheng for decades, starting from my father’s generation. Our scale was never large, nor were we prominent in the capital, merely moderately wealthy. There was once such an opportunity right before us, but we failed to cherish it. There are far too many examples in the business world: a single failure is enough to plunge one into utter ruin, losing everything and leaving no possibility of a comeback.

Right now, I only want to ask one thing: where has Wu Song gone? Wu Fengyun asked, facing the man who had come to take over the Wu family’s sphere of influence.

As the former head of the Zhao family, because of the defeat in Luocheng back then, he had long since been pushed away from the core of the clan.

His family could not attach themselves to the Fourth Prince either, because His Highness intensely disliked the Zhao family, and his subordinates followed suit by showing the same disdain.

They had constantly faced ostracization and suppression.

Not long ago, Wu Song, as a defeated man, had also been transferred far away to the capital. This time, he had fallen at the hands of Xu Qing, who was reportedly Master Wang Chuan's junior fellow apprentice.

How sigh-inducing.

Fellow losers might share the exact same sentiments, so he simply wanted to know what kind of fate the other had met.

He went to the Northern Frontier, doing the fur trade. To be frank, ever since the barbarian troops marched south, let alone doing business, people should just be glad to be alive—don't think about anything else. Wu Fengyun sneered. As for the Northern Frontier, among all the past emperors, only the Ruler of Jin truly placed importance on that place. When he was about ten years old and exiled there as Crown Prince, he developed a deep emotional attachment to it. From that, he felt that the people of our Jin State could not possibly be ignorant of this history. And then, there was Wang Chuan leaving the Wei State, shaking the world with his fame! Therefore, a person who truly accomplishes great things will always find an opportunity, no matter how desperate their situation or how severe their difficulties... As for you, and as for Wu Song, can you ever do the same?

He had no great interest in these losers.

Just look at them themselves—quite a few of them still fancied themselves extraordinary.

How laughable.

So, hand over all the Zhao family assets in your hands to me. I will pay ten times the price. It would be even better if you could persuade others to sell as well—the more, the better. I have no interest in what you will do in the future. You yourself know that this sum of money is not small and can accomplish many things. What do you actually want to do? Wu Fengyun advised him in the end. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to the Heir of the Duke of Yun. Although it cannot compare to Yangcheng, within their fiefdom, you can become the greatest merchants...

The conditions offered were generous enough.

He did not believe it could be casually refused.

...

Why take over the Zhao family's assets? In truth, there aren't many left, and they cannot accomplish much.

The Heir said with a puzzled expression.

In his opinion, it would be far better to reorganize and revitalize the Wu family's assets first before taking any further steps.

Everything else was secondary.

Rallying the routed troops is a tradition on the battlefield. The truth is, whether it's them or us, everyone is simply lacking an opportunity—even if that opportunity may never come. Wu Fengyun shook his head.

The Heir did not quite understand, nor did he know the other man very well.

He had only heard that this was the most outstanding descendant of the Wu family's current generation, someone Wu Song could never hope to compare with.

The elders of the Wu family valued him greatly.

It seemed even his own father held him in high regard.

Do not harbor any thoughts of establishing a long-term foothold in Yangcheng right now; it is entirely meaningless and a waste of time! I don't know what you people intended to do in the past, but from now on, everything will be done according to my ideas! Wu Fengyun said. I will properly reorganize the remaining assets. As for those fools, making money is far from the most important thing right now. Since Yangcheng does not welcome us, there is no need for it to exist in the future.

As he spoke, his words carried a heavy, murderous intent.

The Heir understood even less now what purpose the Wu family had in coming to develop Yangcheng.

In an era of great contention, shouldn't one rise with the momentum of the times?

Wang Chuan is in seclusion. As the most watched person in the world, along with the Ruler of Jin, he will wield the greatest power in the future. Yet only the Fourth Prince is fighting outside, building merits and achievements. Wu Fengyun held his teacup, lost in thought.

There seemed to be nothing wrong with that.

Indeed, their seclusion is truly necessary; under no circumstances of emergency would anyone disturb them. You noble families should know this even better, shouldn't you? The Heir glanced at him. That is simply how things are. Or should I introduce you to the Prime Minister? For now, the capital is temporarily led by him.

Don't waste time on such meaningless endeavors. Wu Fengyun said speechlessly. Do I look like I have much leisure time? A paper-mache Prime Minister—his capability and talent are indeed incomparable, which is why he managed to become Prime Minister. What a pity, if he weren't so afraid of offending people and didn't turn a blind eye to so many matters, he surely would have achieved great things.

This man desired safety far too much.

In his youth, he had also once been high-spirited and possessed grand ambitions.

Later, having experienced ups and downs three times, he submitted to the Ruler of Jin in order to retain his position, catering entirely to the Emperor.

Many things could not be blamed upon him; everyone has their own way of life.

The philosophy of dealing with the world.

Since Sun Xinchong chose to act like paper-mache, then let him remain paper-mache.

It is best if Gu Yunqi does not get entangled with him, otherwise the Capital Magistrate's Office and the various Ministers... The Heir pondered for a moment.

Wu Fengyun was speechless, feeling that the Heir was the most idle person of all. Don't bring your past tricks around me. If you like them, go contact them yourself, but don't waste my time! Do you know who I want to see the most right now?

Uh...

The Heir had offered help out of goodwill, yet instead of being appreciated, he was treated this way. Truly unbelievable.

It was clear that the Heir himself had achieved nothing; perhaps he had been frightened out of his wits upon arriving in the capital.

He asked, Who do you want to see?

Right inside the Crown Prince's Mansion. Wu Fengyun took a sip of tea.

True enough, it was impossible to ever let go of the grudge with the Crown Prince's Mansion.

Why were they always so repulsed by outsiders like themselves?

How utterly speechless.

Then it can only be Xu Qing. What good does seeing him do you? the Heir asked.

No, the person I want to see is Xu Wei. Wu Fengyun said.

Going to find Xu Qing was also a waste of time; there was nothing to discuss.

Why on earth would you look for the Crown Prince's Consort? the Heir exclaimed in shock.

What a pity. Had I known earlier, I would have made sure to come back and see for myself. Now, the only way is to understand things through Xu Wei. Someone like Xu Qing will never give me a chance. Only Xu Wei—the moment I lay eyes on her, I will be able to figure out what is truly going on with Wang Chuan. Wu Fengyun said seriously.

Oh, you are searching for the Crown Prince. the Heir said. But everyone says he is in seclusion, and many people believe that during that battle, he suffered severe injuries and is no longer what he used to be.

Impossible. Wang Chuan is clearly in the Demon Realm; at the very least, that person back then was definitely not him! The timelines do not match. Wu Fengyun said.

This was the matter he most wanted to investigate upon arriving in the capital; everything else paled in comparison.

Only the mystery of Wang Chuan mattered above all else.

What did you just say? the Heir asked, utterly shocked.

If you had only one chance—either probe that so-called secluded Wang Chuan, or deal with Xu Qing—which would you choose? Wu Fengyun asked him.

What are you talking about? the Heir cried out in alarm. What do you intend to do?

He felt that this Wu Fengyun was exceedingly strange.

His thoughts and schemes had gone far beyond anything he could ever imagine.

Such a thing...

Let me think it through clearly.

Wu Fengyun pinched his temples, seemingly talking to himself.

There is only one chance. Even if the attempt fails, if it is someone like Wang Chuan, he will undoubtedly unleash thunderous retaliation.

His very first appearance... the Demon Commander witnessed it with his own eyes. Naturally, one shouldn't doubt the Demon Commander, but what on earth did he actually see... That kneel could not possibly have been fake either! If it was a clone, how could it be so flawlessly deceptive that even the Demon Commander couldn't tell, and just how vast must that strength be?

Later on, the Ruler of Wei also met him,

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and upon returning to the capital, he met the Ruler of Jin. These are the people who know him best. He even proved his identity by composing poetry. Who else in this world possesses such talent? If someone else wrote it for him, wouldn't such rumors have leaked out? Why has no one ever doubted his poetry?

Is that person truly Wang Chuan, or does he simply make the entire world believe he is Wang Chuan?

...

Wu Fengyun pondered for a long time. Going to see Xu Wei might not necessarily grant him an audience, and it could easily arouse their vigilance.

And even if he managed to see her, could he actually unearth any clues?

All of this remained uncertain, impossible for him to predict.

The fact that he hadn't struck yet was precisely because he was waiting for the optimal moment, leaving them restless and unable to sleep in peace.

Yes, those were the two choices. Going to see Xu Wei would inevitably alert them, as they would immediately understand that his true target was Wang Chuan. Yet only Xu Wei possessed intimate knowledge of Wang Chuan's true condition. By then, even if he obtained some clues, he might have to pivot and strike at Xu Qing instead—which wasn't a bad outcome either, a classic feint to the east while attacking the west.

As for targeting Wang Chuan directly... there would be only one chance, and every single detail must be meticulously arranged.

Aside from Xu Wei, the person he most wanted to see right now was actually the Demon Commander, to hear his perspective.

What feeling did the Wang Chuan he saw that day give him, and why did everyone who had met him firmly believe he was Wang Chuan?

Could he truly be him?

Then who on earth was that person in the Demon Realm?

This single move had already left them hesitant; no misjudgment could be afforded.

By the way, this is intelligence I spent a great deal of effort to uncover. The Heir actually disliked these people very much, as they didn't even hold him in any regard, but he said, I heard that Gu Yunqi went to see Xu Qing the other day and temporarily stripped him of his military command. He is currently barred from entering the palace and cannot command the Martial Guards, pending a final verdict from His Majesty.

It would be best to have less interaction with him in the future.

He still had his own affairs to attend to.

Let Wu Fengyun go contact the capital officials and build up some influence for the Duke's estate.

Such news is useless. First of all, I believe what you just said is true. Gu Yunqi cannot possibly show favoritism to anyone, so he could not simply ignore what Xu Qing did; yet, lacking the authority to arbitrarily punish Xu Qing, he stripped him of his power first, waiting for His Majesty's decree. But Xu Qing's actions were utterly airtight. No matter how many corpses you try to pin on him, he has eyewitnesses swearing under oath that assassins broke into the palace and fled that night, and that he only mobilized the Martial Guards to hunt them down. Go investigate, and you'll find those witnesses cannot be traced back to Qi Hao; they previously served in the military or under the Duke's command. Wu Fengyun looked at him.

How is that possible? My father's troops... the Heir raged. Damn it! It must have been orchestrated by the Crown Prince's Mansion again!

And the evidence? Wu Fengyun asked amusedly. Everything you've said is meaningless, and evidence is meaningless too, which is why I said this information is useless. You must remember that the appointments of the Martial Guards come solely from His Majesty—he drafted the decree himself. Still don't understand? The most important thing is His Majesty's attitude.

While he had time, he needed to prepare himself; there were still countless matters to trouble over.

Wu Fengyun thought for another moment. Lastly, Xu Qing losing his military command doesn't matter. Someone like him will certainly find a chance to regain control of the Martial Guards. He is simply waiting for us to show weakness and lower our guard, before dealing us a fatal blow.

How can that be? The Heir refused to believe it.

Why is it impossible? It's always you fools who get deceived by him. Wu Fengyun sneered. Back then, all four commanders of the Martial Guards were former men of the Duke's estate. I know you intended to give him a harsh display of authority, but you waited in vain for Xu Qing to show up at the Martial Guards, and all those who waited to watch him make a fool of themselves became the fools instead. He suddenly appeared and caught everyone off guard, seizing control of the Martial Guards! My father taught me since I was young that underestimating someone comes with a price.

Finally, there is the Fourth Prince. He should not be ignored. A battle between him and Wang Chuan is inevitable sooner or later. It matters not if Wang Chuan does nothing right now; accumulating countless merits is useless, for Wang Chuan remains the Crown Prince. Matters of deposing and establishing heirs shake the foundations of the state; it is no trivial affair. Unless the Fourth Prince can trick Wang Chuan into making a grave mistake, providing a legitimate reason to depose the Crown Prince. Yet he still seems to have done nothing, as if he has given up. Even I can no longer understand him; he grows increasingly unfathomable...

(This chapter ends)