Chapter 486: One Wave Subsides, Another Rises (8)

Chapter 486: One Wave Calms, Another Rises (Part Eight)

No sooner had Su Rao left than the Dan Liang royal family arrived in person.

Surveying the ground strewn with corpses, the 'black-clad men' whose black clothes had been torn to reveal their Capital Prefecture Office guard uniforms, and Minister Xun, who had been protected in the middle by these 'black-clad men' but was now dead, along with the Ministry of Punishments clerks who had been killed with a single strike, none of these gruesome scenes could match the shock of the blood letter written on a piece of white silk left by Su Rao.

"The Dan Liang royal family need not thank me; I, this princess, have always been happy to help. That my fifth brother could be found so easily is largely due to the Dan Liang royal family's perseverance.

I imagine that General Wu must have already met his end in prison. I, this princess, have captured two remnants of the previous dynasty for the Dan Liang royal family, both of whom were trusted ministers. From now on, the Dan Liang royal family should be more discerning, especially regarding those close to you."

Such audacious words made the Dan Liang royal family's temples throb with visible veins after just one reading.

The implications of Su Rao's words were clear, much like the analysis given by the Minister of Punishments. It was she who set up this trap, making the Dan Liang royal family sever their own left arm, and now she has removed their right arm as well. Her kindness in doing so does not require thanks.

"As for why my fifth brother was imprisoned in the Fengya Pavilion, out of respect for Grandfather Cloud, I, this princess, will generously overlook it. However, if the Dan Liang royal family wishes to provide an explanation, I, this princess, will be waiting in the Bureau of Guests."

This statement was brazenly arrogant, a blatant and unbridled provocation. She was certain that the Dan Liang royal family would not come, unless they had the ability to remove the old Cloud King without leaving any trace.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. Although my fifth brother has been found, Prince Yun Lang of the Eighth House is not here. It seems the Dan Liang royal family will have to exert more effort."

These final words were a stark threat, even more audacious. Where Yun Mu Yue was now, if the Dan Liang royal family wanted to investigate the Fengya Pavilion incident, she would not hesitate to act again.

"Previous dynasty... What a fine pair of remnants from the previous dynasty, how dare you be so presumptuous and arrogant..."

A dark aura enveloped the room, and the veins at the Dan Liang royal family's temples pulsed uncontrollably, revealing the extent of their anger at Su Rao's actions.

"Father..."

"Your... Your Majesty..."

Rong Feng supported Dan Liang royal family, his heart heavy with sorrow at the scene in Fengya Cottage. He had thought this was the worst situation of the day, but another urgent cry suggested otherwise.

It was the delicate young medicine boy who came, disheveled and badly injured.

After returning to Immortal Crane Residence with the Capital Prefecture Guard, they had intended to interrogate those inside, but the medicine rat suddenly became agitated and darted out of the residence. They quickly pursued it, only to be ambushed by a group of black-clad men in an alleyway, leaving him as the sole survivor.

As the young medicine boy spoke, all eyes instantly fell on the 'black-clad men' surrounding Minister Xun. It was then that they clearly saw one of Minister Xun's confidants, a member of the Capital Prefecture Guard, among them.

These 'black-clad men' were none other than the same Capital Prefecture Guard who had been arresting remnants of the previous dynasty earlier that morning. Now, they had become the very remnants of the previous dynasty.

Such audacity, in broad daylight, within the inner city of the imperial capital, revealed just how brazen these remnants of the previous dynasty had become.

"Spit..."

How could this be? This is utterly unacceptable.

At the sight, Dan Liang royal family was so provoked that he spat out a mouthful of blood, then fell straight down.

For a moment, everyone who had followed was thrown into chaos.

"Father Emperor..."

"Your Majesty..."

Rong Feng and the Chief Steward hurried to support Dan Liang royal family.

Old Ding, who had been examining the cause of Minister Xun's death, quickly rose and rushed to Dan Liang royal family's side, immediately taking his pulse.

This elegant abode, long favored by scholars and beauties for its refined charm, has finally become the stage of this chaotic situation today.

Peace is no longer possible.

Su Rao, who had left, was unaware that Yun Ji's move had so enraged the Dan Liang royal family.

After she and Su Wu left through another alley from the pleasure district, they met up with Yun Ji, who was also returning, on their way back to the main guest office.

"Yun Ji, will Rong Feng really be able to protect General Wu? Given Rong Ke's nature, he would rather wrongly execute than leave any potential threat."

Seeing that Yun Ji came alone without rescuing Wu Yang, Su Rao had already guessed as much.

Resolving Wu Yang’s predicament did not necessarily mean rescuing him; if Wu Yang were completely exposed, the army he commanded would surely face a thorough purge.

How much of the old Cloud King's efforts were involved in this, they did not know, but it was clear that there must be other hidden pawns like Wu Yang within the military, waiting for the right moment to rise and assist the old Cloud King in seizing control of the Dan Liang Royal Family.

After all, the old Cloud King had been planning for ten years, with scholars like Pei Liang and warriors like Wu Yang, both close to the Dan Liang Emperor. There were also other spies unknown to her and Yun Ji, and the old Cloud King's strategy and methods were unparalleled.

Putting aside these unknowns, even the Freedom Pavilion, a powerful assassin organization that once dominated the martial world twenty years ago, causing fear and dread among people, was eventually given to Han Mochen by the old Cloud King, which speaks volumes about his capabilities.

The former pavilion master of the Freedom Pavilion told Yun Ji that he helped Han Mochen due to a favor owed, which was neither related to his mother nor to the Dan Liang Royal Family, but because the old Cloud King saved the injured pavilion master during his secret investigation in Dan Liang. The pavilion master, owing his life to the old Cloud King, passed on all his skills to Han Mochen before dying from his injuries two years later.

During the two years Han Mochen was brought to Dan Liang, the identity of the former pavilion master of the Freedom Pavilion, whom Yun Ji often saw, was not the same person who appeared before Han Mochen.

One was Yun Ji's grandfather, who personally accompanied Han Mochen when he sent him to the Freedom Pavilion. The other was the true former pavilion master, who appeared before Yun Ji after he came out to avoid being detected by Rong Xiao.

When the old Cloud King frankly told Yun Ji about this matter, and Yun Ji shared it with her, she was deeply moved. She realized that the old Cloud King's affection for Han Mochen was pure and unadulterated, and this single fact made all the old Cloud King's past concealments forgivable, including his strategic mind.

Holding Yun Ji's hand, they should return to the main guest office.

As they walked and talked.

She feared that Rong Ke might soon make his move. If he did not act despite their repeated provocations, it might indeed be as Yun Ji said, waiting for Xianyi Chishaou to arrive and prepare a two-pronged attack.

Thinking of the recently killed Minister Xun, it seemed that there were already many powerful figures like Minister Xun secretly prepared within the Dan Liang Imperial City. They must remain vigilant.