noffsinger Chapter 172 'Master' Emerges from the Mountain
Chapter 172 'Master' Emerges from the Mountain
Thinking of this, An Lushan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, what I lost to him was not strategy or tactics. That Zhuge Kongming relied on being a cultivator and enjoyed the intelligence advantage of the cultivation world. He also used some underhanded tricks, which ruined my great plans. If we talk about strategy and planning, I am confident that I am no less than him."
Zhu Song raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "Oh? Tell me, what underhanded tricks did he use?"
"I have discovered that this person is colluding with the remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty, which led to my utter defeat. The remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty have grand ambitions that will surely disrupt the balance between the various nations and thus infringe upon the interests of the Great Ming Dynasty!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Song remained calm and composed, but his previously amused gaze sharpened like an eagle's as he stared intently at An Lushan.
"Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly. My words are not out of personal grudge. If the remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty were to occupy the three states, given time, they would very likely use these three states as a base to attempt to restore their kingdom. At that time, the benefits taken by the other countries would surely be returned tenfold!"
An Lushan hurriedly explained, a fine sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead. Under Zhu Song's sharp gaze, he felt unprecedented pressure.
Ha ha!
Zhu Song sneered twice, "Remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty, huh! Good, very good!"
These two "good"s were full of meaning, leaving An Lushan unable to fathom what the Ming emperor was thinking.
"Young Master An, we have long since taken control of the remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty. Otherwise, why do you think the Blood Drop Pavilion could operate so freely in our Great Ming?"
The guard who had led An Lushan to the Ming Dynasty stepped forward and spoke.
An Lushan's eyes narrowed upon hearing this. He clearly remembered that the Blood Drop Pavilion had once given him a token shaped like a blood droplet. They instructed him to take this token to the Ming Dynasty and find an academy with this mark as soon as he learned of the Jade Void Seal's whereabouts.
Could it be that the Ming Dynasty had long been colluding with the Blood Drop Pavilion, or that this Ming Emperor had much grander ambitions?
An Lushan was filled with doubts, but he dared not show them on the surface and continued to stand respectfully with his head bowed.
Zhu Song watched An Lushan's reaction, a slight smile playing on his lips, revealing a subtle, profound meaning. "It seems you've already guessed some of the clues. Indeed, the Blood Drop Pavilion's actions in my Great Ming are all part of my chessboard. And they are merely pawns in my hands."
An Lushan was greatly alarmed upon hearing this. All countries were wary of the remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty. After all, if they succeeded in restoring their country, the other countries would inevitably have to give up a lot of benefits. In the past, the territory and resources of the Great Qian Dynasty were almost completely divided up by these countries.
What exactly is the Ming Dynasty imperial family plotting? Do they still want to unify the world?
An Lushan composed himself, cupped his hands, and said, "Emperor Ming's actions are truly admirable. However, I am foolish and do not know what Your Majesty's summons to have to do with this game of chess?"
Zhu Song narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sharp as if he could see right through An Lushan. After a moment, he slowly spoke: "What I want is for these remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty to stir up the situation, and I also need to find ways to make their conflicts with all parties even more acute!"
An Lushan's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood Zhu Song's intention.
The Ming imperial family is trying to provoke a great war across the land! Only in times of chaos can one rise to power. Once all the forces have been weakened, they will step in to clean up the mess and achieve absolute rule of the Ming Dynasty among all the nations.
Their ambition is certainly immense!
However, this premise is not about how strong you are, but rather depends on how well you plan and strategize.
No wonder the Emperor Ming suddenly wanted to recruit me. Although these cultivators have great supernatural powers, they know very little about these treacherous methods.
An Lushan was a master of this art, and now that Zhuge Liang is dead, who else is qualified to rival him?
Thinking of this, An Lushan was filled with thoughts. He bowed deeply and said, "I deeply admire Your Majesty's ambition and vision. I am honored by your high regard and will do my utmost to contribute to Your Majesty's grand cause. However, there are many variables in this process, and I hope Your Majesty can grant me more authority and instructions!"
Zhu Song nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "It's good that you have this awareness. I will arrange for the Ming Dynasty's top intelligence agents to connect with you, and I will also bestow upon you the Emperor's Sword. Whether you are a cultivator or a mortal, you will have a certain degree of power over life and death. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, An Lushan was overjoyed. The power granted by the Emperor's Sword would undoubtedly be a powerful asset for him in his actions within the cultivation world of the Ming Dynasty.
Thinking back, he realized that because of too many obstacles in his actions, the cultivators of Biyou Sect did not listen to him, which led to his failure at the last moment. At this moment, he truly regretted that Kongming had died too soon!
An Lushan knelt down and kowtowed heavily, his voice filled with excitement and gratitude: "Your Majesty's kindness is as heavy as a mountain, and I could never repay it even if I were to die! Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will live up to your expectations and dedicate myself to the cause of the Ming Dynasty!"
After bowing in gratitude once more, An Lushan withdrew from the Qian Yuan Hall…
……
Meanwhile, Kongming sent Duanmu Qing to track down An Lushan, but the result greatly disappointed him.
An Lushan vanished as if he had disappeared from the face of the earth.
It should be understood that it is extremely difficult for a first-order mortal to evade the pursuit of cultivators, especially forces like the Blood Drop Pavilion.
“Brother, it’s not that I’m incompetent, but this is just too strange. How could a living person just vanish into thin air from the three states?”
Duanmu Qing grabbed a pot of tea and gulped down several mouthfuls, saying...
Kongming, fanning himself with his feather fan, stared intently at Duanmu Qing and said in a deep voice, "If he were so easily captured, he wouldn't be An Lushan. I suspect this fiend..."
There must be a powerful force protecting them to have evaded your investigation so easily.
"Powerful force? The Biyou Sect has been destroyed. Even if the Biyou Sect were at its peak, it would be wishful thinking to try and rescue someone right under our noses!"
Duanmu Qing said with a hint of disdain.
Kongming frowned slightly and paced back and forth in the room, gently tapping his palm with the feather fan.
Duanmu Qing is right. The Blood Drop Pavilion must have something extraordinary to have been able to remain hidden for so many years.
Even the Biyou Sect couldn't possibly accomplish that.
Could it be that three major factions are secretly assisting An Lushan?
Thinking of this, Kongming stopped in his tracks. The three major factions were known for their domineering ways, and if he were to get involved, they must have ulterior motives.
If this person sabotages things at a crucial moment, all our efforts might be in vain.
Regardless, as long as An Lushan remained unresolved, it was as if a sharp thorn was stuck in Kongming's heart.
Don't underestimate this mere mortal. If Biyou Sect hadn't had so many concerns, Kongming might have really fallen into his hands this time.
Even the fact that he was able to pinpoint Kongming's hiding place so accurately demonstrates his remarkable cunning.
However, given the vastness of the world and the fact that there are indeed three major sects protecting him, Kongming's current strength is truly insufficient...
These days, a rumor is circulating in the capital of the Great Yuan Dynasty: a wise and extraordinary person lives in seclusion in the northern mountain valley.
It is said that this person can resolve the world's doubts and predict the course of events.
With the Blood Drop Pavilion's encouragement, the news quickly reached the ears of the Great Yuan Crown Prince Temujincheng...