61: eve

Young Master Xu gazed at the ancient tree in the courtyard, his eyes flickering as he pondered silently.

“Does the Eldest Young Master know about this bloodline Foundation Establishment method?”

“If he does, it will certainly cause a commotion. He definitely won't just sit there and wait; he'll find a way to save himself.”

“And there's still an Immortal remaining in the Prince’s Manor. This is likely a contingency left by Prince Rui to monitor and control the Eldest Young Master and others.”

“Moreover, Prince Rui won't be back anytime soon. Although he has temporarily achieved victory, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Even if Great Qi has stood for three hundred years, its foundation must be quite substantial.”

“The front-line battle is deadlocked, so let’s give the Eldest Young Master some time to save himself.”

“Let chaos ensue… chaos is good,” Young Master Xu muttered softly to himself. The more chaotic the situation, the better he could seize the opportunity to plot.

…

At the Eldest Young Master’s manor.

The moment the Eldest Young Master learned of his third brother's death, he was completely stunned, his eyes filled with panic, and his fists instinctively clenched.

“This is impossible… How could it fail?” the Eldest Young Master murmured unconsciously.

He had clearly planned it flawlessly: when Prince Rui's army reached Tianyang City, his third brother would cede Silver Mountain Pass.

Silver Mountain Pass was the barrier to Tianyang City. If this pass were lost, Tianyang City would have no natural defenses, like a naked beauty facing dozens of burly men, utterly defenseless and at their mercy.

At that time, if General Su Kuohai led his army straight in and trapped Prince Rui within the city, the great deed would be accomplished.

He just hadn't expected to receive his third brother's death news before Prince Rui's.

Beside him, Yang Xinyu felt great pity. He wished Prince Rui dead, and he wished his eldest brother dead, but he specifically did not want his third brother to die.

“Why did it fail…”

The Eldest Young Master suddenly turned his head. It was then that Yang Xinyu realized his eldest brother's eyes were bloodshot, like an enraged beast. He squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, “Where is General Feng?”

Yang Xinyu's heart trembled, and he dared not meet his gaze. “General Feng was… beheaded by Father along with Third Brother.”

The Eldest Young Master picked up the teacup on the table and drained it, suppressing the panic in his heart. “Tell me the situation in detail, not a single word missing!”

“Yes.”

Yang Xinyu recalled, “At that time, according to the plan, when Father arrived at Tianyang City, Silver Mountain Pass did indeed fall. General Su Kuohai personally led his army to attack, but we never expected…”

“We never expected Father had already prepared. He secretly ordered the commanders of Earth Dragon Pass, Chicken Ridge Pass, and Three Mountains Pass to transfer most of their troops, ambushing them around Tianyang City. With an inside-outside attack, General Su Kuohai was utterly defeated, and the Red Sea Twin Immortals jointly killed the imperial court's Immortal as well.”

The Red Sea Twin Immortals were two of the three Immortals Prince Rui was cooperating with.

“He’s mad! That old man, he’s mad!” the Eldest Young Master roared hysterically, his eyes bloodshot.

How could Prince Rui dare to use such a desperate measure?

Was he not afraid that if this failed, other passes would be breached by the imperial army?

The Eldest Young Master's eyes darted around anxiously. Now that his third brother was dead, Prince Rui must have known about their secret dealings. He had to find a way to save himself!

The Eldest Young Master forced himself to calm down. For now, the best strategy was to flee, and to escape, he first had to eliminate the Immortal guarding the Prince’s Manor.

“Mobilize the City Guard and surround the Prince’s Manor!”

Yang Xinyu was startled. “Ah?”

The Eldest Young Master's expression turned sinister as he slowly turned his head. “The demoness has bewitched the Prince and held the Princess Consort hostage. Her crime deserves death!”

Yang Xinyu dared not ask further. “Yes.”

Saying this, he rose and exited the room. Once he left, the Eldest Young Master spoke, “Viper.”

“Present.” A figure emerged from the shadows; it was the effeminate man.

“Go find Young Master Xu. Whatever conditions he sets, agree to them, as long as he’s willing to help.”

“This…”

Viper seemed hesitant. “Earlier, we sent people to assassinate him…”

The Eldest Young Master sneered, “There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. As long as the price is high enough, nothing is impossible.”

“Yes.”

…

Young Master Xu looked at the approaching figure not far away, a slight curve on his lips. News of Prince Rui's great victory had spread, making many people restless, and his place had also become lively.

Yang Qiyuan wisely turned and left, unable to stop grumbling inwardly about everyone's strange habits—why not use the main gate? Why sneak over the wall?

“You are…?” Young Master Xu spoke first.

Viper cupped his fist. “Under the Eldest Young Master’s command. Young Master Xu can call me Viper.”

Young Master Xu smiled. Someone from the Eldest Young Master?

“Are you here to die?”

Although he was smiling, Viper felt a bone-chilling cold, as if he was being targeted by a natural predator, and his heart couldn't stop racing. He knew Old Gentleman An had died at his hands, and he was absolutely no match, so he quickly said, “I am here on the Eldest Young Master’s orders to request Young Master Xu's assistance.”

“Request me?”

Young Master Xu became interested. “Elaborate.”

“The demoness Lan Yue has bewitched the Prince and held the Princess Consort hostage. The Eldest Young Master has decided to eliminate the demoness and hopes for Young Master Xu’s assistance.”

“So her name is Lan Yue.”

Young Master Xu shook his head and refused. “That’s an Immortal. How can we mere mortals contend against her?”

He knew Yang Xinyi was pushed to a dead end. Once Prince Rui returned with his army, the Eldest Young Master would have no chance to escape; he only had this desperate struggle now.

“The Eldest Young Master said that as long as Young Master Xu is willing to help, you can name your conditions.”

“That’s an Immortal. The Eldest Young Master thinks too highly of me,” Young Master Xu said, knowing his own limits.

He feared no ordinary person, no matter how powerful, but Foundation Establishment cultivators had strange methods. Taking the Daoist Magic Ma Tianqing used as an example, even with his current strength, he wasn't confident he could defeat that blood demon.

Viper said, “It's not just you. The Eldest Young Master has mobilized the City Guard to assist, a full three thousand armored soldiers, plus the many Martial Artists in the Young Master’s manor. Even an Immortal might not be able to contend against that.”

“Heh,” Young Master Xu sneered. Even if he took a step back and they miraculously won, they would just walk away afterward. Would he have to follow them and flee?

Young Master Xu's mind raced, and he nodded slightly. “That might be worth a try, but I want ten Spirit Medicine, one hundred precious medicines, and one Daoist Magic.”

Young Master Xu made an exorbitant demand, intending to get the items first.

Viper looked stunned, then quickly gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “That's impossible. Spirit Medicine are extremely precious. Even the Eldest Young Master doesn't have ten. At most, we can give you three, plus twenty precious medicines. As for the Daoist Magic, I need to ask the Eldest Young Master before deciding.”

Young Master Xu feigned hesitation, then reluctantly nodded. “Alright then, but I must receive the items before I act.”

Viper still shook his head. “At most, we can give you half as a deposit first.”

“Give me one Spirit Medicine and twenty precious medicines first,” Young Master Xu said in an unyielding tone, implying that if they didn't agree, he wouldn't act.

The twenty precious medicines would provide more Qi than three Spirit Medicine, making them more valuable to him.

Viper considered for a long time, and finally agreed. In his opinion, the value of one Spirit Medicine was far greater than that of precious medicines.

Moreover, the situation was critical, and they had to get away as soon as possible; this was not the time to haggle.