Section 56

"In these past few days, it's only natural that some blind fleas would come and try to pick a fight," Cao Zhengchun curled his lip. "But this whole journey has been so quiet, it's as if the path was swept clean in advance to welcome our grand arrival."

"Do you think Northern Qi is brewing some big move?" Li Chengping finally showed a bit of interest, a playful smile hooking the corner of his mouth.

"This servant dares not speak blindly," Cao Zhengchun bowed. "I just feel that being careful allows one to sail a ship for ten thousand years."

"Rest assured," Li Chengping chuckled, his tone certain. "A mere Northern Qi cannot overturn the heavens."

"I... This Prince has his own discretion." Li Chengping almost made a slip of the tongue and corrected himself in time.

Just as he finished speaking, the carriage came to a sudden halt.

"What's going on?" Cao Zhengchun frowned and lifted the carriage curtain.

A group of men and horses appeared on the official road ahead.

The leader was a man wearing black armor with a cold expression; it was none other than the powerful Northern Qi official, Shen Zhong.

Behind Shen Zhong, his personal guards stood solemnly, each holding a long spear. They were like statues, not saying a word, as an oppressive Killing Intent permeated the air.

"Lord Shen, what is the meaning of this?" Cao Zhengchun narrowed his eyes, his voice sharp.

Shen Zhong remained motionless, his cold gaze fixed on Cao Zhengchun as if he were looking at a dead man.

"By order of Your Majesty, I am here to welcome Prince Ping." Shen Zhong's voice was low, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

"Welcome?" Cao Zhengchun sneered. "This formation of yours, Lord Shen, doesn't look like a welcome. It looks more like... a funeral procession!"

The guards behind Shen Zhong immediately glared with fury, their grips tightening on their spears, producing a series of metallic grinding sounds.

"Audacious eunuch dog! How dare you be disrespectful to Lord Shen!" a guard roared, about to step forward.

"Stand down!" Shen Zhong barked coldly, stopping the guard's impulsive move.

"This must be Director Cao. Director Cao must be joking." A stiff smile forced its way onto Shen Zhong's face, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I am merely acting on orders and have no intention of causing offense."

"Is that so?" Cao Zhengchun's eyes were full of suspicion. "Then why is Lord Shen blocking the road here? Could it be that Linzi does not welcome our Prince Ping?"

"Not at all." Shen Zhong shook his head. "It is just that His Majesty has decreed that Prince Ping's status is noble. To ensure everything is foolproof, we ask Your Highness to step out of the carriage and undergo an inspection."

"An inspection?" Cao Zhengchun laughed in a peculiar tone as if he had heard the greatest joke in the world. "Inspect what? To see if His Highness is carrying a blade? Or to see if His Highness is carrying... the head of your Saintess?"

"Presumptuous!" the guards roared again, about to draw their swords.

Shen Zhong's face also darkened, a flash of anger crossing his eyes, but he suppressed it and said in a heavy voice, "Director Cao, watch your words!"

"You provoke us repeatedly. Do you truly think Northern Qi has no one capable?!"

"Oh?" Cao Zhengchun picked his ear with a look of disdain. "What, is Lord Shen going to make a move? Just as well, I would like to experience the methods of a powerful Northern Qi official!"

As the two sides stood with swords drawn and bows bent, a great battle was on the verge of breaking out.

"Enough."

Right then, an indifferent voice drifted out from inside the carriage.

Li Chengping had finally spoken.

"Cao Zhengchun, stand down." Li Chengping's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an irresistible authority.

Cao Zhengchun gave a light chuckle, but he could only bow and retreat to the side.

The carriage curtain was lifted once more.

Li Chengping slowly stepped down from the carriage.

His gaze swept over Shen Zhong and finally landed on the guards who were acting as if facing a formidable enemy, his lips curling into a mocking arc.

"Lord Shen, is this how Northern Qi treats its guests?" Li Chengping's tone was calm, as if he were just chatting with an old friend.

Shen Zhong took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and forced a smile onto his face again. "Prince Ping must be joking. I am merely doing my duty. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

"Forgive?" Li Chengping chuckled. "I would like to forgive, but I fear some people won't give me the chance."

"Your Highness worries too much," Shen Zhong said hurriedly. "His Majesty has long admired Your Highness, how could he..."

"Enough, less nonsense." Li Chengping directly interrupted Shen Zhong, his tone cold. "You want an inspection, right? Then inspect."

"However, I do not like being pointed at with blades and spears." Li Chengping's eyes turned cold as he swept his gaze over the guards. "Tell them to put their things away. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind giving them a hand."

Shen Zhong's face stiffened, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Chapter 53: Using Their Own Scheme Against Them! Inviting the Target into the Trap!

"What, does Lord Shen have an objection?" Li Chengping raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of a threat.

"I wouldn't dare." Shen Zhong gritted his teeth and finally chose to compromise, waving his hand. "Put them all away!"

Though the guards were unwilling, they could only slowly put away their spears, but the looks they gave Li Chengping were filled with hostility and Killing Intent.

"That's more like it." Li Chengping nodded with satisfaction, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"Lord Shen, please proceed." Li Chengping signaled that Shen Zhong could begin the inspection.

Shen Zhong did not move, however. Instead, he turned slightly and made a gesture of invitation. "Your Highness, I have already prepared a banquet in the city to welcome you. Please, follow me."

"A welcome banquet?" Li Chengping smiled, his gaze playful. "Very well. I also want to see what your Northern Qi's imperial palace looks like."

"Please," Shen Zhong said again.

Li Chengping wasted no more words and started walking forward.

"Hmph... What a piece of work..."

A guard behind Shen Zhong had a sinister look on his face as he curled his lip and spoke in a low voice.

*Puff!*

A soft sound rang out.

The body of the guard who spoke suddenly stiffened. An expression of disbelief appeared on his face, and his eyes bulged as if he had seen something extremely terrifying.

His body slowly slumped to the ground. Blood seeped out from his heart, staining the earth red.

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Everyone was stunned, including Shen Zhong. No one had seen what happened.

They only saw that the guard had suddenly collapsed.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." Li Chengping turned around and glanced at the guard on the ground, clicking his tongue in wonder. "His physical fitness is truly poor."

"He croaked just like that? He liked to talk nonsense, so I suppose he met his retribution?" Li Chengping shook his head with a look of regret. "Truly an embarrassment. I hope you'll clean this up quickly, Lord Shen. I find it filthy."

Shen Zhong's face was ashen, his fists tightly clenched, his nails almost digging into his flesh.

He knew this must have been Li Chengping's doing.

But he had no evidence.

Moreover, he couldn't see how Li Chengping had made his move at all.

That was the most terrifying part.

"Prince Ping, quite the method you have there," Shen Zhong squeezed the words out from between his teeth.

"It's nothing special, just a basic operation. No need to be impressed," Li Chengping waved his hand with a modest look. "Lord Shen overpraises me."

"However, the quality of your subordinates truly needs improvement," Li Chengping said pointedly.

Shen Zhong's expression became even more unsightly, but he still suppressed his anger and forced a smile. "Your Highness is right to lecture. It is my lack of discipline."

"Lord Shen is too polite." Li Chengping smiled, though the smile was full of chilliness. "Let's go, Lord Shen. I am already impatient to see the local customs of Linzi."

Shen Zhong took a deep breath and waved his hand.

"Open the city gates!" Shen Zhong commanded in a heavy voice.

*Creak—*

The heavy city gates slowly opened.

The gates swung wide, revealing the scene of the streets inside the city.

However, the streets were desolate and cold, completely empty. Not even a ghost could be seen.

Where was the bustling and prosperous scene?

It was clearly a dead city!

Li Chengping's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold arc hooking his lips.

"Lord Shen, is this the livelihood of Linzi you spoke of?" Li Chengping's tone was playful.

"Your Highness misunderstands." Shen Zhong explained quickly. "The citizens are all resting at home today, which is why it seems a bit quiet."

"Is that so?" Li Chengping smiled noncommittally. "Then I would like to take a good look at how the livelihood of Linzi truly is."

Having said that, Li Chengping stepped into Linzi.

Cao Zhengchun and Bai Wuchang followed closely behind.

The guards of the Sword Guard Camp also followed with steady paces.

Shen Zhong's gaze was dark as he watched Li Chengping's group enter the city gates, a sinister smile appearing on his lips.

"Prince Ping, since you've come, don't even think about leaving alive," Shen Zhong sneered inwardly.

The guards in the rear all had fierce looks in their eyes as they watched Li Chengping's back, cursing in their hearts.

"What are you so smug about? In a moment, you'll all be dead!"

Inside Linzi, in an elegantly decorated pavilion.

Shen Zhong, with a face full of smiles, personally led Li Chengping inside.

Inside the pavilion, maids and servants bustled about as exquisite dishes were brought to the table in a steady stream.

Shen Zhong frequently raised his glass, chatting and laughing with Li Chengping. His words were full of politeness and warmth, as if the previous tension had never happened.

However, this politeness always carried an indescribable sense of detachment and falsehood.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes.

Shen Zhong put down his wine cup, his smile fading slightly as his eyes fixed intently on Li Chengping.

"Prince Ping, you must be tired after the long journey, right?" Shen Zhong's tone was gentle, but his words took a sudden turn. "There are some things I would like to speak about plainly."