297: Zhu Xi

Aoi Yoshiko pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then said, “Alright! Then I will tell you. The reason is that one of my subordinates infiltrated the Shadow Moon Hall’s branch in Southern Yue City, Zui Hua Xuan. Recently, she received news that they discovered a valuable Ore deposit in Shan Feng Forest to the southeast. They have already notified their superiors to send more personnel to occupy and mine it. The Blood Wolf Hall’s branch in the same city has also learned of this information and is mobilizing forces to contend with them. This is a good opportunity for us to act. Once the two factions start fighting, we can secretly fan the flames and profit from their conflict!”

“So that’s it! Then when we seize the Ore deposit, our Residence must take two-thirds!” Butler said.

“Two-thirds?! How is that possible?! If we hadn’t provided this information, you wouldn’t have gotten anything, right? We should get two-thirds!” Aoi Yoshiko retorted with a hint of anger.

“Young Miss Aoi, this is an Ore deposit on our Great Ming’s land. You want two-thirds just for a piece of information? Isn’t that a bit too much? Besides, with your own strength, you definitely wouldn’t be able to get a share from those two factions, which is why you thought of asking for our help. It’s clear that without our assistance, you wouldn’t even get that one-third!” Butler did not back down and insisted.

“If you’re going to talk like that, then should I continue my mission at the Prince Fus Mansion?” Aoi Yoshiko sneered.

“This… I will report this matter to Your Highness first and then get back to you!” Butler’s expression faltered. Being cornered by Aoi Yoshiko, he had no choice but to concede a step.

Prince Lu had been preparing to go north to support the northern front during this period. He was responsible for the formation and training of a relief army, so he was quite busy. However, these relatively trivial matters were mainly handled by some of his personal generals, while his main task was to intensify his Cultivation!

During the last high-level meeting, Revered Master Tang Zhenyuan pointed out that all high-end combat forces must intensify their Cultivation and strive for a Breakthrough, because on the battlefield, the key to determining the outcome of a battle is high-end combat strength. Everyone agreed with this point. If the high-end combat forces are defeated or annihilated, then the remaining mid-to-low-end battlefields will also face annihilation. This is an almost universally known law in the Profound Qi era.

As the wielder of the Great Ming’s Sky-Propping Sword, Prince Lu naturally understood this principle. So, in the past week, he had already consumed many high-grade medicines. As long as these medicines were converted into combat power, his Cultivation would definitely improve further. At that time, he could both achieve meritorious deeds on the northern battlefield and gain an advantage in the succession struggle. It was truly killing two birds with one stone!

After Cultivating for another hour in the dedicated Cultivation ground, Prince Lu slowly sheathed his sword. He looked at the fallen leaves and broken branches scattered all over the ground, which had been cut down by his Sword Qi. A satisfied expression appeared on his face…

“Congratulations, Your Highness! It seems Your Highness has made further progress!” Butler’s voice sounded at the opportune moment.

“Hahahahaha, this Prince’s Sky-Propping Sword Art has reached the realm of Major Achievement. The world is vast, and I can go anywhere!” Prince Lu laughed heartily.

“Your Highness, do you really intend to personally go to Zhenyuan City to provide support?” Butler asked.

“Yes! Now my fifth brother, Prince Ding, has already gone to guard Dingyuan Town in the northwest. If I don’t go to support Zhenyuan City, firstly, it will give others something to criticize, and secondly, I won’t be able to achieve meritorious deeds. At that time, the situation will become unfavorable for us!” Prince Lu said.

Butler frowned slightly but still said, “Your Highness speaks wisely! However, only Prince Ding has gone to Dingyuan City, which is originally his territory. Prince Rui has always been the Crown Prince in Shuntian Prefecture, and even Prince Gong hasn’t gone to the northern battlefield! He is the wielder of the Heaven-Wielding Sword…”

Prince Lu pondered upon hearing this: “Prince Rui is the Crown Prince, in charge of all logistics and administrative affairs, so of course he cannot leave. But he also loses the opportunity to establish military achievements. As for Prince Gong, although he is much younger than me, he is one of the rare Geniuses in the imperial family. His current strength is already not much different from mine. To suppress him, I cannot rely solely on combat power. I must establish meritorious deeds to be more confident. So, whether he goes to the northern battlefield is his choice, but I must go no matter what!”

Butler nodded and said, “This old servant understands! However, this old servant has a suggestion. Please listen, Your Highness…”

“Speak!”

“Actually, we only need to take over the Prince Fus Mansion in advance to greatly increase our strength, and then we won’t need to fear other princes!” Butler said sharply.

“This… it is currently a critical time on the northern front. Taking action against my ninth brother might draw criticism from the people, and didn’t Justin’s side ask us not to affect his concert in Southern Yue City last time?” Prince Lu said.

Butler shook his head and said, “Your Highness, in this old servant’s opinion, now is the best time to take over the Prince Fus Mansion! The northern war has attracted the attention of the other princes, and the Blood Wolf Hall will not cause trouble in Southern Yue City due to Justin’s request. Moreover, this old servant just received information that their attention will be focused on a treasure Ore!”

“Oh? What’s going on?” Prince Lu’s spirits lifted, and he quickly asked.

“Just now, Aoi Yoshiko, the Japanese woman we stationed at the Prince Fus Mansion, called and said she wants our Residence to send people to help her seize a treasure Ore. This treasure Ore is in the Shan Feng Forest to the southeast and has already attracted the attention of both the Blood Wolf Hall and the Shadow Moon Hall. The two sides are likely to clash. Aoi Yoshiko’s intention is that we can fan the flames, let them fight each other, and we can profit from it! This old servant just proposed that our Residence take two-thirds of the treasure Ore after the matter is done, but she absolutely refused, so this old servant came to ask for Your Highness’s opinion!” Butler said.

Prince Lu asked in surprise, “What kind of treasure Ore would cause a conflict between the two Halls?”

Butler said, “According to Aoi Yoshiko, the Ore of this treasure Ore is extremely mysterious in energy, much higher than even supreme-grade mysterious stone. Her Revered Master has also learned of this matter and will probably intervene secretly at that time…”

“Is that so?!” Prince Lu’s heart was greatly shaken, and he fell into deep thought.

Butler said, “Your Highness, we can completely take this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. First, go to Southern Yue City to take down the Prince Fus Mansion, and then go to Shan Feng Forest to reap the benefits!”

Prince Lu shook his head with a gloomy face and said, “No rush! This Prince cannot go south to Southern Yue City to act now. Once I make a move, paper cannot cover fire. I will definitely be recognized. At that time, my reputation in the country might be damaged, which is unfavorable for the succession struggle!”

Seeing that persuasion was ineffective, Butler had no choice but to say, “If Your Highness does not act, this old servant has another plan!”

“Oh? Tell me…”

“The Blood Wolf Hall said last time that they would launch a beast tide operation against the Nanyue Base. We can send people to cooperate with them from inside and outside, and then jointly divide the wealth of the Prince Fus Mansion!” Butler said.

“Cooperate from inside and outside? That is a good idea, but we must also ensure that no news leaks, after all, we must stand on the side of righteousness!” Prince Lu nodded.

……