486: Zhu Wushi: Pull back from the brink? Impossible.

"Hah, it seems the Marquis has already obtained the second heavenly fragrant cardamom from Cao Zhengchun?"

"I indeed know where this third one is, but I have no intention of telling you." Duan Zhengchun looked at Zhu Wushi with a calm expression.

Upon hearing Duan Zhengchun say that he had already obtained the second one from Cao Zhengchun, Zhu Wushi's heart skipped a beat. This had just happened, yet Duan Zhengchun already knew.

Was this guy too terrifying? Could it be that he had planted spies around him?

It shouldn't be. There was no connection between them, so why would Duan Zhengchun plant spies by his side?

However, the words that followed made him excited while simultaneously plunging his mood to rock bottom.

What excited him was that Duan Zhengchun truly knew where the third heavenly fragrant cardamom was. What shocked him was that Duan Zhengchun actually had no intention of telling him.

"Your Highness truly knows everything. However, I wonder if I have offended Your Highness in any way? Why are you unwilling to tell me?" Zhu Wushi looked anxiously at Duan Zhengchun.

"Because some of the things you have done have crossed my bottom line, so I will not tell you first."

"Any problem?" Duan Zhengchun looked coldly at Zhu Wushi.

Zhu Wushi's expression instantly changed. This was his first meeting with Duan Zhengchun; there was no conflict of interest between them, nor had he ever offended Duan Zhengchun.

Why would Duan Zhengchun say he had crossed his bottom line?

Could it be because of Cheng Shifei?

"Your Highness, even if I am to die, shouldn't you let me understand why?"

"I believe I have not offended Your Highness, so why are you acting this way?"

"Could it be because of that ruffian Cheng Shifei? If so, that's an even bigger misunderstanding. Before he came here, he had already been expelled from the Dragon Guard Manor."

"He only came representing himself; it has nothing to do with the Dragon Guard Manor." Zhu Wushi hurriedly explained.

"This has nothing to do with Cheng Shifei. Since you ask this way, I'll lay it out for you."

"I ask you, as a prince of the Great Ming, as a Han Chinese, what have you done?" Duan Zhengchun looked calmly at Zhu Wushi.

Hearing Duan Zhengchun mention his status, and his identity as a Han Chinese, filled him with confusion. For a moment, he didn't understand the meaning behind Duan Zhengchun's words.

"Your desire to become emperor is understandable. Scheming against your own brother for the woman you love, I can also understand. But, to become emperor, you actually colluded with Japanese pirates."

"Don't you know the pain these Japanese pirates have brought to the people of the Great Ming? These Short-statured dwarves are ambitious and have always wanted to invade the Central Plains."

"Cooperating with them is like making a pact with a tiger."

"Are you worthy of your status? This is treason. Are you worthy of your status? Worthy of the foundation your ancestors fought to establish?"

"If Zhu Chongba knew what you are doing now, do you think he wouldn't cut you down with one stroke?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Zhu Wushi with a half-smile.

Each of Duan Zhengchun's words was like a heavy hammer, smashing fiercely against Zhu Wushi's chest, making him feel breathless.

Zhu Wushi never expected that Duan Zhengchun even knew about his collusion with the Japanese pirates. This matter was handled very secretly; even The Emperor, Zhu Houzhao, didn't know about it.

Otherwise, he wouldn't still be safe and sound until now.

Every emperor of the Great Ming hated the Japanese pirates and wanted to solve the problem. However, this required crossing the seas, which was disadvantageous for the Great Ming navy, hence the pirate trouble remained unresolved.

Who could have imagined that Zhu Wushi, a member of the Great Ming imperial family and the current Emperor Zhu Houzhao's uncle, would collude with Japanese pirates, seeking to usurp the throne.

If this matter got out, even if he succeeded in ascending the throne, he would become a despised figure, losing the people's trust in the imperial family's authority.

It seemed things could not end peacefully today. Regardless of whether Duan Zhengchun was willing to help him find the heavenly fragrant cardamom, the fact that Duan Zhengchun knew about his collusion with the pirates meant he couldn't just leave like this.

But, given Duan Zhengchun's strength, with his own Late Heaven-Man Realm cultivation, could he be his match?

However, the matter of his collusion with the Japanese pirates absolutely must not leak out. Otherwise, he would truly be ruined.

"Your Highness jests. As the Lord of the Great Ming's Dragon Guard Manor and the current Emperor's uncle, how could I possibly collude with Japanese pirates?" Zhu Wushi shook his head with a smile.

"What? Did I remember incorrectly? You have no relationship with Yagyū Tajima-no-kami? Are you saying you didn't scheme to cause Liu Sheng Piaoxu's death?"

"Tell me, what do you think would happen if Duan Tianya found out about this?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Zhu Wushi with a mocking expression.

At this, Zhu Wushi could no longer keep up the pretense. Initially, he thought Duan Zhengchun had only heard some rumors. He never expected Duan Zhengchun to even know about Liu Sheng Piaoxu.

Now, among the four great secret agents, Cheng Shifei was crippled. Although Guihai Yidao remained, because of the matter with Shangguan Haitang, his loyalty had already wavered.

If Duan Tianya learned about Liu Sheng Piaoxu, he would surely leave the Dragon Guard Manor in disappointment, completely losing faith and abandoning him.

By then, he, the Lord of the Dragon Guard Manor, would become utterly isolated. Apart from an intelligence network, he would have no capable personnel left under his command.

"Since Your Highness has no intention of helping, I shall not disturb you further. I only hope Your Highness will not interfere in this matter." Zhu Wushi's face turned extremely gloomy.

If not for his lack of strength, he would have attacked just now.

Even though he had now cultivated the Qi Absorption Great Technique to Major Achievement, he still dared not attack Duan Zhengchun. He could be invincible within the same Realm, but facing Duan Zhengchun, who could kill an Earth Immortal Realm expert and single-handedly slaughtered an army of four hundred thousand...

He had no confidence, nor the courage.

"Zhu Tiedan, I advise you: it's not too late to rein in at the brink."

"Do not persist in your folly. Otherwise, you will find that everything you pursued throughout your life will ultimately be lost."

"The Japanese pirates are not to be trusted. You need to give an account to those you have harmed. Otherwise, I will personally take action and eliminate you, this Traitor." Duan Zhengchun said coldly.

Zhu Wushi's expression was extremely ugly, a raging fire burning in his heart.

His fists clenched tightly, his eyes fixed on Duan Zhengchun. From Duan Zhengchun's gaze, he could tell he wasn't lying; he really would kill him.

As for why Duan Zhengchun hated the Japanese pirates so much, Zhu Wushi couldn't understand.

But that didn't hinder the truth of Duan Zhengchun's warning to him.

If he didn't make a stance, Duan Zhengchun really would kill him.

"My affairs, I will handle myself."

"I say it again: I have not committed treason. My dealings with Yagyū Tajima-no-kami were merely a transaction." Having said this, Zhu Wushi said no more and turned to leave.

Watching Zhu Wushi's departing figure, Duan Zhengchun did not stop him.

Recalling Zhu Wushi's words just now, a cold laugh rose in his heart.

Zhu Wushi's ambition was vast, his methods ruthless, his nature suspicious. He never trusted those around him, not even the adopted children he raised with his own hands.

In his eyes, they were merely chess pieces he had cultivated. If a chess piece tried to escape his control, it could only be discarded.