The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 299 - 140: Killing to Strike at the Heart_4

Chapter 299: Chapter 140: Killing to Strike at the Heart_4

"Duke Wei Mansion has a Tributor Lin?" Ren Tianyou instinctively felt something was wrong and asked Yun Yuzhen in detail about the person’s physical characteristics.

"This is bad." As an old-timer in the worldly society, Ren Tianyou immediately perceived the ominous signs after finding out the truth.

He was about to send someone to look for Gao Gongyuan’s family when at this time, Duke Wei Mansion’s head steward, Yan Fu, came with the five elders of Zhong Mountain.

Ren Tianyou could only go to welcome them and felt dissatisfied in silence.

He was a hero who roamed the seas, but once on land, he still had to rely on the favor of Duke Wei Mansion.

This made his previous imposing manner at the banquet greatly compromised.

As for Gu Wuji, Wenxiang Sect’s Yun Yuzhen, and Elder Li, they all came to pay their respects to Yan Fu.

After meeting everyone, Yan Fu pondered slightly and then cupped his hands with a smile, "Sorry to interrupt your enjoyment, but I would like to borrow something from Gang Leader Ren, if I may?"

Everyone naturally praised the idea.

So, Yan Fu took the five elders of Zhong Mountain and Ren Tianyou to the mansion’s secret room.

Before leaving, he gave Gu Wuji a meaningful glance.

Gu Wuji secretly understood and found an excuse to leave the table, quietly following them.

...

...

Inside the secret room.

Yan Fu directly stated his purpose.

Ren Tianyou was very unhappy, saying, "This Gao Gongyuan must have already betrayed us, now Xu Gongming wants us to hand over his family, it’s clearly to completely subdue Gao Gongyuan. Mr. Yan, we shouldn’t hand them over."

Yan Fu’s expression darkened, "Are you teaching me and Lord how to handle things?"

Ren Tianyou sighed helplessly, and detailed his suspicions and the pros and cons of the matter to Yan Fu.

After listening, Yan Fu replied indifferently, "Is there anything else?"

"Nothing more." Ren Tianyou held back his anger.

Yan Fu softly said, "Gang Leader Ren, what was Lord’s intention in supporting the Giant Whale Gang?"

Ren Tianyou replied, "Naturally, it is to lead everyone in making fortune."

Yan Fu asked, "Gang Leader Ren, isn’t the wealth you currently hold enough? Aren’t you enjoying enough?"

"Naturally... it is enough."

In the past, Ren Tianyou was penniless, and his resources for cultivation were far from sufficient. Now that he had these, he naturally wanted more power and more say.

Yan Fu nodded and said, "Gang Leader Ren, I advise you to enjoy yourself at ease, our people below don’t need to have so many thoughts that cause themselves trouble. Look, you secretly colluded with other gentlemen and made such a big move, didn’t Lord still cover for you?"

Ren Tianyou’s expression changed slightly.

Yan Fu looked deeply at him and said, "Hand over Gao Gongyuan’s family, and let’s end this matter."

Ren Tianyou’s expression changed several times, undecided.

Yan Fu said softly, "Just say that Gao Gongyuan had an accident, and first thing tomorrow morning, you need to send his family away by boat. As for being abducted, it’s due to the enemies being too cunning, and it can’t be blamed on you."

Ren Tianyou silently nodded.

Yan Fu smiled and said, "Gang Leader Ren, this is also a necessary move, don’t take it to heart."

Ren Tianyou replied, "I just feel like Lord is being too tolerant towards that Xu Gongming, could it be that Lord is actually going to have his daughter marry him to subdue this man?"

Yan Fu snorted coldly, "Gang Leader Ren, heed my advice, do not meddle in things that you shouldn’t."

"Understood, Mr. Yan."

Ren Tianyou’s expression darkened.

Yan Fu continued, "The court is always the court, the current situation in the world has not yet degenerated. If it weren’t for Lord covering for you this time, think about it, if the court really made up its mind to sweep through the Southeast, could the Giant Whale Gang still continue its business?

I know you are used to being fearless on the sea. But without the highly sought-after goods like silk, tea, and porcelain, what will you trade with the overseas nations?

Without money, why would your gang members listen to you?"

He said, with a suddenly stern expression, "Don’t forget, many lands and properties of the Giant Whale Gang are registered under the name of Duke Mansion."

Ren Tianyou’s expression changed repeatedly, and after a long time, he cupped his hands and said, "Teacher Yan, I was a bit harsh just now. I apologize. I hope you can be magnanimous and not take offense at my rudeness."

Yan Fu said, "Leader Ren, you are a wise man. You should know who is really protecting the Giant Whale Gang from the shadows."

"I understand."

"Good, I will stay here for the night, and leave at dawn. I hope it won’t spoil your fun."

"No, it won’t."

What else could Ren Tianyou say?

Yan Fu’s formidable reputation was well-known, and the five elders of Zhong Mountain, those old thieves of the Cold Ice Dao, had profound Dao Skills. Not to mention Gu Wuji, that old fellow keeping watch outside, and the two elders from the Wenxiang Sect, who would definitely not stand with him if a real fight broke out.

He had no choice but to agree.

Moreover, Yan Fu was right. Without the support of Duke Wei Mansion, the forces of the Giant Whale Gang would surely crumble.

Unless he staged a rebellion, only then could he preserve the fertile fields, beautiful residences, and many properties of the Giant Whale Gang.

But he simply did not have the strength to do so.

By now, Ren Tianyou understood even more that the matter with Gao Gongyuan had merely been a pretext. At root, it was because he and other nobles from South Zhili had secretly conspired, making Duke Wei discontent and wanting to take this opportunity to make an example out of him.

Realizing this, whatever Ren Tianyou said would be useless.

Even if he swore and cursed, he would still have to endure this reprimand coming his way.

He couldn’t help but think of a poem taught to him by his cunning strategist not long ago, "The Inner Treasury burns into embroidered ashes, the bones of ministers and nobles trampled on the imperial street."

Only in times of great chaos would these ministers and nobles realize the severity of people like him.

As for now, he could only endure, waiting for the right moment.

Yan Fu knew that this admonishment would only make Ren Tianyou outwardly compliant but inwardly resentful.

But without reprimanding, the opposition would only become more unrestrained.

"Xu Gongming’s move is truly lethal," Yan Fu thought to himself.

He knew, if it weren’t for Xu Gongming stirring up this issue, the Duke might not have chosen this time to deal with Ren Tianyou.

But there was no other way.

Xu Gongming was not afraid to escalate matters.

And since Duke Wei did not want to stick his neck out at this time, he could only bear it for the sake of the state.

Throughout history, many great figures made foolish moves, but were they truly foolish? Perhaps it seemed so retrospectively, but at the time, there must have been pressing circumstances forcing their hand.

Xu Gongming was not only good at seizing opportunities but also liked to press his opponents with the bigger picture in mind.

"This man, who loves to take risks by using the bigger picture to pressure others, might one day find himself constrained by that same big picture," Yan Fu couldn’t help but think.

Yet, there was one thought he dared not contemplate--what if Xu Gongming became a major force in himself?

He truly could not imagine Xu Gongming having such a day.

But in his heart, Yan Fu had to admit that if Xu Gongming survives normally, he definitely has that opportunity.

Sima Yi could still rebel at over seventy years old.

If Xu Gongming endures for another forty years, he would be under sixty by then, still a powerful Martial Arts master in his prime.

Given that the Great Yu Dynasty has already lasted over two hundred years, and looking at other unified dynasties throughout history, it is not considered short-lived. Even if the Grand Secretary successfully reforms and supports the court for another forty years, could the world still remain unified and undivided after forty years?

That’s unlikely.

The rise and fall of a nation, how could it possibly be reversed by mere human efforts?

...

...

Capital, Yanyue Hall.

"Grandpa Taia, Xu Gongming possesses the talents of Guan Zhong and Yue Yi; he should be utilized greatly for the common people of the world." Xie Quan rushed all the way to the Capital and directly entered Yanyue Hall to meet the Grand Secretary.