The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 433 - 245 Next Step

Chapter 433: Chapter 245 Next Step

Night had fallen upon the Crown Prince’s Palace, outside Feng Jiu’s sleeping quarters.

Qing Yu, dressed as a scholar, had adopted the visage of a refined gentleman in his thirties and was strolling over, one hand casually placed behind his back.

Within Feng Jiu’s chambers, a middle-aged, strong man with a naturally silent demeanor stood with his arms crossed, resting against a golden pillar with his eyes closed.

His name was Ou Jianyuan, and he was the new Tribute appointed by the Empress for Feng Jiu.

He was a man of few words, dedicated to martial arts, and had become a Royal Tributor for Northern Zhou simply for access to training resources. Aside from martial arts, he had no other interests, hence there was no need to worry that Ou Jianyuan was a spy sent by the Empress.

For the Empress to have two Royal Tributors loyal to her was already a significant feat. To have any more, even if she could manage it, Feng Tianming might not tolerate.

Ou Jianyuan’s usual interactions with Feng Jiu were much like Qi Sibo’s – his attitude was to do his own business separately.

However, unlike Qi Sibo, Ou Jianyuan did not constantly watch over Feng Jiu, nor would he report everything Feng Jiu did or everyone he contacted back to the Empress.

Overall, he was a competent bodyguard.

"Tributor Ou," Qing Yu said with a smile, nodding in greeting to Ou Jianyuan, who was leaning against the golden pillar.

Ou Jianyuan kept his eyes shut, completely ignoring Qing Yu.

Knowing this to be Ou Jianyuan’s disposition, Qing Yu didn’t expect a response. It was merely a formal gesture of greeting.

After greeting, he proceeded as if Ou Jianyuan were not there, slowly making his way to Feng Jiu, and then...

He began a conversation about court affairs and reviewing memorials.

Well... at least on the surface.

Since Feng Jiu began involving himself in court affairs, as the Imperial Prince acting as regent, reviewing these memorials had become part of his duties. Every day, countless memorials would be delivered to both Feng Jiu and Feng Qiwu, each according to their assigned tasks.

Thus, most of Feng Jiu’s time was consumed by these governmental matters.

Given Qing Yu’s role as Feng Jiu’s advisor, if not to discuss governmental affairs, what else would he be here to discuss? Who to kill tonight?

That would not do. Although Ou Jianyuan was not the Empress’s man, he was not Feng Jiu’s man either.

Unlike Tao Qiucui, who was sent to protect Feng Qiwu, some secrets must still be kept hidden.

Luckily, Qing Yu and Feng Jiu had a special way of communicating.

That was through the link between the Tribulation Master and the Tribulation Slave, conducting conversation via the Power of Thought. Such a method of conversation, put to practice, could at least go undetected by masters of the True Pill Realm.

"How is it? Has there been any movement from the Academy side?" Although Qing Yu appeared to be discussing the military provisions for the border with Feng Jiu physically, he was actually transmitting his inquiry through thought.

It had been several days since Feng Chaonan revealed the matters of the Royal Secret Vault to Si Haofeng. By all accounts, even if they were merely searching through documents, they should have almost finished checking the Mountain River Academy’s records and found the details regarding the Nirvana Ceremony.

Yet the Mountain River Academy showed no signs of action, which made Qing Yu, observing in the shadows, quite anxious.

"From what I’ve discussed with Mr. Ouyang, the Academy has indeed discovered the matter of the Nirvana Ceremony; it’s just odd that they seem completely indifferent, as if they couldn’t care less," Feng Jiu remarked in puzzlement.

"Oh? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?"

"No, Mr. Ouyang and his associates have stopped their investigations; they must have uncovered the truth."

"Is that so?" Qing Yu pondered.

Logically, the Academy should have swooped in with a thunderous force to thwart Feng Tianming’s arrangements and rescue the imprisoned Feng Mingxiao. This lack of movement, however, puzzled Qing Yu.

If they feigned ignorance and allowed Feng Mingxiao to be sacrificed, those scholars who practiced ’Vast Righteous Qi’ would never do such a thing. If that were the case, it would indeed be very strange, Qing Yu mused to himself.

The Confucian scholars involved in this matter, thanks to their martial skills, had some outcasts, but they were much fewer than in Qing Yu’s previous life.

Even when Ji Muqing usurped the throne three hundred years ago, his initial intent was to save the state and its people, not for his own ambition, although it was a different story by the time it was passed on to subsequent generations.

At least, trivial excuses like an itchy scalp or cold water had not yet occurred among the scholars of the current world.

"Could it be that Mountain Master Meng is simply waiting to see how things unfold, and his only concern is to ensure the elder princess’s safety?" Feng Jiu speculated.

"Hmm? Your guess is quite plausible."

Qing Yu had been so preoccupied with schemes and cunning plans that he hadn’t considered this straightforward reason. He had always thought Meng Shanhe had a hidden agenda with his actions, never assuming that perhaps he was simply watching and waiting, ready to save Feng Mingxiao at the critical moment.

If Feng Mingxiao was not used as a sacrifice, Feng Tianming’s plot would collapse, and Meng Shanhe need not, like Qing Yu, concoct any schemes. All he would have to do is burst in and save Feng Mingxiao during the Nirvana Ceremony.

A tactic for the bold, the privilege of the powerful—a truly enviable approach.

"But in doing so, your father, the Emperor, is essentially discarded by Mountain Master Meng," Qing Yu quipped with a hint of sarcasm.

He was mocking the Emperor of Northern Zhou, who had been fumbling about.

Feng Tianming’s tumultuous activities had finally exhausted Meng Shanhe’s patience, prompting him to consider changing the Emperor.

While the Zen Sect had begun to take root in Northern Zhou, once Mountain Master Meng resolved to act, given his unfinished business in Northern Zhou and his personal strength, he could easily carry it out.

Besides, Meng Shanhe didn’t need to come forward personally. He simply had to stall until Feng Tianming self-destructed, which at most, would be until the upcoming New Year.

"It seems like Mountain Master Meng intends to let the princes, including us, decide the victor during this period. But with the Academy watching over us, we can’t resort to overly ruthless measures," Feng Jiu stated.

Too much ruthlessness could make the academy see another Feng Tianming in the making, and the outcome of that would be self-evident.

"Therefore, we need a scapegoat to do the things we can’t afford to be seen doing. Conveniently, such a scapegoat is already prepared."

Qing Yu and Feng Jiu exchanged a knowing smile, both thinking of a certain Prince who was destined for tragedy. Given his reputation and past actions, he was indeed a perfect scapegoat, one who would carry the blame without any suspicion.

"Since the scapegoat is ready, let’s proceed to the next step," transmitted Qing Yu.

"Yes, the next step should be military power."

Having already covertly controlled numerous mid-sized families, Qing Yu and Feng Jiu needed to further take hold of Northern Zhou Court’s power.

That power was a nation’s martial strength—its army.

Due to the Northern Zhou’s constant conflict with the Golden Wolf Han Court of the Northern Grassland, although their military numbers were fewer than Daqian’s, they were much more elite in comparison to the Daqian Soldiers who had no conflicts to fight.

Perhaps their high-level military strength did not surpass that of others, but at the middle and lower ranks, they were certainly superior by a good margin.

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