The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 460 - 272: Conversation and Succession

Chapter 460: Chapter 272: Conversation and Succession

That day, by the time Feng Jiu returned to the Eastern Palace, the lanterns had already been lit.

Knowing the way well, Feng Jiu walked to his own sleeping chamber and stopped the eunuch from lighting the everlasting lamps within the hall. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the eunuch and entered the dimly lit chamber alone.

Within this dim chamber, there was a hint of snow-white, positioned at Feng Jiu’s usual spot for reviewing memorials.

"How was today’s harvest?"

A clear voice sounded, and suddenly all the everlasting lamps in the hall were lit. A figure sat in Feng Jiu’s usual place, holding a bamboo slip and reading intently.

This figure was Qing Yu, and the touch of snow-white that Feng Jiu saw was Qing Yu’s almost entirely white hair.

"Not bad," Feng Jiu said with a light chuckle, "I’ve gained the good intentions of Si Haofeng, and the favor of both Si Qingwei and my fourteenth claim to the throne. Especially Si Qingwei, whose affection for me greatly increased thanks to the Bewitching Technique passed down to me by the Two Dragon Heads and the Mind Power you taught me to leave my shadow in her heart."

"It seems the harvest is indeed not small," Qing Yu spoke as he put down the bamboo slip in his hand, "It looks like you can compete with your Eighth Prince brother. Whether it’s for the throne or women."

"It’s difficult," Feng Jiu shook his head, "My Eighth Prince brother has a good-looking exterior, and when it comes to learning, he even surpasses me. If it weren’t for your help, my martial arts would also be inferior to his. Furthermore, his temperament and virtue truly embody the gentleman scholar. In front of him, I’m a little embarrassed to show my face."

"Ha, indeed," Qing Yu gave a chuckle.

Although he had only met Feng Qiwu a few times, Qing Yu had a thorough understanding of this Eighth Prince.

He was a true gentleman, very much aligning with the Vast Righteous Qi of the Confucian. If not for Feng Qiwu’s heart being preoccupied with worries between the Imperial Family and the Academy, he would likely have advanced to Divine Origin by now.

"How did your Emperor father ever manage to father such a true gentleman?" Qing Yu joked.

The sons of Emperor Feng Tianming were either arrogant and domineering like Feng Jue, or scheming and ruthless like Feng Guanyu, Feng Chaonan, and Feng Jiu. A character like Feng Qiwu’s was truly unique among all the princes.

"I have no idea either," Feng Jiu shrugged.

After teasing Feng Qiwu for his uniqueness for a while, Qing Yu brought up the real business at hand: "But it doesn’t matter if you can’t outdo Feng Qiwu. When it comes to the lifelong matter of Lady Si, she will not be able to decide for herself. In time, you will receive the support of the Si Family."

"Then I shall wait and see," Feng Jiu replied.

"Feng Chaonan is already a chess piece in my hand, and next, we will deal with those from the Feng Qiwu faction," continued Qing Yu.

Speaking of Feng Qiwu’s faction, a cold glint also flashed through Feng Jiu’s eyes.

Pretending to be neither flashy nor showing off, Feng Qiwu’s faction actually had deep-rooted and substantial hidden strength.

As the most cherished prince of Emperor Feng Tianming these years, and considering Feng Qiwu’s personal charisma was not small, over these years, he had managed to attract the support of quite a few ministers.

Especially since Emperor Feng Tianming was gravely injured and unconscious, those ministers previously only loyal to Feng Tianming were now subtly leaning toward Feng Qiwu.

"Coming from a humble background, these ministers would never choose me. Compared to Feng Chaonan, who has not taken power and now has a bad reputation, they favor the governing style of Feng Qiwu. In every aspect, I am no match for my Eighth Prince brother," lamented Feng Jiu.

"That’s understandable. Joint governance of the world by scholars and the Emperor is precisely what the families dream for. As long as Feng Qiwu ascends to the throne, this can become a reality. If I were in their shoes, I would make the same choice."

"So, regarding these people..." Qing Yu made a chopping motion with his hand, "There’s only one word, ’kill’."

"Only by killing can we stop them."

"Can’t we brainwash them?" Feng Jiu frowned, "If we kill them all, Northern Zhou could be in turmoil for a while."

"Northern Zhou needs a purge to give you a free reign once you ascend to the throne," Qing Yu said, "Besides, don’t take them too seriously. As long as Mountain Master Meng remains, Northern Zhou will not fall."

"The Emperor has been out of sight for so long, and Northern Zhou is still well. This shows who the true pillar of Northern Zhou is."

"If that’s the case, then let’s kill them," Feng Jiu said indifferently.

If it wouldn’t make too much of an impact, Feng Jiu was naturally willing to remove these obstacles. In recent days, they had caused a lot of problems for him.

Many times, in response to Feng Jiu’s proposed policies, these people opposed him for the sake of opposition alone.

Hence, Feng Jiu had long grown tired of them.

"As for the task of clearing these stumbling blocks, let’s leave it to Feng Chaonan since they are also his enemies. I think..." Qing Yu said with a smile that was not quite a smile, "After gaining control of the Azure Dragon Association, Feng Chaonan must be eager to test his hand."

....................................

That same night, outside Divine Capital, Feng Chaonan walked slowly inside a certain cave, led by a Pharmacist holding a torch.

The cave twisted and turned, dark and foreboding, instilling fear in those who entered.

However, at this moment, Feng Chaonan’s heart was filled with burning passion, for he knew that he was about to meet a sharp weapon, a weapon belonging solely to him.

"Your Highness, we’ve arrived."

Turning another corner, the Pharmacist pointed towards a dim yellow light not far ahead.

"Don’t call me ’Your Highness’, call me the Dragon Chief."

Feng Chaonan straightened the bronze mask on his face and took the lead towards the light.

"Yes, Dragon Chief," the Pharmacist bowed his head.

Feng Chaonan walked into the light.

A wide square had been carved into this place. Atop this square, numerous Black-clothed Men turned their gaze uniformly towards Feng Chaonan, who was leading the way.

The countless eyes looking at Feng Chaonan in silence caused him to step back half a step involuntarily.

After all, so many people watching him in silence really did make one’s heart flutter.

But upon seeing the bronze mask, these Black-clothed Men all bowed their heads in unison, paying respect to the Azure Dragon Association’s Dragon Chief.

’Right, I am now Gong Ziyu. I am the Dragon Chief. They are all my people. I have no reason to fear them.’ Feng Chaonan touched the cold bronze mask and continuously told himself.

After a while, when the fear in Feng Chaonan’s heart had subsided and he saw that these Black-clothed Men were still bowing their heads in respect, a strong sense of accomplishment and vanity surged within him.

He walked forward, approached the front of the square, step by step he ascended the stone steps until he reached the stone seat on top. Suddenly turning around, he faced the countless Black-clothed Men in the square and spread his arms open.

"I am Gong Ziyu."