Chapter 864: Fifty Mile Plan
Proofreader: Papatonks
“Does that mean the Crown Prince’s situation is a lie?”
In a wide and lavish hall, sparkling with wealth, a handsome man sat in the seat of honor. With a teacup in hand, his eyes crackled with lightning as he looked at the seat left of him.
The calm and smiling youth there looked like even a slight breeze would topple him, lacking the bold air a man would have.
Though his eyes told another story, making the middle-aged man turn serious and not disregard him.
“Prime Minister sir, what act are you enacting?”
With a wide grin, the youth turned to the seat of honor, “Ha-ha-ha, that would be my line, Sword King Feiyun. Two months ago there was some loud ruckus coming from the hundreds of experts entering the manor. Why is it that the Sword King didn’t inform the imperial capital?”
One of them was the best in eastern lands, now turned traitor, Shangguan Feiyun, and the other Sword Star Empire’s Prime Minister, Baili JIngwei, one of the very few able to wield power equal to Nine Sword Kings.
Baili JIngwei came from the very distant imperial capital and straight to Flying Cloud Manor. The moment he entered, he ordered the guards to announce alchemist recruitment for the Crown Prince’s situation.
Now he was saying it was all fake. Shangguan Feiyun was p.i.s.sed, to say the least, as well as the youth ordering everyone around like this was his own home.
[Hey, I get you’re the Prime Minister, but then you come to my turf and start barking orders to my men.]
It was fine if it was critical, but this here was some baffling ploy and the suddenness of it all and without a word made him feel that he was played with. Anyone would be angry at this point.
“Just some minor vermin I had to deal with. There was no need informing the imperial capital of this trifle.” Shangguan Feiyun eyed him coldly, then looked to the right seat, “By telling the imperial capital all that crops up will make the Nine Sword Kings look incompetent. Wouldn’t you say so, brother Danqing?”
Drinking from a yellow gourd without a care, at Shangguan Feiyun’s question, the man stopped drinking.
Belching, Danqing Shen rubbed his red nose, feeling tipsy, “Brother Feiyun, this is between you and Prime Minister Baili, not me. You guys talk it out and don’t involve me. I’m just an escort. I still have to get Prime Minister to imperial capital safely, ha-ha-ha.”
“Thank you, Dragon Cleaving Sword King, but I’m sure the trip will be quiet and won’t disturb you.”
Baili Jingwei leaned a bit and nodded before turning to the host, “Shangguan Feiyun, don’t mince words. If those were but small thieves two months ago, why is it that the guards are looking tense and silent? Why else would you have asked Dragon Cleaving Sword King for protection?”
Shangguan Feiyun’s eyes shook, his mood sinking.
Baili Jingwei stood up and smiled, “Sword King and I are more than clear that it was the Shangguan clan who was behind it. Their goal is to take back the same treasure you brought from eastern lands, the Soaring Sword. Patriarch had long since wanted to gather the other areas’ divine swords. Sword King’s feat is truly commendable. Patriarch would be most pleased at the news. Taking Patriarch’s stead, allow me to bow to you, Sword King. Thank you for donating the sword.”
Baili Jingwei bowed to Shangguan Feiyun.
Shangguan Feiyun’s eyes shook, somewhat touched by the perfect bow of the youth.
Baili Jingwei stood up with a flat look, “However, Patriarch is in seclusion and is unaware of this matter, needing me to take the sword. Wouldn’t Patriarch’s joy plunge knowing that in this time the divine sword ended up stolen? He would surely explode…”
“Humph, are you using the Invincible Sword to threaten me?”
Shangguan Feiyun slammed the table and shouted.
Baili Jingwei shook his head with a sigh. “The Patriarch himself appointed Sword King Feiyun as a Sword King, together with the imperial family. This is not my intention at all. I’m only extrapolating. When Patriarch is angry, it won’t be just a Sword King affected, but the entire empire. I only ask for help in the matter of the Crown Prince. He cannot set foot outside, his grave situation having spread to the entire central area, all to help the Sword King remove all thieves and secure the divine sword. It affects both of us and cooperation is most advised.”
Eying him, Shangguan Feiyun pondered as his rage subsided.
“What good would spreading this do? They’re no fools to fall for it and attack Flying Cloud manor.”
“Ha-ha-ha, it’s alright, Sword King. I’m certain that as we screen alchemists, we’ll be trapping the Shangguan thieves! “
Snickering, Baili Jingwei’s eyes flashed, “People don’t do crime out of stupidity, but out of greed. Greed is humanity’s most base trait. None can escape its clutches. I know from their first ambush of the manor they suffered heavy casualties. The second ambush would fail if they come without a plan, but it will also make it less likely to end them all.
“So it’s better to give them a chance to slip in, luring them with the sword by screening alchemists. Once they come, we will trap them like rats, with none coming out alive. This will cripple the power of eastern lands by damaging the top clan. It will prove beneficial for our future advancement into eastern lands.”
Shangguan Feiyun looked at him hard and nodded, “Prime Minister wants not just the Soaring Sword, but to take precautions for when you attack eastern lands. “
“Ha-ha-ha, didn’t I tell you? Greed is the basest trait of humans, one that even I can’t escape from.”
Baili Jingwei’s eyes glinted with wisdom, “This is the perfect moment to shoot two birds with one stone.”
Shangguan Feiyun nodded, “I am in awe of Prime Minister’s wisdom. But the Shangguan clan has no alchemists. Would they take the bait?”
“It’s because it doesn’t fit them which makes it more real and enticing.”
Baili Jingwei said, “Worry not, paving the way to people in crisis will only scare them away. The harder the journey, the more they’ll consider it. Sir Sword King, I ask that you give me the power to command the guards, loosen security and recall patrols. I promise by this time next fortnight, all the rats will be found and removed.”
Shangguan Feiyun gave his accord.
Baili Jingwei showed a pleased smile, “Sir Sword King, I heard the manor has a true marvel, no less than the imperial capital’s Ringing Thunder Temple. May I see it?”
“Prime Minister, you’re most welcome. The guards will take you.” Shangguan Feiyun nodded.
Baili Jingwei bowed and walked, “Thank you.”
“Dragon Cleaving Sword King, don’t you want a look as well?”
“Ha-ha-ha, I’m only into books, painting and wine. Prime Minister may enjoy himself alone.”
Baili Jingwei turned to Danqing Shen, who waved him off as he drank.
Baili Jingwei shook his head and left, “Ha-ha-ha, what a shame, books and paintings are tied to marvels of nature…”
When he was gone, Shangguan Feiyun squinted and sighed, “Brother Danqing, see that? Look how much Baili Jingwei and even the imperial capital revere us and now look at all the spies they placed around. The minute something happens, the imperial capital is bound to know it the next. Humph, and they call us Nine Sword Kings.”
“We’re nothing more than generals in the army!”
Danqing Shen shook his head and sighed, “It doesn’t matter how many spies are there, as long as I can keep it safe.”
“I never pegged you for an idealist, wanting to build utopia. I didn’t follow Invincible Sword for an insipid and useless t.i.tle like Sword King, but to stand next to the strongest, to find my own land.”
Shangguan Feiyun’s eyes flashed, “The day will come when I’ll wield the Soaring Sword and rule eastern lands!”
Danqing Shen put down the wine and mocked, “Eastern lands’s ruler? Don’t let fantasy consume you. The day will come when the whole world will be Sword Star Empire’s. We’ll be nothing more than some governor of a slice at the most, not rulers.”
“That’s you!”
Shangguan Feiyun glared at him, “I won’t, absolutely won’t…”