“You, you actually kissed my bottom.” Soren said in astonishment.
“As long as you don’t make such a ghastly racket.” Princess Zhi Yan replied.
Then, bit by bit, she applied the finest medicinal ointment to the wounds on Soren’s buttocks and thighs.
Instantly, a cool, tingling sensation penetrated deep inside, and it did not hurt at all.
Soren suddenly said, “Zhi Yan, do you feel anything when you look at a man’s bare bottom? Even something like embarrassment?”
Zhi Yan shook her head.
After Soren’s wounds were bandaged, he remained lying on his stomach, talking.
Zhi Yan said, “How do you plan to save Rouran City? The deadline you gave Ashi Liren is barely four days away.”
Soren said, “Saving Rouran City through military means is impossible now, unless we do it through politics.”
Zhi Yan said, “Politics is also very difficult. The two factions of the Yelan Duchy have temporarily united for the Rouran war, making them hard to drive apart.”
…
Where there are people, there is politics. This is even more true for the Yelan Duchy, whose power is second only to the Four Great Kingdoms.
The Fury Wave Kingdom had the succession struggle between Zhi Yan and Zhi Li, but the Yelan Duchy’s struggle for the throne was even more brutal.
The current Yelan Duke, Lord Lan Shi, was not yet fifty years old and should still be considered in his prime.
However, back then he had been wounded following his father, Duke Lan Mu, in the Battle of Rouran City. Though not fatal, after the age of forty he had gradually weakened. Though still in his prime years, he already appeared aged, and did not look like someone who would live a very long life.
In the Battle of Rouran back then, Yelan Duke Lan Mu died beneath the walls of Rouran City, and Crown Prince Lan Xue died in the defence of the Yelan capital.
Thus, the position of duke fell upon Lan Mu, who was then still the Marquis of Snow.
Under the intervention of the Xiliang Kingdom and the Yan Empire, the Yelan Duchy avoided the disaster of national destruction.
After Lan Shi ascended to the ducal throne, his original wife suddenly died of unknown causes. Immediately afterwards, the Xiliang Kingdom promptly arranged a new principal wife for him.
In this war of national destruction, had it not been for the Xiliang Kingdom’s two hundred thousand troops crossing the desert and pressing directly towards the Fury Wave Kingdom, Duke Turing Tuo’s army would not have retreated, and Yelan would have perished.
Therefore, the Xiliang Kingdom became the Yelan Duchy’s greatest saviour.
The King of Xiliang married his daughter, Princess Mo Ping, to Duke Lan Shi. He dared not refuse.
The Yan Empire was unwilling to let the Xiliang Kingdom control the Yelan Duchy alone. The Yan Emperor was reluctant to give up his own sister, so he elevated the daughter of a prince, Princess Ji Hui, to the status of princess and married her to Duke Lan Shi as a secondary wife.
Thus, the two princesses of the Xiliang Kingdom and the Yan Empire were married to Duke Lan Shi almost simultaneously.
And in the same year after their marriage, both princesses gave birth to sons.
Princess Mo Ping of the Xiliang Kingdom gave birth to Lan Tu, and Princess Ji Hui of the Yan Empire gave birth to Lan Ye.
Lan Tu was born a few days earlier, and his mother was the principal wife, so he was established as Crown Prince of the Yelan Duchy.
However, the Yan Empire was the world’s hegemon, so Princess Ji Hui naturally was unwilling to let her son suffer grievances. She forcibly took Duke Lan Shi’s former title of Marquis of Snow and gave it to her son Lan Ye.
Of the two princesses, Princess Mo Ping of the Xiliang Kingdom was highly skilled in martial arts, with a fierce temperament. She often contradicted Duke Lan Shi, and sometimes even resorted to physical violence. Duke Lan Shi was furious but dared not speak, so he greatly disliked this principal wife of his.
On the contrary, Princess Ji Hui of the Yan Empire was gentle and charming, very much to Duke Lan Shi’s liking.
Although Lan Tu was crown prince, and although he was highly skilled in martial arts, wise and resolute, his personality was stern and unsmiling, which did not win Duke Lan Shi’s favour.
On the contrary, Marquis of Snow Lan Ye greatly resembled his father Duke Lan Shi in appearance. Though his abilities were inferior to his elder brother Lan Tu, he had a sweet tongue and knew how to act cute, and was greatly doted upon by Duke Lan Shi.
Supported by their respective maternal families, Lan Tu and Lan Ye had been engaged in open and secret struggle almost from the moment they gained understanding.
Lan Tu held military power, so Lan Ye held political power.
The entire Yelan Duchy also took sides one after another. Most military officers stood with Lan Tu, while most civil officials and nobles stood with Lan Ye.
Over these years, the two factions had fought until blood flowed, becoming irreconcilable.
Even Duke Lan Shi wished to suppress them but lacked the power, because behind each of his two sons stood the colossal entities of the Yan Empire and the Xiliang Kingdom.
Originally, when the internal chaos in Rouran City began, the Yelan Duchy had already taken advantage of the situation to invade with its entire national army.
But because of the constant disputes between the two factions, the deployment was delayed by more than a month.
In the end, Duke Lan Shi drew his sword and angrily cleaved the precious table before his throne in two, which finally subdued his two sons.
Then Duke Lan Shi said with grave severity, “This Rouran war is a war to wash away national humiliation, a war of national destiny. Whoever dares to drag their feet, regardless of how high their status or how great their power, shall be executed without mercy.”
Then Duke Lan Shi issued an edict. Crown Prince Lan Tu would lead an army of three hundred thousand to attack Rouran.
Marquis of Snow Lan Ye would remain to guard the rear, assisting Duke Lan Shi in governing national affairs.
Under Duke Lan Shi’s absolute will, the two sons first set aside their previous grievances and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the nation.
If they wished to compete or struggle, they could do so after recapturing Rouran City.
Therefore, up to now, the civil and military factions of the Yelan Duchy were united in purpose and of one mind, solely for this war that mobilised the entire nation, to wash away national humiliation.
In this environment, attempting to drive a wedge between Lan Tu and Lan Ye to change Rouran City’s fate was clearly impossible.
Currently the entire Yelan Duchy shared a common hatred for the enemy. Whoever dragged down this great war would be a criminal.
Moreover, the three hundred thousand troops were already in Lan Tu’s hands. Even if someone wished to drag things down, they could not do so now.
It was also too late to tamper with logistics and provisions, because within a few days Lan Tu’s three hundred thousand troops could breach Helan Pass and then advance as if through unoccupied territory.
Ashi Liren had concentrated all elite forces at Helan Pass to fight a decisive battle with Lan Tu.
This meant that essentially the rear areas had been abandoned. Once Helan Pass fell, it would signify the fall of the entire Rouran region.
The Yelan Duchy clearly understood from top to bottom that this great war would not last long. Helan Pass would fall within a few days, and the entire Rouran province could be recaptured within a month.
This rear guard action, no one could drag it down anymore.
Therefore, no one could save Rouran City anymore.
…
“I truly cannot think of any way to save Rouran City within four days.” Zhi Yan said.
Soren said, “Very simple. Kill Duke Lan Shi, the Yelan Duke.”
At these words, Princess Zhi Yan’s beautiful eyes trembled.
Indeed, there was only one way to save Rouran City. Kill Duke Lan Shi.
And it would definitely be effective!
Once Duke Lan Shi died, the entire Yelan Duchy and its capital would fall into the hands of Marquis of Snow Lan Ye.
Moreover, most civil officials supported Lan Ye. Most military officers had followed Crown Prince Lan Tu to participate in the war of national humiliation to destroy Rouran.
One could figure it out even with one’s heels. Whether it was Marquis of Snow Lan Ye, secondary wife Princess Ji Hui, or those civil officials, they would all forge an edict. Taking advantage of Crown Prince Lan Tu’s absence, they would cite the principle that a nation cannot be without a ruler for a single day, and push Marquis of Snow Lan Ye onto the ducal throne.
At that time, Crown Prince Lan Tu would have only one choice. Lead his several hundred thousand troops to return to the capital at the fastest possible speed, otherwise it would be too late.
As for Rouran City?
Please, compared to the position of duke, what was Rouran City worth?
As long as one obtained the position of duke, the Rouran province could be recaptured at any time.
But if one lost the position of duke, even one’s life might be hard to preserve.
At that time, Rouran City would be effortlessly saved. And after Duke Lan Shi, Lan Tu and Lan Ye would enter into complete internal chaos and struggle, until one side completely fell.
The two sides were too evenly matched, so this internal struggle would last for who knew how long.
Even if the internal struggle ended, the Yelan Duchy would be severely weakened, with no strength left to campaign against Rouran.
Therefore, as long as Duke Lan Shi died, Rouran City would definitely be saved!
The key was, how to kill Duke Lan Shi?
Zhi Yan said, “Through martial force, it is completely impossible.”
Soren of course knew it was impossible. Though the Yelan Palace could not compare to the Fury Wave Kingdom, it still had over ten thousand troops, countless warriors, and innumerable experts.
There were several hundred mental power experts alone, monitoring every inch of space.
Any expert who broke in would be discovered immediately.
In this world, even if one’s martial arts reached the level of Jiang Shang, one could not rely on martial force to break through the encirclement of tens of thousands of people and kill Duke Lan Shi.
For example, the current King Zhi Bian was already at death’s door, and a single poke would kill him.
But Zhi Li, despite having a million troops and countless experts, could not assassinate King Zhi Bian.
Because the entire Fury Wave Kingdom had tens of thousands of imperial guards, and several hundred or more Shadow Pavilion experts guarding the king.
Attempting to assassinate a nation’s ruler through martial force was absolutely impossible.
Soren said, “Through martial force, of course it cannot be done. One cannot even pass the mental power masters’ checkpoint, so we must use other methods.”
Zhi Yan said, “What method?”
Soren said, “For this war of national humiliation, Duke Lan Shi goes to the Dragon Altar to worship heaven every half month? The day after tomorrow is his second worship, correct?”
Zhi Yan said, “Correct.”
Soren said, “And the time for worshipping heaven cannot be off by a single minute or second. High noon at twelve o’clock, correct?”
Zhi Yan said, “Correct.”
However, although Duke Lan Shi would leave the Yelan Palace at that time, he would be surrounded by countless experts and guarded by over ten thousand troops. Assassination was still impossible. Even if one threw away one’s life, success was impossible.
“That will do then.” Soren said, “In a moment, someone will deliver something.”
A quarter of an hour later, a knock sounded at the door.
Zhi Yan went to open the door. The visitor was a Shadow Pavilion expert, carrying a huge crate, which he directly handed to Princess Zhi Yan, then silently departed.
He himself did not know what was inside. Apart from the sorceress Yao Meng and Soren, no one knew what was inside.
“Open it.” Soren said.
Princess Zhi Yan opened the crate. It was filled with water, and in the water was a completely sealed jade box.
“Take it out, keep it completely away from flame.” Soren said, “Be careful, you must be careful.”
Princess Zhi Yan took the jade box out of the water.
“Use your Dragon Gold Sword to peel open the jade box.” Soren said.
Princess Zhi Yan did as instructed, completely peeling away the jade box to reveal what was inside.
It was a silver-grey brick, weighing approximately thirty jin.
Soren held his breath, keeping this brick far away from candle flame.
This brick was entirely compressed from gunpowder. Thirty jin of gunpowder, its power was already quite astonishing. Blowing several people to bits would be more than sufficient.
In the centre of this gunpowder brick was a hole.
At this time, there was another knock at the door from outside.
Zhi Yan went out to open the door. The visitor handed her a small crate, then departed again.
“Put this gunpowder brick away safely. Be sure there is no heavy impact, otherwise the consequences would be unthinkable.” Soren said.
Princess Zhi Yan placed the gunpowder brick in a corner of the room. There was no need to worry about it being discovered, because this inn was the Shadow Pavilion’s secret base in the Yelan Duchy, and there was not a single outsider present now.
Then, Soren opened the second small crate that had been delivered.
Inside were very delicate items. Oil-soaked thick cotton wicks, white phosphorus kept in water, dried quicklime, and finely graduated glass vessels.
He was going to make a relatively precise timed detonation device.
The principle was still to use a dripping hole to make the water level drop. After a certain time, the white phosphorus in the water would be exposed to air.
At the same time, the dripped water level would overflow onto the quicklime, instantly heating up and igniting the white phosphorus.
The burning white phosphorus would ignite the oil-soaked cotton wick, detonating this thirty jin gunpowder brick.
Soren was going to use this world’s backward technology to create a precise yet primitive time bomb.
…
Twelve hours later!
Soren had already made four delicate detonation devices.
Two of them had already completed testing, with an ignition time error not exceeding three minutes.
That was already more than sufficient. Duke Lan Shi’s entire worship ceremony would last at least half an hour.
Place the two detonation devices simultaneously inside the gunpowder brick. This way, even if one failed, the other would still detonate.
“It is now exactly midnight, correct?” Soren said.
Zhi Yan stared at the five hourglasses on the table and nodded, “Correct.”
Soren silently calculated the time in his mind.
Then, at exactly midnight, he simultaneously activated the two water-drip graduated white phosphorus timed detonation devices.
The detonation time was six hours later, which was tomorrow’s high noon at twelve o’clock, the time when Duke Lan Shi would worship heaven.
This time bomb was now custom completed.
Then, Zhi Yan took out a white marble slab, which was completely hollowed out inside, with only a thin layer remaining.
Place the gunpowder brick with the timed detonation device inside this hollowed-out slab!
“Everything is already prepared at the Dragon Altar side of the Yelan capital. The patrol knights will have a shift change in two hours, which will create a brief patrol gap.” Soren said, “You must personally go and replace the slab before the great cauldron. Tomorrow Duke Lan Shi will stand on this slab to worship heaven.”
“Very well.” Zhi Yan said.
Then, carrying this slab concealing thirty jin of timed detonation gunpowder, she swiftly vanished into the night.
Two and a half hours later, she returned to the room and said to Soren, “The replacement is complete. It did not cause any alarm.”
Soren smiled and said, “You are one of the Fury Wave Kingdom’s top five experts, yet I ask you to do such a thing. It is truly using a great talent for a small task.”
Princess Zhi Yan smiled but did not speak.
Soren said, “Tomorrow at high noon, twelve o’clock, in seven more hours! Duke Lan Shi will meet his death, and Rouran City will be saved.”
It would be more than meeting his death. It would be being blown to pieces, would it not!
…
The next day, at nine o’clock in the morning!
Yelan Duke Lord Lan Shi, under the guard of tens of thousands of troops, left the Yelan Palace and proceeded in grand formation towards the Dragon Altar to worship heaven.