Duke Qi Wei had already withdrawn most of the Southeast Province’s troops during the previous great war. Therefore, even Donghai City, the provincial capital, possessed merely a few thousand second-line soldiers.
From Tianshui City to Donghai City was a distance of nearly six hundred li. Suo Lun and Ashi Liren led fifteen thousand cavalry, advancing as though entering unoccupied territory.
However, the moment the great army departed Tianshui City and entered Baiyun Commandery, countless carrier kites took flight, and countless secret agents rode swift horses in all directions.
At this moment, Suo Lun’s every action was under the scrutiny of the entire realm.
Especially after he became acting governor of the Southeast Province, everyone watched with wide eyes to see how he would seize the province.
In the eyes of the realm’s feudal lords, nobles, civil official cliques, and civilian elites, Suo Lun’s next moves would reveal his breadth of mind and political attitude. Only then would the secretly observing power blocs decide whether to pledge allegiance or support him.
At this moment, the entire realm faced an opportunity to choose sides anew. Should they continue to stand with Qi Li, or with Suo Lun and Qi Yan?
…
Three days prior, Suo Lun had torn all pretence with Fu Lingxi and expelled her.
Fu Lingxi returned to her room weeping, but she did not leave. Instead, she remained.
Then, in Suo Lun’s presence, she wrote a letter requesting her father, Count Fu E, to come to Tianshui City in person for discussions, and sent this letter by carrier kite to Fire Worship City.
Fire Worship City was simply too far. The carrier kite could not carry a letter that distance, so it had to be relayed through Qi Du.
After the letter was sent, Suo Lun once again proposed that Fu Lingxi held an important position in the Dragon God Temple, and requested that she leave Tianshui City and return to Qi Du as soon as possible.
Fu Lingxi had said at the time, “I shall stay a few more days, and depart after receiving your maternal grandfather’s reply.”
Therefore, after Suo Lun led his troops away, Fu Lingxi remained.
She had received the Dragon God Temple’s education from childhood, so her attainments in certain classics and arts were extremely high. She planned to take advantage of these few days to give lessons to Qinqin and Ashi Yuanba.
Fu Yan’er was terrified into silence before Fu Lingxi, but Qinqin was extremely cold towards her.
Although willing to attend her lessons, Qinqin remained silent throughout, making no response whatsoever. No matter how gently Fu Lingxi coaxed and comforted her, it was useless.
This little girl was only six years old, but she was precocious. She remembered every word spoken by adults.
Suo Ningbing and Suo Lun had spoken about their mother Fu Lingxi in conversation, so in Qinqin’s heart, this woman who should be called grandmother had once abandoned her own father and aunt.
Therefore, Qinqin would never acknowledge her.
Fu Lingxi naturally would not quarrel with her own granddaughter, and continued to do her utmost to teach the two children.
…
On the second day after Suo Lun’s departure, Fu Lingxi finally met privately with Yan Nai’er. This was also an important reason for her coming to Tianshui City.
“Greetings, Mother-in-law.” Yan Nai’er performed her salutations.
Fu Lingxi took Yan Nai’er’s hands in hers and gazed at her tenderly, remaining silent for a long while.
“Nai’er, can you leave Suo Lun?” Fu Lingxi suddenly said.
Yan Nai’er’s devastatingly beautiful little face trembled slightly. “Why?”
Fu Lingxi said, “Because you carry demon blood within you. Perhaps you do not know, but Fang Qingshu once led a massive force of judges and knights to Tianshui City to arrest you. It was only due to very special reasons that his arrest operation was halted. But this does not mean you are safe. The demon blood within you is connected to a matter of heaven-shaking magnitude. Once you are arrested again, it will certainly implicate Suo Lun.”
Yan Nai’er’s little face instantly turned deathly pale!
Fu Lingxi said, “If love between two people can endure, why need they be together every morning and evening? If you leave Suo Lun, others will not wish to implicate him through you. This would be a good thing for both you and Suo Lun. As a judge of the Dragon God Temple, I might then be able to protect you.”
Yan Nai’er’s face had lost all colour.
Fu Lingxi said, “Because you have received the blessing of the Dragon Seal relic, and donated the Dragon Seal stele, I can arrange for you to enter the Dragon God Temple as a female cultivator. In this way, even if you carry demon blood within you, it can be regarded as a Dragon God Temple cultivator researching dark powers, feeding herself to demons!”
Nai’er closed her beautiful eyes, as though falling into contemplation.
“You love Suo Lun very much, and I also wish to protect him. This is the best outcome for both you and him,” Fu Lingxi said. “Leave his side, and enter the Dragon God Temple with me.”
Nai’er opened her beautiful eyes and shook her head. “I cannot do this. If I truly leave him and follow you into the Dragon God Temple, he might raise heaven-shaking waves and rescue me from the Dragon God Temple. For his safety, I must leave. This sounds very noble and great, and I am willing to sacrifice for love. But in a matter of such magnitude, I should listen to him, not to you.”
Hearing these words, Fu Lingxi could not help but be startled.
Nai’er continued, “Moreover, my husband said that regarding the demon blood within me, at least for a very long time, it will not bring danger!”
Fu Lingxi’s beautiful eyes narrowed. “He said this only to set your mind at ease. Men can also be very blind for the sake of love.”
“No!” Nai’er said. “I love him very much, and I understand him very well. I can distinguish which of his words are comfort, and which are truth. My husband told me clearly that the demon blood within me will not bring much danger. He has basically resolved the matter, and Fang Qingshu can no longer make any moves regarding this matter.”
Nai’er was not lying. Regarding the matter of the demon blood within her, Suo Lun had indeed reached an understanding with Huai Bingyi.
Huai Bingyi’s position in the Dragon God Temple was no different from Ji Xiuning’s, and he was currently the supreme commander in the capture of the World-Destroying Demon Emperor. Once he spoke, Fang Qingshu would not dare to defy him.
Then, Yan Nai’er said, “My husband told me that you hold an important post in the Dragon God Temple’s Tribunal. It seems improper to be away for so many days. It would be better to return sooner.”
Fu Lingxi was startled. This daughter-in-law before her had such a fierce character that she actually took the initiative to drive her away.
But this was simply Nai’er’s nature. She would not be constrained by the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. She was completely filled with a spirit of ownership towards Tianshui City and the Suo Clan, entirely regarding this place as the home of herself, her husband, and Suo Ningbing.
…
Three days later!
Suo Lun led fifteen thousand cavalry and charged to the walls of Donghai City, capital of the Southeast Province!
The entire Donghai City possessed merely five thousand second-line troops at this moment. These people were originally used to maintain public order in Donghai City. Some were bailiffs, some were militia, and some were local ruffians and hoodlums.
“I am Count of Tianshui, acting governor of the Southeast Province. Open the city gates immediately,” Suo Lun roared. “Otherwise, you shall be slaughtered without mercy!”
A general upon the city walls looked at the boundless cavalry array behind Suo Lun and was instantly terrified into trembling. He said shakily, “This subordinate must go and report back to Lord Chief Secretary. Please… Your Lordship the Count, wait a moment… ahh…”
Before he could finish his words, an arrow had pierced his throat, killing him instantly.
Suo Lun said coldly, “I am Count of Tianshui, acting governor of the Southeast Province. Open the city gates immediately. Otherwise, you shall be slaughtered without mercy!”
“Lord Count, we are merely patrol camp soldiers… ahh…” This adjutant had not finished speaking before his entire head was pierced through.
“Open the gates, or you shall be exterminated to the last man!” Suo Lun shouted coldly.
Although he led cavalry, storming Donghai City would be child’s play. Yet he did not do so, insisting that the defenders inside open the gates of their own accord.
The defenders upon the city walls looked at one another, their souls scattered, their legs trembling. They wished they could immediately cast aside their weapons and flee.
“Whoever flees, even to the ends of the earth, shall be exterminated to the last man!” Suo Lun said coldly. “I shall count to three. If the city gates are not opened, it shall be treated as rebellion. All defending officers and soldiers shall be put to death!”
“Three…”
“Two…”
Before Suo Lun could count to one, the gates of Donghai City slowly opened!
Suo Lun’s gaze was like lightning. The defenders at the gates trembled and immediately knelt upon the ground, not daring to raise their heads for even a glance.
“Enter the city!” Suo Lun issued the command!
Instantly, fifteen thousand cavalry entered Donghai City in grand array, taking over the entire city’s defences in the shortest possible time.
Suo Lun led five thousand troops and directly surrounded the governor’s mansion so tightly that not even water could pass through!
…
At this moment, within the great hall of the governor’s mansion, several hundred high-ranking officials were packed shoulder to shoulder.
All the middle and high-ranking officials of Donghai City and the governor’s mansion were present. Everyone looked towards their backbone, Chief Secretary Yan Wuzhi of the Southeast Province governor’s mansion!
At this moment, a warrior rapidly entered the great hall, knelt, and reported, “Lord Chief Secretary, Count Suo Lun has surrounded the governor’s mansion so tightly that not even water can pass through. He himself has already entered.”
At these words, the officials present changed colour and began whispering amongst themselves.
“Silence!” Yan Wuzhi shouted coldly. “What is there to fear? Suo Lun does not have three heads and six arms. Do not forget, behind us stand twelve thousand officials of the Southeast Province. Without us, how does he govern the Southeast Province? Can Tianshui City produce even one hundred civil scholars?”
At these words, the officials present felt slightly more at ease.
Yan Wuzhi said, “Moreover, the entire realm is watching him now. Behind us stand the Yan Clique, and many noble families. If he dares to do anything unwise towards us, it would be equivalent to completely offending the forces currently observing. It would only push them entirely towards His Highness Qi Li’s side. Suo Lun is not that stupid. He is merely putting on a show, trying to frighten us!”
At these words, everyone relaxed even further.
THUD THUD THUD THUD…
At this moment, several hundred warriors entered the great hall of the governor’s mansion, guarding all critical positions.
Then, Suo Lun, wearing a golden crown and brocade robes, walked in. Behind him followed Gao Yin, the chief eunuch and trusted confidant of His Majesty the King, holding the king’s imperial decree in his hands.
And Zhuang Zhixuan, with her explosive figure, stood coldly behind Suo Lun, her right hand gripping her sword hilt at all times, as though ready to draw her blade at any moment.
Entering the great hall, Suo Lun directly walked to the highest silver seat and sat down!
Chief Secretary Yan Wuzhi of the governor’s mansion sneered. “Count Suo Lun, why put on such a performance? Who can it frighten? Such overbearing shallowness, whom can it subdue? Without the bearing of a king, how can one attract great talents to assist? If you wish to show off your power, continue being a solitary man!”
Suo Lun looked at Yan Wuzhi and said, “You are chief secretary of the governor’s mansion, foremost civil official of the Southeast Province, younger brother of Prime Minister Yan Wuqi, one of the leaders of the Yan Clique, the sole leader of twelve thousand officials of the Southeast Province, Yan Wuzhi?”
Yan Wuzhi said, “Correct, it is I!”
Suo Lun said, “When Duke Qi Wei served as governor of the Southeast, he delegated all internal affairs to you. The fates of all officials in the Southeast Province, all important matters of the Southeast Province, you could decide with a single word. You were in fact the King of the Southeast. Twelve thousand officials looked to you as their leader, correct?”
Yan Wuzhi raised his head and said, “Correct!”
Suo Lun said, “You are extraordinarily talented. These eight years, you have governed the Southeast Province in perfect order. It is practically the most prosperous and wealthy province in the realm, correct?”
Yan Wuzhi said, “Correct!”
Suo Lun said, “You consider yourself a heaven-sent talent. Without you, I cannot command a single official, nor can I govern the Southeast Province, correct?”
Yan Wuzhi said proudly, “Of course!”
Suo Lun said, “If I wish to obtain your support, I must first build a clothing-and-cap tomb for Yan Tingyi, kneel and kowtow, and cut my hair as atonement. Then I must pay three visits to a thatched cottage, humbly seek talent, and address you as my teacher, before you are willing to support me, correct?”
Yan Wuzhi sneered coldly. “Originally, yes. But now you have no opportunity. I clearly see a shallow, arrogant wretch. Such a person, even if he gains power for a time, is destined to become withered bones in a grave. Truly a great disappointment.”
“Haha…” Suo Lun laughed. “Yan Wuzhi, there are several hundred officials present. Do you think they will listen to you, or to me?”
“Boring, shallow…” Yan Wuzhi said coldly.
Suo Lun said, “In life, there is always the matter of choosing sides. The several hundred officials present are all middle and high-ranking officials of the governor’s mansion and Donghai City. So let the choosing of sides begin now. Those who choose to listen to me, stand behind me. Those who choose to listen to Yan Wuzhi, stand behind him!”
With these words, Suo Lun descended from the governor’s silver seat and came to stand opposite Yan Wuzhi!
Hearing these words, Yan Wuzhi and the officials present could scarcely believe their ears. This Suo Lun was actually so childish and shallow. Was this children playing house?
This person was truly a great disappointment. He, Yan Wuzhi, had actually considered giving Suo Lun an opportunity. Thinking of it now, it was truly a supreme humiliation.
SWISH SWISH SWISH… All the officials present, united in enmity, voted with their feet, all standing behind Yan Wuzhi!
Within the vast great hall, three hundred and nineteen officials all stood behind Yan Wuzhi. Behind Suo Lun, there was not a single person!
There was no trace of satisfaction upon Yan Wuzhi’s face, only absolute coldness. “Count Suo Lun, your actions can only bring humiliation upon yourself!”
Suo Lun looked at his completely empty rear. The governor in name was completely hollowed out by the chief secretary. It truly was self-deception and self-humiliation.
He simply sat down upon the ground and smiled. “In my homeland, there is a joke. A man was particularly incompetent, without ability, unable to find a way out. So someone cursed him, saying, you are so stupid, you can only become an official.”
“Being an official, one might say it is difficult, yet one might say it is easy. Sometimes, if you grabbed a pig and placed it in that official position, it might do better than a person. At least it would not cause harm.”
At Suo Lun’s words, all the officials present were incomparably furious. This was practically a slap in the face, an insult to their character.
Suo Lun said, “Yan Wuzhi, you have three hundred and nineteen people behind you. I have not a single person behind me. But I wish for the number of people behind us to be the same. What method do you think there is?”
“Those who possess the Way have many helpers, those who lose the Way have few helpers!” Yan Wuzhi sneered coldly. “Count Suo Lun, for the sake of the kingdom’s dignity, do not continue making a fool of yourself. From now on, you may continue to throw your weight around in Tianshui City. If you like the hat of acting governor of the Southeast Province, continue wearing it. But do not interfere in matters beyond Tianshui City. This is good for both you and me.”
Suo Lun said, “The method is this. The number of people behind both of us becomes zero. Then we are even, and I have not lost to you!”
At these words, the expressions of everyone in the hall completely changed!
Then, Suo Lun produced an hourglass and turned it upside down. The sand within continuously flowed, emptying after a quarter of an hour.
Suo Lun extended his finger and began pointing at people in the crowd.
“Eeny meeny miny moe, sesame chilli sauce, rich men drink wine, poor men get lost… you, come out!”
The official pointed out by Suo Lun trembled, his legs shaking, remaining where he stood.
Two warriors grabbed this plump white official like a chick and hauled him out.
“What official post do you hold?” Suo Lun asked.
“Inner Secretary of Donghai City!” the plump white official shouted.
“A high official…” Suo Lun said. “Will you stand behind me?”
The plump white official trembled, unable to speak.
Without waiting for his answer, Suo Lun said, “Oh, you won’t stand there? Kill him!”
SWISH… Zhuang Zhixuan’s hand rose and her blade fell.
The plump white head of the Inner Secretary of Donghai City rolled away, blood splattering in all directions!
Everything happened too suddenly. The officials in the hall even forgot to cry out in shock for a moment, standing in place as though struck by lightning.
Suo Lun paid no attention to their reactions and continued his eeny meeny miny moe, chanting his rhyme as he pointed.
Soon, a second unlucky soul was pointed out.
“What official post do you hold? Oh, never mind, no need to ask. Are you willing to stand behind me? Never mind, one look tells me you are the type who would rather die than submit. You certainly won’t be willing…” Suo Lun said. “Kill him!”
SWISH… Zhuang Zhixuan’s hand rose and her blade fell. Another massive head rolled away.
Blood splattered in all directions. The headless corpse collapsed.
That head was filled with terror even in death, eyes wide open!