In the secret chamber of the Yan family, Qin Xun, who was in the midst of writing, turned around in confusion as he heard the door open. It was Duan Hong, wearing a mask.
"The Vice Cult Master awaits you at the usual spot," Duan Hong said calmly, a smile on his face.
"Huh? My master has left the capital? Didn't he say he would wait for me to finish writing Qin Feng's dirt first?" Qin Xun asked, full of suspicion.
Duan Hong sighed, "Circumstances have changed. The dirt is sufficient, and your identity is sensitive. You cannot stay in the capital any longer, lest Qin Feng and the dog emperor become suspicious. Moreover, the Cult Master and the Vice Cult Master have other important tasks to entrust to you."
Qin Xun's heart pounded, but he readily agreed, put down his brush, and stood up. He picked up a small booklet of dirt from the table and grinned menacingly, "This content is enough to make Qin Feng utterly disgraced and satisfy my heart's wrath!"
Duan Hong merely smiled and nodded.
Qin Xun observed this, and an ominous premonition surged in his heart. He could only force himself to remain calm and leave with Duan Hong.
A Yan family carriage slowly drove towards the west of the city. A shadow guard observing the street immediately went to a nearby inn to report to Zuo Wushang.
Zuo Wushang's expression was grave. He said to the Yun Tian Guard of the Heaven rank beside him, "Arrange for the brothers to follow, but do not get too close. Maintain a distance of one li, and just follow the carriage tracks!"
Eight Yun Tian Guards, dressed as ordinary people, silently slipped out of the inn and tailed the carriage.
Liang Xiao also received the news and rearranged for shadow guards to monitor the Yan family.
"I heard from the Marquis of Zhenguo that Qin Xun once told him that the Repentance Cult has been rampant in recent decades, with Monk Long Yue preceding and the masked Cult Master following. The two have almost orchestrated all the wicked events in both countries. They are unforgivable! Capturing these two would be the most fatal blow to the Repentance Cult!"
Zhuo Zifang sighed, "Perhaps the Cult Master of the Repentance Cult is your elder sister, Sophia..."
Liang Xiao understood and said, "I have spoken with Klisti. When the time comes for familial loyalty to yield to righteousness, she will not hesitate. Klisti has always understood righteousness and prioritizes the nation."
An hour later, another Yun Tian Guard reported.
"Marquis, that carriage is moving extremely slowly, with a large number of guards surrounding it. They are also being questioned by soldiers along the way. We have confirmed Qin Xun is inside the carriage. We don't know their intentions, so we dared not follow too closely!"
Liang Xiao pondered, "It seems they are being cautious, perhaps worried about being followed. However, I have already arranged for Qing Tian and the others to rendezvous with the Second Senior Brother in advance."
Thus, Liang Xiao recalled the Yun Tian Guards to avoid arousing suspicion from the Yan family's carriage.
In another secret chamber of the Yan family, Cult Master Elise's gaze was chilling.
Duan Hong, standing beside her, reminded her, "Qin Xun has been dealt with. Only the Emperor of Great Liang remains a serious threat..."
Elise said coldly, "I gave Wan Qing a box of colorless and odorless 'Supreme Bliss Powder,' which was secretly formulated by Monk Long Yue back then and used by Xiu Ping to poison the Empress and the Prince. It is a deadly poison that guarantees death upon consumption. Wan Qing has been slow to act, and it's difficult for us to approach her. It seems the dog emperor, having learned from past lessons, is watching too closely. Only Pope Su has succeeded in dealing with a child."
Duan Hong worried, "Will she betray us..."
Elise sneered, "Impossible! She is a child I personally taught. Her faith is firm, unlike Ye Qingyi! Long before she went to Great Liang, I had already reminded her that for the great cause of our cult, she must feign compliance with the dog emperor, and even bear him children. However, before Mu Xuan ascends the throne, those bastards must not be allowed to exist, lest complications arise. She has perfectly fulfilled her vow!"
"After all," Elise narrowed her eyes and sighed, "Great Qian has Liang Xiao, and Great Liang has Qin Feng. In the past ten years, over ten thousand cult members have died at Qin Feng's hands. We must guard against this person. To prevent him from becoming a trusted minister for the heir, we can only have Mu Cheng die suddenly, leaving no time for a will. These words, I have kept from Wan Qing until now, because she doesn't need to know too much, to avoid extraneous complications."
Duan Hong suddenly understood, "It seems the Cult Master learned Liang Xiao's cautiousness during her time undercover beside Liang Xiao..."
Elise's pupils contracted, and her words became increasingly sharp, "One day, I will tear Liang Xiao to pieces and then drink the blood of Klisti and their children!"
At night, Yan Liu visited the Marquis of Zhenbei with his son, Yan Ming.
Seeing Zuo Wuji's bruised and swollen face, Yan Liu couldn't help but pout, "Marquis of Zhenbei, I have risked the Emperor's displeasure to visit you for the second time. Doesn't that show enough sincerity? You must choose your side early, and don't wait until you can only add icing to the cake. The Third Prince may not necessarily accept it!"
Zuo Wuji greeted them into the secret chamber with a fawning smile.
In the secret chamber, there were three Yun Tian Guards, all dressed as escorts. On the table, there was a braised pig's trotter and a pile of snacks.
"I only now understand that I, too, am merely a pawn! That foolish emperor allows Liang Xiao to humiliate me, pushing me too far!"
As he spoke, Zuo Wuji invited the Yan family father and son to sit, preparing wine glasses for them.
Yan Liu burst into laughter, "Foolish emperor? Are you not afraid of me, Lord Prime Minister..."
Zuo Wuji wore a displeased expression, "The foolish emperor has long been determined to suppress your families. How could I not know? Prime Minister Yan, if you truly consider me intelligent, there's no need to beat around the bush. These guards are all my loyalists. Let's speak frankly!"
Watching Zuo Wuji, his son, and himself pour full cups of wine, Yan Liu smiled but did not touch his.
"Is this 'One Drunk a Hundred Years'?" Yan Ming's throat moved, and he reached for his wine cup, but Yan Liu tugged at his sleeve, and he immediately dared not move.
Zuo Wuji paid him no mind, merely smiling, "Given how much the foolish emperor trusts Liang Xiao, the command of my Zhenbei Army will be lost sooner or later."
Yan Liu's spirits immediately lifted, and he smiled, "The current plan should be to hand over the military tally to me, and then report to the foolish emperor. By then, it will be a fait accompli, and the foolish emperor will not dare to force me to hand over military power, especially considering the Zhenbei Army. My family and the Yue family can guarantee your and the Yue family's safety, and in the future, you will have contributions for aiding the dragon. The Third Prince will surely entrust you with important responsibilities!"
Zuo Wuji only gave a wry smile for a moment, then his expression hardened, "Liang Xiao has bullied me too much. There is no other way but this. Tomorrow, I will return and mobilize the Zhenbei Army, and take enough provisions to last a year to leave the capital, saying that 'out of the capital, the emperor's command may not be obeyed'! Let us drink this cup!"
Saying this, Zuo Wuji raised his wine cup with great spirit.
Yan Liu only smiled and raised his cup, but did not drink.
Zuo Wuji frowned, "Doesn't the Prime Minister have a reputation as a wine connoisseur? I specifically prepared 'One Drunk a Hundred Years'..."
"I'm feeling unwell recently..." Yan Liu mumbled.
Zuo Wuji shook his head, "The Prime Minister is robust. It seems you are worried that I will harm you!"
With that, Zuo Wuji drank the wine in his cup in one gulp, then picked up a piece of braised pig's trotter from the table and devoured it, with a displeased expression.
Considering that he had personally watched Zuo Wuji pour three cups of wine from the same wine pot, Yan Liu pondered for a moment and then smiled, "My son is not good at drinking. Let him be. I will drink with the Marquis of Zhenbei!"
Only then did Zuo Wuji's expression slightly ease. He smiled and poured himself a cup. After they clinked glasses, they drank it down in one go, and the three began to eat the pig's trotter.
A moment later, Zuo Wuji and Yan Liu simultaneously clutched their suddenly rumbling stomachs, their faces ashen.
"Where is the privy!!"