095 Demon? Must capture!

Chapter 095: Monster? Must Be Captured!

Night had fallen over the Shengjing Imperial Palace, specifically the Zhengde Hall.

This grand hall was where the sovereign of the Yao Tian Kingdom, Emperor Bai Tian, held court during the day. Since the age of ten, Crown Prince Li Yincheng had been a frequent visitor here. Yet, he dared only to sit upon the golden throne under the cover of night. The reason was simple: he had yet to be officially enthroned. Without the formal decree, he was not recognized as the legitimate ruler of the Yao Tian Kingdom and could not openly claim the throne. Even though he had handled all the affairs befitting a monarch within these walls during the day, and despite two months having passed since the death of his foolish father, the emperor, he remained without the official seal of succession.

Li Yincheng’s knuckles whitened as he clenched the armrest, veins bulging. The loyal aide kneeling at his side, Kong Kongzi, almost expected him to hurl something in frustration. But to his surprise, after several deep breaths, the prince gradually calmed himself.

Kong Kongzi was slightly taken aback. The prince’s patience was well-known—after all, he had served him for many years. But at a moment when the course of events seemed nearly decided, was there still any need for restraint?

“Your Highness, now that we have obtained irrefutable evidence confirming that monk’s true gender, why not expose her to the world immediately? Once her identity is revealed, the sanctity of the Fa Hua Temple will be tarnished. The Second Prince will no longer be able to claim refuge there in the name of religious devotion, and we can seize the opportunity to slander him by insinuating improper relations with the fake monk. This will reopen our plan to send off the late emperor through the rear mountain, allowing the Second Prince’s faction to be wiped out, and you will ascend the throne without delay!”

Kong Kongzi found the prospect too perfect and couldn’t understand why the prince still hesitated. “But Your Highness, why wait? What exactly are you waiting for?”

“I am waiting for confirmation from the agents I sent close to that fake monk about any special abilities she might possess.” Li Yincheng’s dark eyes fixed on the desk before him, where a letter lay signed by Ping Shi.

“The agent was ambushed and killed midway; the attempt to use Xiao Shi to exploit her encounter with the Zhao family failed, as Xiao Shi and his team were wiped out; even the insider from the Zhou family who tried to sow discord between her and the salt authorities ended up being captured willingly. Since ancient times, it has always been easier to kill an enemy than to win them over. And yet, this mere fake monk managed to subdue the salt authorities—a target my court had been trying for over a decade to bring under control. What unknown power does she possess? My curiosity is piqued.”

Kong Kongzi was unconvinced. “Your Highness, the Second Prince’s most trusted lieutenants, Guan Shiyin and Mu Zhijin, accompany her. I suspect she is merely a pawn pushed forward by the Second Prince to conceal their true roles. After all, if it weren’t for an insider in Ping City, how would we have known that Miss Guan, alive for twenty years, was actually born a boy?”

“Hmph, do you think all of this is just the handiwork of Guan Shiyin and Mu Zhijin? We have been locked in a covert struggle for over ten years. Do you not understand their style? If in the first decade they held back for the Second Prince’s rise, why would they suddenly risk exposing themselves to seize control of the salt authorities now?”

“Perhaps they still believe their identities remain secret?” Kong Kongzi pointed to the letter. “Since this letter reached you safely, it means they haven’t realized it yet. If they had, wouldn’t they have intercepted it? Besides, Ping Shi’s abilities are trustworthy—he’s never been exposed after all these years. I’m confident this time is no exception.”

“Oh, really? If he were so certain, why would he write such a detailed account of the events on the pleasure boat for me to read?” Li Yincheng fell into thought. “He knew Old Lady Zhou was on our side, knew the Zhou family intended to seize the token by first courtesy, then force, and knew they possessed the Forget Dust. But he did not know which dish it was hidden in. Yet Fang Rulai was able to identify it dish by dish…”

Kong Kongzi had never considered this. “Perhaps they conducted an investigation beforehand?”

“Ping Shi thought so too, but he discarded that idea when the boat docked. The dishes were prepared fresh on the boat; when Old Lady Zhou poisoned the food, he and Zhou Dashan and the others were still at the county magistrate’s office ‘entertaining guests.’ Old Lady Zhou is an expert; she wouldn’t have used someone else’s hand—she must have administered the poison herself. Even Ping Shi’s insider on the boat didn’t alert him about the poison. How, then, could Fang Rulai, who hadn’t yet boarded, know?”

Kong Kongzi was momentarily speechless.

“We have been struggling with Guan Shiyin and the others for years, each side aware of the other's strengths. The stalemate and absence of direct conflict indicate our forces are evenly matched. But tell me, when did we begin to fall behind?”

“...Early March, starting with the elimination of Widow Zhu.”

“Exactly. Since then, our plans have been consistently anticipated and thwarted. To this day, every plan involving Fang Rulai has failed. Why? If in Shengjing, the Second Prince supports Fang Rulai through Guan Shiyin and others, then in Ping City, a thousand miles away, is Fang Rulai really worth it? Trust me, that ailing imperial brother dispatched Guan Shiyin and Mu Zhijin solely for the salt authorities. If it were me, I would use Fang Rulai to draw all attention to the salt authorities, then send those two to encircle and capture them from behind.”

“But they didn’t,” Kong Kongzi seemed to realize something. “Their actions appear to follow Fang Rulai’s orders blindly…”

“Fang Rulai lacks martial skills and any hidden backing. Even if she is exceptionally clever, it’s unlikely she would so quickly earn the absolute trust of the Second Prince’s faction. Unless…” Li Yincheng paused.

Kong Kongzi, massaging the prince’s legs, stopped too. “Unless she possesses some ability that earns their unconditional trust!”

“Exactly!” Li Yincheng slammed his palm on the armrest. “An ability that lets her know all under heaven’s affairs without leaving home, allowing her to strike swiftly and accurately before we even notice.”

Kong Kongzi shivered. “Knowing all under heaven without leaving home? Could it be the clairvoyance and clairaudience recorded in ancient texts? That would be terrifying.”

“Not quite,” Li Yincheng said firmly. “If it were so, she would have long obtained the palace’s secrets and reached out to the Yan and Wei families… Hmph, if that were so, do you think we’d still be here in this hall?”

“Could such an ability be limited by distance?”

“Apparently, yes,” Li Yincheng suddenly smiled. “If she could be brought under my command…”

Kong Kongzi suddenly gasped, “Your Highness, no! If such an ability exists, then that person… wouldn’t she be… a monster?” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “A demon?” Hopefully, the monster wouldn’t overhear.

Li Yincheng saw through Kong Kongzi’s thought instantly. He snorted coldly and kicked him. “Grow up! A monster? So what? Brains without fighting ability are useless. To harness such a person, special methods are required.”

“Bring the men.”

The dark guards appeared.

Li Yincheng tossed a prewritten letter. “Deliver this to the Guan family’s rear courtyard. Remember, do not utter a single word throughout the journey! And once the recipient reads it, destroy the letter immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The guards departed.

Kong Kongzi climbed back up without complaint, continuing to massage the prince’s legs. “Your Highness, is it worth using the Guan family’s insider for someone whose ability remains uncertain? Wouldn’t it be cleaner to eliminate the threat outright?” He knew better than to voice this openly; suggesting such things in front of the prince was a death sentence.

“Then why don’t you ask my ailing imperial brother, who has risked his life for that fake monk, whether it’s worth it!”

“What?”

“Kong Daozhang, you’ve been indulging yourself in the palace for years; your brain must be nearly fried. Here’s what you’ll do: go to the Qitian Taoist Temple and deal with that counterfeit Sanfeng Zi. Then, take over as acting abbot.”

“T-Your Highness…” Kong Kongzi was stunned. Was the prince casting him aside? After serving by his side for over a decade, this was the first time he was being sent outside the palace. What did it mean?

His panic seemed to amuse Li Yincheng, who raised an eyebrow and abandoned his usual stern demeanor.

“Don’t be silly. Are you really afraid I don’t want you?”

The teasing tone was familiar, and Kong Kongzi exhaled quietly, feeling less anxious. “Your Highness, you know very well…”

He nestled closer to Li Yincheng’s leg, debating whether to plead more earnestly to avoid exile. Going to Qitian Taoist Temple meant neighboring the Second Prince’s domain. The Second Prince might not dare move against the prince yet, but Kong Kongzi would have no such protection. Taking refuge there now would be akin to a death sentence.

He must not go.

He had schemed tirelessly to enter the palace’s gilded protection; he would not willingly face the constant dangers outside.

“Your Highness,” Kong Kongzi cast the expression he knew the prince favored, fingers inching into the folds of Li Yincheng’s trousers and climbing upward. “Would you truly be willing to have me absent from your side at such a cold, damp hour? Who else would warm your feet and your bed… ah!”

His coquettish voice abruptly turned to a shriek.

Li Yincheng’s gentle expression was replaced by a firm hand gripping Kong Kongzi’s throat.

“Cough, Y-Your Highness, c-cough cough…”

Li Yincheng showed no mercy, and Kong Kongzi’s pleas dissolved into a series of muffled coughs.

“You know I favor you most, don’t you?” Li Yincheng pulled Kong Kongzi’s face close, his gaze tender as water. “Do you know why?”

Kong Kongzi could not answer, not even the faintest shake of his head was possible.

Li Yincheng smiled knowingly but did not loosen his grip. “The first time I saw you was right here in this Zhengde Hall. You betrayed your master to gain my late father’s trust and took his place. At that moment, I told myself that such a cunning mind, ruthless heart, and cold hand must be put to my use!”

Kong Kongzi’s eyes pleaded. He was already utterly “used”—body and soul—and yet, why did the prince treat him so?

“To put you to use doesn’t mean only to warm my bed!” Li Yincheng’s eyes sharpened as he released him. “What I prized was your mind. Just because you haven’t been employed doesn’t mean you can retire your brain!”

Kong Kongzi collapsed to the floor with a “gulp,” coughing incessantly but finally understanding that leaving the palace for the frontline of this struggle was inevitable.

“Your Highness, please command.”

Kong Kongzi adjusted his robes and knelt properly. The decision was made; as a powerless pawn, what else could he do but obey?

Li Yincheng smiled approvingly at his submission and said, “Three tasks. First, handle the fake Sanfeng Zi swiftly and cleanly. Don’t let her return to Shengjing and find a way to counterattack.”

“Yes.”

“Second, use every means to lure my ailing imperial brother, who has been terminally ill for over twenty years, into your Qitian Taoist Temple.”

“What?” Wouldn’t it be better to keep him in the palace?

“Fool!” Li Yincheng kicked him again, but this time with gentler force. “Once he leaves the palace, he cannot come back! It’s much easier to deal with him outside than inside.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will not fail your trust. And the third task?”

“Come closer.” Li Yincheng beckoned.

Kong Kongzi complied, bowing his head. “Your…”

Before he could finish, Li Yincheng’s hands encircled his waist and pulled him close. Startled, Kong Kongzi’s eyes widened. His vision blurred as his body twisted, and when he came to himself, he found himself pinned beneath Li Yincheng atop the golden throne.

Though spacious, the throne was no bed. His upper body lay on it, but his lower half remained angled on the footrest. He couldn’t ignore the intimate changes brought by Li Yincheng’s body pressed tightly against his.

“Your Highness!” The warmth radiating through their clothes to his inner thighs flushed Kong Kongzi’s face deep red. He had been the one to initiate the seduction, but wasn’t the prince supposed to assign tasks seriously and resist temptation? So why now…

“The third task,” Li Yincheng said, discarding his outer robe and sweeping it aside as he leaned down, “is to warm my feet and bed—your favorite.”

The candlelight in the hall flickered and was extinguished by a slight kick. In the ensuing darkness, moans that were neither fully pain nor pleasure soon echoed.

Outside, atop a tall tree, a shadow flickered away.

Destination: Fa Hua Temple.

…The true final boss has finally been remembered by some unscrupulous author trying to assert presence… wiping away a bitter tear~

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