Sheng Fu

Chapter 1031 Every Step Has a Story

"Duanmu Zhi will attend the banquet, his purpose is to confuse the public."

"Leave the rest to us."

"There might be some unexpected minor incidents; you should handle them accordingly."

Although the handwriting is messy, the meaning is very clear.

Fu Cheng raised his hand and gently stroked the main pillar; the three lines of small characters disappeared.

He sighed inwardly, "After cultivating the Chaos Emperor Qi, will one truly leave no trace when traversing the void?"

Suddenly, the sound of firecrackers shattered Fu Cheng's inner peace.

Crackling...

The main gate of the Northern Prince's Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, firecrackers were set off, and fireworks bloomed in the sky above the mansion, creating a magnificent night scene.

Huang Chun and Li Huaiyi stood on either side of the entrance, greeting the guests who had come to the banquet.

At that moment, a carriage that looked shabby, yet was not shabby at all, slowly approached.

The carriage was small, with an old frame and many wrinkles in the curtains, but it was drawn by two excellent dragon-scaled horses.

In previous years, regardless of whether it was the north or the south, in any prosperous place, one could often see carriages drawn by horses with dragon scales. However, with the start of the Great Warring States period, not to mention dragon scale horses, any warhorse with even a little bit of quality has been registered by the military.

Therefore, these two dragon-scaled horses appeared particularly conspicuous in everyone's view.

The coachman was dressed in plain clothes and had an unremarkable appearance; it was unclear whose family he came from.

Within Bazhou, there are few officials who can command such a grand display.

The lively atmosphere at the entrance was briefly dampened by the arrival of the carriage.

Once the carriage came to a stop, a distinguished middle-aged man alighted from it. Duanmu Zhi was dressed in casual clothes and seemed unpretentious. However, years of experience in officialdom had imbued him with an air of authority despite his casual attire.

Huang Chun and Li Huaiyi exchanged a glance out of the corner of their eyes, and neither of them could figure out who this person was, even after thinking for a long time.

Suddenly, Li Huaiyi recalled the banquet where he had been invited to visit eight times. He slapped his forehead, quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and greeted the guest with a smile: "So it's Lord Duanmu who has arrived. With Lord Duanmu here tonight, the Northern Prince's residence will surely be filled with glory."

As they were talking, Huang Chun quickly came over to greet them.

Northern Seven Laws also admires this former deputy prime minister from the bottom of his heart. Although he is now the city lord of Haoan City, he has indeed managed the hastily put-together Haoan City in an orderly manner.

This person's demeanor is far inferior to that of Lord Qiuqing, or even the Dean of Bailu Academy.

But this does not change the fact that Duanmu Zhi was a genuine Confucian scholar.

"It is a great honor to have you here, sir!" Huang Chun greeted him with a warm smile.

Immediately afterwards, the two members of the Seven Laws group grabbed Duanmu Zhi's left and right hands and walked into the Northern Prince's Mansion.

"I was passing through Bazhou when I heard about the Returning to the Sea Banquet, so I decided to come and join in the fun without even saying hello. Please don't take it to heart," Duanmu Zhi said with a kind smile.

Li Huaiyi laughed heartily and said, "It is our good fortune as long as you are willing to come. If you had just come after giving us a heads-up, it would seem like we are not familiar with each other. Since you came without giving us a heads-up, this banquet for returning to the sea truly has the meaning of a dragon returning to the sea."

"Tonight, Your Excellency is the highlight of this banquet celebrating the return of the sea."

Huang Chun, who was standing to the side, also flattered him, saying, "Your Excellency is so dignified that everyone in the human race knows you. It is a wonderful thing for us to be able to attend the banquet with you."

Listening to the two young men's half-baked flattery and platitudes, Duanmu Zhi couldn't stop smiling. It's so good to be young; you can say anything and do anything.

With Li Huaiyi and Huang Chun's greetings, news of Duanmu Zhizhi's arrival quickly spread throughout the mansion.

"Is that the former deputy prime minister, now the city lord of Hao'an City?"

"Why is he here? Is he here to cause trouble?"

"They didn't seem like they were there to cause trouble. They were dressed casually, had a friendly face, and appeared to be there to show their support."

"If it really is this person who came to show their support, then tonight's banquet to celebrate the return of the sea will surely have a far-reaching impact."

"..."

Various discussions spread among the crowd.

The central courtyard, on a high platform.

Fu Cheng stood at the very front, with Jing Hanqing and Liang Ning on either side.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Li Huaiyi and Huang Chun arrived with Duanmu Zhi.

"Senior Brother, look who's here!" Li Huaiyi called out to Fu Cheng with a smug look on his face.

Although Fu Cheng already knew, he still managed to put on a look of delight and quickly clasped his hands in a gesture of greeting to Duanmu Zhi, saying, "Lord Duanmu's presence is an honor to our humble abode. It is a pleasure to meet you again after our parting in the capital. Lord Duanmu's demeanor remains as dignified as ever, truly a role model for us all."

Haoan City sounds like it's located in the northern region, but Fu Cheng has never been to Haoan City.

This was also where the Northern King failed in his duty. However, the previous Northern King was just a figurehead, so Duanmu Zhi wouldn't hold any grudge against Fu Cheng over this matter.

Furthermore, what Fu Cheng is doing now is also making an old man like Duanmu Zhi, who is willing but powerless, feel very happy.

Duanmu Zhi also clasped his hands together and performed a deep bow, earnestly saying, "Duanmu Zhi of Hao'an City pays respects to His Highness the Northern King."

Upon seeing this, Fu Cheng quickly teleported to Duanmu Zhi's side and helped him up. He said with a hint of trepidation, "You are our elder, why do you have to be so courteous? It's really too much for me."

"Furthermore, Your Excellency's achievements in Hao'an City are enough to be recorded in history and admired by future generations. This courtesy is too heavy for me to bear."

Duanmu Zhi smiled knowingly and said, "Not at all. You young people are the future of the human race. What you are doing now is something I want to do but am powerless to do. I will accept this bow."

"Although you are a bit young, you are still the King of the North."

"Since he is a king, he should have the pomp and circumstance of a king."

"At least until the new policy is implemented, such a grand display is indispensable."

Upon hearing Duanmu Zhi's words, Fu Cheng suppressed his joy and took Duanmu Zhi's hand to arrange seating for him.

Hearing the conversation between Duanmu Zhi and Fu Cheng, the surrounding heroes breathed a sigh of relief, as many had assumed Duanmu Zhi had come to cause trouble tonight.

Since we share the same stance, we can talk about anything.

At the same time, Xie Yiming, Yuwen Jun, and the Queen of the Demon Realm also arrived at the Northern King's Mansion.

Smoke swirled above the kitchen roof. Yuwen Jun secretly channeled his Void Power, while Xie Yiming channeled his Yin-Yang Power, completely isolating the three of them from the world.

"Your power of nothingness, in terms of concealing your aura alone, is superior to mine. It's just that your current cultivation level is too low to completely conceal your aura," Xie Yiming said to Yuwen Jun with a slightly smug smile.

Perhaps wanting to impress the Demon Queen, Xie Yiming uttered this seemingly irrelevant remark.

Yuwen Jun ignored him and asked directly, "Where is that person?"

As he spoke, a surging golden flame ignited in Yuwen Jun's eyes as he surveyed the entire Northern Prince's Mansion.

Xie Yiming frowned slightly and immediately spotted a middle-aged man of average build and ordinary appearance standing in the crowd behind the courtyard.

The man had a square face, wore a cheap brocade robe, had a slightly messy beard, and had long, flowing hair that hung naturally down his shoulders.

She also wore a string of pale green Bodhi beads around her neck, which emitted a faint glow in the night.

Xie Yiming said, "It's that square-faced man wearing the light green Bodhi beads. He's currently in the most crowded part of the crowd, only five zhang away from Fucheng."

"Fu Cheng is about to give a toast to everyone, why not take advantage of this opportunity?" After Xie Yiming finished speaking, he did not receive a response from Yuwen Jun. He turned his head and saw that Yuwen Jun was still standing next to him, but the Demon Queen had already disappeared.

"So direct?" Xie Yiming asked in astonishment.

"She is, after all, a queen. Capturing a Wuji expert alive is not a difficult task," Yuwen Jun said with a sneer.

Xie Yiming's eyes widened as he looked towards the crowd.

Suddenly, I felt that time stood still there, like a floating ink painting scroll.

The member of the Purple Gold Alliance suddenly felt a bone-chilling cold around him, and the spatial order was completely disrupted. When he looked up, he saw a dreamlike figure crushing towards him in the night sky.

"Is this Netherworld True Essence?" The square-faced man immediately sensed something was wrong.

He tried to break free of the restraints, but suddenly felt that all the true energy in his body had been frozen.

Before she could react, she was stunned by the aura of the Demon Queen. Guangli reached out and left with a dark figure.

Then, time began to flow again in this place, and people all looked towards the high platform.

Jing Hanqing poured Fu Cheng a glass of wine. Fu Cheng slowly walked to the front, bowed deeply to everyone, and said loudly, "I am of shallow talent and wisdom. It is truly an honor for my Northern Seven Laws to have such a wide range of heroes and outstanding figures attending the banquet tonight to celebrate the return of the sea."

"I am of limited talent and learning, yet I have passed the imperial examination and been appreciated by His Majesty, who has bestowed upon me the title of Prince of the North."

"Now that I have earned your trust, I am overjoyed beyond words."

"This cup is offered to the North, and to the new policies."

At the edge of the platform, Guo Shenghe and Gao Zhi stood side by side. Hearing Fu Cheng's words, Guo Shenghe smiled slightly and said, "I didn't expect our senior brother to have such eloquence. It seems that during his time in the Helian family, he has picked up some of the clichés and nonsense of officialdom."

Gao Zhi pursed his lips and said, "Be careful what you say, be careful what you say. Tonight is Senior Brother's big night."

Guo Shenghe said, "Of course I know."

The boy of yesteryear has now become a king, a reflection on those barren yet brilliant years.

Thus, the banquet for returning to the sea officially began.

The banquet continued, but some people actually came to the shores of Beihai.

The night tide surged and roared, like the heavy echoes of history.

On the shore, the member of the Purple Gold Alliance stood in the shallows, while Yuwen Jun, Guang Li, and Xie Yiming stood on the dry shore.

"How should I address you?" Yuwen Jun asked the man with amusement.

The middle-aged man's true energy was completely frozen, and at this moment he was no different from an ordinary person, but his gaze was still deep and fierce, without the slightest fear, only the composure of accepting defeat.

"Now that you've fallen into the hands of the three of you, do as you please with your lives. Why ask so many questions?" the middle-aged man replied in a deep voice.

Yuwen Jun laughed and said, "I have summoned the Imperial Advisor Li Hongshan to conduct a thorough investigation of you. Naturally, I can find out your background. You had better know what's good for you. Although you are destined to die, if you know what's good for you, you can save some lives."

Upon hearing this, the man turned to one side, his expression resolute, and remained silent.

Even as a powerful being of the Wuji level, one must maintain a certain level of dignity before stepping down.

It seems there's no room left to get any information out of them.

Seeing this, Xie Yiming immediately revealed a sharp dagger and said in a deep voice, "After a few cuts, he might tell you some truths. You are still too kind."

Yuwen Jun pressed Xie Yiming's shoulder and chuckled softly, "A person like this will naturally not be forced to confess."

"But we can't kill them yet."

Xie Yiming asked with slight confusion, "What do you mean?"

Yuwen Jun said with a mischievous smile, "When you take him to the capital, you must do so openly and honestly. His Majesty the Emperor cannot have too much leisure; he must be busy from time to time."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yiming immediately understood and gave Yuwen Jun a thumbs up, saying, "Your Highness Yuwen is truly exceptional in wisdom."

“As long as I take him to the capital openly and honestly, the other members of the Purple Gold Alliance will definitely notice something is wrong.”

“Once he goes to the capital, even if he doesn’t say a word, after a while, the other members of the Purple Gold Alliance will definitely not believe that he is innocent.”

"I never imagined that Your Highness's skill in spreading slander had reached such a high level."

Yuwen Jun said, "Go ahead, Her Majesty the Queen will secretly protect you."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yiming grabbed the man's shoulder, lifted him up, and rode the wind without hesitation towards the capital.

"Why must we have the Emperor interrogate us?" Guangli asked, puzzled.

Yuwen Jun said softly, "At present, it seems that His Majesty the Emperor is not clear about the details of the Purple Gold Alliance. Naturally, he wants to know what kind of people the Purple Gold Alliance are. Just capture one alive and His Majesty will know what to do."

"At the same time, it also draws the attention of the other members of the Purple Gold Alliance to the capital, which is also conducive to us secretly fishing in troubled waters."

Guangli raised her delicate nose slightly and sighed softly, "His Majesty the Emperor carries great weight, enough to attract everyone's attention."

"At the same time, it can also clearly inform the Purple Gold Alliance that His Majesty the Emperor is willing to implement the new policies."

Yuwen Jun added, "That's because you don't understand the internal affairs of the human race."

"The new policies are secondary. The key is that the Purple Gold Alliance has the power to influence the economic lifeline of the human race, and may even have the ability to change dynasties. Based on this alone, His Majesty the Human Emperor will never let the Purple Gold Alliance go."

"It can be considered a way of treating His Majesty the Emperor's mental anguish."

Guangli was slightly bewildered, but when she thought of the former Demon Realm, she realized that its civilization was indeed dim, its system was chaotic, and there were many intrigues and backstabbing that Guangli really didn't understand.

"So what do we do now? Should we go back and continue to secretly protect Fucheng?" Guangli asked softly.

Yuwen Jun said, "No need, let's return to Hengchang Sect."

"Bai Xiaowei is within Bazhou territory. At the slightest sign of trouble, Bai Xiaowei's sword will be drawn."

"Xie Yiming's open and aboveboard trip to the capital means that the Purple Gold Alliance has exposed only the tip of the iceberg to His Majesty the Emperor, and this tip is also the legitimate reason for Bai Xiaowei to wreak havoc in the north."

"We are the ones who orchestrate the scheme, not the ones who fight to the death."

Guangli hummed in agreement, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration for Yuwen Jun.

“But I’m worried that Bai Xiaowei isn’t powerful enough,” Guangli said.

Yuwen Jun smiled knowingly and said, "Even we, the Emperor, can traverse the void at will, and whose strength is unfathomable. Can't he come to Bazhou in an instant and protect the people?"

"Furthermore, don't worry about Bai Xiaowei's killing power. In terms of killing power, Bai Xiaowei is above Xie Yiming."

"Although his swordsmanship is not yet comparable to that of the Dean, it's hard to say what will happen in a few more years. Bai Xiaowei is very sharp, even sharper than I imagined."

Guangli suddenly realized what was going on, and she secretly resolved to study and cultivate diligently within the Hengchang Sect for a period of time.

"let's go."

In a short while, the two disappeared off the coastline.

On the Flying Dragon Platform in the Imperial Capital.

As the light drew ever closer, the Emperor chuckled self-deprecatingly, "They certainly know how to scheme..."

Hoping for wider traffic...