Invincibility starts when I see the BOSS health bar.

Chapter 998 The Grand Plan
"Injustice?" Lord Jing finally spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority and a cold quality, sounding particularly clear and jarring in the quiet study. "Then are all those events last night, each and every one of them, causing a huge upheaval and turning the entire capital upside down, just a... coincidence? Is it really all unrelated to you?"

He deliberately dragged out the word "coincidence," his tone filled with undisguised skepticism and a sharp sense of pressure.

Although his words were harsh and his expression was so stern that it seemed he was about to order someone's arrest, Fang Yu keenly sensed that beneath that severity lay a subtle hint of guidance.

It seemed that Lord Jing did not really intend to punish him, but rather to pave a path for him to defend himself, a stepping stone that could gently sweep away all the turmoil and attribute it to "coincidence".

Fang Yu immediately understood.

He was well aware of the power and methods of the man before him, Lord Jing, and understood that the fact that he was able to stand here and speak was already a stroke of luck with tacit approval.

He immediately bowed deeply, his posture extremely humble, his tone carrying just the right amount of fear and certainty: "Reporting to Lord Jing, what happened last night was indeed... indeed just a coincidence. My subordinate and Lady Lulu... had a slight disagreement over how to handle some internal matters, resulting in a minor argument. There was absolutely no other intention. As for the other... those earth-shattering events,"

He raised his head, his eyes trying to appear sincere and innocent. "I am but a lowly subordinate with limited power and influence. I was truly unaware of the situation, and it has absolutely nothing to do with me!"

His words were half true and half false.

The conflict with Lulu was real, and far more profound and bloody than any "minor internal conflict."

It was a deep-seated grudge involving life and death, a feud in which both sides had once tried to kill each other.

At this moment, however, the two of them tacitly concealed their deep-seated hatred and played the roles of colleagues with only minor disagreements.

To completely distance oneself from all other matters, especially the momentous event of the death of the Seventh Prince, is essential for survival.

"Oh? Is that so?" Upon hearing this, Lord Jing's stern expression, as harsh as a frozen lake, softened almost instantly.

The taut lines relaxed, and the sharp gaze softened, as if the terrifying sense of oppression from before had never existed.

He even nodded slightly, his tone becoming much gentler, "If that's the case, then so be it. Young people are bound to have some friction due to their hot tempers; we'll need to cooperate sincerely in the future."

Is this matter just going to be glossed over so easily, as if it's about to be over?

The strange feeling in Fang Yu's heart grew stronger.

Lord Jing summoned him here in a menacing manner. Was it really just to hear such a weak and unconvincing explanation of "coincidence"? That's far too frivolous.

The sudden death of the seventh prince and the imposition of martial law in the capital, with various forces stirring up trouble, could not be easily dismissed as a mere "coincidence" at such a sensitive time and for such a significant event.

But he dared not show it on his face, only lowering his head even further and saying yes.

At this moment, it's better to avoid trouble. Since the other party is willing to believe, or rather, willing to show that they believe, he's naturally happy to go along with it.

However, what Fang Yu didn't know was that the thoughts and ideas of Lord Jing, who sat in the high seat, were far more complex and profound than he could see.

Lord Jing looked down at Fang Yu, who appeared to be submissive, a hint of cold mockery and indifferent control flashing deep in his eyes.

He knew perfectly well that the reason this guy in front of him, this "masked man" who had recently caused such a stir and risen to fame, was still able to stand here alive and kicking, instead of being torn to pieces by the intricate families of the capital like those rootless duckweed, was simply because he was backed by their powerful and influential family.

Without their tacit approval, indulgence, or even covert support, this suddenly appearing "knife" should have been broken long ago.

Those ignorant people outside who can't see the situation clearly and only follow the crowd in alarm may really think that this masked man is a powerful dragon who can stir up trouble all by himself. But as one of his "backers", how could he not know who is really behind the scenes?
Those perfectly timed information leaks, those crucial moments of resistance being eliminated, those potential troubles disappearing before they even happen... Is all of this really just a coincidence?

Not to mention the masked man in front of them who still needs to rely on their power, even the "Absolute Gate" behind him, which is said to be somewhat mysterious, is not something that Lord Jing really takes seriously.

In the face of absolute imperial power and the vast Great Xia Dynasty, the forces of the martial arts world are ultimately considered unorthodox and uncouth, hardly deserving of respect; at best, they are merely a group of troublesome ants.

However, given the high position of the imperial court and the remoteness of the common people, there are some things that are inconvenient for those of them, who are at the core of power and under the watchful eyes of countless people, to do personally.

Those secretive, dirty things that need to be stained with blood but cannot leave any official trace always require a handy, sharp enough, and easy-to-discard "knife" to deal with.

Fang Yu, or rather the "masked men" force he represents, is precisely the chosen blade.

A knife itself is neither good nor evil, nor is it loyal; as long as it can cut the designated target, it is a good knife.

But Lord Jing understood a principle even more deeply: no matter how sharp a knife is, it is still an inanimate object.

The one who truly poses a threat, and whom we must always be vigilant about and keep firmly under control, is always the one holding the knife!

The will of the sword is, in fact, the will of the wielder. Ideally, the sword would only obey commands.

However, if the knife develops its own ideas and even begins to try to influence the wielder, that is a hidden danger that cannot be tolerated.

Recently, Master Jing keenly sensed that Fang Yu's "sword" seemed to be a bit too "unconventional".

The actions became increasingly bold, and although they were very effective, they also attracted too much attention and even began to show signs of deviating from the intended course.

This is not a good sign. We must give him a good talking-to from time to time, so that he clearly realizes his place. He is just a knife, to be taken out when needed and kept in its sheath when not in use, rather than being wielded on his own initiative.

However, the deeper reason for this summons was not merely to issue a warning.

The Seventh Prince died mysteriously last night. This matter is of great importance and can be described as earth-shattering. It instantly broke the delicate balance that had been maintained in the capital for a long time, and also shocked the noble figure behind Lord Jing and Lord Jing himself, so that they dared not make any rash moves.

Since last night, the capital has been in a state of high alert, with everyone on edge.

Any inappropriate action, no matter how small, can be magnified infinitely, leading to fatal suspicion and distrust.

At such a time, Lord Jing should have stayed home and observed the situation quietly.

The reason he dared to risk summoning Fang Yu, such a sensitive figure, was entirely due to the explicit instructions he received from the "First Prince".

Without the Crown Prince's approval, even though he was the Crown Prince's most trusted confidant and strategist, he would never dare to take such a risky move at this moment.

One wrong step could lead to utter ruin, and might even implicate the Crown Prince himself. The struggle for imperial power has always been this cruel and ruthless; even the closest of ministers can become pawns when necessary.

Although the eldest prince did not make his intentions clear, Lord Jing, who had followed him for many years, had already developed a superb ability to understand the emperor's thoughts.

From the Crown Prince's seemingly mundane instructions and a few meaningful words, he roughly guessed the deeper meaning behind this summons.

The first priority is to personally confirm whether the death of the Seventh Prince is directly related to Fang Yu in front of him!

This matter is so significant that it could influence the entire political landscape and even determine who ultimately holds the throne.

If Fang Yu truly possesses such abilities, and this matter was orchestrated by them or is related to them... then it would be nothing short of a thunderbolt from the blue, and simultaneously an unimaginable "pledge of allegiance" and "great achievement."

Lady Jing needs to grasp this situation as soon as possible so that the Crown Prince can make the most accurate response, either to make full use of it or to decisively cut ties.

Secondly, if this matter is indeed unrelated to Fang Yu, then proceed as planned.

Taking advantage of the power vacuum and chaos caused by the death of the seventh prince, they seized the opportunity to advance their pre-planned actions.

Chaos often presents an excellent opportunity for the well-prepared party.

Therefore, for Master Jing, this meeting was more like a necessary procedure, a final confirmation based on the principle of caution.

Fang Yu's behavior just now, his genuine confusion and eagerness to clear his name, almost immediately convinced Lord Jing that this matter was indeed not his doing.

"It seems I was overthinking things," Lord Jing thought to himself, completely putting aside his doubts.

His expression turned serious and solemn. He shifted his gaze slightly from Fang Yu, glanced at Lulu who remained silent to the side, and spoke in a slow and deliberate tone.

"Alright, since it was just a misunderstanding, let's let it go. Diao Deyi, Lulu, you are both capable people I value highly. Now is a time of great turmoil, and we should prioritize the overall situation. We must learn to let go of minor internal conflicts and frictions, be tolerant of each other, and cooperate sincerely. Remember, only by being of one mind and one heart can we better serve the court. This is the most important thing right now."

"A minor conflict?" Fang Yu sneered again.

Lord Jing spoke so casually, but the grudge between him and Lulu was far more complex than it seemed.

He killed Lulu once, and Lulu also sent assassins to try to kill him.

This grudge cannot be simply described as a "minor conflict".
However, both of them were extremely good at pretending. No matter how turbulent their hearts were, their faces remained calm and composed, as if what Master Jing said was really just some insignificant work disagreements.

"You are absolutely right, sir." Fang Yu bowed first in agreement, his tone extremely respectful, then he subtly revealed his doubt, "But I wonder... besides inquiring about last night's events, did you have any other important matters to instruct me on in such an urgent manner?"

He skillfully transformed Lord Jing's question into an "inquiry," and steered the conversation toward the true purpose of the meeting.

Lord Jing seemed quite satisfied with this "sensible" behavior. He sat up slightly, lowered his voice, and spoke with a solemn, almost conspiratorial tone:
"The Seventh Prince's death last night was so suspicious that it shocked the court and the public. Logically speaking, at this moment, we should be more cautious in our words and actions and remain inactive to avoid getting burned and arousing unnecessary suspicion."

He abruptly changed the subject, a shrewd calculation flashing in his eyes: "But, coincidentally, this sudden turn of events, while disrupting many plans, has also created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! An excellent opportunity that will greatly help our subsequent 'plans.' Therefore, it is actually very suitable for us... to take action and snatch chestnuts from the fire."

As she spoke, Lord Jing turned her gaze to Lulu beside her and gave her a subtle look.

Lulu understood, stepped forward, and took out a tightly sealed, dark-colored envelope from her sleeve. Her movements were steady and silent, her face revealing no emotion, as if she were simply handing over an ordinary item.

Lulu handed the envelope to Fang Yu.

Fang Yu was filled with doubts. He took the envelope and felt that it was slightly cool to the touch.

He unwrapped the sealing wax, pulled out the letter inside, and quickly scanned it.

After reading only a few lines, his pupils suddenly contracted, the color drained from his face, and he abruptly looked up at Lord Jing, exclaiming in shock:

"You...you want me to assassinate the head of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?!"

Overwhelmed with shock, he even spoke incoherently, and an absurd metaphor flashed through his mind.

I'm going to capture Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
What a fantasy! A pipe dream!

The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion! What an extraordinary existence that is!
The sect leader is even more mysterious and unpredictable; it is said that his strength is unfathomable and his wisdom is as vast as the sea.

He has many talented and skilled people under his command.

What merit or ability does Fang Yu possess?
He knows his own strength best. At best, he's only at the level of the initial sixth level of the Soul Realm. He's no match for a behemoth like the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion!

Not to mention killing the unfathomable Pavilion Master himself, even if he were to face his adopted sons, he would probably have little chance of winning, and it was even uncertain whether he could survive.

This mission isn't a test at all; it's practically suicide! Are Lord Jing and the eldest prince behind them overestimating themselves?

Or is this... a trap set to kill with a borrowed knife, with the aim of getting rid of the knife that has started to "disobey"?

The immense pressure and the absurd feeling of being belittled made Fang Yu's breathing quicken, and his fingers, gripping the letter tightly, turned slightly white.

Just as his mind raced, and he was almost unable to resist questioning or even refusing again, Lord Jing's calm and composed voice rang out once more, carrying an air of complete control:

“Don’t be in such a hurry, young man.” He picked up the slightly cooled tea from the coffee table next to him, took a sip, and moved with a leisurely air that was completely different from the man who had just given that earth-shattering order. “Calm down and look carefully. A plan always needs to be made step by step.”

Fang Yu felt a little relieved after hearing this.

That's more like it. If I were really asked to kill the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, wouldn't that be asking for my life? When you big shots just ask, the people below have to run themselves ragged.

Moreover, what about assassinating the head of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?
Fang Yu couldn't help but shake his head. No matter how reliable the plan was, he had no intention of getting involved.

(End of this chapter)