I, the military god of the Tang Dynasty, have risen since I destroyed the Turks

Chapter 760 Life and Death Decision
"Do you have anything else to say?"

In the Palace of Heavenly Purity, beside the gilded dragon pillar, Li Zheng's gaze was as sharp as a knife, piercing directly at Wei Xiaobao who was kneeling on the ground. The incense in the hall was lingering, but it could not dispel the suffocating feeling of oppression.

Wei Xiaobao's forehead touched the ground, and his back was soaked with cold sweat. He was silent for a moment, then he slowly raised his head and forced a smile on his face that was uglier than crying: "I obey your order."

He stood up, and when he turned around, a hint of viciousness flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to his cynical look. The guards in the palace were watching him eagerly, and Shang Kexi stood aside with a sneer on his face.

"Remember, I will only give you three days." Li Zheng's voice came from behind, with unquestionable majesty in his calmness, "After three days, if the people of Qingmu Hall are still alive, it proves that the Tiandihui has not completely collapsed - by then..."

Wei Xiaobao paused and did not look back.

Li Zheng suddenly chuckled, and his tone became softer: "When the time comes, you can return to your hometown and continue to be the incense master of your Qingmu Hall. But if Qingmu Hall is finished..." He paused, "Then I will personally send you to the west."

Wei Xiaobao's fists were clenched white in his sleeves, and his nails almost dug into his palms. He took a deep breath, turned around and bowed, with a flattering smile on his face: "I will take my leave."

Shang Kexi followed closely behind, and the two walked out of the Palace of Heavenly Purity one after the other. The vermilion palace door slowly closed behind them, making a dull sound, as if the gate of fate had suddenly fallen.

After leaving the palace, Wei Xiaobao realized that his back was soaked. The spring sunshine shone on his body, but it could not dispel the biting cold.

"Master Wei, please come in." Shang Kexi gestured with a fake smile, pointing to the carriage that had been prepared. "The emperor has ordered that I will take good care of Master Wei for the next three days."

Wei Xiaobao chuckled, "Master Shang, you are too polite. We are all working for the Emperor, why should we be so formal?" He rolled his eyes, "How about this, Master Shang, go back home and rest first, I will do this myself, I guarantee I can do it properly."

Shang Kexi sneered and grabbed Wei Xiaobao's wrist: "Master Wei, the emperor's order cannot be disobeyed. Please--"

Wei Xiaobao felt a sharp pain in his wrist, and knowing that this old fox was quite skilled in martial arts, he had no choice but to get on the carriage. The moment the curtain was lowered, the smile on his face disappeared.

The carriage was driving slowly on the streets of the capital. The hawkers' shouts and children's noises could be heard outside the window, a scene of peace and prosperity. However, Wei Xiaobao felt a tightness in his chest, as if a huge rock was pressing on his heart.

Shang Kexi took Wei Xiaobao to a secluded inn in the south of the city and booked the entire backyard. Guards guarded every exit, and not even a fly could fly out.

"Master Wei, please have some tea." Shang Kexi personally poured a cup of tea and pushed it to Wei Xiaobao. "Let's not beat around the bush. The emperor is determined to eradicate the remnants of the Tiandihui this time. You are a smart person, you should know what to do."

Wei Xiaobao picked up the teacup, but was not in a hurry to drink it. He just stared at the tea leaves floating in the cup: "Sir Shang, I was wondering why the emperor insisted on asking me to do this? There are so many capable people in the court."

"Because Qingmu Hall only recognizes you, Master Wei." Shang Kexi narrowed his eyes. "The people of Tiandihui are very cunning. If you hadn't come forward, they wouldn't have shown up at all."

Wei Xiaobao cursed in his heart, but his face remained calm: "But the brothers of Qingmu Hall treated me well. Although I, Wei Xiaobao, am afraid of death, I cannot do such a treacherous thing."

"Betrayal?" Shang Kexi suddenly laughed. "Master Wei, you are an official appointed by the imperial court. You have been lurking in the Tiandihui for many years. Isn't it for this day? What loyalty and trust are you talking about now?"

Wei Xiaobao was speechless for a moment. Yes, he was originally an undercover sent by Kangxi to the Tiandihui, so why was he pretending to be chivalrous now? But those days of drinking and chatting happily with Chen Jinnan, those experiences of life and death with the Qingmu cousins, how could they be easily erased?

"I'll give you one night to think about it." Shang Kexi stood up, "I want to know your plan tomorrow morning. Otherwise..." He looked at Wei Xiaobao meaningfully, "You know the emperor's temper." After the door was closed, Wei Xiaobao slumped in the chair like a deflated ball. Outside the window, the setting sun dyed the room blood red.

In the dead of night, Wei Xiaobao lay in bed tossing and turning. He recalled the first time he met Chen Jinnan, the leader of the Tiandihui, who was very elegant and treated him like his son; he recalled the brothers of Qingmu Hall, who were rude but loyal; he recalled Shuang'er, the silly girl who almost lost her life to save him.
"Damn it, how am I supposed to choose?" Wei Xiaobao punched the bed.

On one side is the imperial power, on the other side is the loyalty of the underworld; on one side is the glory and wealth, on the other side is the brotherhood. Wei Xiaobao has been cunning all his life and always found a way to have the best of both worlds, but this time, it seems that there is really no way out.

The sound of night watchmen came from outside the window. It was already the third watch. Wei Xiaobao simply stood up and walked to the window. The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the old locust tree in the yard, casting mottled shadows.

He suddenly remembered what Kangxi had said to him: "Xiaobao, your greatest strength is that you know when to make the right choice."

"Choose?" Wei Xiaobao smiled bitterly, "I'm afraid no matter which side you choose this time, you'll end up dead."

If he betrayed Qingmutang, he would spend his whole life in guilt, and Tiandi would be all over the world and would seek revenge on him sooner or later; if he refused, Kangxi would never show mercy, and even his seven wives on Tongchi Island would probably not escape death.

When the sky was turning pale, Wei Xiaobao finally made up his mind. He spread out paper and pen and began to write and draw. When the morning light shone through the window paper, he had already come up with a bold plan.

"Master Shang, please come in." Wei Xiaobao shouted to the outside of the door.

Shang Kexi pushed the door open and walked in, with a scrutinizing look in his eyes: "Master Wei, have you figured it out?"

Wei Xiaobao showed his signature sly smile: "I figured it out. But I need Lord Shang to cooperate with me in a play."

He leaned close to Shang Kexi and whispered his plan. Shang Kexi's expression changed from suspicion to surprise, and finally he showed a hint of admiration: "Master Wei is indeed worthy of his reputation. This trick of 'luring the snake out of its hole' is very clever."

Wei Xiaobao chuckled and said, "But I need Lord Shang to lend me some manpower, and also..."

"As long as we can wipe out the remnants of the Tiandihui, I will agree to any conditions." Shang Kexi interrupted him, "Tell me, when will we take action?"

"Tonight at midnight." A complicated look flashed across Wei Xiaobao's eyes. "It's in the dilapidated temple in the south of the city. The people of Qingmu Hall gather there on the 15th of every month."

Shang Kexi was delighted: "Okay! I'll arrange it right away." He turned to leave, then turned back to warn, "Sir Wei, don't play tricks. Your whole family's lives depend on this."

Wei Xiaobao nodded and bowed: "Don't worry, Master Shang, I, Wei Xiaobao, know how to deal with current affairs."

After Shang Kexi left, Wei Xiaobao's smile gradually disappeared. He walked to the bronze mirror and looked at himself in the mirror - the gangster who grew up in a brothel in Yangzhou, but now he had to bury his own brother with his own hands.

"Master Chen, I'm sorry," he murmured to himself, tears glistening in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)