Chapter 058
Chapter 58: Secret Spies of Great Zhou
Perhaps Fu Qi Wen was right. The Martial World truly needed a thorough cleansing.
Li Mu Sheng was naturally pleased at this thought.
Yet, it didn’t have to fall entirely upon his shoulders.
He had always been casual, without any real ambition. But the world had no shortage of ambitious people.
Whether in Great Li or elsewhere, there were plenty like Emperor Yuan Wu, eager and ambitious old foxes, perfectly suited for leading such charges.
Li Mu Sheng pondered this, his frown gradually easing. He glanced at Fu Qi Wen and said:
“I can see that Lord Fu deeply detests evil.”
After a moment’s pause, Li Mu Sheng spoke calmly:
“Pick an auspicious day, and we shall visit Fallen God Peak together.”
Fu Qi Wen said nothing immediately, instead narrowing his eyes at Li Mu Sheng:
“Is Your Highness truly agreeing to my request?”
“What else did you expect?”
Li Mu Sheng raised his brow and stood up, patting Fu Qi Wen’s shoulder lightly. Standing close, he softly added:
“I know you hesitate with big decisions. Perhaps you should seek the advice of His Majesty.”
His voice lowered slightly as he continued:
“Also, there will be just one chance. Once it succeeds, the Heavenly Brocade Guard shall come under my control. Additionally, His Majesty must grant me one more favor.”
Fu Qi Wen turned his head to look at Li Mu Sheng’s youthful and handsome face, a faint suspicion in his eyes.
He had clearly explained the grave dangers involved, yet Li Mu Sheng remained utterly indifferent, as if Fallen God Peak—one of the Four Great Sects dominating the Martial World—was nothing more than a minor nuisance.
At that moment, Li Mu Sheng frowned, noticing Fu Qi Wen’s fixed stare.
Indeed, this fellow was definitely jealous of his good looks!
“Think it over carefully, Lord Fu.”
Li Mu Sheng stroked his chin and turned towards Yu Jin, whose face was filled with astonishment, saying:
“Lord Yu, show me around. I’d like to familiarize myself with the headquarters of the Heavenly Brocade Guard.”
Pacification Commissioner Yu Jin abruptly came back to reality, startled by their conversation. His expression shifted rapidly.
Was this truly something he should be hearing?
He knew the Heavenly Brocade Guard had plans against Martial World powers, but hearing a clear plan to destroy Fallen God Peak—one of the Four Great Sects—from Fu Qi Wen himself was utterly unprecedented.
Even more astonishing, the newly confirmed Eighth Prince volunteered to undertake this daunting task!
Yu Jin wondered if he had misheard.
Secretly glancing at Fu Qi Wen, who paid him no attention but wore an unusual expression, Yu Jin could only say to Li Mu Sheng:
“Your Highness, please follow me.”
Suppressing his shock and confusion, Yu Jin led Li Mu Sheng through a side door into a corridor, leaving Fu Qi Wen alone in the grand hall.
Fu Qi Wen watched Li Mu Sheng’s departing figure thoughtfully and murmured softly:
“Is this the fearless courage of youth, or does he have some hidden strength?”
At that moment, Han Li and Sun Chang Yu entered from outside, wearing bamboo straw hats and rain cloaks.
“My Lord, we have retrieved the five assassins’ bodies and arranged for the aftermath.”
Fu Qi Wen returned to his usual composed expression, asking calmly:
“Did you find anything noteworthy?”
“There is something,” replied Han Li, whose face was thin and weary-looking. “After inspecting the bodies briefly, besides Skull Tapping Bamboo Elder and the two others, we found hidden tattoos on two corpses. They appear to be secret spies from Great Zhou.”
Fu Qi Wen nodded slightly, unsurprised.
Great Zhou and Great Li were always at war on the border, harboring deep-seated hatred unlike other kingdoms. Sending assassins after Li Mu Sheng was unsurprising.
Fu Qi Wen pondered briefly, then asked:
“What do you think of the assailant’s strength?”
Han Li deliberated a moment before answering respectfully:
“If it were someone at half-step Heavenly Union, they might handle five Great Martial Grandmasters. However, instantly killing all five with ease seems improbable. Therefore, the attacker likely has already reached Heavenly Union.”
Fu Qi Wen narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before instructing:
“Give the two Great Zhou spies to the Shadow Spy Division. Since they accurately tracked Eunuch Sun’s movements, there must be informants within Aurora Pavilion. You—”
He paused momentarily, his gaze shifting:
“Go and find the Eighth Prince. Request his cooperation with your investigation. I must return to the Imperial Palace.”
Fu Qi Wen’s eyes glinted as he swiftly exited the hall.
“The Eighth Prince?”
Han Li and Sun Chang Yu exchanged bewildered glances, speechless.
……
Meanwhile, Emperor Yuan Wu’s decree confirming Li Mu Sheng as the Eighth Prince was issued from the Imperial Palace, quickly spreading far and wide.
Though Shang Yang City remained shrouded in stormy weather, news traveled swiftly—from princes and officials down to martial artists and street vendors—reaching every corner of the Imperial Capital.
At Tian Qian Palace.
Fu Qi Wen, Commander of the Heavenly Brocade Guard, stood respectfully beside the bamboo curtain, Emperor Yuan Wu silent behind it.
After hearing Fu Qi Wen’s detailed report about Li Mu Sheng’s bold agreement to destroy Fallen God Peak, Emperor Yuan Wu remained silent for a full half incense-stick of time.
Finally, Emperor Yuan Wu slowly asked:
“What do you think, Qi Wen?”
Fu Qi Wen shook his head gently:
“Your Majesty, even if the Eighth Prince has a Heavenly Union expert behind him, they pale before a Martial World colossus like Fallen God Peak.”
“Then why hurry to report this to me?”
Fu Qi Wen hesitated briefly, then replied solemnly:
“Your Majesty, since we have already resolved to confront Martial World factions, it’s better to act now than await some uncertain future moment.”
“The longer we delay, the stronger the Martial World grows, and the less likely a perfect opportunity becomes.”
“Previously, I hesitated due to concerns. Now, with the Eighth Prince’s involvement, I am tempted to stake everything on one bold attempt!”
Emperor Yuan Wu silently studied Fu Qi Wen through the bamboo curtain. After a pause, he spoke coldly:
“Do you know what consequences you’ll face if you fail?”
Fu Qi Wen’s body trembled slightly, yet the deep wrinkles on his forehead relaxed. Calmly lowering his head, he answered firmly:
“I understand clearly, Your Majesty. I am ready at any moment to give my life for Great Li!”