Chapter 542: A Changed Person

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Vox populi!

It had always been a weapon of the greatest scale. Because it would spread like wildfire, from one to ten, ten to hundred, and so forth.

And the rate at which it would spread was equally terrifying.

Even more so if one had intentionally instigated it.

In the short span of time from the first rays of dawn till noon, the news of Su Qing’s entry into the capital and his confession had spread throughout the Great Xia Dynasty.

It had become such a hot topic, enough to exert pressure on the Law of Dao Examinations.

“So, it turns out that the mastermind behind the Southern Region case is actually the crown prince?!”

“Yeah, if it wasn’t for crown prince’s indications, how would Su Qing dare to kill the most coveted hero of the Southern Region war? Furthermore, didn’t you realize that Su Qing had been promoted to the Chief of Northern Lands Five Constabularies upon his return to the capital?”

“Fang Zhengzhi was wronged indeed!”

As the news spread from mouth to mouth, more people believed in the story and it eventually became the “truth”.

Besides the commoners, the officials who had just finished their morning ritual were also softly discussing the matter too, though markedly more cautious.

“The crown prince’s face looked terrible today. He was silent for the entire ritual, and seemed as though he had completely lost his glory…”

“Of course, the news had spread throughout Yan Capital and the Great Xia Dynasty. Even though the emperor did not mention it this morning, everyone knew what was going on.”

“That’s pretty ruthless of Su Qing. Who could’ve known that he would enter the capital at this juncture and immediately expose the details of the Southern Region case? This determination is… admirable!”

“That couldn’t be helped. If Su Qing did not expose the crown prince, he wouldn’t live for long either. Once the Southern region case is investigated, someone has to take the blame.”

“Official Li is right. Now we can only watch the crown prince’s next move!”

As the officials discussed the matter, they began to guess the crown prince’s next move.

…

Eastern Palace, Crown Prince’s residence.

The afternoon sun shone brilliantly while flowers bloomed in the residence courtyard, emanating a pleasant fragrance. Yet, even this couldn’t mask the heavy smell of blood permeating through the air.

Outside the study, three officials of the Crown Prince residence lay in pools of blood. Their plates of food shattered on the floor. A short distance from them stood more than thirty imperial officials, all with blood under their shoes, and their solemn faces reflected the intensity of the atmosphere.

An enraged emperor shakes the entire dynasty. How would the Eastern Palace be peaceful with an angry crown prince?

Servants around the courtyard dropped to their knees, and none of them dared to raise their heads, while they sweated profusely in the blistering afternoon sun.

Silent, yet tense.

The study was unusually dark. Because with the structure of the study in mind, it required only an open window for it to be completely illuminated, especially in afternoon.

But all the windows were shut and covered with black curtains.

This made the interior of the study awfully gloomy.

Crown Prince Lin Tianrong sat in his chair, his expressions scarily grim.

It was a horrifying sight, but what made it worse was that there were no officials in the room. Except for a figure completely concealed in a black cloak.

“Your Highness, do we still wait further?” The figure stepped in front of Lin Tianrong, with no intention to kneel or salute him.

“Haha… do you think I would be associated with people like you?” Lin Tianrong laughed mirthlessly, clenching his fists.

“If Your Highness doesn’t wish to be associated with us, why would I be here?” The figure spoke calmly, unperturbed by Lin Tianrong’s words.

“Now you can… get out!” Lin Tianrong hollered.

“In this world, there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends, only interests. Since we both have a common enemy, why shouldn’t we work together?” The figure continued.

“Didn’t you know that I had once said this sentence to someone a year ago? In the end, this person died!” Lin Tianrong laughed coldly.

“It wasn’t you who said this to the Southern Region Noblelite, but Su Qing, am I right?”

“How did you know?”

“I know even more. For instance, Your Highness’s plot in the Northern Lands, and that Your Highness’s share compared to the Ministry of Rites official is nine to one, and Your Highness ranking the Nine Generals as the 军门 with the help of the Ministry of Defence official, and Your Highness in Ministry of Manpower…”

“Shut up! How do you know of these?” Lin Tianrong’s expressions changed. The teacup in his hand shattered to pieces.

“Whatever Su Qing knows, we know.” The figure said plainly.

“What do you mean? Is Su Qing your…” Lin Tianrong was stunned.

“Your Highness guessed correctly. Therefore, you would have known what Su Qing would do next. And he only does so to save himself.”

“Hmm, you wish to let Su Qing expose my plot in the Northern Lands. Do you really think that exposing me given his current status, anyone would believe so?”

“No, but if it exposed by a different person, say, Northern Land Divine Constabulary’s Chi Hou. Your Highness, do you think anyone would not believe?”

“You…”

“Your Highness, let’s talk about cooperating instead. If Your Highness is willing to, we would leave Su Qing without hesitation. In the end, the crown prince would remain in his position and Great Xia Dynasty would be unchanged. The black figure stretched out a hand toward Lin Tianrong, showing that he need not be agitated.

“How would I believe you?” Lin Tianrong took a few deep breaths, calmed his nerves and squinted at the figure.

“Your Highness doesn’t seem to have a choice.”

“No. I can kill you, then expose Su Qing’s identity, then report to Father. Father will surely believe me!”

“Then… what’s stopping you?”

“Do you think I don’t dare?”

“Of course, Your Highness dares. But I believe Your Highness would not do so. Because first, you may not be able to kill me. Second, by exposing Su Qing’s real identity, you will lose His Majesty’s trust. When that happens, how will you be as glorious as before? Will you give up the quest for the throne and enjoy your life as a carefree prince?” The figure said straightforwardly.

“A carefree prince?” Lin Tianrong leaned a little closer. Of course, he could be a carefree prince. In fact, this would be an envious choice in the hearts of many.

But…

He was in a royal family!

From birth, he had enjoyed wealth and riches and was appointed as the next successor to the throne. How would be willing to return to his previous life as a carefree prince?

Wealth and riches were the pursuits of the poor, not as a descendant of a royal family. Because already possessed these things from young.

For the past ten, twenty years. Hence, they would never be his aim in life.

The only thing that would fulfill him was that position. The position to control the world from a high and mighty place, to decide the life and death of millions of troops and people.

“Who are you to care if I become a carefree prince or not?” Lin Tianrong snapped back to reality, his fists clenched tightly once again.

“Of course, but what about Fang Zhengzhi? Does Your Highness still wish for him to be alive?” The figure nodded, then reminded the crown prince.

“Why would I fear him?”

“Your Highness, do you really not fear him? Before Fang Zhengzhi entered the capital, you seemed to have said exactly this, right? But what happened in the end?”

Lin Tianrong fell silent again.

As the Eastern Palace crown prince, the next emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, it would seem ridiculous to say that he feared Fang Zhengzhi, who had humble origins.

But it was a fact that it was exactly this person, who was born in the villages, that troubled him time and time again to the brink of death.

He wasn’t scared!

But he didn’t want Fang Zhengzhi to live.

“Do you… have a way to kill Fang Zhengzhi?” Lin Tianrong looked at the figure and asked after a long period of silence.

“Of course, Fang Zhengzhi will die. But not for now.” The figure nodded, then shook his head.

“What do you mean?”

“Currently, Your Highness is still the crown prince. But when Your Highness controls the world, will you still be concerned that Fang Zhengzhi would not die?” The figure asked.

“The world? Haha… The world has always belonged to me. I am the crown prince, the next emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, the future heir to the throne!”

“Yes!” The figure nodded earnestly.

“Do you think so?”

“Of course.”

“Why so? Give me a reason!”

“If you aren’t, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you.”

“Haha, you’re right. In two days, the Imperial Examinations will commence, and everyone will be focused on it.”

“Does that mean that Your Highness is willing to work with us?”

“I won’t reveal myself. Whether or not it would be a success depends on you.”

“Haha, of course!” The figure nodded and slowly walked to a wall. His body magically morphed into the wall as he touched it. “Your Highness, please don’t forget our agreement once this matter is settled!”

…

When Fang Zhengzhi exited the Southern Lodge, the sun was already setting. Of course, it wasn’t that he had important matters to handle at the Southern Lodge, but he had not slept for more than a day and he was tired.

And then…

He took a nap in the Southern Lodge.

It was a very simple reason.

Shan Yu watched quietly as Fang Zhengzhi slept. Even till Fang Zhengzhi woke up and left, she had not said or asked much.

Fang Zhengzhi left the Southern Lodge full of energy.

But the surrounding commoners were surprised.

They watched as he openly walked out of the Southern Lodge, rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

“The Southern Lodge… Fang Zhengzhi actually walked out of the Southern Lodge?!”

“It’s where the Southern Region Princess is staying. How could he walk out from here?”

The commoners could not believe what they had seen. But none could ask him about this.

Of course, Fang Zhengzhi would not explain himself. Furthermore, how would he explain it? Saying that he took a nap in the Southern Lodge? How was that possible?

But he couldn’t get used to attracting attention everywhere he went.

“It seems that Wu Yuer had done a good job circulating the news!” Fang Zhengzhi said to himself as he smiled, watching the crowds discuss the matter.

Power lay in the voice of the people.

Although it couldn’t kill someone immediately like a sword, it could generate vast amounts of pressure where one would eventually crack under.

Compared to a year ago, Fang Zhengzhi now knew and understood more, especially in the direction and goal of his training, and the dynamic relationship between factions.

And…

Also, strategic intelligence.

He had so much information gathered constantly from various sources, and this allowed him to know many things that others did not.

Thus, he believed that it was not difficult to achieve the things he did.

But Wu Yuer did not feel this way.

She felt that Fang Zhengzhi did things differently compared to other people and hence he would achieve different results with greater efficiency.

“The Imperial Examinations are commencing again?” Fang Zhengzhi raised his head as he thought. The sunset painted the sky in a brilliant tone of red. It was a glorious sight.

He recalled the previous Imperial Examinations.

World of the Sage!

It was then Fang Zhengzhi met the first person he could not openly defeat, Vice Domain Chief of the Ying Domain, Ying Shan, a warrior in Supernatural State. Besides him, there was also a sword.

A sword which had always accompanied him to this day.

In the blink of an eye, two years had passed. The Imperial Examinations were about to commence, and many talented people would gather in Yan Capital and participate in the examinations that could change the fate of their lives.

People seemed to have left.

But rules remained the same.

No!

Speaking of people, it seemed that one had remained!

“Nangong Mu!” Fang Zhengzhi shifted his gaze toward the front, at a calm, normal, unmoving figure.

The setting sun shone upon the figure, projecting to his side.

His attire was ordinary, just like two years ago, with a plain shirt and a ribbon draping down upon his head.

Especially those dull eyes without any hint of glimmer.

Of course, there was some difference. His face had two more wounds, apparently very deep.

But they were not caused by swords or knives.

Instead, by beasts!

The sharp claws of beasts had left these scars.

“It’s been a while.” A faint voice emerged from his mouth. This should have been said with the joy of reunion, but it was completely emotionless.

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