Chapter 523: Acting and Flipping the Table

Chapter 523: The Play and the Table Uproar

“So Ronglu, you say that Wangqi may have colluded with Li Jun, and even a person from Tianque could be involved?”

Outside the thatched cottage, an old man stood by the furnace, sweating torrents. His bare torso was taut, revealing no hint of age's decay.

“From what I observed at the time, it must have been thus.”

Standing beyond the doorway, Ronglu nodded, pondering before declaring, “But I deem Tianque lacking both the leisure and the capacity to bear a grudge against us. I have received word that Yao Mountain Yunyuan lost an infiltrated martial sequence; the fourth‑rank warrior named Shenli likely came for that reason, his appearance probably accidental. Yet Li Jun should have allied with those bright ghosts.”

“A ground‑dragon once, a Lion Mountain once; if both encounters were mere coincidence, we are deceiving ourselves.”

Like a towering ancient lion, Liu Xianzhou gazed at the dancing flames in the furnace, then scoffed, “A tiny grass‑stirring snake has set these bright ghosts on edge. The experiment was meant to be free of any variables, yet they have summoned many outside forces. Even if Wangqi finally becomes a sequence‑holder, can such results be convincing? Can they use this to turn other bright ghosts?”

Ronglu said, “It seems that after so many failed experiments, they have cornered themselves, and now they need a successful case to lift morale.”

“Those with courage have already turned their hearts deeply; regardless of whether the experiment succeeds, they will eventually rebel. It is the group of fence‑sitters, the wavering bright ghosts, that need this experiment’s outcome to prove that even after breaking away they can still become sequence‑holders, not mere ants to be crushed.”

“If they see clearly that this is the case, at least the nine‑grade bright ghosts will risk everything for the so‑called ‘freedom’; otherwise they would rather remain collared hounds, at least receiving meat at every meal. Should they become stray dogs, they would only eat excrement.”

Liu Xianzhou smiled, “It seems this game needs no hand from us; the opponent has already surrendered.”

“Lord, what shall we do next?”

Ronglu respectfully asked, “Shall we continue to watch passively, or act directly?”

“Previously, passive observation was to restrain action, delivering a fatal blow at the crucial moment. But now the hidden bright‑ghost traitors are panic‑stricken, driving themselves into a dead end, and there is no need to wait any longer. Moreover, this is the first major case I have taken on for the Benevolent Love Society; if I appear too weak, whispers will arise behind my back.”

“I understand; I will arrange it now,” Ronglu replied solemnly.

“Lord, what shall we do next?”

Ronglu respectfully asked again, “Shall we continue to watch, or act?”

The thick mist over the mountains gradually thinned, and a luminous city glimmered in the distance.

At that moment, the driver Hanxu suddenly opened a secret mechanism, and a sound‑shielding frequency spread through the carriage, unheard by mortal ears.

“Lord, I have some words to say, but I am unsure whether I should speak them.”

Hanxu, appearing slightly nervous, glanced via the rearview mirror at the sleeping Ronglu in the back seat.

“Since you have decided to speak, then speak.”

Ronglu did not open his eyes, his tone rather indifferent.

Hanxu pressed his lips together, steadying his voice: “Now within the Central Plains there are many rumors that what happened in Liaodong may be the spark for the second stage of the New Eastern Lin Party's reforms. The Confucian sequence will use this to clash with the Buddhist sequence, perhaps even in conflict.”

“This is no longer a rumor.”

“This is the prime minister's benevolent scheme.”

“Speaking these to you, I have no other intention. I also know that the higher authorities will surely side with the Confucian sequence, for after the splitting of the Ink Sequence into five academies, our Central Academy could only develop as it has thanks to the prime minister's support.”

“So you wish to know whether the Central Academy will heed the prime minister's dispatch and join the conflict with the Buddhist sequence, is that right?”

“Indeed, nothing escapes your lordship's discerning eye.”

“Hanxu, are you afraid?”

Hanxu's heart clenched, and he quickly said, “Of course not. I have long cast life and death aside in hunting down traitors. I merely worry that such an action might pose too great a risk to the Central Academy; what if the Confucian sequence loses?”

“Impossible to lose! The prime minister will surely win, and win in a commanding, unstoppable manner, wielding the authority of a first‑rank sequence to dominate the entire Great Ming Empire! This is beyond doubt.”

“Lord, I”

“Hanxu, do you know that in the ancient ages before the Great Ming Empire was founded, on this land only we and the Confucian sequence are regarded as contemporary scholars, and only we have the right to share the realm with the Confucian sequence and teach all peoples!”

“Alas, the rectors of past generations have been dull and incompetent, stubbornly clinging to their ways, obsessed with technical arts and craftsmanship, indiscriminately bestowing kindness upon worthless commoners, causing the Ink Sequence's status and power to decline. The previous rector even sank to collude with martial men, severed ties with other sequences, and brought the entire Ink Sequence into suppression and decline, never to rise again!”

“This new reform is our Central Academy's opportunity! It is also the best chance for the Ink Sequence to shed its decadence and regain its status as a distinguished school!”

“If we can help the prime minister accomplish this grand ritual, the day he attains the first rank will be when we reunite the five academies, ending the split of the Ink Sequence. By then, the Ink Sequence will become a formidable order second only to the Confucian, and every sequence that once demanded reparations from us will be settled, none escaping.”

“Yet in recent years, aside from our Central Academy, who has oppressed the other four academies the most? It is the Confucian sequence, is it not?”

“This doubt flashed through Hanxu's mind, and now he regrets not having raised this point, unsure why Ronglu suddenly exhibited such intense emotional fluctuations.”

“Lord, I stand by your side.”

Han Xuan's throat bobbed, and he hurriedly declared his loyalty: "Actually, I also believe the Chief Minister will surely succeed."

Rong Lu's eyes fixed straight upon Han Xuan's profile. Suddenly, he released the five fingers clutching the headrest, his body sinking back into the seat.

"Scared you, didn't I?"

"N-no."

Rong Lu smoothed his wrinkled collar, his face once again resuming its usual composure and calm.

"I only tell you these things because I consider you one of my own, Han Xuan. You understand that, don't you?"

"This subordinate understands perfectly."

Han Xuan smiled ingratiatingly, turning his face toward the rear. "This subordinate speaks of this today hoping you might grant me a chance then, my lord, to achieve merit and establish a career."

Before his words had finished, a sudden change erupted!

The Wuzui's front windshield resembled a boiling water surface; spreading spiderweb cracks rippled like waves. A single bullet shattered the 'surface,' hurtling straight for Han Xuan's slightly averted head.

In that time, seemingly frozen frame by frame in slow motion, black metal scales surged from beneath Han Xuan's collar. They swarmed past collarbone and throat, rushed up jaw and ears, converging on his face from all sides.

But just as the black armor was about to fully seal, leaving only a copper-coin-sized gap at the bridge of Han Xuan's nose, the assaulting bullet tore through flesh and entered!

"Lor—"

Han Xuan's eyes widened in terror; his parted lips failed to form the next syllable before his entire skull exploded.

Flying shards of black armor whipped up a metal storm within the cramped cabin. All four windows shattered simultaneously. The uncontrolled vehicle swayed left and right on the mountain road, like a wounded beast.

Bang!

Clad in a suit of dark cyan black armor, Rong Lu burst through the window, landing steadily on the mountain path.

Only now did a belated, savage gunshot finally tear free of the mountain shadows and dense fog, ringing with crystalline clarity in Rong Lu's ears.

Boom!

The uncontrolled car slammed into the cliff face. The explosion's shockwave, wreathed in fierce flames, scattered the lingering fog, revealing a tall, imposing figure.

Full-body armor gleamed with a dark gold luster; ancient mountain patterns woven into the plates formed ferocious beast shapes. Tiger heads stood distinct on the left and right pauldrons. Jumping black flames, like silk ribbons, coiled around waist and arms.

"Rong Lu, I warned you. The night is dark, the road slippery—never travel alone."

From within the helmet's visor, beneath a scarlet single eye, Li Jun's smile was cold, his gaze contemptuous.

"Forgotten so quickly?"