74: Dead End

Outside the capital, a carriage was moving rapidly, with several men dressed as bodyguards riding horses around it.

Ever since that middle-aged man was sent back to the Marquis's estate, the Marquis of Anding knew he had been exposed.

He had never imagined that everything he had secretly planned could be discovered so quickly.

"I only told you to put some thought into it, but you—you went straight to wanting to kill someone?" Zhou Chutian looked at him with a surprised expression upon hearing the news.

"Forget it, Old Xu, you're finished. The Emperor won't let this go, and it's very likely he'll make an example of your son. Whatever you care about, that is exactly where The Emperor will drive the knife."

"You were the one who said…"

Before he could finish, Zhou Chutian suddenly laughed out loud: "I said it, but I didn't tell you to do that, did I? I did say that those sisters are the leaders of Partridge Sky, but you should have known better—they are also The Emperor's own daughters, princesses of the Daxing Dynasty, not just some ordinary martial arts world figures."

Zhou Chutian had intentionally revealed the matter of Partridge Sky to the Marquis of Anding, Xu Zhengyun, and had also intentionally or unintentionally hinted that the Shen Family's smooth rise in their official careers over the years was all due to the backing of Partridge Sky.

"Zhou Chutian, what good does it do you to ruin me?" Xu Zhengyun could hardly believe his ears. "Right now, I'm the only one with military power you can rely on, and yet you…"

"Old Xu, that little bit of military power you have will sooner or later be hollowed out by The Emperor and the Shen Family. The Ministry of War is the place where I am most powerless; you don't really think your Xu Family is still what it used to be, do you?" Zhou Chutian sighed.

"Selling you out was only a matter of time. I've had my hands in military power from the very beginning, so I never counted on you to help me with anything."

"Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish; The Emperor understands this principle, and naturally, I do too. Meddling too much in some matters is counterproductive, but when it comes to certain things and certain people, one must know when to discard them."

"My struggle with The Emperor is one thing, but there is one rare point where The Emperor and I can reach a consensus... You, your Xu Family, has become a festering sore by this point. The day you are gone, your son, that good-for-nothing, will likely poke a hole in the sky sooner or later."

Xu Zhengyun could not have imagined that the old friend he considered his closest would dig a pit for him at such a time.

Yet, Zhou Chutian seemed to have guessed exactly what he was thinking, and the smile on his face became even more pronounced: "Old Xu, I dug this pit, but I didn't push you, nor did I kick you. Your hatred for the Shen Family blinded you, so you wanted to deal with Partridge Sky right now, but… how could that be possible?"

"You are different from me. No matter how much The Emperor and I clash, he dare not easily move against me, the Grand Chancellor. Although my Disciples and confidants are spread throughout the entire court, I hold no military power. The late Emperor guarded against me and relied heavily on the Shen Family, which is why I have been able to sit securely in this position."

"But you are different. No matter what, you hold military power in your hands. If you, or that stupid son of yours, were truly pushed to the edge and decided to rebel… it would mean an armed insurrection."

"Old Xu, I need time. The Emperor wants to eliminate you, so this can be considered a small tacit understanding between us. But rest assured, based on my estimation, The Emperor won't move against you, but I fear your Xu Family's iron certificate of immunity won't be able to save your fine son…"

Xu Zhengyun had no heart to argue with Zhou Chutian; if this was truly the case, he had to make a decision quickly.

And as if to verify Zhou Chutian's words, for the past two days, Flying Fish Guard had been patrolling near the Marquis of Anding's estate. They made no attempt to disguise themselves, simply wearing their flying fish robe and holding their xiuchun saber, strolling openly around his home.

Yet, they did not come to the door, nor did they show the slightest intention of coming in to make an arrest; they simply loitered outside the Marquis's estate every single day without fail.

No matter what, Xu Zhengyun could guess that this was The Emperor applying pressure on him. With the Legitimate Princess's wedding approaching, the Empress was hosting a banquet today for the female relatives of the capital's official families, yet neither he nor his wife had received a single invitation.

"We cannot wait any longer. Let Fengzhang leave the capital!"

Xu Zhengyun was completely driven to a dead end. Clearly, he had done nothing, and nothing had happened, yet the pressure was simply too immense.

The Flying Fish Guard loitered in front of his house every day, and his several petitions requesting a private audience with The Emperor had been rejected. As for the morning court sessions, that was out of the question; ever since his son was beaten, he had not attended a single one.

Given the current situation, even if he knew he was wrong, he could not continue to let his son remain in the capital; otherwise, the Xu Family's lineage would be completely cut off in his own hands.

However, to his surprise, the Flying Fish Guard simply watched as Xu Fengzhang got into the carriage. Even though they had discovered him, they acted as if they were watching a spectacle, even smiling.

Xu Zhengyun clearly understood at this moment that there was likely a trap, but now, whether he stuck his neck out or pulled it back, the blade would fall. Rather than that, he might as well take the gamble!

"Young Marquis, is your injury alright?" Inside the carriage, the driver turned to ask Xu Fengzhang, who was sitting inside. "I'm afraid we cannot rest; the Marquis has arranged for people, and we can only change horses midway…"

"I'm fine, keep moving!"

Xu Fengzhang said this, but his face was devoid of color. The hand holding his saber was also trembling slightly. Only he himself knew about that beating with the boards; it had been done with "skill."

Do not underestimate a beating with boards; those in charge of punishments in the palace were the best at this. Sometimes, these people would just put on a show, and a flurry of boards would come down, sounding very loud, but it would cause no real harm.

Then there were times when a beating with boards would leave no outward mark, yet it could break your bones, and leaving you with a lifelong disability was a piece of cake.

Xu Fengzhang's body had already suffered severe trauma at this moment, and he felt certain that the boards used to beat him that day had definitely been tampered with. But he had absolutely no time to think about these things now; compared to being injured and suffering, losing his life was the most important thing!

"Chief Lu, shall we make a move?"

On a nearby hillside, a squad of Flying Fish Guard, riding horses and carrying bows and arrows, watched the carriage passing by. Lu Qianyuan, who was leading the team, gripped his Miaodao tightly, his gaze fixed coldly on the carriage.

"Force them toward the cliff. Do not pursue too closely, but do not lose them either." Lu Qianyuan's voice was devoid of any warmth. "Use the Fish-Net Formation. Don't be in a hurry; take your time and play with this Young Marquis."

The Flying Fish Guard who had asked nodded, then waved his hand at the signal officer behind him. That person picked up a flag and signaled to the other side. On that side, the Flying Fish Guard, who were ready and waiting, mounted their horses and charged toward the carriage and the cavalry below the mountain.

"Tell the brothers in front: as soon as they are in range, fire immediately!" Lu Qianyuan pulled on his reins. "He is no longer a Commander, and he is certainly not any Young Marquis…"

"He is just a stray dog at a dead end!"