41: The emperor uses favors to win over people and means!

Lu Jiuyuan sat on one side of the soft couch, his back still straight as a sword. Hearing this, he nodded slightly, his voice low:

"Li Yanbei was assassinated last night and died. I was in a nearby wing room.

The killer was his most favored Thirteenth Concubine. To seize the gambling tickets, she poisoned him, then used a broken sword to stab the fatal acupoint at the back of his neck. It was clean and swift, not alerting the guards in the slightest."

"Oh?" The young emperor frowned slightly, a perfectly appropriate look of shock and regret appearing on his face:

"Feng Bao? Feng Bao isn't here. Who is Li Yanbei? That's not important!"

"To murder one's master for wealth, the venom of human hearts, to such an extent! Has the killer been brought to justice?"

"The Thirteenth Concubine has also been silenced, her body abandoned elsewhere. The gambling tickets, worth two million taels, have vanished."

"Last night, while pursuing clues about the killer, I traced them to a desolate area in the western suburbs and was ambushed.

I exchanged blows with several people. One of them, to avoid being pursued by us, escaped into a sewer and infiltrated the palace."

He paused, "This person's Qinggong is bizarre, his appearance is wretched, he has a pair of rat-like eyes, habitually keeps his hands in his sleeves, and once appeared by Du Tongxuan's side."

"Escaped into a sewer… and infiltrated the palace?" The emperor's face showed a mix of astonishment and disgust, which quickly turned into fury:

"Presumptuous! Simply lawless! The Imperial Palace, has it become a den of iniquity for petty villains? Feng Bao! Feng Bao, come here at once!"

"This old servant is here." Feng Bao, the old eunuch who had just entered carrying two brocade boxes, immediately bowed in response.

"Issue an immediate order!

Command Wei Ziyun, Tu Fang, Ding Ao, and Yin Xian, the four commanders, each to lead their men and thoroughly inspect the palace grounds!

Pay special attention to all dirty passages and secluded corners. Dig three feet deep for me; we must unearth that audacious, filthy creature!

Alive, I want to see the person; dead, I want to see the corpse! Anyone who dares to infiltrate the Imperial Palace, no matter who they are, kill them without mercy!"

The emperor's voice carried a chilling killing intent, and the majesty of an emperor instantly overshadowed his earlier Jianghu demeanor.

"As you command!"

Feng Bao accepted the order, gently placing the brocade box containing ginseng on the small sandalwood table beside Lu Jiuyuan. His movements were still silent, and he then bowed and quickly withdrew to make arrangements.

Silence briefly returned to the Hall.

The anger on the emperor's face slowly receded, and he looked back at Lu Jiuyuan, a hint of inquiry in his eyes:

"Second Brother, you pursued the killer while injured last night and experienced an intense battle. You must be greatly depleted.

Coming to the palace today, besides informing me of this matter, do you have any other important business?

Between us brothers, there's no need for politeness. If there's anything you need, just say it."

"On the night of the full moon, at The Summit of the Forbidden City, a sword comes from the west, Celestial Flight!"

"The Summit of the Forbidden City, that is, above the Hall of Supreme Harmony, that is where they will have their decisive battle! What do you think, Elder Brother?" Lu Jiuyuan asked.

The smile on the emperor's face gradually faded. The carefully cultivated brotherhood of the Jianghu, like a thin mist blown away by a cold wind, revealed the hard, cold rock beneath.

He slowly paced to the front of the enormous map of the country, his gaze sweeping deeply over the winding mountains and rivers, finally settling on the location representing the capital region.

"The Summit of the Forbidden City... the roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony..."

The emperor's voice deepened, carrying an undeniable authority, "That is over my head!

Ximen Chuixue, Ye Gucheng, two people from the Jianghu, for a mere reputation, dare to designate the top of my head as their life-and-death arena?

Who gave them such audacity!"

He suddenly turned, his bright yellow robe sleeves stirring a gust of wind, his gaze as sharp as a blade:

"Second Brother, you ask me what I think? I tell you, I am very displeased!"

The air in the Hall suddenly solidified, and the scent of the air seemed to instantly take on a smell of blood.

Feng Bao, at some unknown moment, had silently stood in the shadows of the corner, like a lifeless statue.

"Jianghu matters are settled in the Jianghu."

The emperor's voice carried suppressed anger, yet he forcefully restrained it, "This has always been my attitude.

But they dare to place the conflicts of the Jianghu above the Hall of Supreme Harmony, treating the majesty of the imperial family as nothing!

This is no longer just a Jianghu matter; this is a provocation to imperial power!"

He walked in front of Lu Jiuyuan, the oppressive aura of the supreme ruler washing over him: "Second Brother, tell me, what gives them the right?"

Lu Jiuyuan met his gaze, his eyes calm and unperturbed.

He coughed lightly, his voice still hoarse but every word clear:

"Because their swords are fast and sharp enough. Because all martial artists in the world yearn for the Realm of 'a sword comes from the west, Celestial Flight.'

Because in the hearts of the Jianghu, there is a yearning for the ultimate glory and taboo represented by the four characters 'The Summit of the Forbidden City.'"

He paused, looking into the emperor's eyes, "Also because... of someone's tacit approval and instigation."

The emperor's pupils constricted almost imperceptibly, then he burst into a fit of laughter:

"Hahaha! Good! What a Sword Saint Lu Jiuyuan! What a Second Brother! You truly see through things!"

"Indeed, what Second Brother says is entirely correct! What Wanmei Villa, what Lord of Baiyun City, they are all dust under the army."

The emperor laughed as he put his arm around Lu Jiuyuan's shoulder: "I did indeed tacitly approve, and even... secretly promoted this gamble.

After all, I am also very short on funds, and I am happy to collect some money."

He walked to the desk, picked up a secret memorial, but did not open it: "Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng are both peerless swordsmen of this era.

Their decisive battle is a rare event in a hundred years. The people of the Jianghu want to see it, and I also want to see it!

Taking this opportunity to lure out those hidden snakes, insects, rats, and ants, those with ulterior motives, might not be a bad thing."

He looked at Lu Jiuyuan and said with a smile: "This capital city, seemingly prosperous and splendid, is in fact full of undercurrents.

Feudal lords, esteemed nobles, the Jianghu, and even... in my imperial court, some people have aspirations that are too grand.

I need an opportunity, a fire, to burn out all those things that cannot see the light of day!

And 'The Summit of the Forbidden City,' this duel that is about to happen right above my head, is the best fuse!"

"Second Brother, therefore, Elder Brother needs you!

Not only because you are the brother I acknowledge, but also because you are 'Sword Saint' Lu Jiuyuan!

You are strong enough, clear-headed enough, and... detached enough, yet deeply involved.

You cannot extricate yourself from the events of last night. Li Yanbei's death, that rat who crawled into the sewer, are all related to you.

More importantly, Ximen Chuixue is your friend."

"What does Elder Brother mean?"

"I want you to watch over this decisive battle for your Elder Brother!"

The emperor said word by word, "Elder Brother allows it to happen, even allows it to happen on the roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, but absolutely does not allow it to get out of control!

Absolutely no petty villain is allowed to use the name of this decisive battle to stir up trouble and plot mischief right under my nose, in my Forbidden City!

And even more, I will not allow... the outcome of this decisive battle to be secretly manipulated by certain people, becoming a bargaining chip to destabilize the foundation of the nation!"

"Good!" Lu Jiuyuan nodded.

A sharp glint flashed in the emperor's eyes, and the solemnity on his face instantly melted away, replaced by that highly infectious smile. He clapped Lu Jiuyuan heavily on the shoulder:

"Good! Excellent! My Second Brother is invincible under heaven! He will certainly not disappoint Elder Brother."

He turned and walked back to the desk, picking up a scroll that had long been prepared.

"Second Brother shares Elder Brother's worries, how can Elder Brother treat him shabbily?

Living in the capital is not easy, let alone having to deal with many troubles.

Listening to the Waves Garden in the east of the city, nestled by mountains and water, quiet amidst the bustle, though not large, it is elegant, serving as Second Brother's lodging in the capital.

All servants and expenses will be allocated by the internal treasury. Just settle in comfortably."

Listening to the Waves Garden was not an unknown place; it was the secondary residence of a carefree prince, in an excellent location, neither too close nor too far from the Forbidden City, allowing for quick access to the palace while avoiding the most bustling market.

This gift was significant, of high value.

Lu Jiuyuan did not decline. He raised his hand to accept it, cupped his fists, and said, "Thank you, Elder Brother."