Chapter 2957 - 2958: The Oriole Behind

Chapter 2957: Chapter 2958: The Oriole Behind

"Chengshui is in utter chaos right now. Once the news gets out, the surrounding countries will take action. Even if you don’t consider yourself part of Chengshui, do you want to see living beings suffer?" the Eternal King continued.

Gao Zhou gave a bitter smile, "You are the bloodline of the Former Emperor; I’m just his nephew. Why is this being linked to me? You don’t like being Emperor, so now I should like it?"

Some guards who were previously bewitched by Chushuang’s flute music had awakened, but received orders from the Eternal King not to make a move.

These guards were baffled. Neither of these two lords wants to be Emperor; have they lost their minds? They would love to be Emperor but don’t have the chance.

"If you still remember our old friendship, come back to Chengshui with me and take the throne. Your father and the Former Emperor were born from the same mother and were also legitimate princes, so no one could say anything against you becoming Emperor." the Eternal King said.

Gao Zhou felt a headache coming on, "I’m not interested. Since you’re also not interested, why don’t we both stay away? Whoever wants to be Emperor can be. Even if it’s a collateral relative, it wouldn’t be a problem."

"No way!" the Eternal King said decisively, "I promised the Prime Minister, who has been kind to me, and I can’t go back on my word. If you don’t want to be Emperor, fine, but you must come back with me to clean up this mess. I’m only good at cultivation and don’t have the eye for people. Even if you’re unwilling, can you bear to see so many Chengshui citizens fall into turmoil?"

Gao Zhou fell silent, feeling he couldn’t stand by and watch, nor could he refuse this brother who had helped him.

"Dad, the world won’t collapse if you don’t go back," Jiang Yichun reminded.

Gao Zhou sighed, "Ruozhu, first cure his poisonous insect poison, consider it a favor to me."

With things said to this extent, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t refuse Gao Zhou’s favor. She took out a small porcelain bottle and poured a drop of liquid into the Eternal King’s mouth.

It was Furball’s saliva, which could neutralize its poisonous insect poison.

"Dad, the boat is still waiting for us, and we’ve promised Xue Wenhui to treat Xue Zhi’s mother," Bai Ruozhu reminded. "Others on the boat are making a scene, complaining we’ve taken too long."

"Brother, come back to Chengshui with me." The Eternal King’s tone softened, already tinged with pleading.

"I..." Gao Zhou couldn’t bear to outright refuse.

Chushuang watched him nervously, not wanting her husband to get involved in such a complicated situation.

"Little Luzi, I’ve promised to treat someone. I can’t go back on my word. Let me treat the person first, then I’ll go back to Chengshui with you." Gao Zhou decided.

"Dad!" Jiang Yichun protested.

Gao Zhou gestured to him, signaling not to interfere.

"But let’s be clear, I won’t be Emperor for even a day, just returning to help you clean up the mess and find a suitable heir." he continued.

The Eternal King was overjoyed, "Good, as long as you agree to come back and help me."

His poisonous insect poison had completely receded, and he stood up from the ground, "Wherever you go, I’ll follow, to avoid being persuaded otherwise."

Jiang Yichun’s face stiffened a bit, "It’s inconvenient for you Chengshui people to follow us, to avoid misunderstandings."

"I’m not part of the Imperial Court and have been cultivating outside for years, so no one knows me," the Eternal King glared at Jiang Yichun, dissatisfied with him persuading Gao Zhou.

Bai Ruozhu stood next to Jiang Yichun, "Your subordinates are all Chengshui people. If they speak or act, it will be noticed. You better not follow us; agree on a location and let him come find you later. My dad is not one to break his promises."

With that said, Bai Ruozhu contemplated whether to knock out Gao Zhou and take him to the Western Regions instead, to prevent him from heading to Chengshui to die.

But looking at Gao Zhou’s resolved expression, it seemed no one could persuade him.

"I’ll order them to head back to Chengshui first, and I’ll go alone." The Eternal King was determined to go with Gao Zhou.

His subordinates hurriedly said, "Master, you mustn’t!"

The Eternal King glared back, "Shut up, follow my orders."

His subordinates dared not say more, only obeying his command to withdraw.

Gao Zhou sighed, "You’re too blunt. If you want to come with us, you must suppress your temperament."

"I understand, I won’t cause trouble for you," the Eternal King promised.

At this time, the Astrologer and Ao Song also arrived, and the Astrologer stared at the Eternal King, "Who is the expert behind the Deadman’s Formation?"

"What Deadman’s Formation?" the Eternal King asked in confusion.

Gao Zhou sensed something was amiss and quickly asked, "Did you arrange the Toothpaste Shop incident?"

Bai Ruozhu also rushed to question, "Is Qin Kaichang one of your people?"

"Qin Kaichang?" the Eternal King was lost; he hadn’t heard this name before.

"I just sent subordinates to exaggerate the incident. I thought once the Bai Family suffered grievances, they’d be willing to return to Chengshui with you. With your family by your side, you’d surely not refuse anymore."

Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun exchanged a glance, ’The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?’

"No, it’s not right!" Bai Ruozhu suddenly exclaimed, "The formation was set a month before Qiao’s Second Daughter-in-law died. They couldn’t have known so early that Su Family Village would have an incident. It must have been an accidental involvement in the scheme, and the opponent used the advantage to continue plotting."

Her expression turned serious, "Achun, Qin Kaichang undoubtedly discovered the Eternal King’s movements. He’ll surely use this incident to his benefit."

Jiang Yichun sighed, "I’d better send a message to the Emperor early, to make plans."

The Eternal King was shocked, "Who exactly is Qin Kaichang?"

Gao Zhou sighed and briefly explained the situation at Su Family Village and the signs indicating someone was plotting to harm them.

"We still can’t determine the person behind this; we only found traces of a visitor to Prince Duan named Qin Kaichang, but we aren’t sure if Prince Duan is the mastermind." Gao Zhou stated.

The Eternal King scratched his head, "My people didn’t notice anything. Did I cause trouble for you?"

Bai Ruozhu said irritably, "Weren’t you trying to get us embroiled in trouble, so we’d go back to Chengshui with you?"

The Eternal King was embarrassed, "That was my intention, but it’s different if someone else is scheming."

Jiang Yichun’s face grew more serious, "Forget it, let’s get back on the boat and discuss things. If he insists on following, let him, but let’s avoid causing trouble."

"Hey, I’m still your uncle, show some manners," the Eternal King said unhappily.

Gao Zhou hurriedly mediated, pulling him to walk ahead.

Bai Ruozhu went to pick up Little Dengdeng and asked about his condition, finally feeling at ease.

The group had a discussion, and asked the Eternal King to change his attire and use the alias Zhou Yong, posing as Jiang Yichun’s guard.

He was quite displeased by this, insisting he wanted to pose as a familiar merchant instead.