Chapter 461 - 274: Plotting (2)

Chapter 461: Chapter 274: Plotting (2)

A vicious glint flashed in Wei Chengliang’s eyes. "Very good. This operation absolutely cannot have any more mistakes. Send the order down. Have everyone prepare. As soon as the family elder arrives, we move immediately!"

The confidant acknowledged the order and turned to leave.

Wei Chengliang sat in his study, his gaze sinister as he stared ahead.

He knew this contest had reached a critical moment. Both sides were maneuvering in the shadows, waiting for the other to reveal a flaw.

However, he also knew that he had to be more cautious and more ruthless than his opponent to be the one laughing in the end.

~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, in Luoshui City, the largest city in northern Gongzhou Prefecture, the atmosphere was exceptionally tense.

"Leader, the imperial court’s purges are getting stricter. If this continues, our boys will all be beheaded! We can’t go on like this. We can’t just sit here and wait to be slaughtered!"

The leader of Luoshui City’s Shadow Association, a man with a profound-looking face shrouded in a black cloak, was sitting in a dark, secret chamber, listening to his subordinate’s anxious report.

His gaze was cold, as if it could see into a person’s very soul, and it carried an unquestionable authority.

"The court’s purges are indeed getting stricter, but we of the Shadow Association are no pushovers."

The leader spoke slowly, his voice deep and powerful. "Pass down the order. Have everyone prepare. Tonight, we rise up!"

Hearing their leader’s command, the subordinates’ spirits soared, their faces lighting up with excitement.

They had long been dissatisfied and furious with the court’s purges. Now, they finally had a chance to strike back.

The leader nodded slightly. He knew his men’s morale had reached its peak, which was exactly what he needed.

He continued, "Remember, tonight we take the City Lord’s Mansion first. Don’t worry about the City Guard Army; someone else will take care of them! This time, success is the only option. Failure is not permitted!"

His subordinates responded in unison, "Yes, Leader!" Their eyes shone with a determined light, filled with confidence and anticipation for the coming operation.

At the leader’s command, the forces of the Shadow Association moved swiftly.

Like phantoms in the night, they infiltrated the City Lord’s Mansion without a sound.

The guards inside the City Lord’s Mansion, having grown complacent from a long period of peace, had lost their due vigilance and failed to notice the Shadow Association’s movements.

When the Shadow Association’s forces launched their sudden attack, the guards in the City Lord’s Mansion were instantly thrown into chaos.

They scrambled to fight back but were completely unable to withstand the Shadow Association’s ferocious assault.

Soon, the City Lord’s Mansion was completely surrounded by the Shadow Association’s forces, becoming a prize within their grasp.

Meanwhile, the City Guard Army also learned of the Shadow Association’s uprising.

Though numerous, they were poorly trained and lacked combat strength.

Coupled with the Shadow Association’s swift and unexpected movements, the City Guard Army was quickly forced onto the defensive.

In the fierce battle, the members of the Shadow Association displayed astonishing combat power and cohesion.

They fought bravely, unafraid of death, and quickly shattered the City Guard Army, leaving them in disarray.

The commanders of the City Guard Army lost their former prestige in the battle, able only to watch helplessly as their subordinates fell one by one.

In the end, under the Shadow Association’s fierce onslaught, the City Guard Army completely collapsed and fled in all directions.

~~~~~~~

News that the Shadow Association had rebelled and seized Luoshui City spread like wildfire throughout Gongzhou Prefecture. Instantly, panic gripped the populace, and discussions erupted everywhere.

"Did you hear? The Shadow Association has taken Luoshui City!"

"How is that possible? Hasn’t the Shadow Association been suppressed by the imperial court all this time? How dare they openly rebel?"

"You just don’t get it, do you? The court’s purges have become so severe that the Shadow Association must have been driven into a corner. That’s why they took such a desperate risk."

"So what now? Luoshui City is the largest city in northern Gongzhou Prefecture. If the Shadow Association controls it, won’t that give them the capital to challenge the court?"

"Sigh, you’re right. Our only hope now is that the court sends troops to quell the rebellion quickly."

Within the Observatory of Gongzhou Prefecture, the officials were also worried and engaged in heated discussion.

"Lord Fang, the Shadow Association has rebelled and taken Luoshui City! What should we do?" an official anxiously reported to Fang Yue.

Fang Yue smiled faintly and said in a low voice, "This is no small matter, but what does it have to do with us at the Observatory? This is a headache for the Government Office."

Fang Yue’s words stunned the officials present. Then, someone came to their senses and chimed in, "Lord Fang is absolutely right. This is something for the Government Office to worry about. We at the Observatory just need to do our own jobs."

However, another official looked worried. "That may be so, but the Shadow Association’s rebellion this time will likely cause quite a stir. Although we at the Observatory won’t be directly involved in quelling it, we must still monitor the situation closely to avoid being dragged into it."

Fang Yue nodded. "You’re right. We can’t just sit back and watch. Pass down the order: have everyone increase surveillance and intelligence gathering on the Shadow Association. Report to me immediately at the slightest sign of trouble."

Just then, a subordinate hurried in and handed Fang Yue a secret report.

Fang Yue took the report and glanced at it, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

The secret report read: "The Wei Family elder has secretly arrived within Gongzhou Prefecture’s borders."

’They’re finally here!’

Fang Yue snorted coldly. Since they were coming for him, he wouldn’t be polite either.

~~~~~~~

Meanwhile,

Wei Qianxing, an elder of the Wei Family, had already entered Gongzhou Prefecture in secret.

He was an old man with a full head of white hair but a vigorous spirit, his eyes twinkling with a sharp light that seemed to see through everything.

As the Wei Family’s anchor, his arrival undoubtedly added another layer of tension to the already brewing contest.

Wei Qianxing did not head directly to the Prefecture Mansion but chose a hidden lodging instead.

He then quickly met with the Wei Family members who had long been lying in wait in Gongzhou Prefecture.

"Elder, you’ve finally arrived!"

Upon seeing Wei Qianxing, these Wei Family members all showed expressions of awe and joy. They were well aware of this elder’s status and power within the Wei Family, and his arrival undoubtedly bolstered their confidence.

Wei Qianxing nodded slightly in response to their greetings, then asked in a deep voice, "What is the current situation?"

A Wei Family member immediately stepped forward to report, "Reporting to the Elder, the Shadow Association has successfully taken Luoshui City. They are currently reinforcing the city’s defenses and recruiting soldiers.

"On the imperial court’s side, it seems they have yet to receive confirmed news, so they have not dispatched troops to quell the rebellion for the time being."

A look of satisfaction flashed in Wei Qianxing’s eyes upon hearing this. He nodded slightly and said, "Very good. The Shadow Association acted swiftly this time, catching the court completely off guard. This provides perfect cover for our operation. This time, we will use the Shadow Association’s hand to eliminate Fang Yue!"

Hearing Wei Qianxing’s plan, every Wei Family member present revealed a shocked expression.

They knew Fang Yue was no ordinary opponent; eliminating him would not be easy. But with the cover of the Shadow Association, things became much simpler.

"The Elder is brilliant!" a Wei Family member couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Wei Qianxing smiled faintly and waved his hand, gesturing that such formalities were unnecessary. He continued, "However, we must also be fully prepared. Fang Yue is cunning and treacherous, not an easy man to deal with. We must pay close attention to his movements, lest he discover a flaw in our plans."

Everyone responded in unison. They all knew how formidable Fang Yue was, so they didn’t dare to be the least bit careless.

After giving a few more instructions, Wei Qianxing dismissed everyone to attend to their respective tasks.

He, however, remained at the lodging and began to meditate, ensuring he would be in peak condition for the coming operation.

In the days that followed, undercurrents surged within Gongzhou Prefecture as various factions busily laid their plans.

Under Wei Qianxing’s command, the Wei Family members acted with even greater secrecy and caution, constantly gathering intelligence on Fang Yue and searching for the perfect opportunity to strike.

Fang Yue, too, sensed the tense atmosphere in the air. He knew the Wei Family would definitely make a move.

He knew the Wei Family was moving in the shadows, and he, in turn, was setting a trap, waiting for them to take the bait.