Chapter 240: Assassination (2)

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes inwardly. Another grand promise. By Imperial Brother, he presumably meant the Crown Prince. When the promise of eternal glory failed to work, the Third Prince simply swapped it for the merit of supporting a future emperor. His skill at painting rosy futures had truly reached perfection. Not once had he mentioned anything as vulgar as actual pay or benefits.

After a brief silence, he took a small sip of the meat congee, dabbed the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, and asked softly, “Junqing, what if my father studied under Duke Xu?”

The Third Prince answered without the slightest hesitation, as though he had already considered that possibility. “Duke Xu is a pillar of the Great Flame Empire. He has devoted himself entirely to the nation and its people.”

Halfway through, however, he paused. Then he continued, emphasizing each word. “But Brother Zhou must understand that Duke Xu also acts for the sake of all the Great Flame Empire. Besides, he is burdened with endless affairs of state. He may not necessarily have the time to notice you.”

Xu Yuan smiled and shook his head. He opened his mouth to speak.

However, the effeminate man beside them interrupted. “My master is a straightforward man. Young Master Zhou should have seen that for yourself during this journey. It would be improper for him to speak openly about salary or official rank, but once you join him, your treatment certainly won’t be any worse than that of a mere servant like me.”

“And how should I address you, Eunuch?” Xu Yuan turned and glanced at the effeminate man.

Discounting the memories he had inherited, this was probably the first living eunuch he had ever met. At first, he had not made the connection merely because of the man’s delicate appearance. After all, there were naturally effeminate men like Si Ziyu in the world.

He had not expected this one to truly be a eunuch.

Now that there was no longer any need to hide it, the man rolled his eyes and smiled. “Oh my, Young Master Zhou certainly has a sweet tongue. This humble one would never dare accept the grand title of Eunuch. I am merely a castrated servant who follows at my master’s side. My surname is Hou.”

“Then I thank Eunuch Hou for the reminder.” Xu Yuan smiled faintly, then changed the subject and shook his head. “Still, this matter will have to wait. My father holds a respectable position in the Chancellor's Manor, and for the time being, he has no intention of changing allegiances.”

The moment he finished speaking, silence fell.

The Third Prince’s smile remained unchanged, though a thoughtful look entered his eyes. Eunuch Hou’s smile, on the other hand, turned cold, and his hand drifted lightly toward the hilt at his waist.

Xu Yuan noticed, but paid it no mind. He kept his gaze fixed on the smiling Third Prince across the table. “It seems Junqing has other plans for me.”

The Third Prince spread his hands and laughed. “If a man of Brother Zhou’s talents were given real authority under Duke Xu, I fear another Hua Hong would emerge. No, perhaps several of them.”

Xu Yuan remained calm and took a sip of wine. “You truly think highly of me, Junqing. Were it not for the fact that my father genuinely cannot betray the Chancellor's Manor, I might really have been tempted to follow you and see how far we could go.”

The Third Prince tapped the tabletop. “Betrayal is merely a question of whether the price is high enough.”

Xu Yuan smiled. “That is a price you cannot afford.”

“Loyalty, then? Duke Xu truly is an extraordinary man.” The Third Prince sighed. Then he picked up his chopsticks and gestured toward the dishes on the table. “Brother Zhou, this will be the last meal I treat you to.”

“A last meal before the execution?” Xu Yuan asked without the slightest hesitation.

Since they stood on opposing sides, it was only natural to eliminate an enemy when the opportunity arose.

Given the chance, Xu Yuan would have liked to eliminate the Third Prince too.

But when the Third Prince heard this, he burst out laughing. His voice was relaxed and carefree. “Now you are just being dramatic. After today, I will write Duke Xu a letter praising Brother Zhou’s talents.”

Xu Yuan’s eyes narrowed.

The Third Prince rolled up his sleeves, poured himself more wine, and resumed eating. “Do not look at me like that. Duke Xu acts for the sake of the Great Flame Empire. Killing a talented man like you would also be a loss to the realm. We are friends, not enemies.”

He paused. Then, as though suddenly remembering something, the Third Prince raised his head. “Oh, and once you rise to power, remember to pay me back.”

Xu Yuan laughed and picked up another bite of food. “What money?”

The Third Prince sucked in a breath, his chopsticks freezing in midair. “Wait, Zhou Chen, have you forgotten all the money I spent on our journey? Since you refuse to follow me, naturally you must pay it back.”

“I thought you were treating me.”

“Money is not easy to earn these days.”

“Put it on my tab. We will discuss it later.”

“Suit yourself. I charge interest.”

“Fine by me.” Xu Yuan chuckled.

“Tch.” Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, Li Junqing lounged in his chair behind the folding screen, picking his teeth with a jade toothpick as he watched Xu Yuan leave the building.

Only after Xu Yuan disappeared through the entrance did Eunuch Hou ask softly, “Your Highness, are we truly going to let that man leave?”

“We are friends with Duke Xu, not enemies.” Li Junqing sounded almost wistful as he sighed. “The Chancellor's Manor truly has absurd luck. Every talented person in the realm somehow ends up belonging to them.”

Eunuch Hou fell silent for a moment before saying quietly, “But the Chancellor's Manor now threatens His Majesty’s imperial authority. And the Crown Prince also seems to…”

“Eunuch Hou.” Li Junqing cut him off. His tone sharpened slightly as he glanced at the trusted attendant beside him. “Do not make me say it a third time.”

Eunuch Hou immediately dropped to his knees. “This servant spoke out of turn.”

“Enough. Get up.” Li Junqing rose and stretched lazily. “Whether Duke Xu will even believe a letter from the Third Prince is another matter entirely. He might even suspect the man of being a spy. Why worry so much?”

With that, he headed upstairs. But just as he stepped out from behind the folding screen and walked a few paces, Li Junqing heard a rush of footsteps coming through the entrance of Phoenix Roost Pavilion.

Then Xu Yuan’s familiar voice carried across the hall. “Young Master Wang, some friends have come looking for you.”

Young Master Wang?

Li Junqing froze. Why had Zhou Chen returned after leaving? More importantly, now that his identity had already been revealed, why was he still calling him Young Master Wang?

While Li Junqing was still puzzled, he looked toward the entrance and saw six men in embroidered robes following Xu Yuan into the main hall, steadily closing in on him.

As Xu Yuan walked, he smiled warmly at the six men around him. “Yes, the one in white is Young Master Wang. I first met him right here in Phoenix Roost Pavilion.”

Li Junqing swept his gaze across the six unfamiliar faces, then extended his soul intent. To his surprise, even with his cultivation, he could not see through their auras.

Their presences were ghostly and familiar.

After a moment’s thought, Li Junqing remembered where he had sensed such a presence before. During this journey, he had conducted a rather large transaction with some Eastern Isles pirates along the southeastern coast. The attendants beside their so-called Daimyo had carried the exact same aura.

Tch… All he had done was swindle 6 million taels of silver from them without spending a coin, then use it to fill the national treasury. Was it really necessary to make such a fuss and send assassins after him?

While he was thinking, Eunuch Hou had already stepped in front of him. Xu Yuan, meanwhile, had quietly begun backing away.

The six embroidered-robed men reached into their clothes. “Young Master Wang, the silver belonging to our master—”

Before the man could finish, a furious shout thundered through the entire hall. “You bastards! Release my elder brother! Whatever grievance you have, come at me instead!”

Xu Yuan stopped mid-step. He glanced sideways at the embroidered-robed men around him.

The men looked back at him.

Ethereal music continued to drift through the hall.

Xu Yuan activated the Blood Origin Heartfall Art, drew the iron sword from his waist, and prepared to face the enemy.

Li Junqing tugged on Eunuch Hou’s sleeve and shouted, “Eunuch Hou, go help my brother! Forget about me! Brother, you should flee first—”

Void Step Slash.

Li Junqing’s jaw fell open.