Chapter 2602 - 2600: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

Chapter 2602: Chapter 2600: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

Wu Zhi and Wu Song readily agreed with Wu Yong’s words, as Yang Valley Pass had been thrown into such disarray. To suggest that no one was orchestrating events behind the scenes was something they couldn’t believe.

Beside them, Pan Jinlian reminded, "When that Bat Demon came, they mentioned Ximen Qing’s name. Could this matter be related to this person?"

Everyone exchanged glances, similarly finding this name suspicious.

Wu Zhi immediately decided, "I will send someone to investigate."

An Daoquan suggested, "I think the person who gave the medicine to the lady should also be investigated thoroughly. This person harbors ill intentions and should not be up to any good."

Pan Jinlian furrowed her brow, unintentionally speaking on behalf of that person, "Doctor An, that person is the Young Master of Rejuvenation Hall. During this plague, it is thanks to Rejuvenation Hall that we managed to get through safely. They treated all the people for free, so they shouldn’t be bad people, right?"

Wu Song speculated, "Could they have misdiagnosed the illness? Unintentionally harming my brother?"

An Daoquan shook his head, "Impossible, my judgment wouldn’t be wrong. Their medicine was clearly meant to take the General’s life."

Wu Song said, "Then what more is there to say, I will take people directly to arrest them, question them, and find out the truth."

Wu Zhi stopped him and said, "You can’t, Rejuvenation Hall is now the savior of Yang Valley Pass. How will the people react if you arrest them?"

Wu Song asked, "Then what should we do?"

Wu Zhi fell into silence.

Standing to the side, Wu Yong stroked his beard and smiled, "They are doing all this just to take General Wu’s life. Why don’t we use this against them, claiming publicly that General Wu is dead, and then see their reaction."

An Daoquan laughed heartily, "Lure the snake out of the hole?"

Wu Zhi and Wu Song looked at each other, both agreeing, "That’s a good plan, but we need to make it believable. We should follow all the traditional rites, using a coffin, wearing mourning garments, and everything else according to custom."

In the crowd, only Pan Jinlian had a bitter expression and said, "Acting like this, aren’t you afraid of making a joke of yourselves?"

Wu Zhi patted her shoulder and chuckled lightly, "When doing great things, one should not be bothered by minor details. With lives at stake, why care about such vain reputations?"

The group put their plan into action at once. To make the deception convincing, An Daoquan even administered a needle to Wu Zhi, sealing his qi and blood flow.

Even if a divine doctor were to come and feel his pulse, they would not detect the feigned death.

That night, Pan Jinlian’s cries echoed throughout the residence.

The lanterns in the residence were all replaced with white ones overnight, and the next day a Soul Summoning Banner was hung at the entrance.

The maids and servants of the residence went out one after another to announce the death.

It wasn’t until the old housekeeper went to the city’s coffin shop, purchased a fine coffin, and brought it back.

Only then did the townspeople confirm that something had really happened to General Wu.

Along the way, the townspeople inquired about the situation.

Upon hearing of Wu Zhi’s death, they were all taken aback.

The Yang Valley Prefecture Magistrate, upon hearing the news, quickly came to the Commander-in-chief’s Residence to visit.

Finally, it was confirmed by him that General Wu was indeed deceased.

Having succumbed to a plague, he passed away in the prime of his life.

The Magistrate reported to the Imperial Court on one hand, while writing an elegy for Wu Zhi on the other, declaring it to the entire city.

To prevent the spread of infection, it was decided to hold the funeral in advance.

Two days later, the funeral was held.

The news reached Rejuvenation Hall, where the shopkeeper, trembling, reported the matter to Ximen Qing.

Ximen Qing dismissed him, and soon the Plague Demon Monarch appeared, full of surprise, "Could it be that this Wu Zhi is really dead? Could he be pretending?"

He only knew that the Wu Family had invited experts to assist, but he was unaware of whether Wu Zhi was dead or alive.

When he went that night, Wu Zhi was still being treated in the main hall.

Ximen Qing smiled faintly, "Whether he’s truly dead or just pretending doesn’t matter to us. As long as the Magistrate reports his death to the Imperial Court, my godfather can replace him with a new General at Yang Valley Pass. By then, even if Wu Zhi isn’t dead, Yang Valley Pass will be our domain."

The Plague Demon Monarch sneered, "You humans are truly wicked, always indulging in these political maneuvers. Compared to you, we members of the Demon Clan are much more straightforward and simpler."

Ximen Qing laughed heartily at his comment, "That’s why you members of the Demon Clan can only survive in remote forests, while we humans have spread throughout the entire realm."

"Do you still want to save face here?"

The Plague Demon Monarch shot him a sideways glance, suggesting, "For safety’s sake, I advise you to send someone to verify the situation. Otherwise, it might end up being all for nothing."

Ximen Qing took a sip of tea, smiling faintly, "Don’t worry, I will personally pay my respects to the residence."

In the court, the news of Wu Zhi’s death reached the Emperor’s ears, causing quite a stir.

Various factions immediately focused their attention on Yang Valley Pass.

This place was the first checkpoint for Qi and Lu to enter the pass, holding an important strategic military position.

Historically, this pass had always been a vital location for the court to place its own people, and this time was no exception.

Prime Minister Cai Jing already had a plan, having someone report and recommend one of his son-in-law Liang Zhongshu’s generals, known as Pagoda-Holding Heavenly King Li Cheng, to take up the position of General at Yang Valley Pass.

Grand Marshal Su Yuanjing was, of course, unwilling, proposing that Wu Zhi’s brother Wu Song succeed as the General instead.

The reason being, the Wu Family had been loyal for generations.

The position of General at Yang Valley Pass had always been held by someone from the Wu Family, with many of the soldiers under their command from the Wu clan.

If the general were to be switched abruptly, it might cause upheaval in the military.

Thus, a fierce debate unfolded in the court, with both sides arguing their cases, neither willing to yield.

The Emperor sat steadily on the Dragon Court, remaining silent, only issuing a decree expressing condolences to Wu Zhi’s family and conferring posthumous honors on Wu Zhi.

At the Commander-in-chief’s Residence, visitors came in an endless stream to pay their respects.

After all, the Wu Family had guarded Yang Valley Pass for a thousand years, possessing extensive connections here.

Numerous prominent figures came to the spirit hall, paying their respects and worshiping.

The servants at the door continuously announced arrivals, their voices becoming somewhat hoarse from shouting.

After a while, a servant suddenly announced, "The Young Master of Rejuvenation Hall, Ximen Qing, has arrived!"

In the spirit hall, Wu Song, Pan Jinlian, Wu Yong, and An Daoquan all opened their eyes simultaneously.

Fearing that Wu Song might cause a scene, Wu Yong immediately held his arm, signaling him to remain calm no matter what.

Soon, a young man entered the hall.

He bowed to Wu Zhi’s memorial tablet, and after being thanked by the Family Head, his gaze met Pan Jinlian’s. Earnestly, he said, "Having heard of General Wu’s passing, I have been sleepless in my grief. Everyone knows that General Wu had taken medicine from Rejuvenation Hall. Ultimately, not surviving is partly our responsibility. If you are willing, may I be allowed to examine General Wu once more? Having studied medicine from a young age, my family knows techniques that can bring people back from the brink of death; perhaps a miracle could occur."

Pan Jinlian, her eyes full of tears, in her white mourning clothes, knelt on the ground, appearing more fragile and pitiable than before.

She glanced at Wu Song, who questioned Ximen Qing, "It was after taking your medicine that my brother succumbed to his illness. Do you expect us to believe you with your words now?"

Ximen Qing bowed again and offered, "I once again apologize to you all concerning this matter. Rejuvenation Hall indeed made a mistake with the prescription, assuming General Wu had contracted an ordinary plague. I am sincerely here to help this time. If you all are unwilling, I will leave."

In the spirit hall, some local gentry who had benefited from Rejuvenation Hall now spoke up for Ximen Qing, "Young Master, don’t be like that, life and death are preordained; I believe the Wu family won’t blame you."

"That’s right, plagues are acts of fate, it is normal that human effort cannot change it."

Someone advised Pan Jinlian, "Mistress Wu, Young Master Ximen sincerely regrets it; why don’t you let him look at General Wu, perhaps he really has a way!"

"..."