Chapter 689: Manpower

Chapter 689: Chapter 689: Manpower

Yang Jian may well be the most unconventional, radical, and daring Emperor in the history of the Jingjiu Dynasty.

Even amidst internal strife and external threats, Yang Jian still firmly believed that the Dynasty had both the capability and fortune to make it through. All those seemingly perilous obstacles were, in his eyes, merely the scenery along the final road to peace. He had confidence in himself, in his sons, and in the ministers he relied on.

The death of Prince Qian sealed the last crack in the Emperor’s heart. He would no longer be shaken by the loss of his sons in the days to come.

However, if one has the ability to harm his brothers, he must also have the skill to escape scrutiny. He would not, like Emperors of past generations, tacitly permit such fratricide—even if, in truth, he was the one orchestrating and encouraging it from the shadows.

Isn’t this contradictory? Perhaps, but this was Yang Jian’s way of balancing the Emperor and the father within himself. At the very least, acting thus eased his heart considerably.

The Emperor feels better, but those below him now suffer all the more.

Under his strategist’s analysis, Yang Shu had gradually come to understand his father’s intentions. He himself couldn’t quite articulate what he felt—it was strange. Prince Qian’s death had nothing to do with him; he wasn’t worried that the Xuanqing Guard would come after him, but he couldn’t guarantee that in the future, he wouldn’t harbor wicked thoughts of his own.

Go head-to-head with the Xuanqing Guard? Yang Shu sighed inwardly. The coming Major Examination would be much tougher than he’d anticipated.

"Strengthen our defenses. Keep this matter in mind, all of you. If any of you plan something similar in the future, you must always account for the Xuanqing Guard. Never assume they’ll let things slide—they answer only to the Emperor, not to the Princes."

The others immediately bowed in acknowledgment.

"Is there anything else?" At noon, Yang Shu had a banquet to attend—Xie Youlin, Chief Officer of the Fengri City Local Government Office, had arranged it. Also attending were all Local Government Officers of the city’s district. It was an informal gathering. Such occasions were Yang Shu’s favorite: what one couldn’t say openly could always be voiced over wine.

"Your Highness, there’s one more matter." The one speaking was Yang Shu’s strategist, whose words carried a note of caution.

The other strategists nearby understood the cue and tactfully stood to take their leave, closing the door behind them. The strategist then produced a concealing Array and activated it, cloaking the study from prying ears.

"Speak. What is it?"

"Your Highness, ’Dao’ has sent word."

Yang Shu put down the teacup he’d just lifted, turning his head. "What news? It’s a bit late, isn’t it?"

"The information was gathered by Celestial Wings Trading Company under Dao. For years, they’ve been in charge of freight operations in the City of Unjust Death. Most supplies—food, drink, and goods—are handled by them, so their intelligence is always sharp. This time, it just took longer because anything related to Nine-Life Zhenren is exceptionally difficult to investigate."

Yang Shu stayed silent, gesturing for his strategist to continue.

"According to Celestial Wings, they haven’t acquired Nine-Life Zhenren’s real name. ’Nine-Life’ is an alias granted by his Master; since he first arrived in the City of Unjust Death, he’s only used this moniker openly. Besides, his whereabouts are extremely mysterious. His Cultivation was not high at first—indeed, it was rather low—and he survived in the City of Unjust Death entirely under the protection of the Blood Robe Sect. Later, however, his Cultivation rose rapidly; he entered the Profound Sea Realm thirty years ago."

Yang Shu interrupted, "What is this Blood Robe Sect?"

"Your Highness, the Blood Robe Sect is one of the three major factions in the City of Unjust Death. They control nearly thirty percent of the Underground Palace entrances, and their cultivators are numerous and powerful. It’s rumored they have no fewer than ten Profound Sea Realm cultivators. Their ways are cruel and unpredictable; exterminating entire households over a disagreement is commonplace. Secretly, they’re known as the ’Poisonous Wolves’ of the City of Unjust Death."

"So Nine-Life has someone backing him, then?"

"Yes, Your Highness. There is definitely someone supporting Nine-Life Zhenren. It could be a high-ranking member of the Blood Robe Sect or perhaps someone else altogether. But these matters are far too covert—even Celestial Wings can’t uncover them."

Yang Shu didn’t push further, merely waved a hand. "Continue."

"Yes, Your Highness. Nine-Life Zhenren has nine disciples in all. Besides the Liu family’s five brothers who have come this time, there are four others. They’re not well-known in the City of Unjust Death, and their Cultivation is about average. However, their actions are exceedingly strange."

"Strange? In what way?"

"Nine-Life’s disciples regularly purchase large numbers of children, boys and girls alike, from the city’s slave dealers. All are under thirteen or fourteen— the younger, the better, they say. So rumors swirl in the City of Unjust Death: Nine-Life and his disciples are practicing Evil Cultivation Techniques."

The words ’Evil Sect’ pricked Yang Shu. He frowned. "You’re saying that Nine-Life’s disciples are likely Evil Cultivators?"

The strategist nodded. "Your Highness, that’s the speculation about Nine-Life Zhenren’s line in the city. After all, normal Cultivation would never require the use of children, right? Besides, Nine-Life’s rapid progress in Cultivation is itself unnatural. It’s hard not to question their identity. Of course, Nine-Life’s group has never admitted to being Evil Cultivators."

In truth, once the strategist voiced this intelligence, the facts themselves mattered less; as long as they were suspected Evil Cultivators, it was reason enough for Yang Shu to exercise extreme caution.

"So you’re saying Liu Cheng and his associates are best not to be used?"

"Yes, Your Highness. That’s my view. You could use the lines of Moon Shadow Tower to have them find new people from the City of Unjust Death and replace these men. Of course, you could also pick up replacements from among the Loose Cultivators, while keeping Liu Cheng’s group around to see what schemes they may harbor."

"Moon Shadow Tower? Hmph, seems they’re not reliable this time either. Why do you think Moon Shadow Tower introduced a batch of men with dubious backgrounds? Is it possible they’re colluding with Nine-Life in some scheme?"

"I haven’t figured out Moon Shadow Tower’s game, Your Highness, but one thing is clear: they definitely know something about Nine-Life Zhenren’s background, and their introducing Liu Cheng and the others to you was deliberate. After all, there are plenty of Loose Cultivators with Cultivation like Liu Cheng’s in the City of Unjust Death, and many have no ties to Evil Cultivators. There was no need to dig a pit for themselves."

Yang Shu nodded agreement with his strategist’s judgment. In short, the Moon Shadow Tower he had once supported had now developed its own agenda.

"Hmph. I sheltered them from disaster at their lowest, and I can just as easily cast them into the abyss at their peak. We shall see what tricks they have up their sleeves.

Go find my second brother’s Guest Elders—strategists and cultivators alike, take them all. That will also let us supplant these so-called disciples of Nine-Life Zhenren."

The strategist acknowledged, adding, "It’s easy to recruit people. The only issue is that the remnants of Prince Qian’s forces are being fought over intensely. Should we try and carve out a share as well?"

Yang Shu shook his head. "Those are ancient factions, and they’re not compatible with us. Getting involved isn’t worth it; they may not even consider us worthy. Still, my second brother’s people—you must do your best to poach as many as you can for me, understood?"