The Empress Wants It All: The Empire and Me - Chapter 43.3

Chapter 43.3

“Lord Lu, the bandits’ offensive is fierce. If we return in defeat, we will be a laughingstock all the way to the Imperial Court. I implore you, Lord Lu, deploy your troops immediately!”

Lu Yunpeng’s nostrils flared toward the sky. “What nonsense are you talking, Lord Qi? If you return in defeat, what does that have to do with this General?”

Qi Zhong gnashed his teeth and suddenly performed a deep, formal bow. “Lord Lu, you and I are colleagues, both serving the Court. Please, deploy your troops at once to manifest the might of the Shimen County General!”

Lu Yunpeng burst into laughter, pointing at him. “Qi Zhong, you finally have your day! If you kneel and beg me today, I shall deploy the troops instantly!”

He expected Qi Zhong to maintain his pride a bit longer, but to his surprise, the man dropped to one knee without a second thought.

“Lord Lu, I, Qi, am loyal to the nation and would die without regret. If a single kneel from me can reduce the deaths of our soldiers, Qi Zhong does so willingly!”

The laughter died on Lu Yunpeng’s face. Though Qi Zhong had knelt, those words had placed Lu Yunpeng on a roasting spit. He was now forced to deploy his troops, while Qi Zhong’s kneel had been reframed as an act of noble patriotism!

Lu Yunpeng was so enraged he nearly kicked him to death, but fortunately, Wang Li leaned in. “General, have you forgotten Mr. Xu’s words?”

Lu Yunpeng suddenly snapped to his senses. For this campaign, the great scholar Xu Xingzhi had secretly offered guidance, providing him with three “silk-pouch strategies.”

His spirits lifted, and he immediately issued the order to attack. In an instant, the forest shook and leaves rustled as two thousand soldiers poured out from the woods, surging toward the Black Dragon Stronghold to begin the encirclement.

Qi Zhong suddenly shouted, “Lord Lu, the bandits’ weapons are all coated in poison! If you do not kill them with a single blow, you will be slain. Be extremely careful!”

After shouting, his expression darkened again. As a General, Lu Yunpeng would never want his troops to suffer heavy losses, so he would surely strike with lethal force. Thus, the Black Dragon Stronghold was doomed!

He would then lead his own men to deliver the finishing blows, exterminating all survivors to ensure no secrets leaked. A humiliating kneel today was better than losing his head.

Lu Yunpeng, I’ll let you stay arrogant for a few more days. Once I resolve the crisis of the Black Dragon Stronghold, you’ll be the first one I deal with!

Among the swarming soldiers, four figures were acting suspiciously, scurrying toward a large boulder and ducking behind it.

Chibao knit his thick brows and asked, “Wang Jinghong, you insisted on bringing us into the army ranks—what exactly is your intention?”

Wang Jinghong replied, “To witness the downfall of the Black Dragon Stronghold with our own eyes, so we can go back and tell Master Lin.”

Chibao was now filled with regret, thinking he shouldn’t have agreed to wade into these muddy waters in the deep forest. He was covered in insect bites, had to stay on guard against bandits, and had to prevent the General from realizing they were imposters. The danger was everywhere.

Sensing Chibao’s desire to retreat, Wang Jinghong urged him on: “Think about it, this is the Black Dragon Stronghold. They must have accumulated a massive amount of gold, silver, and jewels over the years. While the ‘snipe and the clam’ are fighting, we can be the ‘fisherman’ who reaps the rewards. As the saying goes, the timid starve while the bold feast. Don’t you all want to get rich?”

Chibao, Chen Ping, and Chen An were instantly swayed.

Inside the Black Dragon Stronghold.

Liu Honghuang was discussing matters with Auntie Xiang when the Deputy Commander Zheng Wei suddenly reported: “Reporting to the Princess, a large force has arrived at the foot of the mountain and is attacking the stronghold. Should your subordinates use lethal force?”

Liu Honghuang’s expression shifted. “Whose troops are they?”

Zheng Wei replied, “The Shimen County Magistrate and the Shimen County General have both arrived. The offensive is fierce, and they have no fewer than a thousand men. Princess, please issue your orders immediately!”

Liu Honghuang’s face darkened again. Auntie Xiang said, “Have Qi Zhong and Lu Yunpeng eaten a bear’s heart and a leopard’s gall? We warned them secretly, yet they dare to ‘break ground on the Tai Sui’s head.’ Your Highness, do not be angry; this old servant will go and give them a warning.”

Just as she was about to move, her expression changed drastically. She barked, “Who goes there?”

Liu Honghuang immediately whispered, “Xuanming.”

Xuanming appeared silently from the shadows. “Master.”

Liu Honghuang frowned slightly. “What is happening?”

Xuanming said expressionlessly, “Someone intends to assassinate Master. I have already locked onto them.”

Auntie Xiang barked, “Then why haven’t you gone to kill the assassin?”

Xuanming remained stoic. “I cannot go, for there may be more than one.”

Auntie Xiang’s expression changed. Liu Honghuang, however, was unhurried. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Auntie Xiang, you go. See which mad dog has dared to bite me.”

Auntie Xiang immediately obeyed and left.

Liu Honghuang then looked at Zheng Wei. “Where is Commander Ji?”

Zheng Wei hesitated briefly, remembering Ji Xuan’s instructions before he left. He lowered his head and said, “The Commander has gone to scout the enemy’s strength and ordered me to report.”

Liu Honghuang’s expression softened slightly. “Since they have brought ample troops, go ahead and kill freely. Once enough of them die, they will naturally retreat.”

Zheng Wei was overjoyed. They had been stuck in this remote wilderness with no entertainment, nearly falling ill from boredom. Now that human targets had delivered themselves to their doorstep, it was the perfect time to vent their frustrations through a slaughter.

He immediately replied, “Your subordinate obeys!”

In an instant, the elite troops of the Black Dragon Stronghold poured out to engage Lu Yunpeng’s soldiers in a bloodbath.

Xuanming suddenly said, “Two more have arrived. Please take cover, Master.”

A look of malice flashed in Liu Honghuang’s eyes. She asked, “Can you identify which faction they belong to?”

“I cannot,” Xuanming replied.

Caiyun snapped, “Aren’t you supposed to be formidable? How can you not even identify them? Why haven’t you killed them all yet?”

Xuanming gave her a cold stare, making Caiyun flinch back a step. Liu Honghuang quickly said, “Xuanming, this girl is spoiled and lacks a filter. You are now the second-ranked ultimate expert among the Black-Clad Guards—can you not even repel these enemies?”

Xuanming said in a deep voice, “These are ‘Death Guards’. Since I must protect my Master, I cannot exert my full strength to kill them.”

Liu Honghuang showed no panic. Her eyes flickered several times before she suddenly asked, “Xuanming, could this be related to that escaped Ji Yue?”

Xuanming shook his head. “His chest was struck by my Yin Wind Palm. He absolutely cannot survive, he must be dead in some corner.”

Hearing his certainty, Liu Honghuang felt somewhat relieved. She suddenly whispered a few instructions to Caiyun, who hurried out.

After Caiyun left, Xuanming said, “The Death Guards’ target is Master. They will not strike at Caiyun because they know that if they do, I will discover their hiding place.”

Liu Honghuang harbored a secret hatred, the malice in her eyes resurfacing. She said coldly, “The Shimen County Magistrate and General suddenly attack the mountain, and exactly at that time, Death Guards come to assassinate me. It seems Shimen County is inextricably linked to this. Once this matter is settled, you shall go there on my behalf.”

“Yes.”

Shortly after, Caiyun rushed back and whispered, “Princess, the gold mine is secure.”

Only then did Liu Honghuang feel completely at ease. She gave Caiyun a look, and Caiyun immediately pressed a switch on a hidden door. It led to a secret chamber carved into a giant rock—not large, but incredibly sturdy. It was filled with red-lacquered chests.

Liu Honghuang walked in first and opened a chest. Inside, the golden light was dazzling; it was filled with rows of smelted gold bars.

Extremely satisfied, Liu Honghuang nodded to Caiyun, who immediately pressed the switch to close the door.

As the stone door rumbled shut, Xuanming’s figure quietly vanished into the darkness. His hunt had begun.

Like a leopard, he lunged toward a direction he had already locked onto. A certain kill!

At that moment, another dark shadow lunged at him. A cruel glint flashed in Xuanming’s dark eyes. His body performed an mid-air contortion that seemed humanly impossible, pivoting to strike directly at this new shadow.

His target wasn’t the Death Guard he had already locked onto, but this one lying in ambush!

However—He had a plan, and so did the Death Guards!

The shadow threw an object into the air. It exploded with a bang, sending white powder flying everywhere. It was quicklime!

Xuanming was forced to halt, using his sleeve to shield his eyes. In that split second, the two Death Guards lunged toward the stone door.

But Xuanming had anticipated their move. He flew forward in an instant, striking out with both hands, hitting both guards in their backs!

Both guards spat out blood, their bodies sent flying, but they used the momentum to escape at high speed.

“Seeking death!”

Xuanming was instantly infuriated. No one had ever escaped his hands. He immediately gave chase.

A moment later, the Death Guard who had lured Auntie Xiang away quietly returned. She hid in the shadows, her eyes blinking as she warily surveyed the surroundings. It was Anying (Shadow).

She silently approached the stone door, covered her nose and mouth with a wet cloth, and used a uniquely shaped iron tube to shoot medicinal powder through the gap in the door.

Five breaths later, she opened the stone door. Inside, Liu Honghuang and Caiyun had collapsed unconscious on the floor.

Immediately after, a group of burly, solemn-faced young men dressed in black emerged from an abandoned woodshed. They had been lurking inside the Black Dragon Stronghold for a day and a night, waiting for this exact moment.

Silent and swift, they entered the secret chamber one by one. Each man hoisted a wooden chest and left. Not a single sound was made throughout the process.

In a mere fraction of an hour, sixty thousand taels of gold were cleared out.

Forty-eight men each carried a chest, while the remaining two stayed behind to walk backward, erasing everyone’s footprints. They came in silence and left in silence, melting into the darkness like ghosts.

Anying took one last look at the unconscious Liu Honghuang, quietly closed the stone door, and was about to escape when a lightning-fast gust of wind struck toward her face.

“Thief, die!”

Auntie Xiang had actually returned!

Anying was startled and immediately engaged her in combat. Anfeng and Anyun were currently stalling Xuanming; she had to stall Auntie Xiang to buy time for the private soldiers!

Early in the hour of the Rabbit.

Anying stumbled into the courtyard of Lin Yanran’s house. She had deliberately lured Auntie Xiang away and then fought her to delay time. Fifteen minutes later, Auntie Xiang realized she had fallen for a “lure the tiger from the mountain” ruse and abandoned her. Only then did she manage to escape back.

“Anying.”

A cold, solemn voice suddenly came from inside the room. The Princess isn’t asleep?

Anying quickly pried open the door and entered the room. Youqin Mingyue pushed aside the shark-silk curtains and sat on the edge of the bed, draped in a robe.

Anying immediately knelt. “Your Highness—” She hesitated, glancing at Lin Yanran sleeping on the floor mat.

Youqin Mingyue said softly, “It is fine. Speak.”

Only then did Anying lower her voice. “Your Highness, the task is accomplished.” She was breathing heavily, clearly stirred by the success of the mission.

Youqin Mingyue’s hand, resting on her knee, suddenly clenched tight. Then, she slowly relaxed it. She rubbed her fingertips together, a sharp light flickering in her eyes amidst the darkness.

Suppressing the joy welling up in her heart, she turned her gaze to Anying. “Are you injured?”

Anying said respectfully, “This subordinate is willing to die for Your Highness. A mere minor injury is not worth mentioning.”

“Anfeng? Anyun?”

“They are still alive.”

“The others?”

“All alive. Please rest easy, Your Highness; not a single man was lost.”

Youqin Mingyue couldn’t help but rub her fingertips again. Sometimes Anying’s way of reporting was a headache. “And the items?”

“Safe. Anfeng and Anyun are currently guarding them.”

Only at this moment did Youqin Mingyue slowly exhale the breath she had been holding in her chest. After days of plotting, sixty thousand taels of gold were finally in her hands!

She couldn’t help but look down. Lin Yanran was sleeping at her feet, the moonlight from the window illuminating her face—peaceful, beautiful, and sleeping very soundly. Having been awake all night, Youqin Mingyue felt a strange trace of envy.

Suddenly, she remembered something and reached out to Anying. “Where is the item I instructed you to bring back?”

Anying hurriedly pulled a heavy black waist pouch from her belt. The pouch was sewn from a special, durable fabric and was long and thin, like a thick belt that could be wrapped around the waist to store items.

She poured out six gold bars and presented them to Youqin Mingyue with both hands.

Anying wondered privately why the Princess had specifically instructed her to bring back exactly two hundred taels of gold. What was the purpose? Did she want to study the gold-crafting techniques of the Dragon Abyss Kingdom? She was completely puzzled.

However, it was lucky she had those gold bars wrapped around her waist; they had just happened to block Auntie Xiang’s insidious, close-range knife strike.

She peeked up secretly and saw that their usually stern Princess actually had a rare, faint curve at the corners of her lips after receiving the gold bars.

Anying thought to herself: The gold is in hand; the Princess must be overjoyed!

Little did she know that their noble Princess was currently thinking: I wonder how that commoner will react tomorrow when she receives a doubled reward from me?