Chapter 277: 214: Aftermath, Tiandu’s Secret Deliberation (3rd update, seeking subscription)
Chapter 277: 214: Aftermath, Tiandu’s Secret Deliberation (3rd update, seeking subscription)
Not to mention that the Ghost Emperor of Fengdu ranks fourth on the
Supreme List, but just considering the Seven Kills Sword Master of the Seven
Kills Sword Sect, his personal strength alone is enough to put him among the top fifty in the martial world.
Both men died at the hands of Pei Xuanjing. How could such a horrifying incident not shock everyone?
Meanwhile, Xue Wuheng made an appearance and had a brief conversation with Pei Xuanjing, which then spread around.
Although no one knew what the two had talked about, many people proclaimed that even Xue Wuheng, who ranked second on the Supreme List, dared not fight Pei Xuanjing. Therefore, even though Pei Xuanjing was killing members of the Demonic Cult, Xue Wuheng did not dare to confront Pei Xuanjing and fled instead.
Some people believe that Bai Xiaosheng will soon need to re-rank the Supreme List, with Pei Xuanjing being able to share the top spot with the old Taoist.
Even though they believe that in this world, most likely only the old Taoist may stand a chance of defeating Pei Xuanjing.
However, considering the old Taoist has lived for three cycles of 60 years and Pei Xuanjing had just turned thirty, it’s feared that for the next few centuries, everyone will have to look up to Pei Xuanjing.
Moreover, compared to the reclusive old Taoist who usually stays out of martial world affairs, this Slayer Taoist seemed domineering and difficult to deal with.
Three months have passed since the emperor was assassinated.
Despite the strong insistence of the Great Ming imperial court that the emperor was only injured and not in grave danger, this claim was too far-fetched to deceive the experienced officials in the Court.
After all, although the current emperor tended to be a bit reckless, it was common for him not to hold Great Morning Meetings for consecutive months.
But given the emperor’s character, not holding a court meeting for three consecutive months and not showing up in public again was somewhat hard to accept.
After all, even if just to soothe the public, if the emperor was, in fact, severely injured and on his deathbed, he could still make a brief appearance to reassure people.
But now, with no court meeting for three consecutive months, and all imperial decrees coming from the Cabinet in cooperation with high-ranking officials like the six Ministers of state, how could this not raise fresh doubts?
Tiandu, the residence of the Ministry of War’s Minister Wang Qiong.
Among the six ministers, the Minister of Personnel and Minister of Household are usually considered the leaders.
But in these years, Minister Wang, who now manages the Ministry of War, has a very high rank in the Court, with only the Cabinet’s Yang Tinghe able to rival him.
As a result, after the news of the emperor’s assassination, countless officials had visited the bustling Wang Mansion, wanting to pay their respects to the War Minister.
However, without exception, they were all turned away and nobody was allowed in.
That night, unbeknownst to the public, Gu Ji, the deputy imperial censor returned from the Northwest Dao to Tiandu and came to visit the War Minister’s residence after his report at the Ducal Palace. With the side gate opened, someone ushered him in.
In the study, the candlelight was bright.
The high-ranking War Minister Wang Qiong, dressed casually, did not exhibit the calm, confident demeanor he usually had outside, and instead looked exhausted and significantly older.
“Bo’an, you’ve worked hard,” he spoke softly, thanking the other person in the study.
Wang Boan, still in his scholarly robe, was sitting behind a desk with a book in his hand. Upon hearing Wang Qiong’s thanks, he replied without raising his head, “You’re too kind.”
Wang Qiong shook his head slightly, acknowledging the enormous effort Wang Boan had put forth during this period.
Ever since they brought Lawlessness back to Tiandu, Wang Boan had been using his strength to heal his injuries.
During this time, if it were not for his continuous assistance, Lawlessness probably would not have survived for so long.
Looking at Wang Boan who returned to his book after uttering a single sentence, Wang Qiong couldn’t help asking, “Others are desperate to get some information from me, but you seem to not care at all.”
Without raising his head, Wang Boan replied, “If it’s something you wanted to mention, you would have said it already. If it’s something you do not want me to know, even if I asked, I presume you would not tell me.”
“Hahaha…” Wang Qiong, who looked rather tired initially, suddenly began to laugh heartily. He shook his head and said, “If everyone in this world was like you, Wang Boan, I would be saved from many troubles.”
His words were clearly intended to convey something.
Since the disturbance in Tiandu, news of the emperor’s assassination has spread far and wide, and countless people want to get news from him.
Despite Wang Qiong’s furious rebuke, people still relentlessly tried to dig for information, much to his annoyance.
Wang Boan finally put down his book, looked at the tired Wang Qiong and sighed, “The Grand Marshal has been working hard these days.”
Even when focused on healing Lawlessness’s injuries, numerous news reached his ears.
In times of such complicated situations and undercurrents of turbulences, the amount of strategic planning from different factions was usually too much to ignore, especially for someone like Wang Boan who was taking a break at home.
Not to mention his extraordinary talent for leading troops into battle, but his profound and unfathomable Martial Arts expertise alone was widely regarded among the top ten in Tiandu.
Such a character, no one would want him to be pulled over by the opposing side.
So, even if Wang Boan was passive, people would deliberately or inadvertently leak a lot of information to him as a goodwill gesture.
With Wang Boan’s wisdom, even scattering pieces of news were enough to allow him to see through many things and understand some people’s concerns.
He knew the heavy burdens and enormous responsibilities that the high-ranking Grand Marshal bore now.
“Ah.” Wang Qiong sighed deeply, suddenly asking the study room, “Has the Left
Deputy Imperial Censor arrived?”
“Master, he has arrived, waiting in the side hall.”
“Ask the Left Deputy Imperial Censor to come to the study room!”
“Yes, sir.”
Wang Boan gave a slight smile, “If you, Grand Marshal, need to discuss some matters with Mr. Gu, I will take my leave first.”
Wang Qiong chuckled, “Don’t play dumb. You should know why I asked you here today.”
Interrupting Wang Boan, he said, “Wait till he comes, and I’ll explain everything.”
Wang Boan nodded.
“I have seen Minister Wang, I have seen Brother Wang.” Gu Ji, who walked into the study room, looked at Wang Boan who was also in the room, flashed a slight surprise in his eyes but remained indifferent, and greeted the two.
Wang Boan also nodded to Gu Ji, “Greetings, Mr. Gu.”
“Alright, no need for formalities, just sit down.” Wang Qiong waved his hand. After all three took the seats, Gu Ji first introduced what happened in the Northwest Dao.
After hearing his report, Wang Qiong nodded slightly, praising, “You did a good job this time.”
“I had this opportunity thanks to you, sir.” He replied modestly.
If it were not for Wang Qiong’s recommendation, he, a newcomer to the Ducal Palace, wouldn’t have gotten the job for the situation in the Northwest Dao.
Wang Qiong didn’t say much about this matter but signaled Wang Boan first. Wang Boan shook his head and replied, “There’s no one nearby.”
Only then did Wang Qiong say to the two, “I’ve asked both of you here today because I want to discuss another matter. ” He paused, then slowly began, “It’s about the palace .
Whoosh!
Before he could finish, the two’s faces instantly turned serious, gazing intently at Wang Qiong.
Ignoring the change in their expressions, Wang Qiong continued solemnly, “The Emperor has ascended to the heavens..”