Free Web NovelChapter 880: Chapter 639: Lingzhou City (Happy New Year’s Eve!)
It’s no longer wise to feign unconsciousness now; the enemy intends to make an example by killing him, and he’s sure that he would be that example.
But if he didn’t pass out, then he would have to say something, which boiled down to two options: either deny everything and claim ignorance, or reveal the conspiracy of the Earl Mansion, pinning all the blame on the people there and the Feng Shui Master who betrayed his sect.
However, before that, he had an urgent issue to deal with: whether this so-called Prince Qi was genuine.
Recalling the moments before the incident, it was very quiet inside the Earl Mansion and he heard no sound of chaos. From Yang Xiao’s understanding of these people in the Earl Mansion, once the conspiracy was exposed, these fellows would definitely not surrender without a fight; a fierce battle would be unavoidable.
Given that they committed the grave crime of rebellion using Evil Techniques, getting caught meant certain death. If it were him, he would rather fight to death; it made no sense that so many were captured alive.
Looking at those people forced to kneel on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs, Yang Xiao felt they were too calm, not begging for mercy or even crying out. It would be one thing if one or two had such resolve, but it was unreasonable for the entire family to be so brave.
With a headache from being knocked with a kitchen knife, Yang Xiao was hunched over in a very uncomfortable position, but that also allowed him to see the lower bodies of the people caught by the Earl Mansion. He was looking for potential flaws.
Soon, his gaze was drawn to the shoes visible under someone’s long robe. The individual’s shoes were noticeably large, which Yang Xiao suspected was due to the Earl Mansion’s practice of maintaining the so-called royal lineage through strict inbreeding over the centuries, leading to their odd and unstable forms; hence, the need for thicker and more stable shoes.
However, he then noticed that the shoes on the feet of several corpses in the front row were normal boots.
Yang Xiao immediately realized that these dead individuals were not from the bloodline of the Earl Mansion, but imposters. Indeed, something was amiss—it was a ploy of deception! freewebnoveℓ.com
Undoubtedly, the Earl Mansion had orchestrated this deception as a test for them!
Having figured all this out, Yang Xiao knew what he had to do next. When it came to acting, he was talented. Even with a blade pressing against his neck, Yang Xiao did not change his tune, insisting on his ignorance. Facing the "Qi King’s personal soldiers’"interrogation, he denied everything detrimental to the Earl Mansion, adopting a demeanor of sharing a noble cause with his lord.
"Your Majesty, I have said all I need to say. If you don’t believe me, cut off my head!" Yang Xiao straightened his body, his expression full of righteousness.
"Clap."
"Clap."
"Clap."
Behind the screen, Prince Qi slowly clapped his hands. The next second, he walked out from behind the screen with the help of his subordinates, wearing not Vassal King’s clothes but a bright yellow Dragon Robe. It was none other than the Mansion Master of the Earl Mansion!
Seeing this, the bloodline members of the Earl Mansion accompanying him in the act also stood up. The nearby soldiers quickly stepped forward, respectfully freeing these people. Thus, the grand performance concluded, and although Yang Xiao’s face showed shock, he felt a sense of relief inside, knowing they had passed this test and walked back from the Ghost Gate.
"Very good, extremely good!" The Mansion Master of the Earl Mansion was very satisfied with their performance, especially with Yang Xiao, "Truly a rare loyal and good officer! My heart is greatly assured!"
"Meeting Your Majesty, long live, long live, forever and forever!" Yang Xiao kowtowed deeply, paying great respect to the Mansion Master who dreamed of being an emperor.
Nalan Shuo and others also followed the salute, feeling relieved as that big burden was lifted. The Earl Mansion had really spent a lot in planning this deception.
"My dear subjects, rise. I have an important task for you," said the Mansion Master with his hands behind his back, wearing the Dragon Robe that seemed quite out of place on him.
Fang Zhou Chang Chuchu was forcibly awakened, and they followed the Mansion Master to the largest room in the courtyard, under the dim moonlight, where there stood a huge black coffin.
This coffin, entirely black, rested on a chariot, looking extremely heavy, with an unclear type of wood used.
"Our Ancestor’s celestial lifespan has ended, and you all have once celebrated his birthday. Please accompany him on his last journey," the Mansion Master said in a hoarse voice, brooking no denial.
Nalan Shuo took the opportunity to bow and asked in a low voice: "May I ask Your Majesty, where do you intend to bury our Ancestor?"
"Lingzhou City."
With these three words, Yang Xiao and the others understood. What followed matched exactly what the suicidal Feng Shui Master had said before: the Mansion Master wanted them to carry the coffin to Lingzhou City, choose any auspicious Feng Shui place for burial, but with one condition: it must be at night, and before the burial, the coffin had to be opened to remove the Divine Turtle Seal placed on the Ancestor’s body.
To comfort Yang Xiao and the others, the Mansion Master even pretended to give them three pieces of Talisman Paper that were supposedly very precious and sought from the temple master of Qingyun Temple, guaranteeing a safe and successful journey.
"We have six people; why are there only three Talisman Papers?" Lou Huixiang couldn’t help but ask after receiving the papers.
"You need only three to go," replied the Mansion Master indifferently.
The coffin contained the evil Ancestor; no mistakes could be afforded. Considering potential mishaps on the way, or the need to carry the coffin, Jiang Qingluan and Chang Chuchu were excluded from the task, most importantly, this was also the intention of the Earl Mansion.
