Free Web NovelChapter 1365: Chapter 57: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada
Zhang Weiyu asked Zhongxuan Sheng whether he intended to use the Zhong Xuan Family as a guarantee for Jiang Wang.
It was both a show of his own confidence in harvesting gains from Qingyang Town and a warning to Zhongxuan Sheng—if Jiang Wang was implicated in treason, would Zhongxuan Sheng be willing to drag the Zhong Xuan Family into it?
This was a deliberate probe.
Zhongxuan Sheng decisively replied that he shared both honor and shame with Jiang Wang. If Jiang Wang were implicated in treason, he would inevitably be part of it too.
At this point, it was Zhang Weiyu who took the initiative to sever their connection.
Sacrificing Jiang Wang into the abyss is vastly different in cost compared to dragging Zhongxuan Sheng down along with him.
One could say Jiang Wang committed treason, but to declare Zhongxuan Sheng treasonous was not an option.
Chen Fuchang once said something: regardless of position or task, one must always understand the implications of the word "measure."
Zhang Weiyu firmly kept this saying in mind.
His goal was clear: to completely crush Jiang Wang and seize the position as Beiyar Commander—even if it meant clashing with Zhongxuan Sheng.
However, what mattered to him was not how Zhongxuan Sheng would fare.
He was acutely aware of the overwhelming disparity between himself and an aristocratic scion like Zhongxuan Sheng—a gap that would take generations of effort to bridge. Just like the onslaught of storms currently battering Jiang Wang, the Empire’s rising star, such tribulations would never befall figures like Zhongxuan Sheng or Li Longchuan.
If Zhongxuan Sheng wanted to follow, then let him follow.
He never intended to make any other underhanded moves. There was no fear of being shadowed.
The fruits of victory had matured, and he was merely plucking them.
While Zhongxuan Sheng and Zhang Weiyu exchanged words, their apparent rapport might suggest congeniality; yet on close listening, it was all meaningless—like an eloquent version of petty squabbling.
Grade-4 Green Badge Ma Xiong, observing all this, felt his eyelid twitch, but his face remained impassive, not uttering a sound.
Last year, when Jiang Wang held the Green Badge post, he’d already displayed his genius by defeating Wang Yiwu in the same realm, earning initial acclaim as a prodigy. Ma Xiong had then offered some concessions, recognizing Jiang Wang’s potential. Yet he had never imagined that in such a short span, Jiang Wang would achieve so much.
Far beyond his imagination, Jiang Wang had reshaped his understanding of what a prodigy could be.
It was not merely Jiang Wang’s personal power and reputation—his ability to mobilize political resources was equally terrifying. Linzi itself had been uproariously swept into a storm entirely because of him!
Now, with two Immortal-like figures in contention, Ma Xiong dared not offend either.
So, he opted to render himself a mere prop, wishing he could cease even his breathing. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Among the three key players—two were embroiled in conflict, while one feigned ignorance.
Under this strange atmosphere, the investigation team headed toward Qingyang Town.
...
...
Dugu Xiao had been filled with unease these past two days.
The trading caravans of the De Sheng Trading Company had been halted for two days already.
As one of the few fastest-growing firms among Qi Country’s emerging commercial groups, particularly with Zhongxuan Sheng having opened communications with the Near Sea Archipelago, the De Sheng Trading Company’s daily stagnation meant colossal losses.
Moreover, Fan Qingqing’s special trip to use the Taixu Corner Tower in Heavenly Mansion City had been subtly blocked.
They therefore understood that Qingyang Town had been sealed off.
What unsettled Dugu Xiao was not Qingyang Town itself, but the significance of the situation—Jiang Wang might actually be in trouble.
Though rumors had been circulating loudly before, she had steadfastly believed in Jiang Wang’s ability to resolve all problems, that the sudden storm would ultimately pass.
She had tightly controlled the narrative within Qingyang Town.
At the very least, in Qingyang Town, she had forbidden anyone from speaking disrespectfully of Jiang Wang.
But still, she wondered, she constantly wondered...
If Jiang Wang truly was in trouble, what would she do?
She had no answer to that.
Every time the thought struck her, it felt as if the sky was about to collapse.
"Xiao Xiao." In the town office, Fan Qingqing cast a scrutinizing glance at her. "You’ve been by Lord Jiang’s side the longest. Tell me honestly, has he had any ties with Equality Country? This concerns our very lives—things have become dire, and you must think it through clearly."
"Huh?" Dugu Xiao snapped out of her bewilderment, remained dazed for a moment, then finally grasped the question and shook her head. "The Lord spends nearly all his time cultivating—how would he have time to get involved with those chaotic organizations in some conspiracies?"
Her expression, fearful and filled with worry, evoked genuine pity.
Over time, Fan Qingqing had tutored her, forming a master-disciple bond. Dugu Xiao, with her diligent service, naturally shared an attachment.
Fan Qingqing couldn’t help but sigh: "It seems I was mistaken. Even if he did have ties with Equality Country, how could he possibly let you know?"
"I only know what the Lord permits me to know," Dugu Xiao replied, looking down. "Sister Fan, please don’t speak like this—it wouldn’t be good if others overheard. The Lord has no connection to Equality Country." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"Ha." Fan Qingqing shook her head. "Silly girl."
She sighed deeply: "You’re still not aware of the gravity of the situation. For his territory to be sealed means he’s lost the trust of Qi Country’s upper echelons. Such meteoric prodigies often fall like shooting stars too—too many eyes are fixed on him, magnifying even the slightest flaw, while he lacks the foundation to withstand them. This time, his odds of survival are slim..."
She trailed off, disheartened: "When this matter settles, will you go with me?"
Dugu Xiao looked at Fan Qingqing in shock: "Go where?"
Fan Qingqing smiled, lightly patting her head: "We Transcendent cultivators can go anywhere. Yet you’re used to serving others as a maid, only knowing how to be one! Let me take you to enjoy life—to show you what it means to live as a Transcendent cultivator."
"I don’t want to leave," Dugu Xiao said, biting her lip. "The Lord entrusted me with managing here—so I’m determined to guard it well."
"Your Lord can barely fend for himself." Fan Qingqing glanced around, sighed, and added: "When this land becomes someone else’s territory, you won’t have the choice to stay."
During her stay in Qingyang Town, Fan Qingqing had invested considerable effort. Speaking about these matters inevitably stirred feelings in her.
"Something’s happened, Lady Dugu!"
At that moment, a town guard rushed in, panicked: "A group of people has suddenly arrived, claiming they’re here to search the town! Elite soldiers are accompanying them!"
Dugu Xiao exchanged glances with Fan Qingqing, who barely shook her head.
"Don’t panic—take me to see them," Dugu Xiao said darkly. "This is the personal territory of Jiang Wang, the Empire’s foremost Inner Mansion lord. Who dares search it without justification?"
"Ha! What bold words!"
A voice blasted into the town hall with formidable force.
Striding in was a sharp-dressed official: "I am Zhang Weiyu, Langzhong of the Ministry of Appointments, here under imperial decree to search Qingyang Town! From this moment forward, no one is to move or make idle chatter—any defiance will be treated as attempted destruction of evidence or collusion, punishable by execution on the spot!"
His murderous tone silenced the entire scene.
All town guards, clerks, and even Qingyang Town’s third Transcendent martial artist, Zhang Hai, froze midway to the hall, not daring to approach further.
Fan Qingqing, the cultivator with the highest cultivation and worldly experience in Qingyang Town, also refrained from speaking, adopting an entirely cooperative posture.
In that moment.
Only Dugu Xiao stepped forward instead of retreating, boldly confronting Zhang Weiyu.
"What evidence do you have to substantiate your claims?"
Under the oppressive weight of his presence, her heart felt ready to explode, yet she gritted her teeth and demanded: "If you have the decree, let me see it. If you have the order, let me verify it! Otherwise, you are forcibly trespassing on private territory and opposing Jiang Wang, a Grade-3 Gold-Pumice Samurai and Son of Qingyang—I will resist to the death!"
Her tone was so firm that Zhang Hai, frozen near the town hall entrance, almost recalled the moment when that youth first charged out to face Jia City’s army!
Zhang Weiyu gazed at the frail and petite girl before him, intrigued.
This was merely a small figure he could crush with one finger, yet today, under the overwhelming imperial mandate, she dared to defy?螳臂挡车 (an ant attempting to block a vehicle)?
