Free Web NovelChapter 1376: Chapter 65 Past Events_2
Zhongxuan Sheng clicked his tongue repeatedly, "Do you know why I’ve been willing to play along with you for so long? Because you’re like a street performer, putting on a monkey show. When you pass by, I just casually clap for you... You perform with incredible intensity, so ridiculous and amusing!"
As he spoke, he even raised a thumbs-up.
Of course, he wasn’t truly appreciating Zhang Weiyu’s performance; he had never paid attention to monkey shows.
These words, though cutting to the heart, were merely his way of concealing his intentions.
In this round of confrontation.
He had first laid out the simplest trap, claiming that Hell Has No Door had a stronghold in Green Sheep Town, that Jiang Wang was one of their members, and even provided some seemingly plausible but ultimately fabricated evidence.
Anyone with a mind for such matters wouldn’t even need to visit Green Sheep Town; a cursory investigation would reveal it was false. This, in turn, would make them wonder—was this hiding something deeper?
Beneath this surface-level trap lay the faint hints of a secret related to Equality Country, hidden as though within a mist.
But in truth, that too was false.
It couldn’t escape someone as shrewd as Zhang Weiyu.
Beneath this trap was yet another layer—the matter of Fan Qingqing gathering intelligence for Diao Hai Building. This was something that could be seen as either significant or trivial. If connected to Jiang Wang, it became monumental; if not, it was merely minor.
Zhongxuan Sheng had long held the key witnesses, simply awaiting someone to unravel the case.
On the foundation of this intricately woven scheme, he initiated that clash with Zhang Weiyu, who narrowly "triumphed" and entered his web!
But in truth, all of this served only to obscure the very first rumor.
Layer after layer, the connection between Jiang Wang and Hell Has No Door became absurdly laughable. No one would believe it anymore. Even if Su She were to appear, even if Yin Guan were to speak up, people would merely interpret it as slander.
The simplest part of this scheme turned out to be its core.
As long as someone fell into the trap, Zhongxuan Sheng was the victor, regardless of who the opponent was. The bait had been set; Zhang Weiyu was merely coincidental prey.
At this moment, Zhang Weiyu silently sat in place, seemingly unaffected by Zhongxuan Sheng’s ridicule.
In truth, he indeed left no room for himself to be angry, as his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of how to proceed. Having expended such vast resources and effort to ultimately achieve nothing, what was he to do?
How could he compensate for this loss?
Everything he had experienced compelled him to press forward; stopping was not an option.
After his provocations went unanswered, Zhongxuan Sheng remarked idly, "You know, I am quite curious. I have the person who gathered the intelligence in my hands. You have yet to encounter the one selling it. So how do you know that Diao Hai Building is using Fan Qingqing to collect intelligence on Qi Country?"
He leaned slightly forward, gazing at Zhang Weiyu. "Could it be... that you learned it from the one using the intelligence?"
Zhang Weiyu was suddenly jolted with shock!
This reversed the situation, forcing him to reveal his source of intelligence—suggesting that he was the one colluding with Diao Hai Building!
And the truth was, his source of intelligence would not hold up to scrutiny!
In this moment of shock, he instinctively showed a flash of menace.
Zhongxuan Sheng had already swiftly moved behind Ma Xiong, using him as a shield.
It was difficult to imagine that someone of his physical size could act with such agility.
Positioning Ma Xiong as a protective barrier, he earnestly implored, "Lord Ma, in these matters of principal and unyielding ethics, you wouldn’t stay silent, would you? If he acts like a cornered dog and tries to harm me, you must protect me!"
Zhang Weiyu: ...
Of course, he couldn’t possibly act against Zhongxuan Sheng here. Although, for a fleeting moment, he nearly gave in to murderous intent.
Without a doubt, coming to Green Sheep Town had been a grave error.
The man capable of surpassing Zhongxuan Fenghua, Zhongxuan Sheng, was clearly not someone easily dealt with.
Yet Zhang Weiyu still had a long life ahead of him, as long as Minister Chen Fu continued to support him. Mistakes could still be tolerated.
But today, if he laid hands on Zhongxuan Sheng, he would instantly descend into irreversible ruin.
He only needed to glance at the reactions of those present.
While Ma Xiong didn’t immediately express an opinion, his gaze at Zhang Weiyu was already tinged with wariness. freēwebnovel.com
The Rain-slicing Army soldiers outside Zheng Sheng Hall, though deployed using Zhang Weiyu’s connections, had already adopted an obvious stance of vigilance. Ultimately, these were Qi Country’s elite warriors, loyal not to any one individual.
"I have my own channels for information. If Beiyaduwei wishes to investigate, I will cooperate openly," Zhang Weiyu stated calmly. "However, that is not a point I need to discuss with you."
"Very well!" Zhongxuan Sheng lightly clapped his hands. "Then let Beiyaduwei interrogate you!"
The origins of Zhang Weiyu’s intelligence held much potential for further digging.
But Zhongxuan Sheng had no need to personally intervene.
Zhang Weiyu wished to become Beiyar Commander but never consulted whether the current Beiyar Commander was willing!
"Now, I only want to ask you..." Zhongxuan Sheng stepped out from behind Ma Xiong, lowering his gaze upon Zhang Weiyu, "The one collaborating with Diao Hai Building has already been apprehended; Lord Zhang has made a meritorious accomplishment! As expected of Minister Chen’s favored choice. Now then, shall you depart?"
"Certainly." At that moment, Zhang Weiyu surprisingly smiled, rising as he said, "In truth, I harbor no enmity toward Young Master Zhongxuan. The disputes stem merely from public duty. Now that the truth of the case has been elucidated, the innocent Qingyang has been vindicated, and Diao Hai spies apprehended, we indeed owe much to Young Master Zhongxuan’s assistance!"
The situation could still be pushed further, but faced with Zhongxuan Sheng, Zhang Weiyu truly couldn’t tell whether opportunities were genuine or merely another bait.
Beiyar Commander’s position was now beyond reach; salvaging the smallest loss was better than nothing.
Zhongxuan Sheng chuckled, "You’re indeed truly thrifty in managing resources."
"Your praise humbles me, Young Master Zhongxuan." Zhang Weiyu beamed, adopting an air of triumph, as though he had perfectly completed his mission, as though Zhongxuan Sheng was indeed offering genuine accolades.
"This person,"
He casually pointed at Fan Qingqing, "I shall take her along, unless Young Master Zhongxuan has private questions to ask her?"
This was a gesture of goodwill, offering Zhongxuan Sheng an outlet for his grievances.
After all, Fan Qingqing had sought refuge with Jiang Wang, only to betray his trust so profoundly that Jiang Wang nearly fell into this elaborate snares; Zhongxuan Sheng would undoubtedly harbor resentment toward her.
Zhongxuan Sheng smiled with narrowed eyes, "Lord Zhang, best stick to official protocol."
"Young Master Zhongxuan!" Fan Qingqing urgently interjected at this point.
She was keenly aware of the fate awaiting her once taken away.
Her expression turned pitifully despondent, her plea seemingly genuinely heartfelt. "I know I have betrayed Lord Jiang Wang’s trust, a crime worthy of death. At this point, I seek nothing—not mercy nor forgiveness. However, as master and servant for some time, I beg to see Lord Jiang one last time before my sentence!"
She prostrated herself, knocking her head heavily against the ground. "I plead Young Master Zhongxuan for this favor!"
The sound of her head striking the ground resonated loudly.
But Zhongxuan Sheng’s brow didn’t even twitch; he merely chuckled and replied with narrowed eyes, "My apologies—I cannot contact Jiang Wang at present." fгeewebnovёl.com
Fan Qingqing lifted her head, her hair disheveled, tears streaming, pleading, "I rebuilt Zheng Sheng Hall for Lord Jiang, managed his fief, and though I have no grand accomplishments, I have labored extensively. No matter the circumstances, I have never disgraced Lord Jiang through false accusations... I beg you..."
"Fine," Zhongxuan Sheng said with a casual smile, "When I manage to contact Jiang Wang, I’ll pass along your message. Rest assured as you travel onward."
"Xiao!" In a state of desperation, Fan Qingqing turned her hopes toward Dugu Xiao. "While we lack the formal title of master and disciple, our bond runs deep as teacher and student. Could you say a word on my behalf?"
"Sister Fan," Dugu Xiao sighed deeply, her expression sorrowful, "I am but a mere maid... Well, when Master returns, I’ll bring it up to him."
Fan Qingqing’s weeping twisted into fits of laughter, her demeanor bordering on madness.
Meanwhile, Zhongxuan Sheng had begun whispering casually to Shisi, grinning broadly.
Zhang Weiyu coldly observed, gaining a new impression of this fatty noble’s ruthless temperament.
With a single gesture, two soldiers entered and forcibly lifted Fan Qingqing, dragging her away.
Fan Qingqing was hoisted, dragged backward out of the grand hall she had personally supervised in building.
Her gaze swept over the hall’s every table and chair, the corners of its curtains, the patterns of its windows.
She saw the amused Zhongxuan Sheng, the equally placatory expression donned by Zhang Weiyu, and the dignified yet silent Dugu Xiao, seated properly.
All these grew distant.
For some unknown reason.
She suddenly recalled that time aboard a storm-battered boat.
The elderly God Descending Realm expert had subdued her in an instant, leaving her terrified...
In that moment, she thought she would be crushed to death without a second thought...
But that youthful genius faced the powerful adversary and said with grave seriousness—
"She is my subordinate and has committed no crime under Qi’s Law. Release her."
Release her...
Who else in this world, would treat her thus?
Fan Qingqing closed her eyes, finally letting go of those feigned emotions.
