pertwk Page 373
Page 373
"This servant obeys." Yu Huatian knelt and kowtowed, then got up and left the imperial study, appearing decisive and efficient.
The emperor watched his departing figure with a satisfied smile, then looked down at Cao Zhengchun and said with displeasure, "Why aren't you getting out of my study yet! Do you want me to escort you out?"
"Dog slave!"
Cao Zhengchun kowtowed several more times, then left kneeling with tears streaming down his face.
Seeing his disheveled state, Wei Zhongxian, with his head buried in his chest, couldn't help but reveal a smug smile.
Cao Zhengchun, who was seething with anger, slapped Cao Shaoqin, who was walking towards him, as soon as he stepped out of the palace gate.
"Uncle? Doesn't His Majesty believe you?" Cao Shaoqin asked nervously.
"Do you think His Majesty is a fool? Can he really shift all the blame onto this Guo guy with just a few words?" Cao Zhengchun glanced at him coldly. "Fortunately, His Majesty did become suspicious, otherwise today would be the anniversary of your uncle's death."
Cao Shaoqin breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but then felt a surge of resentment. His plan had clearly been effective, yet Cao Laogou still attacked him, clearly venting his anger over the humiliation he had suffered in the Imperial Study!
Damn old dog!
One day, I will personally kill you! (End of Chapter)
Chapter 171. Dragon Guard Manor! Demons, monsters, spirits, and humans!
171.
Yu Huatian went to Hulong Villa without stopping. He and Cao Zhengchun had different personalities, and he never entrusted important matters to others.
The change of the Imperial Guard instructor is good news, but Yu Huatian is unsure of Li Xunhuan's character and whether he can become an ally in the future. Therefore, it is important for Yu Huatian to make contact with this person in advance.
Entrusting the search for Li Xunhuan to the Dragon Guard Manor was just a pretext; Yu Huatian would still send the Western Depot's forces to investigate his whereabouts.
The purpose of this visit is to have a word with Zhu Wushi.
Compared to the strained relationship between Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi, the West Depot and the Dragon Guard Villa never had a conflict, or at least they maintained a state of mutual non-interference.
The location of the Dragon Guardian Manor is mysterious and little is known to people in the world, but Yu Huatian is an exception.
But when he actually arrived near the Dragon Guardian Manor, Yu Huatian was at a loss. The reason was simple: he had forgotten about the tricky illusion array outside the manor.
The Dragon Guardian Manor, which gathers heroes from all over the world, has several array masters with high skill in array formations. They create illusion arrays based on the terrain of the mountains to conceal the entire manor.
Even if a large army attacks, without the correct method to break the formation, they will get lost in the illusion and find it difficult to escape.
The formations in this world are not simple illusions, but true formations driven by spiritual energy. Even a martial arts master like Yu Huatian would find it difficult to break them by brute force.
"How could I have forgotten about this damned formation!"
The scenery in front of Yu Huatian suddenly changed, and he realized that he was already in the middle of a great formation. It was best not to make any rash moves at the moment.
The Dragon Guardian Manor will soon realize that someone has broken into the formation; he just needs to wait patiently and someone will come.
After a while.
Yu Huatian's vision blurred, and several masked men dressed in black appeared in front of him, staring at him without saying a word.
These are the visible sentries of the Dragon Guard Manor; some hidden sentries are also concealed within the illusion array.
"The Emperor has decreed that Iron-Blooded Marquis be summoned to receive the decree."
Yu Huatian looked at the group coldly.
The guards exchanged glances, and the leader clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yu Huatian, saying, "Please wait a moment, Commander."
After saying that, the group disappeared without a trace.
Before long, the illusion array suddenly dissipated, and Yu Huatian's vision cleared up.
He was now standing in front of the Dragon Guardian Manor, and couldn't help but show a look of horror.
He clearly remembered that he hadn't moved an inch after entering the illusion array, so how could he suddenly appear in front of the manor?
"Hahaha, Grandpa Rain, don't panic. That's how illusion arrays work. They can affect a person's five senses without them even realizing it. You think you haven't moved an inch, but you've actually already walked quite a distance!"
As the laughter rang out, a dashing middle-aged man suddenly appeared, his fierce gaze and imposing presence giving off an immense sense of pressure.
"You flatter me, Divine Marquis. I was merely curious." The proud Yu Huatian naturally wouldn't show weakness in front of Zhu Wushi, and replied stiffly.
Seeing this, Zhu Wushi did not expose him, but asked with a smile, "I wonder what His Majesty's decree is that requires you to make this trip in person!"
Getting down to business, Yu Huatian's expression turned serious, and he said in a low voice, "This is not the place to talk. I would appreciate it if you could arrange a quiet room, Lord Divine Marquis."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Wushi immediately understood the seriousness of the matter. He hurriedly led Yu Huatian into the Dragon Guard Manor, went straight to his study, and arranged for many people to be stationed around it.
All of this was accomplished in a very short time; the massive estate moved like a perfectly sealed, cold machine.
Looking at the disciplined and uncompromising Hulong Manor, Yu Huatian was secretly shocked. Their efficiency far surpassed that of the two factories.
"Is this guy training the people of the Dragon Guard Manor like an army?"
Yu Huatian suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
After dismissing his attendants, Zhu Wushi asked in a deep voice, "Eunuch Yu, what is it that makes His Majesty so anxious?"
Yu Huatian said, "His Majesty is concerned about the hard work and great achievements of Chief Constable Guo of the Six Doors and is afraid that he will overwork himself. Therefore, he has relieved Chief Constable Guo of his post as Instructor of the Imperial Guards and selected someone else to take over the position."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Wushi looked shocked. "Brother Guo is a diligent and loyal man who loves his country. How could he be dismissed from his post for no reason? What is His Majesty's intention?"
Yu Huatian coughed lightly, "Lord Shenhou, I have already explained. His Majesty is worried about Lord Guo's health and fears that he is overworked by holding two positions. He has no other intentions."
Zhu Wushi didn't believe such an explanation at all. He began to ponder what the young emperor was up to. In his eyes, the emperor had liked to do things he couldn't understand ever since he ascended the throne.
Yu Huatian smiled and said, "Divine Marquis, I came to see you today for the position of the new Imperial Guard Instructor."
Zhu Wushi was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. Could it be that the young emperor was going to hand over this important position to him?
If he controlled the Imperial Guard, his power would leap forward, and he could even try things he never dared to imagine before.
Zhu ignored the greed that was buried deep in his heart and gradually surfaced.
"The Imperial Guard instructors are responsible for His Majesty's safety, which is a great responsibility. I also have duties at the Dragon Guard Manor, so I'm afraid I can't be in two places at once."
Zhu ignored the smile and thought it best to decline for now, lest the young emperor become suspicious.
"Haha, as expected of His Majesty's uncle, the Divine Marquis truly understands His Majesty's heart. His Majesty also considered this point, which is why he chose someone else to sit in the position of Imperial Guard Instructor," Yu Huatian replied with a smile.
Zhu Wushi's smile vanished quickly, and he glared at Yu Huatian with an unfriendly expression. "Damn eunuch, how dare you make fun of me!"
"It would be better if Father-in-law said everything at once..."
Sensing Zhu Wushi's sudden change in attitude, Yu Huatian toned down his teasing and said seriously, "His Majesty wants the Dragon Guard Manor to find Li Tanhua to serve as the new head instructor of the Imperial Guards."
"Li Tanhua?" Zhu Wushi found the name somewhat familiar. After recalling it carefully, he exclaimed in surprise, "Li Xunhuan, the Flying Dagger Master who never misses a shot?"
Yu Huatian nodded, "It is indeed this person!"
"Isn't it a bit risky for His Majesty to appoint him as the head instructor of the Imperial Guards? Li Xunhuan has been missing for many years, and no one knows what his current situation is."
Zhu Wushi seemed to still have a lingering affection for the head of the Imperial Guards, and his words implied that he wanted the young emperor to choose someone else.
"My Lord, there's no need to worry. Several years ago, I met Li Tanhua outside the Great Wall. At that time, he used his Little Li Flying Dagger skill to kill more than twenty demons with one strike and save a passing caravan. It was truly a miraculous skill."
"To be honest, even we are not confident that we can dodge the legendary Little Li Flying Dagger if we were to fight head-on."
Recalling the situation at the time, even the usually arrogant Yu Huatian couldn't help but show a hint of fear.
Zhu Wushi said with concern, "With the changes that occurred in the world decades ago, there are more and more top sects in the martial arts world. If they unite, they will pose a great threat to the imperial court. We must be on guard."
"That's precisely why our Ming Dynasty needs someone like Li Xunhuan to return..."
"Does His Majesty mean that he wants the Dragon Guard Manor to search for Li Xunhuan?"
"The Divine Marquis is wise. In terms of intelligence capabilities, what force in the world can compare with the Dragon Guard Manor!"
"Didn't Eunuch Yu meet Li Xunhuan outside the Great Wall? It should be easy for you to find him, right?"
"To be honest, after our hasty farewell outside the Great Wall back then, I actually looked for Li Xunhuan once, but by then he had already left the Great Wall and his whereabouts were unknown."
"Oh, in that case, it will be a bit difficult to find the Dragon Guard Manor. Does the Grandfather have any other clues?"
"You flatter me, Divine Marquis. If I had other clues, His Majesty wouldn't have bothered you."
Zhu Wushi observed Yu Huatian's expression and only nodded in agreement after confirming that the other party was not lying. He always felt that the other party was hiding something from him.
"His Majesty will await good news from the Divine Marquis, and hopes that the Divine Marquis will find Li Xunhuan soon."
Having said all he needed to say, Yu Huatian took his leave, but as he went, he kept looking around at the layout of the Dragon Guard Villa, hoping to glean some clues.
Unfortunately, he was just a martial artist and knew nothing about formations, so watching him was pointless.
Zhu Wushi squinted as he watched Yu Huatian's departing figure, looking thoughtful.
"Summon Tianya and Yidao here!"
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Duan Tianya, the number one secret agent of the Heavenly Realm, and Gui Haiyidao, the number one secret agent of the Earthly Realm, arrived at Zhu Wushi's study.
"Godfather, what urgent matter brings you to us?"
Duan Tianya and Gui Haiyi knelt on one knee and asked respectfully.
"Put aside what you're doing for now; there's a more important task for you to complete!"
Upon hearing this, Duan Tianya and Gui Haiyidao, though somewhat puzzled, obediently nodded in agreement to Zhu Wushi's order.