The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 1006 - 565: Infiltrating the Royal Mansion

"You have done well. Given that Zhao Shixiong has defected to the thief, it was originally my duty to lead the army in resistance. However, the evacuation is more urgent, so I must entrust you to lead the troops north. Are you afraid?"

The second son, full of vigor and determination, resolutely replied, "Zhao Ke’er being abducted is my failure. How can I trouble Father to clean up the mess? I will definitely block the Zhao thief outside Jingchuan City!"

"Having a son like you, I am very gratified." Xu Jingtang smiled in encouragement, "Today’s retreat is not a rout but a strategic relocation. Once we have withdrawn to Yunfu, leaving them with an empty shell, come spring next year, when the snow melts, our counterattack will be swift and unstoppable."

The second son nodded in agreement.

This rhetoric was disseminated to the entire Yunfu Rebel Army, aimed at stabilizing the troops’ morale.

"Go now."

Xu Jingtang gave further instructions, watching as the second son strode away with confidence, leading the city’s forces to march forward.

After the second son had left, Xu Jingtang said, "Come out."

Not far away, an inconspicuous figure emerged, "What are your instructions, Prince?"

Xu Jingtang, with a steadfast gaze, looked beyond the garden, "Keep an eye on the major Huai River families within Jingchuan City. Prepare them, and upon my command, ’invite’ these family heads back to Yunfu as well."

Xu Jingtang was unwilling to leave these local scholarly families behind.

However, the move could not be too soon, lest it provoke strong resistance from these families.

It also depended on the evolving situation; if Prince Jing was willing to send reinforcements, a retreat might not be necessary.

The leader of the Embroidered Robe Envoy asked, "What if there is resistance?"

Murderous intent flashed in Xu Jingtang’s eyes, "They have no choice but to obey! Hmph, now that one Zhao Shixiong has rebelled, a second cannot be allowed."

"And what about the Huai’an Prince Mansion?"

"Naturally. At that time, you’ll personally take people to handle it. If necessary, seek assistance from the Divine Dragon Temple." Xu Jingtang said calmly, "Be sure to make it seem respectable, to avoid the other Vassal Kings gossiping about my harsh methods."

"Understood!"

The leader accepted the order, stepping backward until he disappeared from sight.

Xu Jingtang, now alone in the Martial Arts Arena, stood for a while before tossing aside the longsword, heading with a stern face towards the deepest part of the garden.

Deep within the garden, the tightly closed courtyard gate was covered in climbing ivy.

Xu Jingtang used both hands to forcefully push open the door, revealing an elegant courtyard where magicians dressed in white mourning clothes, holding white flags, and with palm-sized, variably colored coffins hanging from their waists stood guard.

"I wish to see the Sect Leader." Xu Jingtang coldly stated.

A disciple from the White Clothes Sect made a gesture of invitation. Shortly after, inside the inner courtyard, Xu Jingtang saw Mu Prince sitting cross-legged on the ground.

His figure was completely covered by a pure white hooded cloak.

"The court’s great army advances south; it is time for you to exert your strength." Xu Jingtang coldly said.

The pure white hood slowly lifted, and a breeze stirred silver-white, lustrous strands of hair from under the hood.

"Alright."

...

...

Zhong Pan’s carriage was fast, but because they departed two days late, it reached Jingchuan City after deliberately bypassing the battlefield between the two armies.

Yet, one could clearly feel the atmosphere of war permeating the air.

And when the ghost carriage, passing through the city gates, entered the county town of Jingchuan City, the sun was just setting.

The night, like a light veil, draped from the horizon, enveloping the sky in a dim twilight.

Zhao Douan, looking out the carriage curtain at the sparse pedestrians on the street, calmly said, "Can you feel it?"

Yu Xiu, sitting cross-legged and having recited the Calming Spell all the way, opened her eyes to look at him in suspicion, "Feel what?"

"Fear." In the pitch-black carriage, Zhao Douan’s eyes were deep, "Mu Prince is afraid, and all of Jingchuan City is afraid. This is a good sign. This atmosphere once appeared in the Capital when the Six Rebel Kings entered the city, and when the Qingzhou Army approached the outskirts. Now it’s their turn."

Jin Jian awoke from sleep, the girl slowly crawled out from Zhao Douan’s embrace, took out her golden-rimmed glasses and put them on, softly saying, "The moonlight is beautiful tonight."

Around the fifteenth of each month, the night is when the starlight and moonlight are at their brightest.

This is also the period when Jin Jian’s magic power is at its strongest.

Only when it is dark, and the stars and moon shine brightly, can Jin Jian unleash her true power.

This also implies that if Zhao Douan intends to act, it’s best at night.

Zhong Pan, clutching the reins, did not turn around. His tall back was like a mountain, reassuring as he spoke, "Kid, we’ve arrived. Where exactly do you want to go?"

Zhao Douan smiled, "According to the intel, Xu Jingtang often resides at Hundred Generations Garden. But given the current situation, old intel may be inaccurate, so our first stop tonight is the Huai’an Prince Mansion."

Huai’an Prince Mansion? The others felt a bit surprised.

Zhao Douan continued, "If all goes well, we will act tonight and capture or kill Xu Jingtang. You all must also be prepared."

Upon hearing this, those inside the carriage felt a shiver in their hearts, not from fear but from a bit of excitement.

They were stifled along the way, eager for a chance to fight and stretch their muscles.

However, as the ’mastermind,’ Zhao Douan remained extremely cautious about this operation, with a vague sense of worry in his heart.

Zhang Yan Yi’s words in the Capital echoed in his mind occasionally.

If there was no significant crisis to this journey, the Old Heavenly Master wouldn’t have specifically given him a life-preserving talisman, which almost signaled explicitly.

But at the same time, Old Zhang’s lack of discouragement also meant that the danger was controllable.

"So, danger exists but should be within a controllable range? However, the insights given by the Heavenly Dao were always vague, and could be altered, never predestined, so I must act before they discover our infiltration, without delaying too long, yet must also gather sufficient intel or recruit allies."