Martial Arts: After ten years of sword-drawing, the Sword God must bow his head when he sees me

Chapter 167 Full Moon Night, At the Forbidden City

Shen Ping'an took the wine cup handed to him by Gongzi Yu and took a small sip.

Just like the wine that Gongzi Yu had sent over at the restaurant during the day, it was a century-old Shaoxing wine that was drinkable.

After swallowing the wine in his mouth, Shen Ping'an asked, "So, are you trying to shift the blame elsewhere, or are you trying to hide the truth?"

Bai Xiaosheng, who had also taken a sip of his old wine, laughed and said, "Young friend's quick wit truly surprises this old man!"

After praising him, Bai Xiaosheng said slowly, "We plan to frame the Round Moon Sect for this."

Shen Ping'an thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "The Round Moon Sect used to be part of the Demonic Sect and had a bad reputation. Its leader, Ren Tianxing, has disappeared without a trace. It is indeed a suitable scapegoat."

As he spoke, Shen Ping'an looked at Bai Xiaosheng and said, "However, if your Bai Xiaoge endorses it, the neutrality of Bai Xiaoge and the authenticity of its information cannot be guaranteed in the future."

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head and said, "The rules of Bai Xiaoge will not change, nor will it endorse this. However, people from Shenjian Villa will go to Wudang Sect and Northern Shaolin to uphold justice, and the record in Jianghu Fengyunlu will also include the words 'suspected'."

Shen Ping'an chuckled and said, "That's true. Although the Xie family members have been almost completely wiped out, there are still servants planted by the Azure Dragon Society and the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion within the Divine Sword Manor."

"Although he is a servant, after the Xie family members all died, he can indeed represent the Divine Sword Manor."

"In addition to the credibility of Baixiaoge, even if the Baixiaoge Jianghu Fengyunlu only records 'suspicious' news, it will be enough to dispel the doubts of the Jianghu people."

"That's enough."

Bai Xiaosheng smiled and said, "Young friend, you have explained the details of my actions in just a few words, which is truly admirable."

Shen Ping'an shook his head and said, "It's just hindsight; it can't compare to your strategic planning."

After refilling Shen Ping'an's cup, Gongzi Yu said, "Three days ago, Ximen Chuixue of Wanmei Manor challenged Ye Gucheng, the city lord of Baiyun City, and the time was set for the fifteenth of July, the night of the full moon, at the Forbidden City."

"Ye Gucheng has agreed to Ximen Chuixue's challenge."

"The news will be published in the Jianghu Chronicles on the fifteenth of next month. I wonder if Brother Shen would be interested in going to the capital on the fifteenth of July to witness the duel between the two?"

Upon hearing the news from Gongzi Yu, Shen Ping'an raised an eyebrow and his mind raced.

Then, as if he had thought of something, Shen Ping'an looked at Gongzi Yu with great interest.

"I want to know, between Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi, who is a member of the Azure Dragon Society?"

As soon as the question was asked, both Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng paused for a moment while holding their wine glasses.

The next second, Gongzi Yu looked at Shen Ping'an with a half-smile and said, "Brother Shen, why do you think these two people are from my Azure Dragon Society?"

Shen Ping'an said, "In the current imperial court, there are only three forces: the emperor, Cao Zhengchun, and the Iron-Blooded Marquis."

"Since the Azure Dragon Society has already begun plotting against the imperial court, it naturally needs people within the court."

"The only two people qualified to help the Green Dragon Society by working together from within are Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi."

Gongzi Yu nodded first, then asked, "Then why must we choose one of the two?"

These words surprised even Shen Ping'an.

Compared to Shen Ping'an, Zhang San Niang, who had been living in the capital for many years, had a drastic change in expression upon hearing the conversation between the two.

Noticing Zhang San Niang's expression, Gongzi Yu didn't say anything more, but just looked at Shen Ping An.

After a few breaths, Shen Ping'an said in a gentle tone, "Interesting. It seems this scene is worth watching."

Upon hearing this, Gongzi Yu sighed.

"No matter how many times, Brother Shen's quick wit has always impressed me."

"On the fifteenth of July, I will be waiting for Brother Shen in the capital."

Shen Ping'an nodded in agreement: "Definitely!"

After Shen Ping'an replied, Gongzi Yu finished his drink and stood up with Bai Xiaosheng beside him.

However, as he turned around, Gongzi Yu suddenly said, "By the way, the consultation fee I promised Brother Shen will be delivered tomorrow. If you find any problems with the medicine, just tell the people in this house."

Upon learning that Gongzi Yu had already prepared the consultation fee he had requested, Shen Ping'an's eyes flashed.

"it is good!"

After Shen Ping'an nodded in acknowledgment, Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng leaped away together and disappeared into the night in the blink of an eye.

As the two left, Zhang San Niang, who had been silent until now, finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Judging from what Gongzi Yu just said, Cao Zhengchun and Iron-Blooded Marquis are actually members of the Azure Dragon Society?" Shen Ping'an replied, "Judging from his words, that should be the case."

As they spoke, Shen Ping'an couldn't help but admire Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng.

Previously, Shen Ping'an had guessed that Zhu Wushi was very likely a member of the Azure Dragon Society.

After all, Zhu Wusheng was ambitious and had coveted the throne for decades.

If the Azure Dragon Society uses this as bait, how could Zhu Wushi not be tempted?

Shen Ping'an hadn't expected the Azure Dragon Society to be so cunning, not only recruiting Zhu Wushi but also getting Cao Zhengchun to join.

Yaoyue looked puzzled and said, "Over the years, Cao Zhengchun has led the Eastern Depot and Zhu Wushi's Dragon Guard Manor in open and covert struggles. It is common knowledge in the martial arts world that the two are at odds."

"Since both of them are members of the Azure Dragon Society, why are they fighting amongst themselves?"

Shen Ping'an said calmly, "The only explanation is that neither Cao Zhengchun nor Zhu Wushi knew that the other party had joined the Azure Dragon Society."

Zhang Sanniang looked thoughtful: "That is indeed possible, but why did Gongzi Yu recruit the two of them and then hide the news from Cao Zhengchun and Tiedan Shenhou so that they would also join the Qinglong Society?"

After a moment's thought, Shen Ping'an said, "Perhaps, it's for the purpose of maintaining a balance of power!"

Zhang San Niang asked, "Does Young Master Shen mean that Cao Zhengchun's purpose is to counterbalance Zhu Wushi's undercover agents?"

"Not bad!"

At this point, Shen Ping'an suddenly frowned.

Noticing Shen Ping'an's expression, Zhang Sanniang asked, "Is something wrong?"

Shen Ping'an thought for a moment and said, "Zhu Wushi seems honest and kind, but he is actually very cunning. Such a person would not be willing to be subordinate to others."

"Cooperating with such a person is like asking a tiger for its skin; you're likely to be devoured."

"Even if you join the Azure Dragon Society now, if you ever gain power and sit on the dragon throne, the first thing you might think of turning against is the Azure Dragon Society."

“It’s impossible for Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng not to see this.”

"But even so, why did Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng still set up a scheme to help Zhu Wushi ascend to that position?"

At this moment, Zhang Sanniang spoke up, "Perhaps it's to minimize the Azure Dragon Society's losses."

"Ok?"

Shen Ping'an and Yaoyue both looked at Zhang Sanniang.

Facing their gazes, Zhang San Niang did not hide anything and explained, "In order to ensure peace between the imperial court and the martial arts world, the ancestors of the Ming Dynasty established three regulations."

"Firstly, unless it is a matter of life and death or a powerful enemy breaks into the palace and causes trouble, the Celestial Realm cultivators in the palace are not allowed to take action."

"Secondly, all those who serve in the palace are forbidden from interfering in state affairs; those who violate this rule will have their entire family, including nine generations of relatives, implicated."

"Secondly, if anyone who is not of royal blood vies for the throne and rebels, they shall be executed without mercy."

"It is because of these three rules set by our ancestors that, for hundreds of years, no one in the palace has been able to interfere in politics."

Shen Ping'an narrowed his eyes slightly.

"If anyone who is not of royal blood vies for the throne and commits rebellion, they will be executed without mercy. In other words, as long as one is of royal blood, even if there is a palace intrigue or a coup, the Celestial Realm elders in the palace will not intervene?"

Zhang San Niang nodded and said, "That's right! As long as one has royal blood, even if one breaks into the palace and kills the current emperor, the palace officials will not intervene."

"Perhaps this is why the Azure Dragon Society, even knowing that Iron-Blooded Marquis's intentions were impure, could only push him to sit in that position."

Shen Ping'an chuckled and said, "If it were someone else, perhaps pushing Zhu Wushi to the top would be something they had no choice but to do."

"Given the cunning of Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng, things are definitely not that simple."

Both Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng are people with keen minds and sharp intellect.

Although Zhu Wushi is strong, he might not be able to defeat either Gongzi Yu or Bai Xiaosheng.

Not to mention that Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng are now working together.

Shen Ping'an didn't think that Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng would remain indifferent knowing this situation and allow Zhu Wushi to take action against the Qinglong Society after taking power.

Shen Ping'an was also curious about what other schemes Gongzi Yu and Bai Xiaosheng were plotting behind the scenes.
(End of this chapter)