Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 21: The Secret Meeting Sparks a Storm

Since escaping from the abandoned mansion, Zhang Peng and Xia Lijuan successfully obtained the ledger of the plot, but this did not clarify the situation; instead, it made the undercurrents even more turbulent. In the study, the candlelight flickered. Zhang Peng, his brow furrowed, repeatedly studied the ledger, trying to deduce the enemy's next move from the dense entries and cryptic codes. Xia Lijuan sat beside him, occasionally refilling his tea, her eyes filled with worry.

“Your Highness, Lord Lin’s cronies have become increasingly rampant lately, and the people in the capital are in a state of panic. We must act as soon as possible.” Xia Lijuan broke the silence, her voice filled with urgency.

Zhang Peng put down the ledger and rubbed his temples: "I understand, but they have deep roots, and a single move can have far-reaching consequences. If we are not careful, the court will be in chaos."

Just then, the steward rushed in, looking nervous: "Your Highness, Lord Zhou Yuan requests an audience, saying he has urgent business to discuss."

Zhang Peng and Xia Lijuan exchanged a glance, their hearts tightening, and quickly said, "Quickly, invite him in."

Zhou Yuan strode into the study, and before he could even stand still, he said urgently, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! Lord Lin and the others have discovered that the account books are missing and are frantically investigating. They will probably suspect us soon. Moreover, it seems they are planning to move important personnel and supplies ahead of time."

Zhang Peng suddenly stood up and paced back and forth: "Making a move ahead of schedule? What are they trying to do? Are they going to gamble everything and stage a coup?"

Xia Lijuan frowned: "No matter what they want to do, we can't just sit here and wait to die. The most urgent thing is to disrupt their plans and find their core stronghold."

Zhang Peng pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhou Yuan: "You're in the Ministry of Justice, do you know if they have any secret bases? Or any unusual recent movements?"

Zhou Yuan shook his head: "Lord Lin is cautious in his actions, and these crucial pieces of information are all in the hands of his confidants. However, I heard that he has been meeting frequently with a legendary figure in the martial arts world recently, at Qingfeng Temple outside the city."

Zhang Peng's eyes lit up: "Qingfeng Temple? This might be a breakthrough. Let's go and investigate tonight."

As night fell over the capital, Zhang Peng, Xia Lijuan, and Zhou Yuan, dressed in plain clothes, quietly slipped out of the city. The moonlight was hazy, and the outline of Qingfeng Temple was faintly visible in the darkness. The three approached cautiously and found the temple brightly lit, with the faint sounds of conversation emanating from within.

They crouched low and approached a window, peering through the crack. They saw Lord Lin seated at the head of the table, opposite a mysterious man dressed in a black robe and wearing a veil.

"Is everything ready?" Lord Lin asked in a low voice.

The man in black robes nodded slightly: "According to the plan, all supplies and personnel will be moved out of the city tomorrow night. Once it's done, this world will be ours."

Zhang Peng's heart skipped a beat; they were indeed plotting a grand conspiracy. But what were they planning to do by moving tomorrow night?

Xia Lijuan gently nudged Zhang Peng, gesturing for him to look at a map in the corner. Zhang Peng looked closely and saw that the map marked important locations throughout the capital, with the Imperial Palace and the National Treasury highlighted.

"Oh no! They're going to attack the palace and plunder the national treasury!" Zhang Peng exclaimed in a low voice.

Just then, a loud shout came from inside the temple: "Who goes there?" It turned out that their commotion had alerted the guards inside the temple.

Zhang Peng and the others immediately stood up, preparing to leave. Suddenly, a group of men in black, wielding sharp blades, surged out and surrounded them. Lord Lin and the men in black robes also emerged. Lord Lin sneered, "Zhang Peng, I didn't expect you to deliver yourself to my doorstep. Today is your death day!"

Zhang Peng showed no fear and drew his sword from his waist: "Lord Lin, you have colluded with foreign forces and plotted a rebellion. Today is your end!"

Tensions were high, and a fierce battle was about to erupt. Zhang Peng, Xia Lijuan, and Zhou Yuan stood back to back, engaging in a desperate fight with the men in black. Zhang Peng's swordsmanship was swift and deadly; wherever he went, the men in black fell. Xia Lijuan was equally formidable, her dagger gleaming coldly as she targeted the enemy's vital points. Although Zhou Yuan's martial arts were slightly inferior, his agile movements allowed him to barely defend himself.

However, the number of men in black increased, and they gradually found themselves in a difficult situation. Zhang Peng was anxious; at this rate, they would eventually be worn down. Just then, Xia Lijuan suddenly noticed a flaw in the coordination between the men in black.

"Your Highness, their formation is broken! Let's break out!" Xia Lijuan shouted.

Zhang Peng immediately understood and unleashed his full power, launching a fierce attack on the opening. Xia Lijuan and Zhou Yuan followed closely, finally breaking through the encirclement of the men in black.

The three of them raced back to the capital. Zhang Peng knew their time was running out. He decided to immediately go to the palace to see the Emperor, tell him everything, and request his assistance.

Inside the palace, after hearing Zhang Peng's report, the Emperor's face turned ashen: "These traitors dare to be so bold! Zhang Peng, I order you to immediately mobilize the capital's garrison and make sure to wipe out these traitors in one fell swoop!"

Zhang Peng knelt down and accepted the order: "Your subject obeys! Your subject will do everything in his power to protect the stability of our dynasty!"

Emerging from the palace, Zhang Peng immediately began deploying his troops. He, Xia Lijuan, Zhou Yuan, and others devised a detailed battle plan, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to Lord Lin and his forces the following night. Unbeknownst to them, Lord Lin and his men had also sensed the danger and were secretly adjusting their plans. A decisive battle that would determine the fate of the capital was about to unfold under the cover of night, and the scales of victory would tip in their favor.