Chapter 58: Various Parties

In the third watch of the night.

The Crown Prince’s Mansion in the Eastern Palace.

Wisps of incense smoke drifted from the censer, several thin veils wrapped around the bed.

On the bed, strands of uneven black hair intertwined. The blush on the girl’s cheeks had not yet faded. Her forehead pressed against the man’s back, one delicate hand lightly embracing his firm chest as she breathed softly.

“Senior Brother… are you feeling better?” Qing Chan asked gently.

“Mm…” Shen Muchen suppressed that surge of desire and exhaled hotly in response.

“Thank you for your effort, Achan.”

“This is what Qing Chan should do.”

Two soft mounds pressed against his back. The coolness emanating from Qing Chan’s body made Shen Muchen’s expression relax a bit more.

“Senior Brother, just now our sect’s informant reported, Qing Chan didn’t have time to relay it earlier, the Zhao family in Suzhou was nearly exterminated, and several vassal forces cultivated by the Zhao family were also uprooted.”

“The Zhao family of Suzhou, Fourth Brother made his move, didn’t he?” Shen Muchen’s eyelids lowered slightly.

“Indeed, the King of Song’s shadow was present.”

“What other forces? Such a large Zhao family couldn’t have fallen just from the Fourth Brother’s shadow alone.”

“Almost all local forces in Suzhou took the opportunity to kick them while they were down and devour the Zhao family’s assets. It seems Heavenly Net’s people also got involved.” Qing Chan’s tone became slightly tense.

“The more lively it gets, the more people join in. Isn’t it often said that the Zhao family of Suzhou is as wealthy as a nation, that their accumulated wealth would require ten Great Qing national treasuries to contain?”

“A golden pig that’s lost its ability to resist – no one would refuse to take a bite,” Shen Muchen wasn’t surprised.

He had heard some rumors about the Zhao family’s doings in Suzhou over the years.

Suzhou had suffered under the Zhao family for a long time. Meeting such an end was the will of the people.

“Senior Brother, aren’t they afraid of the Zhao family’s retaliation?”

The Suzhou Zhao family might be gone, but most of the Zhao family’s direct line was still here in Tianwu City. Many Zhao family members already held official positions in the court, their influence still immense.

“Hehe, retaliation?” Shen Muchen opened his eyes and sneered.

“The current Zhao family has already been cut off at the limbs, left with nothing but a mouth.” Shen Muchen held back another thought.

Soon, that mouth would also be sealed by that person.

“Achan, you’ve forgotten someone.”

“Who?” Qing Chan curiously raised her little head.

“Sixth Son.”

“The King of Chu?” Qing Chan was stunned.

“The Sixth Son’s shadow must be in this,” Shen Muchen answered with certainty.

He knew Shen Yian’s character. Some things would not go unpunished, but the time had not come yet.

The Zhao family was just the beginning.

The bedchamber suddenly fell silent.

“Senior Brother, Qing Chan wants to return to our sect to see Father.”

“This prince will go with you.”

“I’m glad that you have this intention, Senior Brother. Father said that after we come back, you can no longer leave Tianwu City at will.”

“This prince will wait for your return.”

“Mm.”

Shen Muchen sat up, turned around, and slowly lay back down.

His long fingers repeatedly caught and twisted the girl’s dark hair forcefully, seemingly pulling it painfully, causing the girl to let out a soft moan.

The evening breeze blew through the window, gently rustling the thin gauze. Moonlight fell from the clouds, lightly embracing the rippling water.

Imperial Palace – Royal Study

Emperor Wu stood before a sand table, his gaze intense as he listened to the messenger’s report.

“Your Majesty! Guanshan City has fallen. Our army has split into two routes, advancing forty li to the east and north respectively!”

“Excellent!”

Emperor Wu burst into hearty laughter.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty!” Zhao Hai bowed, his tone flattering.

Before long, their Great Qing would have another prefecture.

Emperor Wu’s laughter suddenly stopped, his gaze turning back to the map.

The Liaodong region alone wasn’t enough to satisfy his appetite.

He wanted to redraw that border line all the way to Naluote.

Everything the barbarians had swallowed up in the past, he wanted them to spit out with interest!

After issuing several more edicts, Emperor Wu turned to Zhao Hai and asked, “Has the Sixth Son returned?”

“Your Majesty, His Highness the King of Chu has returned to his residence.”

Something wasn’t right. Very wrong indeed.

Emperor Wu frowned. Given Shen Yian’s personality, it wasn’t possible for him to be so quiet after returning.

Normally, he would have rushed to the palace by now, demanding rewards from him.

He picked up the urgent order from Xuanwu from the dragon table.

“This Xuanwu is still as smooth-talking as ever.”

A moment later, Emperor Wu chuckled and cursed.

He said quite a bit, but hardly touched on the main topic. Nearly half of it was praising Shen Yian’s world-shocking sword strike, how its overwhelming sword qi descended from the nine heavens, saying that even a true sword immortal couldn’t have done better.

“It’s reassuring that Zhuque is staying in Sebei City.”

“Zhao Hai, how do you think I should reward the Sixth Son for this unparalleled achievement?”

“A famous sword? Wealth? Beautiful women? Rare treasures? Or perhaps something he doesn’t already have?”

A barbarian lord on the brink of death who had broken through – if he hadn’t died, the barbarians’ national fortune would have greatly increased. If the barbarian lord had personally led a great army southward, the Great Qing would have been in danger.

“This old servant wouldn’t dare suggest,” Zhao Hai bowed his head.

Emperor Wu pondered for a long while, then took out three thumb-wide ink-colored jade tablets from his bosom.

“Forget it, let him choose whatever he wants.”

Zhao Hai’s eyes widened in surprise. His Majesty was actually rewarding the King of Chu with these!

The value of any one of these jade tablets was immeasurable in gold.

Possessing one allowed entry into the highest levels of Great Qing’s Martial Pavilion and Armory.

Since the Shen Family ancestor founded Great Qing, the Martial Guard Division had collected peerless martial arts, divine weapons, and rare treasures from all over the world and stored them in this pavilion and armory.

This pavilion and armory represented the Shen Family’s foundation!

Any single item stored in those highest levels could shake the world if brought out.

His Majesty had offered three tablets at once, meaning Shen Yian could take three world-shaking items from the pavilion and armory.

“My second son has expanded Great Qing’s territory, a great merit deserving reward,” Emperor Wu muttered, then pulled out another ink-colored jade pendant, constantly rubbing it in his hand.

He wasn’t about to be stingy with his own son.

Seeing this, Zhao Hai’s eye twitched slightly. It seemed His Majesty hadn’t been this generous in a long time.

“Zhao Hai, how are things in Suzhou?”

“In reply to Your Majesty…”

Zhao Hai carefully reported, causing Emperor Wu’s brows to furrow as he listened.

“Hmph, this Zhao family is truly as wealthy as a nation!”

“I’m feeling tired. Move to Qingning Palace.”

“Yes… Your Majesty.”

At the King of Song’s residence.

“Your Highness.”

“Wen Wu, what’s the situation in Suzhou?”

Shen Jingyu asked, his fingers playing with a raven as he glanced over.

“In reply to Your Highness, as of today, the Zhao family no longer exists in Suzhou!”

Wen Wu’s voice trembled slightly as he answered.

He was filled with shock.

Having come from Suzhou, he knew well what a behemoth the Suzhou Zhao family was.

For such a behemoth to be wiped out overnight was simply unbelievable.

“Is that so?” 

After a while, Shen Jingyu responded flatly, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow, making it impossible to gauge the thoughts of the King of Song at that moment.

“Before long, news of the Suzhou Zhao family will spread across the land. Make preparations early!”

That woman and the Zhao family’s direct descendants won’t let this go.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“I wish to be alone for a while.”

“This servant takes his leave!”

Wen Wu left.

Shen Jingyu held the raven in his arms, looking up into the distance and murmuring, “Sixth brother, a storm is coming.”