Stronger by Killing

Gu Zhan asked, "Why?"

Gu Chuan said, "Spirit Fox Cave is on Qixia Mountain, which is currently where the Hu Ben Battalion’s military camp is stationed in the Capital City. With your cultivation, you have a chance to sneak in, but the cave is sealed. To get in, you either need the key or have to break the cave’s door. As far as I know, the key is the military token of the Hu Ben Battalion, which is in Your Majesty’s possession and impossible to obtain. If you break the door, it will certainly alarm the Hu Ben Battalion. Also, you’ve been too conspicuous lately. Every move of yours is under scrutiny!"

Gu Zhan pondered, "Is there a way? If not, I’ll have no choice but to force my way in. I can just cover my face; no one has the ability to remove my mask!"

"No, no, no," Gu Chuan hurriedly said, "I’m worried you might think that way. Don’t rush. My sister says she has a way to manage things. For now, focus on preparing your court affairs."

Your Majesty has been sick lately, and it seems to be quite serious. He hasn’t attended court for several days. The Hu Ben Battalion needs periodic inspections, and it’s likely that the Crown Prince will go. My sister has a way to handle it, so we can borrow the military token from the Crown Prince."

Gu Zhan nodded and said, "Alright then. Hmm, why did the Emperor suddenly become ill?"

Gu Chuan shook his head and said, "Not sure. He suddenly fell ill and hasn’t attended court, and the Crown Prince has been acting as Regent these past few days. Even the matter of Qin You, the Director of the Imperial Observatory, returning to court for his conferment has been delayed."

Gu Zhan frowned and said, "Then why summon me into the Capital City?"

"The very next day after ordering you to the Capital City, he got sick," Gu Chuan said, "And, it’s said that the Emperor had an argument with the Empress in Weiyang Palace that day."

Gu Zhan chuckled lightly, "The Emperor is that petty? A quarrel with his wife could make him sick?"

"Who knows," Gu Chuan shook his head, "A couple of days ago, diplomatic envoys from Beiwei and Southern Jin arrived in the Capital City and were received by the Crown Prince."

Gu Zhan asked, "Speaking of which, I’m quite puzzled. How did the mission from Beiwei and Southern Jin arrive in the Xia Kingdom without any prior notice?"

"You’re not the only one surprised," Gu Chuan said, "Even I only learned of their arrival when the two delegations reached the suburbs of the Capital City. However, the delegations didn’t come together but one after the other. It’s said they were wary of each other’s tactics, so they discreetly crossed the border and notified only the Royal Family and the Honglu Temple once they were deep in the Great Xia’s territory, before making a grand display."

Gu Zhan nodded and said, "I see."

Gu Chuan patted his forehead and said, "Alright, that’s about it. It’s almost dawn; I need to return and finish my tasks. Besides discussing this matter, I’m here to visit you on behalf of the Gu Family."

After speaking, Gu Chuan placed a hand on Gu Zhan’s shoulder and said, "Brother, I know that when Gu Qiao went to Yunxi without informing you, it must have displeased you given your temperament. But later, when my sister went to Yunxi to find you, you cooperated without making any demands of the Gu Family because you didn’t want to make things difficult for me."

Gu Chuan patted his chest and said, "I know it in my heart!"

Gu Zhan smiled and said, "Let’s not talk about that. But look at you, you’re completely drunk. Just rest here!"

"No, thank you," Gu Chuan said, "I’ll come find you again tomorrow night. Today I must return to the Gu Family and prepare for the court. And you shouldn’t plan to rest either. If I’m correct, the Emperor should be meeting you today!"

...

In the Marquis Yun’s Mansion in Yunzhou.

Rong Yichu was reviewing documents when a middle-aged scholar entered, placing a stack of documents on the desk before Rong Yichu, and said, "Mr. Rong, these are the reports delivered from General Nangong’s side."

This middle-aged scholar was from the Gu Family, named Gu Yao. Due to his outstanding abilities, he had been appreciated by Rong Yichu during their time in the Capital City and was promoted to deputy by Rong Yichu after being sent to Yunxi by the Gu Family.

Rong Yichu glanced at Gu Yao and asked, "Did any messages from the Marquis arrive today?"

"Yes," Gu Yao took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Rong Yichu, saying, "However, this is news before the Marquis entered the Capital City; it’s three days old."

Rong Yichu nodded slightly and took the letter to read.

Since Gu Zhan’s departure, there have been daily scheduled updates on Gu Zhan’s itinerary sent back to Yunxi, but as the distance increased, the time difference for the messages increased, now totaling three days.

Gu Yao suddenly said, "By the way, Mr. Rong, the Marquis might return later than expected."

Rong Yichu asked in confusion, "Why?"

Gu Yao said, "News just arrived today that the diplomatic missions from Beiwei and Southern Jin reached the Capital City. The Marquis happened to be there, and he will inevitably be involved in some matters."

Rong Yichu suddenly frowned and said, "When did the missions from Beiwei and Southern Jin arrive in the Capital City, and why haven’t we heard any news about it before?"

Gu Yao said, "According to the news from the Gu Family, both Beiwei and Southern Jin were worried about interference, so they tacitly agreed to enter the Great Xia secretly and only notified the Honglu Temple once near the Capital City."

"I see," Rong Yichu nodded slightly, then suddenly lifted his head in alarm, "What did you say? They only notified the Honglu Temple when near the Capital City, not right at the beginning?"

Gu Yao nodded and said, "That’s right... Mr. Rong, is something wrong?"

"That doesn’t seem normal," Rong Yichu frowned, "It appears reasonable, but if they wanted to win over the Great Xia, they should have notified the Honglu Temple earlier despite being discreet. Sneaking in poses great risks, and if exploited by someone with ill intentions, it could have counterproductive effects... Something’s off. Hmm, are there other messages from the Capital City?"

Gu Yao said, "No special news, but I’ve heard Your Majesty suddenly fell critically ill, so now the Crown Prince is acting as Regent!"

Rong Yichu’s expression slightly changed, and he exclaimed, "This is bad!"

Gu Yao asked in surprise, "What’s wrong?"

Rong Yichu said in a low voice, "I was confident in letting the Marquis enter the Capital City because I believed the current Emperor wouldn’t do anything self-destructive over the Method of Divine Sight. But if it’s the Crown Prince... it might be different. Also, the timing is too coincidental!"

Gu Yao asked with confusion, "Mr. Rong, are you suspecting the Crown Prince of having treacherous intentions?"

Rong Yichu slowly said, "I don’t believe the Crown Prince would prioritize the interests of the Xia Kingdom. The Royal Family... sounds grand, but in reality, the true controllers of the land are the Ji Family of the Royal Family and the Lü Family of noble families!"

As he spoke, Rong Yichu suddenly rose quickly, saying, "Notify Alliance Leader Kou and General Nangong immediately. Gather all personnel and be ready to move on my command!"

Gu Yao exclaimed, "Where to?"

Rong Yichu’s expression was grim, his eyes slightly narrowed, and he said in a low voice, "Attack Shuntian Prefecture and the Astronomical Bureau, fully secure Yunzhou, and aim the army at the Capital City!"