The Martial Doctor

"Brother, just say it, how do we proceed?" Su Chen had been acquainted with Lin Miao for quite some time and could clearly see that, although Lin Miao appeared broad-minded and gentle on the surface, he was inherently a person of daring and recklessness.

Otherwise, how could they be so compatible?

Moreover, he harbored ambitions beyond his years, ambitions not of unscrupulous and nefarious nature.

But rather a desire not to be subordinate, an aspiration to become someone superior.

Although the Su Family had no intention to oppose Marquis Lingyang, one couldn’t withstand the threat of being swallowed by them, targeting the Su Family, and yet prohibit retaliation?

If King Qi ascends as Crown Prince, the Su Family has to tread carefully, fearing overt defiance might incur post-confrontation reprisals.

But now, the Crown Prince position remains unsettled, and the current Crown Prince may still have a chance. If expectations are overturned, the Su Family could ensure peace for decades.

Being bullied relentlessly, mere patience and retreat won’t evoke sympathy from the opponent, only exacerbate aggression.

The Su Family became the wealthiest in Lanzhou not by kindness; that’s a pipe dream. They must act decisively and without hesitation when necessary.

Some within the Su Family advocate not opposing Marquis Lingyang, but that’s not the mainstream view.

"Firstly, our target should not be Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion, but the Green Blade Sect," Lin Miao said slowly.

Su Chen’s eyes flickered twice; he quickly understood Lin Miao’s idea. Targeting Marquis Lingyang would mean getting involved in the dynastic struggle.

This would bring no benefit to the Su Family or the still-emerging Lin Family.

Ultimately, that position isn’t something they can decide; whether Marquis Lingyang commits treason or the Green Blade Sect smuggles under his guise, determining this is still in the hands of the emperor.

Trying to eliminate two enemies at once is too difficult and might instead force the Green Blade Sect and Marquis Lingyang to band tightly together.

The Green Blade Sect is Marquis Lingyang’s dagger in the martial world, so first break this dagger, and then deal with the Ye Family.

Essentially, Da Li’s world belongs to the Zhao Family; the Green Blade Sect has motivations for smuggling and betraying the country, but what benefit does King Qi gain from this?

People might become frenzied for profit, but typically, a newly established prince like King Qi lacks the capability for such deeds.

Unlike the third prince, who was implicated after being enfeoffed, had his title abolished, and was placed under house arrest.

Even so, the emperor still wouldn’t kill his own son.

Consort Yi remains living albeit in hardship within the cold palace, enduring some suffering, though still alive.

To annihilate them would require a crime of regicide and rebellion.

Smuggling weapons at best constitutes treason against the state for ministers — a capital offense eradicating nine generations — but for a prince, it might not lead to death, let alone exterminating nine generations; would the emperor decree his own demise?

This matter requires consensus with Pei Jian to proceed; to act against the Ye Family, Pei Jian’s cooperation is essential.

"Mr. Su, presently there’s a critical issue we must confront," Lin Miao said solemnly.

"Tell me,"

"Sect Leader Shen Yidao of the Green Blade Sect has remained in seclusion continuously. Despite his son and close brother’s disappearances, he hasn’t emerged. Even in such a significant event, he’s still secluded, merely dispatched a Great Elder here. Though significant, this concerns the sect’s survival; how can he remain content in seclusion?" Lin Miao stated, "Therefore, I have grounds to suspect Shen Yidao hasn’t been secluded; he’s been active outside, just unknown to all. Moreover, could the Tianyuan expert who attempted assassination on the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort at Cloud-Riding Ridge be Shen Yidao?"

Hearing this, Su Chen inhaled sharply: "You mean, Shen Yidao already broke through Tianyuan, merely kept it secret, leading outsiders to believe he’s continuously in seclusion for a breakthrough, but in fact, he’s long advanced, thus avoiding suspicion?"

"If an assassination attempt on the Crown Prince is exposed, even if the Green Blade Sect is a top martial sect, it’d disintegrate under the emperor’s wrath. If you were Shen Yidao, wouldn’t you be cautious about this?"

Su Chen nodded.

"Thus, he knew the Crown Prince was in Dongshan early on..."

"Indeed, although the Crown Prince’s visit to Dongshan seemed secretly known, it’s not necessarily so; the secret excluded some but not others," Lin Miao said calmly, "The Crown Prince is the heir, and if assassinated, King Qi naturally ascends. Such an opportunity is rare and warrants risk."

"I heard the monk Fahai from Shanglin Temple saved the Crown Prince; why would Fahai travel with the Crown Prince?" Su Chen was puzzled.

"Fahai accompanying the Crown Prince was arranged by me."

"Ah?!" Su Chen was shocked, "How did you know there’d be an assassination on the Crown Prince’s journey?"

"I didn’t; I merely added an extra layer of security for the Crown Prince’s return to the capital. If the journey remained safe, Fahai would never appear; moreover, Fahai had his own matters in the capital, thus appearing accidental, not inciting suspicion from opponents of deliberate arrangements."

"Brother, your move is brilliant; the Crown Prince must be eternally grateful to you."

"If not for revealing his identity the night before his departure to my mansion, I wouldn’t have arranged this way," Lin Miao said.

"Did you already know the Crown Prince’s identity?" Su Chen suddenly understood, realizing if the Crown Prince’s return journey faced assassination, those aware of specific details would be suspected, concentrating suspicion upon Lin Miao.