Chapter 531: You Are Unworthy to Speak with Me
This was indeed the safest approach, and the only method to ensure his smooth succession of Shen Yueshan's position. It killed multiple birds with one stone, eliminating all his hidden dangers.
Shen Yueshan's life was nearing its end, while Shen Yungan had long grown powerful wings. Eliminating Shen Yungan was truly a troublesome matter. The slightest misstep would expose his true colors, and even without Your Majesty's intervention, he would be torn apart by Sang Yin and others. He would never escape the northwest—the people there would devour him alive.
He had another concern: his secret dealings with Your Majesty were an undeniable fact. Once Shen Yueshan passed away and Shen Yungan was successfully eliminated by him, if Your Majesty possessed evidence, it would inevitably be made public. This would pit him against his northwest brothers in a mutual slaughter, squarely placing the blame for the deaths of Shen Yueshan and his son on his shoulders, allowing Your Majesty to reap the spoils without lifting a finger.
This was his greatest hidden peril, and it was this very peril that had delayed his actions. He feared that eliminating Shen Yueshan and his son would merely pave the way for Your Majesty's benefit.
Now, with Xiao Juesong involved, he could preemptively shift the blame. As long as Shen Yungan died at the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Envoys, anything Your Majesty said would be seen as ill-intentioned. The hatred of Sang Yin and others would inevitably be directed toward Your Majesty.
The Embroidered Uniform Envoys had unique assassination methods, making Geng Liangcheng hesitant to trust easily: "Your Highness, how do you know about the Embroidered Uniform Envoys' killing techniques?"
"That is naturally my affair and requires no explanation to you." Xiao Huayong's eyes held a trace of contempt. "If not for my desire to prevent the northwest from falling into Your Majesty's hands, and given that you are the only rebellious element here in the northwest, I would actually hold you in utter disdain."
"You—" Geng Liangcheng's face turned ashen with rage; he had never been insulted so directly to his face.
"Do not attempt to negotiate terms with me. If the northwest falls into Your Majesty's hands, I would merely be disgusted. I have ways to ensure that even if Your Majesty obtains it, he cannot hold it securely. But you are different. Without my assistance, your fate is sealed—utter ruin and disgrace." Xiao Huayong turned sideways, his hands clasped behind his back, not even sparing Geng Liangcheng a glance. "Calling this a transaction with you is merely politeness. You are unworthy to speak with me."
Geng Liangcheng was so enraged by Xiao Huayong that his vision darkened, and his face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. The more this happened, though he resented Xiao Huayong's humiliation and disdain, the more he believed that the person before him was indeed Xiao Juesong—a noble member of the imperial family, who had always looked down upon others.
The more Xiao Huayong behaved this way, the more reassured Geng Liangcheng felt. The fact that Xiao Huayong sought him out indicated that he alone could not thwart Your Majesty and needed his cooperation. This way, once they collaborated to restrain Your Majesty, he would not have to worry about being controlled by the other party.
However, Xiao Huayong had ultimately spoken disrespectfully, and Geng Liangcheng was unwilling to openly yield.
After a long silence from Geng Liangcheng, Xiao Huayong glanced sideways at him, his gaze lightly sweeping over Geng Liangcheng: "What? Does General Geng still need to ponder his choices?"
"Your Highness has eyes and ears everywhere. How would I dare to easily make a pact with a tiger?" Geng Liangcheng replied indifferently.
"Make a pact with a tiger?" Xiao Huayong chuckled softly, taking two steps with his hands behind his back. As soon as he moved away, a black-clad figure rushed forward, kicking Geng Liangcheng to the ground. Before Geng Liangcheng could rise, the black-clad figure pressed him down with a foot on his shoulder.
Xiao Huayong turned around, his gaze sharp and icy: "Even now, you have yet to understand your situation. You only have the right to agree or refuse."Geng Liangcheng was still struggling, but the black-clad man pinning him down possessed immense strength. He heard Xiao Huayong's icy voice: "Agree, and I shall let you leave. Refuse, and this will be your burial ground."
As soon as Xiao Huayong finished speaking, the black-clad man restraining Geng Liangcheng drew a dagger. The blade glinted coldly as it inched toward Geng Liangcheng's neck. When the edge touched his skin, a sharp pain shot through him, and he cried out, "I agree!"
Beads of blood rolled down as the black-clad man swiftly withdrew the dagger. Drops of blood dripped from the tip, staining the ground like sinister blossoms.
Xiao Huayong glanced at the black-clad man, who then tossed a bottle of healing medicine to Geng Liangcheng. The latter caught it and immediately applied it to his neck.
"Your task now is to expedite Shen Yueshan's departure from this world," Xiao Huayong stated. "I will have Shen Yungan kidnapped. You have no more than two days."
"Why?" Geng Liangcheng asked.
"The Crown Princess has arrived in the northwest, escorted by Xun Wang. As a trusted confidant of His Majesty, Xun Wang already relayed the news to the Emperor while in Liangzhou. Once His Majesty confirms Shen Yueshan is on the brink of death, he will undoubtedly take action. If the Emperor's men arrive swiftly, you will be cornered. Your time is limited," Xiao Huayong explained, his back turned to Geng Liangcheng.
Geng Liangcheng pondered this and realized it was true. Xiao Changfeng would certainly report Shen Yueshan's condition to the Youning Emperor, who would then intervene. Once the Emperor's envoys reached the northwest, Geng Liangcheng would lose all control.
"I understand," Geng Liangcheng replied, his eyes turning cold.
"See him out," Xiao Huayong ordered the nearby black-clad man.
The black-clad man led the way. Geng Liangcheng glanced at Xiao Huayong before silently following.
Just as Geng Liangcheng was about to step out of the room, Xiao Huayong added, "General Geng, do not feign compliance while acting contrary. If I could abduct you unnoticed once, I can do it again. You are already surrounded by enemies. Cross me, and you will have no path to survival."
Geng Liangcheng paused, took a deep breath, and then strode out of the room.
Outside, the sky was ablaze with morning clouds. In the northwest dawn, flowing rosy clouds drifted like celestial ribbons across the heavens. Yet Geng Liangcheng had no mind to appreciate such beauty; he had grown numb to these northwestern vistas, much like his heart had turned wooden.
Returning to his residence, Geng Liangcheng found everything in order. No one even knew he had been abducted, as it was not uncommon for him to be absent early in the morning, especially when military affairs arose. With the Northwest King critically ill, no one suspected anything.
When his trusted aide was summoned and noticed the wound on his neck, he asked, "General, were you ambushed?"
Geng Liangcheng touched the injury, his expression darkening. "Jiachen Crown Prince is in the northwest. He wounded Shen Yueshan and intends to overturn the region."
The aide, a shrewd man, quickly deduced that Geng Liangcheng had been taken by Jiachen Crown Prince. Since the Crown Prince sought to reshape the northwest and had released Geng Liangcheng after meeting him, it was clear he intended to support Geng Liangcheng's rise as the next Northwest King. "General, this could be a rare opportunity. If Jiachen Crown Prince favors you, he will not stand by if His Majesty betrays you afterward.
Unlike the Emperor, the Crown Prince has no other allies to deploy. Besides you, he has no one else to rely on."
This presented Geng Liangcheng with overwhelming advantages, instantly shattering all their latent fears."This man appears and disappears unpredictably. Do not forget, even Shen Yueshan fell at his hands."
(End of Chapter)
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