Volume 4: Holy Capital Tribulation Chapter 207: The Winner Takes All
"What? Going back to the Holy City?"
Xu Zun was greatly surprised. The empress dowager's oral instructions obviously exceeded Xu Zun's expectations.
"What if..." Zhao Yu asked Ah Xiuzi, "What if we don't solve the evil ghost case? What will happen then?"
Ah Xiu shook his head silently, which meant that if you couldn't solve the case, it would have nothing to do with him. This oral instruction would surely rot in his stomach.
At this time, Xu Zun became more and more impressed and curious about the empress dowager.
It was obvious that she not only sent Ashura to leave this oral instruction for herself, but also that one of the other seven guards must have brought another oral instruction from her.
If he fails to solve the evil ghost case, resulting in Yonghui being brutally slaughtered, another guard will stand up and convey another oral order from the empress dowager to Xu Zun.
As for what the other oral instruction will be, it will probably remain a mystery forever!
"Sir," said Ashuzai, "the Holy Empress Dowager's order cannot be disobeyed. Let's get ready as soon as possible and leave Yonghui as soon as possible!"
"Well," Xu Zun thought for a moment and said to Ah Xiu, "I'll prepare as soon as possible. However, after all, the evil ghost case has just been solved. Once we take Tao Lang away, the county government will be in a vacuum. We have to make some arrangements."
"Yes, yes," Zhao Yu agreed, "Regarding that County Magistrate Tian Murong, we still don't know if he is in the same group as Tao Lang. We have to interrogate him before we can leave. We can't leave any trouble behind!
"Hmm..." He remembered something and asked Xu Zun, "Sir, what is 'vacuum state'?"
"I understand," Ashizai said with a fist, "I am only delivering your instructions. The details will naturally be decided by you, my Lord. Ashizai will follow your instructions."
"Okay," Xu Zun said, "Then you go down first. The most important thing now is to keep an eye on Tao Lang and make sure he doesn't get into trouble."
"Well... Sir..."
Unexpectedly, Ashizai did not go down, but stood there with an awkward expression and was extremely hesitant.
After only a brief moment of embarrassment and hesitation, Xu Zun realized that something was wrong and immediately leaned back on the armchair.
"I... understand," Xu Zun said with difficulty, his face sweaty, as if he had just done a hard job, "Tao Lang... is dead, right?"
"Ah?" Zhao Yu was startled.
"Your Excellency is wise," Ah Xiu clasped his fists again, "The Queen Mother has left more than just oral instructions for you."
"I understand..." Xu Zun waved his hand blankly, and then Ashuzi left the lobby.
"Oh my... The winner takes it all, the winner takes it all..." Zhao Yu's face turned pale, and he was terrified. "If we don't solve the case, will this be the same fate?"
“Don’t talk nonsense,” although Xu Zun also thought so, he still analyzed calmly, “Even if Tao Lang doesn’t die now, it will be the same when he returns to the capital.
"Wanqi Feng is right. Being smart is not scary. What is scary is being too smart!"
Xu Zun knew very well that Tao Lang's death was actually a bit unjust. He was just following orders unswervingly. It was only because his leader changed his mind that he was put in an irretrievable situation.
If he did anything wrong, it was to underestimate Xu Zun's strength.
It really proves the old saying: Living with the king is like living with a tiger!
Xu Zun thought, if he was just the small Xinye County Magistrate, he wouldn't have to worry about life and death like today, right?
Now, I am about to return to the capital to report and face the Emperor. I don’t know what dangers are waiting for me by then!
"call……"
At this moment, Zhao Yu also felt the supreme pressure from the court.
"Sir," he asked carefully, "What do you think the Queen Mother wants us to return to the capital to report to her in person? Why... didn't she send us to Xiazhou?"
"You ask me, who should I ask?" Xu Zun said with a bitter face, "We didn't go to Xiazhou, but it doesn't mean we don't have to go. You also said before that our level is not high enough!"
"Oh..." Zhao Yu's eyes lit up, "So, the Queen Mother asked us to return to the capital because she wanted to give you a promotion? She wants to give you a high rank and then let you go to Xiazhou?"
"Who knows!" Xu Zun said, "I think we should focus on the present! The oral order has been passed on. If we leave late, it will be regarded as disrespectful!"
"Then..." Zhao Yu asked again, "Do I still need to go to Yunlong Mountain?"
"Yes!" Xu Zun said affirmatively, "We must go to Yunlong Mountain. If we can't do this, it will be difficult for us to return!"
"Okay!" Zhao Yu nodded, "In that case, I'll do it right away!"
Next, Xu Zun gave Zhao Yu a few more instructions, and then Zhao Yu set out to leave the county government office.
Xu Zun was not idle either. He suddenly remembered an important matter and simply rode a fast horse to chase Li Ronger.
At this moment, Huo Anu was escorting Li Ronger back to the Sanhe Gang.
Because Li Ronger was injured and was riding in a carriage, Xu Zun quickly caught up with them.
Seeing Xu Zun chasing after her, Li Ronger was a little surprised and asked Xu Zun why he was chasing her?
Xu Zun entered the carriage and explained his purpose to Li Ronger.
It turned out that Xu Zun heard that taking the water route could help him leave Yonghui faster and shorten the journey, so he specifically asked Li Ronger to borrow a boat.
The main business of the Sanhe Gang is water transport, so Li Ronger would naturally not be stingy. She immediately promised Xu Zun that she would send him the best ship for use.
After the discussion was finalized, Xu Zun said goodbye and left.
After Xu Zun left, Li Ronger returned to the Sanhe Gang Water Fort under the escort of Huo Anu. Naturally, she was very grateful to Huo Anu and asked her servants to present gold, silver and other things as a thank you gift.
But Huo Anu was a straightforward person, so he kindly refused the gift and left the Sanhe Gang.
After Li Ronger returned to the water fort, the first thing she did was to prepare for the funeral of her sister Li Yuner, and deal with the aftermath of her gang brothers who had died in the battle.
Seeing the body of her sister Li Yuner, Li Ronger couldn't stop her grief and burst into tears.
Among many brothers and sisters, Li Yuner was the closest to her. Now she died tragically in Yongxing Fort. The sisters are separated by life and death. How can Li Ronger not be heartbroken?
Seeing that Li Ronger was crying so sadly, the gang members were worried that her injuries would relapse, so they ordered the maids and servants to take her back to her room to recuperate.
However, after returning to the room, Li Ronger did not rest, but forced herself to get up, opened the secret door at the head of the bed again, and entered the secret room.
This time, three men in black appeared in the secret room. The leader sat in front of the eight-immortal table, and the other two stood behind him.
"Shang Xuan will destroy the dissenters and all the gods will return to their origin. Cut off the nine gates above and destroy the flatterers below!" Li Ronger endured the pain and uttered the slogan of Xuanmen.
Next, she told him everything that happened in Yongxing Fort during the day and later in the county government office.
However, the man in black seemed to have known these things for a long time. He was not surprised at all after hearing them. He just nodded in appreciation:
"This Xu Zun is really a talent! He solved such an incredible and unpredictable case in such a short time. It's really not easy!"
"Dao Zun," Li Ronger said, "Although Xu Zun didn't say it, it's obvious that Tao Lang is backed by the imperial court. This is the imperial court trying to take this opportunity to destroy the major gangs in Yonghui!"
"Well... don't worry about it," Dao Zun waved his hand and said, "The mission given to us is to eliminate Xu Zun to avenge Shang Yuan."
"Dao Zun," Li Ronger said quickly, "Xu Zun will leave Yonghui and return to Beijing the day after tomorrow morning. He asked me to help him prepare a large ship and will leave Yonghui by water."
"Really?" Dao Zun thought of something and asked Li Ronger, "How are you going to do it?"
"Xu Zun is surrounded by experts with great martial arts skills, especially the mysterious woman who was able to defeat Wanqi Peak without anyone noticing," Li Ronger said, "So, if we want to get rid of Xu Zun, we may have to use gunpowder!"
"That's right," Dao Zun nodded and said, "Have your people load gunpowder in the cabin in advance, and when the ship leaves Yonghui, blow it up and let them die in the sea of fire!"
"Dao Zun," Li Rong'er said hesitantly, "but the boat belongs to my Sanhe Gang after all. If the court investigates, my Sanhe Gang will be implicated!"
"Don't worry," Dao Zun said, "When the time comes, I will arrange for another boat to pass by there, creating the illusion that they encountered bandits and were robbed and killed by them. This way, your Sanhe Gang will have nothing to do!
"But..." Dao Zun warned, "Xu Zun is extremely smart, you must be careful and don't reveal your true identity!"
"Yes, please rest assured, Taoist Master!" Li Ronger bowed and made a standard Xuanmen gesture.
"Okay," Dao Zun said, "I look forward to hearing your good news. Let's get ready!"
"Yes!" Li Ronger then stood up and left.
After the stone door was closed, a ferocious gloom immediately flashed across Dao Zun's face, and he ordered his two subordinates:
"The day after tomorrow, I will arrange for the two of you to board the ship. Don't worry about anything else. As soon as Xu Zun gets on board, detonate the explosives immediately!"
"Ah!?" The two subordinates were shocked, and one of them asked hurriedly, "Dao Zun, if this happens, the Sanhe Gang will not be able to be saved!"
"Yes, the Sanhe Gang has been operating for so many years. It would be a shame to cut it off like this!" said another.
"Hmph, what do you know? The imperial court has made up its mind to eradicate the Yonghui gang. The Sanhe gang can't be saved no matter what!" Dao Zun said, " Why not let it play its last role like this!"
"Then..." one of the subordinates asked, "On the day of the farewell, Li Ronger will also be on board. If we blow up the ship, she..."
"Can't you see it?" Dao Zun said coldly, "Li Ronger has lost her value. Besides, Xu Zun saved her life in Yongxing Fort, there is no guarantee that she will not be shaken, so..." A trace of creepy coldness flashed in his eyes, "Let them go together..."
