Kays Translations

Chapter 136: A Plan Within a Plan

Anyang, City Lord’s Mansion. The letter sent by Beichen Yuqing finally arrived.

Xu Ren frowned as he finished reading the letter. “A Venomous Strategist! This Li Yuanming is actually a Venomous Strategist! What trouble!”

Xia Qingqing asked curiously, “Sir, what is a Venomous Strategist?”

Many others around also looked at Xu Ren, waiting for an explanation, including Yan Ze’an.

Seeing this, Xu Ren couldn’t help but smile. “Old Yan, you’re a Prime Minister, and you’ve never heard of a Venomous Strategist?”

Yan Ze’an smiled faintly. “I’ve heard of it, but I’d like to hear Mr. Xu’s analysis and insights.”

Xu Ren glanced at the expectant faces around him and explained, “A Venomous Strategist—the name alone suggests it’s not a good term. A Venomous Strategist is an outlier among strategists. Compared to ordinary strategists, Venomous Strategists will stop at nothing to achieve their goals; they are utterly unscrupulous.

Venomous Strategists are like the demonic path among strategists, akin to the demonic path practitioners in the world of cultivation.

Ordinary cultivators aim to ascend to the celestial realm, but those on the demonic path seek ascension to the demonic realm.

Similarly, the ambition of a Venomous Strategist is also aligned with the demonic realm! Ordinary strategists aim to bring order to the world. The more stable and powerful a country becomes, the more refined fortune they can absorb.

However, Venomous Strategists thrive in chaos. The more turmoil in a nation, the more pure misfortune they can absorb.

If a country descends into complete chaos—wars erupt everywhere, and the people are plunged into misery—the misfortune generated would be enough to elevate a Venomous Strategist to the Golden Core stage, irrespective of their natural aptitude for cultivation. If four or five nations like Great Xia were to experience internal strife, the resulting misfortune could push a Venomous Strategist to the Nascent Soul stage.

If the entire Yingzhou region falls into chaos, with nations warring against one another, the misfortune generated could elevate a Venomous Strategist to the Deity Transformation stage! They would achieve the level of an earth-bound immortal—albeit a demonic immortal.”

Hiss… The sound of collective gasps filled the room.

Finally, Xia Qingqing asked anxiously, “Sir, are there many Venomous Strategists? Are they very dangerous?”

Xu Ren’s expression grew solemn. “Madam, there aren’t many Venomous Strategists; they are exceedingly rare. But every single one is extremely dangerous because they will stop at nothing to achieve their ends.”

Xia Qingqing relaxed slightly. “Since Venomous Strategists are so dangerous, we mustn’t let Li Yuanming go.”

“Don’t worry, Madam. Even if you don’t say so, the world will hunt down Venomous Strategists. Whether it’s the current Emperor or the warlords scattered across the land, everyone seeks to ‘bring order to the world,’ because order allows them to gain fortune and enhance their cultivation.

Unless someone is a desperate tyrant, no one would use a Venomous Strategist. Therefore, Venomous Strategists are extremely rare and almost never encountered.

But each one is extremely dangerous.

Unlike ordinary strategists, Venomous Strategists do not need to rely on a lord. They can easily sow discord everywhere, fan the flames of chaos, frame the innocent, and falsely accuse the virtuous. These are their specialties!”

Upon hearing this, Xia Qingqing grew even more anxious. After some thought, she finally made up her mind. “Sir, deploy the two existing flying artfacts. We must not let Li Yuanming escape!”

Xu Ren was momentarily stunned, but after considering Xia Qingqing’s status as the “Princess of the Great Xia Kingdom,” he nodded in agreement. He immediately summoned Cheng Jiming, the current Air Force General. “Cheng Jiming, here’s the situation. Your task is to keep a close watch on Li Yuanming and ensure he does not escape under any circumstances.

Additionally, try to keep the flying devices concealed. If exposure can be avoided, do so. However, capturing Li Yuanming is the top priority. If exposure becomes necessary, so be it; we’ve already solved the issue of spirit stone recharging, so we’re prepared for contingencies.

Remember, Li Yuanming is a Venomous Strategist. Don’t hesitate upon contact—immediately use freezing and slowing talismans or spells to immobilize him. Restrain him first, then deal with the rest.”

Cheng Jiming’s expression turned grave. “Does it matter if he’s dead or alive?”

“Capture him if possible. A dead man has no value; we need to interrogate him and see if we can uncover connections to other Venomous Strategists. However, if capturing him is too dangerous, killing him is acceptable.”

“Understood. I guarantee the mission will be completed!”

Xu Ren thought for a moment and added, “Also, inform Beichen Yuqing and Yan Zhengqing—no matter what, Li Yuanming must not escape!”

Cheng Jiming immediately led 30 of his most elite confidants straight to the Qingyun Valley. After a strict handover process, they quickly boarded the flying devices and ascended into the sky. As they lifted off, numerous invisibility talismans were consumed, and the two large flying devices silently rose to an altitude of 500 meters before swiftly heading south.

Feeling the strong wind rushing against him, Cheng Jiming smiled. He glanced at the flying device beneath his feet, the rapidly spinning propellers, and the smaller experimental flying model trailing behind them. He muttered to himself, “So this is the power of technology! Crossing 3,000 miles through the sky used to require a Golden Core cultivator with a magical flying sword. Now it’s so effortless!”

Xia Qingqing, Xu Ren, Yan Ze’an, and others watched the southern horizon with concern about the developments there.

Yan Ze’an suddenly sighed. “It’s a pity. The young master’s position as a governor allows him to deploy troops freely, but it also prevents him from occupying Luliang County.”

Xu Ren, however, smiled faintly. “Sacrifice and gain are intertwined. Luliang County was never more than a target to establish our authority. Our true aim has always been Zhongshan County!

But to secure Zhongshan County, we may need your help, Prime Minister Yan.”

Yan Ze’an was taken aback but then burst into laughter. “Mr. Xu, what brilliant calculations! You’ve misled everyone into believing our goal is Luliang County, only to shift our efforts toward Zhongshan County.

If you need my assistance, I assume you’re suggesting a political deal with Grand Marshal Yuan Yong—letting the Yuan family take Luliang County while we secure Zhongshan County. Yet, I feel there’s still something missing.”

Xu Ren waved his feather fan again. “Of course, Zhongshan County borders Wuyang County, where the imperial capital is located, making it politically sensitive. Therefore, Prime Minister Yan, I suggest you pay a visit to the eldest son, Li Liang. Persuade him to abandon his current struggle with the crown prince over Xin’an County in exchange for the crown prince’s support.

This way, the young master and the eldest son can jointly occupy Zhongshan County and ultimately divide it between the eastern and western regions.”

Yan Ze’an pondered briefly before replying, “Indeed, a clever strategy. Xin’an County borders the Cai Kingdom entirely at its rear, making it a political hot potato. Abandoning Xin’an County and focusing on southern expansion is a wise move.”

Xia Qingqing, listening nearby, furrowed her elegant brows. These men were becoming increasingly audacious, openly discussing how to carve up the Great Xia Kingdom in front of the princess herself.

Fortunately, someone appeared to shift the conversation—Xia Qingqing’s maid, Xiao Tao, who had recently returned home to visit her family.

“Xiao Tao, you’ve been away for quite some time. Did you encounter any trouble?”

Xiao Tao hesitated slightly. “No trouble at all, Princess. While I was in my hometown, I discovered a kind of luminous gem at a collapsed cliff. They’re so beautiful—some are translucent golden, others a crystalline green, some look like clusters of golden-carved crystals, and others are as perfect as flowers. These gems aren’t just pretty; they emit a gentle glow day and night. I brought back more than a dozen of the finest gems for you.”

Xia Qingqing smiled faintly. “What else did you do?”

Xiao Tao immediately lowered her head. “Princess, I brought my mother and many of my relatives here…”

Xia Qingqing’s face lit up with a warm smile. “That’s a good thing. Have your family report to the Ministry of Revenue, and arrangements will be made for their living needs.

Now, let me see the gems you brought.”

Zhang Hongtao and others brought the gems forward. Some were the size of a thumb, others as large as a fist. The largest resembled a blooming lotus flower. The gems were translucent and vibrant, exuding a natural elegance and purity beyond glass. Their surfaces seemed to shimmer with a faint, almost imperceptible glow.

“How beautiful! Such extraordinary gems,” Xia Qingqing exclaimed, captivated at first sight.

Yan Ze’an glanced at them and remarked dismissively, “Just trinkets with no spiritual essence.”

Xia Qingqing paid no attention to Yan Ze’an’s words. She and Xiao Tao promptly moved the gems into her room to admire them further.

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