Chapter 165 (1/2)

Chapter 165 Green Vines: To End Up With A Dog

Only then did Governor Tian realize that it was futile to seek a coalition with the people of the Jianghu, people who wors.h.i.+p the use of violence and their bloodstained hands to solve all problems. Not only is it risky, but he might also be betrayed. Not needing any prompting from Situ, the governor's wife immediately spilt the beans. With tears in her eyes, she recounted the unfortunate tragedy that had befallen their young child, and the governor quickly gave in.

”I met Sect Leader Xiao four years ago. Then, he was a man with ambition and courage in his heart, eager to replace the position of Shaolin Monastery and Wudang Sect in the jianghu, but he never had the opportunity to do so. I was blinded by the troubles the various sects that were based in the province had brought to me, and I always dreamt of being more than the governor of a province. After a few correspondences, we became good friends.” The governor's voice was low, but his expression calm. The rest looked at him with a mixture of seriousness, disdain and mockery.

The governor sighed and continued. ”The biggest force in the province was the Demonic Sect, the rival of the Righteous White Path. They had strengths in numbers, most of their members highly skilled and hence posed a threat to the rest of the sects of the Righteous White Path. Truth be told, the Demonic Sect had never caused problems to society and was not an issue of concern to me. But Sect Leader Xiao thought that it was a good opportunity and soon begin to slander the name of the Demonic Sect, causing problems in many regions of the province and blaming it all on the Demonic Sect. Surprisingly, the Demonic Sect never stood up for themselves or to clear their name, and that only served to fuel his plans.”

Governor Tian glanced at Shangguan Yan who has dressed up once again in her seductive attire, hoping to elicit a response from her. Shangguan Yan blew away a plum blossom that had fallen into her hand, her words filled with disdain.

”They're not worth the effort.”

Lu Buping added in coldly. ”It would be futile to explain; the people of the jianghu believe what they want to.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Feng Luodi saw Xue Yiqi shoot a look at Shangguan Yan discreetly, but went unnoticed by the latter. Governor Tian smiled sadly and shook his head before continuing.

”Sect Leader Xiao continued to spread lies about the Demonic Sect, and soon decided that the opportunity has arrived this year. Right afterwards, I received news that fifteen of my county magistrates have been murdered. Back then, I had a.s.sumed either you or your men of the Demonic Sect were the ones who'd murdered my subordinates, but now I know that I have been duped by Sect Leader Xiao.” Governor Tian's body sagged as he confessed, seemingly ageing ten years in the span of his sentence. He would have collapsed to the floor if his wife was not supporting him from behind.

Now that the truth was out in the air, both parties of Situ and Shangguan Yan had a firm grasp of the situation: it was all part of Sect Leader Xiao's underhanded scheme. Governor Tian and the other sects of the Righteous White Path were all instigated by Sect Leader Xiao, just so that he could earn a good reputation for quelling the supposed evil that is the Demonic Sect.

”Hmph.” Shangguan Yan snorted, her sharp eyes filled with killing intent, causing everyone in the room to look at her. The governor's wife quickly stepped in front of Governor Tian, turning her pleading eyes to the First Prince.

”Your Highness, even if the Governor has made a mistake, he should be punished by the laws of the court.”

Shangguan Yan's eyes narrowed.

Xue Yiqi frowned at the governor's wife, his voice soft. ”There is no need to worry, Madame. We will judge the governor fairly, and he will be kept in prison for the time being. There is no need to worry about his safety.”

The governor's wife relaxed visibly, but Shangguan Yan shot an angry glare at Xue Yiqi, turning to leave in anger. Lu Buping sighed as he took in Xue Yiqi's confused expression.

”What a blockhead.”

Xue Yiqi felt wronged.

Meanwhile, Situ continued his questioning. ”Do you have any evidence of the murders being carried out by Sect Leader Xiao?”

Governor Tian shook his head. ”He is extremely cautious. Even if we had colluded over this matter, he keeps many things from me.”

The First Prince laughed softly. ”But no matter how cautious he is, there is something he'll have to do, even if he knows its a trap.”

Governor Tian looked up at the First Prince in confusion but was quickly escorted away by the Covert Guards to the prison where he is to be held, his wife by his side.

The skies above Dingtao Province has been overcast for the past few days, and the snow it was harbouring finally descended upon the lands. One by one, the snowflakes danced and spun in the air like little fairies, and the entire province was soon blanketed in a layer of white.

Feng Luodi stood by the corridor and stretched out her hand, catching a falling snowflake in her palm. The snowflake quickly melted from the warmth of her hand, spreading a tinge of coldness into her body. In an instant, a big hand quickly covered hers and wiped it clean with a handkerchief, keeping her palm firmly in his hands.

Feng Luodi took a step back into the embrace of Situ. Her voice was low. ”Are we heading back to Chang'an already?”

Feng Luodi knew clearly that their return to Chang'an would symbolize the start of the final struggle between them and the Eighth Prince. They only had one shot, and if they missed it, it would spell disaster for all involved. With such a precarious journey ahead, it was natural for fear to be embedded in her heart; she did not want to lose anyone by her side.

Situ gently rested his chin on her crown. His voice was soft and gentle, much like the world of snow beyond the eaves of the corridor. ”His Highness has fixed a date; we're leaving for Chang'an in eight days.”