Chapter 120 You Are So Beautiful (1/2)
Master Hou and Mu Tingchuan sat down at the gazebo. Miyamoto Shinji stood behind Master Hou expressionlessly and quietly. Even if some appeared at this moment, it was difficult to notice his existence. Miyamoto Shinji was as sharp as his exceptional sword, which he was holding in his left hand. Unless he was killing, he would always hide his sharpness.
”Master Hou, how will you deal with Xiao Bing?”
Master Hou smiled faintly and said, ”Do nothing and wait. He killed my right-hand arm. If I kill him, it doesn't help the situation. Shouldn't I recruit him and let him replace North Heaven Queen's position?”
Mu Tingchuan looked sad. He said, ”How can then Master Hou convince your people? North Heaven Queen is dead. Instead of avenging North Heaven Queen, Master Hou let the murderer take up her position. Will the others be convinced? They will start thinking. After following Master Hou, will Master Hou care about them if they're killed one day? Master Hou, it's not worth it.”
Master Hou was open-minded. He was open to listening to his people. Furthermore, Mu Tingchuan was Master Hou's most trusted person. So, Mu Tingchuan can speak his mind.
Master Hou sighed and said, ”Tingchuan, I know what you mean. However, that person is staring covetously at our Jiang City's underworld. Although I have a deep foundation, many masters and Tingchuan that man is very ambitious. He has been coveting the entire Hei Province's underworld for a long time. As he is jealous of me, he doesn't dare to strike. I think they can't hold back any further.”
Mu Tingchuan appeared solemn. He said, ”That man is a force to be reckoned with as he has swept through the entire northern regions. He has controlled two out of three Northern provinces. Hei Province is the only province which is still safe. His influence is similar to Cao Aman in the period of Three Kingdoms. Everything will be smooth sailing after the battle at the Red Cliff. However, Master Hou is well prepared and has been waiting for this day for a long time. Although that man is very influential and no one can outmatch him, he has many enemies after unifying the forces in the two provinces. As he wants to unify H province before consolidating his forces, he may lose the will of his people. Master Hou may stand a chance.”
Master Hou said, ”Even so, he can make use of his current influence. We must be cautious. He controls the power of two provinces while I only have the power of one. The difference is too great... that Xiao Bing could kill North Heaven Queen. He has shown extraordinary strength and strategy. He can be put into good use. Furthermore, I heard that he has a few masters. Once he follows me, those masters will naturally work for me.”
Master Hou said solemnly, ”It's not difficult for me to kill him now. The hardest part is not to get injured while killing him. At this point in time, any loss will be a huge crisis for me. If Xiao Bing and his masters can work for me, not only can we make up for the death of Peony, but there is also a chance to increase our influence.”
”As for the issue regarding the will of the people, which you have said before, I have also considered it. Hence, I have been thinking for a long time... Haiz, it's not that I am an uncaring person, but desperate times call for desperate measures. The most important thing for those, who do great things, is the will of the people. I know this fact. This applies to all the emperors in the past. Those who win the will of the people own the world. If one wins the will of the people, one can turn the tide. Unfortunately, I can't concern myself with the will of the people at this point in time.”
Master Hou looked at Mu Tingchuan sincerely and said, ”Tingchuan, you have been following me closely. I would have to compromise the dead Peony's interests temporarily. Can you help me think of a way to recruit Xiao Bing and not lose the will of the people at the same time?”
Mu Tingchuan smiled bitterly and said, ”Since Master Hou has already made his decision, why do you need to ask me?”
”Haiz” Master Hou sighed. ”When Peony followed me, I already knew that her intention. She wants me to avenge her. Her eccentric personality is caused by her hatred. His enemy has a great influence in S City, so she is looking forward to the day when I can unify the underworld of the three Northern provinces. She can then use my power to find the enemy. However, only you and I know about this. The others don't know...”
”What I mean is that there is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill. You can say that North Heaven Queen has already wanted to betray and replace me. Hence, she used my power to seek revenge from her enemy. Thus, the conflict between her and Xiao Bing escalated. She wanted to recruit more people, but was rejected.”
Master Hou said softly, ”A batch of arms was secretly transported to Jiang City a few days ago. In the end, the police confiscated the guns and arrested the transporters. I am the one who secretly ordered people to send arms to Jiang City. They vouched not to leak the secret. Now is the right time for them to speak up and make North Heaven Queen the scapegoat. The reason why North Heaven Queen wanted so many arms was that she wanted to replace me.”
Mu Tingchuan said emotionally, ”Master Hou is clever and far-sighted. Tingchuan admires your ingenuity.”
Master Hou said, ”We shall hold a meeting two days later. Gather all the leaders and announce this matter to them. They must keep this a secret. By the way, you should get those who were captured by the police 'to confess'.”
Mu Tingchuan agreed and said, ”Let's not delay. I will go now.”
Mu Tingchuan walked out of the gazebo slowly. He suddenly felt a chill. Given any other tasks, he would probably do the same. However, the saying ”The ringleader was heartless” was indeed true. Although he was said to be the smartest, he would feel a chill when he thought of Master Hou's ingenuity and ruthlessness. As a result, not only Master Hou didn't avenge her, but she also indicted for treason.
If North Heaven Queen knew about this, she would not rest in peace.