Chapter 578: The Chu Clan has to have a plot (1/2)

Chapter 578: The Chu Clan has to have a plot

What did the Chu Clan do?

Everyone assumed that it would take around a year to clear up charges against General Chu while Emperor Kang Cheng slowly dealt with the Chu Clan. But the Chu Clan actually brought up Crown Prince Ye and said it was him who misappropriated the funds in the Chu Clan’s name! Not only that, they even provided irrefutable proof of his misdeeds!

The courts and people were in an uproar after the revelation. Empress Xue spent day after day crying at the doors of Emperor Kang Cheng’s study. He didn’t want to depose the crown prince, but now he had no choice if he wanted to appease the masses, much less the army!

“The Chu Clan’s really made a striking move!” Han Yunxi was genuinely impressed.

“Indeed, it was brilliant!” Long Feiye praised generously.

Emperor Kang Cheng had publicized such accusations in the first place because he wasn’t planning to spare the Chu Clan. Instead of finding Crown Prince Ye to plea mercy on their behalf, the Chu Clan simply made him their scapegoat, thus forcing Emperor Kang Cheng to handle the case impartially. With this, the Chu Clan would at most be accused of accomplices in a crime, while the crown prince stood to lose his very claim for the throne! Misappropriating funds for the military was no common crime, but a serious offence that could cost the trust of the entire army. Historically speaking, there existed sovereigns who didn’t fear losing the people’s hearts, but all of them dreaded the loss of military trust!

If Emperor Kang Cheng wanted to revoke the Chu Clan’s military power, he would have to weaken the crown prince first. Without a doubt, this had become Cloud Realm Continent’s biggest joke. Of course, the Chu Clan still wouldn’t get a good end out of everything. Emperor Kang Cheng might not be able to touch the Chu Clan with this case, but he could always attack them from a different angle. The Chu Clan was simply playing with fire! At this rate, they were destined to irrevocably irritate Emperor Kang Cheng!

Just what were they planning?

“Could it be that they’re aiming for us? They had no way to guarantee that they could get the Wood of Ten-Thousand Poisons, so they decided to cut ties with Emperor Kang Cheng first before we revealed their secret as the Nether Clan?” Han Yunxi wondered.

“They shouldn’t have wanted to go that far. Chu Qingge still has four months of pregnancy left. With Emperor Kang Cheng’s temper, he’ll eliminate their clan within two months!” Tang Li declared.

Even if the Chu Clan wanted to break all ties with Western Zhou, they’d still have to wait until all preparations were complete in Tianning. Otherwise, they’d have no way to retreat!

“Still no news from Gu Beiyue?” Gu Qishao asked. Judging by how things were going, the Chu Clan really was going to make a move against Chu Qingge’s stomach!

“Doctor Gu wasn’t at Pill Fiend Pharmacy. He said he went to one of the branch stores, but we’ve yet to find him,” Chu Xifeng dared to answer thus since he’d gotten the all-clear from Long Feiye.

Perhaps Gu Beiyue was too good of an actor, because neither Han Yunxi nor Gu Qishao had ever suspected him of something else. The two of them didn’t even find anything peculiar about Chu Xifeng’s report. Meanwhile, Long Feiye was still waiting for word from Third Elder Shen.

“Even if the Chu Clan can withdraw to Tianning, aren’t they still worried about the secret of the Nether Clan coming to light?” Han Yunxi didn’t get it. Something about this whole situation was off. With their chip against the Chu Clan, that family shouldn’t dare to try anything against them! Once news of the Nether Clan’s existence became public, it was very possible that West Qin Dynasty supporters would come to seek revenge. Moreover, the various power factions in Cloud Realm Continent would never tolerate the rise or expansion of such a prominent noble clan from the old days. If all these groups united to suppress the Nether Clan, how were they supposed to resist?

“They really don’t have any advantages against us,” Tang Li muttered to himself.

At this moment, a guard came in with an urgent message from the Nether Clan Head, Chu Yunyi! Long Feiye opened the message and skimmed through its contents before handing it to Han Yunxi, who read it and passed it on to Gu Qishao.

Gu Qishao had hardly read it before he exclaimed, “Strange!”

It really was odd! The Chu Clan had thoroughly infuriated Emperor Kang Cheng, but just sent word that they could successfully enter the Thousand Buddha Cave on the 19th day of the 11th month—Boddhisatva Avalokitsvara’s birthday. As long as Long Feiye and Han Yunxi agreed to help, they’ll be able to get their hands on the Wood of Ten-Thousand Poisons.

“How do we reply them?” Han Yunxi asked.

“We don’t,” Long Feiye replied. They ended up ignoring Chu Yunyi’s letter, but a few days later brought new developments. Empress Xue had given up all of her make-up and cosmetics fund to issue an allowance to every member of the army. She hoped to enter Thousand Buddha Cave to pray and live on a vegetarian diet for three years in order to bring good fortune onto Emperor Kang Cheng and Western Zhou’s people. She also plead with the emperor to give Crown Prince Ye another chance. The imperial uncle’s estate, consisting of the Xue Clan, also donated a vast amount of silver to plea on the crown prince’s behalf.

Emperor Kang Cheng had wanted to protect the crown prince anyways, so he seized the chance to approve of Empress Xue’s plea. He would delay the issue of deposing the crown prince until one year later. Then he accused the Chu Clan of failing to report what they knew about the crown prince’s misdeeds and reduced the pay to their army for half a year as punishment! Here was already a big step against the Chu, but it was likely Emperor Kang Cheng would make his true move next year!

Despite this, Chu Yunyi sent Long Feiye and company another letter. Apparently, there was now no need to wait until the 19th of next month. The last day of this month was an excellent chance, because the empress would be formally entering its temple! Moreover, a map was included with the latest message.

“Heheh, the Chu Clan can still manage to pull their weight!” Gu Qishao chuckled.

“There’s still five days left…” Han Yunxi mused. “Is there still no sign of Gu Beiyue?”

Chu Xifeng shook his head in reply. Han Yunxi had no time to chase after Gu Beiyue’s whereabouts either, so they could only choose whether to follow the Chu Clan into the caves or refuse them. She looked towards Long Feiye for his decision.

Long Feiye fell silent before saying, “For now, don’t reply them.” Then he added, “Your lordship assumed that we’d be in Western Zhou for awhile, but it looks like…there’s no need for that anymore!”

Both Han Yunxi and Gu Qishao exchanged confused glances. While she puzzled over the words, Gu Qishao simply gave up thinking altogether. He was too lazy to care about the Chu Clan beyond the Wood of Ten-Thousand Poisons. He’d get involved, but Long Feiye could do all the thinking. Gu Qishao would just show up and fight when called!

That night, Long Feiye asked Chu Xifeng again, “Is there still no news from Third Elder Shen?”