landbeastnovel Chapter 37 Using a borrowed knife to kill
Chapter 37 Using a borrowed knife to kill
The Empress will not be disappointed in me.
Qu Hongxiao quickly put her previous thoughts aside and calmed herself down.
Remembering her business, she took out a mask from a hidden compartment on the top floor.
The mask was entirely black, with silver lines outlining the trajectory of the stars.
Looking at the mask, Qu Hongxiao smiled nostalgically; it was a gift from the Empress.
She covered her face with a mask.
In an instant, Qu Hongxiao's entire demeanor changed.
She is no longer the renowned Qu family whose every smile and frown captivated the capital.
It has become unfathomable.
"cough."
After a slight cough, Qu Hongxiao tried to speak.
The originally delicate and sweet voice became indistinguishable in gender, with a slightly hoarse tone.
well.
So, what comes next is...
Qu Hongxiao glanced at her elaborate and gorgeous red dress and put on a long, dark robe.
The large black robe completely concealed her slender figure, not even a single strand of her hair was visible.
Now, the one standing here is no longer Qu Hongxiao.
In its place stands the enigmatic and unpredictable Master of the Stargazing Pavilion.
On the third floor of the Star Gazing Tower, Luo Wen was in his room, frowning as he looked at several files.
The assassination attempt last night failed; why are you so careless in your actions?
How can I cover up the deaths of these three people?
How should these be archived?
Just as this seasoned veteran was pondering, he suddenly felt a darkness in front of him.
Someone's here?
Luo Wen felt a growing sense of unease, and his hand instinctively reached under the table.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure shrouded in a black robe and relaxed somewhat, until he could clearly see the iconic black star mask.
The person instinctively bowed deeply as quickly as possible, their voice respectful:
"Your subordinate greets the Lord!"
Rowan remained bowed, not daring to look up. The host rarely came in person, and each appearance meant something important had happened.
Daily communication was conducted via letters delivered through the building's passageways, even when additional slots were added for the last Dragon Gate Examination.
Could it be that Her Majesty the Empress has given some instructions?
Qu Hongxiao had no idea what the man was thinking. Looking at his hunched back, she felt only a cold indifference and a faint disdain.
Men are really boring; they're either lustful or power-hungry.
She spoke, and her voice, distorted and amplified by the mask, carried an undeniable air of authority:
"The matter concerning Li Zhi ends here."
Luo Wen abruptly raised his head, seemingly disregarding social hierarchy, his face full of confusion: "Master, what...why is this?"
"Shut up."
Two words, light yet heavy.
Rowan lowered his head again, feeling an overwhelming and heavy pressure.
Rowan was able to resist, and even raise his head to look directly at the mask.
But he dared not, for the host represented Her Majesty the Empress, represented the Great Zhou Dynasty, and represented the rules.
As the beneficiary, he would absolutely not resist.
Seeing this, Qu Hongxiao was already fed up with this person's game. If this task wasn't completed well, she would replace him.
With this thought in mind, Qu Hongxiao felt slightly relieved and left only one sentence: "Take care of yourself."
He left completely.
Rowan was left lying on the ground, panting heavily, his heart filled with turmoil.
He wondered, could this be Her Majesty the Empress's intention?
Why would His Majesty issue such an order for an insignificant person like Li Zhi?
Are we just going to let the pawns pushed out by the sects stir up trouble in the capital and at the Dragon Gate Examination?
"That's all..."
Luo Wen pondered these four words, his mind racing.
Understanding one's superiors' intentions, or rather, "misinterpreting" those intentions to achieve one's own goals, is the skill that people like him rely on to survive and rise to power.
The order to "end the assassination" is clear.
If we do nothing and Li Zhi actually wins first place in the Dragon Gate Trial, who will be the one who loses face?
He is the one actually in charge!
If things come to light then, I'll definitely lose my position.
Rowan knew very well how many people were eyeing his position.
Not to mention, the original poster's earlier comment about "taking care of yourself" clearly indicates a degree of self-loathing.
By then, I'll definitely be kicked out of the building.
No, it's more likely that he died.
Those in power have thoughts as unpredictable as the stars in the sky, and those below naturally have their own ways of surviving.
It seems that the failed assassination attempt might not be such a bad thing after all...
Rowan slowly got up from the ground, head down, quickly sorting out his chaotic thoughts.
Preventing the assassination attempt meant preventing Li Zhi from dying, so they would do something small to prevent him from dying and prevent him from participating in the Dragon Gate Trial.
it is also fine.
Within a few breaths, Rowan's face had regained its usual expression.
He summoned his trusted subordinates.
"Regarding that Li Zhi... all previous arrangements will be put on hold for now," he said in a low voice.
The subordinate was taken aback: "Sir, wouldn't that mean...?"
A cold glint flashed in Luo Wen's eyes: "Since the assassination failed, it means someone is protecting him. Do you want us to directly confront those sects head-on?"
"Your subordinate dares not."
"Since the sect wants to promote him and compete for fame, then let's try a different approach."
Luo Wen tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Let him lose, lose fair and square, until he's too ashamed to participate in the Dragon Gate Trial."
The subordinate was even more confused: "What does the master mean?"
"Challenge." Luo Wen uttered two words. "Hasn't the Dragon Gate Trial not started yet? Before that, it's perfectly normal for young people in the capital to exchange skills and knowledge."
"Help him build his reputation and increase his influence, then send a few people to Zhaoyang Prefecture to deliver a challenge, a fair and square challenge to Li Zhi."
After speaking, Luo Wen paused and said in a low voice, "Don't kill anyone, no, let's not arrange for anyone to challenge us. We can just start. There are many people in the capital who love fame."
The subordinate suddenly understood and showed admiration: "Your Excellency is brilliant! I will make the arrangements immediately and will definitely select reliable people to create a great impression."
Over the next few days, the capital city became lively.
In teahouses and taverns, on the streets and alleys, people are talking about one name: Li Zhi.
"Have you heard? There's this guy named Li Zhi who came from the south. He's something else!"
"Indeed! Upon arrival, Her Highness the Eldest Princess invited me to the Zhaoyang Palace, where I was treated as an honored guest!"
"That's not all! Everyone knows the music of the Red Silk Pavilion, right? That fairy whose music is so rare it's worth a thousand pieces of gold! Li Zhi spent a fortune at the Red Silk Pavilion just to meet her! Tsk tsk, what audacity!"
"Ten thousand taels of gold? Just for a single meeting? This... what devotion, and what immense wealth!"
Rumors spread like wildfire, growing ever wider and more fantastical.
In short, this spring, everyone in the capital city knew this person.
Inside Zhaoyang Mansion, however, there was a tranquility that was completely different from the hustle and bustle outside.
Ji Baizhi was originally a recluse.
Li Zhi hadn't gone out recently, but he encountered danger that night after going out.
Ji Baizhi refused to let Li Zhi leave the house no matter what.
Li Zhi himself didn't want to go out either.
After all, he still had to fulfill that bet, the bet with Lin Yueyin.
Five days later, Li Zhi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and inward. The powerful true energy surging around him subsided like a tide, returning to his dantian and becoming perfectly harmonious.
The Innate Skill has also been completed.
With a slight thought, Li Zhi opened his control panel.
[Character: Li Zhi]
[Entries: Heart of Nothingness, Emperor's Body, Favor of Heaven and Earth]
[Technique:]
Innate Skill: Masterful (80% proficiency)
Body Forging Key: Mastery (80% Proficiency)
Gentleman's Swordplay: Mastery (Proficiency 63%)
[Level: 39 (Overall Rating: Upper Three Realms)]