Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 929: Falling into the Wolf’s Jaws

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Wanyan Liang laughed heartily, “Is that truly the case?”

Daiqisi gave a slight bow. “Every word I speak is true.” 

After all these years moving within the upper echelons of the Jin Dynasty’s power structure, her perspective was far from that of the young girl who had once thrown everything away for love.

In that short span of time, she had already assessed the situation clearly. 

Wanyan Liang had obviously come prepared. Although the three Persian Envoys on her side possessed high martial prowess, if a true battle broke out, her side would surely be completely annihilated. Since controlling Emperor Xizong was now clearly impossible, the next best option was to retreat and seek a lesser advantage—to cooperate with Wanyan Liang while they still had some bargaining power.

If they could successfully ally with Wanyan Liang, it would be a fortunate outcome amidst this misfortune. After all, from what she had seen and heard over the years, Wanyan Liang was a staunch advocate for war within the Jin court and had always viewed the Mongols as the greatest threat. With a little provocation from her, she could incite war between the Jin and the Mongols, thus accomplishing the mission of this trip.

The reason Daiqisi believed negotiation was feasible was that although her side was at a disadvantage, they were still a force to be reckoned with. If Wanyan Liang truly wished to eliminate them, he would likely have to pay a steep price. And for Wanyan Liang, every bit of strength was extremely precious at this moment.

“Your proposal is most interesting, Madam,” Wanyan Liang said with a smile. “In that case, to demonstrate your sincerity, could you first hand over the Emperor and Empress?”

The Moon Envoy hurried forward and whispered to Daiqisi, “No! The Emperor and Empress are our only bargaining chips. How can we simply hand them over?”

Daiqisi also frowned deeply. After a long moment, she spoke: “At this point, the Emperor and Empress are of no use to us. I know Wanyan Liang well; he is no loyal subject or righteous warrior. His armed intrusion in the middle of the night is certainly not for the purpose of protecting the sovereign.”

The Wind Envoy and the Cloud Envoy deeply agreed. “Just give him the Emperor and Empress.”

Daiqisi then said clearly, “Since Your Highness requests it, to show our sincerity, we will send them over immediately.” She gave a signal, and her subordinates promptly escorted Wanyan and Empress Peiman towards them.

“Prince Hailing, slay these treacherous rebels for me, and I will appoint you as the Head of the Imperial Secretariat,” Emperor Xizong said upon seeing Wanyan Liang, as if spotting a savior. Over the years, he had trusted Wanyan Liang implicitly. Now, returning to his side, his heart, anxious all night, finally settled.

Hearing his command, Wanyan Liang smiled but did not immediately respond. Instead, he walked up to him and, to the other’s astonishment, snapped his neck.

“Bandits from the Ming Cult infiltrated the palace and assassinated the Emperor! His Majesty has tragically passed. By special order, all guards are to execute the culprits on the spot!” Wanyan Liang’s emotionless voice rang out across the hall.

Although Daiqisi’s plan was well conceived, under normal circumstances, Wanyan Liang might have indeed been persuaded. But this matter concerned the Emperor. He had entered the palace tonight with the intention of regicide and usurpation, and had been ready to deal with the inevitable widespread condemnation afterwards. Now, these Ming Cult members had walked right into his trap. Such a convenient scapegoat was too good to waste.

“You!” Daiqisi’s group was both shocked and furious, but they had no time to voice their accusations. Wanyan Liang’s subordinates, having received the order, charged at them.

Ouyang Feng took the lead against the Wind Envoy, Qiu Qianren chose the Cloud Envoy, and Gongsun Zhi, who had long been eyeing the Moon Envoy’s slender waist and curvaceous figure, chose her without hesitation. Pucha Ahudie led the guards in hunting down the remaining members.

Although Empress Pei Man had long lost any affection for Emperor Xizong, he was still her husband. Seeing him die like this inevitably saddened her, but at this moment, she felt more shock and anger. “Wanyan Liang! How dare you commit regicide!”

Wanyan Liang smiled slightly. “You misunderstand, Empress. The Emperor died at the hands of these Ming Cult bandits. I am merely avenging him.”

“Such lies might fool the ignorant masses,” Empress Pei Man rebuked. “Since you dared to assassinate the Emperor, I assume you will not go easy on me, the Empress, either.”

Wanyan Liang cast a greedy glance at her voluptuous figure. “You worry too much, Your Majesty. This prince found Emperor Xizong useless to keep, but you are different. You are, at the very least, a woman of graceful and elegant beauty.”

“Shameless!” Empress Peiman trembled with rage. “Wanyan Liang, don’t celebrate too soon. Someone will surely come to deal with you!”

“Are you referring to those old fools Wanyan Zongxian and Zongmin?” Wanyan Liang chuckled. “Once I am done here, they will be the first ones I target.” Over the years, Wanyan Zongxian and Zongmin, both superior to him in status and seniority, had often deliberately or inadvertently criticized and pressured him.

Wanyan Liang knew clearly that after his usurpation, others might be manageable, but these two, the top military and political leaders, would never submit to him. They held troops, power, and immense prestige. Once they raised a call to arms, his situation would be perilous. Therefore, his first priority after securing the palace was to eliminate these two.

Empress Pei Man coldly laughed a few times but did not refute him. Instead, the figure of another person surfaced in her mind.

In a moment of respite, Daiqisi glanced towards the three Persian Envoys and saw each one was at a disadvantage. She knew it was unlikely any of them would escape today. Their only chance was to capture the leader first!

Her mind made up, she unleashed a series of lethal moves, killing several guards blocking her path. Then, she utilized her Qinggong, her body moving with unparalleled speed as she pressed towards Wanyan Liang. Guards along the way tried to stop her, but her movements were indescribably strange and elusive, ghostly and phantom-like. In a few leaps, she appeared before Wanyan Liang.

Wanyan Liang’s face paled slightly as he hurriedly retreated, but Daiqisi was staking everything on this one chance for survival. She wouldn’t let him escape so easily, reaching out to grab the major acupoints on his chest.

Just as she was about to seize him, two large hands suddenly extended from the side, blocking between them. It was Wanyan Liang’s four personal guards acting. Xiao Tanggudai and Yelu Xuanyang parried Daiqisi’s attack, while Tudan Alichuhu remained closely by Wanyan Liang’s side without moving an inch.

These four guards of Wanyan Liang were meticulously selected top experts from the kingdom. If they were to venture into the martial world, each would undoubtedly achieve a fame no less than that of the Purple-Robed Dragon King. Moreover, half of Daiqisi’s martial arts were suited for one-to-one combat. Fighting two opponents at once, she quickly fell into a disadvantage.

Gritting her silver teeth, Daiqisi flung her renowned hidden weapon, the Golden Flower, shooting towards both men in an attempt to create an opening for escape. 

The two men dodged east and weaved west, avoiding them completely. Xiao Tanggudai pressed forward directly, thrusting his fingers towards Daiqisi’s throat. 

Daiqisi hurriedly raised a palm to block while slashing back with her sword in her other hand. Suddenly, she was lifted into the air—Yelu Xuanyang had grabbed her from behind and hoisted her up. Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Tanggudai advanced three steps and sealed several of her major acupoints in succession. Daiqisi’s body stiffened, and she could no longer move.