#292 - Why did you come to see me?
“Clang!”
Taiwan Fiction Net → 𝒕 𝒘 𝒌 𝒂 𝒏 . 𝒄 𝒐 𝒎
Xu Ming turned and swung his sword, the long blades colliding and sparking in the night. His opponent was forced back several meters by the force of Xu Ming's strike.
As the other man steadied himself, Xu Ming's sword was already pointing at the center of his brow.
The masked man twisted his head, dodging the sword, and thrust a palm towards Xu Ming.
Xu Ming punched out, fist against palm, and both men were sent flying backward.
Xu Ming narrowed his eyes, watching the man before him.
The ordinary iron sword in Xu Ming's hand had already been chipped.
This sword was indeed quite good for the mortal realm, but it was simply not enough.
However, given the masked man's level, Xu Ming was confident that even with an ordinary sword, he could kill him.
The masked man stared intently at Xu Ming.
Xu Ming saw excitement in his eyes.
To be honest, Xu Ming thought this masked man might have some psychological issues, a bit like a masochist.
“Young Master Xu, what excellent swordsmanship!” The masked man looked at Xu Ming with excitement.
Xu Ming didn't know what he was so excited about.
Xu Ming frowned: “Who are you? How dare you attack my Xu residence at night!”
The man's earlier sword strike hadn't carried any killing intent, instead feeling somewhat restrained, as if he was testing Xu Ming.
Therefore, Xu Ming's earlier strike hadn't been a killing blow either.
Otherwise, the man's head would already be gone.
But now a question arose.
Who is this person? What are they testing me for?
“Does Young Master Xu know of the Prince Shan?” the masked man asked.
“Do you know what mentioning those two words represents?”
How could Xu Ming not know of the Prince Shan?
The reason the status of illegitimate sons was so low was largely due to the Nine Sons' Succession War, and Prince Shan was the most prestigious of the nine princes at the time.
At that time, Prince Shan had the greatest reputation and the greatest power.
However, Chen Wang at the time used some unknown means to seize the throne, and Prince Shan's entire lineage was purged.
Although a century had passed and the matter had long faded, and the current Martial Emperor could be considered a wise ruler, supported by the people, the words “Prince Shan” were still very sensitive.
“Hahaha, how could the people of Wu not know what the words ‘Prince Shan’ represent.”
The masked man's eyes, beneath the mask, looked at Xu Ming like knives.
“Originally, the world of Wu should have belonged to the Fifth Prince, Prince Shan's line! The man currently sitting high on the throne is nothing more than a usurper!”
Xu Ming coldly retorted: “The victor is king, the loser is villainized. Since you lost, you must face reality.”
Xu Ming had roughly guessed the other party's identity.
Although Prince Shan was dead.
It was said that Prince Shan was a very charismatic man in life, and most of his retainers and subordinates were willing to die for him!
Especially in Prince Shan's former fiefdom, which is now the Wu's Western Liang Province, even after a hundred years, the people deeply felt Prince Shan's kindness.
The Western Liang Iron Cavalry, which Prince Shan had once created, was broken up, reorganized, and distributed to various armies, but some of these scattered Western Liang Iron Cavalry and officers probably still hadn't fully pledged allegiance to the Wu imperial family.
Of course, after so much time, most of those forces were no longer a threat.
And the other party should be a supporter of Prince Shan.
To be honest, Xu Ming quite admired these supporters.
If Prince Shan hadn't died, I could understand you wholeheartedly wanting to help Prince Shan regain the throne.
But Prince Shan was definitely dead, his head buried underground, probably already reincarnated, and yet you still haven't given up.
“Well said, the victor is king.” The masked man took a deep breath, his eyes burning, “That's right, Young Master Xu is correct, the victor is king. A hundred years ago, we accepted it, but! We do not accept this result! We will definitely take back everything that belongs to Prince Shan's line!”
“Madman.” In Xu Ming's mind, he labeled the other party as such. The other party's state was already somewhat obsessive.
“So what do you want from me?” Xu Ming asked.
“We want to invite Young Master Xu to join us!” the masked man revealed the truth.
“Huh?” Xu Ming was stunned for a moment, wondering if he had misheard, “No, why do you think I would join you?”
Xu Ming was really a bit dumbfounded, even finding it a bit funny.
I'm not saying that I'm riding the crest of a wave right now, but I'm definitely basking in the sunshine.
I can do anything I want in the Xu residence, and the Xu residence wouldn't dare say no.
In everyone's eyes, I am also the Martial Emperor's favored subject.
If I hadn't refused the marriage back then, I would already be the husband of the Martial Emperor's only daughter, and our future child would definitely be the Wu's ruler.
Putting aside the fact that I'm not interested in politics in the first place.
Even if I were interested in politics, what good would it do me to follow you? What can you give me?
The masked man frowned: “I know that Young Master Xu is now the Martial Emperor's favored subject in the court, but he is definitely not destined to rule. Young Master is both scholarly and martial, why help a tyrant? Why not join us and create a great cause together!”
Xu Ming sneered: “If the Martial Emperor were昏庸w昏庸 and the people were starving, then I would definitely agree with what you said, but in the year that I have traveled, everywhere I have been, I wouldn't say that the politics are as clear as snow, but they are much better than ordinary dynasties.
Regarding the current dynasty, although the people also have some complaints, ultimately there is more praise than criticism.
If nothing unexpected happens, the current Martial Emperor will leave a reputation for wisdom in history.
So what is the need for me to follow you? To make the people of Wu suffer and become homeless?
In the end, just for your wishful thinking, to plunge Wu into war?”
There was one more thing Xu Ming didn't say.
My "female best friend" might even be the future Empress. The Martial Emperor has already started thinking about paving the way. You want me to rebel against my female brother?
The masked man sighed and shook his head: “I am truly very disappointed that Young Master Xu answers in this way.”
“Heh heh.” Xu Ming laughed a few times, “If you want to recruit me, then you've made the wrong choice. On the contrary, if you rebel, then I will suppress the rebellion. I could even capture you now and send you to the palace, but considering your loyalty, you may leave. If we meet again in the future, don't blame me for being merciless.”
The masked man took a deep look at Xu Ming, said nothing more, and simply turned and flew away.
“Inexplicable.”
Xu Ming watched him disappear into the night sky, shook his head, and turned to walk back to his room.
Out of nowhere, a supporter of Prince Shan wants to recruit me?
Are they crazy?
“Wait…”
Xu Ming felt that something was not right.
If they weren't crazy, knowing that it was impossible to recruit me, why did they come to me?
