#486 - Three Fists (4000 words)

"My Lord."

In a private room of a restaurant, Mu Jin walked in again.

"Mu Jin pays respects to my Lord."

Dressed in a pink skirt, Mu Jin bowed, a faint smile on her lips.

It seemed that this woman was always like this, always with a faint smile, as if it never disappeared.

"How are things?"

The man was still sitting by the window drinking wine, with only a few ordinary dishes on the table as appetizers.

"Reporting to my Lord, the Jinyi Guard is quite lively now."

Mu Jin organized her words in her mind and said with a smile.

"The matter of Zheng Qiu has been resolved. As soon as Zheng Qiu arrived in the interrogation hall, he knelt down and kowtowed, begging for mercy. In the end, Zheng Qiu gave a sum of money to the storytelling father and daughter.

The storytelling father and daughter forgave Zheng Qiu and no longer pursued his responsibility. However, according to the laws of the Wu Kingdom, Zheng Qiu still has to be imprisoned for half a year. He has now been transferred to the Jingzhao Prefecture."

The man nodded: "Zheng Qiu, that fellow, was originally just a pawn we placed. Although he doesn't have much ability, he does have a clear understanding of the situation.

He knows that his son is just a fuse, and the main characters are Xu Ming and the Great Pillar of State.

Continuing to get involved in this matter would not have any good results for him. In that case, it would be better to get his son out of it as soon as possible.

Now that his son's task as a fuse is completed, he naturally wants to find a way to get his son out.

If nothing unexpected happens, in half a year, after his son comes out, Zheng Qiu will also resign and go back to his hometown.

No need to pay attention to him anymore, just let him be a wealthy man. He has indeed done a lot of things these years, even if those things were not very useful."

"Yes." Mu Jin nodded.

Based on Mu Jin's past experience, she was thinking about whether to eliminate his son to erase the traces, but since her master had said so, there was no need.

Just let that useless coward pick up a life.

"Continue, how are things going with the Great Pillar of State and Xu Ming?" the man asked, "Their conflict is what I care about the most. In my opinion, the conflict between these two people may not be easy to resolve."

Mu Jin's lips curled up: "This is the most interesting part. At the beginning, the Great Pillar of State didn't have a strong attitude towards Xu Ming, and even seemed a bit humble. I was worried that our plan wouldn't go through.

But who knew that our Number One Scholar, perhaps because he was too young, didn't give the Great Pillar of State any face at all.

Xu Ming insisted on convicting Mo Yuanshan.

Even though the Great Pillar of State had already taken out the golden decree of immunity from death, it was useless.

When the founding emperor of the Wu Kingdom gave this golden decree of immunity from death to the Great Pillar of State, he said that if anyone wanted to forcibly convict him, they would have to endure three punches from him.

As a result, this Xu Ming actually stood in front of the Great Pillar of State and said that he wanted to try the Great Pillar of State's boxing skills.

This is a Boundary Realm martial artist.

Even if Xu Ming has some talent in martial arts, even if the Great Pillar of State can only use two realms higher than Xu Ming to throw a punch.

But after all, this is two realms of a Boundary Realm martial artist.

Not to mention that the Great Pillar of State's physical strength is much stronger than Xu Ming's.

In Mu Jin's opinion, it's not impossible for the Great Pillar of State to beat Xu Ming to death.

In short, this Xu Ming will definitely not be able to withstand the Great Pillar of State's punch, and may even try to be brave.

And after this incident, the relationship between the Jinyi Guard and the Great Pillar of State will be completely on opposite sides.

That Princess is now also in the Jinyi Guard, at least the forces of the Great Pillar of State and the Jinyi Guard will definitely not have any contact, which is even more in line with our previous layout."

"Heh heh heh."

After Mu Jin finished speaking, the man smiled and drank a glass of wine in the city.

"My old brother, how should I say it, he still wholeheartedly supports the current Emperor Wu.

But it's not impossible to understand.

After all, our Emperor Wu can indeed be regarded as a wise ruler. Any normal subordinate basically has no objection to him, and the people also like the current emperor very much.

Not to mention that my old brother is already old and doesn't want to toss anymore. His mentality is probably the same as Zheng Qiu's, he just wants to retire and live a stable life.

It's just that he is, after all, the only Boundary Realm martial artist in the Wu Kingdom, and even until his death, he must stand on the side of the Wu Kingdom.

Even if he promised us to make things difficult for Xu Ming, in fact, he still gave Xu Ming a lot of leeway.

In the end, he even took out the golden decree of immunity from death, from which it can be seen that he actually appreciates Xu Ming quite a bit.

Could it be that my old buddy thinks Xu Ming will inherit his mantle?"

"Wasn't the Great Pillar of State taking out the original golden decree also within your expectations, my Lord?

But just as you predicted, even if the Great Pillar of State took out the golden decree of immunity from death, Xu Ming was still stubborn.

To be honest, even I couldn't bear to watch it anymore.

At that time, I felt in my heart that our plan was going to fail.

After all, if it were me, I would definitely agree to the Great Pillar of State and let his son go."

Mu Jin smiled, seemingly with some schadenfreude.

The man shook his head: "It's not that I calculated accurately, but that I didn't underestimate this Number One Scholar. I even wondered if I had overestimated him, but now it seems that our Number One Scholar has been making the right decisions from beginning to end."

"This subordinate doesn't understand." Mu Jin asked in confusion, "That Number One Scholar is so stubborn and has done such a thing, walking down a dead end. Why do you still say that he has made the most correct decision?"

"Heh heh heh."

The man smiled.

"You, broaden your horizons a little and you'll know what's going on.

For this Number One Scholar, not confronting Mo Peinan head-on is indeed the best choice, but that's only for him personally.

For the Jinyi Guard, it's not like that.

Stand in the Jinyi Guard's perspective and think carefully about what this newly established institution needs most now?"

"..."

Mu Jin lowered her head, looking thoughtful.

"This subordinate seems to understand your meaning, my Lord."

After a long time, Mu Jin nodded.

"From Xu Ming's perspective, it's best for Xu Ming not to conflict with him. Anyway, the Great Pillar of State has already shown weakness to this extent, even taking out the golden decree of immunity from death. Even if Xu Ming lets him go, no one will say anything about him.

But from the Jinyi Guard's perspective, it's different.

An institution like the Jinyi Guard inherently possesses supreme power.

But this kind of power cannot be used just because you want to use it. This kind of power needs to be realized, and realization requires the Jinyi Guard's prestige in everyone's hearts.

If the Jinyi Guard wants to take this opportunity to completely establish its prestige, then it cannot retreat a single step, at least to the point where there is no way to retreat, to the point where no one can find fault with it.

Even that one in the palace is now watching this matter, wanting to know to what extent this institution he created can be used by Xu Ming.

So the reason why that Number One Scholar is so stubborn is not only to show the people, to show the Jinyi Guard, but also to show the emperor in the palace."

"That's right."

The man's lips curled up.

"This case is the Jinyi Guard's first case. Not only are the people watching, the civil and military officials are watching, but also the eight thousand Jinyi Guards are watching.

Xu Ming's performance will be the performance of the eight thousand Jinyi Guards for the next twenty years.

Whether the Jinyi Guard can truly become a sharp blade depends on today."

… …

Inside the main hall of the Jinyi Guard.

As Xu Ming's words landed, the entire hall fell into silence.

Tang Ningzhi stood up, looking like she wanted to say something, but Wu Yanhan grabbed her hand.

Tang Ningzhi looked at Wu Yanhan, her eyes seemed to be saying: "Xu Ming is just being brave and courting death. Are you just going to watch Xu Ming courting death?"

In Tang Ningzhi's heart, she really didn't understand.

Logically speaking, this princess of the Wu Kingdom should like Xu Ming very much, but now, she doesn't say a word, watching Xu Ming walk towards the worst outcome.

Wu Yanhan understood Tang Ningzhi's meaning. In the end, Wu Yanhan only returned Tang Ningzhi a firm look.

"..."

Tang Ningzhi pursed her thin lips, and in her mind, she once again recalled what Wu Yanhan had said to her before: "No matter what he does, I will only stand on his side."

Tang Ningzhi took a deep breath and sat on the chair.

Tang Ningzhi stared at Xu Ming and Mo Peinan.

After calming down a little, Tang Ningzhi felt that things might not be as serious as she had imagined.

No matter what.

Xu Ming is the Number One Scholar of the Wu Kingdom, and even the hope of the Wu Kingdom's literary world.

Even this Great Pillar of State would not dare to easily kill Xu Ming.

But the problem is...

What if?

Even if the Great Pillar of State beat Xu Ming to death, what could the Emperor Wu say?

What could others say?

In fact, this Great Pillar of State has already given Xu Ming enough face.

But Xu Ming didn't back down at all, and even seemed a bit stubborn.

Even if something unexpected happens to Xu Ming in the end, the Great Pillar of State will definitely not be held responsible.

At most, Grand Pillar State would only be scolded by the common people.

But the problem is, even if it's the common people, what can they do? This is the number one expert of the Wu Kingdom.

The common people standing at the door were all sweating for Xu Ming.

Especially those girls at the door, they were really worried that something would happen to the Number One Scholar.

If something happened to Xu Ming, they wouldn't know what to do.

They would rather something happen to their fiancé than to the Number One Scholar. After all, if their fiancé is gone, they can find another one, but the Number One Scholar is the white moonlight in their hearts. If the Number One Scholar is gone, he's really gone.

"Very good!" Grand Pillar State nodded. "I have to admit, Xu Ming, you are indeed a very backbone person. Although I haven't had much contact with you, I also understand somewhat why Xiao Mo Chi would praise you so much."

Xu Ming cupped his fist in salute: "Thank you for your praise, Grand Pillar State."

Mo Peinan looked at Xu Ming calmly: "Since you have already decided, then I won't say anything more. But Xu Ming, you must remember, it is impossible for me to hold back against you! You are responsible for your own life and death!"

Xu Ming smiled and nodded: "That's natural."

"Where are you going to take my three punches? It won't be here, will it? I'm afraid I'll collapse your hall." Mo Peinan glanced around.

"Our Embroidered Uniform Guard has a training field. It would be good to have it there," Xu Ming said.

"Okay, then let's go to your training field!" Mo Peinan didn't care.

On the contrary.

Mo Peinan was actually quite looking forward to it in his heart. This Xu Ming cultivates both swordsmanship and martial arts. He wanted to see how much ability he really had, and whether his martial arts had been completely abandoned.

"Grand Pillar State, please."

Xu Ming made a "please" gesture. Grand Pillar State took one last look at Xu Ming and walked out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The others naturally followed suit.

In the training field of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Xu Ming and Grand Pillar State stood facing each other.

Outside the training field, a circle of people had already gathered, including ordinary people and Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Everyone was watching the field nervously.

Tang Ningzhi clenched her fists tightly.

If something really happened to Xu Ming, then things would be terrible.

But now, Tang Ningzhi had no way to prevent this from happening.

Tang Ningzhi glanced at Wu Yanhan beside her.

Wu Yanhan's gaze was only fixed on the stage, and she had never moved her gaze away even for a moment.

"Your Majesty, something bad has happened..."

In the palace, Wei Xun rolled and crawled to Emperor Wu again.

"Speak, what's going on again?"

Emperor Wu rubbed his eyes, his tone very helpless.

Emperor Wu was already feeling a headache at this time.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Grand Pillar State took out the death-exemption gold medal in order to save his son," Wei Xun said quickly.

"And then?" Emperor Wu asked in confusion, "Taking out the death-exemption gold medal, shouldn't this matter be over?"

"It was supposed to be like this, but Your Majesty, the Number One Scholar, he... he doesn't recognize that gold medal."

The more Wei Xun spoke, the more cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Now the Number One Scholar and Grand Pillar State are already in the training field, and the Number One Scholar is going to take those three punches from Grand Pillar State..."

[I found a BUG in the author's background recently. The ending of the previous chapter clearly had two more sentences, but it was directly cut off for me...

If the readers hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have noticed it.

It seems that I have to check it twice in the future.

Then there is a modification in the above text, that is, Grand Pillar State "shot at a level higher" is actually "two levels higher".

Because this book is also updated on other channels, but other channels will not display "Author's Words", so some can only write books in the main text.

However, according to the feedback from you, I will try my best to say less about these at the end in the future.]