#828 - Proxy war
“W-What’s going on here?”
“This isn’t our business, let’s go!”
“S-Should we report this to the authorities?”
“Report to the authorities my ass! You want to live longer, don't you?”
“Don’t look! Let’s run!”
“...”
Soon, as the intense sounds of fighting echoed from the Kang Wang Manor, the surrounding streets and alleys descended into chaos.
The common people fled this dangerous place, while constables galloped over from the end of the street.
Only three days after Lü Yuansong’s death, the Kang Wang Manor was also subjected to an assassin's “sneak attack”.
Anyone could guess that these two incidents were definitely orchestrated by the same person, but no one knew who had such audacity.
Or rather, who would benefit from these two “extermination cases”?
The First Prince? The Third Prince?
Without a doubt, in the eyes of the people, the First Prince, Lü Yuanjin, was the most suspicious.
But what the crowd didn't know was that at this very moment, Lü Yuanjin, who was on Dragon Head Mountain, was equally astonished.
“What?!”
He stood up abruptly from behind his desk, his face full of anger. Lü Yuanjin, dressed in white robes.
Compared to Lü Yuansong, he gave off a more composed impression.
But even so, Lü Yuanjin was still unable to suppress the agitation in his heart at this moment.
“It must be Wei Changtian!”
“It must be Wei Changtian!!”
Pacing back and forth with a livid face, Lü Yuanjin kept repeating the same sentence.
Although from the surface, the deaths of Lü Yuansong and Lü Xiangshan should have been a good thing for him in terms of vested interests.
However, Lü Yuanjin was not so short-sighted and had already guessed Wei Changtian's true intentions.
And that meant that, sooner or later, the latter would come after him.
Facing Wei Changtian, if it were an open confrontation, with each side gathering their forces for a formal challenge, Lü Yuanjin would not be afraid.
But the problem was that Wei Changtian wasn't engaging in a “fair and square” duel with him, but was constantly lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
The enemy in the dark and him in the light, this was already a very dangerous situation.
If this enemy's strength was also incredibly terrifying, then the situation would undoubtedly be even more difficult.
After all, he could hide for a while, but he couldn't hide forever.
And as long as Wei Changtian seized an opportunity, then what awaited him would be...
His fingers trembled violently, and Lü Yuanjin stopped thinking about it.
At this moment, the fear in his heart had surpassed his anger, and it also made him feel a deep sense of powerlessness.
He knew that Wei Changtian would never let him go, and would never let Da Hui go.
Therefore, for him, perhaps the best option now was to escape immediately.
Before Wei Changtian came to kill him, give up the fight for the throne, flee Da Hui, and escape as far as possible.
At least that way he could save his life...
“Sigh.”
Slowly closing his eyes, Lü Yuanjin sighed heavily.
Of course, he was unwilling to flee in such a disheveled manner, handing over Da Hui's millennial foundation to Wei Changtian.
But if he didn't escape, would he continue to live in fear and trepidation?
If that were the case, what would it matter even if he sat on the dragon throne?
His mind became more and more chaotic, and Lü Yuanjin couldn't figure out how to break the deadlock no matter how he thought about it.
And just at this moment, a guard happened to push the door open and report:
“Your Highness, someone is requesting an audience outside the palace!”
“I'm not seeing anyone!”
Lü Yuanjin waved his hand impatiently, his tone very agitated.
But the guard didn't leave as ordered, but lowered his head and added softly:
“Your Highness, those who have come are all extremely powerful, and there are three Second-Rank experts.”
“Hmm?”
But he didn't understand why Chu Xianping would also be in Yongding City, let alone why he would come to him.
“Go, invite him in.”
After thinking for a moment, Lü Yuanjin seemed to understand something, suddenly straightened his clothes, and sat back behind his desk.
“Remember to be polite.”
“...”
“Young Master Chu, I have long admired your name!”
Soon, Lü Yuanjin met Chu Xianping, who had come directly from Zhuwu to Dragon Head Mountain.
Looking at the smiling Lü Yuanjin, Chu Xianping didn't say a single word of nonsense, not even the most basic pleasantries, and the first thing he said was—
“Your Highness, aren't you going to escape yet?”
“...”
The expression on his face froze abruptly, Lü Yuanjin's face changed several times, and then returned to normal after a few breaths.
He stared at Chu Xianping, took a deep breath, and asked in reply:
“Young Master Chu, are you here to help me?”
“You can understand it that way.”
Casually finding a chair to sit down, Chu Xianping said slowly:
“Your Highness, I know you must have many questions you want to ask me, so I will get straight to the point.”
“Wei Changtian intends to support Gongsun Yan as emperor, and to that end, he has already killed the Second Prince, Lü Yuansong, and the Kang Wang will probably not escape this calamity today.”
“Then next, it will be your turn sooner or later.”
“But I can guarantee your survival, and even your successful accession to the throne.”
“If you are unwilling, it doesn't matter, I believe the Third Prince will definitely be eager for this opportunity.”
“Your Highness, I won't give you too much time to consider.”
“Please give me an answer immediately as to whether you agree or not.”
After Chu Xianping finished speaking, he stopped looking at Lü Yuanjin, but lowered his eyes and kept tapping the armrest of the chair lightly with his fingers, as if calculating the latter's thinking time.
And Lü Yuanjin stared blankly at him, countless questions surging into his heart for a moment.
However, although there were many questions, he ultimately only asked one question in a deep voice.
“Young Master Chu, if I agree to your terms, what do you want?”
“Your Highness should be clear.”
Chu Xianping glanced at Lü Yuanjin and replied coldly: “What Gongsun Yan has given, you must also give.”
“...”
What Gongsun Yan has given, you must also give.
The meaning in Chu Xianping's words was clear, that was, he wanted Lü Yuanjin to serve him from now on.
And if Lü Yuanjin really agreed to this condition, it would undoubtedly mean that this battle for the throne would become a contest between Wei Changtian and Chu Xianping.
It had only been a month since the two parted ways, and they had actually become enemies in Da Hui from friends.
Wei Changtian's mood would probably be quite complicated when he found out about this.
“Alright! I agree!”
On the other side, after a brief period of thought, Lü Yuanjin finally gritted his teeth and made a decision.
After all, no matter what, only by doing so could he save his own life, and only then could he save Da Hui.
He had no choice.
“Young Master Chu, from today onwards, I and my subordinates are willing to listen to your orders!”
“Good.”
Slowly standing up, Chu Xianping said word by word: “Then please, Your Highness, leave the palace with me now to go to a place.”
“Leave the palace? Where to?”
Lü Yuanjin was stunned and asked subconsciously.
But Chu Xianping had already turned around and walked out a few steps, only his calm voice came over.
“The An Wang Manor.”
