Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

"Digging their own grave."

Sheng Changquan's voice was not loud, and a cruel sneer curled at the corner of his lips: "Over the years, Lin Qinshuang's audacity has grown increasingly fat, to the point that she dares to do things like opening her mansion gates and letting wolves into her house, which would lead to the confiscation of her property and the extermination of her entire clan."

"but!"

He paused briefly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes like a poisoned needle, and lowered his voice, yet each word was clear: "However... she opened this side gate at just the right time, perfectly timed."

"Some things are better done in the manor...it's more convenient..."

"...Press it down!"

Sheng Changquan's eyes flashed, realizing that he shouldn't let small things cause him to lose big, and that he shouldn't let these things delay his path to the imperial examinations.

Xu Changqing stood at attention, holding his breath and concentrating.

He knew that the young master's "just right" was no exaggeration.

“Some things, if they happen outside the manor, leave an indelible mark and only cause trouble. It would be better if…” He slightly raised his eyes to look at Xu Changqing, his eyes like unfathomable pools, “that they happen inside the manor, within these high walls, so that we can control the outcome ourselves.”

"Changqing, contact Chief Escort Wang of the Tiger Might Escort Agency immediately."

Sheng Changquan thought for a moment, then turned his gaze to Xu Changqing and instructed, "Tell us all the intelligence we have: 'Over the Mountain Wind's' identity, hiding place, infiltration plan, target, and number of men. Emphasize that this battle requires the thunderous power of Boss Lu!"

Sheng Changquan spoke in a steady and deliberate manner, knowing that Lu Hongti must have already arrived at Huwei Escort Agency.

"We earnestly request that Chief Lu personally lead his absolutely trustworthy elite troops to quietly eliminate all possible spies and moles along the route from the abandoned dyehouse to the west corner gate of the Sheng Mansion before 9 PM the day after tomorrow. After the elimination is complete, set up an ambush in advance in the area inside the corner gate and outside the west wall of Zeyu Hall!"

"Once 'Over the Mountain Wind' and his henchmen have all passed through the side gate and entered the mansion grounds, immediately seal the side gate! Close the gate—" Sheng Changquan's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying an aura of iron-blooded ruthlessness, "Make sure to annihilate this group of guys completely, leaving no survivors!"

"Furthermore, this matter must not be allowed to spread outside the manor!"

Sheng Changquan's expression was cold and stern. He knew that such family feuds should not be spread outside the family, otherwise it would affect the family's reputation and bring bad luck to the family!
"Zhao Mang is brave and fierce, but lacks wisdom and strategy. He only knows how to charge with brute force and knows nothing about the situation inside the manor or my identity and strength. This is an excellent opportunity. Chief Lu can be captured easily!"

"Furthermore, keep a close watch on Linxi Pavilion and the gatekeeper Zhang Laosi!" A calculating glint flashed in Sheng Changquan's eyes. "Make sure Lin Qinshuang's 'convenient' actions proceed as planned, without letting her notice anything amiss. Let her think everything is ready; her madness and desperate gamble are the best smokescreen and cover at this moment."

"As for the rest of the household..." Sheng Changquan's tapping rhythm on the table changed slightly, as if he were devising a more intricate plan. "The day after tomorrow, I will try to arrange for Grandmother and Madam to 'coincidentally' visit my eldest sister, catch up on family matters, and see their grandson. Father and Second Brother are on official business and will not return home until after 9 PM."

The corners of his mouth curled up in a cold arc.

"At that time, only a few masters from Linxi Pavilion will remain in the manor..."

This sentence is very meaningful.

"Yes!" Xu Changqing understood immediately and replied in a deep voice without any hesitation, "Your subordinate understands! You will ensure everything goes perfectly!"

His figure seemed to blend into the flickering candlelight and shadows, disappearing silently.

Silence returned to the study, broken only by the occasional crackling of the candle wick...

……

When Xu Changqing relayed Sheng Changquan's meticulous plan and detailed intelligence to the Tiger Might Escort Agency.

In the western part of the city, in the backyard of the Tiger Might Escort Agency, the council hall next to the martial arts arena was brightly lit, yet suffocatingly quiet. The chilling atmosphere in the air seemed to solidify, and even the usually noisy mosquitoes in the courtyard were silent.

Lu Hongti stood alone before the large ebony desk, unfolding the still-freshly inscribed secret report.

When the five characters "Guo Shan Feng Zhao Mang" came into clear view, her aura suddenly froze, as if a cold front from the far north had instantly swept through the entire hall. The oil lamp on the table flickered and swayed violently a few times before almost going out!
"As expected...it was him!" Lu Hongti's expression turned stern!
The first person to join forces with Black Hawk relentlessly pursued her like a leech, repeatedly driving her to the brink of despair and nearly causing her to perish in the icy ravines of Lüliang Mountain!
The huge old scar on his chest and abdomen, which almost ran through his internal organs and ached like a venomous snake bite whenever it rained, seemed to be torn apart by this name, sending a sharp, bone-chilling phantom pain through him!
New grudges piled up with old hatreds, like molten lava suppressed for a thousand years, which suddenly erupted in her eyes, which were usually as deep and cold as a pool, igniting two clusters of dark blue, icy flames of revenge that were enough to burn the eight wastelands!

"If it weren't for that year... he descended like a divine warrior..." A blurry yet incredibly clear image of a young man flashed through his mind. Lu Hongti's fingers, gripping the secret report, turned white and blue from the extreme force, and the edges of the tough paper were crumpled and deformed, emitting a faint groan of unbearable strain.

Without making a sound, she slowly raised her hand and moved the secret report over the flickering candlelight.

The orange flames, like greedy tongues, instantly licked the paper. The flames flickered and leaped, quickly engulfing it and turning it into a small clump of curled, charred ash that silently drifted down and merged into the dust at its feet.

She turned around, her steps steady as if she had measured the distance, and walked toward the weapon rack standing solemnly on the side of the hall.

The swords, spears, and halberds on the shelf gleamed coldly, but her gaze was drawn as if by a magnet, landing precisely on the ancient, unadorned longsword in the center, its surface dark and devoid of any patterns.

The sharkskin scabbard came into her hand, its cool, rough texture penetrating her palm and strangely soothing the murderous intent churning within her, leaving only an absolute calm that seemed to freeze the world.

She tightened her grip on the hilt, which was wrapped with old hemp rope, and with a gentle push of her thumb, a barely audible yet clear and lingering hum rang out as the blade was slowly drawn three inches out. A sharp, cold light, as condensed as autumn water in the heavens, suddenly flashed out, tracing a chilling arc in the dim lamplight before disappearing back into its sheath. Only a faint, lingering sharpness and a deep, ancient hum remained in the air, seemingly responding to the overwhelming fighting spirit and killing intent in her heart.

The name of the knife is "Broken Mountain"!
This was the dying man's tearful entrustment, expressing his deep hope to break through the old thorns and rebuild a new era for the mountain stronghold.

In two days, this long-dormant, blood-soaked blade will be drawn once more to drink the blood of its enemies!

"Erdaozi!" Lu Hongti's voice wasn't loud, but it was like two pieces of ice colliding, carrying a resolute coldness and penetrating power, clearly piercing the deathly silence in the hall and reaching the ears of the thin figure standing solemnly waiting outside the door.

"My subordinate is here!"

The heavy wooden door opened with a thud, and a figure slipped in.

The newcomer was not a burly giant, but rather lean and wiry, like a mountain ape; he was none other than Erdaozi.

His face was ordinary, but his eyes were strikingly bright, gleaming with a fox-like cunning and shrewdness.

At this moment, his eyes were burning with raging anger and deep-seated hatred, clearly indicating that he had learned from Wang Feng who the target was.

As a fellow villager from the mountains who cherished the memory of the old leader, Erdaozi naturally joined forces with Lu Hongti.

"Take a team of 'Shadow Guards' and set off immediately!" Lu Hong's command was succinct as a knife. "Find Xu Changqing and obtain detailed intelligence on all the spies and moles they've gathered along the way—their identities, numbers, locations, and handover patterns! Make sure it's thorough! Once you've got it all figured out,"

Her eyes flashed with a cold light, like a sword unsheathed: "According to the list, leave no one alive! Remember, be quick, be thorough!"

"Those who willingly serve as henchmen of the Black Hawk and act as accomplices to the tiger are irreconcilable enemies of us!"

"Understood!" Erdaozi's face revealed a ruthless and sinister smile that didn't match his size. He clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, his voice not loud but carrying a venomous chill, "Don't worry, Boss! I will make those ignorant fools regret having been born! I'll make them die silently, without even a fart!"

Having said that, his thin figure flashed like a ghost and disappeared into the thick darkness outside the door. His swiftness perfectly matched the ruthlessness of his nickname, "Two-Knife."

“Uncle Wang.” Lu Hongti’s gaze turned to Wang Feng, who had been standing silently like a rock, his face as resolute as iron.

"What are your orders, Boss?" Wang Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice like muffled thunder, his eyes revealing a composure and determination forged through countless trials and tribulations.

"Once you get the information from Erdaozi, you will immediately lead the 'Sharp Blade' Second Team to set off!" Lu Hongti's order carried a chilling, bloody aura. "Target: the abandoned 'Yongchangji' dye house in the west of the city, and all the necessary routes leading to the west corner gate of the Sheng Mansion! Before 11 PM the day after tomorrow,"

She spoke each word slowly and deliberately, like a heavy hammer blow: "Erase all the spies, moles, and escape routes that 'Over the Mountain Wind' and its henchmen may have planted or hired! Clear a 'dead silence' path to hell!"

"I want that area around the dyehouse, outside the side gate of the Sheng mansion, after 9 PM the day after tomorrow, so that apart from our people, not a single person will be alive to breathe or spy on anything!"

She paused briefly, her gaze seemingly piercing through layers of walls, landing on the warm candlelight in Shengfu Ze and Tang. Her voice suddenly dropped to icy, carrying an unquestionable will to protect.

"By the end of Hai hour (9-11 PM), once 'Over the Mountain Wind' and his henchmen have all passed through the side gate and entered the Sheng Mansion's grounds... immediately close the gate and beat them!" Her cherry lips parted slightly, and the words she uttered were like icicles, "Slaughter them all! Leave not a single blade of grass alive!"

"At that time, I will be inside the walls to personally oversee the battle!"

The last sentence was resounding.

"Yes! Your subordinate obeys!" Wang Feng replied in a deep voice, his voice like the clang of metal.

Without another word, he turned and strode out, his imposing figure carrying an oppressive aura like a mountain, quickly disappearing into the night to summon that silent and deadly killing machine.

Shadow Guards excel at stealth and intelligence gathering, like eyes in the night; Sharp Blade is skilled in infiltration and assassination, delivering a fatal blow like a deadly dagger.

These two elite teams, together with "Black Flame" responsible for assault and "Shield Mountain" specializing in defense, make up a total of four teams, each with thirty-five members. They are the absolute core force for Lu Hongti to control Lüliang Mountain and suppress the Black Hawk faction.

Although its training methods originated from the essential ideas provided by Sheng Changquan in his early years, the subsequent rigorous selection, bloody tempering, and the terrifying combat power that now obeys orders without question were all forged by Lu Hongti, who has long surpassed his teacher.

This time, she personally came to Bianjing with only ten top-notch shadow guards and ten elite blade guards, whose elite status was in no way inferior to the secret guards of the Imperial City Guard.

The council chamber fell silent once more.

Lu Hongti held the "Breaking Mountain" longsword steadily on his left side, his movements fluid and graceful, conveying a sense of power honed through countless trials and a solemn reverence.

She walked to the window and pushed it open a crack.

The cool moonlight, like mercury spilling onto the ground, outlined her profile, cold and beautiful as if sculpted from ice and snow. Her thin lips were tightly pressed together, their lines resolute, and her deep eyes held a calmness as solid as ice and an unwavering determination. (End of Chapter)