Catching Monsters

Chapter 595 Not good
Xiao Jingqing couldn't figure out the problem, so he quickly shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it for the time being. Right now, he needed to quickly come up with a plan on how to deal with Jiang Yun.

He looked at Huang Fan and said, "Master Huang Fan, you and I have the same goal, which is to kill Jiang Yun. So let me think carefully, what is the strength of the people you brought?"

"Jiang Yun is quite strong; he is a second-grade True Monarch."

Upon hearing this, Huang Fan slowly said, "My two junior brothers and I are all at the second-grade Arhat realm. There are also twenty other people, including three third-grade experts, and the others are all at the fourth or fifth grade."

"Joining forces to kill Jiang Yun should be more than enough."

Xiao Jingqing tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a thoughtful expression on his face, and slowly said, "Master Huang Fan, you are new here, so there must be some things you don't know."

"Jiang Yun's Jiang residence is very close to the capital, and he has a very close relationship with several eunuchs in the capital."

"Moreover, the Demon Spirit Sect's leader, Shan Tiangang, had previously attempted to assassinate Jiang Yun, but unexpectedly, there was a strange and powerful formation within the Jiang residence that could hold off a first-grade expert for a long time."

Huang Fan was indeed unaware of these circumstances. His expression shifted slightly. No wonder Jiang Yun had provoked him with her words yesterday.

He probably wanted me to attack him inside the Jiang residence. If that great formation were to aid me, I would surely die.

Huang Fan took a deep breath and asked, "If that's the case, then how about we take action at the Eastern Garrison Headquarters? Assassinate Jiang Yun?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingqing waved his hands repeatedly, thinking to himself, "What's wrong with this monk? Is the Eastern Garrison Command a place where we can take action?"

Not to mention that the Eastern Garrison Command is full of experts, if Jiang Yun was killed in the Eastern Garrison Command's office, would the imperial court easily let this group of monks go?

If they're caught and interrogated, these monks might just confess everything.

Xiao Jingqing said in a deep voice, "Master Huang Fan, the best place is outside the capital. I'll find a way to lure Jiang Yun to a secluded place, and then you can ambush and kill him."

"After killing Jiang Yun, immediately head north and flee back to your Western Buddhist Kingdom."

According to this idea, as long as Jiang Yun can be killed successfully and the group of monks leave, this matter will not involve him.

After all, it's understandable that the people from the Western Buddhist Kingdom would seek revenge after Jiang Yun killed Master Hongguang.

Even if someone suggested that he was the one who led Jiang Yun to the outskirts, Xiao Jingqing could still have an excuse to claim that he hadn't expected it at all and that it was purely an accident.

There was no evidence or proof, and Jiang Yun was already dead.

Who could possibly associate this with themselves?

Huang Fan's eyes lit up, and he said, "If it is as Your Highness says, and it leads to the appearance of Jiang Yun, then this humble monk will thank Your Highness."

Xiao Jingqing smiled and slowly stood up: "Have your men prepare. Tomorrow at noon, there is a peach orchard thirty miles north of the capital. It is quite famous and a good place to set up an ambush."

"As for how I arrange to meet Jiang Yun, you don't need to worry about that."

After saying that, Xiao Jingqing strode out of the room.

……

Inside the Jiang residence, the year-end was drawing ever closer.

That night, Jiang Yun was sitting in his study reading.

Soon, Yun Pingchuan knocked on the door from the outside: "Master, a letter has been delivered."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun stood up: "Who delivered it?"

Yun Pingchuan respectfully handed over the letter: "It's a letter from someone from Princess Ningyi's residence."

"Princess Ningyi's residence?"

Jiang Yun frowned slightly, then opened the letter, which simply stated:

Tomorrow at noon, meet me at the peach grove, thirty miles north of the capital, to discuss some confidential matters.

Signed: Princess Ningyi

After reading the message, Jiang Yun smiled faintly and said, "Is this a letter from Princess Ningyi's residence?"

"Yes." Yun Pingchuan nodded and said, "I asked, and it's a servant named Yang Ping from the Princess's residence."

"Alright, go ahead." Jiang Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the letter, already sensing something was wrong.

Because Linglong would never refer to herself as Princess Ningyi in front of him, let alone sign her name.

In front of Jiang Yun, Linglong either refers to herself as "this sect leader" or "this true self," and even the signature should be "Linglong."

"I'll go to Princess Ningyi's residence." Jiang Yun was suspicious and planned to go directly to ask Linglong what was going on.

However, before leaving, Jiang Yun thought for a moment and disguised himself before leaving from the back.

Soon, they arrived at the backyard of Princess Ningyi's residence. Jiang Yun looked around and, seeing no one, leaped up and easily vaulted over the courtyard.

Princess Ningyi's residence was quite large. Jiang Yun avoided the servants inside as he searched the place.

Finally, near a rockery in the backyard, we could see Linglong in the distance.

Linglong was wearing a white long robe, holding a book with a speechless expression, and was reciting it while shaking her head.

Linglong is almost sick of reading these sages' books every day. Every morning, she also has to be watched and practice her walking posture.

Suddenly, someone patted her on the back.

Linglong grabbed the arm on the shoulder instantly, preparing to throw him over her shoulder, when she heard Jiang Yun's voice in her ear: "It's me, it's me."

"Jiang Yun!" Linglong's face instantly lit up with joy. She turned to look at Jiang Yun, who was dressed as a servant: "What happened to you? Why are you dressed like this?"

"I need to confirm something with you. Did you write me a letter?" Jiang Yun asked, taking out the letter from his hand.

Just as Jiang Yun had guessed, Linglong frowned immediately upon seeing the letter and said, "Of course I didn't write this. If I wanted to tell you something, I could just come to your door. Why bother writing a letter?"

"Who has the audacity to impersonate me and write a letter? This is a capital offense."

Jiang Yun then said, "It was a servant named Yang Ping from your household who delivered the letter."

"You wait here," Linglong said and ran off.

Not long after, a servant boy with a bruised and swollen face was dragged in by Linglong, one leg at a time.

"You traitor!" Linglong forcefully threw the servant in front of Jiang Yun.

"Ouch." Yang Ping winced in pain.

Linglong stomped hard on Yang Ping's face and said coldly, "Tell me what happened."

"Your Highness, Your Highness, spare my life!" Yang Ping said, trembling with fear. "I... I owe a lot of money at the gambling den. Zhang Laosan found me and asked me to deliver this letter to the Jiang family. I don't know what's inside."

"Zhang Laosan just said that as long as I did it, all my debts would be forgiven."

"Your Highness, spare my life!"

Linglong's eyes lit up slightly, and she asked, "Is someone trying to get you? Do you need my help?"

"How can you help?" Jiang Yun shook his head, but quickly asked, "His Majesty dotes on you, doesn't he?"

“Of course.” Lingling nodded. Jiang Yun was silent for a moment: “How about you invite His Majesty to accompany you out of the capital tomorrow for a relaxing trip?”

Linglong was stunned: "Well, Jiang Yun, you have some nerve! You even dare to use my father!"

Jiang Yun touched his nose: "Then pretend I didn't say anything."

Linglong quickly grabbed Jiang Yun's hand: "Hey, hey, I didn't say I wouldn't help. I'm so bored, I'll help you."

Linglong is someone who isn't afraid of making things worse.

Soon, she went to the palace herself.

While Xiao Yuzheng was handling state affairs, Feng Yu came in to announce, "Your Majesty, Princess Ningyi has arrived."

"What brings my little Ningyi here? Quickly let her in." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng smiled, and soon, Linglong, dressed in a princess dress, ran into the imperial study.

After entering the room, she ran to sit down opposite Xiao Yuzheng and, without any ceremony, picked up some fruit from the Imperial Study and began to eat.

Feng Yu coughed lightly and said, "Your Highness, you must pay your respects to His Majesty."

"Hey, what family's children have to kneel before their father every day?" Linglong got up somewhat displeased, but still bowed according to custom.

Seeing this, Xiao Yuzheng smiled and said, "Little Ningyi, we are the royal family, and everything must be done according to the rules. As the saying goes, without rules, there can be no order."

What brings you to Father Emperor's place today?

Linglong rolled her eyes at Xiao Yuzheng and retorted, "Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?"

"That's right. I spend every day in the princess's residence reading books and studying the teachings of the sages. It's been a tough and tiring job."

"I was just thinking that my father would take me out for a walk to clear my head."

Xiao Yuzheng pointed at Linglong and smiled wryly, saying slowly, "You silly girl, you're just too playful. So many women your age are already married. If you're really bored, your father might as well find you a husband."

"Please don't." Linglong quickly waved her hand upon hearing this, "Even if I'm going to get married, I'll choose for myself. Please don't worry about that."

Xiao Yuzheng remained silent for a while, then looked at Feng Yu beside him: "Is there anything important happening tomorrow?"

Feng Yu understood Xiao Yuzheng's meaning and respectfully said, "The memorials from the Southwest will not arrive until the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow's memorials should mostly be about less important matters."

"Alright, since my little Ningyi has come to my door, I naturally have to accompany him." Xiao Yuzheng chuckled.

Linglong smiled and said, "Father, we must keep a low profile tomorrow. Jiang Yun and I will openly protect you, and there will also be Black Shadow and White Shadow around."

"You," Xiao Yuzheng nodded, "I will grant your request."

Xiao Yuzheng was a loving father and son, especially his youngest daughter, Linglong, who had suffered a lot while growing up away from home.

Xiao Yuzheng readily agreed to this request.

Watching Linglong leave happily, Feng Yu whispered, "Your Majesty, should we search the places we're going to visit tomorrow beforehand?"

"In addition, Jiang Yun is also accompanying us. This servant has a feeling that this is not just an ordinary outing."

Sitting on the dragon throne, Xiao Yuzheng's face showed a thoughtful expression. He then slowly said, "Have Qin Hong, Black Shadow, White Shadow, and you follow them secretly."

"There must be a reason why Linglong suddenly came to our door."

"This girl has had a hard life since she was a child. How could I refuse such a small matter?"

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu said nothing more.

The following morning, a rather large carriage, pulled by six horses, slowly headed out of the capital.

The carriage was quite spacious, so Xiao Yuzheng sat inside, while Jiang Yun, Linglong, and Feng Yu sat on either side.

There were only four people inside the carriage.

Linglong was somewhat dissatisfied: "Father, didn't I tell you to keep a low profile? Why are you riding in such a luxurious carriage?"

She was afraid that the overly luxurious carriage would arouse the suspicion of those who wanted to deal with Jiang Yun, making them hesitant to make a move, and then all her efforts would be in vain.

Feng Yu, standing to the side, explained on behalf of Xiao Yuzheng: "Princess, this is already the worst carriage His Majesty has ever ridden in."

Xiao Yuzheng chuckled and slowly asked, "Ning Yi seems to be in such high spirits today, even summoning Commander Jiang to protect me. Where are you planning to go for some fun?"

"A peach grove thirty miles north of the capital."

"Peach grove? Peach trees only bloom in spring, right now they're all bare branches, what's so interesting about that?" Xiao Yuzheng said, somewhat puzzled.

Linglong laughed and said, "Father, you don't understand. When snow is piled up on the branches, it creates a unique scene."

Xiao Yuzheng sat in the carriage and nodded. Linglong chatted with him along the way.

Since Linglong returned to the capital, the father and daughter haven't had much time to talk.

Along the way, Linglong talked about the interesting things that happened when she was the leader of the Demonic Sect, as well as interesting stories from the common people.

These were things that Xiao Yuzheng, who held a high position in the government, rarely heard, and he listened with great interest throughout the journey.

Meanwhile, inside the Crown Prince's residence, Xiao Jingqing was sitting in his study, looking somewhat anxious, glancing towards the door from time to time.

Finally, footsteps sounded outside the door, and a servant who had been assigned to watch outside the Jiang residence returned.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, Jiang Yun has already boarded a carriage and headed north."

"I confirmed that his carriage had left the capital as you instructed before I returned to report the news."

Xiao Jingqing smiled and nodded: "Very good."

Sitting in the chair, a look of joy appeared on his face. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He couldn't help but think to himself, "Jiang Yun, Jiang Yun, so many experts have set up an ambush in that peach grove. I, the Crown Prince, will see how you live today."

However, at this moment, the servant who came to deliver the message said, "It's just that..."

"Just what?"

“There’s more than just Jiang Yun in that carriage,” the servant said, bowing his head.

"Could it be that Jiang Yun brought some other experts with him?" Xiao Jingqing frowned deeply and asked, "Did you see who the experts he brought were?"

The servant lowered his voice and whispered, "That carriage was quite large, pulled by six horses, and some of its edges were carved with dragon patterns, as if it were a carriage from the palace."

Xiao Jingqing frowned: "A carriage from the palace? How is that possible? My father is extremely busy..."

"and many more."

Xiao Jingqing was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly asked, "Is Princess Ningyi also in the carriage?"

"I didn't see clearly, I only saw Jiang Yun get into the carriage." The servant shook his head.

"Not good!" Xiao Jingqing's expression changed drastically. He had already thought of a possibility, and his face turned deathly pale.

(End of this chapter)