Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 396 Unexpected Gain, The Leak Revealed
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

Faced with Li Wuyi's probing questions and sharp gaze, Huang Longshi calmly shook his head and said, "Why does the general think that this old man is a member of that so-called Heavenly Scar organization?"

"Three Officials? A Thousand Autumns?"

"This is the first time I've heard of this either."

"Ah!"

Li Wuyi's face lit up with a smile again, laughing heartily: "Hahahaha, you're right. I didn't actually think you were one of them at first, and I didn't even associate you, the number one demon of Liyang in the Spring and Autumn Period, with the Heavenly Scar Organization."

"but……"

Li Wuyi's voice paused, then suddenly turned icy: "Your reaction was far too calm."

The moment Li Wuyi uttered those words, the air became heavy.

Huang Longshi, who had been smiling, suddenly stiffened.

Although it was only a very brief moment, he quickly covered it up.

But those present were either secret guards or terrestrial immortals or celestial beings. No matter how fast he reacted, his unnatural expression still caught everyone's attention.

Facing Li Wuyi's increasingly unrestrained gaze, Huang Longshi still said unhurriedly, "Although I have never heard of the Heavenly Scar Organization, its size and terror are indeed shocking."

"However, I am not included in this category."

As he finished speaking, a hint of smugness unconsciously crept onto Huang Longshi's face and into his eyes.

Everyone present understood his unspoken meaning: others were shocked because of their limited knowledge, while Huang Longshi was a disciple of the Confucian sage Zhang Fuyao, and he treated the world of Liyang as a chessboard to manipulate at will. His knowledge was unparalleled, not only in Liyang but also in the entire world.

The lukewarm response is to be expected.

“Yes, the greatest demon of the Spring and Autumn Period, who single-handedly created the tripartite balance of power between Li Yang, Bei Mang, and Bei Liang. His grasp of people’s hearts and the general trend of the world is unmatched by anyone else.” Li Wuyi said, then chuckled softly, “But you are wrong about one thing.”

A look of surprise flashed in Huang Longshi's eyes as he asked, "What's wrong?"

“Someone like Wang Xianzhi is just one of the seven gods in the Heavenly Scar organization. Even Li Chungang was shocked by this news.” Li Wuyi pointed at Li Chungang and Wang Xianzhi and said with a faint smile, “Just now, when Wang Xianzhi talked about the Heavenly Lord and the Demon Lord, as well as what I just mentioned, let alone a mere Huang Longshi like you, even if Zhang Fuyao came in person, he would not be able to remain unmoved.”

"But you..."

"It was a bit too calm just now."

"So calm, as if she already knew..."

Before Huang Longshi could retort, Li Wuyi waved his hand to interrupt him and continued, "Or perhaps, you're so focused on covering up that you've forgotten... that things always turn around when they reach their extreme!"

"It involves both terrestrial beings and celestial beings, encompassing all the countries under heaven, each of which is of paramount importance."

"They even discussed the issue of immortals falling from grace."

"Doesn't your reaction show that you have something to hide and have given yourself away?"

Upon hearing these words, Huang Longshi's expression changed slightly, and Wang Xianzhi's gaze towards Huang Longshi turned even colder, faintly revealing a chilling killing intent.

But for Huang Longshi, eloquence was his specialty.

How could they be thrown into disarray by just a few words?
Huang Longshi smiled gently: "This old man does indeed have his own ideas, but that doesn't mean I'm related to that Heaven's Mark organization, does it?"

Huang Longshi remained very calm, with an expression that seemed completely unrelated to him.

His confident demeanor almost made Li Wuyi and Xu Fengnian, among others, have doubts.

pity……

Huang Longshi was facing Li Wuyi, not the other secret guards.

“You’re right.” Li Wuyi nodded to Huang Longshi with a smile and said, “This is indeed just my suspicion and speculation, without any real evidence.”

Upon hearing this, Huang Longshi almost broke into a smile.

But the next moment, Li Wuyi's words plunged him straight into hell.

Li Wuyi slightly raised his chin, revealing an arrogant expression:

“But I am a secret guard, and His Highness has given me the authority to act expediently.” “Secret guards arrest people…”

"No evidence required."

In other matters, the secret guards may not have such great privileges.

No matter how much Zhu Jinzhen indulged them, he could not allow the secret guards to act with complete impunity.

However, Tian Zhihen's actions disgusted Zhu Jinzhen, so the secret guards could arrest anyone connected to Tian Zhihen, regardless of their status or position, as long as there was even the slightest suspicion.

Not to mention……

Huang Longshi was not yet a commoner of the Ming Dynasty.

Rather, like Li Chungang and Xu Fengnian, he is one of the unstable factors for tomorrow's enthronement ceremony.

A fierce glint flashed in Huang Longshi's eyes. "Are you really so brazen?"

"Heh, interesting."

Li Wuyi naturally took in Huang Longshi's reaction and couldn't help but chuckle. He said calmly, "If you're old and senile and your hearing isn't good, I can repeat it for you again, how about that?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Longshi knew that there was no turning back.

These secret guards in front of me are extremely domineering and don't care about evidence at all. They will take action as soon as they have any suspicions.

Huang Longshi now only has two paths to choose from.

Either cooperate obediently and dispel any suspicions.

Either that...

Break through the encirclement!
"You think you can stop me with just a bunch of people like you?" Huang Longshi chuckled in a low voice. "Although I haven't made a move in a long time, do you really think I'm just invincible in chess strategy?"

"I'm giving you a chance to resist. You can try." Li Wuyi's smile widened, as if he had seen the biggest joke in the world. If it weren't so inappropriate, he would have burst out laughing.

"Your reliance is that Prince Su, and those two formidable armies in the city?" Huang Longshi's face still showed a hint of confidence. "If that's the case, you can't stop me if I want to leave."

"You seem to think a little too highly of yourself?"

Li Wuyi smiled and patiently explained, "Do you think I wouldn't be absolutely confident in dealing with all of you if I dared to let Sikong Zhaixing kick down the door and personally bring people here?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Longshi's expression completely changed.

All of them?

That is to say...

Did the secret guards initially target not only Wang Xianzhi, but also him and Li Chungang?
Thinking of this, Huang Longshi showed fear for the first time.

Only then did Huang Longshi finally realize that the secret guards' initial target was not him, but Wang Xianzhi, the city lord of Wudi City, who was the number one in the Jianghu of Liyang.

Even if Huang Longshi is unparalleled in his scheming, can he compare to Wang Xianzhi in terms of martial prowess?
Xu Fengnian, watching Huang Longshi's face change like a mask, turning pale and then red, couldn't help but burst out laughing. If he didn't still not know what Huang Longshi's final fate would be, he would have been itching to see the reward.

Even when faced with a desperate situation, Huang Longshi did not despair.

It's not that he's so great, but because...

At this moment, sitting next to him was Wang Xianzhi, the number one swordsman in Liyang, and Li Chungang, the former number one swordsman in Liyang!

With the combined strength of the three of them, he refused to believe it...

"stop looking."

Li Wuyi interrupted Huang Longshi's flickering gaze with a cold laugh, and said disdainfully, "You really are old and senile, your memory is failing you."

"As I just said, you're just one of the minor ones."

“Wang Xianzhi and Li Chungang were our initial targets.”

"Even if you join forces, you won't be able to step out of this room today."

(End of this chapter)