Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 209 The Richest Man and the Divine Marquis, Wedding Invitation
In fact, Shangguan Haitang deserves some credit for the rapid weakening of Zhu Wushi's power.

If she hadn't recklessly entered the palace in her quest for the Millennium Snow Lotus and been caught red-handed by Cao Zhengchun, Zhu Wushi wouldn't have given up the rights to the Dragon Guard Manor to save her.

Under such circumstances, Shangguan Haitang felt guilty.

Realizing that her adoptive father's power was being constantly diminished, and that Wan Sanqian, as the richest man in the Ming Dynasty, possessed terrifying wealth and countless connections, and could help her adoptive father in this regard, Shangguan Haitang agreed to Wan Sanqian's marriage proposal.

This silly girl had no idea how many tricks her adoptive father was hiding in the shadows, nor did she know that Zhu Wushi had already reached an extremely deep cooperation with Wan Sanqian.

On the surface, the two had no relationship, but in reality, Wan Sanqian secretly provided Zhu Wushi with an unknown amount of gold and silver, trained countless assassins, and even the intelligence network that the Dragon Guard Manor was most proud of was largely established thanks to Wan Sanqian's vast network of connections.

Wan Sanqian's wanderings in the martial world were not without protection; he was always accompanied by the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi as bodyguards.

These four individuals have mastered the Phantom Divine Skill, a martial art that uses defense as its primary offense, capable of neutralizing all attacks. When the four work together, unless one is a Grandmaster, it is virtually impossible to break through their defenses.

However, when Wan Sanqian was training assassins for Zhu Wushi, he asked the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi to teach him for a period of time in order to show his sincerity and pass on some martial arts routines.

In the martial arts world, where people are extremely protective of their possessions, this practice is quite dangerous.

After all, no martial art is invincible. Once a martial art routine is spread, it may be discovered that it has flaws.

In fact, in the original story, Wan Sanqian later turned against Zhu Wushi, which was why Zhu Wushi was able to easily break the Phantom Divine Skill of the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi.

From gold and silver to intelligence, from martial arts to assassins.

Zhu Wushi and Wan Sanqian had long since formed an extremely deep bond.

Shangguan Haitang thought that by marrying Wan Sanqian, she was tying Wan Sanqian to her adoptive father's ship.

In fact, they were already on the ship.

"Ai, do you think that if we tell Guihai Yidao the truth, he will lose control?"

"The probability of it getting out of control is only 10 percent."

"So low? Does this guy really have no sense of these things?"

"Based on observation, all those who have a crush on someone only cling to their fantasies. As long as they believe in their fantasies that the other person is happy, they will not take any action."

"Then shatter his illusions and make him realize that Shangguan Haitang is unhappy in her marriage!"

"According to the analysis, the probability of Shangguan Haitang being unhappy after marriage is only five percent."

Zhou Ming believed this.

Wan Sanqian was also a devoted lover. He had no wife or concubines, but he truly loved Haitang.

In the original story, the reason why Wan Sanqian turned against Zhu Wushi at the end was because Zhu Wushi sent someone to kill Haitang.

It should be noted that at that time, Zhu Wushi had already revealed his true colors and full strength. Not only was his martial arts unmatched, but the sheer size of his forces was also astonishing.

He was almost one step away from sitting on the emperor's throne.

Wan Sanqian supported Zhu Wushi from the very beginning, and once Zhu Wushi succeeds, he can be considered the biggest contributor.

Anyone else in this situation would have absolutely stuck with Zhu Wushi to the death. They wouldn't care even if their whole family died, let alone the death of a woman.

However, Wan Sanqian and Zhu Wushi turned against each other.

This shows that she truly loves him.

With this true love and Wan Sanqian's wealth as the richest man, Haitang will probably live a life of luxury after marriage. How could she not be happy?

"However, as long as Guihai Yidao thinks that way, that's enough! Xiao Ai, what do you think about starting to slander Wan Sanqian now? Is that okay?"

“No. Wan San has helped countless people over the past 3,000 years, and his reputation for being charitable is widespread. This method will not work.”

"What if I wrote a short essay on the forum, specifically for Guihai Yidao to read?"

"No. Guihai Yidao is a fully intelligent adult."

"Let's just use the Mind Control Technique to make Guihai Yidao lose control!"

“No. Guihai Yidao has cultivated both the Heart Lotus Technique and the Three Blades of Avici Hell at the same time, so it is difficult for external mental forces to affect him.”

"Since Guihai Yidao's approach doesn't work, why not start from Shangguan Haitang's place..."

“No. Shangguan Haitang may seem free, but at this moment, every move she makes is completely under Zhu Wushi’s control, and she does it willingly.”

"Damn! These two guys, one is invincible in pure love, and the other sacrifices himself for the greater good. There's really no way to deal with them!"

Zhou Ming frowned, but in an instant, he thought of a solution: "Since these two can't do it, why not try a different approach? After all, this is a movie for three people!"

Three thousand!
Although he was the richest man in the Ming Dynasty.

Although he was protected by the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi.

But without a doubt, he was still an ordinary person who knew nothing about martial arts.

He had neither a firm will nor a profound spiritual realm.

His love is probably like everyone else's: wanting to spend his life with the one he loves.

No mistakes are allowed in the process!
"Should we use any methods against Wan Sanqian?"

"No, if it's targeting Wan Sanqian, we don't need to use too many complicated methods. We just need to push him a little bit at a time."

When the water vapor in the sky meets the cold winter wind, it is immediately frozen and turns into snowflakes that fall down.

"call……"

In a tavern, Li Xunhuan exhaled a puff of white breath, reached out to catch the snowflakes falling from the sky, and said, "It's snowing again."

A year ago, at the same time when snowflakes were falling, he returned to the Ming Dynasty from the Western Regions.

They ran into Ah Fei.

They returned to Li Garden.

Afei walked over, looking at the snow falling all around him, and seemed to think of this day last year. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "The Central Plains are indeed much more interesting than the desolate Northwest. I've only been here for a year, and I've already encountered countless things."

In Li Garden, people's hearts are unpredictable.

At the foot of Wudang Mountain, grandmasters clashed.

A mysterious organization emerges, and the allure of the Yellow Millet Pill stirs people's hearts.

At the summit of the Forbidden City, beneath the sword's heart, a conspiracy lies hidden.

There were also the six major sects and eighteen heroes who had just finished their reunion not long ago.

As the two were sighing, Tie Chuanjia walked in and said, "Young Master, Wan Sanqian has sent someone with a wedding invitation, inviting us to his wedding!"

As he spoke, he revealed three large red and gold-trimmed wedding invitations in his hand.

Afei snatched one, weighed it in his hand, and said, "No wonder he's the richest man in the Ming Dynasty. The gold inlaid on this wedding invitation must weigh at least one fen (a unit of weight)! And the three of us each have one!"

Li Xunhuan laughed and said, "I heard that Master Wan has invited countless guests, including princes, nobles, and famous heroes, all of whom have sent him wedding invitations."

However, Master Wan's intelligence is quite impressive; the three of us had only been back in the capital for a day when the wedding invitations were already delivered to the restaurant.

As he spoke, he opened the wedding invitation.

"The 23rd of the twelfth lunar month? That's still half a month away."

After playing with the wedding invitation for a while, Afei lost interest in it and asked curiously, "Speaking of which, I've never seen the owner of the number one manor in the world. What does she look like that she could bewitch the richest man in the Ming Dynasty!"

Li Xunhuan shook his head: "I haven't seen it either."

He was in the Western Regions when the other party became famous.

After returning, we didn't get to know each other for a short year.

"The bride will be wearing a veil on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, so we probably won't be able to see her then."

Ah Fei sat down and looked out the window.

Amidst the heavy snowfall, the mountain villa outside the window appeared somewhat hazy: "I wonder if we'll have a chance to meet again in the remaining two weeks."

The heavy snow continued to fall, and soon the entire capital city was covered in a layer of white.

At the entrance of the number one manor in the world, a nun dressed in a monk's robe introduced herself to the gatekeeper.

She was soon led to the manor, where she met the manor lord of the number one manor in the world, who had been talked about by countless people recently.

Shangguan Haitang!

Although her true identity as a woman disguised as a man had been exposed, the manor lord still preferred to wear a white men's robe, displaying a dashing and heroic demeanor. However, in front of this nun, the manor lord couldn't help but show a hint of respect.

"You are... Itto's mother?"

"Yes."

"Auntie... did you come here to find Yidao?"

"Indeed, but I wonder where Yidao is now?"

Shangguan Haitang hesitated and said, "Auntie, Yidao is currently tied up with some trivial matters and is not in the capital."

Lu Huanong said, "I have a rough idea of ​​Yidao's current identity; he must be very busy. But I heard you're getting married soon. I wonder if Yidao will come back then?"

"I don't know about this."

Shangguan Haitang wasn't sure either, but in her heart, she naturally hoped that her childhood friend would attend her wedding.

Therefore, with a glimmer of hope, he said, "I will inform my godfather about this matter and see if we can find a way."

"Okay, I'll trouble you then."

"No, no, no, it's what we should do."

Shangguan Haitang said, "Auntie, it's freezing cold right now, why don't you stay at the number one manor in the world for the time being?"

"In that case, I'm sorry to bother you."

Shangguan Haitang arranged a relatively quiet residence for Lu Huanong.

After closing the door, Lu Huanong opened her bundle, untied a piece of clothing, revealing a dagger.

It was slightly drawn, its cold blade menacing.

Looking at the dagger, Lu Huanong couldn't help but reveal a look of nostalgia mixed with extreme pain.

This dagger may look ordinary, but it is actually made of black iron, capable of cutting through iron like mud, and is incredibly sharp.

It was commissioned by Lu Huanong's husband, Gui Haiyidao's father, Gui Haibailian, to be made and given to her for self-defense.

That was a sweet moment that I will cherish.

They met, got to know each other, fell in love, got married, and had children.

Just when she thought the two of them would stay together for life, Guihai Bailian obtained that demonic sword technique in a strange encounter.

Three cuts in the nose!

Although he only practiced it a few times before treasuring it, during the process of creating the "Dominating the World" sword technique, that demonic sword technique affected his mind without his awareness, causing him to incorporate parts of the Avici Hell Three Swords into Dominating the World.

In this subtle and gradual way, Guihai Bailian was deeply influenced by the Demon Blade, and would always uncontrollably fall into madness, then frantically attack everything around him.

Innocent civilians.

Passersby.

Even Lu Huanong himself and his son were nearly killed by Guihai Bailian.

Fortunately, Guihai Bailian regained consciousness at the last moment.

Then he made up his mind to resolve the matter.

Lu Huanong will never forget that day.

On that day, Guihai Bailian's three closest friends gathered to discuss how to solve the problem of Guihai Bailian's demonic possession.

However, during this process, Guihai Bailian suddenly went mad and started fighting with his three friends.

For the first time, the Three Blades of Avici revealed their sinister and terrifying nature to the world.

Three friends are in critical condition.

Looking at her crazed husband, Lu Huanong finally made up her mind and drew out the black iron dagger...

After that day, she became a nun.

I kept everything buried in my heart.

Even though her son has been searching for the truth about his father's death for so many years, she refuses to reveal a single word.

Until recently, she heard that a master had emerged in the martial arts world.

The Demon Blade, easily destroyed!
Although it's hard to believe, according to rumors in the martial arts world, the strange sword technique used by the other party seems to be... the Three Slashes of Avici Hell.

And that 'Yi Jue' sounds a lot like his own son.

"If I had known this would happen, I should have burned everything instead of burying it..."

Lu Huanong never expected that among the clothes of her husband that she had hidden, there was one that still contained the sword techniques of "Dominating the World" and "Three Blades of Avici".

In her extreme grief, she didn't check the contents carefully; she just packed it up hastily.

For many years afterward, I never watched it.

I never imagined that my negligence back then would harm my son today.

"One-hit kill... I hope you won't follow in your father's footsteps..."

Snowflakes were falling heavily from the sky.

Before they could even land, blue-purple fragments, imbued with the aura of swords, danced and shattered countless snowflakes.

On Blackwood Cliff.

Guihai Yidao gripped the Demon Blade Thousand Blades tightly, continuing his daily swordsmanship training with unwavering determination.

However, compared to the past, he increased the time he spent practicing his swordsmanship by 50%, which meant that he had to spend almost all of his time practicing swordsmanship every day, except for eating and sleeping.

The sharp blade danced amidst the swirling snow.

again and again.

He seemed to have forgotten the cold because of it.

And so I forgot about something else.

"Hall Master!"

A call came from not far away.

Guihai Yidao's movements never stopped, only a sound broke through the wind and snow.

"What's the matter?"

Yi Yun held a large red and gold wedding invitation in his hand and said, "Wan Sanqian, the richest man in the Ming Dynasty, will be holding his wedding in the capital on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. I am sending this invitation to invite you, Master."

The blade flashed for a moment.

Guihai Yidao instinctively reached out and covered his chest.

Although he had expected it, when the day finally arrived, he still felt a sharp, piercing pain.

"Master, would you like to participate?"

Yi Yun pressed for an answer again.

go with?
Not going?

Guihai Yidao realized that both of these choices were extremely unfavorable to him.

Yet, in my heart, I found myself simultaneously yearning for both of these options.

After a long while, he finally let out a long breath.

Regardless, I am Haitang's good friend who I grew up with.

If the other party gets married, I must go.

And this might be the last time I meet 'Shangguan Haitang'.

If there's a next time, I'll probably have to call her... Madam Wan...

(End of this chapter)