People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 314, A Gift for Xu Qing

"Planting mines?"

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing and asked in confusion.

"This isn't the place to talk, let's go." Xu Qing released Zi Nu and put Cheng Ying away, saying.

"Okay, what about Zilan Pavilion?"

As Zi Nu spoke, she looked at Zi Lan Xuan, the once towering building that stood in the most prosperous and convenient transportation hub of Xinzheng. Now, it was teetering on the brink of collapse, with countless dust particles rising.

"It seems I can't keep Zilanxuan here, but I'll make use of the manor I gave you."

Xu Qing looked at Wei Zhuang and Hei Bai Xuan Jian fighting in the sky above Zi Lan Xuan and sighed softly.

He originally thought that by arranging Yan Lingji to go elsewhere and avoiding that big fire, he could save Zi Lan Xuan. However, it seems that he was overthinking it. Whether it was Wei Zhuang or Gai Nie, they weren't fighting at all, but rather like a husky, destroying the house.

"They owe me a Purple Orchid Pavilion, and I will remember that debt."

A dangerous glint flashed in Zi Nu's eyes as she spoke in a deep voice.

Zilan Pavilion was something she had painstakingly built; every plant and tree inside reflected her hard work. Now, however, it had been demolished into ruins, so naturally, she was angry.

After all, anyone would be angry if their beloved possessions were destroyed.

"If they don't pay back their debts, I'll help them collect them," Xu Qing said with a light laugh.

As soon as the words fell, Xu Qing and Zi Nu heard the sound of the imperial guards being mobilized. The once quiet Xinzheng instantly became lively, with a large number of imperial guards running around on the main streets, controlling all the major and minor thoroughfares.

"It seems Ji Wuye is determined to kill you. The Imperial Guards have sealed off all the streets and alleys, and the city gates are also closed. What should we do next?" Zi Nu said worriedly.

"Don't worry, I have more than just that as a backup plan."

Xu Qing smiled and glanced in the direction of General Ji Wuye's mansion.

"You have another trick up your sleeve?" Zi Nu asked suspiciously.

As far as she knew, the Hidden Dragon Hall was cooperating with Wei Zhuang to deal with Hei Bai Xuan Jian and his assassins; Boss Han was leading the Divine Killer Swordsmen to guard against Yan Ri and a dozen or so assassins from the Killer-level Luo Wang; and Situ Wanli and some of the Hidden Dragon Hall's elites were protecting Ying Zheng.

"Let's go, let's leave first. Wei Zhuang's senior brother is probably coming soon."

Xu Qing moved his right hand, which pulled at the wound on his shoulder, causing him to frown.

Given their current state, going to Zilan Pavilion wouldn't be helping Wei Zhuang, but rather sending Hei Bai Xuan Jian to their deaths.

"it is good."

Zi Nu looked at the injured Xu Qing. Since this scoundrel was so confident, she decided to continue with his plan.

So Zi Nu helped Xu Qing and prepared to leave Xinzheng through the pre-planned passage.

Before leaving, Xu Qing glanced in the direction of the Han Palace, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

I wonder how Hu Meiren is doing?
With Jing Ni around, he felt there shouldn't be any problems.

Xu Qing then followed Zi Nu towards the outskirts of Xinzheng City, intending to meet Ying Zheng at his location.

In Xinzheng, on a certain pavilion, although not as luxurious as the General's Mansion, one can see both Zilan Pavilion and Xu Qing's residence at the same time.

After leaving the Han King's palace, Ji Wuye, accompanied by his guards and Jade Tiger, arrived here, intending to watch from a high vantage point and see how those who opposed him would die.

However, before Ji Wuye could be happy for long, bad news arrived.

The injured Mo Ya and Bai Feng knelt on one knee, heads bowed, not daring to look up at Ji Wuye. The Emerald Tiger, sitting to the side, looked grave, constantly fiddling with the ring in his hand.

A chill flashed in Ji Wuye's eyes, his face was as gloomy as the dark clouds outside, and his whole body exuded a surging killing intent.

"Sixty-one Hundred Birds Assassins were all killed by Xu Qing, a mere Imperial Physician, yet you two, Mo Ya and Bai Feng, returned alive! Don't you know that the Hundred Birds don't keep useless people?"

Ji Wuye said coldly, his right hand gripping the hilt of his eight-foot sword, as if he were about to draw his sword and kill Mo Ya and Bai Feng at any moment.

Bai Niao was his most loyal and sharpest sword, but Xu Qing wiped out all the core forces left in Xinzheng.

Only Mo Ya and Bai Feng, both severely injured, remained.

And what's more, Xu Qing actually got away!

His strategy of injuring the enemy by a thousand while losing eight hundred of his own ultimately failed to harm the enemy and only resulted in him losing eight hundred of his own.

How could Ji Wuye remain calm? His anger was burning fiercely. But he also knew that this was a time when he needed manpower. The Hundred Birds had suffered heavy losses, and the Nightfall was unstable. If he killed Mo Ya and Bai Feng now, it would only weaken his power.

Moreover, the reconstruction of the Hundred Birds also requires the Black Crow.

"Your subordinate knows his crime and begs the General to punish him!" Mo Ya said in a deep voice.

"Alright, I'll grant your wish."

Ji Wuye immediately drew his eight-foot-long sword, preparing to kill Mo Ya and Bai Feng, while glancing at Emerald Tiger out of the corner of his eye.

Emerald Tiger immediately understood. He knew that Ji Wuye didn't want to kill Mo Ya and Bai Feng, but needed a way out, so he quickly spoke up.
"General, please wait. This cannot be blamed on them. No one expected that Xu Qing, the Imperial Physician, would actually possess such formidable martial arts skills, and that he was also a member of the Taoist Heavenly Sect."

Ji Wuye glanced coldly at the Emerald Tiger, gripped the Eight-Foot Sword in his hand, and said in a cold voice.

"Even so, what can we do? They both failed their mission and cannot be left behind. The Hundred Birds have no use for useless people."

“General, the Hundred Birds suffered heavy losses this time, and now is the time when we need more manpower. Rather than killing two people, it would be better to let them atone for their crimes and retrain the Hundred Birds for you. Moreover, Xu Qing cannot escape either. You have already ordered the Imperial Guards to seal off all the main city gates. He is seriously injured, and there are still top-level assassins from the Luo Wang, such as Yan Ri and Hei Bai Xuan Jian, in the city.”

"It's just letting him live a little longer, it won't cause any harm."

Jade Tiger fawned, picking up the wine jug and filling Ji Wuye's cup. Ji Wuye looked thoughtful, glancing at Mo Ya and Bai Feng before sheathing his eight-foot sword again and saying coldly...
"You're lucky this time, with the tiger pleading for you. But I hope this is the last time. If there's a next time, you'll never have to come back."

"Thank you, General. I will do my utmost to atone for my sins."

Mo Ya and Bai Feng said in deep voices.

The two appeared terrified, but there was no fear in their eyes. Everything went as they expected, and in the end, they escaped unharmed.

"Go down."

"promise."

Mo Ya and Bai Feng helped each other leave the pavilion, exchanged a glance, and then departed.

"Tiger, where do you think Xu Qing might be hiding?" Ji Wuye asked, picking up his wine cup.

"I don't know either. If the General is worried, he can send some more Imperial Guards to search," Emerald Tiger said, scratching his head.

"Then send out all the remaining guards. They must find Xu Qing and the Prince of Qin."

Just as Ji Wuye finished speaking, a guard rushed in.

"General, something terrible has happened! The General's mansion is on fire, and the fire is spreading towards the treasury!" the guard shouted in panic.

"What? The General's Mansion is on fire? How could it be on fire? What were the Imperial Guards doing? Didn't they manage to suppress the fire?" Ji Wuye jumped up from his seat and said angrily.

The General's Mansion was built up little by little over the years by him through various forms of corruption and bribery, by painstakingly exploiting the people, embezzling military pay, and exploiting the soldiers.

Even the slightest loss pained him, let alone the fact that the treasure vault contained most of his savings accumulated over the years. If the fire spread, wouldn't it all be reduced to ashes?

"All the Imperial Guards have been dispatched to search for the criminals, and the fire is very strange; it doesn't get extinguished by water but instead rises, just like the fire set by the Baiyue demons back then," the Imperial Guard said.

"A Baiyue demon?! It's Tianze! That damned bastard!"

Ji Wuye said through gritted teeth, he never expected that this mad dog would take advantage of the chaos to attack the General's Mansion.

On one side was the General's Mansion, and on the other was Xu Qing. Ji Wuye hesitated, wondering whether to abandon the General's Mansion or pursue Xu Qing.

After careful consideration, Ji Wuye decided to continue hunting down Xu Qing. Even if the General's Mansion was gone, he could rebuild it.

But if Xu Qing runs away, it's like letting a tiger return to the mountains, causing endless trouble.

"Need not."

Just as Ji Wuye was about to give the order, another imperial guard rushed in before he could finish speaking.

"General, something terrible has happened! The palace is on fire! His Majesty has ordered you to immediately mobilize the Imperial Guards to put out the fire!" the guard shouted.

Ji Wuye and Emerald Tiger were taken aback upon hearing this, a look of astonishment flashing in their eyes.

"What a fine Tianze! What a fine Yan Lingji! This general will not rest until I kill you both with my own hands!"

Ji Wuye roared and, panting heavily, gave the order.

"Recall the Imperial Guards and send them in two groups to the General's Mansion and the Royal Palace to put out the fire!"

"promise."

After receiving the order, the two guards went to gather other soldiers to help put out the fire.

“General, please calm down. The Marquis is currently capturing Tianze. Now that he has exposed himself, I believe the Marquis will definitely not fail,” said Emerald Tiger.

Mentioning Bai Yifei, a hint of apprehension flashed in Ji Wuye's eyes. After this failed attempt to kill Xu Qing, Nightfall would soon be shaken.

"It seems we need to start preparing sooner rather than later," Ji Wuye said in a deep voice, stroking his chin.

"General, what do you want us to prepare?" Emerald Tiger asked in confusion.

"It's nothing, you can go back by yourself. I'll go check on the situation at the palace."

After leaving a message, Ji Wuye left the pavilion, leaving Emerald Tiger alone.

After scratching himself, Jade Tiger pondered Ji Wuye's words for a moment, but couldn't figure out what they meant. So he stopped thinking about it and got up to leave.

Meanwhile, atop the palace walls of the Han King's Palace, Yan Lingji, hidden in the shadows, watched the raging fire within the palace and the flames of the General's Mansion, a satisfied smile on her face.

The backup plan Xu Qing mentioned was that Yan Lingji would set fire to the General's Mansion and the Royal Palace, forcing Ji Wuye to mobilize the Imperial Guards to return and put out the fire, thus giving him a chance to escape.

However, Xu Qing did not expect that Tianze would inexplicably take the blame for him this time.

"Hmph~ You stinky man, let's see how you repay me this time."

Yan Lingji snorted as she watched the returning guards, then used her lightness skill to leave.

In a street in Xinzheng.

Jingni looked at Yanri ahead as if facing a formidable enemy. Behind Yanri was a carriage.

"Give him this carriage and tell him it's a gift to mark our meeting. I hope he can make the right choice," Yan Ri said coldly.

Jing Ni looked at the carriage behind her. The carriage curtain was lifted, and after seeing what was inside, Jing Ni's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of surprise flashed through her heart.

"Hu Meiren!?" Luo Jing exclaimed in surprise.

(End of this chapter)