The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 465 - 378, Clearing the Scene (6,000-Word Mega - , Asking for Monthly Passes)_2

Prince Jing murmured,

"Jian Wen has spent many years nurturing so many devoted followers, wouldn't I be just as capable?"

He slowly rose to his feet, humming a folk song from Jiancheng Road, and entered the inner court, saying to Princess Lu Yaner, who was basking in the sunlight in the courtyard,

"Tomorrow it will be your turn to make a move."

The seemingly gentle female sorcerer held a silver bizarre mask in her hands, silent and unresponsive.

...

...

Xu Jinglong left the mansion and quietly arrived at another small courtyard in the city using his carriage.

As he stepped in, he could hear the distressing screams of a woman from a distance, accompanied by the squeaky noises of a rocking bed.

Xu Jinglong didn't dare to make a noise, dismissed his subordinates and quietly stood outside for a while until the screams from inside abruptly stopped.

Inside the room,

on a bed, laid the green mountain Senior Brother with a short and solid build, a square face, and an extremely large nose, positioned atop a tall and fair-skinned beauty, bracing his spirit.

A moment later, Duan Shuiliu let out a heavy sigh, glancing at the woman who had passed out beneath him.

The emotions in his gray eyes settled, returning to calmness.

He got out of bed and casually draped a robe over himself, then pushed open the wooden double doors, looking down at Prince Jing's son who had been listening by the corner wall for a long time, with a smile on his face,

"The Royal Mansion has been hospitable, and I am satisfied; my promise to your father remains unchanged."

Xu Jinglong replied with a smile, "Then we are relying on you, Elder. Tomorrow at Yansuo Lake, hold off Hai Chunlin."

"Hold off?"

Duan Shuiliu's expression darkened, fixing Xu Jinglong with a grim gaze,

"Do you think I can't beat that old eunuch?"

Xu Jinglong's smile faltered, "No... I wouldn't dare..."

Duan Shuiliu sent out a palm strike, and Xu Jinglong was pushed violently by the palm wind, crashing out of the courtyard gate. Although he wasn't injured, he was in a very sorry state, coughing repeatedly.

From within the courtyard, he heard the proud voice of the green mountain Senior Brother from Martial Emperor City,

"Had Zhao Douan not humiliated Junior Brother Chai in the past, do you think your father could have invited me to be a fighter for your Royal Mansion? Pah, a fighter? You think you're worthy?"

Rage flickered in Xu Jinglong's eyes, yet he dared not show the slightest bit of it.

"Bang!"

The double doors of the courtyard slammed shut, and through the crack came the final words of Duan Shuiliu,

"I'll do what I promised. Now get lost."

...

...

Zhuozheng Garden.

In early winter, even the southern plants had begun to yellow.

As usual that morning, Zhao Douan had met with several neutrals and then ordered the doors closed for rest.

At this moment, within the depths of the garden styled after Jiangnan, Zhao Douan lay halfway on a bamboo chair in an arcade, looking up silently at a corner of the deep blue sky.

The pure blue sky was like a pristine lake where ripples seemed to pull across the surface when birds flew past.

"Do you have something to discuss with me, young man?"

From the other end of the arcade supported by red lacquered wooden columns, Eunuch Hai walked over leisurely, hands clasped behind his back.

The sunlight shone unreservedly on his wrinkled face.

Without his bright red python robe, Eunuch Hai resembled an ordinary old man who liked to squat by the wall to bask in the afternoon sun and reminisce about the past.

Still looking up at the sky where two birds were spiraling and chasing each other, Zhao Douan said softly,

"How formidable is Qi Yuchun?"

Eunuch Hai paused, gave him a deep look, and said,

"There are many people in the world with that name."

Zhao Douan spoke calmly, "But as the rebel ranked third in Heavenly Gang within the Kuangfu Society, second only to Zhuang Xiaocheng, there's only one."

Eunuch Hai appeared reminiscent and spoke slowly,

"That young man... he's quite something. I taught him some martial arts back in the day, but his practice wasn't from Grand Ancestor Emperor's Martial God lineage; the Qi family...they are also a martial merit family, with a home-taught spearmanship known for being domineering, earning the reputation of the Overlord Spear. In Jianghu, few can match him.

Qi Yuchun is indeed a martial merit disciple with a righteous and outstanding lineage, his innate talent for spearmanship has been exceptional since childhood, later smoothly entering the Worldly Realm and appointed by the late Emperor in the palace, taking the position of Commander of the imperial guard.

Whether it's Jin Wu or Imperial Army... they all had to obey his command, directly under the late Emperor, even Xue Shence couldn't manage him..."

"Heh, come to think of it, if not for the Qi family's support for Second Prince Jian Wen back then, how could the Xuan Sect coup have succeeded?

Without the Great Commander's orders for redeployment of the city defense, how could Jian Wen break through the defenses of Imperial City? With just those retainers he nurtured? Not enough..."

Zhao Douan listened quietly.

Of course, he had reviewed the files of the Kuangfu Society's rebels. Although he didn't know specifics, he knew a few of the top figures.

The Heavenly Gang ranks were the seating order within the Kuangfu Society.

Besides the nominal "First", occupied by Xu Jianwen, Jian Wen's young son, it was Zhuang Xiaocheng, settled at "Second", who was the real boss of the Kuangfu Society.

And Qi Yuchun was the second-in-command of the Kuangfu Society.

When Wu Ling sent a secret message that Qi Yuchun would arrive at Hu Ting to assassinate him, Zhao Douan was surprised.

But then he realized, if Prince Jing were to make a move against him, the Kuangfu Society would undoubtedly be the most appropriate and likely candidate to bear the blame.

No longer a surprise.

"So, is this Qi Yuchun really formidable? Can you beat him?" Zhao Douan asked softly.

Eunuch Hai glared at him irritatedly,

"I'm just old, not dead yet. As for Qi Yuchun... his Overlord Spear is most effective in the military. If he commands a unit of elite Cavalry, indeed, I would be troubled. But him alone is of little concern."

Really? Zhao Douan did not dare to take his word completely. As is well-known, one should take an old man's boasts with a grain of salt.