Chapter 389: Chapter 107: Good, But Not Good Enough
Imperial City, Jade Light Palace.
The Eldest Prince lay on the couch, his trouser leg torn open to reveal a calf that had swollen several sizes larger.
Wind, fire, and soldier, three kinds of Disaster Qi, rampaged within his leg, attempting to sweep through his entire body, yet the Eldest Prince managed to suppress them with his own power.
"The Disaster Qi has already seeped into the tendons and bones; there is no choice but to scrape the bone and let blood," said the Meng Family Patriarch, Meng Jun, stroking his beard as he examined the wound on the leg, "What a treacherously potent method."
Even after scraping the bone and letting blood, and despite the fact that the Eldest Prince would have various spiritual elixirs to aid his recovery, it would not be possible to heal within a day or two, let alone considering that he was also hit by a series of moves from Jiang Li, resulting in injuries all over his body.
And at this critical juncture, a single day’s delay could mean missing the opportunity to take over regency and govern the state.
Merely the thought of that outcome was enough to make one anxious.
"Uncle, is there a way to recover from the injuries quickly?" The Eldest Prince looked hopefully toward the Meng Family Patriarch.
The Meng Family’s "Heavenly Azure Dragon Transformation Skill" primarily cultivates the power of the Wood of Jia, and Wood of Jia corresponds to the vitality of life itself, which is most suitable for healing injuries. Logically speaking, the Meng Family should have a method.
"The main issue is this Disaster Qi is too vicious. If we want to safely expel it without excessively damaging the physical body, we would need at least a day or two," the Meng Family master contemplated and said, "The fastest way to recover would be to have that dog take back the Disaster Qi, or to get the assistance of the Jiang Family’s Innate Qi..."
But the Eldest Prince’s injuries were caused by a member of the Jiang Family.
The Eldest Prince, tormented by the Disaster Qi and nearly desperate enough to consider amputating his leg, almost cursed out loud.
"Are you suggesting I should grovel to Jiang Li?" The Eldest Prince said through clenched teeth.
Being beaten to this extent and yet expected to grovel – it was an insult beyond any conceivable humiliation, an ultimate degradation.
"As of now, Your Highness’s primary opponent is the Second Prince, and judging by the current situation, the Jiang Family’s resurgence is already a foregone conclusion..."
The Meng Family Patriarch wished to add more, but the Eldest Prince interrupted, saying, "Uncle, spare your words. Grovelling to the Jiang family is absolutely impossible. Even if I have difficulty becoming the Regent, there are still other opportunities. However, if I were to grovel to the Jiang family, I would lose my foundation; even if I could recover from my injuries, I would not gain the recognition of the Royal Elders."
"Then we must take the second option."
The Meng Family master continued, "That is to seek other powerful support. The Qinghe Prince, hailing from a fallen lineage of the Dinghu Sect’s Heavenly Monarch and having long abandoned the Ji surname, has no significant connection with the Royal Elders and should not support the Second Prince. If Your Highness could gain the support of Heavenly Monarch, even if it takes time to recuperate, you need not fear the Second Prince getting ahead."
Heavenly Monarch?
The Eldest Prince’s gaze wavered as he looked towards Meng Jun.
Heavenly Monarch Gongsun Qi extended the Emperor’s life and, although he left during the Emperor’s medicine refining which indirectly contributed to Tianxuan’s coup, his position prior to his departure was quite ambiguous and difficult to discern.
Therefore, no one mentioned him after Heavenly Monarch left.
But now, as Meng Jun brought him up, did this indicate that the Meng Family had connections with Heavenly Monarch?
Yet for the Eldest Prince, this was also a path to consider.
Although previously he had hoped for the Emperor’s longevity efforts to fail, after the Emperor actually stepped down, the Eldest Prince wished to inherit all of the Emperor’s legacy. This naturally included the Emperor’s support.
So, Meng Jun’s words resonated deeply with him.
Thinking this, the Eldest Prince was about to accept the suggestion. But before he could speak, a third voice interrupted.
"A good idea."
The air vibrated, carrying a hazy sound as strands of Evil Qi were drawn into the palace, forming an ethereal figure.
"Clad in sedge for centuries, masquerading as fisher or woodcutter; ancient and modern affairs, clear as the cases on record; swirling silk in a tune, picking up withered leaves, those who come and go, bask in lawless freedom."
The ethereal figure recited the verse, approaching at an unhurried pace, as if truly a person and gave a bow to the Eldest Prince on the couch, "Lawless Freedom has come to see the Eldest Prince."
"Madman Lawless Freedom."
Meng Jun narrowed his aged eyes, his pupils forming a thin line, "I was truly careless to have allowed a youngster like you to eavesdrop on our secrets. Or is it that you have some backing?"
The old man’s aura began to emit solid power, like an old dragon, aged yet still majestic.
The entire Jade Light Palace became enveloped in this chilling power, as the ethereal figure gently swayed like a flickering candle in the wind.
But quickly, the Demonic Qi began to corrode the Qi Mechanism; nonetheless, the figure continued to move forward, composed as ever.
"Five Vile Qi!" Meng Jun’s eyes flashed with a greenish hue, recognizing the fundamental reason for the figure’s unhindered movements.
As the Qi Mechanism surged then dissipated, Meng Jun momentarily considered forcibly taking action, but then dismissed the thought.
The other party was not in their true form and was surrounded by the Five Vile Qi. They could easily obliterate this strand of Divine Sense. Even if they made a move, they wouldn’t be able to capture this strand of Divine Sense.
The Eldest Prince looked at the Daoist figure and propped himself up, calmly asking, "Lawless Freedom, you say your idea is good, but what’s good about it?"
Despite still having injuries, with one leg swollen and in a rather sorry state, he managed to maintain the demeanor of a prince, suppressing the severe pain and other negative emotions while speaking.
"It’s good because it shows weakness to the enemy, allowing the Second Prince to let his guard down. It’s also good because it seeks clever reinforcements, enabling the Eldest Prince to pose a challenge for the throne."
Jiang Li chuckled lightly, speaking with an ethereal voice, "But it’s still not good enough."
"Oh?" The Eldest Prince let out a light exclamation.
"If the Second Prince could be injured just like the Eldest Prince, it would not only immediately resolve the Eldest Prince’s predicament but also buy ample time," Jiang Li’s voice vibrated through the air as he smiled, "In this way, the Prince’s regency will be without worry."
You’re injured; I’m injured too. Everyone’s injured and unable to appear in public, all having to lie in bed. It evens the playing field.
Even if the Heavenly Monarch refuses to help, the Eldest Prince doesn’t have to worry about the Second Prince taking the lead.
It must be said that this is an excellent strategy.
But who will inflict such an injury on the Second Prince?
You must know that the Second Prince is in the Imperial City, valued by the elders of the Royal Family, and also a fifth-rank himself.
The Eldest Prince is injured because he encountered Jiang Li, who has solid backing. Anyone else would be unlikely to cause such injuries to the Eldest Prince.
"Could it be that you’re suggesting you’re capable of seriously wounding my imperial brother?" mocked the Eldest Prince.
"The unworthy Lawless Freedom truly has such confidence," Jiang Li replied with perfect courtesy.
"On what basis should I trust you?" The Eldest Prince remained noncommittal.
Creating an opportunity for Lawless Freedom, if exposed, he couldn’t escape the blame. At that time, it would not be about getting out of a predicament but being completely crushed by the Second Prince.
Yet, he was indeed tempted.
"The Eldest Prince can only trust me," Jiang Li reminded very politely, "because if the Eldest Prince doesn’t trust me, everyone in the Divine Capital will soon learn of the Eldest Prince’s intention to ask for the Heavenly Monarch’s assistance."
In short, Eldest Prince, you also wouldn’t want others to know your intentions, right?
The pain-stricken Eldest Prince suddenly contorted his face.
Jiang Li’s reminder made it impossible for him to maintain composure, causing him to grimace with severe pain, twisting his face into an iron-blue distortion.
Meanwhile, Meng Jun’s killing intent surged.
But what could they do?
They could do nothing against Jiang Li, just possibly destroying this strand of Divine Sense.
The Eldest Prince laughed bitterly in anger, "Should I also reward you?"
"Taking people’s money to dispel disasters for them is the proper duty. Since the Eldest Prince is aware of this, it saves me the trouble of further explanation," Jiang Li replied.
"By the way, the Second Prince happens to be an old friend of mine. During our two meetings, we had a very pleasant conversation. In the second meeting, I even conveniently eliminated Shen Yuan, the Left Inner Historian of the Jingzhao Prefecture for him. Hence, Eldest Prince, you will need to up the payment."
Both the Eldest Prince and Meng Jun were struck by a thought and silently wondered.
The death of Shen Yuan was too abrupt, while the Second Prince’s preparedness was too timely, enabling him to seize the position of Left Inner Historian of Jingzhao Prefecture in one fell swoop.
The Eldest Prince had had his suspicions before, but now, hearing the words of Lawless Freedom, his guess was instantly confirmed.
However, this raised another problem. There had been dealings between the two parties. Who’s to say this isn’t the Second Prince deliberately enticing the Eldest Prince, attempting to trap him in a ploy akin to luring the tiger out of the mountains?
But if he refused, their current conversation would be leaked.
The Eldest Prince found himself in a dilemma.
Fortunately, Jiang Li was considerate enough to offer a kind proposal, "In consideration of our first transaction, let’s wait until after the deed is done before paying the commission. In this way, the Eldest Prince needn’t worry about falling into a trap."
"Just remember, this is a small business deal, and I don’t offer credit."
With that light chuckle, the blurred figure slowly collapsed, dispersing into a mass of the Five Vile Qi.
Meng Jun suddenly reached out, a flash of azure light swept over the figure, grasping only empty air.
"True Qi with a spiritual attachment, when the Qi vanishes, so does the spirit," Meng Jun observed the dissipating Five Vile Qi, "A clever trick."