Chapter 287: 224: The Storm is Gradually Rising
Chapter 287: 224: The Storm is Gradually Rising
Upon Yang Tinghe’s victory and his placement of a young ruler on the throne to control the affairs of the imperial court, they will surely be suppressed and expelled from the court. The efforts of Wang Qiong that have been expended over decades will flow down the drain and there will be no chance for further progress.
This is assuming that Yang Tinghe, the Prime Minister, is aware of Wang Qiong’s intentions to take action, and is determined to sit back and watch the fight, without cooperating with Pei Xuanjing. If the opposition is more conniving and the two sides unite, the consequences will be even worse.
Of course, if Pei Xuanjing knew this, he would certainly die laughing.
After all, this speculation is made by Gu Ji who does not understand the magnitude of the forces behind Pei Xuanjing.
If he knew the true alliance and forces behind Pei Xuanjing, he would never have this thought.
The collective power of present-day Pei Xuanjing has far exceeded their expectations and is unstoppable by them.
“Alas!” Wang Qiong let out a deep sigh. How could he not be aware of the outcome?
It is just that being threatened by a junior like Pei Xuanjing infuriates him and he is having a hard time accepting it.
“So, what do you think I should do?” he asked Gu Ji, “Should I collaborate with him?”
Gu Ji responded with a question, “That depends on whether you can put aside your prejudices with the Prime Minister.”
Now, intending to have the best of both worlds is clearly impossible.
What they need to do is to make a choice that best serves their interests.
A hint of smile emerged at Wang Qiong’s lips, “It seems that you still have a good impression of your old friend?”
Gu Ji’s attitude has already been reflected although he didn’t say anything.
“That’s right!” Gu Ji did not hide his preference. Of course, Wang Qiong also knew about Gu Ji’s friendly relations with Pei Xuanjing.
Gu Ji thinks that, compared to Yang Tinghe, at least Pei Xuanjing is bearable.
Wang Qiong pondered for a long time before speaking in a deep voice, “Since you have a good relationship with him, you should interact more with him from time to time and see if you can dissolve the ‘misunderstanding’ from before.”
Gu Ji understood what Wang Qiong meant and replied with a smile, “I have noted your advice.”
“By the way,” just as Gu Ji was about to leave, Wang Ojong casually said, “I have heard that he is staying at the Baiyun Temple.”
Baiyun Temple!
The colour drained from Gu Ji’s face as a multitude of possibilities crossed his mind.
At this point, every word and action carries significant meaning. If it has been specifically mentioned by Wang Qiong, it implies a possibility that Baiyun Temple, which has kept a low profile for hundreds of years since the founding of the Great Ming, has teamed up with Pei Xuanjing.
Even though Baiyun Temple has been low-key for hundreds of years, nobody would underestimate this powerful sect that commanded the Taoist School and laid down the law in the previous dynasty.
To make a comparison, the prestige of Baiyun Temple in the previous dynasty was almost equivalent to that of the True Martial Sect and the imperial household of the Great Ming today, perhaps even exceeding them !
“I understand. I will meet him tomorrow.” A serious expression appeared on Gu Ji’s face.
At the suburbs, inside the Baiyun Temple.
Pei Xuanjing and two others, Yu Zhenzi and Pang Hong checked into the temple two days ago.
He kept a very low profile, but could not hide his whereabouts.
It can be said that from the moment Pei Xuanjing set foot in the Baiyun Temple, all the people in Tiandu who should Imow about him were already aware of his arrival.
Previously, his reputation had risen sharply in Tiandu. He then heroically killed Qian Ning, commander of the Brocade Guards, at Xuanfu, beheaded the Ning King, annihilated the Wuji Pavilion, battled the Dragon and Tiger Celestial Master, killed the Seven Kills Sword Master, decapitated the Fengdu Ghost Emperor, and other series of battle achievements. All these had made Pei Xuanjing quite famous in the martial arts world, and his every movement had attracted a lot of attention.
Whether intentional or not, the news of Pei Xuanjing’s rising influence spread to the ears of these ‘important persons’ in Tiandu.
As for this powerful stranger whose abilities were profound and mysterious, who also had grudges against the Great Ming imperial court, no party, no matter who they were, could afford to be careless in their response.
Even the great forces in the martial arts world could not help but suspect and calculate the purpose of Pei Xuanjing’s arrival and what he intended to do.
But at this moment, Pei Xuanjing didn’t care about these external matters. He was fishing by a stream at the back mountain of the Baiyun Temple, with a fishing rod in his foot. He was lying on a recliner, playing with a page of the Netherworld Book which was neither gold nor jade, looking relaxed and comfortable.
For Pei Xuanjing, his strategy had been put in place, so all that was left was waiting for the fish to bite. There was no need for him to do anything.
It would be better to take advantage of this time to study martial arts skills, accumulate Taoyun for himself, and prepare to initiate the next life simulation.
The previous life simulation had already helped him build a Divine Soul, so he was eagerly anticipating what rewards the next life simulation would bring him.
“While we are running around outside, you, on the other hand, are leisurely enjoying your free time like a laissez-faire boss, making us envious!”
A teasing voice came from a distance.
Pei Xuanjing, without raising his head, responded, “Those who are capable need to work harder. I am just a layman and don’t understand too much. Why should I cause trouble for you?
Given the acuteness of Pei Xuanjing’s Divine Soul, he had been aware of Bai Xiaosheng and Daoist Xuanming’s presence a hundred Zhang away.
Bai Xiaosheng and Daoist Xuanming sat down on the recliners beside Pei Xuanjing with smiles on their faces.
Daoist Xuanming said, “Taoist Friend, you may be overly modest. If it were not for you, we would not have aligned with the Minister of War so quickly.”
“Ha ha.” Pei Xuanjing chuckled lightly, “So, it seems the Minister has made a decision?”
Bai Xiaosheng said in a faint voice, “Brother Pei, do you think he has any other choice?”
Given the current situation, Wang Qiong and Yang Tinghe have torn the face off their relationship. It’S like fire and water, and Wang Qiong could never put aside his prejudices and cooperate again with Yang Tinghe.
Even if we took a step back and said, even if Wang Qiong was prepared to compromise for the greater good, would Yang Tinghe trust Wang Qiong?
Emperor domination usually results in life or death, without a middle-ground.
Would Yang Tinghe believe that Wang Qiong would truly admit defeat?
Probably not!
Just as Wang Qiong did not believe that Yang Tinghe would spare him likewise.
Therefore, after Pei Xuanjing put forward this condition, the opposition would not immediately refuse under any circumstances.
In necessary situations, Wang Qiong would not simply dismiss Pei Xuanjing and push him towards Yang Tinghe.
Daoist Xuanming took out an invitation from his sleeve and handed it to Pei Xuanjing, saying, “This is an invitation from the Vice-Censor-in-chief. He said he wants to meet Taoist Friend in person tomorrow.”
Pei Xuanjing took the invitation, looked at the meticulous writing on it, and a smile appeared on his face, “If that’s the case, then let me meet this old friend!”