Chapter Nineteen: Yun Zheng’s True Objective

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Huo Kuangyan had always believed that the young officer who had saved him years ago was She Fangshu. Had he known it was Yun Zheng personally coming to persuade him to switch allegiance this time, he would have definitely shown Yun Zheng the respect he deserved.

Of course, by this stage, everyone basically knew about the relationship between Yun Zheng and Ye Xi, but in these times, who doesn’t have a powerful backer? Yet when the backer comes in person to persuade you, that’s a whole different matter. In the rough world they lived in, face was everything. If you refused to give the other person face, disputes over interests would quickly turn into personal vendettas—and no one would know how they might end up dying.

Chen Yuchong’s expression changed, and he sneered coldly, “Deputy General Yun? You have abandoned your post and entered my Chishui territory wearing a military uniform. That seems inappropriate, doesn’t it? If the court finds out about this...”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the furious shout of Master Li: “Chen Yuchong, who do you think you are, daring to speak to Lord Yun like that? How do you compare to Shui Xi’s Pacification Commissioner An Wei? And what about Shui Xi’s famed general Li Yufeng, known as ‘Unmatched Warrior of Liaozuo, Number One in Dongjiang’?”

His words were righteous and resolute, as if he had been following Yun Zheng for a long time.

Chen Yuchong’s face turned pale and flushed in turns, clearly enraged.

Yet in Huo Kuangyan’s heart lingered an unresolved doubt: Yun Zheng, this young Deputy General who played the fool so well—why suddenly reveal his true identity? Was it simply because he discovered a mole from Shao Jiechun among Huo’s retainers and decided to expose himself first to seize the initiative?

This was not only Huo Kuangyan’s question but one that puzzled many present.

Yun Zheng’s face shifted, soon revealing a fair and handsome visage—truly a noble and refined young man, tempered by military experience into a resolute and unyielding character.

As the ancient poem goes: “Behold the green bamboo by the river Qi, growing tall and lush. There is a noble gentleman, refined as if carved and polished. His demeanor is elegant and radiant.”

Then he declared loudly, “I, Yun Zheng, Deputy General of Guizhou, acting under secret orders from Governor Zhu Xieyuan of Guizhou, am investigating the collusion between Chen Yuchong and bandits. I now possess sufficient evidence proving that Chen Yuchong has been diverting profits from the Maozhen Liguo Distillery to secretly ally with rebels. I am entrusted with the mission to purge banditry from Guizhou’s courier routes. I hereby arrest Chen Yuchong on the spot.”

(Secret orders again? Ye Xi said she had secret orders from Zhu Xieyuan, and now Yun Zheng claims to have them too. Could these orders be fabricated by themselves?)

Everyone inwardly scoffed. But considering Yun Zheng was Zhu Xieyuan’s favored disciple, and their connections to Zhu Xieyuan, it wouldn’t be hard for them to draft secret orders and have Zhu Xieyuan retroactively endorse them in urgent circumstances.

Chen Yuchong smiled bitterly. He was already utterly defeated, so why was Yun Zheng so impatient to capture him immediately? His real target was none other than Lord Shao Jiechun behind him!

If the usual formalities were followed and Chen Yuchong was escorted to the capital, the outcome would be that the Shu faction would sacrifice him as a pawn to appease the emperor’s wrath, and several unlucky souls would likely perish alongside him. But if he fell into Yun Zheng’s hands, the matter could escalate far beyond his control.

When the emperor’s fury is provoked, millions fall, and blood flows like rivers. In front of such wrath, what was a mere Sichuan right councilor worth? Shao Jiechun represented the Shu faction’s interests and had clashed with Zhu Xieyuan for years. To be undone in this way, and by a mere twenty-two-year-old Yun Zheng no less, was unimaginable.

Ridiculous—he had once regarded Yun Zheng as a rival, but now the facts proved they were on entirely different planes. In Yun Zheng’s eyes, Shao Jiechun, leader of the Shu faction, was the true prey on this journey.

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When immortals clash, mortals suffer. In this world of shifting schemes, who is the hunter? In this intricate game of chess, who is the piece, and who the player?

What deepened Chen Yuchong’s despair was that Yun Zheng had not planned everything from the start.

Unlike him, who had woven an impenetrable net waiting for his prey, Yun Zheng clearly knew nothing about the imperial commissioner’s arrival beforehand. Sparing Master Li’s life was merely a spontaneous act between Yun Zheng and Ye Xi. They never expected that once they revealed the trump card of the imperial commissioner, they could swiftly turn it to their advantage and use his authority to launch a fatal blow against Chen Yuchong.

Now, even if Yun Zheng led his army into Chishui city, Shao Jiechun would hardly dare object. The imperial commissioner had become the best witness to Yun Zheng’s actions, lending undeniable legitimacy to his moves.

(Always paving the way cleverly for the future, leaving room for maneuver, and possessing keen insight into the ever-changing battlefield—able to remain poised even in the face of unexpected challenges. Truly worthy of the title “Conqueror Asura”—Yun Zheng, I admit my defeat is well deserved.)

In truth, Chen Yuchong had seriously misjudged the situation. Before realizing he might topple his teacher’s political rival, Lord Shao, he had only exerted partial effort. The decisive final moves were chiefly devised by Ye Xi.

Simply put, as Ye Xi said, Chen Yuchong was the greedy demon she had unleashed and must personally end. Yun Zheng was merely a trusted partner supporting her from the sidelines.

Had Yun Zheng unleashed his full strength from the start, it would have been beyond Chen Yuchong’s imagination—a cannon shooting at a mosquito.

At this moment, the three great tribal chieftains of Wumeng, Wusa, and Yongshun looked at Yun Zheng with awe.

The moment Chen Yuchong summoned the imperial commissioner, the three chieftains realized that the level of struggle far exceeded their understanding. Chen Yuchong had managed to navigate central government channels; in the future, not only Chishui city but even the entire Zunyi prefecture might one day bear the Chen name.

Yet fate twisted sharply. The sudden combined assault by Yun Zheng and Ye Xi turned Chen Yuchong’s apparent victory into a crushing defeat.

They began to contemplate how they might contend with Deputy General Yun in the future.

The three chieftains commanded considerable forces, even capable of forging alliances through marriage with powerful Guizhou families like An Tian and Song Yang.

But with three of the four great Tianwang gone, and the last Shui Xi An clan hanging by a thread, if the court continued its policy of replacing native chieftains with direct rule in the southwest, they would inevitably face Yun Zheng in battle.

Yun Zheng glared fiercely, commanding, “What are you tribal chiefs waiting for? Hurry and assist me in capturing the rebel Chen Yuchong!”

The word “rebel” caused the three chieftains to exchange glances.

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If Chen Yuchong was a rebel, what charges would be fabricated against Lord Shao Jiechun behind him? At the very least, it would be accused of nurturing traitors for personal gain.

“Understood, Deputy General,” said Mu Chuan, the Wooden Chief, stepping forward. Tu Huaichen, the Earth Chief, and Shui Rouqin, the Water Chief, drew their waist knives and quickly moved in. The three chiefs led their troops to surround Chen Yuchong and his men, sealing them off completely.

Huo Kuangyan, the Fire Chief who had defected midway, found himself in a dilemma. He lacked the courage to aid Chen Yuchong, yet he couldn’t face the shame of turning back to Yun Zheng. His face flushed red as he awkwardly muttered, “I will abide by the court’s decision,” while casting a flattering glance toward the imperial commissioner.

As for Jin Kaijia, the Metal Chief, he had silently stationed his men to guard the council hall’s main gate after Yun Zheng’s orders, vigilantly watching the outside for any signs of enemy attack and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Among the five chieftains, four had clearly sided with Yun Zheng. Coupled with Yun Zheng’s elite retainers, capable of matching ten men each, their military strength now overwhelmingly surpassed Chen Yuchong’s.

Chen Yuchong was on the verge of madness. Proud as he was, how could he endure this overwhelming condemnation?

The hostile gazes pierced his heart like countless needles. The power he had pursued for decades was about to shatter like a bubble, and he felt an ominous premonition of relapse into madness.

At the same time, a mysterious and eerie voice began echoing in his mind.

“I have always admired those who relentlessly pursue their desires at any cost. Wherever I can help, I will do so with all my strength.”

“Those who yearn for power, I grant them power.”

“Those who seek wisdom, I reveal to them the truths of the world.”

“Those who long for freedom, I help them break their chains.”

“And you, whose deepest craving is for power—then I, the King, shall bestow upon you the key to the highest throne of power.”