To be honest, Yan Shuyu had indeed decided not to make a move earlier.
Although he had promised Liu Zongliang before, who could have predicted that a ordinary poetry gathering would develop into this situation?
A villain who killed a prime minister suddenly became a hero in the literary world of Da Ning.
More importantly, that poem ‘Spring River Flower Moon Night’……
Yan Shuyu didn’t know how Wei Changtian managed to compose such a poem, but it didn’t prevent him from being deeply moved by it.
Considering both public opinion and personal emotions, Yan Shuyu decided to spare Wei Changtian’s life.
But Liu Zongliang’s sudden appearance had put him in an awkward position.
This shout revealed that he had colluded with the Liu family to ambush Wei Changtian that night for revenge.
In this situation, not taking action seemed unjustifiable, but if he really killed Wei Changtian, he would certainly be criticized by the literary world for the rest of his life……
So, what should he do?
Frowning at the hastily approaching Liu Zongliang, Yan Shuyu was momentarily conflicted.
However, a sudden palm print attack immediately made the decision for him.
“You, Yan!!”
“Dare to kill my grandson! You must think your life is too long!!”
……
In the air, Qin Zhengqiu, who suddenly appeared, was already fighting with the shocked Yan Shuyu.
By the lake, Wei Changtian didn’t hesitate and rushed towards Liu Zongliang, who was stunned and wide-eyed.
The early bird catches the worm, while the latecomer suffers the consequences.
He had already discussed with Qin Zhengqiu that once they confirmed Yan Shuyuan’s connection with the Liu family, they wouldn’t need to consider anything else and could take action immediately!
According to the intelligence, Yan Shuyuan was only at the early stage of the second rank, while Qin Zhengqiu was already at the later stage, making it impossible for him to lose.
So, Wei Changtian didn’t care about the situation in the air and prepared to kill Liu Zongliang first.
“Whoosh!”
The lake was not very big, and Liu Zongliang had been running towards the lake center, so the two of them were already close in an instant.
“You, how…?”
“How did I know you wanted to kill me tonight?”
Wei Changtian pulled out his long knife with an expressionless face and struck down without hesitation: “Go ask the King of Hell in the underworld!”
“Slice! Thud!!”
Without any obstruction, the fine steel knife instantly took half of Liu Zongliang’s body.
“……”
Liu Zongliang never thought death would come so quickly, and his wide eyes didn’t even have time to show fear before he lost his life.
As he died, the lake shore instantly fell into chaos.
Over a hundred high-ranking members of the Liu family saw their young master being killed by Wei Changtian with one knife and, filled with grief and anger, immediately drew their weapons to avenge him.
However, before they could approach the lake, several times more people from the Xuanjing Bureau and the Tianluo Sect had already blocked their way.
Most of the Liu family members were still in shock and became corpses, while others were trapped in a desperate battle, and it seemed like their fate was sealed.
As for the three third-rank experts who barely escaped…
“Hahaha! We’ve been waiting for you!”
Wei Changtian’s four uncles were also present, laughing as they welcomed the attack, not giving the three experts any chance to approach the lake center.
“Boom!”
“Clang clang clang!”
“Ah!! Run for your lives!!”
“Save us!”
“Die!”
“……”
The sounds of clashing weapons, screams, wails, and pleas for mercy filled the air around the lake, creating a chaotic atmosphere.
Thousands of scholars, who were as weak as chickens, fled in all directions, covering their heads. Those who were far away were safe, but those near the battlefield…
The swords and knives were merciless, and the flying limbs and blood would be their fate.
At this moment, no one would spare them because they were knowledgeable in poetry and literature, and no one would risk their own life to avoid hurting the innocent.
When two giants clashed, they wouldn’t care about the ants they trampled.
As for Xu Qingwan and others who intentionally or unintentionally got involved in this conflict…
“Ding!”
“Xu sister, it’s too dangerous here! Let’s go to the lake center!”
Yujia deflected the knife energy with her sword and looked anxious: “Wei Changtian is still there, maybe we can help him if we go!”
“Okay!”
Xu Qingwan didn’t know why the fight suddenly broke out, but as soon as she heard Wei Changtian’s name, she didn’t hesitate to follow Yujia towards the lake center.
Fortunately, they chose a direction where the Xuanjing Bureau was stationed, avoiding any friendly fire.
“Hmm? Miss Xu? Miss Yu?”
Several Xuanjing Bureau officers recognized the two women and were taken aback: “You two weren’t part of today’s mission?”
“We’re going to find Wei Gongzi!”
Yu Jia took a step forward and shouted, “Let us through quickly!”
“Find Wei Gongzi…”
A relatively spirited bailiff immediately reacted, hastily ordering his subordinates, “You guard this place, I’ll escort the two ladies to the heart of the lake!”
“Yes, sir!”
The others responded in unison, hurriedly making way, and keeping a wary eye on the nearby Liu family’s assassins.
It was clear that this bailiff wanted to show off in front of Wei Changtian, and after giving his orders, he prepared to leave with Xu Qingwan and Yu Jia.
However, just then, a sudden and urgent voice rang out from not far away.
“Wait! There’s me too!”
“Halt!!”
The officer from the Hanging Mirror Agency didn’t recognize the newcomer and immediately drew his sword, shouting angrily.
But Xu Qingwan was taken aback for a moment before hurrying to greet the person.
“Yang Niang, what are you doing here?”
“It’s a long story!”
Yang Liu Shi glanced at Yu Jia, responding hastily, “Let’s go find Gongzi first!”
“Ah, okay!”
Xu Qingwan didn’t have time to think, and after catching up with Yang Liu Shi, she followed Yu Jia and the bailiff to the lake’s heart, heading towards the Cool Pavilion.
The four of them parted the water, with Xu Qingwan, who was the most anxious, running at the front, followed by the bailiff in his silver-embroidered tiger- patterned uniform.
In the middle were Yang Liu Shi and Yu Jia, riding side by side.
“Yang Niang…”
Suddenly, Yu Jia turned her head, asking with a hint of profundity, “Who would have thought you’re also a cultivator?”
“Yu Niang, who says courtesans can’t cultivate?”
Yang Liu Shi looked back, her tone unyielding, “We, these women of the wind and dust, know best that relying on others is not as good as relying on ourselves.”
“Is that so?”
Yu Jia seemed to smile, shaking her head, “If Wei Gongzi heard this, he would probably be heartbroken.”
“I don’t know what the Gongzi will think.”
Yang Liu Shi stared at Yu Jia, her eyes unyielding, “But I know I will never do anything to harm the Gongzi.”
“……”
A flower lantern was overturned by the waves, and the candle flame flickered twice before suddenly going out.
Although Yu Jia’s expression didn’t change, the fleeting killing intent in her eyes was caught by Yang Liu Shi.
The atmosphere between the two women suddenly became tense, like walking on thin ice, as they fell into a subtle balance of mutual suspicion and probing.
“Yang Niang, you really are…”
“Boom!!”
Before Yu Jia could finish speaking, a loud explosion suddenly accompanied a rolling wave of air from the shore.
Everyone turned their heads in shock, and then they saw over a dozen figures suddenly appearing on the periphery of the crowd.
Normally, if a third party suddenly appeared during a battle between two sides, the original combatants would definitely be overjoyed or worried.
However, it was strange this time.
Regardless of whether it was the Liu family, the Hanging Mirror Agency, or the Heavenly Net Sect.
Everyone’s eyes were filled with intense vigilance, seemingly not recognizing these dozen or so experts, thinking they were reinforcements from the other side.
Only Ning Yongnian, sitting on the high platform, was different from the others.
He slowly sat back in his chair, glancing at Li Huizhong beside him, whose face was filled with astonishment, and chuckled softly:
“I’ve said it before, Wei Changtian may not survive tonight.”
“This…”
Li Huizhong, of course, understood at this moment that this was the trump card Ning Yongnian had been holding back, but…
“Your Majesty! If this matter is exposed, the Wei family will surely not let it go easily! Now that the Xu family is already planning to rebel, if we add the Wei family to the mix…”
“They won’t let it go easily? That’s exactly what I want them to do.”
Ning Yongnian raised his eyes to gaze at the chaotic scene below, stroking his palm lightly as if watching a play.
“Just keep watching, and you’ll understand soon enough.”