Chapter 249: Chapter 142: Seizing the Azure Dragon Seal, Storming Cuihu Residence (Part 3)
"As for Fang Qingzhu, this woman, being the emissary of the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest, is naturally more difficult to deal with than her guardians.
Moreover, the seal-bearing maiden beside her should not be underestimated. How about the two of us handle her together, old man?"
"This..."
Ji Xuanwu looked troubled, hesitant to respond, but seeing Zheng Yuanchun and Xiao Chengyun staring intently, knowing he couldn’t resist, he said tactfully: "What’s the plan after obtaining the Azure Dragon Seal?"
With several here all possessing Earth List-worthy strength, dealing with Fang Qingzhu, ranked second on the Hidden Dragon List, and three guardians shouldn’t be a problem.
The biggest issue is whether or not we can achieve a swift victory.
After breaking into Cuihu Residence, if we can’t snatch the Azure Dragon Seal within the time it takes to burn three incense sticks, there’s a high chance Beizhou experts and Cui Family experts will react and intercept...
If we can win quickly and successfully seize the seal, dividing it afterward becomes a challenge.
After all, there’s only one Azure Dragon Seal, and everyone wants it.
We can’t exactly split it into pieces.
"Anyone who achieves major feats needs not only strength but also luck.
Once we have it, we must swiftly leave the city. At Youx Mountain Valley, we shall discuss who truly deserves the Azure Dragon Seal."
"Agreed."
"Sounds good..."
"No objections," Chen Ping chuckled along.
He’s already understood their intentions.
No matter who ends up with the Azure Dragon Seal, it mustn’t fall into the hands of Yuwen Ying, the Thirteenth Prince of Beizhou.
Why?
The Northern Land is ablaze, resembling a chaotic stew, yet the situation has become clear.
The rebel armies across regions are losing momentum, and the court’s troops are becoming disheartened.
Meanwhile, the tens of thousands strong Beizhou army is rampaging, defeating rebel armies, recruiting surrendered generals, growing their forces like a snowball.
According to astute observers, perhaps just one year, or maybe three, the Beizhou Barbarians might take over Jiangbei, swallowing up the Northern Land of the Central Plains.
Then, marching southward, they’ll naturally be unstoppable.
That’s the trend of events.
If the Azure Dragon Seal falls into the hands of the Beizhou prince, it’s like giving wings to a tiger.
To say "Heaven’s Mandate is bestowed" would not be an exaggeration at all.
Naturally, various noble families, rebel armies, wealthy merchants, scholars of poetry and propriety, will compete to offer allegiance.
Once people’s minds change, the world changes.
By then, armies like the East Wood Army, Greed Wolf Army, Seven Fiends Army will be considered a joke.
Even Vice Capital Youjing and the state prefectures to the south might surrender.
This is the Three Immortal Islands assisting the great trend and promoting the power of selecting a Bright Lord.
Therefore, after seizing the Azure Dragon Seal, no matter how we fight among ourselves, due to lack of strength, we can only maintain a corner, unable to achieve a decisive victory.
Yet if the Beizhou Barbarians don’t get the Azure Dragon Seal, they won’t gain a legitimate claim, and this southern land can endure for a very long time.
Now, as they finalized their plan, seeing that it was already noon, they didn’t hesitate.
Speeding across the long street, they headed directly to Cuihu Residence.
...
Cuihu Residence is the most luxurious and elegant private garden in Xingqing Prefecture.
With strange and beautiful rock formations, pavilions everywhere, lakes and gardens adding charm.
It is known as "a scene every ten steps", containing everything.
It is said that this garden was built by a wealthy merchant named Tang from the previous dynasty.
This merchant was so wealthy he could rival a nation, he funded the Grand Ancestor of Great Li to conquer the world, but for unknown reasons, his family was exterminated, and his fortunes vanished.
Although the Tang Family is no more.
The garden has stood firm through the years.
It’s undeniable that the materials used for construction by the Tang merchant were all treasures of the world; whether beams, pavilions or furniture, they remain fresh through time.
Apart from gaining a sense of time, there’s no sign of damage.
Logically speaking, such a luxurious mansion has immeasurable value, one would drool at the thought.
However, perhaps due to too much fame, ordinary people dare not occupy it, fearing accusations of corruption.
In name, this residence is under a merchant, but it is practically used by the government office to host distinguished guests.
Of course, now this power is in the hands of Vice Magistrate Wu.
Fairy Fang from the South Sea Purple Bamboo naturally resides here.
Apart from the master and servant duo, along with the four guardians, there are also three hundred and fifty-eight guards, servants, and maids.
Living luxuriously, eating naturally is not simple either.
Though there is no feast at noon, the kitchen still prepares eighteen grand dishes, nine desserts, and three varieties of fruit.
Fang Qingzhu savors leisurely, her eyes not seeing eyes, nose not seeing nose, sighing comfortably.
"So tasty! If I keep eating like this, will I get fat? Speaking of which, I’m really reluctant to give the Azure Dragon Seal to Yuwen Ying.
If the seal is gone, what if these days of enjoyment vanish forever?"
"He dares?" Xiaoyu sipped carefully from a bowl of pearl shrimp soup, smiling broadly at the matter.
"Our South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest is renowned across the seas, whoever is in charge will inevitably flatter our little lady.
No one would dare to offend us, unless they’re dumber than a seaside tortoise."
The round-faced girl picked food quickly, seemingly competing with her lady in who can eat faster.
"There are those who dare offend, didn’t Chen Ping kill Zhu San?"
Fang Qingzhu, hearing this, rejoiced, yet immediately worried, "What if he doesn’t know the prestige of our Purple Bamboo Forest?
Most of all, afraid of those ignorant folks, who only know to fight recklessly, Mr. Bamboo is far away, unable to call for reinforcements swiftly."
Thinking of this, Fang Qingzhu lost her appetite altogether, sitting there with tightly furrowed brows.
