Chapter Eleven: A Mad Scheme

"Let’s wait and see what actions the contestant takes,” said the elderly man in the white coat. “This time, perhaps we can uncover more of his secrets. Even if we cooperate, we must maintain some degree of control rather than letting him lead us by the nose.”

Xiao Yu nodded, sending out a red message: “Contestant, based on our information, the emperor of your current world is a deeply calculating man. If you provide him with enough leverage, he could deal with Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun himself. However, this may take more than half a month. The choice is yours.”

On the other side, Sun Meng paused in surprise at the message. He hadn’t expected such an answer—perhaps the authorities had no better ideas either? After all, this world only somewhat resembled the history of Huaguo on Earth, and the presence of innate-level martial artists added unpredictable variables. It was no wonder there weren’t any clear instructions as there had been in the Smiling Proud Wanderer world.

It seemed he would have to rely on himself.

Sun Meng took a deep breath and pushed open his door. “Someone, prepare wine and food.”

Wan Sanqian’s influence was indeed formidable. The letter he’d written arrived on the Zhengde Emperor’s desk early the next morning. Though the emperor maintained his usual air of indifference, upon reading the letter, he immediately folded it and tucked it into his robe, burning the envelope as well.

“Wan Sanqian, that mysterious wealthy merchant! What is he up to? If only my elder brother were here—he always had more clever ideas than I do.”

Glancing around, he called, “Attendant! I want to visit the imperial prison!”

At Dragon-Guard Manor, Guihai Yidao wandered into his courtyard, lost in thought. His heart was conflicted—torn between the question he’d pursued for years and his current assignment.

Just then, a voice sounded behind him. “Yidao, why are you still here?”

Guihai Yidao turned to see his master. “Master, today I received a secret message from a mysterious person claiming to know the truth behind my father’s death. The place he wants me to go is the same as where you instructed me to deliver the items.”

Zhu Wushi’s eyes narrowed. “Is that so? In that case, come with me. We’ll meet this person together. Let’s go.”

Wan Sanqian’s order to have the martial arts manuals from the First Manor copied could not have escaped Zhu Wushi’s notice. He was puzzled, for in his experience, Wan Sanqian, despite being the richest man in Ming, was a cautious—even timid—man. If it hadn’t been for Zhu Wushi’s own status and assistance, building the First Manor wouldn’t have been so easy. Times had changed, though, and Zhu Wushi now held several of Wan Sanqian’s secrets. If necessary, he could get rid of Wan Sanqian and take his network and wealth for himself. This latest move, though, was entirely out of character for Wan Sanqian.

This unsettled him, so he was determined to see for himself what had caused Wan Sanqian to act in such a way.

In the courtyard, Sun Meng stretched lazily. “The life of the rich isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

Though he’d arrived in this world just after noon yesterday, only a brief time had passed and he’d already experienced the luxury of an ancient tycoon’s life—food, clothing, and shelter. Had he ventured out, he might have enjoyed fine horses as well. Still, the era’s limitations meant that, as someone accustomed to modern comforts, he found little to truly enjoy.

Just then, a voice announced, “Master, the Iron-Guts Marquis has arrived with Guihai Yidao, escorting the manuals.”

Sun Meng blinked. “Ha! Why has he come?”

Zhu Wushi’s power was a grave threat. If he relied solely on his eloquence, he might persuade Guihai Yidao, but before Zhu Wushi, his only option was to prove his worth and ensure his survival—at least for the next half month!

He frowned. “Too reckless. Wan Sanqian’s methods are no match for Zhu Wushi’s. How could I touch anything from the First Manor without him finding out? A miscalculation.” But now, if he showed any weakness, he might die even faster. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, “I don’t believe he’ll kill me just like that!” With that, he strode toward the door just as Zhu Wushi and Guihai Yidao entered.

“Haha, Marquis, what brings you here? I only had a few manuals copied—surely you needn’t come in person.”

Zhu Wushi smiled. “Brother Wan, if you want these things, I won’t stand in your way. After all, you funded the First Manor’s construction—I merely lent my name to it. However, Yidao tells me your men approached him, claiming to know the truth of his father’s death. That matter has weighed heavily on his heart, and I’ve worried about it as well. Unfortunately, my network isn’t as extensive as yours, so I’ve never found an answer. Since you wish to tell Yidao today, I’d like to hear it as well. He is, after all, my top secret agent.”

As he spoke, his gaze never left Sun Meng’s face, watching for even the slightest flicker of emotion.

Sun Meng, hearing Zhu Wushi’s words—gentle yet menacing—laughed heartily. “I learned of this only by chance myself. Let’s discuss it inside. In fact, if you hadn’t come, I was planning to seek you out. Please, after you—”

Meanwhile, in the imperial prison.

“Your Majesty, what brings you here?” asked a young eunuch, one of the few loyal to the Zhengde Emperor.

“Enough nonsense. Can I not come here? Take me to the lowest level. I’ve heard that Gu Santong, the undefeated wild child, is imprisoned there—the strongest opponent my Imperial Uncle ever faced.” Quickening his pace, he worried that any delay might lead to disaster. He was still in a phase of keeping a low profile; even this move was a considerable risk.

“Elder, is it truly impossible to leave this place? I don’t want to die here!” A panicked young man’s voice reached the emperor’s ears. Zhengde turned to the eunuch. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure, Your Majesty,” the eunuch replied, bowing low. Those locked up here were all imprisoned by Zhu Wushi’s order. If not for the emperor’s presence, even he wouldn’t be able to bring anyone in.

The emperor hurried to the final cell, only to find the door was ingeniously secured. Inside, a man was chained to the wall, and a young man sat on the floor, looking miserable.

“How does one open this?” the emperor asked.

The eunuch replied, “Your Majesty, Gu Santong himself can unlock the cell.”

The emperor slapped his forehead. “In my haste, I forgot!” He took out the letter and glanced at it, then called loudly into the cell, “Gu Santong, the young man before you is Cheng Shifei, your son with Suxin! Also, Suxin is still alive, kept alive by a single Tianxiang Nutmeg. If you can find two more, she can be fully restored!”

At these words, both prisoners turned to look at the emperor.

Chains rattled as Gu Santong’s hoarse voice grew excited. “Are you telling the truth? Suxin—there’s still hope she lives?”

Cheng Shifei, seeing the dragon motif on the emperor’s robes, crawled forward and kowtowed repeatedly. “Your Majesty, I was tricked and sold to the palace. I have no idea how I ended up here! I swear I’ve broken none of the laws of Great Ming! Please, have mercy and let me out!”

Gu Santong glanced at Cheng Shifei. “Is this boy truly my son?” He himself was obsessed with martial arts and cared little for worldly matters, his focus always on cultivation and competition. Gifted and reaching the innate middle stage early, he had dominated his peers and earned the title “Undefeated Wild Child,” but his heart was pure and childlike. The boy before him, though, seemed the quintessential street rogue. If not for the emperor himself standing there, he would never have believed it.

Zhengde examined Cheng Shifei, instantly recognizing the resemblance described in the letter and feeling more assured. He turned to Gu Santong. “Since you know I am the Son of Heaven, you will obey my command: leave the prison and serve me. Should you wish to duel my Imperial Uncle or revive Suxin, I will grant your wish.”

Although he believed his uncle would eventually deal with Cao Zhengchun, such an outcome would leave him without a means to keep his uncle in check. If Gu Santong could be brought to his side, that would be the best result. After all, Gu Santong was a solitary martial master with a heart’s desire, and as emperor, Zhengde could easily use that to his advantage. As long as Gu Santong agreed, the emperor was confident he could eliminate Cao Zhengchun within three months, suppress his uncle, and seize control of the court for good.