Although his tone was still respectful, his words were soft and full of thorns. It was very different from the previous careful flattery. He had changed!
This attitude was unacceptable to some people. Meng Xuan was furious.
Seeing this, Long Xiu quickly raised his hand to stop him. He was afraid that if he did, neither of them would be able to get out of the argument. Now was not the time to do that.
Meng Xuan understood and swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth.
Guan Fangyi was secretly shocked. She found that Niu Youdao was really getting more and more aggressive.
Long Xiu changed the topic. "Niu Youdao, first tell me about you and Waning Moon Pavilion. What is going on between you and Waning Moon Pavilion?"
Niu You said, "I had no choice but to cooperate with the Waning Moon Pavilion. Back then, everyone knew who was the one who attacked the Thatched Cottage Villa. If I hadn't cooperated with the Waning Moon Pavilion, I wouldn't have survived until now. Who would have thought that the person in the capital would try to kill me again! "
Seeing that he kept changing the topic to Shang Jianxiong, Long Xiu didn't answer and continued to ask about Waning Moon Pavilion. "They protected your safety on the condition that they used the people of Nanzhou to suppress Zhao State and help them rise?"
No matter what the truth was, Niu Youdao admitted it. "That's right."
Long Xiu asked, "What are they trying to do?"
Niu Youdao said, "They probably want to replace Zhao State."
Meng Xuan sneered. "What a joke. Do they think that Zhao State will obediently hand over the national artifact to them?"
Niu Youdao casually said, "The Shang Mirror is in their hands."
The Shang Mirror? The long-lost Shang Mirror is in the hands of Waning Moon Pavilion? Everyone was shocked. The leaders of the three major sects looked at each other. It seemed that Waning Moon Pavilion's ambition had been premeditated for a long time.
They had been worried that Niu Youdao might be from Waning Moon Pavilion.
Long Xiu said, "You not only used the people of Nanzhou State, but also the entire Yan State. This is no longer a matter of you returning a favor. Do you want me to help Waning Moon Pavilion for nothing?"
Niu Youdao: "Of course I won't help for free. I have to give the three major sects an explanation. The Waning Moon Pavilion has already promised that after the matter is settled, they will give three states from the territory of Zhao as a token of appreciation to the three major Yan Sects! "
"Only three prefectures?" Gong Lince was very dissatisfied.
Meng Xuan said, "I, Yan, paid such a huge price to help them. Of the 33 states of Zhao, they only gave three states? Absolutely not! "
Niu Youdao replied, "After they rise up, they won't be able to completely replace the State of Zhao. I'm sure they know this as well. There's still room for discussion, so there's no hurry. In short, cooperation is a matter of mutual benefit. I won't let Yan suffer any losses. I will give the three heads a satisfactory explanation. Otherwise, the three heads will not let me go! "
Meng Xuan snorted coldly in his heart. "I won't let you off after this is done!"
…
In the Tong Residence, the housekeeper, Tong Ming, went out to take a look. He discovered that the entrance, which was usually crowded with visitors early in the morning, had disappeared this morning. The doorsill, which could usually be broken by foot early in the morning, was now deserted.
It seemed that the shocking incident last night had made many people awake. They were all old foxes in the capital and knew how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. They weren't fools.
The incident had become too big. Before they saw the result, it was likely that no more guests would come.
If the Prime Minister won, those who didn't come would naturally swarm in again. They would also have an excuse to find out that the Prime Minister had entered the palace late at night and wasn't at home.
Tong Ming laughed self-deprecatingly and turned around to go back inside.
…
In the back palace, a group of eunuchs were directing the imperial guards to clean up the ruins.
Outside the court, a group of officials gathered and whispered. The morning court had not yet begun.
They all knew that something had happened last night, so no one asked the eunuchs to hurry them. They were all waiting for the news. Many people were anxious.
At this time, Shang Jianxiong was indeed not in the mood for morning court. He was discussing the aftermath with three important officials.
Tian Yu hurriedly ran in and urgently reported, "Your Majesty, Niu Youdao isn't dead!"
"What?" The ruler and officials all turned around in shock.
Tian Yu's face was full of worry as she reported, "The subordinates have reported that Niu Youdao escaped the attack and is hiding underground. After the heads of the three major sects went over, he suddenly burrowed out of the ground and is currently discussing something with the heads of the three major sects. "
Shang Jianxiong angrily turned around and glared at Tong Mo. "What the hell are you doing? You used such a large amount of force and actually let someone escape the attack underground? Don't you know that if he's alive, we have to see him; if he's dead, we have to see his corpse? "
It was easy for him to just stand there and talk. The target area had been beaten to such a state with flames soaring into the sky. Even if there were corpses, they wouldn't be able to tell who was who.
What's more, the people of the three major sects rushed over to take control of the scene. No one could go there and search.
Of course, it was useless to explain such things to the Emperor. At this moment, the Emperor didn't care about the process and only cared about the outcome.
Tong Mo stood numbly on the spot with a pained expression. This wasn't a matter of escaping the attack underground. From the moment the six nations' envoys appeared at the target area, he knew that things were going to be troublesome. It was obvious that Niu Youdao was prepared and might not be able to kill Niu Youdao. Unfortunately, the thing that he was most worried about still happened.
Gao Jiancheng and Shang Yongzhong secretly exchanged glances. Based on their years of experience in the capital, they immediately guessed that the person in front of them was trying to kill Niu Youdao the moment there was a commotion last night. Previously, it was their own judgment, but now, it was the Emperor who said it out loud.
"Keep an eye on them!" Shang Jianxiong turned around and roared at Tian Yu.
After that, he paced back and forth anxiously at the scene. Not to mention the six nations' envoys, the three major sects had lost so many people because of this incident. It was impossible for him not to be afraid. If the three major sects really wanted to kill him, it would be as easy as killing an ant. His life had always been in the hands of the three major sects!
He was very clear that the power was on Niu Youdao's side. As long as Niu Youdao was still alive, he would be at a disadvantage.
With Niu Youdao's death, he would have the upper hand.
When the two sides fought, either the east wind prevailed over the west wind, or the west wind prevailed over the east wind.
But now, Niu Youdao was not dead!
Now, most of the military power of the Yan Empire was in the hands of the people from Southern State. The forces around Yan Empire were also under various constraints. If the three major sects really wanted to make a move on him, they would not have any scruples!
"Your Majesty!" Tian Yu, who had just left for a while, hurriedly came back and reported, "The Sect Masters of the three major sects and Niu Youdao are heading towards the palace."
Hearing this, Tong Mo's old face showed a sad expression. He had already sensed that the Sect Masters of the three major sects and Niu Youdao coming to the palace together was a signal.
"Go and welcome them!" Shang Jianxiong waved his hand in panic. Before the situation was clear, he did not dare to act arrogant anymore.
The group quickly left the harem.
The ministers gathered outside the court turned their heads and noticed that a group of cultivators had flown in from outside the palace and directly entered the palace. The group of people leisurely walked in the direction of the harem.
Soon, Emperor Shang Jianxiong came out with another group of people. Both sides bumped into each other in front of the gate leading to the harem.
Shang Jianxiong and the others bowed to the Sect Masters of the three major sects. The latter stared at him coldly. The atmosphere was a little tense.
Niu Youdao placed the sword in his hand on the ground and stood in front of him. He smiled and broke the silence. "Your Majesty was unwilling to see me previously. I am a thick-skinned person, so I had to take the initiative to see Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will not take offense."
Shang Jianxiong's face twitched violently. He did not say a word, ignored him, and did not even look at him.
He knew very well that his life was in the hands of the three major sects. As long as the three major sects did not want to kill him, Niu Youdao could not do anything to him. Therefore, there was no need for him to give Niu Youdao any face.
When Niu Youdao saw Tong Mo's solemn face, he smiled and said, "Sect Masters, I almost forgot something. Among the assassins who tried to assassinate me last night, a group of them sneaked out of the city. They have already been captured by my men. They are currently outside the city. I am afraid that someone might collude with the assassins and get into trouble. So, they do not dare to enter the city. I hope that the three Sect Masters can send someone to fetch them so that we can confront them! "
The Sect Masters of the three major sects were more or less stunned. This fellow had captured a group of assassins? How dare you say that it was not a trap set by you?
Gong Lince waved his hand and gestured to the disciples below him. "Go and bring them here."
Niu Youdao said, "Old Six, you lead the way."
"Yes!" Xu Old Six agreed and left with the Purple Golden Cave disciples.
When Niu Youdao looked at Tong Mo again, he saw that Tong Mo's eyes were filled with fear. Tong Mo's cheeks were tightly clenched as he stared at him. He seemed to have guessed what the so-called "assassins" were about.
Niu Youdao smiled faintly at him, but in Tong Mo's eyes, this smile was incomparably vicious!
Gong Lince spoke again, "I have something to ask His Majesty. Other than His Majesty, everyone else, step back!"
There was no step back. Hearing this, Tian Yu and the other palace eunuchs tightened their grip on the hilts of their swords and moved closer to Shang Jianxiong, as if they were ready to die together.
Swoosh swoosh! A group of Purple Golden Cave disciples drew their swords on the spot. The Sect Master had spoken, but this side actually disobeyed and rebelled. They immediately held their swords and pressed forward.
"All of you, step back!" Shang Jianxiong turned around and shouted. He knew that if the three major sects wanted to kill him, these people wouldn't be able to protect him.
Those people could only step back slowly. Tong Mo and the others, who had stepped back, stared at him.
Gong Lince said, "Your Majesty, many of the disciples from the three major sects who were in charge of protecting Your Majesty died last night. Even the people from the six nations' ambassadors were killed. Your Majesty must give us an explanation for this!"
Shang Jianxiong said, "This was done by an evil person. The three major sects should severely punish that evil person!" When he said "evil person," he looked directly at Niu Youdao. It was obvious that he was implying that Niu Youdao was the evil person.
Niu Youdao smiled faintly. He didn't care.
Gong Lince said, "Everyone knows what's right and wrong. There's no point in beating around the bush. We won't make things difficult for Your Majesty, lest you embarrass yourself. Let's give Your Majesty a choice. Your Majesty can abdicate as an apology and pass the throne to the Crown Prince, or you can give us a satisfactory explanation! "
Shang Jianxiong's face was full of grief and indignation. "I'm not guilty. Why should I apologize? You're forcing me to abdicate! "
'Aren't you trying to force me to abdicate?' Niu Youdao had a playful look on his face.
Long Xiu said coldly, "If you dare to do something, you should have the guts to stop it. If you're reckless, you should have been prepared to bear the consequences. The disciples of the three major sects protected you. Even if they didn't do anything meritorious, they still put in a lot of effort. How dare you lay your hands on them? This is intolerable. We must give the entire sect an explanation!"
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