Chapter 124: Winning Over Allies

The next day, at dusk.

Murong Fu had spent the entire night scouring through letters, yet he could find no information regarding Zhu Yu. Left with no other choice, he prepared to lay his cards on the table during dinner.

As evening approached, the banquet was attended by everyone at Yanziwu. However, most were merely there to eat; only Murong Fu and Zhu Yu remained until the very end.

"Young Master Murong, please, just say what you have to say. You’ve been absent-minded since the meal began, glancing at me repeatedly. If it weren't for the fact that I brought my own people and we were eating the same food, I would truly fear that you were trying to poison me."

Seeing that the others had cleared out, Zhu Yu could no longer tolerate Murong Fu’s hesitation. He decided to address the matter directly. It was clear that Murong Fu had an agenda, so why did it feel as though the roles were reversed? The dynamic made Zhu Yu feel quite awkward.

What was meant to be a lighthearted joke by Zhu Yu to ease the tension, however, gave Murong Fu quite a scare; he actually had considered poisoning him the day before. Of course, he couldn't admit to that. Since Zhu Yu had brought it out into the open, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue.

"Young Master Zhu is joking. While I may be untalented, I am favored by my friends in the martial arts world; how could I stoop to such despicable acts as poisoning? That said, you are right about one thing: I do have a serious matter to discuss—a grand matter, at that. I only wonder if Young Master Zhu has the courage to hear it."

Murong Fu’s attempts to sound mysterious amused Zhu Yu. *Oh? A grand matter? How grand could it be? Is it grander than my plan to poach your cousin?*

"Please, speak, Young Master Murong. I am quite curious about this 'grand matter' of yours."

"I felt a kinship with you from the moment we met, as if we were old friends. Therefore, I have a heaven-sent fortune that I wish to share with you."

*A heaven-sent fortune?* Watching Murong Fu’s eager expression, Zhu Yu began to vaguely grasp his intent.

"Oh? Interesting. Pray, tell me more, Young Master Murong."

Seeing that Zhu Yu was willing to continue, Murong Fu took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and spoke with calm confidence.

"Young Master Zhu, to be honest, I am a descendant of the royal family of the Xianbei Yan dynasty. I am currently following my ancestors' will to restore my nation. Everything is prepared; I only lack the right opportunity. If you are willing to lend me a hand, it would be the crowning touch. Once I reclaim the realm, I am willing to share half the empire with you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu’s smile grew increasingly strange. Unfortunately, Murong Fu did not notice, and even if he had, he would not have understood what that smile truly signified.

Not far away, Cao Zhengchun and Jiang Yuyan were keeping a close watch on Zhu Yu. As grandmasters, they could hear the conversation clearly. When they heard Murong Fu attempting to recruit Zhu Yu into his rebellion, the two exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.

After a long silence, Cao Zhengchun finally reacted. He bowed to Jiang Yuyan and whispered, "I ask that you stay here to guard His Majesty. This servant will go and make preparations. If there is any trouble today, not a single soul from Yanziwu will be allowed to escape."

"Very well, go."

Jiang Yuyan replied. After Cao Zhengchun left, she cast her gaze back toward the table. The two men were sitting so close together. Despite her worry, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of secret joy.

*Murong Fu actually dares to revolt! In that case, his cousin must be an accomplice to the rebels as well...*

Back at the table, even though he had already guessed what Murong Fu would say, Zhu Yu couldn't help but fall into a long silence.

"Young Master Murong, you... are truly full of surprises. However, I’m afraid I have no interest in 'half an empire' at all," Zhu Yu said, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

"Young Master Zhu, please reconsider. If we succeed, the empire, power, wealth, and beauties—everything will be yours!"

Though Murong Fu had anticipated a refusal, when it finally came, he couldn't help but feel disappointed. He tried to persuade him further, preparing to use a trump card he had hoped to keep hidden.

"Young Master Murong, what you say is indeed tempting, but I am truly sorry. Everything you mentioned—I already possess. I don't seem to have any reason to support you."

"You do!" Murong Fu said harshly. Seeing Zhu Yu so unmoved, he decided to play his master stroke.

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"You claimed to have the empire, power, wealth, and beauties. I will not comment on the rest, but regarding the beauties, Young Master Zhu, aren't you being a bit boastful?"

Seeing Murong Fu adopt the posture of a negotiator, Zhu Yu felt a surge of inner excitement. *Is he offering a woman? He’s going to offer a woman! Who could it be? Surely not Ah Zhu. Ah Bi? She is pretty, but that’s unlikely. The only possibility is Wang Yuyan!*

Thinking this, Zhu Yu fought to keep his composure. *I can't let him see,* he thought. *If he really wants to give me Wang Yuyan, I’ll accept her first and then deal with the rest.*

"Ahem, what do you mean, Young Master Murong? Have you forgotten who invited you onto the boat yesterday?"

"I am not referring to that. Yesterday, I noticed you kept staring at my cousin. I assume you have an interest in her, right?"

"Perhaps you are indeed powerful and wealthy, Young Master Zhu, but that doesn't carry much weight with me, Murong Fu. However, if you agree to this today, then once the deed is done, you shall marry my cousin."

Hearing this, Zhu Yu felt a sudden sense of boredom. *So, he’s not offering her now? He wants me to wait until the deed is done? By then, the opportunity will have long passed. Is he trying to pull a fast one on me?*

Though he thought this, Zhu Yu asked calmly, "Young Master Murong, your words have struck at my weak spot. However, there are still some things I need to ask beforehand."

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Murong Fu replied eagerly, "What questions? Please, ask away, Brother Zhu."

"You say that for your rebellion, you only lack the right opportunity. I would like to know, what exactly have you prepared?"

At this, Murong Fu began to speak with confidence.

After a while, Murong Fu had left Zhu Yu stunned. Had the situation been different, Zhu Yu would have wanted to ask: *Where does your confidence come from? Rebellion?*

Based on the forces Murong Fu described, he could, at most, wipe out an ordinary, second-rate sect. Naturally, Murong Fu was surely holding some things back. But based on the strength he had revealed, even Cao Zhengchun wouldn't bother to look at him twice.

However, having a potential enemy openly discuss how to plot against you is a once-in-a-century occurrence. It wouldn't hurt to listen a bit more carefully.

"Admirable, truly admirable. And what is your plan, Brother Murong? Where will you start the uprising? Have you thought about the military operations? How is the layout?"

Hearing this, Murong Fu was somewhat surprised. He began to look at this seemingly idle young master of a noble family in a new light. He collected his thoughts and began to explain, hoping to win Zhu Yu over with his eloquence—perhaps even saving his cousin in the process.

Another long while passed. After listening to Murong Fu’s explanation, Zhu Yu frowned. To Murong Fu’s confusion, he asked angrily, "An uprising in Jiangnan? All your military objectives are focused on the Jing Dynasty? Do you really have your sights on the Jing Dynasty? Or do you just look down on it?"