Chapter 127: Aftermath

With the target right before him, Murong Fu poured an extra thirty percent of his strength into his strike. He had come with the firm resolve of a single, lethal blow.

Yet, fate often defies human desire. Just as his fingers were a hair’s breadth from Zhu Yu’s throat, his wrist was seized. He looked up the arm to find the one stopping him was none other than Zhu Yu himself.

Seeing Zhu Yu’s hand locked like an iron shackle around his wrist, Murong Fu found he could not break free, no matter how much force or internal energy he exerted. Even the arm holding him remained completely motionless. There was only one explanation for this: Zhu Yu’s martial arts cultivation was far superior to his own.

"A grandmaster? A martial arts grandmaster like you is here masquerading as the Emperor of the Jing Dynasty? How ridiculous. Are you not afraid of being charged with the crime of deceiving the throne? Tell me, has that dog of an emperor already uncovered my plans and sent you specifically to kill me?"

Realizing he could not even drag someone down with him to the grave, Murong Fu felt his spirits wither.

Zhu Yu had just been silently thanking Murong Fu for interrupting the question he had posed himself, but before three seconds of relief had passed, Murong Fu’s next words made Zhu Yu’s face turn as dark as the bottom of a pot.

"Stop spouting nonsense. I have no need to prove anything to you. You only need to know that your life is in my hands now; do you really think I have any reason to lie to you?"

Zhu Yu’s words plunged Murong Fu into silence. Indeed, he was about to die; why would this man bother to lie? Could he truly be the Emperor of the Jing Dynasty? Once he reached this conclusion, Murong Fu’s resolve crumbled.

"So what if you are the Emperor? I am in your hands now. If you want to kill me, do it quickly."

Hearing this, Zhu Yu released his grip on Murong Fu’s wrist and remarked with a sigh, "That’s right. Now that your identity is clear, we can continue our conversation."

Seeing that Zhu Yu no longer restrained him, Murong Fu asked in surprise, "You aren't going to kill me?"

"Why would I want to kill you?"

"I am planning to raise an army and rebel. Is that not reason enough?"

"But you haven't rebelled yet. Besides, do you really think you could succeed?"

Murong Fu was silent for a moment before asking, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"I already analyzed it for you. Even if I didn't know your intentions or timing, you were never destined for success. A martial artist wanting to start a rebellion? What are you thinking? There is only one Ming Cult in this world. With the meager resources you've scraped together, you can't accomplish anything. However, as I said before, I support your desire to restore your kingdom."

Murong Fu seemed to understand, yet afraid he was misinterpreting, he asked in a low voice, "If you have something to say, say it directly. I am a prisoner now; there is no need to be cryptic."

Zhu Yu complied with straightforward clarity.

"Rebellion is still an option, but if the Jing Dynasty won't work, you can target another country—the Mongols, for instance. They have been locked in a fierce struggle with the Ming Cult for some time. It is only because the Ming Cult recently shifted its attention to the martial arts world that the Mongols have been granted a respite. If you were to take your resources and seize the right moment to defect to the Ming Cult, you would surely help them succeed. Once you gain status within the sect, you could lead troops to strike at the Wu Dynasty or the Khitan. When that time comes, I will provide you with support; I might even add to your coffers when you join them. If you truly have the talent, all the territory you conquer will belong to you. I will help you restore your kingdom!"

"Why?" Although he knew the question was foolish, Murong Fu couldn't help but ask.

"Although you intend to rebel, you haven't put it into action yet, so we aren't enemies. And if we aren't enemies, isn't it possible to become friends? Regardless of the nature of the friendship, an enemy's enemy is a friend."

"That's not enough." Murong Fu stared at Zhu Yu for a long time before those three words escaped his lips.

"Not enough of what?"

"I admit, what you've said is very tempting and advantageous to you, but this is not something that requires me specifically. Why don't you contact and fund the Ming Cult secretly yourself? Then the Ming Cult would owe you a great favor. Furthermore, if played correctly, you could even control the Ming Cult from the shadows. If they truly succeed, you could directly double the territory of the Jing Dynasty. Why do you need me to ruin your plans? I don't believe your reasoning. Is it that killing me with one strike isn't satisfying enough, and you want to humiliate me first?"

Zhu Yu looked at Murong Fu with puzzlement, thinking to himself: *Usually, people become more despondent the more they are beaten down, so why does he get smarter?*

"You've shown growth. Of course, that isn't the only reason. One thing you said is correct: your cousin is indeed a peerless beauty. Consider what I said as a betrothal gift to you."

"Hmph, what kind of man do you take me for? How could I sell out my cousin just to save my own life?"

Murong Fu said this with righteous indignation, displaying the demeanor of a noble hero. Zhu Yu, however, looked at him with a strange expression. Just a moment ago, he had been desperately trying to push Wang Yuyan onto him; had he changed his tune so quickly? Was he a different person now?

"Young Master Murong, this is not a funny joke. Of course, this would require Lady Wang’s consent; I am not one to force such things. However, I must remind you that this also concerns the grand plan of restoration you hold so dear. Do as you see fit—this is a chance I am giving you. No one from Yanziwu will die today. But do not rejoice too soon. Everyone in Yanziwu, including all those forces you mentioned, will be under strict surveillance by the Six Gates and the Eastern Depot starting tomorrow. If you quietly leave the Jing Dynasty, I will not interfere. But if any of them break the laws of the Jing Dynasty while on our soil, no matter how small the offense, they will be punished with death! And one more thing: for the minor leaders, their families will be executed; for the major leaders, their entire clans will be wiped out."

From the moment Zhu Yu began speaking, Murong Fu had frozen, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts, but Zhu Yu paid him no mind. Finishing his words, he rose to leave.