Duke Wei's Scheme

Having decided to go to the Oirat, Lin Zhao wasted no time and immediately began making preparations.

The Oirat and the Ming Dynasty were separated by layer upon layer of mountains. The journey of ten thousand li was filled with Gobi sands and uncivilized barbarian tribes; one misstep, and he could end up burying his bones in the wilderness.

Finding a guide who understood the Oirat language and knew the dangerous places along the way was the first priority. Beyond that, he needed to thoroughly grasp the Oirat's customs, as well as the taboos and traditions among its tribes—after all, in a foreign land, even the smallest oversight could bring a fatal disaster.

More importantly, he had to stock up on poison and medicine for wounds. Golden Wound Medicine that could quickly stop bleeding, Miasma-Clearing Powder that cured snake and insect venom—every item had to be wrapped in waterproof oilcloth. Cinnabar and talisman paper for casting seals, even emergency dry rations and water skins, all had to be checked one by one. Not the slightest mistake could be allowed.

While Lin Zhao was run off his feet preparing for the journey, an undercurrent quietly began to surge within the Northern Frontier Governor's Mansion at the northernmost edge of the Northern Frontier.

This massive city, several times more imposing than Northern Garrison City, had walls poured from black iron rock mixed with glutinous rice juice, rising more than thirty zhang high. Banners stood thick as a forest atop the walls, while the Black Whale Guard's armor glinted with a hard, icy sheen beneath the sun. From afar, the entire city resembled a slumbering black beast, radiating the majestic force to suppress an entire region.

Nearly a million people lived permanently within the city. Its master was none other than Xu Qin, Duke Wei, Grand Commander of the Northern Frontier Governor's Mansion, lord of Black Whale City in the Northern Frontier, and the eldest and most unfathomably powerful among the Heavenly Gang Realm Grandmaster Warriors.

Duke Wei Xu Qin's residence stood at the center of the city. With flying eaves, interlocking brackets, carved beams, painted rafters, and towering pavilions thrusting into the clouds, it was even grander than the Taoist temple of the Celestial Masters' Manor outside the city—one had to know that in Northern Garrison City, that temple was publicly acknowledged as the foremost structure.

At that moment, the residence was under tight guard. Black Whale Guards clad in black armor patrolled back and forth, the clang of Armor Plates striking each other endlessly ringing out. The residence also housed the Black Whale Army's elite; every soldier had sharp eyes and steady breath, clearly tempered by blood and fire.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, quite a few dukes had been enfeoffed by imperial decree, but most had declined with the passing years. Only the Xu family had endured to this day, its foundations so deep that no ordinary force could compare.

Inside the bedchamber, Xu Qin stood before a table, his gaze resting on a spread-out map of the Ming Dynasty's territory. He wore a moon-white brocade robe, its cuffs embroidered with dark golden tiger patterns. His features were refined, yet a closer look revealed the hawk-like sharpness hidden in the depths of his narrow eyes. Every gesture held both a scholar's composure and the authority of one long seated in power. Faint, almost imperceptible ripples of blood and qi emanated from him; he was clearly a master who hid his true strength well.

The map clearly marked large and small military garrisons alike. Storm Guard of Eastern Sea Province, Green Mountain Guard of Qing Sen Province—those garrisons with resounding names were no more than tiny marks on the map, yet each carried the weight of immense power.

"Father, I'm back."

A sweet female voice came from outside, followed by the soft sound of hoofbeats touching the ground. A young woman in hunting attire swung down from her horse. Her outfit was the fashionable Silver Fox color of the day, setting off skin whiter than snow and an elegant bearing. She was Xu Qin's daughter, now the wife of Prince Jing'an—her husband was Zhu Chenhao, whose name had shaken the capital.

Xu Qin put away the map, raised a hand to open the door, and looked at her with a slight frown. "Why have you come back? The road from the capital to Black Whale City is long. Going back and forth is no small matter."

The woman stepped forward and hooked her arm through his, gently shaking it as she spoke with a hint of grievance. "Father! I missed you. Can't I come back to see you? Besides, there's really nothing interesting in the capital."

Xu Qin patted her hand and asked casually, "Where is Prince Jing'an? What has he been busy with lately? Why didn't he accompany you?"

At the mention of her husband, the woman pursed her lips and complained, "Don't mention him! He locks himself in the training grounds all day. I invited him to Jade Spring Mountain outside the capital to admire the plum blossoms, but he fobbed me off with 'internal energy cultivation requires an undistracted mind'! His reputation as the foremost of the Heavenly Gang Realm may be resounding, but he is still an imperial prince born of a concubine. Those brothers of his born to the principal consorts find every possible way to squeeze him out, and the people at court don't like the look of him either. It makes me feel stifled just watching him endure it!"

Xu Qin listened without much expression, but his gaze fell upon the treasured sword at her waist. Its scabbard was made from deep-sea ebony, faintly gleaming with a lustrous light. "That sword of yours is rather fine."

The woman's eyes lit up, and she immediately smiled. "Father, this is the birthday gift I prepared for you! Do you know, this sword was personally forged by Master Shen, the Grand Master Craftsman known as Hundred Refinements Heavenly Craftsman. Its name is Lake Light! I had my guards run all over the place before they finally bought it at a high price from a collector. Look at the quality!"

Xu Qin accepted the sword, lightly stroking the scabbard with his fingers. After a moment, he drew out a sliver of the blade. A cold, clear flash of sword light swept forth, and the patterns upon the blade spread like ripples over a lake, truly carrying something of glittering waves.

A trace of admiration flashed through his eyes. "It is indeed a fine sword. These patterns, this Sword Qi—no ordinary craftsman could have forged it. Interesting. There is actually such a Grand Master Craftsman in the world? 'Master Shen, Hundred Refinements Heavenly Craftsman'... I had never heard of him before."

He sheathed the sword, then turned and retrieved a small Golden Box from a hidden compartment in the bedchamber. The box was palm-sized, its surface outlined in gold thread with a scene of court ladies strolling through a garden. The ladies' brows and eyes, the folds of their skirts, were all lifelike; even the patterns of dew upon the petals could be seen. Under the sunlight, the Golden Box gave off a warm glow, yet it faintly carried an indescribable strangeness.

The Black Mountain Commander handed over the Golden Box, pointing at the edge of its lid. His tone was flat, but a shadow swiftly crossed his eyes. "I obtained this spiritual medicine from a master alchemist. It is called the Spirit Calming Pill. This pill has unusual medicinal properties and is prone to dissipating, so it is sealed in a Golden Box. When you return, you must personally give it to Prince Jing'an. Remember—he must only open it when he is cultivating alone!"

He paused, then added, "This pill may help him break through the Heavenly Gang Realm and become a Legendary Grandmaster. I cannot guarantee it; I can only say that it is worth a try. Tell him not to place too much hope in it, but there is no harm in trying. At the very least, his life will not be in danger. With Prince Jing'an's talent, trying to break through to Grandmaster without relying on external aid would be as difficult as climbing to heaven."

"My blood and qi are declining now. I am no longer at my peak, and I have no hope of breaking through to Grandmaster. I can only place my hopes on an outstanding son-in-law like him. If he truly becomes a Grandmaster, it will be a tremendous blessing for you and for our Xu family."

The woman accepted the Golden Box, finding it weighty in her hands, and hurriedly nodded. "Don't worry, Father. I will personally give it to my husband. I absolutely won't let anyone else touch it!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with her father, the woman departed with the Golden Box.

Within the bedchamber, Xu Qin watched her retreating figure, and a cold curve lifted at the corner of his lips. What that Golden Box contained, he knew better than anyone—at the moment Prince Jing'an opened it, he would surely receive a "heaven-shaking surprise."

He turned and picked up Lake Light. A wisp of true qi slowly flowed from his fingertips into the blade. "Bzz—" The sword immediately gave a crisp hum. The ripple patterns upon the blade lit up, and sharp Sword Qi spread out, slicing the air around it until it faintly trembled.

"Fine sword, truly a fine sword." A scorching light flashed through Xu Qin's eyes. "Such a Grand Master Craftsman must serve me! If I can have him forge weapons for me, my plans will achieve twice the result with half the effort!"

With that thought, he raised his voice and called, "Someone!"

Footsteps sounded, and a tall figure pushed open the door and entered. The man wore pitch-black Mountain Pattern Armor, dark red scabs of blood still clinging in the gaps between its Armor Plates. A half-man-tall serrated heavy-backed saber was strapped to his back, its blade covered in dense patterns and clearly soaked in no small amount of blood.

He wore a sealed iron helmet that exposed only his right eye. That eye resembled a cold star steeped in poison, and wherever it swept, the air itself seemed to grow several degrees colder. The Killing Intent radiating from him could make ordinary soldiers' legs go weak—it was Xu Fangtooth, Xu Qin's secret trump card, who had advanced to Peak Martial Master just last year!

"My lord." Xu Fangtooth dropped to one knee, his voice dull as iron as he respectfully lowered his head.

"Fangtooth, this time, lead a team to Northern Garrison City. You need only accomplish three things." Xu Qin's tone allowed no doubt, and the authority around him grew stronger.

"Please give your orders, my lord. This subordinate will brave ten thousand deaths without refusing!"

"First, investigate Huo Qiushan's whereabouts." Xu Qin's voice turned colder. "Even if Northern Garrison City is far away, the task I assigned should have yielded results by now. Yet he has still not returned. Either he has betrayed us, or he died outside. No matter what, I want to see the man if he is alive, and the body if he is dead!"

"Second, help me invite the Grand Master Craftsman, Hundred Refinements Heavenly Craftsman, who has recently appeared in Northern Garrison City, back to Black Whale City." He stressed the point. "You must find him before the other forces do! A Grand Master Craftsman is a golden signboard capable of steadying the entire scene, and he is crucial to my future plans. If he refuses to come, bind him and bring him back by force. Remember, do not harm his hands or feet—I have plenty of ways to make him obediently serve me."

"Third, make a detour to Lin Family Fortress and see Centurion Lin Zhao." Xu Qin's tone softened somewhat, though it carried a hint of probing. "Over this period, that boy has given me quite a few surprises. I would like to know exactly what has happened to him. If he is already dead, let the matter rest. If he is still alive, bring him to see me."

Lastly, he added, "For this operation, aside from you, no one from Black Whale City is to be brought along. Simply hire some wanderers from the martial world outside. The less commotion, the better. Do not draw attention."

"This subordinate obeys! I will not fail your mission!" Xu Fangtooth answered in a deep voice. He rose and turned away, his movements crisp and decisive, without the slightest delay.

Watching Xu Fangtooth leave, satisfaction flashed through Xu Qin's eyes. Xu Fangtooth was the trump card he had painstakingly cultivated, hidden from public view for years. His strength was unfathomable. Sending him was both reliable and discreet; nothing could possibly go wrong.

As for the Black Raven Tower? A mocking curve rose at Xu Qin's lips. Ever since Ji Hanying died, that organization had become nothing but a rabble, utterly unworthy of fear. Back then, "Profound Shadow" had even invited him to become a "Diamond-rank" assassin. What a joke—he was Duke Wei, Grand Commander of the Northern Frontier Governor's Mansion, with heavy troops in his grasp and an entire region under his protection. Why would he play those assassins' childish games?

After handling these matters, Xu Qin raised his hand. At some point, two delicate little golden spheres had appeared in his palm. Complex patterns were carved across their surfaces, and they glimmered with a dim light beneath the lamp. His fingertips moved slightly, and the golden spheres rolled once in his palm, producing a faint clinking sound.

Remembering the Golden Box he had given Prince Jing'an, he could not help but chuckle. His voice was filled with malice. "Who in this world, besides me, would have imagined that sealed inside that glittering Golden Box was a legendary evil demon? Prince Jing'an, Prince Jing'an... be sure to accept this 'great gift' properly..."