Chapter Nine: Only One Death

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But who exactly is Tian Yueying?
Rumor has it that during these past three years at the Grand Secretariat, all she has done was manage household affairs for Yang Chuan, and no one has ever seen her practice any martial arts.
Could it be that all her skills were secretly taught by Yang Chuan himself?
Damn you, Yang Chuan! I wondered why you would rather betray the entire Great Kang Empire than become my idle consort in the harem. So all this time, you have harbored treacherous intentions!
How foolish of me to have hoped you would obediently stay by my side!
As these suspicions piled up, Yan Wugou felt an unbearable headache and collapsed back onto the dragon throne.
At that moment, Jiang Ziqi, standing nearby, saw through her thoughts and quietly moved closer.
“Your Majesty, Yang Chuan’s power has not been completely suppressed. Since force cannot prevail, why not use strategy?”
“Oh? Minister Jiang, do you have a plan?”
Seeing Jiang Ziqi seemed to have a solution in mind, Yan Wugou quickly pressed her forehead and sat up.
Indeed, even though she hated Yang Chuan to her core, she would never allow him to fall into a foreign court.
If he could not be recalled, the only option was to kill him!
Sensing the empress’s reaction, Jiang Ziqi smiled to himself and began to report the state of affairs in the Qi Kingdom.
“Your Majesty, as far as I know, the one who truly controls the government in Qi is the Grand Marshal Cao Ding.”
“This man earned merits in battle years ago and was entrusted with guardianship when the late emperor of Qi passed away.”
“But who would have thought he would abuse his position, recklessly meddle in state affairs, and ruthlessly oppress the people of Qi, committing every imaginable atrocity.”
Jiang Ziqi smiled again and continued, “Meanwhile, what was the Empress of Qi doing?”
“It is said that since her ascension, she has been obsessed with seeking the elixir of immortality, never attending a single court session, and even more...”
Before Jiang Ziqi could finish, Yan Wugou suddenly felt refreshed, as if her migraine had instantly vanished.
Immediately, she issued an order: “Summon the envoy from Great Kang!”
That day, the empress lavishly spent tens of thousands of taels of gold, sending the Great Kang envoy alone to the Qi Kingdom with all those precious treasures.
Of course, as the most powerful empire at present, Yan Wugou had ulterior motives.
Since Cao Ding was a tyrant who hated losing power, as long as the gold and jewels arrived before Yang Chuan entered Qi, she could persuade Cao Ding to keep him out!

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As for that Empress of Qi...
If she wishes to chase immortality, let her have at it.
A foolish ruler who neglects state affairs in a rival kingdom is a blessing for Great Kang!
“Hmph! Yang Chuan, even if I must summon the entire nation’s power, I will make you understand—once you leave Great Kang, your only fate is death!”
...
At that moment, fifty miles north of Wumeng City, Tian Yueying personally drove a carriage, speeding northward with a half-conscious Yang Chuan inside.
The previous night’s battle had severely drained Yang Chuan’s recently recovered vitality.
And Wumeng City was the place where Great Kang’s troops could mobilize most swiftly.
If urgent orders arrived from the capital, any hesitation would mean falling into an abyss of no return.
As the carriage jolted violently, faint groans came from inside the curtain.
“Master Yang!”
Despite everything, Tian Yueying cared deeply for Yang Chuan’s wellbeing. Three years of constant companionship had intertwined the fate of the Qi Empress and the Grand Secretary Yang Tai Zai.
Pulling the carriage to the roadside, she carefully entered and began inspecting his wounds.
“Does it still hurt?”
After removing Yang Chuan’s outer garment, she saw his left shoulder swollen and inflamed, and his strong chest bore obvious bruises.
Though harboring no impure thoughts, seeing his majestic physique up close made her heart skip a beat.
Beside her, Yang Chuan blushed slightly, exposed in front of Tian Yueying for the first time.
“Much better. Once we reach a safer place, I’ll practice some Qi exercises and should recover fully.”
Their unprecedented closeness left both slightly awkward.
After a few uneasy words, he urged Tian Yueying to continue driving.
Fortunately, no pursuers appeared this time, and Great Kang’s hundred-thousand-strong Forbidden Army seemed nowhere to be seen.
...
Time flew swiftly, and five days later,
A distinguished guest in a purple brocade robe arrived at the Qi court.

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Upon entering, he immediately ordered the accompanying soldiers to present two large chests of gold and silver before the main hall.
As a corrupt official accustomed to bribery, Cao Ding glanced at the treasures and quickly discerned the envoy’s intent.
“Oh? The Great Kang Empire is vast and prosperous. By rights, it should be our Qi Kingdom sending envoys to pay tribute. Why then does Empress Yan humble herself to offer tribute to a lesser kingdom?”
Though Cao Ding sought power and usurpation, his target was only the Empress of Qi, Tian Yueying.
As for the Great Kang Empire, given the disparity in strength, he preferred to remain subordinate rather than provoke them and bring disaster upon himself.
Moreover, the past imprisonment of Empress Yan by Qi was long gone and incomparable to the present.
Hearing this, the Great Kang envoy laughed heartily.
Then, imitating a smooth talker, he paced the hall before explaining his mission.
“Our Great Kang is vast and militarily strong. By rights, Qi should be the one paying tribute.”
“However, I have brought this silver to ask Grand Marshal Cao to help Great Kang eliminate a hidden menace.”
“Oh?”
Cao Ding immediately rose from his seat.
Pondering carefully, he sensed a trap.
If even the mighty Great Kang could not handle this menace, why entrust it to a small border state like Qi? It seemed absurd.
“Hmph, I suggest this gentleman take his leave. If Great Kang cannot remove this trouble, how can our small Qi have the solution?”
Though speaking coldly, Cao Ding couldn’t help swallowing hard as his eyes flicked over the chests of treasure.
Knowing Cao Ding would not agree so easily, the envoy sighed theatrically.
“Alas, our request is not entirely selfish. If Grand Marshal Cao refuses, your career may soon come to an end!”
Cao Ding frowned, displeased.
Great Kang has a problem and yet threatens my career? There’s clearly deceit here!
Suspicious, he finally asked, “If you are so sure this man threatens me, pray tell, who is he?”
The envoy laughed loudly and blurted out, “This man is none other than the former Grand Secretary of Great Kang, Yang Chuan!”