Undying Life

Chapter 209: Chapter 210: Setting up a Deadly Trap

In the West Garden Palace,

Inside the main hall, numerous paper documents were spread out.

After examining them, Zhongshan, Shuijing, Qianyou, Gulin, Ada, and A'er furrowed their brows in thought.

"These are just the profiles of the prisoners and guards in the imperial prison. Nothing special," Gulin remarked, frowning.

"Indeed. A'er, repeat the information about Lu Jianping," Princess Qianyou instructed.

"Yes, Lu Jianping, a citizen of the Great Yu Empire, residing in Qili Town. He used to be idle and profligate, but after entering the Sky City and witnessing the prosperity of the empire, he accidentally injured one high-ranking official's son while trying to save another during a dispute. The injured party, bearing a grudge, instigated his father to include Lu Jianping among the accomplices of Wu Wanli when searching for his crimes, resulting in both of them being thrown into prison. While in prison, Lu Jianping harbored resentment towards Wu Wanli, often abusing him. His violent methods made other inmates reluctant to intervene. However, the high-ranking official's son whom Lu Jianping had saved felt grateful and cleared his name while offering him an official position. Surprisingly, Lu Jianping chose to become a prison guard, and he has remained in that position until now," A'er recited.

"Frequently abused Wu Wanli?" Gulin furrowed his brow.

"Yes, it's common knowledge that Wu Wanli suffered severe injuries to his left leg due to his actions," A'er replied.

"No wonder he kicked Wu Wanli's right leg earlier," Master Shuijing remarked, shaking his feather fan.

"Could it have been intentional? Maybe Lu Jianping was deliberately protecting Wu Wanli. To prevent the other inmates from attacking him, he monopolized his 'reign' in the prison. Even the injury to his leg might have been faked," Princess Qianyou speculated, frowning.

"The probability is quite low. Lu Jianping is from the Great Yu Empire, and it's unlikely he had any contact with Wu Wanli," Master Shuijing remarked, shaking his feather fan.

"Hmm," Princess Qianyou nodded.

Zhongshan also believed Master Shuijing's explanation. The probability was indeed low. However, even with this slim chance, Zhongshan was unwilling to let it go. Perhaps, just perhaps, it could be advantageous to the Great Jue Dynasty. Zhongshan made up his mind, but Princess Qianyou and Master Shuijing decided to let go of this minor doubt. After all, this little doubt was inconsequential. Firstly, Lu Jianping was from the Great Yu Empire, and secondly, there was an explanation for his actions circling around the right leg at the time.

The attention of everyone turned back to the profiles of other prison guards.

"Princess," a voice suddenly came from outside the main hall.

"Come in!" Princess Qianyou frowned.

At this moment, an official hurriedly entered, holding a small purple invitation in his hand.

"Princess, just now, a ritual official from the Da Guang Empire delivered an invitation," the official said.

"Oh? Where is he?" Princess Qianyou gently took the invitation.

"After delivering the invitation, he left," the official replied.

"Did you get a clear look at him?" Princess Qianyou asked again, holding the invitation.

"Yes, I examined him carefully. He was definitely a ritual official from Prince Hanjue's side. There's no mistaking it," the official said.

"Very well. You may leave," Princess Qianyou nodded.

"Yes," the official immediately responded.

After the official left, Princess Qianyou opened the invitation.

Everyone waited silently as Princess Qianyou read it carefully.

"Qianyou, is this from Prince Hanjue?" Gulin asked.

"Yes, Prince Hanjue has invited us to meet at the Mist Lake to discuss matters concerning both dynasties," Princess Qianyou said, frowning.

"Wu Lake?" Master Shuijing frowned.

"Yes, Wu Lake. It's in the southwest of the Sky City, a special area. Prince Hanjue mentioned that the matters concerning both dynasties entrusted to us by the Great Guang Emperor are of utmost importance. Therefore, we must find a secluded place. There are too many eyes in the Sky City, so it must be outside the city. Wu Lake is an ideal location. The environment there is excellent. The meeting at Wu Lake will take place three days from now," Princess Qianyou said, frowning.

"The Great Guang Emperor? Could it be that Prince Hanjue is inviting us to discuss dividing the Great Yu Empire?" Master Shuijing furrowed his brow while shaking his feather fan.

"Then why not send an envoy directly to the Great Luo Empire? Why here?" Zhongshan's eyes showed a hint of doubt.

"Perhaps the Great Guang Empire plans to invade shortly after the battle with the Nalan Emperor. Reaching an agreement with us would expedite their plans. Additionally, sending envoys into the Great Luo Empire might arouse suspicion from the Great Yu Empire," Princess Qianyou speculated, furrowing her brow.

"Could it be that other empires intentionally lure us away, and then..." Zhongshan paused, thinking.

As Zhongshan finished speaking, everyone's pupils contracted. Lure Princess Qianyou away? Then kill her and blame the Great Yu Empire?

Taking a deep breath, Master Shuijing said, "It's unlikely. Wu Lake is not far from the Sky City. The Great Yu Empire is undoubtedly on high alert near the Sky City, patrolling daily. Setting up an ambush would be difficult. Moreover, to assassinate us, they would need a significant number of powerful individuals. Obviously, the Great Yu Empire wouldn't tolerate a large gathering of powerful individuals near the Sky City."

"Exactly. With Master Shuijing, Ada, A'er, and me, it's almost impossible to keep us here unless they had set up a large formation ambush beforehand. But how could they set it up with the Great Yu Empire patrolling daily? It's not feasible," Princess Qianyou said.

"Could it be the people of the Great Yu Empire who set up the ambush?" Zhongshan thought aloud.

"The people of the Great Yu Empire? They may have the capability, but apart from Yiyi, it's highly unlikely. Even if Yiyi did, he's always cautious and wouldn't take risks in the Sky City," Master Shuijing shook his head while holding his fan.

"What if..." Zhongshan narrowed his eyes.

"What if? The likelihood is too small, so small that it's like two ants being placed at opposite ends of the continent and meeting again by chance," Master Shuijing pondered.

Zhongshan nodded. Apparently, from the rumors he had heard about Yiyi during this time, this person was extremely cautious in everything he did, in his use of troops and strategies, and had never made any mistakes in his life.

"Why do you always think of the worst-case scenario? Clearly, this invitation was sent by a ritual official from Prince Hanjue's side. What else could it be?" Gulin frowned.

Upon hearing Gulin's words, Zhongshan and Master Shuijing were left speechless. When it came to matters of life and death, wouldn't it be better to consider the worst-case scenario first? Shouldn't they consider all possibilities, not just the favorable ones?

"Regardless, Master Shuijing will protect Gulin, while Ada, A'er, and I will protect Master Shuijing. Even if there are thousands of troops, we can still safely return. Moreover, this invitation was delivered by someone from Prince Hanjue's side, so there shouldn't be any problem with us going," Princess Qianyou said.

"Yes," everyone nodded in agreement.

At the same time, in the Sky City, in the hall where Prince Hanjue was.

Prince Hanjue stood in the center of the hall, frowning, holding an invitation in his hand, with Left Master and Right Master standing beside him.

"Princess Qianyou invites me to the Ten Thousand Peach Forest three days from now?" Prince Hanjue frowned.

"Your Highness, could there be deception in this?" Left Master furrowed his brow.

"No, at least for now, I am just an ordinary prince in everyone's eyes. No one would specifically target me," Prince Hanjue said in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, I have also checked the person who delivered the invitations. Indeed, it was a ritual official under Princess Qianyou," Right Master said.

"It seems that Princess Qianyou is representing the Great Luo Empire, preparing to seize the Great Yu Empire after the battle with Emperor Nalan Piaoxue, and then divide the Great Yu Empire with our Great Guang Empire," Prince Hanjue frowned.

"Your Highness, what if they mention it during the meeting? Should we agree?" Left Master furrowed his brow.

"We'll talk about it after the meeting at the Ten Thousand Peach Forest in three days," Prince Hanjue pondered.

"Yes," Left Master and Right Master nodded simultaneously.

At the Grand Commander's Mansion.

Yi Yan sat in the pavilion by the pond, holding fish food in his hand, feeding the ornamental fish. Iron Blood General stood behind him.

"Iron Blood," Yi Yan spoke lightly.

"At your service," Iron Blood General immediately responded.

"Both sets of invitations have been delivered?" Yi Yan said indifferently.

"Yes, they have. We bought off two ritual officials from each side. Both of them were delivering invitations, so it was effortless. Naturally, they agreed. Our people followed them the whole time and saw them deliver the invitations," Iron Blood said with a smile.

"That's good," Yi Yan rarely showed a hint of a smile.

"But will they go?" Iron Blood General furrowed his brow.

"They will definitely go," Yi Yan narrowed his eyes and threw a handful of fish food into the pond.

"Yes," Iron Blood General immediately responded.

"At that time, have someone watch from the city gates. Princess Qianyou will definitely go through the West Gate, and Prince Hanjue will go through the South Gate. Report to me at any time," Yi Yan said in a deep voice.

"Yes," Iron Blood General admired Yi Yan greatly, regardless of how Yi Yan was able to guess their itinerary---

Three days later, in the morning.

Princess Qianyou walked out of the West Garden Palace with Gulin, Zhongshan, Ada, A'er, and Master Shuijing.

"Let's go. Let's go meet Prince Hanjue," Princess Qianyou smiled.

"Yes, I wonder what Prince Hanjue will say," Gulin smiled.

A white cloud slowly lifted everyone up, with Zhongshan standing behind Princess Qianyou, his expression calm. However, at this moment, suddenly, a red lotus appeared in the center of Zhongshan's brow, turning into a deep blue color.

The sudden change startled Zhongshan. A sign of great calamity?

Great calamity? Zhongshan widened his eyes, and his feet were also lifted by the white cloud, heading towards the West Gate. Zhongshan instinctively reached out to stop it. Standing behind Princess Qianyou, Zhongshan instinctively placed his hand on her shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Gulin suddenly widened his eyes.

At this moment, Zhongshan realized he had lost his composure. He immediately bowed and said, "I'm sorry, Princess. I just remembered something very important all of a sudden and lost my composure."

Although Princess Qianyou was standing in front of Zhongshan, she immediately noticed when Zhongshan reached out. She instinctively prepared to dodge, but upon probing with her divine sense, she found that Zhongshan was in a trance. Confused, Zhongshan's hand had already landed on her shoulder.

Princess Qianyou frowned, and Gulin had already exclaimed.

All eyes turned to Zhongshan. Gulin's eyes seemed to be spewing fire. He had tolerated Zhongshan before because of an agreement with Princess Qianyou. However, this servant was too audacious.