Chapter 721: Li Shensi (Part 2)

Zhu He gave a faint smile and said, “If it weren’t for you at the time of Zhu Shizhong’s case, they probably would have muddled through it. In my opinion, if you can break it, you can establish it! The task of annihilating Li Shensi is entrusted to you by your mentor. Make sure it’s watertight, and it’s best to guide public opinion. Don’t let the public think towards political whirlpool struggles.”

After Zhu He finished speaking, the hall fell silent again.

Wu Shidao thought this task was definitely going to fall on his shoulders. When Fan Hongjiao mentioned it just now, he was merely being modest, also telling everyone that the task wasn’t easy, but he didn’t expect Zhu He to point to Duan Rong.

Wu Shidao sat there, looking at Duan Rong with indifferent eyes.

Duan Rong sat there somewhat awkwardly, a thousand “Cao Ni Ma” galloping across his mind.

What nonsense? Break it to establish it? Where does this theory come from?

And guiding public opinion? Do you think I’m a major influencer?

This old man is really overestimating me?!

Don’t let public opinion think towards political whirlpool struggles!

In this situation, if Li Shensi suddenly dies while in office, over tea and meals, various conspiracy theories will certainly be rampant, it’s hard not to think in this direction.

Duan Rong, with a somewhat unpleasant face, said, “Your disciple’s experience is still shallow. Master, it’s not that I am shirking responsibility, it’s just that this is a big matter. I think it might be more prudent to entrust it to a more experienced senior brother. I’m willing to assist and gain some experience so that in the future I can stand alone and share my master’s worries.”

Duan Rong’s words were quite clever, and it’s already clear who he was referring to in his speech.

In Duan Rong’s view, Wu Shidao was most suitable for this matter, yet he didn’t know why Zhu He pointed at him.

After hearing this, Wu Shidao took a deep breath and sat there steadily. Zhu He didn’t even glance at him but just looked at Duan Rong and said, “Duan Rong! You’ve been on Yunfu Peak for more than half a year, how has your master treated you during this time?”

Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat. “This is…”

The old man’s topic of conversation obviously was to force him to accept it.

Duan Rong knew this well and could only say, “Master’s kindness to your disciple is greater than heaven.”

“That’s good!” Zhu He said, “This matter is settled. Do it well for me, otherwise, don’t come back.”

“Yes!”

Since Zhu He had made up his mind, Duan Rong had no choice but to comply.

Can an arm wrestle with a thigh?

Duan Rong’s expression changed, and he said, “Master, can you assign me a helper?”

Duan Rong thought that having an extra helper would provide more support, and in case things went wrong, there’d be more people to share the blame, right?

Zhu He chuckled and said, “They all have other tasks. This matter, you go alone to Divine Cloud Prefecture. Remember, hide your tracks, act secretly. I’ve already given a heads-up to Zhu Zhengfu and others over there; you can use their strength for some things. But the overall principle remains unchanged: inconspicuously annihilate Li Shensi, and also suppress the marketplace gossip for me.”

Duan Rong’s face showed bitterness, almost squeezing out a yes from his throat.

Suddenly, Zhu He looked delighted and said, “Not bad, boy! When did you break through to the Fourth Level of Primordial Qi Realm?”

Zhu He’s sudden question didn’t surprise Duan Rong because he had just felt a Divine Sense penetration through his Dantian.

Duan Rong gave a bitter smile and said, “I broke through just a few days ago.”

At this moment, everyone in the hall looked at Duan Rong with eyes as if seeing some miraculous spectacle, filled with astonishment and unfamiliarity.

Fan Hongjiao said, “Another breakthrough? If you break through again, you’ll catch up with Wu Shidao?”

Wu Shidao felt even more on edge.

Duan Rong had already comprehended the Mental Realm in the Primordial Qi Realm, and his cultivation in this realm was advancing rapidly, which was simply incomprehensible.

Lu Geng and Wang Yue sat there, only able to sigh.

Especially Wang Yue, whose eyes were quite resentful.

Zhu He said with a smile, “Breaking through is good. With the realm on your body, this trip to Divine Cloud Prefecture will also be safer.”

“Safer?” Duan Rong’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

He recalled that two months ago, Zhu He suddenly gave him that Dew-drinking Cicada. He found it strange at the time; why would Zhu He send him something so precious for no reason?

Could it be that there would be danger going to Divine Cloud Prefecture?

Moreover, is there a Dark Grotto Heaven Realm expert wanting to kill him?

How is that possible? He’s just a Martial Artist in the Primordial Qi Realm; even if someone wanted to kill him, it wouldn’t require a Dark Grotto Heaven Realm expert to make a move, right?

Why use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken?

Even if he secretly plotted and killed Minister Li Shensi, he is still a direct disciple of the Elder. Who would openly kill him?

Moreover, since Zhu He knew there was danger, why did he specifically let him go alone?

Duan Rong felt that Zhu He had already planned this two months ago; otherwise, he wouldn’t have given him the Dew-drinking Cicada at that time and urged him to refine it immediately.

Duan Rong sat there, looking at Zhu He, whose expression was a bit gloomy, in front of the screen, and suddenly felt that this old man had long tied a noose, making him walk right into it.

And he could not refuse at all.

At this moment, Zhu He looked at Duan Rong and said, “Duan Rong, there’s no time to lose. Pack up and set off immediately!”

“Yes!”

Duan Rong’s yes was spoken with full energy; since there was no avoiding it, he had to take each step as it came. Didn’t the old man even give him a Dew-drinking Cicada? That means he doesn’t want him dead, so as long as he’s a bit alert, there shouldn’t be a big problem.

The key is that on this trip, he has to complete the task entrusted by the old man.

Not only to discreetly annihilate, but also the dignified Minister Li Shensi, who is the top civil servant in Qingzhou!

In Qingzhou Territory, all documents and records are presided over by the Minister!

Moreover, he also needs to guide the marketplace public opinion.

Neither task is easy to accomplish.

It’s even harder than handling scorpions!

That afternoon, in the clear autumn weather, without a cloud in the sky, at the East City Gate of Divine Cloud Prefecture, a rather luxurious carriage rolled amid the crowds, entering Divine Cloud Prefecture.

The carriage stopped in front of Yunlai Inn, the curtain lifted, revealing a merchant of about forty years old in brocade clothing stepping down.

The merchant had a square face, a stubbly beard, and a dark complexion.

Once the carriage stopped, a servant boy from the inn came out to lead the carriage to the backyard.

Duan Rong looked at the person who drove the carriage. He was a Historian from the Internal History Department and had other matters to attend to with Duan Rong.

Duan Rong said, “You go do your thing.”

The Historian said, “Master, take care of yourself. I’ll be leaving now.”

Duan Rong replied with a hum through his nose and strode into the inn.

The Historian, dressed as a servant boy, watched Duan Rong enter the inn, then turned around and merged with the crowd on the street, hiding his tracks.

Duan Rong walked to the counter of the inn.

The Shopkeeper, tall and thin with hollow cheeks, smiled profusely upon seeing Duan Rong and said, “Sir, are you staying at the inn?”

Duan Rong replied, “Yes. I’d like an upper room.”

The Shopkeeper asked, “How many days will you be staying, sir?”

Duan Rong replied, “Not sure. Book it for five days first. The rest can be held as a deposit.” As he spoke, Duan Rong gently placed a silver note on the counter.

The Shopkeeper glanced at the silver note, his smile broadening. “Very well! Sir, please follow me.”

The Shopkeeper led Duan Rong to an upper room on the second floor.

Duan Rong looked around the room, which had a good orientation and tasteful furnishings, and nodded, saying, “Not bad! As expected of the capital, it is indeed grand!”

The Shopkeeper’s expression shifted slightly, and he said, “Sir, judging by your accent, you don’t seem to be from Divine Cloud Prefecture.”

Duan Rong smiled, “I’m from Nanyang Prefecture, here for some business.”

The Shopkeeper said, “You seem to be dealing in major business.”

Duan Rong replied, “It’s not about the size of the business; if it earns money, it’s a good business! Okay, I’m hungry, get me some food.”

“Very well! Sir, please wait a moment,” the Shopkeeper said with a slight bow, then left.

Sitting down, Duan Rong didn’t have to wait long before a servant boy came in with a pot of tea and some dried fruits.

He sat there, drank some tea, ate a few dried fruits, and then the food started arriving.

Duan Rong ate with great relish; you know, dining is best in the mortal world. Although everything is available on Yunfu Peak, and the food isn’t bad either, in that place of bitter cultivation, even the most exquisite dishes seem to carry a taste of bitterness, making it unsatisfying to eat.

After eating and drinking heartily, Duan Rong lay down on the bed for a brief rest, then left Yunlai Inn and headed to a teahouse not far away.