Chapter 736 - 446: Autumn Hunt and Heavenly Sacrifice (Part 2)

Therefore, Duan Rong must determine whether, in this chess match, Zhu He truly intends to protect him or let him live or die, or even use him as bait.

If it’s the latter, he must plan early, thinking of a way to escape like a cicada shedding its shell.

But now, it has been proven that although Zhu He uses him as a piece, he genuinely wants to protect him.

With the power of the Dew-drinking Cicada, even a strike from a Dark Grotto Heaven Realm expert could be repelled. And if it’s below the Dark Grotto Heaven Realm, perhaps just a low hum of the cicada chirping would turn it into dust on the spot.

Although he wasted one of the three opportunities to use the Dew-drinking Cicada tonight, he confirmed that Zhu He was not using him as a sacrificial piece to make a layout. That was worth it!

The Dew-drinking Cicada can indeed save him in a crisis.

Thus, he decides to follow Zhu He’s chess moves.

He also wants to see what the entire layout of Zhu He’s chess game looks like? And who exactly is the person playing against him?

As for the next few moves, it’s to eliminate Li Shensi.

Concerning this set of moves, from Duan Rong’s perspective at this time, he still cannot see through Zhu He’s true intentions.

He intentionally let him be exposed at this point; Duan Rong finds it difficult to understand.

Since he is certain that Zhu He has no intention of harming him, he must follow Zhu He’s wishes, play well with the upcoming few moves, and watch as he goes.

What he needs to consider now is how to complete the two tasks Zhu He entrusted him with on Yunfu Peak.

One is to eliminate Li Shensi discreetly and without anyone knowing, and the other is to guide the public opinion away from fermenting toward a political whirlpool...

Duan Rong practically reviewed all kinds of information about Li Shensi as well as his recent potential schedules during the day today.

At this moment, Duan Rong lay on the bed, his hands resting behind his head, thinking deeply.

The streams of information quickly wove through his mind...

About half an hour later, he suddenly sat up from the bed, his eyes flickering in the dark, muttering to himself, "Autumn Hunt Sacrifice..."

Just now, amidst the scene of the Autumn Hunt Sacrifice, a vague thought flashed through his mind, and Duan Rong keenly sensed that this thought was the answer he was seeking.

The so-called Autumn Hunt Sacrifice is an important annual grand ceremonial activity of the Divine Cloud Prefecture.

Both the Celestial Altar and the hunting grounds are located on Wuji Mountain in the South Suburb of the Divine Cloud Prefecture.

Actually, Wuji Mountain is not considered a very high mountain, let alone steep. However, in the surroundings of the Divine Cloud Prefecture, this mountain is already the highest place.

Therefore, this annual celestial sacrifice ceremony is held on the top of this mountain. Moreover, this mountain is located directly south, precisely positioned for the sacrificial offerings at the South Heavenly Gate.

On the mountain top, a grand Celestial Altar has been constructed.

From mid-mountain to the summit, after autumn, it is sealed off as the celestial sacrifice hunting ground.

Nearby farmers and hunters are prohibited from entering Wuji Mountain anymore.

Once the game is fattened, a grand celestial sacrifice ceremony is held on the selected three auspicious days, in which the entire city’s populace participates and offers sacrifices around the Celestial Altar with the officials.

The offerings are the game from the hunting grounds.

After the ceremony, the officials divide the sacrificed offerings and distribute them to the surrounding citizens.

Therefore, the Autumn Hunt Sacrifice has always been a celebration shared with the people, with everyone cheering. Everyone takes pride in receiving the sacrificial game, and it is said that eating it can ensure peace and ward off plagues.

This grand ceremony, coupled with Li Shensi having just assumed office for two months as the Minister of the Secretariat of the Four Ministers, he will definitely attend.

It was just at this scene that Duan Rong suddenly thought of a method...

The next morning, amidst the sound of birdsong, Duan Rong woke up leisurely. He hadn’t actually slept for long last night, but seeing that it was already daylight, he struggled to get up.

He had matters to attend to today and couldn’t afford to sleep more.

Just as Duan Rong was making a move, Ruyi immediately came in carrying his shoes and clothes.

She held the clothes in one hand and dangled Duan Rong’s shoes in the other.

Ruyi frowned slightly, as she distinctly saw that the soles of those shoes were covered with a lot of new withered grass, which she was sure wasn’t there when she placed them there last night.

"Could it be... that the master went out last night..."

At this time, Ruyi had already come before Duan Rong. Seeing the tired look on his face, she was even more convinced of her suspicions. However, she still served Duan Rong quietly as he dressed and washed.

After Duan Rong finished breakfast, he had just set down his bowl when he picked up a cup of tea to rinse his mouth. At that moment, Zhu Zhengfu and Zhu Cheng came to pay a visit.

As soon as the two entered the door, they knelt to greet him. After Duan Rong offered them a seat, they each sat down, and Ruyi served tea before retreating.

Duan Rong observed their expressions, clearly noticing their fatigue, especially Zhu Cheng, whose eyes were red and bloodshot. Duan Rong guessed that he hadn’t slept all night.

Zhu Cheng placed a saber on the table in front of him.

This was the Mo Saber that Zhu Zhengfu had sent his steward Zhu Yu over to deliver last night.

Zhu Cheng cautiously looked at Duan Rong and said, "Reporting to the master, I have already checked this saber and confirmed that it indeed originates from the Ministry of Justice."

Duan Rong remained silent, as this answer did not surprise him.

If it hadn’t originated from the Ministry of Justice, why would the waiter have brought it? If it were a forged Mo Saber, just checking the number would reveal the truth.

Seeing Duan Rong’s silence, Zhu Zhengfu pondered briefly and then asked, "Whose saber is it?"

Since Zhu Cheng had confirmed the saber’s origins from the Ministry of Justice, it was likely that he also found out whose saber it was.

Zhu Cheng lowered his eyes slightly and said, "This saber is the Dead Man’s Blade."