Chapter 643 - 203: Cat Knight Shen Bai (Part 2)

"Anyone who can be rooted out, has been. As for those who’ve already been possessed, the Observatory must remember to execute them in secret," Eunuch Chen said.

The General Department nodded. "Xuanjing City hasn’t seen this much bloodshed in a long time. It’s about time we cleaned up these remnants."

...

Lingyun Dao.

Mansion of the Marquis of Ren De.

The architecture was magnificent, with gilded splendor, and the furnishings were of refined elegance.

In the main house, the Marquis of Ren De was currently flipping through a book.

In the Great Zhou Country, all cities of Dao Level or higher were overseen by Dukes, and Lingyun Dao was no exception.

A young maid placed a cup of tea on the table.

Before the young maid could leave, the Marquis of Ren De stopped her.

The maid trembled slightly, then obediently knelt between the Marquis of Ren De’s legs.

"You certainly know how to enjoy life—reading a book while partaking of a beauty."

A voice rang out.

A young man walked in from outside the main house.

There was a hint of hidden madness in the young man’s eyes.

If one looked closely, besides the madness, there was a world-weariness that belied his age.

The Marquis of Ren De put down his book. "This is all my territory. Who’s to stop me from doing as I please?"

After he spoke, the Marquis of Ren De pressed the maid’s head down further.

"Wen Jing, have your academy people grown so audacious? Barging into my mansion as you please?"

With his hands tucked in his sleeves, Wen Jing said, "Shen Bai is coming."

Those simple words made the Marquis of Ren De’s eyes narrow.

He patted the maid’s head, dismissing her. Then he adjusted his trousers and said, "I’ve heard his name and his stories. It seems His Majesty intends to move against me."

The Marquis of Ren De said this as if he had long expected it, showing no surprise at all.

Wen Jing found a seat. "Actually, I’m also quite eager for him to come. His talent for Overcoming Adversity and Attacking Upward is of great research value. Perhaps it could help me achieve a breakthrough in some of my important studies."

"You lunatic."

The Marquis of Ren De showed Wen Jing no courtesy, cursing, "You people from Xinhua Academy are insane, but with Shen Bai coming, you’d better tone it down."

"You’re afraid, aren’t you?" Wen Jing said bluntly.

The Marquis of Ren De sneered. "Afraid? As long as they don’t find any evidence, the Saint Martial Emperor wouldn’t dare touch me, not with the merits my brother earned. The Great Zhou dynasty is in turmoil right now, so he cares even more about his reputation and the people’s support. What do I have to fear?"

Wen Jing poured himself a cup of tea. "So, you don’t plan on dealing with Shen Bai?"

The Marquis of Ren De frowned. "Why should I deal with him? Wait... are you saying that Xinhua Academy wants to go after Shen Bai?"

At this, the Marquis of Ren De had already guessed a great deal.

He tapped his fingers on the tabletop, lost in thought.

Wen Jing said slowly, "The enmity between Shen Bai and us—Xinhua Academy, the Wild Taoist Sect, and the Wild Buddha Sect—is irreconcilable."

"He’s coming to Lingyun Dao. This place is the farthest from Xuanjing City, and it’s a Border Region. Arranging an ’accident’ for him would be very easy. His death would be good for everyone, including you. You don’t actually believe he won’t be able to find anything on you when he gets here, do you?"

The Marquis of Ren De sneered. "I control all the evidence. How could he possibly find anything?"

Wen Jing smiled. "Colluding with Demonic Forces and secretly dealing with the Great Yue Country... Marquis of Ren De, you truly are a masterful operator."

"They think you’re a traitor, but I don’t. I think you’re just trying to secure a future for yourself after the Great Zhou Country collapses."

"For instance, defecting to the Great Yue Country with your men, or siding with the Demonic Forces. You’ll go wherever the benefits are greatest."

"But either way, what you’re doing is tantamount to treason."

The room fell into a long silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After a long while, the Marquis of Ren De sighed.

"I just want to survive in these chaotic times. I’m not my foolish brother. ’For country and kin’... I’m not capable of that."

"But as for dealing with Shen Bai, I can’t do that either."

"I just want to live a quiet life, enjoying women and luxury."

The implication was clear: he was refusing to join Wen Jing and Xinhua Academy in their plot against Shen Bai.

Wen Jing smiled. "Marquis, our three factions have already formed an alliance. Do you really think you can remain uninvolved?"

"You’re very clever; even we can’t find any evidence against you. But if we were to cut ties, what would you do after the Great Zhou Country falls?"

The Marquis of Ren De fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

He was indeed clever. Despite his dealings with the Demonic Forces and the Great Yue Country, he had always been meticulous about destroying every shred of evidence.

This was the source of his confidence.

But Wen Jing’s words gave the Marquis of Ren De pause.

’If they really do that, then everything I’ve built will have been for nothing.’

Wen Jing continued, "I know you must be thinking that even without us, you still have the Great Yue Country."

"But what will you do, Marquis, if we decide to interfere?"

The Marquis of Ren De didn’t answer, still lost in thought.

After a long moment, the Marquis of Ren De slowly asked, "What is your plan? And what would you need from me?"

Asking this question was a clear sign that the Marquis of Ren De had agreed.

He had no choice. Just as Wen Jing had said, if they cut him off, all his prior efforts would be for naught.

Putting everything else aside, simply ending up on bad terms with both sides would be a massive loss for the Marquis of Ren De.

Wen Jing said, "Marquis, you don’t need to do anything for now. Just act as you see fit. We’ll handle the planning."

"However, before we came here, we already prepared a ’grand gift’ for Shen Bai."

"He is Daoist Si, isn’t he? He’s sure to love this gift."