Chapter 315: What Great 'Filial Piety

Zhu Ying was injured. She’d fled the Royal Palace in a wretched state, only to run into a slowly meandering Lu Ling before she could even leave Yingdu.

The memory of the deceased Xu Nianqing and the Empress’s words brought Zhu Ying’s hatred for Lu Ling to a boiling point.

Without a second thought, she lunged at him. But she was covered in wounds, and he batted her away the moment she attacked.

Lu Ling’s counterattack was merciless, yet his expression was as if he’d just run into a friend. “Well now, if it isn’t the South Witch Saintess. What a coincidence.”

Zhu Ying ground her teeth in fury. “Lu Ling, was it you who took my Ten Thousand Gu Powder?”

That Ten Thousand Gu Powder could summon all the Gu Worms in the world. Although it was in a pouch, the toxicity of the outer layer alone was more than an ordinary person could withstand.

She had seen Lu Ling just two days ago, and then her Ten Thousand Gu Powder had vanished. It had ruined her plan to threaten the Empress and led to her beloved dying right before her eyes.

Now, seeing Lu Ling, her hatred surged so violently she wanted nothing more than to tear him to shreds.

Lu Ling casually produced a pouch. “Are you talking about this?”

‘So he *did* take it!’

Zhu Ying roared, “Give it back, you thief!”

Lu Ling swung the pouch lazily. “I hear the Southern Witch’s Ten Thousand Gu Powder is actually the ashes of the previous Poisonous Insect King. Doesn’t that mean you’re carrying your grandfather’s ashes around to scatter everywhere?”

‘Carrying her grandfather’s ashes around to sprinkle… a truly ‘filial’ granddaughter!’

Zhu Ying snapped, “None of your business! Give it back!”

Lu Ling tossed it over, actually giving it back to her. “It’s not like I want it. Carrying around a dead man’s ashes is such bad luck!”

But when Zhu Ying caught it and looked, she broke down instantly. “What did you do to my Ten Thousand Gu Powder?”

Lu Ling wore an innocent expression. “I didn’t do much. Just spilled a little in it while I was drinking, got it a bit wet crossing a river, then I roasted it over a fire for a while… Now, it’s probably… possibly… a little ineffective!”

The moment Lu Ling’s words fell, Zhu Ying charged him again. “Go to hell!”

Lu Ling’s fighting style was similar to hers, and he wasn’t the least bit afraid. Without the advantage of her Gu poisons, Zhu Ying was no match for him in a straight fight.

Fresh blood streamed from Zhu Ying’s wounds. She paid it no mind, but the sight made Lu Ling both pained and greedy.

‘The blood of the South Witch Saintess… such a precious thing. Just letting it spill like that… what a waste, what a waste!’

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He pulled out a rope used for tying up corpses.

Zhu Ying, blinded by rage and hatred, didn’t even realize the danger until Lu Ling had her tied up. She cursed furiously, “Lu Ling, you lapdog of the Empress! I’ll kill you!”

Lu Ling meticulously tied a hog-tie knot that was impossible to escape from, then corrected her with righteous indignation, “I’m not quite the Empress’s lapdog yet. But one day, I will be her most loyal dog.”

“…?” Zhu Ying froze, forgetting her next curse.

‘Is this guy fucking insane?’

Realizing she was bound, she struggled violently. “Let me go! I am the South Witch Saintess! If you dare to touch me, the entire Southern Witch clan will hunt you down!”

“That’s not important,” Lu Ling said, completely unfazed. “The Southern Witch clan is already after me, so a few more won’t make a difference.”

Only then did Zhu Ying notice his face. “Is that a Corpse Gu? Did you turn yourself into a Corpse Puppet from messing with them?”

“Haha! Serves you right! Serves you right!”

Lu Ling laughed too. “Well, isn’t it lucky I ran into you, the South Witch Saintess? A Saintess is born with poisoned blood and carefully raised. That blood can nourish all Gu, and while I’ve never heard of it curing the poison of a Corpse Puppet, it’s worth a try.”

The smile froze on Zhu Ying’s face. “Lu Ling, I am the South Witch Saintess. Do you intend to make an enemy of my entire Southern Witch clan?”

Lu Ling caressed his own face, his smile both bewitching and wicked. “I just want my looks back. For this face, I would make an enemy of the entire world.”

“Your Majesty, Xia Jie requests an audience!”

Xia Jie was the Prince of Beicang. He was the one who had incited the Beicang King to join forces with King Xian, and it was through that affair that he had met Xu Nianqing.

The two shared similar ideals and ambitions, which was why Xu Nianqing had chosen to recuperate in Beicang after being injured.

Xia Jie’s goal was the throne of Beicang, while Xu Nianqing wanted to use Beicang’s power to fight his way back into Longsheng. Their plans aligned perfectly: first, they would seize power, and then they would march on Longsheng.

But before they could even secure Beicang, the Empress arrived.

Now that Xu Nianqing was dead, Xia Jie knew he had to find another way out. Imprisoned and with no chance of escape, his only option was the Empress.

Xiao Li met with Xia Jie. Although he had rebelled against her, she saw that compared to the others, Xia Jie was ambitious, intelligent, and capable. He was a man of some substance.

“Xia Jie pays his respects to the Empress.”

Xiao Li raised a hand.

Yang Jun asked with a smile, “For what reason have you requested an audience?”

Xia Jie glanced at the silent Empress. Seeing her gaze fixed on him, he collected himself and spoke with calm sincerity. “Your Majesty, Beicang is different from Longsheng. Its people are desperately vicious and difficult to govern. I, Xia Jie, am willing to rule Beicang on Your Majesty’s behalf. I will deliver the annual tax revenue in full and swear on my life to submit to you, never to betray you as long as I live.”

In short, he wanted to be the king of Beicang and lead his kingdom in submission to Empress Long Sheng.

This would make Beicang a vassal state of Longsheng. Longsheng wouldn’t need to govern it directly; it would only need to collect taxes and tribute.

It was a good idea, but it was not what Xiao Li wanted.

Xiao Li’s cool voice broke the silence. “Xia Jie, Xu Nianqing is dead. Did you know?”

Xia Jie lowered his head. “I did.”

Xiao Li: “Then what makes you think I would use you?”

Xia Jie’s knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground with a THUD. “My friendship with Xu Nianqing is a thing of the past. If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I will bear it. But I implore you to give me a chance to serve you.”

Ambitious, flexible, someone who didn’t make excuses and took responsibility for his actions.

If he were one of her officials, Xiao Li would have greatly admired him.

‘What a pity.’

Xiao Li gave a slight raise of her hand, and Yang Jun immediately had the man shown out.

Xia Jie was unwilling to give up. “Please, Your Majesty, consider my offer! Every word I have spoken is true!”

Yang Jun had his men restrain him before replying, “Xia Jie, don’t you understand yet? Beicang no longer exists. How could there be a Beicang King?”

Xiao Li’s purpose in coming to Beicang was to conquer it. Seeing as there had been no strong resistance, she had chosen not to use military force.

She simply imprisoned the entire Royal Family and its nobility, then left her people to suppress any dissent.

She wasn’t worried about Beicang rebelling.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites would be dispatched to every city to proclaim Longsheng’s laws regarding taxation, reforms for the people’s livelihood, and the treatment of officials and soldiers.

Of course, this was less than a third of what the Silver Armor Army received, but for a poor and remote border state like Beicang, it was top-tier treatment.

The tax exemption alone was enough to make the people of Beicang weep with gratitude.

The files of all Beicang officials and soldiers were reviewed by Wang Wanqing and her team. Those who were competent were kept; those guilty of heinous crimes or who were morally bankrupt had their assets seized and were executed.

Finally, Longsheng’s soldiers and officials moved into Beicang. In addition, the families of previously convicted and exiled officials were relocated directly from their places of exile to Beicang.

Assimilation by bloodline, assimilation by script, assimilation by ideology.