Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 928: Adapting to the Situation

At this moment, Daiqisi’s expression finally changed. 

The three Persian Envoys also exchanged glances and exclaimed urgently, “How could he be here?” 

Their surprise was understandable. In the dead of night, with the palace gates already closed, no one was allowed entry or exit without the Emperor’s gold token. No matter how favored Wanyan Liang was, he was still an outer court official. How could he appear outside the Emperor’s bedchamber at such an hour?

Emperor Xizong, too, shared the same confusion, but his immediate priority was to escape the clutches of these villains. As for the crime of Wanyan Liang trespassing into the palace deep at night, that could be dealt with later.

“Stop him outside. Under no circumstances allow him to enter,” Daiqisi urgently instructed her subordinates to handle the situation. She was also deeply frustrated. Ever since returning to the Central Plains, nothing had gone smoothly. Just when success seemed within reach today, one unexpected event after another had occurred, pushing her to the brink of desperation.

Suddenly, a thought struck her. She turned to look at Empress Pei Man. “Did you know Wanyan Liang was coming?”

Empress Pei Man sneered, “You wretch, scared now? If you release me obediently, I might consider sparing your life.”

Daiqisi’s expression turned cold, but just as she was about to lose her temper, the sound of clashing weapons suddenly echoed from outside the hall, accompanied by the agonized cries of many.

The three Persian Envoys and Daiqisi exchanged glances, their faces grim, for they recognized the voices—they belonged to their most trusted followers.

Soon, their subordinates retreated into the hall in a panic, and Wanyan Liang strode in surrounded by a group of men. With a single glance around the hall, he grasped the situation. “I was just wondering why all the guards at the Hall of Benevolent Governance had been replaced today. So it was your doing.”

The three Persian Envoys instinctively moved to Daiqisi’s side, eyeing the newcomers warily. Having spent considerable time among the upper echelons of the Jin Dynasty, Daiqisi could recognize most of the people accompanying Wanyan Liang.

The man closest to Wanyan Liang was his most trusted confidant, Xiao Yu, the current Vice Minister of War. Next to him was Pucha Ahudie, the Vice Commander of the Palace Guards, accompanied by dozens of elite guards spread out around them. Though few in number, each guard was clearly a skilled expert.

Three burly men also stood protectively around Wanyan Liang. 

Though Daiqisi had never met them, she could guess their identities—they were likely Wanyan Liang’s four great guards: Tushan Zhen, Tushan Alichuhu, Xiao Tanggudai, and Yelu Yuanyi. For some reason, only three were present, and it was unclear who was missing.

Standing somewhat apart were three elderly men. Though they appeared less imposing and somewhat frail with age, the aura of authority and pressure unique to grandmasters that emanated from them made Daiqisi and her companions most wary.

The tallest of the three, standing slightly ahead of the others, wore white robes and had a prominent nose, deep-set eyes, and a brownish-yellow beard. His spirited demeanor and sharp, sword-like gaze were unmistakable. 

Daiqisi recognized him from a brief encounter years ago in the Western Regions—he was the master of White Camel Mountain, the Western Poison, Ouyang Feng.

The next man was somewhat younger, dressed in a sapphire-blue satin robe. Handsome and poised, with a refined mustache and beard, he would have seemed scholarly if not for the black eyepatch over one eye, which lent him a sinister and ruthless appearance.

Noting the golden knife and black sword on his back, Daiqisi guessed his identity: Gongsun Zhi, the master of the Passionless Valley.

That left the third elder, who could only be Qiu Qianren, the  Iron Palm Floating on Water. It was widely known in the capital that Prince Hailing, Wanyan Liang, had gathered several renowned martial arts experts, and Daiqisi had heard of this.

“Prince Hailing, save me!” Seizing the moment while the Moon Envoy’s attention was diverted, Emperor Xizong cried out.

A flicker of mockery passed through Wanyan Liang’s eyes, but he replied, “Your Majesty, do not panic. Allow me to apprehend these rebels first.”

Daiqisi laughed coldly. “Prince Hailing, let’s not mince words. You’ve brought troops into the Emperor’s bedchamber in the dead of night. Who is the real rebel here?”

Hearing this, Emperor Xizong’s expression also turned suspicious.

Wanyan Liang smiled calmly. “I received reliable intelligence that something was amiss at the Hall of Benevolent Governance, so I brought troops to protect the Emperor. What crime is there in that? But you, Lady Taohua, have truly surprised me. I never expected you to command so many experts, silently gaining control over the Emperor. Impressive, truly impressive!”

At this point, Ouyang Feng spoke up. “If I am not mistaken, this Lady Taohua is none other than the leader of the Four Great Guardians under the former Ming Cult Leader, Yang Dingtian—the Purple-Robed Dragon King!”

“Purple-Robed Dragon King?” Wanyan Liang’s expression shifted. “It is said that the Purple-Robed Dragon King was once the foremost beauty of the martial world. Who would have thought she would come to the Jin Dynasty and become the consort of Princess Changsheng?”

Unlike Emperor Xizong, Wanyan Liang had always kept abreast of affairs in the martial world, especially those involving famous heroines and beauties like Huang Rong and the Purple-Robed Dragon King, whom he knew well.

Wanyan Liang’s gaze toward Daiqisi was filled with amusement. “The Ming Cult’s influence has always been in the Western Regions. Why suddenly meddle in the Jin Dynasty’s court?”

Daiqisi quickly assessed the balance of power. It was clear their situation was highly unfavorable. It seemed they could only rely on wits, not force.

With this in mind, she smiled enchantingly. “Prince Hailing, you misunderstand. We came to the Jin Dynasty seeking cooperation, not meddling.”

Daiqisi’s beauty was already devastatingly captivating, and her enchanting smile was enough to topple cities and captivate nations. 

The soldiers around them breathed heavily, their composure shaken. 

Only Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren remained unaffected, thanks to their profound cultivation and advanced age, coupled with their general indifference to feminine charms. Thus, they faced Daiqisi’s peerless beauty with undisturbed calm.

As for Gongsun Zhi, another top-tier expert, he, like Wanyan Liang, was practically drooling.

Wanyan Liang, accustomed to beautiful women, had slightly higher resistance in this regard. Forcing himself to regain clarity, he said, “Madam, your words are rather amusing. You have taken our Emperor and Empress hostage. Is this how you propose cooperation?”

Daiqisi seemed to have anticipated this question. She replied unhurriedly, “I have spent many years in your esteemed Dynasty and have come to understand that Emperor Xizong is incompetent and foolish, hardly a reliable partner for the Ming Cult. In contrast, you are wise, mighty, and discerning. Our Ming Cult has decided to cooperate with you, Prince. Unfortunately, we lacked a suitable gift. After much thought, we decided to offer the Emperor and Empress as a token of our sincerity. Little did we expect you would arrive before we could present this gift.”