Chapter 356 - 354 Solicitation

"Yes, it’s a pity. That person, actually, quite matches my temperament." Quan Qiyang sighed upon hearing his sister’s words.

"And what kind of person is his brother?"

Ever since being taken out of the palace by Quan Qiyang, Consort Yu seldom, if ever, left the house. Because of her identity as the Supreme Emperor’s consort, if recognized, not only would she be in trouble, but she would also implicate her brother, so her knowledge of the outside world was scant.

"I’ve not interacted with him, but from what I’ve gathered, he’s someone more formidable than Chen Hong. Although he’s a twin brother, his talent surpasses Chen Hong’s. Not even twenty, yet already a First Grade expert, he’s even more valued by Lord An Yang than Chen Hong.

It’s said that the Duke of Mu is almost infuriated to death by the Chen family, yet they’ve only been asked to pay symbolic compensation despite being of the royal lineage."

Although the imperial power is weakening, it still exists. The fact that it can make the Imperial Family compromise shows how much Xiao Yunqi values Chen Mo.

"Chen Mo... does he really look a lot like Chen Hong?" Consort Yu suddenly asked as if something had crossed her mind.

"Very much so, almost like they were carved from the same mold." At this, Quan Qiyang became somewhat excited. Are there truly twins in the world who resemble each other so much?

"Brother, have you ever suspected... that those two might actually be one person?" Consort Yu recalled that night in the Jingru Palace when "Chen Hong" held her, she distinctly felt something pressing against her lower back.

At that time, she hadn’t thought much of it. But since leaving Jingru Palace, every time she thought of that night, she sensed something was amiss.

Though she hadn’t experienced such matters, she understood that eunuchs wouldn’t have such things.

Coupled with the news spreading in Bianliang City that Chen Hong was a fake eunuch, her suspicions grew.

Upon hearing this, Quan Qiyang was taken aback, then said, "Impossible, I saw them appear together."

"Brother, there are quite a few people skilled in disguise in this world," Consort Yu remarked.

"But when Chen Hong was in Nanyang, he was only a Third Grade Martial Artist, while his brother was First Grade. In less than a month, how could someone jump from Third Grade to First Grade?" Quan Qiyang shook his head.

"Brother, didn’t you previously say Chen Hong killed the Second-Grade Martial Artist Zhang Ping? Maybe back then he wasn’t a Third Grade Martial Artist but had hidden his strength, only showing what he wanted us to see," Consort Yu suggested.

Upon hearing this, Quan Qiyang’s pupils dilated slightly, and he became uncertain: "No... it can’t be, can it?"

"Brother, did you personally see Chen Hong’s death? He was dead without a head, doesn’t that seem too coincidental..." Consort Yu continued.

...

Cold Water Pass.

Upon learning of Liu Yi’s defeat, Zhao Jiang immediately called on the other seventeen lords to discuss a strategy.

When it came to Hua Zhong’s invincibility, everyone lowered their heads in silent contemplation.

In fact, among the eighteen lords, some were First Grade Martial Artists.

But as lords, how could they be the first ones to step onto the battlefield and challenge?

Moreover, Hua Zhong was defending the city. If they personally went out to challenge, they might easily become targets.

And a First Grade against a Second Grade, if word got out, it might be seen as an unfair victory.

As the righteous king’s army, they naturally wished to use a Second Grade to defeat Hua Zhong in this first battle.

While the group was still discussing, a scout suddenly reported that Hua Zhong had come to challenge.

The Governor of Qiyang sent his trusted general to accept the challenge, but within three rounds, Hua Zhong beheaded him.

Zhao Qi, being part of the royal family, also sent his top general to fight.

Although Hua Zhong did not slay him, he was defeated.

Suddenly, all the lords were enraged, eager to send out a First Grade Martial Artist to kill Hua Zhong.

They claimed this was a rebellion, and there was no talk of unfair victories.

Just as they were about to decide which First Grade Martial Artist to send out.

A voice rang out from below, "I, a young general, am willing to go forth and slay Hua Zhong to present his head here."

Upon hearing this, all the lords looked over, and Zhao Jiang asked, "Whose subordinate is this?"

Zhao Bo, the State Governor of Yangzhou, introduced, "Alliance Leader, this is Zhou Er, the younger brother of Zhou Da, the righteous hero who joined to suppress the traitor Xiao Yunqi two days ago."

Zhao Jiang hurriedly inquired about his official position.

Zhao Bo said, "The three brothers serve as Captains under me."

Before Zhao Jiang could speak, Zhao Yu shouted, "How dare you think us lords lack great generals? A mere Captain daring to speak such nonsense, escort him out!"

Zhao Bo quickly intervened, "Since this person boasts, perhaps he has some skill. Let’s allow him to go forth, and if he fails, then it’s not too late to punish him."

Zhou Er declared, "If I do not succeed, I ask the Alliance Leader to take my head."

Zhao Jiang asked about his realm.

"I just reached Second Grade yesterday," Zhou Er replied.

Knowing he was Second Grade, Zhao Jiang’s eyes flickered. He called for a cup of hot wine to be poured for Zhou Er to drink before mounting his horse.

Zhou Er said, "Put the wine aside. I’ll return shortly."

With that, he left the tent, picked up a long halberd, mounted his horse, and all the people outside heard the thunderous sound of drums and shouts from beyond the pass.

It wasn’t long before cheers erupted outside the tent.

The wine hadn’t even cooled.

Zhou Er returned with Hua Zhong’s head and tossed it inside the Alliance Leader’s tent, saying, "I have fulfilled my duty."

...

...

According to the traditions of the Great Song Dynasty.

The most common are three-day and seven-day mourning periods.

Chen Mo didn’t plan for it to last long, three days would suffice, which meant burial on the sixty-ninth day of the great disturbance.

But on the sixty-eighth day of the great disturbance, Chen Mo hosted a banquet for Li Weiqiu, Zhang Lie, Dai Xishan, and others.

After a few rounds of drinks, Chen Mo, under the influence of alcohol, said, "Brother Li, Brother Zhang, Brother Dai... you are all talented and skilled individuals. Now that the country is in peril with uprisings everywhere, why don’t you serve your country..."

His words were filled with intentions to recruit.

Earlier at the feast, Li Weiqiu had also mentioned his intention to gain fame for Myriad Swords Manor. Chen Mo leveraged this by saying, "Once Brother Li is a formidable Grand General, known wherever he goes, who in the world would not know of Myriad Swords Manor..."

After speaking, Chen Mo clapped his hands, and the private room’s door opened. Several women of outstanding appearance and figure, seductive and charming, entered, swaying and gesturing.

These were the top courtesans Chen Mo had summoned from various entertainment quarters; all skilled in arts.

In life, one merely pursues fame and fortune.

And fame and fortune are nothing more than power, wealth, and desire.

Though there’s a saying that favors the scholarly poor, and the martial wealthy.

Li Weiqiu and the others naturally did not lack money or women, having cultivated to the innate level.

Yet in terms of power, indeed, they lacked it.

Of course, they could always ally with Xiao Yunqi, who perhaps could offer more than Chen Mo.

But in the future?

A First Grade Martial Artist at nineteen, a talent even Qin Zheng of the previous dynasty did not possess.

With skilled individuals under him scarce, joining him would be a small investment with great return.

It was uncertain with Xiao Yunqi.

He had already established his power, with countless talented people allied with him. It was uncertain if Li Weiqiu, upon aligning with him, would be valued.