TNIBFT -Chapter 280 The Key Figure Lin Xianzhong

Inside the relay station.

Qin Fengyi dismounted gracefully, handing the reins to her trusted aide at the door. Immediately, someone led her horse away and kept it under strict watch.

Qin Fengyi moved forward with the wind at her feet, taking the lead on horseback. Nanfeng, Sun Yang, and the others, clad in black armor, followed closely behind, their expressions serious.

“What could possibly happen inside the imperial city?”

Qin Fengyi’s tone was playful.

Nanfeng frowned. “Shangguan sent a letter. This month, the body double has been poisoned five times. Fortunately, the imperial physician treated them in time; otherwise, their life would’ve been at risk!”

“Poisoned?”

“That old bastard can’t even wait a quarter of an hour. If you ask me, he should just be killed directly!”

Sun Yang spoke defiantly but couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Qin Fengyi.

Qin Fengyi showed no reaction. She reached the study’s entrance. The soldier at the door pushed the doors open, and Qin Fengyi stepped in, undoing her cloak. “Anything else?”

Her voice was calm, as if these problems barely concerned her.

Nanfeng stepped forward a few paces and took the cloak from her. “The spies reported that the Left Chancellor and generals from various regions have been in frequent contact, with troops constantly being redeployed. The numbers aren’t large, but the movements are noticeable. It seems this old fox is trying to cover his tracks.”

Qin Fengyi nodded. “So, even with control over the Imperial Guards, we can’t let our guard down.”

“It’s just moving from the Diligent Administration Hall to a bigger cage.”

“This old fox probably has backup plans. Killing him won’t be easy,” Qin Fengyi said, looking at Sun Yang.

Sun Yang’s expression turned awkward, and he lowered his head in silence.

Nanfeng continued, “The Left Chancellor has always been gathering and cultivating forces from all over the martial world. Even if we kill him, we can’t be certain of success. If one strike doesn’t finish him, the aftermath will be even more troublesome.”

Qin Fengyi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The military power in the Great Zhou dynasty was decentralized. The Black Armor Army followed her orders, brave but limited in numbers.

The Imperial Guards were her people too—they could protect the city—but on an open battlefield, they lacked ferocity.

As for the military command, local city lords would outwardly fear the emperor but secretly do as they pleased. In a critical moment, even if orders came, they might not obey.

“Lord?”

Qin Fengyi snapped back to attention. Nanfeng glanced at her. “Spies reported that Lin Xianzhong will have his troops at the city gates within three days.”

Qin Fengyi nodded. “If we capture Lin Xianzhong and make him surrender, we can use the forces from Lindong City to bring others under control as we advance. When we reach the Left Chancellor, who will he have left to rely on?”

“Good idea!”

“Brilliant!”

Sun Yang clapped his hands, eyes bright. “Lord, I’ll be the vanguard. I’ll go meet Lin Xianzhong first.”

“No!”

“I already have a plan!”

…

At this moment, atop the mountains of Jianggu Village.

A fire had raged all day. The newly built houses on the mountain top were now broken walls and ruins. A few pillars had turned into charcoal, glowing faintly red under the night sky.

A group of women in red robes, their heads wrapped in red scarves, carried long swords as they searched through the darkness.

“Nothing!”

“Nothing over here either!”

“I’ve got nothing this way!”

They gathered together, exchanging information quietly.

Everyone wore solemn expressions. “Wei Wuhuan is dead. This thing will be hard to find!”

“That was the treasure of my Divine Maiden Palace. Who knew that idiot Wei Wuhuan would be so useless!”

“Quiet!”

Someone spoke sharply.

Under the moonlight, a graceful woman in black approached. Her black garments were mysterious, adorned with jewel-like glimmers, rich and dazzling. Her face was veiled with thin black silk, and her bright red lips shimmered faintly in the moonlight, exuding an irresistible allure.

“Young Palace Master!”

“Young Palace Master!”

The woman was not tall, her chin lifted high, her gaze filled with disdain as if she looked down on everyone.

She slowly stepped toward the group of women in red. The oppressive aura she carried forced them all to lower their heads.

“It’s you?”

“You’re the one questioning my decision?”

With a dull thud, the woman in front dropped to her knees, bowing her head as she begged for mercy. “This subordinate wouldn’t dare!”

“Wouldn’t dare?”

“Hmph!” The woman in black let out a cold snort. With a slight raise of her hand, it was as if a layer of green mist spread through the air. The kneeling woman clutched her throat, her face turning crimson, her voice hoarse.

“Yo… Young…”

Before she could finish speaking, her lips trembled violently. The suffocating sensation made her eyes bulge, and within moments, bloody tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

With a loud bang, she collapsed onto the ground, dead.

The others nearby were filled with terror. They all dropped to their knees, begging for forgiveness, not daring to lift their heads.

The woman in black looked pleased, her gaze sweeping over them.

The cold wind howled at the mountaintop, lifting her veil. Beneath it was a delicate and pure face, with bright almond-shaped eyes—charming and graceful.

A trusted subordinate behind her spoke softly, “Young Palace Master, this time we’ve alerted the enemy. What should we do next?”

“Ye Tian has Sun Wuji under him—his strength is extraordinary. I’m afraid none of us are his match. And now even the Bewitching Heart Bell has been lost… what should we do?”

“To deal with Ye Tian, I have plenty of methods.”

The woman in black spoke calmly, her eyes gazing into the distance toward Sifang City.

“And Duan Qingshan… he killed my family. Since I failed to take his life this time, I’ll let him live a few more days.”

“Does Ye Tian think that becoming city lord means he can rest easy?”

“How ridiculous!”

The subordinate behind her lowered her head, not daring to speak further upon seeing the madness in the Young Palace Master’s expression.

“The Bewitching Heart Bell must be in Ye Tian’s hands. Only by killing him can we reclaim that treasure. And isn’t the City Lord of Lindong City, Lin Xianzhong, personally leading a large army toward Sifang City?”

Everyone lowered their heads in silence.

She continued with a smile, “This time, our target is Lin Xianzhong!”

“This time, we’ll use Lin Xianzhong to kill Ye Tian, then take back the Bewitching Heart Bell—killing three birds with one stone. Once Sifang City falls, Xiao Xun’er, Duan Qingshan, and Ye Tian’s three little brats will all die. They will all be buried with my father!”

“Hahaha…”

The woman in black burst into maniacal laughter, her eerie voice sending chills down everyone’s spine.

Those kneeling on the ground didn’t dare move, afraid of drawing her attention.

…

Early the next morning.

Zhu Heyu and his son, Fang Shenghu, Duan Qingshan, and others gathered at Ye Tian’s hotpot restaurant.

Everyone looked worried and anxious. At dawn, scouts had reported that Lin Xianzhong was already on his way to Sifang City with a large army.

“This Lin Xianzhong is so afraid of death that he actually brought sixty thousand troops!”

“Our entire Sifang City barely has ten thousand soldiers combined—how are we supposed to fight this?”

“If it really comes to it, I’ll go to the various military units and use the old general’s name. Maybe I can gather some reinforcements,” Zhu Heyu said helplessly, his wrinkled face full of worry.

Tao Lichun and Zhao Kang stood nearby, equally troubled.

“City Lord, we don’t have much food supplies either. The granary was practically empty before…”

“Exactly. We just managed to have a couple of peaceful days. If this happens, the people will fall into panic again.”

Ye Tian remained silent, his gaze shifting toward Feng Jiaojiao, who was standing to the side.

Feng Jiaojiao was calmly wiping a table, her expression unchanged.

Something wasn’t right.

At the mention of the name Lin Xianzhong, Feng Jiaojiao showed no reaction at all. Could he have made a mistake?

Ye Tian frowned, then turned to Zhu Zhongyi.

“Have the things I asked for been prepared?”