Chapter 783: How Many People Must He Scheme Against to Be Satisfied

Eunuch Hong had come from the palace, after all, and was not one to spout auspicious pleasantries. In his early years, he had served at Yan Ruchu's side. After Yan Ruchu passed away, he ought to have been sent to guard the Imperial Mausoleum.

Yet, he had appeared here instead.

Eunuch Hong invited Chen Changsheng and Fang Miao to sit in the long corridor, then poured them tea.

When the conversation turned to business, Eunuch Hong did not beat around the bush. "I assume you are here regarding Tianxin Martial Master, Mister?"

He had already guessed that Tianxin's situation was inextricably tied to Mister Chen.

Chen Changsheng nodded. "Tianxin has already been subdued by This Chen, but a few doubts still remain."

"Please ask, Mister. This servant will answer whatever he knows."

"Is the Southern Yan Sect connected to that Evil Phoenix?"

Eunuch Hong nodded. "I encountered it after leaving the palace. Relying on the Imperial Jade Talisman left behind by His Majesty, I suppressed that Evil Phoenix. According to the phoenix, its soul was severely damaged at the time. Furthermore, since it had personally taken on the mantle of a celestial official, it was bound to obey the Son of Heaven's orders. Therefore, the Imperial Jade Talisman left behind by His Majesty took effect."

"After thinking it over, I struck a deal with it."

Chen Changsheng glanced at him and immediately understood. "So this Southern Yan Sect is actually another chess piece placed by Yan Ruchu. The power of the jianghu could not be overlooked."

Eunuch Hong nodded. "His Majesty possessed great foresight. In his early years, he suppressed martial arts and clamped down on martial artists. Now that martial artists are rising once more, the few who accompanied me out of the palace are considered to be at the grandmaster level within the jianghu. The Southern Yan Sect can now rally countless experts to its call."

Mister Chen paused. "So, did he tell you who you are ultimately supposed to assist?"

Eunuch Hong shook his head.

Chen Changsheng was not surprised. "I thought as much..."

"His Majesty was always meticulous in his planning," Eunuch Hong added. "Until the time is right, people like us will never know who we are supposed to support."

"He truly was cautious."

Chen Changsheng waved his hand and said, "But he was quite bold as well. He was not afraid that all his arrangements would end up ruined."

Beside them, Fang Miao was completely lost.

She could not understand what they were talking about. It all felt like a haze, missing too much context for her to string the pieces together.

Yet she could vaguely sense that they were discussing something incredibly extraordinary.

They had even mentioned His Majesty!

The Late Emperor... meaning that man...

Fang Miao pursed her lips, too afraid to dwell on it any further.

Chen Changsheng continued, "Do you know of anyone else involved, Eunuch Hong?"

Eunuch Hong pondered for a moment before answering. "I've sent people to investigate over the years, and we did uncover quite a few individuals, but nothing could be confirmed for certain. I have always suspected that an organization like White Night might be another extension of His Majesty's reach. There are also a few independent figures..."

Eunuch Hong went on to list several names.

However, these were mere speculations; he had no concrete proof.

Chen Changsheng stated flatly, "White Night is not one of them."

Fang Miao was taken aback.

Why were they suddenly talking about White Night?

"Are you familiar with White Night, Mister?" Eunuch Hong asked.

"This Chen is acquainted with the person pulling the strings. He does not work for Yan Ruchu."

"Is that so..."

This came as a surprise to Eunuch Hong. He frowned and said, "In that case, we have another problem on our hands. Do you know if White Night is the work of The Prince, Mister?"

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "You are overthinking it, Eunuch Hong. White Night is a neutral organization. None of the princes are backing it behind the scenes."

"How is that possible..."

Eunuch Hong looked astounded. "How could an organization with absolutely no backing grow so rapidly..."

He paused, a sudden realization dawning on him.

Eunuch Hong's gaze locked onto Chen Changsheng.

Chen Changsheng met his eyes but said nothing.

Eunuch Hong understood completely.

"So that is how it is..."

Eunuch Hong set his mind at ease.

He finally realized exactly why White Night possessed such formidable standing today.

Fang Miao, however, was growing anxious. "Um..."

"Could you explain a bit more clearly? I work for White Night. Is there... something wrong with it?"

Eunuch Hong looked at Fang Miao. "You work for White Night, Miss?"

Fang Miao nodded.

"You have nothing to worry about," Eunuch Hong assured her. "White Night is unlike any other sect."

In the end, he still had not given her a clear explanation.

Fang Miao pursed her lips, suddenly feeling as though it made no difference whether she had tagged along or not.

Being kept in the dark with such vague answers only made her more anxious.

Following that, Chen Changsheng and Eunuch Hong began to chat about events from many years past.

"When did he arrange for you to handle all this? I heard from Yang Pu that the Southern Yan Sect had been established long ago."

"As early as eight years ago..."

Two years ago, Yan Ruchu had passed away.

Yet these arrangements had begun a full eight years ago.

"Just how many people did he have to scheme against to be satisfied?"

It was as if Yan Ruchu feared leaving even the slightest loophole in anything he did, preferring instead to blockade every single path to ensure control.

Chen Changsheng sighed softly. "Let us hope he has chosen a wise ruler."

Not daring to answer that, Eunuch Hong simply pretended he had not heard a word.

"There is one other matter," Chen Changsheng said.

"Please speak, Mister."

"Regarding the celestial officials and that Evil Phoenix."

Chen Changsheng advised, "That Evil Phoenix is no ordinary entity; it is best to avoid any entanglement with it. Secondly, regarding the celestial officials—although the Imperial Jade Talisman Yan Ruchu left behind contains the Son of Heaven's imperial fortune to command them, it holds no sway over several of the other celestial officials. You must tread carefully."

Eunuch Hong nodded. "Thank you for the warning, Mister."

Chen Changsheng gave a slight nod, putting an end to their conversation.

He also felt it was time for him to leave.

He had found the answers he was looking for.

Eunuch Hong escorted Chen Changsheng and Fang Miao all the way out of the bamboo forest.

From there, Yang Pu escorted the two of them down the mountain.

Waving them off, Yang Pu called out, "Take care on the road, Mister! Come visit again soon!"

After seeing Chen Changsheng off, Yang Pu was summoned by his sect master once more.

Hidden within the bamboo grove, Eunuch Hong spoke. "The martial lectures are terminated as of today. Furthermore, there is no longer any need to investigate White Night. Starting today, we will seal the mountain for two months. Announce this to the jianghu."

Yang Pu was stunned by the order. "Seal the mountain?"

No explanation came from the depths of the bamboo grove.

Knowing better than to pry, Yang Pu cupped his hands and replied, "Yang Pu understands!"

With that, he shouldered his Broadsword and went to announce the mountain's closure to everyone.

...

As they walked down the road, Fang Miao asked curiously, "Are you acquainted with his majesty, Mister?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "I am. We have had tea and shared meals together."

Fang Miao blinked. "Then the man from just now..."

"Eunuch Hong previously served at the side of The Late Emperor. He was a grand eunuch in the palace..."

"Oh..."

As it sank in, Fang Miao realized for the first time that such monumental matters were actually brushing so closely past her own life.

The events of today were truly unfathomable, leaving her entirely astounded.