Chapter 105: A Cancer Within the Family

“Du Long! What is wrong with you?” Du Long had been losing himself in thought so often, wearing such a dazed expression, that Princess Fire Phoenix had finally taken notice.

“Ah!” Du Long jolted violently and hurriedly sat up straight. “N-Nothing! I was merely distracted for a moment…”

“Distracted? What were you thinking about?” Princess Fire Phoenix continued, clearly puzzled. Their exchange immediately drew everyone else’s attention.

Du Long could only smile helplessly. “Tomorrow is the day I promised Big Brother Ou Yezi I would return to my territory. I was just thinking about what I need to prepare.”

Princess Fire Phoenix’s eyes lit up at once. “Heehee! I don’t care. Wherever you go, you’re not allowed to leave me behind! I have to come with you!”

“Well…” Du Long hesitated. “I’ll be returning from Fengli Prefecture in just a few days. The time spent traveling back and forth will actually be longer than the time I spend there. It will be a tiring journey, so, Little Phoenix, you should…”

“I don’t care! I’m not afraid of hardship or exhaustion! I insist on going with you. Otherwise, hmph!” By the end of her declaration, Princess Fire Phoenix had once again revealed a dangerous expression.

Du Long felt a chill in his heart for no apparent reason. Before his rebirth, he had often seen the little princess make that frightening face. Once she truly lost her temper, he feared he would have a difficult time appeasing her.

“Very well. Since you’re not afraid of hardship or exhaustion, come with Qinglian, then.” Du Long could only compromise. The secret meeting in the private room next door had already reached a crucial stage, and he had no time to continue arguing with the princess.

Setting down his chopsticks, Du Long rose and cupped his hands toward everyone. “Take your time eating. I’ll go to the balcony for a while and think carefully about what I need to prepare for tomorrow’s return to Fengli Prefecture.”

“It’s only a trip back to Fengli Prefecture. What is there to think about? At worst, we can accompany you again. Just tell us if you need any help.” Su Jinbao clearly had no intention of letting him off so easily.

“The academy’s schedule is very demanding. You really can’t keep wasting your studies by accompanying me. How will you explain yourselves to your families in the future?” Du Long hurriedly waved his hands in refusal. Then he lifted a full cup of wine. “Come! I’ll punish myself with a cup. Once I’ve thought everything through, I’ll come back and drink with you until none of us can stand!”

After draining the cup, Du Long walked toward the small balcony at the rear. He stepped outside, closed the door under the strange gazes of his friends, and sat down beside the railing. He appeared to be gazing at a lotus flower in deep thought, but in truth he was continuing to observe what was happening in the other private room.

“Excellent! Every part of the plan is proceeding smoothly according to our objectives. It seems our great undertaking will soon succeed! Hahaha! Let us all raise another cup to the success of our cause!”

Fan De’s voice rang out from inside the private room, followed by the loud cheers of the flushed officials.

“Bottoms up!”

It seemed that their secret scheme had entered another phase. During the time that followed, they chatted about all manner of things, from places near to places far away, yet they did not reveal another piece of useful information. Du Long could only fret helplessly from the side. Apart from continuing to wait, he had no other choice.

After a little while, the officials seemed to have eaten and drunk their fill. Fan De straightened his body and gave a soft cough. Everyone immediately stopped talking and focused their attention on the increasingly powerful Left Chancellor.

“That will be all for today. Zhen’nan, stay behind. The rest of you may leave.” Fan De nodded in satisfaction before speaking in a grave tone.

The officials rose one after another and took their leave, leaving behind only General Zhenwei Du Zhen’nan, who sat as though upon a bed of needles.

Once the disorderly footsteps had gradually faded away, Fan De finally lifted his cup with a smile and looked at Du Zhen’nan, whose face was full of reverence.

“Brother Zhen’nan, you should understand how important a role your forces play in this plan, shouldn’t you?”

“Your subordinate understands!” Du Zhen’nan hurriedly raised his cup as well and replied solemnly, “I will do everything in my power and swear to serve Your Excellency the Left Chancellor unto death!”

“Hahaha! Brother Zhen’nan, there is no need to be nervous. Relax, relax a little. Come, let us drink.” Fan De threw back his head and laughed. After clinking cups with Du Zhen’nan, he continued, “You also know that Du Long has become the emperor’s son-in-law. Because of that, our already difficult plan has become even more complicated. I called you here alone today to ask whether, under these circumstances, you are still confident that you can bring down Du Fengzhong’s faction without bloodshed.”

“Your Excellency the Left Chancellor, more than a year ago, that good-for-nothing from the Du family suddenly transformed from an incapable wretch who could not cultivate into a martial genius admired even by the emperor. He also restored his former status as the legitimate grandson of the Du residence. As a result, the prestige Du Zhentian had lost because of his son’s incompetence has been restored as well.”

“Now, Du Fengzhong’s faction enjoys ever-growing prestige within the Du residence. Trying to eliminate them without bloodshed is practically impossible.” Du Zhen’nan spoke with an anxious expression.

Fan De sat there with a solemn face, his right index finger tapping rhythmically against the tabletop. Each tap seemed to strike Du Zhen’nan’s heart. Before he realized it, sweat had already covered his forehead.

“You have been lurking within the Du clan for more than forty years. Surely you understand the internal conflicts of this family better than anyone. Since ordinary methods cannot seize control of the Du family’s military power, then we will have to resort to every means necessary. Remember this: if we cannot obtain it, we would rather destroy it. Under no circumstances will I allow it to ruin my great undertaking in the future. Otherwise…” Fan De’s voice turned cold. “I am sure you understand the consequences very clearly.”

“Your subordinate understands!” Du Zhen’nan could only grit his teeth and reply. “I will do everything possible to seize all military authority held by the Du clan. If that proves impossible, I will do everything in my power to destroy it.”

“Excellent. You may return for now.” Fan De’s expression remained impassive.

Du Zhen’nan immediately stood, bowed respectfully, and hurried away from the place that had made him feel profoundly uneasy.

Only the soft tapping of Fan De’s index finger against the table remained in the private room. Behind him stood his trusted aide, Black Hawk, expressionless and perfectly still.

After a long while, a faint voice finally broke the oppressive silence.

“Du Zhen’nan… An important piece placed in the Du family more than forty years ago. I would very much like to see how great a role this piece can play in the future.”

As his voice faded, Fan De finally rose and strode out of the private room. Together with Black Hawk, who followed him like a shadow, he disappeared from Du Long’s sight.

Beside the lotus pond, Du Long sat quietly on the small balcony, his heart churning like a storm-tossed sea.

So his Sixth Uncle, Du Zhen’nan, was actually a piece that Fan De had planted in the Du residence more than forty years ago?

If that was true, it explained many things.

This matter was of enormous importance. It seemed he would have to consult his grandfather and learn the truth. Otherwise, the poisonous growth planted within the Du residence would sooner or later bring the Du clan a catastrophe no less devastating than the one that had occurred in his previous life.

The instant that thought crossed his mind, Du Long lost all desire to remain at the banquet. He immediately rose and returned to the private room. Under the puzzled gazes of everyone present, he said apologetically, “I’m sorry. It seems I’ll have to break my promise to drink with you until we’re all drunk tonight. I have an urgent matter to deal with immediately. Please continue eating and drinking here. Qinglian, go back to the Du residence with Sister Cai Ni later.”

“You’re leaving without even taking Sister Qinglian? Are you planning to go alone?” Princess Fire Phoenix protested unhappily. “No! Whatever important matter you have, I want to go with you!”

“Little Phoenix, I have something important that I must handle alone. Be good and stay here with everyone.” Du Long’s expression was extremely serious.

Princess Fire Phoenix had never seen him so solemn before. She could no longer summon the authority of a princess and could only obediently answer, “Oh… all right.”

Du Long patted her lightly on the head and forced out a smile before turning toward the others.

“How about this? Consider tonight’s meal my debt to all of you. I’ll find a time to make it up to you next time. The matter is truly urgent, so I’ll be leaving first. I hope all my brothers and sisters will forgive me.”

With that, Du Long hurried out of the private room under the eyes of his friends. He mounted the great lion and raced toward Mount Lingyun.

To avoid exposing Little Blaze’s true strength, Du Long would never allow it to fly through the air unless he was facing a matter of life and death.

If anyone happened to discover that, he would truly be in deep trouble.

Even while running on the ground, the great lion was terrifyingly fast once it unleashed its full speed.

After leaving the city and reaching a relatively secluded area, the great lion began to gallop wildly at Du Long’s command. Whenever they passed travelers along the road, all those people sensed only a crimson whirlwind rushing by. By the time they tried to see what had happened, the great lion had already vanished into the distance.

At the summit of Mount Lingyun, Du Long saw that no one was nearby and urged the great lion directly toward the bottomless cliff. They pierced the clouds and tore through the mist, quickly reaching the deep valley below, where spiritual energy was thick and abundant.

The great lion landed lightly on all four hooves without disturbing anyone. It then proceeded at an unhurried pace toward the pool.

Strange. I can’t see Grandfather, and Old Ma isn’t here accompanying him either, Du Long thought.

“They are eating inside that cave.”

The voice of the beautiful Ring Spirit sounded in his mind. At the same time, an image appeared before him, revealing the scene inside the cavern. His grandfather, Du Fengzhong, and Old Ma were seated cross-legged beside a fire. Judging by their appearance, they were having dinner.

“Grandfather! I’m here!”

Only when he reached the cave entrance did Du Long call out. The two old men inside were immediately startled. Someone had approached so close without them noticing—a truly careless mistake. They had never imagined that it was thanks to the great lion.

“Hahaha! My precious grandson is here!”

After recovering from his shock, Du Fengzhong excitedly rose and strode toward the cave entrance. His gaze was then drawn to the imposing great lion, and he exclaimed in astonishment, “My word! Is this the miraculous great lion Old Ma told me about?”

“Hehe, that’s right. His name is Little Blaze. He’s very obedient and listens to me.” Du Long gave an awkward laugh.

After curiously examining Little Blaze several times, Old Master Du finally turned his attention back to his grandson. The moment Old Ma had returned to the imperial capital, he had come straight back here to look after him and had already recounted everything Du Long had done in Fengli Prefecture.

“Indeed, he is very well-behaved. Hahaha!” Du Fengzhong laughed heartily. “Good grandson, Old Ma has told me all about your return to your territory in Fengli Prefecture. You truly are my grandson, Du Fengzhong! Everything you have done befits a true son of the Du clan. Hahaha!”

“Grandfather, let us set aside the matter of Fengli Prefecture for now. I have come because there is something important I must ask you about. It concerns a matter of great significance, so I hope you will believe what I am about to tell you.”

Du Long rarely wore such a serious expression.

“Oh?” Seeing how solemn he was, Du Fengzhong put away his smile and waved a hand. “Come inside. We’ll talk there.”