Chapter 414: 414. The Death of Situ Xie

Translator: 549690339

A chilling wind somehow blew through the dark secret passage.

It can’t be said that Situ Xie was careless. That’s because when Qiao Jing was held hostage by those four men with swords, he was fed with a pill that hindered his dantian, causing weakness in his limbs. Although he could still stand on his own and not fall, he had no chance of victory against Situ Xie, let alone fight back.

Indeed, Qiao Jing’s weapons were confiscated, and the hidden weapons and poisons on his body were searched and taken away, except for the jade ring on his hand.

This ring was special, it was given to Qiao Jing by Situ Xie a few years ago, saying that it was a relic of his mother, Situ Xiang.

Thus, it was entirely normal for Qiao Jing to still be wearing the ring, and Situ Xie thought he knew it well, considering it just an expensive accessory.

However, two days before leaving Xuanbei City, Qiao Jing mentioned his upcoming assassination plan to old Mu, who scrutinized him with a “professional” gaze, focused on Qiao Jing’s ring and learned that it was connected to Situ Xie. He immediately asked Qiao Jing to remove it and give it to him.

Qiao Jing didn’t know what old Mu was going to do but didn’t hesitate to give it. He had never even seen his birth mother, so there wasn’t much emotional attachment. Wearing the ring was simply a habit, and there was no reason to take it off.

When Qiao Jing received the ring back the next day, it looked the same, but it had been transformed into a hidden weapon by old Mu.

“You only have one chance,” old Mu told Qiao Jing. “And you have to be close to your target to use it. It’s not fast enough. There’s no way around it – jade is really not easy to work with, and there’s not much time. Just make do with it!”

Back to the present, looking at Situ Xie, who had fallen to the ground with an ashen face, Qiao Jing thought that old Mu, as a descendant of the legendary Divine Craftsman, created something far from makeshift and perfectly suited to deal with Situ Xie. No other weapon or hidden weapon could have achieved this effect.

“Why don’t you help me up…” Situ Xie shakily took out a small medicine bottle from his pouch. It was the antidote given to him by Yue Mei. Still, just as he was about to pour out the medicine, his hand trembled, and the bottle fell to the ground.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

Qiao Jing’s neck was held by two swords, and the other two men went to help Situ Xie.

With a calm expression, Qiao Jing spoke, “I presume you four are familiar with the current situation in the world.”

An old man who was about to pull Situ Xie back paused abruptly, his eyes flickering. He exchanged glances with another man and looked at the two comrades holding Qiao Jing hostage.

“It’s not like Situ Xie saved your lives in any extraordinary way. You are all highly skilled in martial arts and are risking your lives for him only to secure a good future for yourself and your descendants. Am I right? If so, why not seize the opportunity and pledge your loyalty to me?” Qiao Jing’s expression was indifferent. “The days of Liang Country are numbered. If you try to save Situ Xie, in the end, you’ll only be accompanying him to his grave.”

Situ Xie’s eyes were cold and menacing. He gritted his teeth, “Shut up! With just you trying to destroy Liang Country, you must be dreaming! Don’t listen to his nonsense. Afterward, he will definitely kill you all! Give me the antidote quickly!”

“You four still have a chance to choose the path of survival. If you are being controlled by poison, there’s no need to worry at all. My best friend is named Su Liang. You should all be familiar with this name, right? Speaking of which, I met General Yi Fei of Nanping City, and he mentioned that the outcome would be different if he could ask for help from Divine Doctor Su when his newborn grandson died prematurely. As long as you make a wise choice, if your children and grandchildren are sick or injured in the future, you will have the opportunity to find the Divine Doctor Su for treatment,” Qiao Jing threw out a huge temptation. Choosing the wrong side is extremely lethal, but choosing the right side brings many benefits.

Life is not short, and most people have children and grandchildren. It’s challenging to predict illnesses and injuries. Even someone in Yi Fei’s position would want to befriend Su Liang, let alone these men. Among the four of them, two were originally loyal to Situ Han, and they still remember the strange illness Situ Han had a few years ago. The Imperial Physicians in the palace were helpless, and they had no choice but to send people thousands of miles to Qian Country to request Su Liang’s medical treatment.

Therefore, when Qiao Jing brought up Su Liang, it was more effective than promising them countless riches and honor.

Having heard Qiao Jing mention Yi, the more astute among the four guessed that this general had also betrayed Liang Country. If so, how could Situ Xie possibly have any chance of victory? Even if he could escape with his life, he would never have the chance to make a comeback!

Situ Xie watched as one of his subordinates bent down and picked up the medicine bottle from the ground, his face lit up with joy, “Give it to me quickly!”

However, the man walked two steps to the side and handed the medicine bottle to Qiao Jing instead. At the same time, the two swords that had been pressed against Qiao Jing’s neck were withdrawn.

Avoiding harm and seeking benefits is human nature. They were loyal to Situ Xie because of his status, but it was obvious that he had reached a dead end, and his position was no longer safe. As long as Qiao Jing could escape from this secret passage, he still had a great future ahead of him.

Situ Xie cursed and threatened to tear the four traitors to pieces. He quickly started promising them more benefits, hoping they would change their minds.

In such a closed environment, and with both Situ Xie and Qiao Jing poisoned, whoever could gather the support of the four masters would survive. For the other, there was only one path – death!

Qiao Jing had already won. He took the medicine bottle and sniffed it, but he didn’t take it. Instead, he asked the old man who had searched him earlier to return his belongings.

The old man quickly brought Qiao Jing’s belongings to him, including his weapons, hidden weapons, poison, and the antidote made by Su Liang.

Qiao Jing opened his antidote, and slowly poured out one pill in front of Qiao Cong, then put it in his mouth, “This is made by Su Liang.”

At this moment, the four masters had already silently stood behind Situ Xie, pointing their swords at him.

Situ Xie regretted it so much that his guts turned green! He shouldn’t have set a trap for Qiao Jing tonight! As Qiao Jing said, since he had used a body double that he had cultivated for many years, he should have run far away and waited for the right moment to strike!

Qiao Jing’s body quickly recovered. He didn’t kill Situ Xie immediately but asked him a question, “What do you know about Mo Yan?”

Situ Xie was startled for a moment, then sneered, “You want to know? If you let me go, I can tell you. He is the biggest threat to Gu Ling and Su Liang so far. I have witnessed his abilities with my own eyes, and they are special powers that you can’t even imagine! If you kill me, you will be completely ignorant of Mo Yan!”

Qiao Jing’s expression was indifferent, “Threatening me? So why do you think Mo Yan, who was cooperating with you well before, suddenly ran away?”

Situ Xie’s face stiffened. He didn’t know the reason why Mo Yan had left Nanping City, but it must have had something to do with Gu Ling and Su Liang.

“No matter what you know, it’s worthless. I’m just asking one more pointless question.” Qiao Jing said, and drew his sword, “The Emperor of Liang Country, Situ Xie, died in front of the Imperial Study’s door an hour ago, as you arranged. As for you, this is a good place to be buried.”

Situ Xie turned pale, “Jingjing… Jingjing, don’t kill me! I… I can pass the Imperial Throne to you! As long as you spare me, I will issue an abdication decree once I get out, making you the emperor of Liang country! Weren’t you once eager to become the Emperor? Now is the perfect opportunity! Why should you go back to Qian Country and be below Gu Ling? In terms of talent, you’re not at all inferior to him! Once you become the Emperor of Liang country, given time, I believe you can eventually rule the world! I will support you from the sidelines!”

Qiao Jing’s expression was impatient, “Are you done? Who cares about your Imperial Throne? Who cares about your support? I need to get out and find my grandfather quickly, so he doesn’t worry.” As soon as he finished speaking, he didn’t give Situ Xie the chance to say another word. He thrust his sword into Situ Xie’s chest!

Blood splattered. Situ Xie stared at Qiao Jing with wide eyes, opened his mouth, spewed out a mouthful of blood, tilted his head, and took his last breath.

Later, when people mentioned Situ Xie, they would always sigh, saying that he was clever all his life but died so suddenly and so easily.

Qiao Jing found such talk boring. Situ Xie’s death, although sudden, was a long time coming on the “path of death”. And for Qiao Jing to kill Situ Xie, there were the long-term efforts of many people at play.

As far as the ambition of Liang Country to always ally with Yin Country to destroy Qian Country is concerned, there is no right or wrong from the perspective of the overall situation and the rulers. The end result is just a confirmation of the old saying, “The winner becomes king, and the loser becomes a bandit.” In the power struggle, Qian Country won, and Liang Country lost.

The death of Situ Xie was certainly related to Liang Country’s situation, but there was also an important factor: he had personal grudges with both Gu Ling and Qiao Jing. Many things started because of him, and in the end, he reaped what he sowed.

Qiao Jing searched Situ Xie’s body and found that he was still carrying the Jade Seal, showing how strong his desire to control the imperial throne was. As for whether Situ Xie had considered the possibility of failure and the consequences of failure when arranging a substitute and setting a trap for Qiao Jing tonight, it is unknown.

“Let’s go.” Under the guidance of four master-level people, Qiao Jing walked through a long, narrow secret passage. When they finally came out, they were not in the Study Room of the King Yue’s mansion but in the Imperial Study.

Looking at the interior environment of the secret passage, it seemed to have been dug for some time, not recently. Probably, when Situ Xie was still the Prince of Liang Country, he had ordered someone to dig it. In this way, although he had not sat in the Dragon Throne, as long as he wanted to, he could dispose of the person on the throne as he pleased… Presumably, he enjoyed the feeling of secretly manipulating everything during those years.

The Royal Palace of Liang Country was in chaos.

Situ Xie was dead, Situ Jing was captured, and fires broke out in many places in the palace, with flames reaching the sky, it was unstoppable.

Qiao Jing saw the place where the fire was the most intense. That palace was where the sisters Situ Ning and Situ Xiang had lived many years ago when they entered the palace, and it was there that Situ Han had violated Situ Xiang. The person who started the fire was undoubtedly Qiao Cong.

“Please help me find my grandfather.” Qiao Jing said. Qiao Cong must be frantic.

The four master-level practitioners respectfully responded and began to search in different directions for Qiao Cong. Qiao Jing waited in the empty Imperial Study.

Soon, Qiao Cong, who had set fire to various palaces, rushed over, “Jingjing!” Although he had set fires, he had chosen unoccupied palaces. His intention was not to harm people but to vent his anger and force Situ Xie to show himself.

“Grandfather, I’m fine.” Qiao Jing stood up from the Dragon Throne. He had just sat down for a moment without feeling anything special, just a chair that was too wide and uncomfortable.

Qiao Cong furrowed his brow and came over, stretching out his hand to pinch and knead Qiao Jing’s face, “Is it really you? Is it not a substitute arranged by that scoundrel Situ Xie? How many cups of wine did you drink at lunch?”

Qiao Jing couldn’t help but smile, “Half a cup. If I were a substitute, I would have assassinated you, grandfather, just now.”

Only then did Qiao Cong breathe a sigh of relief, “As long as you’re alright. I thought Situ Xie was going to kidnap you and hide you away, then cut off your hands and feet and send them to me. It’s terrifying!”

Qiao Jing:… The previous cold and stubborn old man seemed to be an illusion.

“Where is he?” Qiao Cong asked.

“Situ Xie? He’s dead.” Qiao Jing replied.

“Are you sure it’s not a second substitute? Are you sure he’s really dead?” Qiao Cong has been haunted by this all night. Everything was going smoothly at first, but soon Qiao Jing was taken away right in front of his eyes.

Qiao Jing nodded, “I’m sure it’s him, and he’s definitely dead.”

“No!” Qiao Cong frowned, “I have to go and chop him a few more times!”

It is true that Qiao Cong’s daughter was raised by Situ Xie, but Qiao Cong had already investigated the matter years ago. One of his enemies had kidnapped his wife and daughter when he was not at home, and that enemy turned out to be one of Situ Xie’s minions. Qiao Cong’s wife committed suicide due to the humiliation, and the man intended to sell Qiao Cong’s daughter to the brothel but was caught by Situ Xie. Situ Xie adopted Qiao Cong’s daughter for two reasons: one, because she seemed to be a beautiful girl who would be useful once she grew up, and two, because he wanted to find a companion for his beloved daughter Situ Ning. As for the evil deeds committed by his subordinate, he knew all about it but turned a blind eye to it.

The enemy had long been dead, causing Qiao Cong to search for his wife and daughter for many years without any news until his disciple Nangong Lin found them.

As for why Qiao Cong had made enemies, it was simply because he had won a martial arts competition against that person when he was young and vigorous. That person had pretended to make friends with him and tried to ask for the Cold Moon Sword Technique but was rejected, so he held a grudge in his heart. As for the fact that the person later served under Situ Xie, Qiao Cong was unaware of it for some time.

Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for Qiao Cong to be grateful to Situ Xie for raising his daughter. It’s not like he couldn’t afford it himself. He only had thorough hatred for Situ Xie and Situ Han! In the past, due to Qiao Jing’s obsession, Qiao Cong had not taken revenge for his sake. Now, this great grudge has been avenged.

Qiao Jing patted Qiao Cong’s shoulder, “Grandfather, if you want to go, just go.” And then he called one of the four masters to lead the way for Qiao Cong.

Entering the secret passage, Qiao Cong saw Situ Xie’s body lying alone in the dark and cold underground, walked over, kicked it twice, and then stabbed it several times with his sword.

After that, Qiao Cong stood by the side, silently watching Situ Xie’s cold body, spit, and turned to leave.

Killing an emperor and trying to get the Imperial Throne is often impossible. But if the killer happens to be of royal blood, it becomes much simpler.

Situ Xie’s subordinates were not righteous and principled people, and Qiao Jing was willing to give them a chance, which they craved. As for whether to use these people in the future or to clear the sins of some of them, this is a matter for later. The most important thing at the moment is to maintain stability and settle the situation without causing chaos.

On this point, Qiao Jing had already thought about what to do before he came.

Because Situ Xie’s control was too strong, his legitimate descendants only became true royal members after he became emperor last year. They had not experienced real royal struggle, and their minds were not very useful. When Situ Jing was brought before Qiao Jing, he immediately knelt down and said everything was Situ Xie’s doing, and he had nothing to do with it.

After two days, Qiao Cong urged Qiao Jing, “Hurry up and deal with these messy matters here, I want to go home early to see Nuannuan! Nuannuan is already half a year old, and I haven’t even held her yet!”

Capital city of Qian Country.

Su Liang calculated the time, the matter that Qiao Cong and Qiao Jing went to Yao City to handle should have been almost resolved. There were still risks, after all, Situ Xie had always been full of cunning schemes. However, Su Liang believed that the chances of success were not small, as Qiao Jing was much more mature now than ever before.

“Once the Third Master returns, we will have to plan to save people from Xingluo Island,” Su Liang said. Destroying Xingluo Island was secondary. The most important thing was to find the siblings of Old White and Ying Ying and bring them back.

Gu Xiaonuan waved cheerfully at Su Liang from Gu Ling’s arms, Su Liang couldn’t help but smile, “Gu Xiaonuan, if you speak first, if you call Daddy first, I’ll hit you.”

Gu Ling nodded, stroking his daughter’s fluffy little head, looking serious, “You have to call Mom first.” It was the hardest thing for a mother to give birth to a child, and it was only reasonable that the second one should call Dad.

Two little ones ran in, Ji Xiaoshu grabbed Gu Xiaonuan’s hand and shook it, saying in a serious tone, “In order to avoid conflicts between Master and Mistress, it’s better for my sister to call Brother first! What do you think, Senior Brother?”

Zhengzheng nodded, “I think that’s best.”

Then Gu Ling held his daughter in one hand and picked up Ji Xiaoshu with the other, throwing him out of the open window, turning around to see Zhengzheng already on the windowsill, “Master, I was wrong, I’ll jump myself.” With that, he agilely jumped down from the second floor…