Chapter 63: Infighting in the Scarlet Furnace (Part 1)

  Yoshikawa Michitaka responded to the Daimyo, south of the mountain range.

  The sunset that was about to set behind the mountains was like a bloody dye, sprinkling countless golden lights, shrouding the sky and earth in a faintly blood-colored hue. The narrow mountain path on the south side of Baojing Prefecture was packed with slaves advancing southward. They were tattered and emaciated but high-spirited, the joy of escaping from their cages supporting them as they climbed over one mountain after another.

  Facing the sunset, an old man with a slender and elegant figure closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun. He seemed to be savoring the joy of watching the troops marching southward in formation, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction and ambition. Four robust guards stood beside him, their piercing gazes scanning the surroundings, their cold eyes making the slaves who passed by shiver involuntarily, not daring to look up, unintentionally highlighting the old man's supreme authority.

  However, the appearance of the two figures shattered the old man's calm and joyful mood. He slightly furrowed his brow, looking at the two people who appeared in front of him. One of the guards stepped forward, grasping the hilt of his sword, blocking their way. The two figures both had deep frowns on their faces, looking at the old man with confusion. The old man waved his hand and said calmly, "Let them come over, we're all old brothers after all. Geng Sang and Tie Yang, you two have hurriedly come to find me, I don't know what it's about this time? If it's to discuss the king and the law, please forgive me, brother, but I don't have time to explore that now."

  The newcomers were none other than Geng Sanglang and Gang Yanglie. They looked at the old man's guards with disdain, who were pretending to be fierce but were actually just holding their knife handles stiffly by his side, eyeing them warily. Gang Yanglie sneered, "Mu Zixuan, the people around you are really responsible!"

  The old man was Mu Zixuan. He smiled slightly and said casually, "Since I was ambushed by Old Brother Yang last time, I have to be more careful. The previous time it didn't matter, but if the same thing happens twice, even I won't be able to forgive myself."

  Gong Yang Lie said with a hint of annoyance: "Mu Zi Xun, don't pretend to be innocent. Everyone knows what happened last time. You deliberately put on an act for Xiao Tian Wang's sake, making him dislike us and not wanting to see us, in order to achieve your goal of being invisible. Do you think we can't see through it? Although we may not be as clever or calculating as you, we're not much stupider either."

  Mu Zi Xun smiled and stroked his beard, saying nothing.

  Geng Sang Lan took a slight breath and calmly said, "Second Brother, we don't want to bring up past matters either. Since you've already achieved your goal, there's nothing more for us to say. However, why didn't you inform us about such a large-scale operation today? It would have been better if you had let us prepare beforehand. What is the meaning of this current situation? What are we supposed to do now?"

  Mu Zi Xuan said faintly, "You should do what you want to do, why come ask me? After the last incident at Tian Wang Hall, Tian Wang has already clearly excluded you from the Holy Sect. Why are you still sentimentally attached? You have your own way of doing things, and we have ours. You want to achieve your goals through peace, while we want to achieve our goals through violence. Everyone minds their own business, so there's no need for you to come see me today."

  Gang Yang Lie Nu said in a stern voice: "Mu Zi Xun, you're all talk! Don't you ever think that by launching a massive rebellion of over 100,000 people today, the imperial court will definitely take it very seriously and will stop at nothing to crack down on our Holy Sect. And yet you say it has nothing to do with us? We've worked so hard to build Fangchuan Dao into a secret base, only for you to destroy it with your own hands, and still you say it's none of your business?"

  Mu Zi Xun pulled a long face and said slowly: "Geng Yang Lie, you'd better speak politely, I'm your elder brother no matter what."

  Gong Yang sneered and said with a laugh: "What? Now you're pretending to be my elder brother again? Didn't you say in front of the Little Heavenly King at the Heavenly Hall that from now on, our fraternal bond is severed, and we should never mention the word 'brother' again? How come you're calling yourself my second brother now? Bah! I don't have a shameless brother like you!"

  Mu Zi Xun's face was gloomy and he didn't say a word.

  Geng Sang let out a sigh and said slowly, "Second brother, although our ways of doing things are different, after all, we are brothers who have gone through life and death together in the Holy Church. You're carrying out such a big plan, can't you at least inform us? We didn't say we wouldn't support your methods!"

  Mu Zi Xun expressionlessly said: "The most important thing about this matter is that it needs to be kept confidential, I've already asked the Heavenly King and he said there's no need to report it to you all."

  Gang Yang Lie Nu shouted: "Mu Zi Xun, stop pretending! This matter was decided by you yourself, what does it have to do with Tian Wang? He's just a thirteen-year-old kid, what does he know? Don't keep using him to intimidate us, we're not buying it!"

  Mu Zi Xun's face changed, and he coldly laughed: "Fourth brother, your words are getting more and more presumptuous! Do you still acknowledge the existence of the Heavenly King in your eyes? I am upholding the supreme will of the Heavenly King, which anyone must execute. Although the Heavenly King is young, he has inherited the legacy of the old Heavenly King from a young age, being intelligent beyond his years, and having insight into everything. He had already arranged everything for today, and I am just an executor. Your words are simply equivalent to treason!"

  Geng Sang Lan said in a low voice, "Second brother, there are only three of us here. Why must we beat around the bush and speak in riddles? We all know what's going on with Tian Wang without needing to say it out loud! What could Tian Wang possibly think of? Probably he's just thinking about what toy you'll buy for him today. As for that nonsense about past life inheritance, that's just something you made up. Why must you deceive yourself?"

  Mu Zi Xun's small eyes stared coldly at Geng Sang Lang, as if rapidly calculating something in her mind. After a long time, she slowly said: "Second brother, fourth brother, the fact is not what you think it is. This matter was indeed arranged by Xiao Tian Wang, aiming for a shocking effect. Now, we have completely achieved it."

  His eyes gleamed like a knife, and he was about to erupt again, but he restrained himself. Geng Sang Luan let out a long sigh and said bitterly: "Second brother, since you've already taken action, I don't want to say much more. I just want to ask you, where are you going? What plans do you have for the future? You don't even have a detailed, practical, feasible plan?"

  "I will lead them south, back to our old home in Yinchuan Road. Once we arrive, we will immediately reorganize according to the previous military formation, undergo strict training, and unite with various forces dissatisfied with the imperial court to jointly resist the imperial court's tyranny. I will call on people from all over the country to rise up together and overthrow the imperial court's brutal rule..."

  Gong Yang sneered coldly and said: "And then? Are you going to make the little Heavenly King an emperor, and you'll be the regent?"

  Mu Zi Xun's face flashed with anger, and he said lightly: "If the Young Emperor has such intentions, we as subordinates should naturally obey with all our might. What's wrong with being called an emperor? As for whether I will be the regent, that needs to be decided by the Young Emperor..."

  Gang Yang's face cracked as he thundered, "Mu Zi Xun, you are utterly shameless and despicable! For the sake of your personal power and desires, you dared to force a move at this unripe moment..."

  "Mu Zi Xun suddenly let out a cold laugh and said: 'Jie Yang Lie, shut your mouth! What are you, dare to come and accuse me?'"

  Gong Yang's chest heaved violently as he took a deep breath, his hair standing on end. "Mu Zi Xun," he exclaimed, "why can't I blame you?! Let me tell you, when Old Heaven King was on his southern and northern campaigns, you were still just a lowly servant pouring urine for him! If it weren't for your ability to fawn and flatter, would Old Heaven King even know who you are? Now that you're in control of Little Heaven King, you always act like you're the real deal..."

  Mu Zi Xun said in a low voice: "Come on, drive this madman away!"

  The four guards behind him immediately pulled out their curved knives, slowly closing in on Gouyang Lie. Gouyang Lie was also furious, clenching his fists, ready to engage in a fierce battle with the guards.

  Geng Sanglong let out a long sigh and said in a murky tone, "Mu Zi Xun, Old Fourth didn't intentionally offend you, just let it go. From now on, we brothers probably won't meet again, so for this last meeting, there's no need to resort to violence."

  Mu Zi Xun's face was uncertain, but in the end she still beckoned with her hand and called back the four guards.

  Geng Sang looked at the setting sun, his expression was very despondent. After a long silence, he said with a bitter tone: "Second brother, although we have had great differences in opinion and deep misunderstandings between us. However, since you've already taken action, we sincerely hope that you can succeed. Your plan to head south to Silver River Road and return to our old home has our full support. But for the future, do you have any better methods or suggestions? Undoubtedly, the Imperial Guard of Niluo will follow you south, and it's likely that Bai Yulou will lead the army. Have you thought of a way to deal with this?"

  " You don't have to worry, I've made arrangements. As long as we can hold on for two or three months, the army of Martha's country will come to our aid..."

  Geng Sang Lian's face changed slightly as he exclaimed: "You've already allied with the military of Martha Country?"

  "What's wrong?" Mu Zi Xun asked calmly.