Chapter 368: Dissipating Morale

Chapter 368: Dissipating Morale

In Nalan Qiankun's study in Beidou, one Immortal came to report on the situation at the frontlines. He then said, "Thank you for protecting my relatives, Your Majesty. I'm able to fight at ease now. Could I see my wife and children while I'm stopping by?"

"By all means," Nalan Qiankun replied easily.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The Immortal bowed and retreated from the study.

A palace guard led him to a large courtyard outside the palace.

"Marquis Su, please relax. His Majesty values your family highly, and this area right outside the palace has been designated for the marquises' relatives for the duration of the war. All relatives of the marquises fighting on the frontlines are eligible to stay here, and the location is protected by a potent formation and guarded by three Immortals on a rotating basis at all times. Even a mosquito won't be able to make its way in. It's perfectly safe," the guard introduced.

"I must thank His Majesty." Marquis Su nodded in satisfaction.

He found his wife and children in a particular courtyard.

Marquis Su's two sons were still very young. After he cuddled them fondly, his servants led them off to play as Marquis Su had a private conversation with his wife.

"Are you getting used to living here? We'll return home once the war's over," Marquis Su said gently. Updated from n0velb(i)n.c(o)/m

His wife revealed a harrowing expression of fear. "Husband, I..."

"What's the matter?" Marquis Su seemed perplexed.

"Do you remember the spectral guard that tried to attack me? Although he took me as hostage, he didn't hurt me. You said that it was very strange, and I finally know why. When that masked guard held a knife to my neck, I noticed that there was a wound on his right hand, and a strange fragrance coming from his body," the woman said.

"So what?" Marquis Su asked, still confused.

"Yesterday, I saw that man again. I wouldn't have mistaken his scent. Furthermore, there was still a faint wound on his right hand, exactly where I saw it."

"Where?" Marquis Su frowned.

"He's a guard captain right here," the woman whispered.

"What?!" Marquis Su's eyes narrowed.

"I've been keeping that secret ever since. I didn't dare tell anyone," the woman continued.

"All the guards here are His Majesty's subordinates. Do you intend to say that the spectral guards who attempted to assassinate you were actually acting on His Majesty's orders...?" Marquis Su blanched.

He suddenly guessed that the Dazheng cultivators who tried to subvert him and the assassins were all Nalan Qiankun's subordinates in disguise. Was the goal to trap his family here as hostages?

"Send him here," Nalan Qiankun said.

Not too long later, Marquis Su was summoned to the study.

"Your Majesty, Ye Dafu's Indomitable Body was incredibly potent, far more so than I could have anticipated. I was completely unable to break through his defenses, and he deeply wounded me. If I hadn't run away so quickly, I might have fallen on the battlefield," Marquis Su spat out bitterly.

"Marquis Su, you're my most trusted subordinate, and you've been with me since the initial days of the empire. Whatever benefits I confer, I grant to you first. I even promised that you would be the first Immortal among your cohort. Please tell me the truth as to why you haven't been putting in all your effort," Nalan Qiankun said.

"I did my best, Your Majesty!" Panic flashed over Marquis Su's face.

"I've treated you well. Won't you even tell me the truth?" Nalan Qiankun asked again.

Marquis Su grimaced.

Nalan Qiankun immediately discovered that something was amiss. With more prodding, he finally got Marquis Su to explain the situation.

Upon hearing Marquis Su's description of events, Nalan Qiankun's eyes widened. "What's going on? I was simply worried that Xiao Nanfeng would subvert you and that the spectral guards would take your families hostage to force you to surrender! That's why I had some of my subordinates impersonate them to lead your families to safety. How could things have developed to this extent?"

When Marquis Su saw that Nalan Qiankun was earnest, he too discovered that something was amiss. He asked, "Your Majesty, why didn't you just warn us of the threat? Why act in this perfidious manner?"

"I was tricked by Mr. Wen. He repeatedly misled me about Xiao Nanfeng's four strengths, causing me to be too agitated and worried about potential betrayal. As a result, I did something I shouldn't have. I regretted my actions near-immediately, but was worried that you would be suspicious if I were to come clean then. As a result, I chose to say nothing. None but my subordinates should have known what was going on, and they're not the ones responsible for guarding your families. There had to be something wrong with that guard. Immediately arrest him and ask about his wound and perfume!" Nalan Qiankun demanded.

"Understood!" Marquis Su rushed out of the study immediately.

"Summon Mr. Wen, now!" Nalan Qiankun commanded his subordinates. He looked up alertly

as his eyes twitched. He had more or less guessed what was going on. He knew how devious Mr. Wen was and had chosen not to give him an official position because Mr. Wen would be an uncontrollable element in his plans. He hadn't expected that, even so, Mr. Wen could still cause him such tremendous problems.

Marquis Su quickly came back after interrogating the guard. All the signs were pointing toward Mr. Wen.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Wen has gone missing," one guard reported.

"Damn it!" Nalan Qiankun roared.

"Your Majesty, was Mr. Wen responsible for all this? I'll immediately gather the other marquises and tell them everything," Marquis Su said.

Nalan Qiankun frowned. He knew that, even if he pushed all the blame to Mr. Wen, the other Tianshu Immortals would never be as loyal to him as before. It would be near-impossible to amass their support once more. The Tianshu Empire was truly on the brink of catastrophe.

"Mr. Wen, I'll kill you!" Nalan Qiankun roared.