Niao Ni
Chapter 688: Bamboo Blossoms in the Imperial Study
If he were not a strongman, how could he have withstood the powerful Xiao En from the north amidst the turbulent situation of the world? How could he have built the grim Overwatch Council in the face of animosity from the entire court? If Chen Pingping had not been a strongman, how could he have led the Black Knights like a black storm on those several earth-shattering raids across the continent?
However, time and experience are the sharpest instruments for tormenting people. Years had passed, and Chen Pingping was now old. Most regrettably, during the raid to capture Xiao En and bring him back to the capital, Chen Pingping was seriously injured, becoming paralyzed from the waist down, losing all sensation below his waist. His cultivation had been eroded by time and the elements, leaving nothing behind.
This was history known to all the citizens and subjects of Qing, a fact they either lamented or rejoiced in. So, when the imperial palace issued an edict to bring Chen Pingping back to the capital for questioning, neither Ye Zhong, Gong Dian, Eunuch Yao, nor Shi Fei, the general personally responsible for the matter, including He Zongwei, who eventually learned of this great secret, cast wary glances at the Old Director's body, nor at the black wheelchair he was sitting in.
Because they knew that Chen Pingping himself was just a cripple, utterly incapable of any personal power. Their fear and apprehension stemmed not from the strength of Chen Pingping's physical body, but from the conspiracies and machinations within the old cripple's mind, and the immense power of the Overwatch Council that he could wield, a notion that was difficult to resist.
Chen Pingping returned to the capital alone, while the Overwatch Council was under strict surveillance and the strong coordination of a certain high-ranking figure within. These important ministers around His Majesty breathed a collective sigh of relief. As long as Chen Pingping could not exert the dark powers entangled with his withered fingers, then the imperial palace would be safe.
It was because of this judgment that they did not worry about Chen Pingping being any threat to His Majesty in the Imperial Study. Even if Chen Pingping were still the powerful man on the black warhorse, he could not possibly mount any resistance against His Majesty, the number one expert in the world. And as for that black wheelchair? The Old Director had been sitting in that wheelchair for many years. Everyone had grown accustomed to its presence, even considering it an integral part of Chen Pingping.
The power of habit is strong, so strong that it can make people completely ignore things. So, when Chen Pingping entered the Imperial Study in his black wheelchair, no one, including Eunuch Yao, felt any sense of alarm. These important figures had made a big mistake.
Similarly, after the long conversation in the dim morning rain, when his mind returned to a state of indifference and calm, His Majesty the Emperor also made a mistake. When the pale-faced Chen Pingping looked at the snow-white walls of the Imperial Study behind him and softly called out the name of that woman, his mind relaxed slightly. He followed Chen Pingping's gaze and looked back, neglecting the movement of Chen Pingping's arms resting on the black armrests of the wheelchair.
When everyone was little, they may have played this childish and adorable little game: a playmate pretends to see a stern elder or a formidable teacher approaching from behind, exclaiming in surprise. The person hearing the exclamation would turn around in alarm, only to receive a hard punch and then chase after the other person in the yard, laughing and scolding.
Such a childish trick was used on Emperor Qing, the most powerful man in the world. It must be said that Chen Pingping's mind was peculiar, wonderful, and... very effective. Perhaps it was because His Majesty's mind was shaken at that moment, perhaps it was because Emperor Qing was now immersed in a state of absolute confidence, with Ku He and Si Gu Jian dead, and Ye Liuyun at sea, so he didn't care about anything. Because he didn't care, he turned his head.
In today's world, no one should be able to harm this powerful emperor. Even if Fan Xian, Haitang, Wang Shisanlang, Yun Zhilan, Lang Tao, plus Ying Zi – these six absolute masters of the ninth rank or above – were to appear in the Imperial Study at the same time and launch a fatal blow, His Majesty the Emperor probably wouldn't even flinch.
However, when he turned his head, he only saw a expanse of white, completely empty. His pupils contracted slightly, and when he turned back to look at Chen Pingping in the wheelchair, he saw Chen Pingping's hands, which had been resting on the armrests of the wheelchair… tightly clenched on the inside of the armrests! His forearms suddenly contracted backward!
With a crisp sound, the two smooth black armrests of the wheelchair suddenly burst open to the sides, emitting a series of wonderful mechanical sounds. Following two almost simultaneous loud noises, two powerful bursts of air spewed out from two holes that had suddenly appeared in the front ends of the armrests.
Bang! Bang!
Crisp, clean, and without hesitation, cold and ruthless, Chen Pingping gripped the armrests of the wheelchair, the armrests he had touched countless times over the years, and pulled the triggers.
Countless iron filings and steel beads, driven by the powerful force of gunpowder, unleashed their immense power toward Emperor Qing's body.
The black wheelchair erupted with two dazzling, soul-stirring sparks!
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No one in this world could harm His Majesty the Emperor, but that didn't mean that nothing could harm him. At least the Emperor and Chen Pingping both knew that the ever-mysterious black box could certainly pose a threat to the Emperor, and today, the wheelchair that Chen Pingping had been sitting in for decades seemed to be playing a very similar role.
This black wheelchair was meticulously crafted decades ago by the Internal Treasury and the Third Bureau of the Overwatch Council. The pair of firearms that contained years of pent-up rage were personally crafted for Chen Pingping by that woman who had long since passed away.
Back then, Chen Pingping was crippled, and she worried about his safety. So, she mobilized all her abilities and secretly arranged for him such a life-saving treasure. Over the years, the wheels, backrest and cushion of this black wheelchair had been replaced who knows how many times, but this pair of armrests had never been changed.
Many people knew that Chen Pingping had a habitual action. He liked to gently caress this pair of smooth armrests. Furthermore, people close to him, like Fan Xian, knew that when he was alone and quiet, the Director liked to tap the armrests lightly with his knuckles. The armrests would often emit a buzzing sound, like hollow bamboo.
Bamboo has joints, strength, and bones, and so does Chen Pingping.
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Two sparks flashed and vanished in front of the wheelchair armrests!
After two almost simultaneous loud thuds, the sound of countless steel beads and iron filings and gunpowder spraying onto the flesh of the supreme Emperor echoed through the room, crackling and pattering like rain on the beach, like hail falling on the earth, creating thousands of pits and shattering countless banana leaves.
Smoke filled the Imperial Study, but it dissipated extremely quickly, gradually revealing the figure of His Majesty the Emperor sitting on the soft couch.
Emperor Qing was a Grandmaster, but Grandmasters are ultimately not gods. Their bodies are still mortal bodies, and their minds are incredibly powerful, but they cannot make godlike reactions.
When Chen Pingping pulled the trigger on the wheelchair, he was only inches away from Emperor Qing, and the buckshot that sprayed from the front end of the armrests covered a wide area, filling half the space. Even if Emperor Qing dodged like an immortal in an instant, he could not escape the killing range of these rapidly fired soul-devouring weapons.
Therefore, Emperor Qing did not dodge. He remained seated on the soft couch. The walls around him had been riddled with holes like festering sores, and crumbling stones and bricks were falling down. Several pieces of damaged plaster were suspended in mid-air. The short couch beneath him had been shattered in half, and the desk in front of him had been blasted into splinters.
The dragon robe on His Majesty the Emperor's body was riddled with many holes – tiny, torn holes appearing in different shapes and trajectories, with a slightly scorched feeling around the edges.
A hand covered his face. The index finger of the left hand was slightly bent, and the thumb was slightly raised. The delicate green porcelain teacup rested securely in the web of his hand, completely untouched.
Even the teacup hadn't broken, so the Son of Heaven's face was naturally unharmed.
In fact, all of this happened in an extremely short instant. The energy around His Majesty the Emperor surged like a tangible force, howling like the wind, and the green porcelain teacup between his fingers flew out with a whoosh.
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After the two shots, the black wheelchair was jolted backward by the powerful recoil, sliding across the floor of the Imperial Study with incredible speed, screeching as if it were about to create sparks, and finally crashed heavily into the wall of the Imperial Study with a dull thud.
Chen Pingping's face was indifferent, and his pupils contracted slightly, but before he could make any move, he saw the green color reflected in his eyes.
With a crisp sound, the teacup that had flown in from the heavens slammed into Chen Pingping's frail chest, breaking countless ribs.
Countless porcelain shards, as fine as powder, pierced Chen Pingping's body like countless hairs, causing pain and itching that no ordinary person could endure.
A mouthful of black blood gushed from Chen Pingping's lips, soaking his chest. Immediately afterward, an invisible and intangible majestic *qi* surged in the air, instantly suppressing the remnants of the three meridians and six channels within his body, controlling the operation of every muscle, preventing him from speaking, moving, or understanding his own life.
Even more terrifying was that regal *qi*, full of imperial power, which quickly penetrated his body through the air, through his clothes, and slowly forced out the potent poison that the Old Director had already taken long before.
It was as if there was an invisible giant hand in the air, tightly grasping Chen Pingping's withered body, lifting him from the black wheelchair and suspending him in mid-air, making the scene look particularly bizarre.
Chen Pingping's gray hair was already disheveled, scattered messily across his forehead, lightly covering the deep wrinkles on his face. His clothes were full of tears, running east and west, and his life force was suppressed to the brink of death in an instant.
However, the old man's eyes were cold, ruthless, and without any fear, only with a hint of regret, a hint of disdain. Gradually, even these emotions disappeared from his eyes, leaving only calmness.
Heavy footsteps echoed in the Imperial Study as His Majesty the Emperor slowly and heavily stepped over the debris on the ground and walked towards him.
The Emperor's right hand was open, and several powerful *qi* energies shot out, tightly entangling Chen Pingping's small body in mid-air.
The Emperor's eyes were indifferent, but stained with a hint of furious blood-red color.
The Emperor's hands trembled slightly, covered with blood and horrifying wounds.
The small holes on the Emperor's dragon robe began to bleed, constantly seeping outward, washing away the iron filings and scorched gunpowder residue from the wounds. The dragon robe had been stained a dark, charred color.
The Emperor had been seriously injured. The steel beads that could pierce bluestone should still be lodged in his body, but he ultimately… did not die.
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Shards of the porcelain cup remained inside Chen Pingping's body, and he too began to bleed. Perhaps there wasn't much blood left in his body to begin with, and the flow was not fast, but it quickly soaked his tattered black Overwatch Council uniform.
The Emperor walked in front of Chen Pingping, his chest heaving slightly. Both monarch and subject were covered in small lacerations that reached deep into the bone, hurting to the core. Blood flowed incessantly, and they looked very similar.
He glanced down at the gruesome wounds on his chest and abdomen, and a slight tremor flickered across his brow. It seemed that he had not expected that there would be someone in the world who could bring him so close to death. A wave of uncontrollable resentment and anger began to ferment and rise within the monarch's body.
The Emperor's hand gripped Chen Pingping's throat, staring into his eyes, and a flicker of bone-chilling resentment flashed through them. He spoke, one word at a time, "We will not let you die. You cannot die."
Several gray shadows flashed past outside the glass windows of the Imperial Study, and several people burst open the wooden doors and rushed in. At the garden gate, several important figures such as Ye Zhong and Eunuch Yao were staying away from the Imperial Study, but they had clearly heard the two loud noises. Knowing that something was wrong, they rushed over to protect the Emperor as quickly as possible, but they were still too late.
Ye Zhong arrived the fastest, followed by Eunuch Yao. However, when they entered the Imperial Study and saw the bloody scene before them, they both fell silent, because this scene was too searing to their eyes.
They saw His Majesty the Emperor, covered in blood, choking the Old Director Chen, covered in blood. Their hearts were shaken, and they did not know what to say.
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The Emperor released his grip, letting Chen Pingping's body fall limply from his hands, crashing onto the floor with a dull thud. He looked at his old comrade, old partner, old servant, with a strange expression, and said in a cold and resentful voice, "Escort him to the Overwatch Council's prison. Tomorrow, this traitor will be executed by slow slicing. If this old dog dies before the 36,000 cuts, you and the useless doctors of the Imperial Hospital will be buried with him."
Ye Zhong and Eunuch Yao felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, and He Zongwei, who had just run anxiously to the outside of the Imperial Study, trembled in fear upon hearing these words. It was not just because of the shocking scene before him, nor was it because of Chen Pingping's crime, nor was it just because of His Majesty the Emperor's bone-chilling and bone-deep anger in the imperial decree.
For thirty years, no high-ranking minister of the dynasty had been executed by slow slicing. It was the most humiliating and cruelest form of death, and what was more, this decree was directed at… Chen Pingping.
However, none of the three dared to say anything. They immediately knelt down at His Majesty the Emperor's feet, not daring to offer the slightest remonstrance.
His Majesty the Emperor took one last look at Chen Pingping, who was looking at him with a mocking gaze, and suddenly felt a burning pain in his chest and abdomen.
*How many years has it been since We were last injured?* The Emperor thought to himself, and then his body swayed.
"His Majesty has been assassinated! Quickly summon the imperial physician!"
He Zongwei's anxious and worried shouts rang out in the Imperial Study. Ye Zhong was now supporting His Majesty's swaying body with fear and trepidation. Instinctively, he turned his head slightly, glancing askance at the viciously scheming grand academician.
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The imperial palace was in a state of chaos. Imperial physicians filed in and out of the palace in a constant stream. Pale-faced palace maids and eunuchs carried golden basins in and out from time to time. The water in the basins had already been dyed red with blood.
Eunuch Yao was now serving His Majesty the Emperor after the injury. Gong Dian led the Imperial Guards and the experts of the inner court to tightly surround the entire imperial city, while Ye Zhong, after issuing several orders to the Privy Council, guarded the outside of the palace.
The chief physician of the Imperial Hospital walked out of the palace in a sweat. Ye Zhong looked at him coldly and asked, "How is His Majesty?"
The chief physician of the Imperial Hospital saw him and replied in a trembling voice, "Reporting to Lord Ye, although His Majesty is injured, his pulse is strong and powerful, so he should be fine, but..."
Ye Zhong frowned and shouted sternly, "But what?"
"But... the iron filings that were stuck in His Majesty's skin and flesh have been removed, but this humble official observes that there should be some sharp objects still remaining in His Majesty's body, injuring the internal organs. If these sharp objects are not removed, I am afraid..."
"Afraid of what? Is His Majesty in danger?"
"His Majesty is blessed by the heavens and is not an ordinary person." The chief physician of the Imperial Hospital trembled and described His Majesty's Grandmaster realm in a different way. "Presumably there won't be any major problems, but no one knows what impact there may be in the future."
"Then quickly find a way to take them out!" Ye Zhong was short and stout, and always gave people a gentle feeling, but at this moment, the murderous aura on his face was extremely terrifying.
"This humble official... really doesn't have such good skills." The chief physician saw Ye Zhong's face getting worse and worse, and quickly swallowed and said, "However, Master Fan once presided over similar medical cases in the palace in the past. Please summon Master Fan back to the capital quickly. With him in charge of this matter, there should be no hidden dangers left behind."
"Duke Danbo?" Ye Zhong's heart skipped a beat when he heard this name, and his heart turned cold. Since morning, too many things had happened inside and outside the capital, in the Imperial Study of the imperial city. He had not fully digested everything yet, and when he heard Fan Xian's name, he realized that Chen Pingping's assassination of His Majesty might bring about a great impact on the Qing country.
Ye Zhong's lips were a little dry, and after a long while, he slowly said, "Master Fan can't come back for a while. Is there any other way?"
"Miss Fan is now practicing medicine at Danbo Medical Center. She studied under Qingshan and was personally taught by Master Fan..."
A cold glint flashed in Ye Zhong's eyes, and he said directly, "Quickly summon her to the palace!"
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After the chief physician left with the guards, Ye Zhong suddenly felt that his back was full of cold sweat, soaking a large area. It was at this time that he had time to analyze the current situation. The chief physician mentioned Fan Xian's name, and he couldn't help but think that before long, this young and powerful minister would return to the capital, carrying the merits of annexing Dongyi.
However, what would Fan Xian do if he found out that Chen Pingping had been executed by slow slicing?
Ye Zhong felt a chill enveloping him. At this time, His Majesty was seriously injured, and the Old Director Chen was on the verge of death. Another group of imperial physicians were treating him, and then he would be escorted to the prison of the Overwatch Council overnight.
He knew why His Majesty ordered Chen Pingping to be escorted to the Overwatch Council in the end. The art of emperors was still on display at this moment, never forgetting to show its coldness.
Now, all the defense forces of the entire capital were in Ye Zhong's hands. Of course, he did not have the slightest intention of resisting His Majesty's will, but he felt a sense of heaviness that was difficult to bear. If the Overwatch Council really rebelled, what should he do? Fortunately, His Majesty was only injured and did not actually fall unconscious.
There was no need to care about what had happened between His Majesty and the Old Director Chen, but in the Imperial Study, Chen Pingping's assassination of His Majesty was something everyone had seen. No one could, and no one dared to speak up for the Old Director Chen. Assassinating His Majesty was a capital crime punishable by slow slicing.
A chill arose in Ye Zhong's heart. He knew very well the relationship and friendship that His Majesty and Chen Pingping had once had. He was afraid that His Majesty was also extremely angry and disappointed, which was why he had given the Old Director Chen such a miserable end.
However... since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, although imperial power was as difficult to shake as the thousands of years of history on this continent, the emperors of Qing had always adopted a gentle attitude towards their subjects. Especially in recent decades, the Qing law had been revised several times, abolishing countless cruel punishments. Even for those who committed treason, they were often beheaded and their families exterminated.
Especially towards the scholar-officials and ministers of the court, His Majesty had always been gentle. Even the Kyoto rebellion three years ago only resulted in the dismemberment of Zhang Deqing, the commander of the Thirteen City Gates.
However, what was Zhang Deqing compared to the Old Director Chen of the Overwatch Council?
Ye Zhong slowly closed his eyes and couldn't help but think of the sentence that Grand Academician He had shouted loudly and miserably when His Majesty fell into his arms earlier. A chill couldn't help but flash across the corner of his lips.
The news of Chen Pingping's assassination of the emperor, spread throughout the entire imperial palace through He Zongwei's shout, alarming everyone in the palace, and then naturally became news that everyone in Kyoto knew.
After the fact, His Majesty might consider the stability of the Qing Dynasty court, the attitude of Fan Xian and the officials of the entire Overwatch Council, or... consider all the merits that the Old Director Chen had made for Qing over the years.
No, Ye Zhong understood His Majesty's temperament. Even if he wanted to give the Old Director Chen a more dignified death, it would not be because of the feelings between His Majesty and the old Director. After the sound of that strange weapon in the Imperial Study, His Majesty only had anger and resentment towards Chen Pingping, and nothing else.
The only thing that could make His Majesty withdraw the decree of slow slicing was to consider the future of Qing, to consider the feelings of Fan Xian and the Eldest Prince, who was stationed in Dongyi City, and to consider the country.
There were many ways to die. Compared to a piece of white silk and a cup of poisoned wine, the extremely humiliating and cruel slow slicing would definitely cause more resentment from the Overwatch Council, Fan Xian, and His Highness the Eldest Prince.
However, all of this became impossible because of Grand Academician He's "perfectly timed" exclamation, because the Son of Heaven had the dignity of the Son of Heaven, and the anger of the Son of Heaven.
Ye Zhong sighed, staring blankly at the imperial city under the autumn rain, with a mixture of emotions in his heart, not knowing how many stories would happen inside the square building of the Overwatch Council tonight, and whether the tens of thousands of elite soldiers that he and Shi Fei were ordered to guard outside the Overwatch Council would really need to fight a big battle.
The autumn rain fell slowly, and he coughed a few times, knowing that His Majesty's decree issued in anger could not be changed. He only hoped that when Fan Xian returned, the matter would be settled, otherwise who knew what this Qing country would become.
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Outside that square building of the Overwatch Council, it was also drizzling with autumn rain, getting colder and colder. Yan Bingyun stood coldly by the window, and the black cloth that had always been covering the window had been torn off by him and thrown on the ground.
He quietly looked in the direction of the imperial palace, issuing orders calmly and forcefully. With the trust of Chen Pingping and Fan Xian, he had already gained a lot of power in the Overwatch Council, but with these forces alone, he still could not suppress the ghostly fire that was burning faintly within the Overwatch Council.
The black ghostly fire that was born from the hearts of these officials in black uniforms.
Fortunately, Yan Bingyun had made sufficient preparations beforehand. The veteran officials, those officials who were extremely loyal to the Old Director Chen, had been transferred to Xiliang, Jiangnan, Dongyi and other places in advance. They had already left Kyoto, otherwise the situation would have been even more difficult to control.
The news from the palace had already reached the council. The news that the Old Director Chen had assassinated His Majesty had also become a reality. His Majesty was seriously injured? Yan Bingyun didn't know if this was His Majesty's excuse, or if the Old Director Chen, whom he had always admired, had really done something that many people could not accomplish.
However, none of this mattered. He turned his gaze coldly, looking at the Qing's elite troops in those streets and alleys outside the Overwatch Council, without concealing their traces, and shook his head. He had to protect this council, especially when Chen Pingping was destined to die and Fan Xian had not returned.
No one could fight against His Majesty, against the powerful state machine of Qing, even if the Overwatch Council was the most powerful link in this machine.
Yan Bingyun turned around, looked at the seven chief officials in the room, and said quietly, "Prepare to take over..." He frowned, paused slightly, and then finished this sentence with great difficulty.
"The convicted criminal, Chen Pingping."
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(After setting an irregular update time, I write more calmly, thank you all.)