Chapter 921: Better to Kill a Thousand Innocents Than Let On

Chapter 248: Let Him Come OverChapter 921: Better to Kill the Wrong One

At that time, Wu Qingcang's prestige reached its peak. Just when everyone thought Wu Qingcang would become the second military god, he mysteriously disappeared.

As for the emperor, he simply issued a light and airy imperial decree, saying that he had other plans for him. He stripped him of all his military power and official positions. From then on, he never appeared in public again.

Not until his younger brother, Wu Ban Shan, was appointed the new commander of Yueya Pass did people remember the brilliance of his elder brother.

But to this day, no one knows where Wu Qingcang went.

Looking at the tall and imposing Wu Qingscang before him, Li Chen let out a sigh and said, "You were destined for a brilliant future, but you spent twenty years in obscurity here in this temple."

Wu Qingcang wore a carefree expression and smiled, "Thunder and rain, all are the grace of the Emperor. Going to battle to kill enemies and achieve fame and fortune is certainly exhilarating, but if the Emperor orders me to sweep the floor in this imperial temple for my entire life, it would also be my duty."

"Reason"

Li Chen pressed, "Your father would never have made you sweep the Temple of Ancestors for no reason. Tell this palace why."

"Can't say."

Wu Qingcang shook his head and said calmly, "This is also one of the contents of the emperor's imperial decree. I can never say it out loud in this lifetime."

With a cold snort, Li Chen said: "Putting on a show!"

Wu Qingcang didn't speak.

Li Chen stood up and said coldly, "I don't care what intentions the two of you have, nor do I care how many secrets are in your so-called imperial decree. Let me make it clear to you, there is a major problem at Yueya Pass right now, and someone may break through the city gates at any time, allowing 600,000 Liao cavalry to enter our territory. Therefore, your Wu family must give this palace peace of mind."

"How can His Highness rest assured" Wu Qingcang asked.

Li Chen narrowed his eyes, looking at Wu Qingcang. His reaction really made Li Chen unsure how to handle him.

Originally, Li Chen's strategy was to threaten Wu Ban Shan at Yueya Pass with the lives of his family members, making him realize that his only option was to submit to the East Palace.

Now, Wu Qingcang's sudden appearance made Li Chen realize that this matter was probably not as simple as it seemed.

Logically, Wu Qingsang, as the elder brother of Wu Banshan, being held hostage here is a reasonable thing.

The key lies in the fact that Wu Qingcang disappeared first, while Wu Ban Shan rose to prominence afterwards.

If Wu Qingscang hadn't been sidelined by the emperor, there would have been no chance for Wu Ban Shan to rise.

The emperor placed the more capable Wu Qingshang in the Taimiao, but supported his younger brother Wu Banshan instead. This is quite absurd.

"That's a question you should ask yourself."

Li Chen said calmly, "You two brothers should have a way to put my mind at ease."

"Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, Your Highness would rather err on the side of killing than let him go, wouldn't you" Wu Qingcang asked, his tone neither surprised nor indignant.

Li Chen didn't speak, but his silence at this time was an answer in itself.

Wu Qingcang looked at Li Chen and asked again, "Can these letters of correspondence between Zhao Xuanji and my younger brother over the years reassure Your Highness"

Li Chen, hearing this, even though he had mentally prepared himself, couldn't help but shiver.

This Wu Qingscang, is he crazy

If such a thing actually existed, he'd be hiding it for dear life. The fact that he's proactively showing it off is baffling.

"Back then, my younger brother had received a favor from Zhao Xuanji, and only four people in this world knew about it."

Wu Qingcang laughed triumphantly. He stretched out four fingers, retracting one with each name he uttered.

My younger brother, Zhao Xuanji, myself, and...the current emperor.ick to thank me, my words are only half spoken.”"Although the Crown Prince was forced to agree to your title of King, he made it Zhao Wang, a mere prince. It's nothing more than a childish prank betwe...