Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 224: Chapter 134: Asking the Lord into the Urn

Chapter 135: Invite the Enemy into the Trap

Liu Yuanhu sat upright in his chair, fiddling with a teacup in his hands. His expression was indifferent, his gaze fixed on the cup, completely ignoring Zhang Guangqun.

A powerful and commanding aura emanated from him, filling the room with a suffocating tension.

Zhang Guangqun’s thoughts raced, cold sweat quietly dripping down from his temples.

He quickly bowed and cupped his hands. ”My lord, I’ve been by your side since I was eighteen. It’s been twenty-two years now.”

Liu Yuanhu pressed further. ”And how have I treated you over the years?”

Zhang Guangqun’s palms were clammy with sweat, his growing panic barely concealed as his face twitched. Summoning courage, he replied,

”My lord has treated me like a brother, lifting me up countless times over the years. Your kindness is akin to that of parenthood reborn; I hold your grace deep within my heart and dare not forget even for a moment!”

”Humph!”

”Smash!”

Liu Yuanhu let out a cold snort and abruptly shattered the teacup against the ground, glaring at Zhang Guangqun with a murderous look.

”I’ve treated you generously, haven’t I? Then why did you betray me? All these years, I failed to notice that you’re nothing more than an ungrateful wolf cub!”

Liu Yuanhu’s voice turned icy and sharp, his terrifying presence enveloping the room like a storm.

Startled, Zhang Guangqun dropped to his knees with a thud.

”My lord, please be discerning! I’ve always been loyal to you and never harbored any treachery!”

Having trusted Zhang Guangqun for so many years and invested his faith in him, Liu Yuanhu felt deeply disappointed seeing him still refuse to come clean. A trace of pain flickered in his eyes.

”Then how do you explain the Blood Locking Powder in the wine?”

Zhang Guangqun’s only son was held captive by Zhao Honglie, forcing him to act under Zhao’s orders.

Zhao Honglie’s directive was clear: secretly lace the wine with Blood Locking Powder during today’s banquet, and then open the city gates to let the Black Sand Gang enter.

Everyone attending today’s banquet was among Cangyun County’s top fighters.

If they lost their strength, Cangyun County’s defenses would be as good as non-existent, leaving the city ripe for the taking!

Yet Liu Yuanhu remained vibrant and vigorous, showing no signs of poisoning whatsoever.

Given his direct confrontation, it was evident the plot had been exposed, and the poisoned wine had already been swapped out.

Having served Liu Yuanhu faithfully for years, Zhang Guangqun wouldn’t have committed such treachery unless his son’s life was at stake.

Now that the truth was uncovered, Zhang Guangqun decided to confess completely. He kowtowed three times before laying bare everything: the conspiracy, his son’s captivity, and Zhao Honglie’s orders.

After describing it all, Zhang Guangqun gritted his teeth, drew the sword from his waist, and held it against his own neck.

”My lord, I’ve failed you. I have no choice but to repay your trust with my death. Please take care of yourself!”

Zhang Guangqun swung the longsword, intending to sever his own life.

With a furious shout, Liu Yuanhu bellowed, ”You wretch!”

Before Zhang Guangqun could complete the motion, Liu Yuanhu delivered a precise kick to the sword’s hilt with unparalleled speed.

The blade grazed Zhang Guangqun’s skin but fortunately did no mortal harm.

Bewildered, Zhang Guangqun looked up at Liu Yuanhu. ”My lord...”

Liu Yuanhu snorted, ”Humph! Look at yourself—pathetic! Don’t you want to save your son?”

Though they’d been through years of companionship, Liu Yuanhu wouldn’t have spared Zhang Guangqun if not for the bond they shared.

If Liu Yuanhu were a saintly man, this mess would not have escalated in the first place.

Faced with these words, Zhang Guangqun fell silent.

He knew full well who Zhao Honglie, the Gang Leader of Black Sand Gang, truly was.

Now that he had botched the plan, Zhang Guangqun could not see any hope for his son’s survival.

With a bitter laugh, Zhang Guangqun said, ”With the plot exposed, my son has no chance of living. I’ve failed your trust, my lord, and I cannot face you any longer. Please grant me death!”

Zhang Guangqun pressed his head against the ground in a gesture of submission, unmoving.

Liu Yuanhu kicked him over, fuming with frustration. ”You imbecile! Look at yourself—do you have any semblance of manhood left? You’re acting more like a useless woman!”

”Who told you the plan’s ruined? Rest assured, everything is under control. I’ve already given instructions. My men will remain hidden, and the city wall guards have been replaced with death row inmates from the prison. Stick to the plan, and together, we’ll trap Zhao Honglie and his gang like fish in a barrel!”

”Once I capture that bastard Zhao Honglie, I’ll guarantee your son’s safety!”

Liu Yuanhu leaned back into his chair, his tone casual yet commanding. ”Go now. I’ll overlook this mistake since you had your reasons. But if you fail this time...”

Liu Yuanhu chuckled darkly, ”Hmph, you know what I’m capable of!”

Zhang Guangqun pondered momentarily. Discovering a sliver of hope for his son’s survival, his face lit up with joy.

”I will put forth every ounce of my effort and repay your great trust, my lord!”

After Zhang Guangqun left, Liu Yuanhu headed to the rear courtyard.

In the courtyard pavilion sat a burly man with a robust frame.

His physique was solid and muscular, akin to that of a beast incarnate. His gleaming, bald head gave him a menacing aura.

He was none other than Mo Chen, the renowned ”Copper Head and Iron Bones” warrior from Red Cloud Prefecture.

Upon seeing Liu Yuanhu, Mo Chen lifted a cup of wine, drained it in one gulp, and smiled.

”Not feeling too great about all this, huh?”

Liu Yuanhu picked up a wine jug, poured himself a full cup, and emptied it in one go. His gaze drifted to the night sky, his eyes full of depth.

At this moment, the stars shimmered quietly, the moon shone brilliantly, and the night was as tranquil as it was beautiful.

”He was simply forced into it. No matter—if we succeed in taking down Zhao Honglie and his band of traitors, it’ll still count as making amends.”

Mo Chen shook his head and laughed. ”I did my best to hide my tracks on the way here, but they’re not fools. They’ll surely suspect something. Knowing Zhao Honglie’s nature, he won’t fall for this so easily.”

Liu Yuanhu chuckled as well. ”Of course. Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. For Zhao Honglie to have stood firm for so many years in Cangyun County, he wouldn’t dare place all his eggs in one basket.”