Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 557 - 474: The Struggle for the Qilin

Chapter 557: Chapter 474: The Struggle for the Qilin

In her previous life, the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion hunted her relentlessly, chasing her from the Capital City to Yumen Pass. She fled again and again but ultimately could not escape their pursuit.

Reborn, she vowed never to hide or flee again.

She would face the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion head-on and watch as Gongsun Yanming’s empire, built atop the corpses of the Shang Family, crumbled.

But reclaiming her Life Chart was merely the first step.

This grand performance would end only when she decided it was over.

The people inside the room felt her unshakable resolve.

Chen Long and Lu Yuan, knowing the truth, shared her deep hatred.

Ji Li and Shangguan Ling, however, were utterly confused.

Ji Li tried to find Si Snake, only to see him lost in thought. Scanning the room, he realized only Shangguan Ling and himself were on the same wavelength.

Ji Li winked meaningfully at Shangguan Ling: What’s going on?

Shangguan Ling: No idea!

Ji Li finally voiced his confusion: "Little Yin Hu, why does it feel as if you harbor an irreconcilable grudge against the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion?"

Meng Qianqian replied without changing her expression: "The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has colluded with Prime Minister Xun to harm countless lives. Even if I act on Heaven’s behalf, it wouldn’t be excessive."

Ji Li pondered this: "That makes some sense. As a Commander Guard, I don’t usually meddle in other people’s business, but even I can’t stomach the shameless actions of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. Seeing that we’re both part of the Twelve Guards, I’ve decided to help you eradicate them. Payment upon task completion, no credit!"

The fiery speech at the beginning stirred everyone’s blood, and Mr. Zimu, for a moment, thought that hopping onto this bandwagon wasn’t entirely in vain—until he was almost choked by the final remark.

So it’s all about money?

Could this "righteous army" really be relied on?

Mr. Zimu looked at Meng Qianqian: "How much silver are you giving him?"

Twelve Guards don’t come cheap, do they?

Meng Qianqian raised her hand.

Mr. Zimu’s aged body trembled: "Fifty thousand taels? Daylight robbery!"

Meng Qianqian: "Five copper coins."

Mr. Zimu: "...Kidnapping then."

The group gathered, as usual, spent an hour jesting and only a few minutes deliberating.

As the sky darkened, the conversation finally returned to business.

"Gongsun Liuying has fainted, so her marriage with Lu Qi will likely be postponed, right?"

Shangguan Ling spoke up.

Ji Li sneered: "Why are you so concerned about someone else’s marriage?"

Shangguan Ling sighed: "Rooster Lord, I haven’t provoked you, have I? You can’t beat those two, so now you’re taking out your anger on me? That’s not fair."

Si Snake said: "The day of the grand wedding is the moment to strike."

Ji Li’s eyes lit up, and he immediately forgot Shangguan Ling, leaning in toward Si Snake: "Ah Snake, have you decided to join us in the fight? The last time we killed together was during that campaign with the Grand Marshal. By my reckoning, it’s been ages since we battled side by side."

Meng Qianqian said: "Whether the wedding is postponed depends on whether Gongsun Liuying wakes up in three days."

Ji Li asked: "Little Yin Hu, why three days?"

Meng Qianqian replied: "A guess."

Si Snake explained: "Because the longer it drags on, the more unrecoverable Gongsun Liuying’s identity as the Phoenix Girl will become."

Ji Li snapped his folding fan: "So, in three days, they’ll make a move against Little Yin Hu?"

Chen Long said to Meng Qianqian: "I’ll go with you to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Lu Yuan interjected: "Gongsun Yanming knows you. If you go to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, not only will you fail to protect her, but you’ll also expose her even faster."

Chen Long thought for a moment and asked Shangguan Ling: "Do you have room for an Outer Disciple over there?"

Shangguan Ling asked sincerely: "Brother Long, do you think you fit the part?"

Meng Qianqian said: "I have my own plans for dealing with the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. Don’t worry about me. Instead, let’s discuss the matter of the Qilin. Winning over Gongsun Liuying this time was aided by the Goddess’s support and Gongsun Yanming’s lack of preparation. Next time, he’ll certainly be more vigilant."

The competition for the Qilin is far tougher than the one for the Phoenix Girl.

Now, Gongsun Yanming will not only guard against the Crown Prince Mansion but also against Witch Mountain—there’s no chance the Wushan Envoy will deliver something like the Green Simurgh Sword again.

Moreover, the Phoenix Girl’s identity—whether it’s Meng Qianqian or Gongsun Liuying—only impacts the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion and isn’t of concern to Emperor Liang.

But the Qilin concerns the nation’s fate.

Only the true Qilin inheriting the throne can ensure the uninterrupted prosperity of Great Liang’s fortune.

To outsiders, it seems that since the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion chose the wrong Phoenix Girl, their chosen Qilin must also be wrong.

But in Emperor Liang’s eyes, one thing doesn’t negate the other. The Phoenix Girl is the Phoenix Girl, and the Qilin is the Qilin. Just because someone made one mistake doesn’t mean all their accomplishments should be dismissed.

The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion claimed that Lu Qi is Emperor Liang’s true Imperial Grandson—didn’t they get that part right?

One correct, one incorrect—balanced out.

Lu Yuan lazily glanced toward Mr. Zimu: "Old man, was it your performance last time that was a disaster?"