The Beautiful CEO’s Dragon Blood Bodyguard
Chapter 1016: Laying Out the Chess Pieces

Chapter 1016: Chapter 1016: Laying Out the Chess Pieces

Ji Wanyu listened in stunned silence, unable to fathom that someone would dare commit such heinous acts at the local level, driving the common folk to such desperation.

She asked the elder, "Why haven’t you appealed to the Imperial Court?"

The elder lamented, "Miss, the common people can’t fight against officials. We’re just ordinary folks; how could we ever stand up to a prince? At first, some people did turn to the Official Residence for help, but they were directly accused of framing officials and thrown into jail, where they were beaten to death. Since ancient times, officials have always protected each other, so who will speak up for us common people?"

"Outrageous!"

Ji Wanyu slammed her hand down on the table, tipping over a cup and causing everyone to sit back, narrowly avoiding getting splashed.

The little girl, frightened, darted into the elder’s embrace, thinking Ji Wanyu was angry with them.

She took out a pouch from her Storage Ring and handed it to the elder. It was heavy, containing at least a hundred Gold Coins.

She asked the elder, "Among the Water Bandits, are there many who have suffered the same as you?"

The elder nodded, "Many. Everyone was forced into it by hunger. If they had food to eat, who would want to rebel?"

Ji Wanyu nodded in acknowledgment and waved her hand, signaling the elder to leave.

Chu Feng laughed, "Look at this, after just a few days, Her Royal Highness The Princess’s temper has become even more fiery!"

"Don’t provoke me; I’m not in a good mood."

Ji Wanyu shot him a fierce glance and cursed through clenched teeth, "This damn prince is really up to no good. Once I’m back, I will definitely report his villainy to the Imperial Grandfather and demand his execution."

Long Fei chuckled softly, "Setting aside whether your plan is feasible, even if you do succeed in executing Prince Yu, within the Nine Provinces of the Great Xia Kingdom, there are still Prince Lu, Prince Yan, the Shu King, Prince Xiang, and various other officials both great and small. Without a complete change, more tragedies will continue to occur on this land."

"Are you inciting me to rebel?"

Ji Wanyu’s eyes widened as she retorted, "I refuse to believe that every other prince is like Prince Yu!"

Long Fei admonished, "You’ve read so many enlightening books in the outside world. How can you still be so naive? The characteristic of a feudal society is land, and the annexation of land is an inevitable occurrence. You’re right, in your world, the abundance of Spiritual Energy makes it easy for the land to sustain the population’s growth, so there has yet to be a dynastic change. However, everything has a tipping point, and once passed, you can no longer control the developments. The Water Bandits of Yuzhou are just the beginning; any change in climate, any year of disaster, and this sort of situation will happen over and over again."

Ji Wanyu closed her mouth, knowing she could not out-argue Long Fei.

She had read plenty of books in the outside world, but she had memorized them hastily without fully digesting them.

Long Fei had made a reasonable point, but where this tipping point lay, nobody knew.

Perhaps it wouldn’t emerge for a thousand years, or even ten thousand years. Now, asking her, a princess who benefitted from this system, to oppose it was something she simply could not do.

Lin Shanshan, seeing their discussion heating up, hurriedly interjected, "Alright, let’s all say less. What you’re talking about concerns the future, and besides, it’s worldly matters that have nothing to do with us Cultivators!"

Chu Feng said, "Right, we drink, we eat, and whoever becomes the Emperor doesn’t concern us. Once we become True Immortals and leave, even if this world collapses, we won’t be affected."

"Let’s not discuss state affairs, let’s not discuss state affairs."

Luu Jiangnan, seeing the situation turning sour, also tried to mediate.

Ji Wanyu slammed the table, "I’ve lost my appetite, not eating anymore. I’m going back to Chang’an City right now to report the misdeeds of Prince Yu to my father. I can’t deal with distant issues, but any villain I encounter before me shall be dealt with."

True to her impulsive nature, she didn’t even ride the Giant Eagles, but cast forth Emperor Yu’s Sword and soared into the sky.

Her white skirt fluttered in the wind, and the breeze through her hair gave her an air of valiant heroism, a warrior woman through and through.

Murong Chong got up awkwardly, repeatedly clasping his hands in apology to the others, "I shall take my leave as well, everyone please continue. I’ll see you in Chang’an City."

He had been sent by his master to protect Her Royal Highness The Princess, how could he dare to let Ji Wanyu leave alone?

A sword shadow streaked across the sky once again.

Two people left the table in an instant.

Lin Shanshan sighed, muttering to Long Fei, "Brother-in-law, she’s just a young girl, why are you telling her all this? Do you really expect her to become an emperor in the future?"

Long Fei’s lips curled into a slight smile, but he said nothing.

To make use of the resources of this world, the secular power represented by the Royal Family had to be controlled in his own hands.

This chess piece had to be Ji Wanyu.

As for the grand scheme of things, he hadn’t explained much to the few around him since they wouldn’t be needed for now.

Li Gan ran up at this time, whispering in Long Fei’s ear, "Master, my brother is waiting below to see you. Do you have time now?"

"Let him come up!"

Long Fei waved his hand; it had been quite a while since he had paid any attention to this genius of the Songshan Sect.

The more he neglected Li Xuan, the more anxious he felt in his heart.

Now that the Sect Leader of the Songshan Sect was dead, and its demise was inevitable, it was crucial to find a good path for himself before he was truly finished in the Cultivation World.

After Li Gan went down, he brought Li Xuan up with him.

With furrowed brows, upon seeing Long Fei, Li Xuan immediately questioned with clasped fists, "Daoist, what exactly do you intend to do with us? Give us a word, please! Whether to kill or to release us, you have to let our brothers know where they stand, right?"

Long Fei ordered, "Call up all of your fellow disciples."

Li Xuan became agitated and immediately summoned the restless disciples waiting below the city wall.

Disciples at the Core Formation Stage ascended and lined up behind Li Xuan.

Chu Feng looked at them with pity, having arrived a step too late and missed the big scene.

After spending so many days in the outside world, he was eager to get some exercise.

Long Fei took out porcelain bottles from the Storage Ring, placing about a hundred of them on the table.

Inside were Fourth-grade Pills, all previously hidden by the Sect Leader of the Songshan Sect, Zuo Ci.

After the battle at Mount Hua, Long Fei had reaped plentiful rewards, and combined with the contents of Zuo Ci’s Storage Ring, he was now in no shortage of such items.

He then said to Li Xuan and the disciples, "There are two paths for you to choose from. One is to leave, and the other is to join our Yin Yang Sect. Those who want to leave can do so now. Those who want to stay, take a Fourth-grade Pill, and you will temporarily be a disciple of the Yin Yang Sect. From now on, your ability will determine your cultivation resources—the more you achieve for the Yin Yang Sect, the more cultivation resources you’ll receive. Whether to leave or stay, the choice is yours!"

Someone disbelievingly asked, "Are you really willing to let us leave?"

Long Fei laughed heartily, "Of course, my word as the Sect Hierarch is as solid as gold. Mystic Turtle Island doesn’t keep idle people. You would still need to eat and drink my provisions here; why should I support you for nothing?"

The group of disciples couldn’t help but laugh, but fearing this was a test from Long Fei, none dared to leave.

They all looked towards Li Xuan, wishing to know what this third senior brother would decide.

Li Xuan, who had already been heartbroken by Zuo Ci, hadn’t expected his master to target him at a crucial moment.

However, to betray his Sect and join the Sect that killed his master was truly something he couldn’t bring himself to do.