Chapter 2866: Madness

“It’s you?” Defiant Providence exclaimed as he recognized the person.

“I can create an opportunity for you to exact vengeance.” Zu An looked at the pitiful man crouched in the corner of his cell. He had to admit that the Conqueror King was a perverted man.

Defiant Providence’s eyes quivered in agitation, but he quickly calmed down and sneered, “You’re merely the Conqueror King’s lackey. Is he using you as bait to lead me into making a mistake, so he can find a proper pretext to deal with me?”

Tasina had made a huge sacrifice to protect him. He couldn’t let her down.

Zu An could guess what he was thinking. He shook his head and said, “I'd never have expected the proud Defiant Providence to have become trash who survives by offering others his wife.”

“What did you say?!” Defiant Providence was enraged. He charged up to the prison bars, glaring at Zu An as if he would eat him alive.

You have successfully trolled Defiant Providence for +799... +799... +799...

Zu An nodded. “At least you’re still capable of anger. You haven’t completely fallen yet.”

Then, he reined in his smile and said, “If the Conqueror King truly intended to deal with you, he would have countless ways of doing so. Are you sure you can guard against all of them just by treading carefully?”

Defiant Providence fell silent.

He’s right. Even if I avoid this ‘trap’, there may be countless more waiting for me.

“Will you content yourself with sacrificing your wife for a moment’s peace until the Conqueror King is done toying with you, or will you risk everything for a chance to avenge your wife?” Zu An spoke with an inexplicably compelling voice.

Defiant Providence narrowed his eyes. “How do you intend to do it?”

“I’ll create an opportunity for you,” Zu An spoke calmly as if he had it all under control.

Defiant Providence was silent for a moment before nodding. “Alright.”

Zu An left the prison and paid a visit to Oboi right after.

The Oboi in this world was also a high-ranking member of the Annihilation faction. He had supported Defiant Providence in his bid to inherit Dissonant Melody’s authority, but that gamble backfired when Defiant Providence failed to inherit the throne.[1]

Oboi was both surprised and vigilant when Zu An visited him, but he changed his attitude when Zu An revealed Defiant Providence’s token and revealed knowledge of their secret code.

When Oboi learned about their plan, he clenched his teeth and declared, “Count me in!”

He knew that at this rate, he would soon face the same plight as Defiant Providence. Once the Annihilation Progenitor chose the Conqueror King as his envoy, there would be no chance for him to rise to prominence anymore.

If they could deal with the Conqueror King before the Annihilation Progenitor’s next descent, it was unlikely that the Progenitor would punish all of them for the sake of a deceased individual.

Zu An also reached out to a powerful Manchu king named Jirgalang. The latter was an expert of the Annihilation faction, as well as one of the founding kings of Manchuria. He wielded great prestige and rallying power.

In the fight between the Conqueror King and Defiant Providence, Jirgalang hadn’t supported the Conqueror King; instead, he'd backed Dissonant Melody’s ninth son, Confounding Crossroads, who was also this world’s Shunzhi Emperor, Fulin. The Conqueror King might not have said anything then, but he already harbored a grudge against Jirgalang.

If you aren’t going to be on my side, Jirgalang, I should simply get rid of you.

Due to that, Zu An was able to quickly come to an agreement with Jirgalang. The latter had already learned about the Conqueror King’s intention to implicate him in Defiant Providence’s charges. Given that, he decided to make a gamble here.

In a secret chamber, Jirgalang said, “To deal with the Conqueror King, you’ll have to first deal with his aides, especially Dodo and Ajige. They are the Conqueror King’s blood-related brothers, and they wield military authority.”

Zu An replied, “Dodo is tied up in Southern Ming and won’t be returning any time soon. Ajige is a reckless man without wits. We can easily deal with him once we handle the Conqueror King.”

Jirgalang nodded, agreeing with his judgment. “Another target we need to be wary about is the captain of the imperial guards, Suksaha. He’s in charge of defending the imperial palace. If unrest happens, there’s a high chance he may hold the emperor and the empress hostage. He may frame us as rebels, and that’ll put us in a very bad position.”

“Oboi is the vice-captain of the imperial guards. He’ll be able to tie down Suksaha.”

“What about Leng Sengji? He’s the Commander of the Nine Gates, presiding over all troops in the capital. If he closes the Nine Gates, we’ll be trapped like turtles in a jar.”

“Who says we’ll make a move in the capital? It's now the Conqueror King’s turf; his influence runs deep here. Our odds of bringing him down here are too slim.”

“Where else do you intend to deal with him?”

“Outside the city.”

“He’s a vigilant man. He won’t leave the city easily,” Jirgalang said with a frown.

“I have a plan. You just need to make preparations.” Zu An didn’t reveal everything to Jirgalang.

“All right.” Killing intent brimmed in Jirgalang’s eyes, knowing that the only way for him to survive this ordeal was to kill the Conqueror King.

...

After taking Defiant Providence’s wife, the Conqueror King was feeling refreshed. He set his eyes next on the imperial palace, or more specifically, the cold, young empress dowager whom he had been interested in for a long time now.

He hadn’t been able to do anything about that thus far due to the massive influence wielded by Dissonant Melody and his sons, but now that his prestige was at an all-time high, nothing could stand in his way anymore.

Thinking about her identity as an Order envoy further stoked his desire to conquer her. His only regret was that Dissonant Melody had beaten him to it.

Hmph! Dissonant Melody is now dead. Everything is falling into place now. That fellow is of no use to me anymore. I should find an excuse to kill him someday.

Come to think about it, he has quite a few beautiful ladies following him.

The female spy who infiltrated Li Zicheng’s army has a sweet smile.

The woman named Zheng Dan exudes a dignified air. I heard she resembles the Ming court’s imperial sister-in-law.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

How audacious. Does he think he’s worthy of such women?

Zhao Xiaodie isn't bad, either. She might be my daughter in name, but there’s no blood relation between us.

...

Thinking about those beautiful women made the Conqueror King’s heart pound in excitement. He felt that he had some potential in the path of Reproduction as well. He quickly made his way to the imperial palace’s inner court, where he found the cold empress dowager.

Her succulent thighs wrapped in black stockings were so enticing that the Conqueror King couldn’t hold himself back anymore. He was about to rush in when the other party stopped him.

“There are many people in the imperial palace. It wouldn’t be good if news were to spread.”

“The palace is now filled with my people. Who would dare to run their tongue?”

“Aren’t you on bad terms with the vice-captain of the imperial guards, Oboi? The little emperor is in the imperial palace as well. It won’t be good if he learns about it and a falling-out happens.”

The Conqueror King frowned. The other party was right. There was already pushback from others due to him taking Defiant Providence’s consort. If news about him offending the empress dowager were to spread, the others could work with the little emperor to create trouble for him.

“Empress dowager, do you think you can send me away just like that? As long as I can have you, I can shoulder the rumors.”

“No one in the world can oppose the Conqueror King now. I am merely saying that I don’t want to do it in the imperial palace. We can head outside the palace, where the little emperor isn’t around, and there are fewer eyes on us.”

The Conqueror King was overjoyed. Not only did he get to conquer the cold empress dowager right away, but he would even get to do it outdoors. This was something to look forward to. “Very well. Tomorrow morning, we shall set off to the Chengde Hunting Ground!”

1. Oboi was a highly influential official. He was famous for being a regent for the young Kangxi Emperor, and he grew so powerful that he nearly became another ‘Dorgon’. ☜