Taking advantage of the darkness, Lu Qiange's fleet arrived at a hidden beach in Guiping secretly. After the personnel landed quickly, they hid on the west side of the nearby foothills.

At this time, they were sitting around the faint bonfire, listening to Cheng Wanli's recount of the past.

Cheng Wanli just got rid of the control of the "Puppet Art", so his memories were still intermittent. But he could give an outline when he tried hard to recall.

As he said, at that time, according to the deceased emperor’s decree, he took the first team, the second team, and the third team of the Eastern Depot to go on board and set off from the Jinmen Ferry. After that, their fleet encountered a storm and caught fire. Soon after it was far away from the channel, they encountered the Master's fleet.

Cheng Wanli didn't understand that the Master was still in Southern Jiang at that time, so it was impossible for him to meet the teams of the Eastern Depot based on time calculation, and everyone was controlled by the false Master then until this moment.

The more he thought about it, the more afraid he became. The robust man panted, and he was so startled that he was in a cold sweat.

Huanan Jiyan stroked her hair on her temple, looking horrified and puzzled,

"Are there really two people who look exactly the same in the world?"

Lu Qiange shook his head, "No. It should just be a disguise skill."

"Master, that person is too much like you in shape and appearance. What is going on?"

Cheng Wanli stared at Leng Qingtang's silent face. Based on his understanding, he felt that the truth was much more complicated than what they said.

Leng Qingtang raised his eyelashes and looked around at the people present with his silent eyes. His handsome face was facing the flickering fire, while his eyes were as cold as the moon.

"Actually, I have a twin brother..."

"What?"

People's eyes widened at the same time, and they looked at Leng Qingtang in shock.

He lowered his eyes, saying in a low and slow voice,

"That person was the culprit who robbed Yunxi back then. He changed her face, controlled her with chronic poison, and sent her into the Palace to look for the Kunhuang Island map. He was the person who committed the mannequin case in the Palace of Da Yi. And Tu Muxue, who exchanged appearances and identities with Yunxi, was also his subordinate."

Leng Qingtang turned to Yu Xuanji then,

"Xiu, why do you know how to break the 'Puppet Art'?"

Yu Xuanji kneaded his jaw with two fingers and smiled coldly,

"Tianyan Faction originated from Dao Faction, and the previous master of Pengxian Temple, Taoist priest Puci, was a friend of Hong Zun of Tianyan Faction."

"I heard from Taoist priest Puci that when he was young, he often trained Kungfu together with Hong Zun. After Tianyan Faction moved to Ying State, they also wrote letters to each other."

"My Kungfu was taught by Taoist priest Puci. At that time, I heard him talk about the two kinds of secret magic of Tianyan Faction, Puppet Art and Music-Killing."

"Taoist priest Puci told me how to break 'Puppet Art'. Thinking about it now, I deem that Taoist priest Puci got the way to break Puppet Art maybe because he had a good relationship with Hong Zun."

Leng Qingtang nodded and thought carefully. Finally, he got some clues,

"No wonder that after you learned that Hong Zun was killed, all of you in Dao Faction began to pursue and kill Lei Huan, the traitor of Tianyan Faction, with all your strength."

Yu Xuanji's eyes were as cold as icy, emitting a scorching cold light，

"Since Taoist priest Puci hadn't received a letter from his close friend for three consecutive months, he felt that something was wrong. He sent someone to find out what happened, and then he knew that Hong Zun had been killed by his disciple Lei Huan. Naturally, he would use all the power in his faction to avenge his friend. Since your twin brother can use Puppet Art and Music-Killing, he should be Hong Zun's disciple. But in these many years of correspondence, he had never mentioned the situation of that person to Taoist priest Puci."

"Because of his identity."

Cheng Wanli answered without hurry and haste.

It was not hard to guess.

Leng Qingtang was the son of Emperor Chengxi, and he hid as a eunuch in the Palace of Da Yi for his special mission. He and his men had been extremely cautious in every step they had taken.

The status of his twin brother was also special naturally. He and the person who took him in must have been living a hard and dangerous life every day.

Whether he wanted to keep the secret or to keep his friend from getting involved, Hong Zun would definitely not mention his apprentice with a unique background to anyone.

Lu Qiange sat aside and listened to them, being dumbfounded for a long time. He didn't react until Huanan Jiyan pushed him.

"Uncle, I have never heard Mother talk about your twin brother. However, the ninth day of the eighth lunar month will be the day when Huanan Xin comes to Wangxian Rise to pray for blessings. Mother has made an agreement with me that she will definitely come to Kunhuang Island that day."

Lu Qiange bowed his head, clenched his hand into a fist, and smashed it against the ground, gritting his teeth with hatred,

"Yunxi had suffered so many risks in the Palace before. After capturing Priest Wu, she ventured into the Swift Tower. It was all because of your twin brother. When I see him, I will teach him a big lesson!"

Leng Qingtang frowned on this,

"At that time, the Eastern Depot and the Western Depot handled the case jointly, and I didn't find out his true identity until I fought with him. After he escaped, there was no more news. When Tu Muxue appeared and was captured by the Eastern Depot, she was already a useless person. We couldn't extract any useful news from her. But I have a feeling that my brother hates not only the court but also me."

Cheng Wanli asked anxiously,

"Master, what should we do now? That person has hidden gunpowder on every floor of Wangxian Rise, ready to kill Huanan Xin on the ninth day. Now Madam Yun has been carried into the Imperial Residence outside the capital by Huanan Xin, and I can't see her at all."

Huanan Jiyan covered her mouth, looking flustered,

"The day after tomorrow will be the ninth day of the eighth lunar month."

Lu Qiange clapped his hands angrily, and jumped up from the ground,

"I'll take some people to sneak into the Imperial Residence and rescue Yunxi immediately. I'll kill Huanan Xin to avenge my Master!"

"I'll go with you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Huanan Jiyan also stood up, holding Lu Qiange's arm with cold and determined eyes.

"We'll go, too!"

The warriors of Udan raised their fists in response.

"No!"

Leng Qingtang got up to stop them. He paused, trying to relax and calm his tumbling and messy mood.

"Now we have two opponents, my brother, and Huanan Xin. No matter what kind of grievances we have with each other, our common purpose is always the half jade seal. Therefore, we will not join forces to form temporary allies."

"Without a thoughtful plan, not only can't we get the jade seal, but also we can't rescue Yunxi and avenge elder Wenren."

Lu Qiange was restored to reason gradually. He sat down cross-legged, and sighed,

"So uncle, do you have any ideas?"

Leng Qingtang narrowed his eyes lightly and stared at the orange-red bonfire. He said after a moment of silence,

"Since he wants to impersonate me, I'll borrow my identity to him temporarily. He can attract the attention of Huanan Xin and act as a cover for us. Since he can put gunpowder against Huanan Xin in Wangxian Rise secretly, he himself will go to Kunhuang Tomb for the half jade seal certainly."

"Wanli, you must rush back to the camp of the Eastern Depot overnight, and you can't let him see the flaws. On the ninth day when the underground palace opens, you need to take the opportunity to get the jade seal. That day, I'll sneak into the Imperial Residence to rescue Yunxi when Huanan Xin climbs Wangxian Rise."

"I got it, Master. I will rush back to him now to find out what's going on."

"Wait a minute!"

Yu Xuanji stood up from the ground following Cheng Wanli.

"The Chiliarch can't act alone. He needs a few helpers around. I'll sneak into the camp in a disguise and break the Puppet Art for your men. We'll enter Kunhuang Tomb together on the ninth day."

Leng Qingtang adopted the High Priest’s suggestion,

"Alright. You two should be careful."

Lu Qiange couldn't help being eager to do something since others all had their work,

"Uncle, what should I do the day after tomorrow?"

Leng Qingtang said,

"Since Huanan Xin is treacherous, once he gets the jade seal, he will definitely kill all the people in the Eastern Depot. Hua'er, you take people to Kunhuang Island overnight to make an ambush. The day after tomorrow, you will meet with Wanli and pay close attention to the movements around the underground palace. If you see that the people of Huanan Xin act abnormally, you have to take action to protect the people in the Eastern Depot and my brother."

"Why should I protect him?"

Lu Qiange's purple eyes were sulky, and he looked reluctant.

Leng Qingtang patted him on the shoulder,

"Do as I say. He is my brother after all, and I have something to ask him personally."

...

Min Rui encountered Gu Di the moment he returned to the camp of the Eastern Depot.

"Duke Min, where did you do?"

Gu Di was standing in the moonlight with his hands crossed behind. He glanced at Min Rui's cloak with his handsome eyes, and his sharp eyes seemed to be able to penetrate through the human body instantaneously.

Min Rui's heart trembled violently. He showed a helpless smile, and cupped his hand in the other,

"Master, why haven't you gone to bed yet? I missed my wife, but I didn't want to disturb others, so I went out of the camp alone to worship my dead wife."

Gu Di nodded lightly and smiled freely,

"Your affection for your wife really touches me. However, the ninth day will be a big day. There are still important things that have not been arranged, so I cannot rest easy still."

"What things?"

Min Rui opened his eyes wide, and the light in his eyes shrank.

Gu Di lowered his head, staring straight at Min Rui's frozen old face with a faint smile,

"Ha-ha, I've set up gunpowder in Wangxian Rise, so I need someone to detonate the fuse that day."

"..."

Min Rui couldn't answer him obviously.

What he meant was clear.

All the gunpowder distributed inside Wangxian Rise was strung together by one fuse. If they wanted to blow up Wangxian Rise with gunpowder, one person would need to act as cannon fodder and stay inside Wangxian Rise to light the fuse.

That was the problem. The person who lighted the fuse would not have any chance of escape, and he would be blown to pieces by gunpowder along with Wangxian Rise.

No wonder this resourceful Master couldn't sleep late at night.

Life was precious. Who would be willing to take the initiative to act as cannon fodder for the ignition?

Min Rui's body was stiff. He blinked his sour eyes after a long while, asking hesitantly,

"Master Leng, is there any proper way to select the candidate?"

He smiled and said in a cold voice,

"It's not a smart way. We'll draw lots to make a decision so that those who are proactive don't have to die in vain, and those who are greedy for life and fear of death can't shirk it. Now everyone is there except you, Duke."

Min Rui's face suddenly turned pale,

"Do I have to participate as well?"

"Of course. To make sure the rules are fair, everyone in the camp has to participate. Let's go. People have been waiting in front of the tent for a long time."

"Okay..."

Knowing that he could not escape, Min Rui composed himself and took a step, following the man to walk towards the tent on the north of the camp in panic. He saw a long line outside the tent with flickering light of fire there from a long distance.

There were so many people there, with different expressions on their faces. Most of them looked sad, and the cowards were even covering their faces and whimpering.

The men dressed as guards on both sides strode forward, pushing the crying ones and yelling,

"F*cking cowards! Maintain an army for a thousand days to use it for an hour! So why do you cry? This is a glorious thing. If you died, Master would take care of your family!"

Min Rui lined up at the end of the line according to Gu Di's instructions, watching Gu Di turning around and stepping into the tent.

People began to draw lots, and the queue moved forward slowly.

A few were overwhelmed with panic, fainting on the spot, and were pulled out of the queue by the guards then.

The people in front of the queue walked into the tent one by one, and their looks when they walked out were so different from those before they entered the tent.

"It's not me. It's not me. I don't need to light the fuse!"

"It's not me either! I get the soybean."

Those who had drawn lots whispered to each other.

Min Rui looked at the cheering faces passing by, and suddenly he thought of something. He stood on tiptoe and stretched his neck to search the queue several times.

"I get the soybean! So I don't have to light the fuse in Wangxian Rise!"

Hearing a familiar voice, Min Rui looked around anxiously and raised his voice,

"Jun'er, come here!"

"Dad?"

The young man looked in high spirits. Min Jun ran to Min Rui, shaking the bean between his fingertips, and said in a slightly trembling voice with excitement,

"Look, father. I get the soybean, so I am not the selected one. The rule is that whoever gets the black bean will go to light the fuse in Wangxian Rise!"

"Okay, okay. I know it..."

Min Rui was relieved, looked at his son affectionately, and tidied up his clothes,

"It's too messy here. Go back to the barrack to have a rest."

"I'll stay and wait for you. After you draw the lot, we'll go back together."

Min Rui was getting more and more nervous, and he shook his head hurriedly,

"No, no, you go back first. Go back soon!"

"Okay."

Min Jun was pushed hard by his father. Seeing his anxious expression, he didn't insist but walked away then.

Min Rui sighed, and his depressed mood was not relieved at all.

The person standing in front of him ran out of the tent with a smile, and finally, it was his turn.

Min Rui's face was solemn, and he raised his hand to lift the curtain after standing outside the tent to compose himself for a while.

Seeing Min Rui walking in, Gu Di who was sitting in the main seat narrowed his eyes slyly, and turned his dark pupils quietly.

The man who guarded the lottery box remained silent, and leaned forward slightly, but his hands under the table moved.

Min Rui only looked at Gu Di, not paying attention to the situation beside him at all.

"Duke Min, the rule is simple. There is only one black bean among the thousands of beans in this wooden box. Please go forward and take one out. The people who get the soybeans will be okay, and the one who gets the black bean will obey God's will to sacrifice his life for righteousness the day after tomorrow. Before that, I'll show you what I have got."

Gu Di spread his right hand, showing the soybean in his palm to the man on the opposite side.

"Okay. I'll do that."

Min Rui stared at the rectangular wooden box on the table and approached blankly.

Suddenly, his mind went blank.

"Duke Min, you don't need to worry. You may not be the selected one, and even if you are, since your sacrifice for the world and the people, I will take good care of your son and let him want for nothing in the future."

The man kept speaking. His tone seemed to be kind, but what he said was so impersonal. It was obviously a disguised urge.

Min Rui pressed his lips tightly and took a deep breath, reaching out and putting his hand into the round hole of the wooden box...