After Jiang Wang discovered that Zheng Shangming was tailing him, he did not consider the matter perfectly resolved. Instead, he communicated with Chongxuan Sheng immediately upon returning to the manor.
Chongxuan Sheng instantly saw through Wen Lianmu's plan and rushed to the North Yamen to explain the situation in person. Only then did Zheng Shi act in time.
Zheng Shi did not even have time to change out of his official robes and personally went to the Grand Marshal's Manor, only to bring Zheng Shangming back safely and unharmed.
Wang Yiwu had made an enemy of the North Yamen Commander for nothing, yet he did not achieve his original goal. It was indeed a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it.
Zheng Shi brought Zheng Shangming directly back to the Inspection Manor located in the northern part of the city. The reason he did not let his son go home first was that he wanted him to thank Chongxuan Sheng and make an acquaintance with him at the same time.
After this incident, he naturally felt dissatisfaction toward Wang Yiwu, but to actually confront the Grand Marshal's Manor head-on seemed to have not reached that point. After all, Zheng Shangming had returned safely, and Jiang Mengxiong, whom Wang Yiwu represented, was regarded as a military god throughout the State of Qi.
He had his difficulties as the North Yamen Commander, so his attitude toward Chongxuan Sheng was actually somewhat contradictory. On one hand, he was grateful, but on the other hand, as the dignified North Yamen Commander, should he really get involved in the confrontation between Chongxuan Sheng and Wang Yiwu?
Zheng Shangming, who was of the same generation as them, was undoubtedly a good buffer. No matter what Zheng Shangming did, as his father, he still had room to smooth things over.
After making comprehensive plans and returning to the Inspection Manor, the inspection soldiers informed Zheng Shi that Chongxuan Sheng had left right after him, not waiting at the Inspection Manor to claim credit.
"Did he say anything when he left?" Zheng Shi asked.
The inspection soldier replied: "Young Master Sheng said it was a small matter, no need to worry about it! He also said he wasn't helping others, but helping himself."
These words were really straightforward.
Zheng Shi pondered for a while, then looked at his son, but said nothing more.
...
Grand Marshal's Manor.
Facing Wang Yiwu's question -- how Zheng Shi had arrived in time to stop them from using Zheng Shangming as a bargaining chip to borrow the power of the North Yamen.
Wen Lianmu could only respond with a bitter smile: "I think Chongxuan Sheng must still be at the North Yamen right now."
Wang Yiwu understood the meaning of this bitter smile.
Chongxuan Sheng's instinct for schemes was too sharp! He was slippery, and no calculation could easily touch him.
Moreover, it was clear that he also had sufficient understanding of Zheng Shangming, no less than Wen Lianmu. Only then could he see through his plans in time.
If their positions were reversed, he believed he certainly could not respond as quickly.
The reason he did not think it was Jiang Wang who had thought of this step was because if Jiang Wang could have thought of it, he would not have let Zheng Shangming go in the first place, let alone give Zheng Shangming the opportunity to come to the Grand Marshal's Manor and fall into the trap.
When Wen Lianmu failed in his first attempt to scheme against Chongxuan Sheng, he had even mocked him a bit. This was because he had considerable confidence in Wen Lianmu at the time and did not think a temporary setback was a big deal.
This time the losses were more severe, yet he showed no resentment at all, only asking: "What other plans do you have?"
Wen Lianmu wiped away the bitter smile, and there was no frustration in his eyes. Instead, they were full of spirit. He truly enjoyed this feeling of competing with others.
It filled him with passion.
"I've been making you offend people all this time!"
Wang Yiwu did not even lift an eyelid: "If I've offended them, so be it. They're not important figures anyway."
Whether it was Bao Zhongqing or Zheng Shi, both were like this. The former was far from his match, and the latter would eventually be surpassed by him.
Wen Lianmu gave a chuckle: "Fishing is no longer feasible. He always takes the bait but never bites the hook. To catch this fat fish, it's better to directly dig the embankment, drain the water, and dry the pond!"
"When schemes are useless, use open strategies!"
"How do we dig the embankment, drain the water, and dry the pond?" Wang Yiwu asked.
"From our recent study of Chongxuan Sheng, we know that the people he trusts most now are his personal bodyguard, Shisi, and Jiang Wang, who is said to come from the State of Zhuang in the western territories. They are his right and left hands."
All the information was in his mind. Wen Lianmu did not need to think carefully and directly said: "I discovered a very interesting detail. When Jiang Wang participated in the Celestial Residence Secret Realm, his hair was completely white, but now it has returned to black. Connecting this with Chongxuan Sheng's efforts to obtain longevity fruit during that period, we can easily draw the conclusion -- Jiang Wang once had a shortage of lifespan for some reason!"
Wang Yiwu, having studied under the military god Jiang Mengxiong, naturally knew very well the negative impact of a lifespan shortage on cultivation: "It was not easy for him to have his current strength. It shows his diligence."
For Wang Yiwu, this was already rare praise.
Of course, Jiang Wang might not need it.
"And I also found that Chongxuan Sheng has started collecting treasures that increase lifespan again. Chongxuan Chuliang doesn't need them, and the Marquis of Bowang no longer requires them. So there is only one possibility -- he is preparing them for Jiang Wang. Most likely, Jiang Wang's lifespan limit has not yet been replenished."
Wang Yiwu asked: "What can we use in this?"
"The Seven Stars Tower in Daze County will open soon," Wen Lianmu said.
"It has no meaning for me." Wang Yiwu paused and asked: "Do you want to go?"
If Wen Lianmu really wanted to go to the Seven Stars Tower, he would have to put aside this current matter and switch to defense.
By now, even if he was still proud, he did not believe he could defeat Chongxuan Sheng without using force. Unfortunately, Linzi was not a military camp or a battlefield. Nor was it a simple city. He was like a dragon bound by ropes, feeling constrained everywhere.
Wen Lianmu shook his head and said: "There are treasures that increase lifespan inside."
Wang Yiwu frowned: "I haven't heard this news."
"You will hear it soon." Wen Lianmu smiled and added: "Chongxuan Sheng will too."
Wang Yiwu understood. Wen Lianmu wanted to lure Jiang Wang away, directly cutting off Chongxuan Sheng's right and left hands, leaving Chongxuan Sheng isolated.
This news might not be true, but Wen Lianmu would definitely make people believe it.
Seeing that Wang Yiwu understood, Wen Lianmu continued: "This news can only be known at your and Chongxuan Sheng's level. Jiang Wang cannot find out on his own."
"Have you reached a cooperation with the Tian family?"
To control the news about the Seven Stars Tower to such an extent, it was impossible without the support of the Tian family.
"He is not giving me face, but giving you, Wang Yiwu, face," Wen Lianmu said.
But he did not say who "he" was.
Wang Yiwu only asked: "If Chongxuan Sheng knows the news but hides it from Jiang Wang to keep him in Linzi to help him at this critical moment, you have already planned how to let Jiang Wang know without leaving any trace, right?"
Wen Lianmu did not deny it: "It concerns his own path of cultivation. He cannot possibly have no reservations. Making them have doubts about each other is more effective than directly sending him away. Of course, if Chongxuan Sheng sincerely tells him and Jiang Wang goes to Daze County, that is also a result we want."
...
Xia Mountain Villa.
Because Jiang Wang refused to go out and play with him, after pestering for a while with no result, Xu Xiangqian changed direction and went to the Siege Marquis Manor, saying he was looking for Li Longchuan.
Of course, there was also the factor that he did not want to get involved in the competition between Chongxuan Sheng and Chongxuan Zun. After all, as soon as he arrived at Xia Mountain Villa, he saw Chongxuan Sheng mobilizing people and resources.
If something really happened, should he help or not help? It was better to leave.
Chongxuan Sheng said he would be back soon, and indeed he did not delay too much time, but when he returned, Xu Xiangqian had already left.
He did not mind and only picked up Zheng Shi's reaction and told Jiang Wang about it.
At this time, Jiang Wang realized what was happening and only then discovered that behind such a simple tailing, there were so many schemes hidden.
"Do you plan to just keep reacting to their moves like this?" Jiang Wang said with some lingering fear: "You people have too many twists and turns in your minds. I can't guarantee that I won't be fooled every time."
"I have already prepared to take action..." Chongxuan Sheng said, then realized and raised his voice: "What kind of people are we?"