The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 50

The moment Duke Lingnan is caught, those still fighting pauses and look solemnly at the situation happening.

Looking at the sword by his neck, the Duke's gaze turn cold.

” What's the meaning of this? ”
” Actually, I had already reach an agreement with the Marquise. ”
” Agreement? ”

The Duke sneer at Xue Mu, mimicking his tone of voice.

” Does the Emperor know you are secretly making agreements with the Mongolians? ”

Xue Mu's lips curl up in a smile.

” The Emperor knows more than you think. Like how you tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate me to get the treasure. Like how you're planning to revolt. ”

At this, Xue Mu turn and look at Aersi.

” The Envoy can be the witness. ”

The Duke's face turn a few shades uglier as he turn and stare at Aersi.

” What good does it comes with helping Xue Mu? You think the Emperor will help you rebel against the Mongolia King? Stop being so naive! ”

Aersi smiles.

” Although they're not helping, but they promised that when I overthrow my brother, they will not raise a hand to prevent. ”

The Duke purse his lips, falling in silence. The King of Mongolia currently, no matter his civil and military skills or his battle planning, can not match up to his younger brother, Aersi. The reason why he is the King for so long is because there are a few powerful officers supporting him, mainly because he's easier to control than his brother.

And this, to the still-recovering Chang-An, is an invaluable aspect.

So if Aersi is to revolt, Mongolia will definitely ask for aid from Chang-An and for a few reasons, they will send help.

Till now does he finally realize that Aersi main purpose is never the treasure, but to get the ‘promise' from Chang-An.

” And this is Yi Jin's idea? ”
” He said that rather than eliminating me, Chang-An's Emperor would rather eliminate you. ”
” Hmpt. ”

The Duke smirk and turn to Xue Mu.

” What you're doing is raising a tiger by your side. You're gonna regret this! ”
” So what if Mongolia change owners? Do you think I'll be afraid? Besides, on what position are you to say this? ”

He is the one who partnered with Aersi in the first place. The Duke got reb.u.t.ted so hard he choke a bit before instigating Aersi again.

” With Xue Mu alive, do you think you can achieve your ambition despite being the King?! ”

Aersi laughs and said the same as Xue Mu.

” Do you think I'm afraid of him? ”

Rather than secretly killing of Xue Mu like this, he prefer to fight it out heartily on the battlefield.

The Duke is completely speechless. He don't understand why someone wouldn't take the easier way and would rather fight for life and death on the battlefield.

” Enough, hand the antidote over. ”

As if not having the patience to continue this pointless talk, Xue Mu ask directly for the antidote. The Duke is stun for a moment at the sudden jump in topic before laughing loudly.

” You found Liu Qinghuan? Xue Mu, stop dreaming, if I am to die, I'm pulling her along with me! ”

As the Duke is still smirking, Xue Mu suddenly pull off the demon mask he have on and everyone goes silence.

Because he is not the Duke!

To have his mask suddenly removed surprised the man, who then look in disdain at Xue Mu.

” You think the Duke will fall into your tap and head over here? Stop dreaming, great General! ”

Xue Mu's face darken. This man mimic the Duke tone of voice and personality perfectly, which is why he haven't been found out till now. But according to the Duke's personality, he wouldn't stand out at this moment… Just when his thoughts reaches this point, the man suddenly yells.

” Retreat! ”

The two men who followed him, as well as Tang Zhibo take the chance of everyone still being in shock to escape into the forest. Until Hu Lingshan, who have been hold hostage, yell out.

” He's the real Duke! ”

Her finger pointing to the man who had held her hostage.

Xue Mu's sword pierce through the fake Duke's chest and immediately leap out as Peng Peng chase after him with his troops behind. Aersi look at the man lying on the ground, already without a breath, still with a face of surprise. The attack from Xue Mu was so swift that not just the man haven't react to it, even Aersi himself too.

After staring at the body for a while, Aersi suddenly laughs and summon his men to help out within the forest, leaving only Hu Lingshan and Gao Cheng behind in the cave. As if not being able to hold in any longer, Hu Lingshan kneel down on the ground and begin coughing furiously.

Seeing her coughing that hard, Gao Cheng hurridly walk over.

” Miss Liu, are you alright? ”

Liu Qinghuan shakes her head, but not managing to produce a sound. Gao Cheng frown and help her up.

” You head in and rest for a while, I'll get some water for you. ”
” Thanks. ”

She wipe away the tears she coughed out and follow Gao Cheng inside. Sitting down on the straw bed, she attempts to smooth her breathing, trying to forget about the searing pain coming from her waist. Soon after, Gao Cheng walk in with a bowl of water and pa.s.s it to her, not forgetting to reprimand her.

” General Xue didn't want you to be here and you insisted. Are you happy now that you're coughing that badly? ”

Liu Qinghuan's lips twitches as she takes over the bowl and slowly drinks from it. Ever since Gao Cheng knew that Xue Mu is Chang-An War G.o.d, he have fallen from the leader of Seven Star Sect to Xue Mu's fanboy. Finis.h.i.+ng the water, she pa.s.s the bowl, which have a chip on it, back to him.

” The Duke and I have a blood feud, there's no way I can stand at the side and do nothing. ”

Pausing, she smiles at Gao Cheng.

” If he knew the person he had been holding hostage was me, he wouldn't have ran away that fast. ”

Her facial disguise felt very novel to Gao Cheng at the start but now he feels weird after staring at it for a while.

” Give me a minute, I'll get more water for you to wash your face. ”
” ………. ”

In the forest, Xue Mu is closely following the Duke. Although he haven't seen the man's face clearly, Qing Qing  must have her reasons for saying so. Thinking of Qing Qing, Xue Mu frowns and his footsteps goes faster.

Although the Duke have been practicing martial arts since young, compared to Xue Mu, who enters the army daily, adding on that he is not as young, there's no way he can outrun this G.o.d of War. Seeing that Xue Mu is about to catch up to him, the Duke grit his teeth and prepare to battle it out.

And at this moment, a man covered in tree bark suddenly emerge in front of the Duke and ram straight into him, knocking him flying. Xue Mu frown, and stop his footsteps.

If he guess correctly, this dishevel man must be Gao Cheng's master, Gao Zhenping. Can it be that they had unknowingly entered into the ‘forbidden area' Gao Cheng spoke of?

Glancing at the Duke, Xue Mu sees that he had already fainted, showing how hard he have been knocked off his feet. Xue Mu reckon some bones must have been broken. But Gao Zhenping looks fine as he survey the fainted Duke, looking like he's about to jumped onto him.5

Xue Mu hurriedly rush forward, stopping Gao Zhenping's movement with his sword. The Duke is still a Duke, and he have to detain him and bring him back to the Emperor, so he cannot allow the Duke to die here.

As if hurting from the Xue Mu's attack, Gao Zhengping turn to look at him, his gaze unfriendly. Xue Mu purse his lips and tries to explain.

” Senior, I didn't meant to offend you. ”

But Gao Zhenping doesn't seem to be listening as he waves his sharp nails and rushes towards Xue Mu. Xue Mu frowns, this doesn't look like a human hand at all, it looks more than an animal. After dodging from that attack, Gao Zhenping attempt to jump on him, as if trying to get hold of him. Xue Mu knows that is he is caught by Gao Zhenping, there's no doubt that he will be torn in half.

The s.h.i.+eld sword flies in circles on his hand as Xue Mu messes up Gao Zhenping's attack and movements. Using this chance, he slams his palm onto Gao Zhenping's chest. Because of that strike, Gao Zhenping is force 2 stepS back but as if angered by that attack, he looks even angrier at Xue Mu.

” Father! ”

Tang Zhibo just caught up and his face changes when he sees that the Duke have fainted on the ground. Gao Zhenping's attention is drawn away by Tang Zhibo and seeing that he is about to s.n.a.t.c.h his prey away, he nimbly rushes over to his side.

Tang Zhibo only felt a breeze before feeling a sharp pain on his shoulder, as Gao Zhenping's sharp nails has already pierce through his left shoulder. Xue Mu's face changes, he cannot let Tang Zhibo die before getting the antidote.

He rushes up, thinking of sneaking a attack at Gao Zhenping's back but realizing his aim, Gao Zhenping immediately withdraw his bloodstained nails and swipe towards Xue Mu. Xue Mu is force to take a few steps back and just as Gao Zhenping is planning to finish him off, a huge group of people arrives.

As if realizing that there's way too many, Go Zhenping roars and without caring for his ‘prey' on the ground, he run deep inside the forest.

Seeing the huge hole on Tang Zhibo's shoulder, Peng Peng points at Xue Mu in astonishment.

” You did this?! ”
” Gao Zhengping. ”

Without chasing after Gao Zhenping, Xue Mu pulls out his sword and set it on Tang Zhibo's neck.

” Give me the antidote. ”

Tang Zhibo haven't recover from the intense pain of his shoulder and although his face is deathly pale, he still manage to smile at Xue Mu.

” D-du Juan is just a cover by you, isn't it? S-she's L-liu Qinghuan. I-I saw her at your mansion before, I-I'm right… ”

Xue Mu's eyes darken and he simply lifts his sword and pierce through Tang Zhibo's stomach. Tang Zhibo yells in agony and Peng Peng silently s.h.i.+ft his head away, getting his men to tie the fainted Duke up.

” Give me the antidote. ”

Xue Mu said, not a flicker in his eyes as he look at Tang Zhibo's pain. Tang Zhibo wheeze for a while, before speaking in broken sentences.

” O-only F-father… have the… antidote… ”
” Then it looks like there's no value in keeping you alive any longer. ”

Xue Mu said, his eyes cold. Although he can't kill the Duke, killing Tang Zhibo is but a simple thing.

He raise his sword and stab into Tang Zhibo's heart. Hearing another pain-filled cry from Tang Zhibo, Peng Peng's brows can't help but shudder. Sasamoni, what sin, what sin.

Looking at the Tang Zhibo, who only have one last breath left, Xue Mu s.h.i.+eld his sword. Just as he is about to turn and leave, Tang Zhibo catches hold of a corner of his clothes. Xue Mu frowns in displeasure, only to hear Tang Zhibo wheeze out.

” I-I didn't p-poison her… ”

TN: Is it weird that I somewhat feel a little sorry for Tang Zhibo? He's like a p.a.w.n, only to be used by everyone then thrown away…