Calamity Messenger-Chapter 83 - 67: What Are You Still Waiting For

"The Huainan Underground Palace, it’s a Second-Turn Secret Realm! However, I’ve heard its yield is rather ordinary."

"Even so, it’s still a Secret Realm. The Shang Family is too generous with this — what if they can’t find any evidence..."

"Even with evidence, they wouldn’t be able to find it. How could the Court let go of such a catch? The Shang Family is bound to come away empty-handed this time, losing the Secret Realm and Jiang Shi won’t get it either."

"Not necessarily. If Jiang Shi can ascend to the third turn within five years, the Court might not..."

The atmosphere in Mansu Forest Land temporarily cooled down. Lu Wangji was using a token to contact the Court. Jiang Shi and her companions were also allowed to interact with the Jie Family and the Shang Family. However, all around the camp were discussions, with Shang Yue’s proposal to exchange the Huainan Underground Palace for five years for Jiang Shi being the hottest topic.

"Big brother..." Shang Xinlei approached Shang Yue, worried: "Can you really do this? Using the family’s Secret Realm as collateral..."

"This isn’t just about our family," Shang Yue looked at Jie Zilong, "Instructor Jie won’t make things difficult for me, right?"

"The price you’ve proposed is too high. I’m not sure if my old man can accept it." Jie Zilong let out a long sigh, "But regardless, we’ll take responsibility for half of the five years’ loss of the Huainan Underground Palace."

"It won’t be five years. I’m just asking for the moon." Shang Yue shook his head, "The Court might not care much about the Huainan Underground Palace. Without the Shang Family’s military strategy, conquering it once a month is already a stretch. Even if the Court takes over the Huainan Underground Palace, it’s still within the Shang Family’s capabilities to bear. With or without this Secret Realm, it does not weaken the Shang Family’s strength."

The so-called military strategy is the key to conquering the Secret Realm, how to deploy troops and equip them with tokens to conquer the Secret Realm with maximum efficiency and minimum casualties, is the untold secret of each Secret Realm family.

"More importantly, if a single Huainan Underground Palace can secure Jiang Shi, it’s the most worthwhile transaction I’ve ever made. I believe my father won’t reprimand me for acting on my own accord." Shang Yue looked at Jiang Shi and smiled, "Nice to meet you, Jiang Shi. Although I’ve already heard about you from Xinlei’s letters, it seems that hearing is not as good as seeing, your composure and beauty are beyond my imagination."

Qian Gongyu hurriedly shook Jiang Shi’s hand, unable to contain her excitement. Though she had already encountered Young Master Qunyu, Shang Yue’s spectacular entrance with lavish spending on a Second-Turn Secret Realm, akin to divine intervention dispersing the evil schemes of villains, along with his charming demeanor and appearance that suited the Liang Kingdom’s aesthetics, naturally made him a perfect image of an enlightened prince in her eyes, a real-life subject for her dreams at night.

Shang Yue also noticed Qian Gongyu and said with a smile, "Miss Qian, your... tiger transformation is quite cute as well."

Qian Gongyu felt struck by lightning. She blankly touched her ears, her face, then the tail behind her, and then she hid behind Jiang Shi, never showing her face again.

Despite Shang Yue’s goodwill, Jiang Shi remained silent, though everyone was accustomed to her demeanor. Shang Xinlei glanced at the personal score list and asked, "What do they mean? Not allowing us to claim the personal treasure chest?"

"You all should be fine, but for Jiang Shi, it’s a different story." Jie Zilong said solemnly, "This time, they’re determined to eradicate; Jiang Shi must die, and her treasure chest must be seized."

"Even if the Court agrees to our terms, Jiang Shi’s treasure chest is unlikely to return in full." Shang Yue agreed with Jie Zilong’s judgment and sighed, "Their framing is too devastating; I can only ensure to fight for Jiang Shi’s interests as much as possible." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Jie Yuan Shao said, "Though I greatly appreciate Eldest Young Master Shang for helping Jiang Shi so much, Jiang Shi is going to join our Jie Family."

"I wasn’t aware of that." Shang Xinlei said, "Didn’t Jiang Shi say she’d choose based on who offered better terms?"

"There’s no rush for that matter." Shang Yue waved his hand, "The Court may not allow us to take her, let’s discuss this when Jiang Shi regains her freedom, otherwise we’d be opportunists ourselves, wouldn’t we?"

Qian Gongyu couldn’t help but poke her head out and say, "I thought you needed Jiang Shi to join your family to offer help."

"If it’s an ordinary person, indeed it would be so." Shang Yue smiled, "But Jiang Shi... compared to short-term interest, we believe her friendship is more worth fighting for."

He did not evade the fact that he valued Jiang Shi’s talent, but precisely because of this, in Qian Gongyu’s eyes, he appeared more sincere, making this young lady, nearly collapsing under pressure, once again believe in the nobility of heritage.

Even if it’s all for personal gain, not everyone is so ruthless; there still exist venerable families like the Shang Family and the Jie Family who care more about long-term interests and conduct with integrity!

At this moment, Lu Wangji emerged from the tent. The forest land fell silent; the actions of this Left Cavalry Guard captured everyone’s attention. They all knew this farce of a murder case had now reached the time of its verdict.

"Shang Yue." He asked, "Are you sure you want to use the Huainan Underground Palace Secret Realm to guarantee Jiang Shi’s innocence?"

"On behalf of the Shang Family, I’m sure."

Lu Wangji silently scanned the crowd, lingering on Jiang Shi for a long moment before he slowly said, "Ministry of Justice approved, yes."

"But the five years are reduced to one. If no evidence is found within the year, the Huainan Underground Palace belongs to the Court."

"Additionally, a reprieve from death, but not from punishment." He declared, "Until proven innocent, Jiang Shi remains guilty and is not to gain freedom."

Seeing Shang Xinlei and the others wanting to speak, Lu Wangji raised his hand to signal them to remain silent, continuing, "But considering Jiang Shi’s exceptional talent and the unprecedented opening of Mansu Forest Land, His Majesty, pitying her brilliance, orders the Wangbei Army to incorporate Jiang Shi into the Silver Spear Guard’s Tenth Battalion, effective immediately, to be deployed and conquer the Huainan Underground Palace."