BLHO Chapter 102

Chapter 102: The Hidden Dragon Should Not Be Used

Having reached this point in the conversation, there was no need for further discussion. He Yuncheng wished everyone knew about his ambiguous relationship with Lin Shuangxu, and others really didn’t need to hide it for him.

Guo Yao fell silent, and Vice General Qin stood where he was, not moving to call anyone.

Silence filled the hall as they pondered how to proceed with the conversation.

Just then, the person they were talking about quietly stepped into the courtyard.

Upon seeing Lin Shuangxu, everyone rushed forward, bowing and paying their respects.

“Young Master.”

Lin Shuangxu nodded, returning the greetings to everyone.

As he approached Xingzhi, the latter’s previously indifferent demeanor changed. His expression turned serious, and lifting the hem of his robe, he prepared to perform a grand salute.

Lin Shuangxu’s eyes darkened, and he quickly supported Xingzhi’s elbow. Their eyes met, and without a word, they understood each other’s intentions.

Xingzhi knew Lin Shuangxu’s identity, but Lin Shuangxu had no intention of revealing it.

Xingzhi was slightly surprised by this, but the feeling quickly dissipated, replaced by understanding. He bowed to Lin Shuangxu like the others, “Greetings, Young Master.”

Lin Shuangxu bowed even deeper than him, “Immortal Master, you don’t need to be so polite. You saved Yuncheng this time, and the General’s Manor owes you a great debt. I, as a junior, offer my thanks.”

Xingzhi didn’t insist, calmly looking at the son of his old friend. The giant stone of many years ago had long sunk to the bottom of the sea, no longer capable of causing even a ripple.

After the greetings, Guo Yao stepped forward and asked, “Is the General well?”

Lin Shuangxu glanced at Xingzhi. How could the latter know that He Yuncheng had deliberately said he was crippled and would never stand again? He only saw Lin Shuangxu’s worried expression and didn’t know how to comfort him.

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Shuangxu nodded, “Yes.”

“That’s good.” Guo Yao, concerned about the pressing matter, said to him, “The imperial city is still at war. Now that the General has returned safely, the Young Master needs to carefully consider whether to attack or defend.”

Only after Lin Shuangxu had completely calmed down did Guo Yao dare to say these words.

Having reached this point, there was no turning back. But how to seize the throne, the pros and cons had to be carefully analyzed. The greater the commotion, the greater the repercussions would be. A complete extermination would only lead to an unmanageable aftermath.

And then there was… Guo Yao hesitated, “The change of dynasty is a major event throughout history. Although the royal family has no successors, to change the surname of the imperial power, we still need a reasonable explanation. Otherwise, I fear it will be difficult to convince the public and lead to endless troubles.”

Who would become emperor after overthrowing Gu Huan was a question that had not been openly discussed, but the He family army tacitly understood that there was no one else but Lin Shuangxu.

Even now that He Yuncheng had returned, whether the General or the Young Master should sit on the throne was only an internal matter. No matter who they decided on, they would face the same problem—neither of them was named Gu.

Lin Shuangxu lowered his eyes, not responding.

Xingzhi curiously observed his expression, keeping the secret of his identity to himself, waiting to see if he had any intention of making it public.

“Could it be that the Young Master has reached this point and wants to tell everyone that you have no intention of taking the throne?”

As if teasing a child, Xingzhi spoke ambiguously from the side.

Lin Shuangxu glanced at him, seeing encouragement in his eyes.

Xingzhi was intentionally helping him.

He Yuncheng only knew the general details about this Immortal Master’s identity. After telling Xingzhi, he now knew that Xingzhi was an old acquaintance of his father’s, but he didn’t know how deep their friendship was or what they had experienced together.

Perhaps he should have a good chat with Immortal Master Xingzhi about his father’s past, things that his teacher had refused to tell him.

To see if his father was really as the world said, rebellious and having usurped the throne by killing his father, and to see if his vague guesses were correct—was his unbearable background true, and was his mother really that woman from the Cishou Palace?

But answering those questions was not for now. There were more urgent matters to attend to.

“Vice General Qin,” he said in a deep voice.

“Yes, sir!”

“Surround the imperial city and be sure to bring Princess Meng Ning back alive.”

“Yes, sir!”

With the situation as it was, Gu Meng Ning was Gu Huan’s only bargaining chip. To protect himself, he would definitely cling to her. Even if he was cornered, he would surely try to take her down with him… Saving her would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Lin Shuangxu personally led the army. When they reached the Xuanwu Gate, Shen Tan had already led her troops to break through the city gate. Only the last line of defense remained, stubbornly guarded by Li Yuliang. The former confidant, now the archenemy, one would not rest until the other was dead.

When Lin Shuangxu ordered a ceasefire, Shen Tan had already lost her mind in the killing. Her blade pressed forward, unwilling to stop, constantly hacking at Li Yuliang’s face.

The final, fatal blow didn’t land. She left Li Yuliang with a breath of life, and also gave him a way out.

She said to Li Yuliang, “Hand over the princess, and if she’s unharmed, I’ll spare your life.”

Li Yuliang supported himself with his embroidered spring blade, kneeling on one knee, his hands, stained with blood and filth, trembling incessantly.

He laboriously raised his head, dark red blood mixed with sweat streaming down.

As if he couldn’t hear Shen Tan’s words, he didn’t respond with a single word. Then, his gaze drifted into the distance, beyond Shen Tan, to the scene behind her.

The He family army was approaching, enveloping the imperial city like an impregnable wall. The oppressive atmosphere was suffocating.

His face lost all reaction. Anger, terror, sadness, no emotion could help him turn the tide.

He calmly watched the enemy approach. When there was no longer any possibility of resistance, he used his last ounce of strength to stand up. Staggering, he crossed through the palace gates, choosing to return to his emperor’s side, to be a loyal subject until death.

…

He hadn’t even seen Gu Huan when the fire started.

Soaring flames, like giant waves, followed the wind, slapping scorching heat on people.

Li Yuliang, numbed by the fighting, was finally shocked. His wounded body instantly released all its strength, and he ran wildly towards the center of the flames.

The fire was not in any other place, but in Gu Huan’s Hall of Mental Cultivation.

“Your Majesty!”

He roared, calling for him, but his voice was drowned out by the crackling of the fire. The speed was so great that in the blink of an eye, it spread, almost engulfing the entire palace.

After fighting for so long, the palace maids and servants had long fled. At this time, who would come to put out the fire?

Li Yuliang coughed from the thick smoke, hastily tore a piece of his robe to cover his mouth and nose, and fearlessly rushed into the sea of fire.

“Gu Huan!” he shouted urgently, calling him by his full name.

The emperor at the end of his road, already abandoned by the world, was fortunate to have one loyal person who would risk his life to protect him at the last moment. Even dying, he wouldn’t die so miserably.

Across the raging flames, Gu Huan smiled miserably, watching Li Yuliang rushing around.

He had started the fire himself.

The hidden dragon should not be used, the hidden dragon should not be used. He dared not disobey the teachings in the book.

He had cautiously bided his time for so many years, and no one looked forward to growing up faster than he did.

But fate was playing tricks on him. From beginning to end, he was only allowed to be a joke of an emperor.

He thought that after this was done, he could legitimately shoulder the responsibility of the Bei Sheng empire. Where did he go wrong? When did it start? What event led to today’s ending?

He shouldn’t have touched Gu Meng Ning, right?

But wasn’t his good imperial sister already planning to replace him before that?

Everything he did or didn’t do would lead to the same ending… This Bei Sheng empire was destined to be in turmoil.

The fire grew more intense, and Li Yuliang tried several times but failed to rush into the hall.

Gu Huan looked at his face from afar and said softly, “I really want you to go with me.”

Li Yuliang, who had done all kinds of bad things, probably only Gu Huan knew that he was the best, the very best person in the world.

So, live on. After all, he wasn’t like him, with nothing left.

He still had his beloved.

The last time, when Li Yuliang recklessly rushed into the hall, Gu Huan pushed the collapsing wooden frame heavily, blocking his path.

Li Yuliang was forced to retreat, helplessly watching Gu Huan being swallowed by the sea of fire.