Chapter 249 Making the Deal
Zhao Ji and Jing Kong looked at each other in silence, and the atmosphere in the room became awkward for a moment.

Looking at the empty space in front of him, Zhao Ji could only evaluate it in eight words: Not capable of accomplishing anything, but capable of causing trouble!

He betrays his master, his teammates, and even himself when he gets ruthless.

But are the words that Jingkong said completely true?

Zhao Ji sat down slowly, put his fingers on the table and tapped them continuously, with complicated thoughts surging in his mind.

Since a large amount of information has been extracted from Jingkong, is it still necessary to keep him alive?

Should I let this time bomb continue to threaten my safety just because of a slight affection for Prince Zhanghuai, whom I have never met?

What benefit can he bring to himself if he lives? Are those confidants of Prince Zhanghuai meaningful to him?
I’m afraid that while there are benefits, there may also be dangers!

Besides, after so many years, are these people really willing to use their power for a name? Zhao Ji never believed in love without reason.

"What a joke! I don't want to do any sneaky things like the Snake Spirit! Why should I get involved with a bunch of scoundrels?" Zhao Ji gave the answer in his mind and naturally made the decision.

Jingkong was also looking at Zhao Ji. His hands were clenched tightly and kept shaking, and he seemed a little nervous.

After making a choice, Zhao Ji decided to squeeze out all the value of the empty space. On the surface, he asked calmly, "Why do you want to rescue Yuan Tiangang again?"

"It seems that you helped Yuan Tiangang burn his sluice gate blueprints. If not, you would not have been exposed."

"I want to ask about your specific plan for this action."

Facing Zhao Ji's questioning, Jingkong's eyes flickered, his words were full of hesitation and evasion, and he was obviously unwilling to reveal more.

Seeing this, Zhao Ji sneered, "No matter what I say, I am your young master now, but you won't even tell me the truth?"

"Yes, people are forgotten when they are gone. My 'father' has been dead for more than ten years. You confidants have naturally started your own business and pursued your own careers, right?"

Jingkong looked aggrieved: "Why do you say that, Your Highness? I am not very clear about the specific plan. I am only responsible for this part of the task in Hanguang Temple."

"Your Highness knows that I am in this Hanguang Temple, and there are internal guards everywhere, making it difficult to communicate. How can I know their specific action plan?"

He paused, a sly look flashing in his eyes, "Besides, I don't know from what standpoint Your Highness is asking this question. Are you asking this question from the standpoint of General Qianniu or from the standpoint of the Snake Spirit?"

Jingkong is not a fool either, he has his own judgment and thoughts.

Zhao Ji casually said, "I am asking this question as a descendant of the Li family! What is a snake spirit?"

Jingkong looked at Zhao Ji with deep eyes, without commenting: "In this case, I know a place. Go there and find someone who will tell you the answer!"

"Where?" Zhao Ji's breathing became rapid and he stood up suddenly.

Jingkong smiled mysteriously: "If you save me, I will take you there!"

Zhao Ji sat back down after hearing this and looked at Jing Kong unkindly: "We have been in this room for quite some time. Now your identity has been exposed. How do you plan to let me save you?"

Upon hearing this, Jingkong smiled and said, "That's your business... As long as your Highness can get the emperor not to kill me for the time being, you are the general of Qianniu Guards, and you have many ways to save people, right?"

Zhao Ji sneered: "It's easy for you to say that. How could the emperor not kill you for what you did? I'm afraid that even if you open your mouth, she will still cut you into pieces! She may even torture you before you die!"

Upon hearing this, Jingkong shuddered all over, as if he was attacked by cold air, goose bumps all over his body. He shook his head repeatedly, looking panicked: "No, no, there must be a turning point! There must be a way to survive!"

As he spoke, his expression suddenly changed, revealing a bit of determination and ruthlessness, "If Your Highness is unwilling to help, even if I die, I will take someone with me!"

Zhao Ji saw that Jingkong was timid but not angry, "Don't worry, I have a way! As long as you say you are willing to cooperate in exterminating the snake spirit and are willing to contact your superiors, you can be kept as bait!"

"Your Majesty's determination to exterminate the snake spirit will temporarily suppress his desire to kill you. Then I will find a way to let you go!" Hearing this, Jingkong's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he let out a long breath: "Your Highness, don't worry. From now on, I will only say what I should say, and I won't say anything I shouldn't say!"

Although Zhao Ji had a smile on his face, he had already quietly set up a killing plan in his mind, thinking about how to kill Jing Kong without leaving any trace.

Just at this moment, there was a gentle knock on the door, interrupting the undercurrent in the room.

Zhao Ji and Jing Kong looked out the door at the same time, and Li Yuanfang's voice rang out: "Chengyuan, His Majesty summoned Jing Kong."

After Wu Zetian and Di Renjie finished talking about Yuan Tiangang, they of course summoned Jingkong, the leader of the internal guards of Hanguang Temple, to arrange some follow-up matters.

Zhao Ji calmed down and said with a smile: "Master Jingkong, please come in!"

Jingkong also responded with a meaningful smile and followed Li Yuanfang openly.

Zhao Ji and Li Yuanfang escorted Jingkong to the Buddha Hall.

Wu Zetian was quite surprised: "Chengyuan, why are you here with Jingkong?"

Zhao Ji and Li Yuanfang looked at each other and replied, "Your Majesty, we have found out that Jingkong is a Snake Spirit spy who has been undercover in Hanguang Temple for ten years!"

When these words were spoken, not only Wu Zetian was extremely shocked, but even Di Renjie looked incredulous.

"Chengyuan, are you serious?!" Wu Zetian has suffered too many psychological blows recently and is now almost numb.

Zhao Ji said calmly, "Your Majesty, this was admitted by Jingkong himself."

Jingkong knelt on the ground, his forehead touching the ground with a thud, his regret was evident in his words: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die!"

Wu Zetian's anger began to surge, her face darkened visibly, and the air around her became stagnant.

Seeing this, Di Renjie quickly intervened and guided the topic in an inquiring manner: "What is the reason? Tell me in detail, and don't hide anything!"

Zhao Jisui then told Wu Zetian and Di Renjie all the secrets about Zhen Fa Neng and the abbot, as well as the information revealed by Jingkong.

However, Zhao Ji's rhetoric skills had also been refined. He concealed the part that included his own identity and downplayed some of the "glorious achievements" of the Snake Spirit rebels so as not to touch Wu Zetian's sensitive nerves. He just tried his best to throw dirty water on Yuan Tiangang and Xiao Qingfang.

However, everyone present had different thoughts and focuses.

Di Renjie still couldn't forget his beloved Li Tang, and murmured to himself: "So, the child of His Royal Highness Prince Yong is still alive, but he is missing..."

Wu Zetian resumed her fine tradition of chopping up the spirit: "Come on! Drag this traitor out, tear him apart with five horses, and chop him into pulp!"

Upon hearing this, Jingkong was horrified and kowtowed repeatedly to beg for mercy: "Your Majesty, please have mercy, Your Majesty, spare my life!"

Zhao Ji quickly pleaded: "Your Majesty, calm down. Jingkong is just a small fry at best. The real culprits are Yuan Tiangang and Xiao Qingfang!"

"Now Jingkong is willing to give up his dark side and join the light side. The Snake Spirit doesn't know that his identity has been exposed. We can use him as bait to lure out the remnants of Yuan Tiangang and Xiao Qingfang. Then we can follow the clues and catch the Snake Spirit in one fell swoop! We can also eliminate a major scourge of the court!"

Upon hearing this, Jingkong burst into tears and vowed: "Your Majesty, I am willing to be the bait and help the court to wipe out the snake spirit!"

Di Renjie found this scene a bit strange, but he also spoke at the right time: "Your Majesty, General Zhao's words are very reasonable. The first priority now is to destroy the snake spirit and bring Yuan Tiangang and Xiao Qingfang to justice!"

Wu Zetian took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and finally gave in: "Okay, for the sake of your two beloved ministers, I will temporarily bear this dog head of yours. After I get rid of the snake spirit, I will settle the score with you!"

After saying this, the man turned away.

　A bit of a card...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)