Chapter 55: Snake Spirit Movements
The Snake Spirit has a secret base in Chang'an City.

A young woman was leaning against the window upstairs, looking out. She was wearing a white dress and purple lining, and her bun was tied up in a snake-like bun, but it couldn't hide her pretty face. Her big, lively eyes were as bright as a spring, staring at the hustle and bustle of Chang'an Street in a trance.

She is one of the six snake heads of the snake spirit, the transformed spirit Su Xianer.

Time passed quietly, the door opened slightly, and Xiao Qingfang walked into the room.

Su Xian'er immediately stepped forward and asked anxiously, "Sister, is there any news?"

Xiao Qingfang nodded slightly, with a hint of pride in her voice: "The emperor summoned me and asked me about the matter in Youzhou. It seems that nothing will happen with Jin Mulan."

Su Xianer heard this, a hint of joy flashed in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth slightly raised: "Jin Mulan has always disobeyed orders, acted recklessly, and made things difficult for my eldest sister. Now she finally reaps the fruits of her own labor."

Xiao Qingfang sat down on the chair and slowly said, "Your Majesty also asked me about the traitor in the court. After careful consideration, I handed over the sword spirit."

"Ah? Sword Spirit? He is the elder of the Snake Spirit!" Su Xian'er was a little worried, "Will Shining Spirit and the others be dissatisfied with what Big Sister did?"

Su Xian'er was worried that Xiao Qingfang would reveal Hu Jinghui's identity, and Kui Wenzhong and others followed suit and took revenge on Xiao Qingfang.

Xiao Qingfang shook her head gently, as if she knew everything: "Jin Mulan's plan has been seen through by Di Renjie. Their last ditch effort failed. As her right-hand man, Hu Jinghui is also responsible. This cannot be blamed on me."

"What's more, I am the Grand Master of the Inner Guards and the Lord of the Snake Spirit. If they fight me, they will be the only ones to suffer. From now on, the Snake Spirit is mine! I will never allow those old guys to say anything irresponsible again!"

After saying this, a smug smile emerged on Xiao Qingfang's face, and the ambition revealed in that smile was exactly the same as Jin Mulan's.
-
Xiaolianzi Mountain and Yaojiapu are also called ghost towns.

Kui Wenzhong visited Jin Mulan again, carrying the news of Turkic Modu and the results of the list contact.

He walked with his face covered on the central street of the ghost town and turned into a shop.

There were two assassins guarding the store, who stopped Kui Wenzhong and asked, "Who is it?"

Kui Wenzhong did not answer, but threw a token over and ordered, "Take me to see your master."

An assassin took the token and checked it, then stood up and bowed respectfully: "Please follow us."

Another killer activated the mechanism, opened the secret door, and let the two pass through the secret passage.

There was a lot of noise in the secret passage as people and vehicles came and went. Jin Mulan was ready to abandon the base, and the killers were busy moving.

This scene confused Kui Wenzhong. He asked the killer in confusion: "What are you doing? Is there any major operation?"

The killer replied: "Recently, a large number of brothers have left through the passage we are guarding, but I am only responsible for guarding the passage and I am not aware of the specific details."

Kui Wenzhong did not get the answer he wanted and frowned. He had no choice but to follow the killer, hoping to get an explanation after meeting Jin Mulan.

The killer led Kui Wenzhong through a secret passage and came to a stone gate. He gave a password and the person inside the stone gate activated the mechanism and opened the door.

The assassin stopped here: "My lord, I will take you here. The master is in the hall not far away."

Kui Wenzhong nodded and went to the hall where Jin Mulan was according to his memory.
-
Inside the hall, Jin Mulan was wearing armor and sitting on a chair, with her hand on her forehead, a look of worry between her brows.

The maid came to report: "Master, the Shining is here."

"Please!"

As soon as Kui Wenzhong entered the room, he asked, "Princess, has something happened here? I see a large number of troops moving outside."

Jin Mulan sighed, "Di Renjie has arrived in Youzhou, and most of our arrangements have been destroyed by him. The fake governor has been eliminated, Liu Jin is dead, and even Ah Hui's identity has been exposed."

Upon hearing this, Kui Wenzhong was extremely shocked: "How could this happen?"

It was really hard for him to imagine that the situation in Youzhou had changed so drastically in such a short period of time.

Jin Mulan's eyes were filled with fear: "Di Renjie lives up to his reputation. He is very difficult to deal with."

After Kui Wenzhong calmed down, he asked, "Since Youzhou is no longer under control, what are the princess's plans next?"

Jin Mulan did not answer immediately. She stood up and paced slowly in the hall, as if she was making some final calculations.

Kui Wenzhong also stood up with Jin Mulan, waiting for her decision.

After a moment, Jin Mulan suddenly stopped, turned around and stared at Kui Wenzhong: "Now the cave in Xiaolianzi Mountain has been exposed, and the ghost town can no longer be hidden. Once the ghost town is broken, this place will be dangerous. So I decided to use this place as bait and let Di Renjie eat it."

"Bait? Are you planning to give up this place?" Kui Wenzhong looked puzzled. "Yes, I plan to join the game myself," Jin Mulan's eyes flashed with madness, "I will use the identity of Princess Yiyang to lurk beside Di Renjie and wait for an opportunity to act."

Upon hearing this, Kui Wenzhong couldn't help but gasp: "Princess, this would be very dangerous. Have you really thought it through?"

"I have staked everything on this operation," Jin Mulan said resolutely, "So what if it is dangerous? I have no way out."

Jin Mulan turned to ask, "I have already put the arrow on the string and have to shoot it. How is the contact with the list going? What's the news from Modu Khan?"

"Several groups of troops near Youzhou have agreed to help, but there is no news from the rest. As for Modu Khan, when I arrived, he had already mobilized troops and food, ready to go out at any time, just waiting for news from you." said Kui Wenzhong.

Jin Mulan was overjoyed and nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, distant water cannot quench nearby thirst, as long as the allies near Youzhou are willing to help."

"And as long as Modu Khan sends troops, everything will be fine. I hope you can contact the Khan and ask him to send the Turkic army to attack the pass as soon as possible. We can work together inside and outside to capture Youzhou."

"This is only natural. If the princess has any other instructions, please feel free to tell me." Kui Wenzhong asked again.

Jin Mulan sighed and softened her tone: "It's nothing else. Ah Hui has been in a low mood since Di Renjie found out. I hope you can go and persuade him."

Kui Wenzhong was surprised and said, "Based on my understanding of Jinghui, he shouldn't be like this."

"Well, you'll know if you go and see him." Jin Mulan sighed with sadness in her eyes.
-
In Qingxiang Cottage, Hu Jinghui was lying on Jin Mulan's bed, dozing with his eyes closed.

The arrival of Kui Wenzhong broke the silence: "Brother Jinghui, I heard that you were injured?"

Hu Jinghui opened his eyes and struggled to sit up: "Brother Wenzhong, why are you here?"

"Of course I'm here to deliver the message." Kui Wenzhong said with a smile.

"What news?" Hu Jinghui asked.

"Of course it's the news about Modu Khan and the list." said Kui Wenzhong.

Hu Jinghui sighed when he heard this: "Brother Wen Zhong, I'm sure you know that Mulan's plan is not going smoothly."

"It depends on the attitude of Turkic Modu Khan. As long as he launches an attack, everything will be fine." Kui Wenzhong said confidently.

"That's betraying the country!" A trace of anger flashed in Hu Jinghui's eyes.

"This is the unanimous decision of all the elders of Snake Spirit, and also the decision of the princess. It is not something I can influence." Kui Wenzhong stated calmly.

After hearing this, Hu Jinghui lay down again and sighed: "Alas..."

Seeing that Hu Jinghui was not in high spirits, Kui Wenzhong changed the subject: "Let's not talk about this anymore. I'm actually very curious, who could have hurt you like this?"

"They are two real masters. Even if you are in their hands, you may not be able to get the upper hand." Hu Jinghui looked at Kui Wenzhong and said.

"So this means you are using your numbers to bully the few?" Kui Wenzhong said disdainfully.

Hu Jinghui raised his eyebrows slightly at Kui Wenzhong's contempt for Li Yuanfang and Zhao Ji, but he did not refute.

"You are not as skilled as them, so there is nothing much to say. However, with your kung fu, you might be able to defeat those two. At least, with your concealment skills, you will be able to escape unscathed."

"Maybe." Kui Wenzhong sneered.

This "maybe" is naturally directed at the first half of Hu Jinghui's sentence, and the arrogance on Kui Wenzhong's face is clearly visible.

"I know you, Wen Zhong. Although you said 'maybe', you actually think you have definitely won, right?" Hu Jinghui said with a smile.

Kui Wenzhong smiled confidently and did not refute.

"Haha, but Brother Wen Zhong has the capital to be proud of yourself. Your martial arts are unrivaled in the world. Especially your unique hiding skills. I'm afraid there is no one else in the world who can master them." Hu Jinghui tried to dig a hole as if nothing had happened.

"Jinghui, thank you for your praise. Of course, I am not the only one in the world who is proficient in this art." Kui Wenzhong said modestly.

Hu Jinghui's eyes sparkled when he heard this: "Oh? Is there anyone else who knows this skill?"

"The old master knows this magical skill, and I learned it from him. It's a pity that he is being held captive somewhere by Wu Zetian now." When mentioning Yuan Tiangang, Kui Wenzhong's eyes flashed with admiration.

Hu Jinghui's eyes flashed with surprise: "So that's how it is..."

Is it possible that Zhao Ji is related to Yuan Tiangang?
(End of this chapter)