Chapter Fifty-Three: When a Scoundrel Kills, He Must Seize the Moment

Although Li Zisheng did not understand why the old man Ashina Zanghe harbored such murderous intent toward him upon their very first meeting, Li Zisheng himself adhered to a principle: do not provoke others if they do not provoke you, but if provoked, make sure to give them a fitting lesson.

Unjustly, this old man had taken a hostile interest in him, and with ill intent at that. His situation was undeniably awkward. He had originally intended to smooth relations with Mr. Zhong, but if this old Ashina was to remain so hostile, reconciliation with Mr. Zhong would become nearly impossible. Thus, he found himself compelled to side directly with Deng Qing.

Li Zisheng did not know the true nature of Deng Qing’s relationship with Governor Zhang, nor the full extent of Deng Qing’s backing, but the mere fact that he did not fear Mr. Zhong’s threat suggested that his support was at least on par with Governor Zhang’s influence.

Though unfamiliar with Governor Zhang personally, from the methods he employed, Li Zisheng discerned that Zhang was not only magnanimous but also exceptionally meticulous—a fact clearly evident even from their brief encounters.

Therefore, Zhang’s close relationship with both Mr. Zhong and Ashina Zanghe was well known to him. Despite this, Zhang continued to place great trust in Mr. Zhong, demonstrating that Mr. Zhong was of considerable value to him; no one engages in futile efforts.

However, if he were to become an enemy to Mr. Zhong, he would have to consider Governor Zhang’s role. Still, Li Zisheng believed he retained some utility to Zhang. As a superior, Zhang’s first thought was not to strike down subordinates outright but to maintain balance—this was the true art of leadership. Thus, even if Li Zisheng antagonized Mr. Zhong, Zhang would not move against him immediately; he would first exhaust whatever value Li Zisheng had to offer before taking action.

Setting aside Governor Zhang’s influence, if Li Zisheng aligned with Deng Qing and combined forces, he could very well crush the old Ashina Zanghe right at the banquet.

Yet dealing with the aftermath posed a thorny problem. This was a critical time for the sacred rites of heaven, and several great scholars of the Tang had already been murdered. If a Turkic uprising were to break out now, causing unrest in the rear, it could provoke the Emperor’s wrath—something decidedly unfavorable. But how to handle this was Deng Qing’s concern. For Li Zisheng to remain with Mr. Zhong at this moment was enough to enrage Deng Qing. For the first time, Li Zisheng regretted his choice; he should not have stayed with Mr. Zhong. Now, like the proverb about the pig looking in the mirror, he found himself despised by both sides.

Yet the matter was done and beyond his control. He had not foreseen Ashina Zanghe’s murderous intent; had he sensed it earlier, he would never have rashly decided to help Mr. Zhong.

He blamed himself for wanting to have both the fish and the bear’s paw—the reckless hope to gain all without loss.

There was no perfect solution. He was still too young, foolishly believing he could control everything. If enmity was inevitable, then so be it.

Li Zisheng’s gaze grew clear and resolute in his heart.

Mr. Zhong did not notice this change in Li Zisheng, but Ashina Zanghe, who watched him closely, immediately sensed the shift in the aura surrounding Li Zisheng.

“This brat has detected my hostility,” Ashina Zanghe thought with a knowing grin. His experience had taught him to discern the cause of the change in Li Zisheng’s aura, recognizing that this was not simple xenophobic resentment but a natural enmity born from knowing the other’s ill intent.

He was somewhat impressed that Li Zisheng could so quickly read his intentions.

“He must not be spared, and this must be a swift and decisive battle,” Ashina Zanghe thought, his resolve to kill hardening. Yet he also considered that Li Zisheng had helped Mr. Zhong, and killing him now would be unfair. It would be better to wait until the banquet tomorrow to slay him.

Everyone knew Deng Qing intended to ambush Mr. Zhong at the banquet, but Li Zisheng was also using Deng Qing to counter the man lurking behind the Lingzhou military camp. It was just unfortunate for Mr. Zhong, caught in the middle. This brat could be killed at the banquet as a convenient aside, Ashina Zanghe mused with a slight sigh.

After his reflection, Li Zisheng felt the pressure intensify. Whereas before he had only sensed Ashina Zanghe’s murderous intent, now it was clear—the old man harbored a determined will to kill him. It was obvious he sought to put him to death.

A cold snort echoed in Li Zisheng’s heart. It seemed Ashina Zanghe had noticed the change in his demeanor, prompting this resolve.

Yet what did it matter? Since Ashina Zanghe had not killed him immediately, it was clear he did not want to make things difficult for Mr. Zhong or owe excuses to Deng Qing. Perhaps Mr. Zhong himself was in danger.

But a gentleman kills with righteousness; a villain kills by opportunism. This was the perfect moment to kill, yet the old man’s hesitation was the root of his own downfall—the reason he was destined to die.

Li Zisheng silently roared within.

What Mr. Zhong and Ashina Zanghe exchanged in their private conversation, Li Zisheng did not know, as they spoke discreetly apart.

He would not seek to meddle openly but planned to covertly assist Deng Qing in eliminating Ashina Zanghe at the banquet, leaving him no chance to breathe. His fate was tinged with a faint purple aura—though weak, it still carried a celestial force, making him difficult to kill. If his spells backfired, it could spell great disaster.

Yet Li Zisheng was no fool. Upon observing Ashina Zanghe’s fate aura, he clearly saw that despite the killing intent directed at himself, a stronger and more distinct intent was aimed deeper within the Lingzhou military camp—a place even he had been warned not to approach.