Lu Wubing’s expression remained calm throughout the entire exchange. It was as if the matters he spoke of, the predicament he faced, had absolutely nothing to do with him.
“The Sovereign of Xuanye Kingdom possesses great magnanimity, yet Wubing’s transgression this time is truly too grave. While it may not lead to immediate death, severe punishment is inevitable.
Being dismissed from office and rendered a useless man afterward is also to be expected.” Zong Shou listened quietly, uttering not a word. This man’s fate was truly none of his concern, nor did he need to involve himself.
Then, he heard Lu Wubing continue, “Therefore, Wubing wishes to humbly request the Lord’s protection. From this moment forth, I shall serve diligently by the Young Lord’s side—” Hm?
Only then did Zong Shou raise an eyebrow, finally showing a flicker of surprise. Protection, service?
In other words, this man intended to pledge allegiance to him? This person was indeed rather interesting.
Was this his method of preserving his own life? After a brief contemplation, Zong Shou shook his head again.
“I am not short of manpower here. However, you are truly wildly audacious in your thinking.” “How can you say it is wild speculation?
Lu Wubing offered a slight smile. “Before, Wubing was loyal to my master.
As a retainer of the Peerless Young Lord, it was my duty to devise strategies for him, eliminate his enemies, and consult on weighty matters. Even resorting to those means was only fitting.
I trust the Young Lord is not so petty as to demand my immediate demise simply for that?” Zong Shou remained silent. That statement was not untrue.
Stated that way, it actually made him appear petty, incapable of tolerating others. Lu Wubing pressed on, “But now, the Peerless Young Lord is dead.
As his servant, I maintain I never failed in my duty to my lord. A wise bird chooses its perch; my former master is gone.
Why should I not seek service under another master? In Wubing’s estimation, the Young Lord is far more worthy of assistance than the late Peerless Young Lord.
If the Young Lord wishes to contend, then the next Saint Emperor of the Burning Sky shall surely be within your grasp—” Zong Shou let out a short laugh and shook his head. “The Lu Family’s Burning Sky Saint Emperor?
I have no such ambition. If you seek to rely on me, hoping to gain some benefit from the Lu Family, you will likely be disappointed.” That settled it.
This man was much the same as the others. “If you do not contend, that is fine too!” Lu Wubing sneered faintly.
“Although the Lu Family commands eight hundred worlds, their influence is vast, yet they are shackled by many constraints. It is undoubtedly the wisest course for the Lord not to be drawn into that quagmire.
However, I observe that the Young Lord, upon securing the forces of the Qiankun Mountain State, could not wait to begin campaigning in the outer domains. Your perspective is unlikely to be limited to the Cloud Realm?
The Young Lord has many capable ministers and formidable generals, but distinctly lacks a strategist. Lu Wubing is untalented, yet I dare say my abilities in marshaling strategy surpass the ordinary.
Perhaps I can bring some benefit to the foundation of the Young Lord’s enterprise.” Zong Shou was subtly moved, his heart softening slightly, and he regarded the man intently. To utter such words, he must possess an extremely deep understanding of his current predicament.
For a moment, he wavered, and the killing intent receded somewhat. Lu Wubing sensed this change, giving Zong Shou a deep look.
“In Wubing’s view, if the Young Lord is unwilling to enter the Lu Family’s domain, then you need my assistance even more. I served the Sovereign of Xuanye Kingdom for sixty years, traveling far and wide.
I assert that I am intimately familiar with all factions and powers within this domain. Furthermore, I am exceptionally skilled in array formations, particularly the laws of time and space, which I have studied profoundly.
My personal strength, even among those at the Immortal Realm, should be rarely matched. Moreover, if the Young Lord wishes to save Princess Hanyan, I can certainly assist.
I am intimately familiar with the Nine Absolute Death Prison!” “Intimately familiar?” If his previous words had merely stirred a flicker of interest in Zong Shou, then this final statement struck right at his weakness, his most vital point. The Nine Absolute Death Prison, even Fang Jue, the Master of the Blazing Flame Palace, could not know its depths completely.
How could Lu Wubing dare claim such intimacy with the Lu Family’s prison of death? “The Young Lord likely does not know, but I emerged from the Nine Absolute Death Prison myself.
Both my parents were convicted and cast into the Nine Absolute Death Prison, where I was subsequently born. Sixty years ago, my parents perished due to the sentence of the Death Prison.
Someone showed mercy and allowed me a chance to escape the Nine Absolute Death Prison.” Although relating tragic events, Lu Wubing’s demeanor remained light and airy, with only the corner of his lip curling into a sarcastic smile. “It’s laughable.
The person who saved me only did so to continue tormenting me, the son of an old acquaintance, unwilling to let me die too soon. Despite being of the same clan, their methods were crueler toward me than toward outsiders.
Heh, the Young Lord likely does not wish to hear such sordid tales. However, regarding the conditions within that Death Prison, I doubt anyone in this world, save for those few Saint Venerables of my Lu Family, knows it as well as I do.
Others must tell the Young Lord that once one enters the Nine Absolute Death Prison, escape is impossible, correct? But to my knowledge, at least two individuals have successfully fled that Death Prison.” Two people?
Zong Shou’s gaze flickered. With the protection of his Supreme Realm divine sense, how could anyone escape the Nine Absolute Death Prison?
Were Lu Wubing’s claims true or false? After stating this, Lu Wubing fell silent.
Zong Shou still could not ascertain his true intentions. After a moment of contemplation, he asked again, “How can I trust you?” This was the most crucial point.
After all, he was a subject of the Xuanye Sovereign and a subordinate of Lu Wushuang. It was difficult to believe how much loyalty Lu Wubing held for him.
No matter how broad-minded Zong Shou was, this matter required extreme caution. His question held another implication: whether Lu Wubing was deceiving him about the Death Prison or if the situation was genuinely as stated.
If he were to easily credit his words and rush in rashly, he might become trapped in the Death Prison himself. In that case, Zong Shou would truly be utterly foolish.
“Very few people know of this, but it is all verifiable! The news was suppressed only because the clan worried it would tarnish the reputation of the Saint Venerables.
Those two individuals have both since died, true, but I was fortunate enough to witness the methods by which they escaped.” Lu Wubing paused in his speech. “As for myself, time will reveal my heart; the Young Lord certainly will not trust me easily.
There is no way for me to prove my loyalty right now. However, what benefit is there for me to harbor ill intentions toward the Young Lord?
My entire life, I have sought power and influence. If I forsake the Young Lord, who in the Burning Sky Lu Family can provide me with these things?” Zong Shou was stunned, then let out a laugh.
He had assumed the man would resort to techniques like a Soul Oath. This final statement truly caught him by surprise.
Seeking power and influence? Lu Wubing was certainly candid.
Shaking his head slightly, Zong Shou’s last shred of hesitation vanished. Though he didn't fully believe him, keeping this man around to observe seemed acceptable for now.
As for the Nine Absolute Death Prison, even without Lu Wubing’s account, he was determined to investigate it. Since Fang Jue mentioned that his father had appeared there, he had already formed the intention to go.
It was only because his strength was previously insufficient that he hadn't made the move until now.