There was surprise in Yanmo's eyes: "Your Majesty, could it be that... Beigong Liancheng is really in the capital?"
"Whether he is in the capital or not has nothing to do with us." Xiao Shaozong said: "He will naturally not be unclear about everything that happens in the capital. If he really wanted to be involved in this matter, he would have intervened long ago. Since he has not been involved until now, If you don't take action, you won't take action again." A mocking smile appeared on his lips: "How could those extraordinary grand masters care about these trivial matters that are not worth mentioning in their eyes. And... Compared to Things in Beijing and things at sea are what they are most concerned about. At this time, Beigong Liancheng will certainly not be constrained by things in Beijing."
There was a smile in Homura's eyes: "In other words, everything is still going according to plan, and there won't be any big surprises."
"The bigger the body, the less likely it is to have an accident." Xiao Shaozong said calmly: "Now that we have come to this point, even if there is an accident, we can only go on like this."
"Then the top priority is to find Qi Ning." Yan Mo said: "With this person's current strength, although he will not pose much of a threat, there is always a hidden danger."
At this moment, I heard the sound of footsteps, and then I heard a voice saying: "Your Majesty, Qu Xiaocang wants to see you!"
Yanmo saw that the person coming was Guihe, the eunuch who was responsible for the ceremony, and said coldly: "What is he doing here at this time?"
Xiao Shaozong said calmly: "Let him wait outside." He straightened his clothes and went out. When he arrived at the outer hall, he saw Qu Xiaocang already waiting with his hands lowered. When he saw Xiao Shaozong coming out, Qu Xiaocang stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: " See the prince!"
"Marquis Qu Shen came to see me at this time. What's the matter?" Xiao Shaozong sat down on the chair and looked at Qu Xiaocang with a smile.
Qu Xiaocang said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the houses in Luogu Lane are already empty. I think Qining has now colluded with the Beggar Clan."
Xiao Shaozong raised his eyebrows and frowned: "I don't seem to have sent you to investigate Luogu Alley."
"Your Majesty, if Qi Ning is not eliminated, there will always be trouble in the future." Qu Xiaocang looked calm and said slowly: "After Qi Ning escaped that night, I suspected that he might be hiding in the Beggar Clan. I also secretly sent someone to Sneaked into the vicinity of the Ghost Golden Sheep Branch in Luogu Lane to inquire about news. However, the Beggar Gang had spread their eyes and ears in every street. There were several times more manpower than usual. Although they could not sneak in and see Qi Ning, the Beggar Gang was so present. The posture of the enemy has proven that Qining must be hiding among them."
Xiao Shaozong pondered for a moment, then his expression turned grim: "The Beggars Gang really wants to get involved?"
"Qining has a close relationship with the Beggar Clan." Qu Xiaocang said: "As far as I know, Qining has a very close relationship with the Beggar Clan's helper Xiang Baiying. During the Beggar Clan's Aoki Conference, this person won the Beggar Clan's trust and even There are rumors that Xiang Baiying’s whereabouts are unknown, and Qi Ning has temporarily taken over as the gang leader.”
Xiao Shaozong said "Oh" and asked with a smile: "Does Shenhou think Qining will use the Beggar Gang to cause trouble?"
"The Shenhou Mansion has been dealing with various sects in the Jianghu and has a good understanding of their situation." Qu Xiaocang said: "Although the Beggar Clan has a large number of people, it is still a scattered sect. Although it claims to have hundreds of thousands of people, But they are all scattered in various places. The Beggar Clan disciples who can be used as combat power near the capital are only two or three thousand in total, and the Ghost Golden Sheep Branch in the capital only has a few hundred elites. Even if Qining really By colluding with them, they will not pose much of a threat to the officers and soldiers. In addition, the Beggar Gang may not dare to get involved. They naturally know that if they cause trouble in the capital, the consequences will be that the imperial court will use all its strength to suppress the Beggar Gang, and the Beggar Gang will bear the consequences. We can’t afford such serious consequences.”
Xiao Shaozong nodded and said: "The Shenhou thinks the same as this king. The Beggar Gang may secretly protect Qi Ning, but they dare not openly and openly oppose the imperial court."
"What the prince said is absolutely true." Qu Xiaocang said: "So I went to Luogu Lane to find Elder Zhuque directly in the name of Shenhou Mansion. Shenhou Mansion is originally used to govern the various sects in the rivers and lakes, so I went to meet with him. It is natural for the Beggar Clan to come into contact. My original intention is to persuade him to hand over Qin Ning after finding Suzaku. It is related to the life and death of the Beggar Clan, and I don’t think he will ignore the consequences. "
Xiao Shaozong sighed: "Your method is actually not bad. Come directly to the door, and he will naturally know that you have an insight into Qining's whereabouts. It would be a good idea to have a showdown with him directly and see his reaction."
"Even if he really protects Qi Ning, I can also spy on his story. In addition, it can also serve as a warning." Qu Xiaocang's expression was grim: "Since the Shenhou Mansion has focused on them, unless they really dare to Rebellion, otherwise we will definitely not dare to get too close to Qining."
"It makes sense." Xiao Shaozong said: "You just said that people in Luogu Lane left their houses empty, so what's going on?"
"I personally went to Luogu Lane and found that there was no one at the Ghost Golden Sheep Branch's stronghold." Qu Xiaocang frowned and said, "Zhuque and Bai Shenghao are no longer there."
Xiao Shaozong sighed: "So, they also realized that the imperial court was watching them, so they moved their place."
"That's true." Qu Xiaocang said, "But I will find their whereabouts soon."
Xiao Shaozong stood up, walked to Qu Xiaocang, stared into Qu Xiaocang's eyes, and then said after a long time: "You seem to want to kill Qin Ning?"
"Chen...!" Qu Xiaocang hesitated for a moment, then finally said with his hands raised: "Chen really wants to get rid of him."
"Why?"
"Yu Gong, he is a hidden danger to the prince's ascension to the throne, and privately...!" Qu Xiaocang looked directly into Xiao Shaozong's eyes: "If he is alive, he must be jealous of me, and maybe one day he will suddenly appear. Such a person will always be Thinking about it is not a good thing."
"You think he's going to kill you?"
"He must kill me!" Qu Xiaocang said: "I wanted to kill him last time, but he escaped from death. This person must avenge himself. If he doesn't die, he will always find me."
Xiao Shaozong smiled and said: "I like your honesty. Don't worry, Qu Shenhou, he won't live long!"
Qu Xiaocang was startled, Xiao Shaozong's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he said coldly: "He does want to kill you, but he wants to kill me even more. In fact, I don't have to look for him, he will find me sooner or later."
Qu Xiaocang frowned and said, "Your Majesty, do you think he will sneak into the palace?"
"It's not impossible." Xiao Shaozong sighed: "I can't completely seal off the imperial city. As long as there is a gap, this person may get in like a mouse."
Qu Xiaocang hesitated for a moment, then whispered: "Your Majesty, I... there is something I shouldn't ask, but...!"
"You can just ask," Xiao Shaozong said.
Qu Xiaocang then said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty...!"
Xiao Shaozong raised his eyes slightly and said with a smile: "You want to ask him if he is still alive?"
"I'm being presumptuous." Qu Xiaocang whispered: "But if he is alive, he will be a hidden danger after all. I thought...!"
Xiao Shaozong stared at Qu Xiaocang: "Do you think I should kill him?"
Qu Xiaocang immediately said: "I don't dare. I just feel...!" He hesitated to speak, but did not continue.
"I understand your thoughts." Xiao Shaozong said softly: "Are you worried that as long as Xiao Guang is alive, there will be a chance to make a comeback? He does deserve to die, but... it's not time yet."
Qu Xiaocang frowned and said, "I thought that even if I don't kill him now, I can't let him stay in the palace."
"Oh?" Xiao Shaozong said with a smile: "Why did the Lord Shen say that?"
"Your Majesty, I forgive you for talking too much. There are many maids and eunuchs in this deep palace, and no one can guarantee that they all have the same intentions." Qu Xiaocang said in a low voice: "At the beginning, Fan Dehai was quite prestigious in the palace, and he had a lot of confidants. , if...if these people are plotting secretly, or even thinking...!"
Xiao Shaozong frowned and said, "Do you think these bitches will want to rescue Xiao Guang?"
"I just think it's better to be just in case." Qu Xiaocang said: "If he really escapes and reunites with Qining, things will be a little troublesome at that time."
Xiao Shaozong smiled and said: "If he makes a comeback, you and I will be beaten into rebellion by him, and we will be cut into pieces by a thousand cuts, right?"
"I don't dare!" Qu Xiaocang hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed his head.
Xiao Shaozong smiled lightly and said: "If you don't stay in the palace, what do you think should be done?"
Qu Xiaocang immediately said: "I dare not say anything, it all depends on the prince's decision."
Xiao Shaozong thought for a moment and then said in a low voice: "Don't worry, I kept him here to let him watch me ascend the throne with my own eyes. I want him to see that I want to replace what my father lost." Father, take him back. After I ascend the throne, he will be executed secretly."
"That's it." Qu Xiaocang said, "Your Majesty, Shengming!"
"He is now arranged in an extremely private place." Xiao Shaozong said softly: "No one is allowed to approach the royal treasury, and the king has sent his trusted followers to guard there. No one could have imagined that the king would lock him in the royal treasury. Since he claims to be the emperor, I will let those rare and rare treasures accompany him." At this point, a sneer appeared on his lips.
Qu Xiaocang said: "The royal treasury is indeed a secret place. Your Majesty is really smart." He cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I should find Qining's traces as soon as possible and offer his head to the Prince. At that time, the Prince can let him ... Let Xiao Guang write the edict of abdication, and the prince ascends the throne to rule the world!" He knelt down and said, "I wish my emperor long live long live!"
Xiao Shaozong stretched out his hand to help Qu Xiaocang up and said with a smile: "Qu Shenhou is too impatient. I have not yet ascended the throne, so I will keep you here for the time being. But I have promised you that after I have pacified the north and unified the world, I will grant you the title." As the leader of the martial arts alliance, at that time you will help me manage all the major sects in the world and make them submit to the imperial court and be driven by the imperial court!"
"I thank you, Your Majesty. I will be loyal to Your Majesty even to the death!" Qu Xiaocang looked sincere and bowed again.