The Great Bandit of Journey to the West

Chapter 50 The Man Behind the Scenes

Dugu Tuo's answer was exactly what Jiang Feng expected. He frowned slightly and continued to ask, "Empress Dugu was also infected with the Cat Demon, why didn't you notice?"

Dugu Tuo's expression changed drastically: "Impossible! I went to the palace to see my sister, and she didn't have any trace of the cat demon on her!"

Jiang Feng said, "Qi Hui and Wang Yuanzhi both said it was the work of the cat ghost. They are familiar with your maternal grandmother, so they shouldn't be mistaken."

I followed the clues to Xu Ani, a maid in the Guo family, and then I found out about you.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Tuo was immediately enraged and laughed: "I harmed my sister? I lost my mother at a young age and was raised by my sister. Without her, there would be no Dugu Tuo today. Would I harm my sister?"

Jiang Feng sighed softly, "I also think it's unlikely, which is why I came here to confront you face to face."

Dugu Tuo's face was so gloomy it was almost dripping with water, and no one knew what he was thinking.

At this moment, a burly man with a large beard walked in. He seemed to sense that something was wrong and cautiously looked at everyone in the room.

Upon seeing the person who entered, Dugu Tuo asked coldly, "Mountain Lord, where is Xu Ani? Why didn't she come back with you?"

The bearded man was taken aback: "I don't know, I just arrived in Daxing City."

"asshole!"

Dugu Tuo cursed under his breath and said angrily, "Pass on my order: search for Xu Ani with all your might, and capture her alive!"

The guards all went out to deliver the message.

After a while, Dugu Tuo regained his composure and said to Jiang Feng, "Xu Ani was raised by my maternal grandmother since childhood and was deeply loved by her."

After her maternal grandmother passed away, she was bullied and oppressed by the Guo family. My mother took pity on her and took her in.

Later, I discovered that she had learned the art of "cat-ghost" from her grandmother, so I put her to good use and had her pass on this art to my confidants.

I never imagined she harbored such malicious intentions. Not only did she secretly hide the secret techniques, but she also dared to commit such a rebellious act, harming my elder sister. She truly deserves to die!

With murderous intent in his eyes, Dugu Tuo gritted his teeth and said, "Once she breaks the curse on my sister, I will tear her to pieces to vent my hatred!"

Jiang Feng gave him a complicated look: "I really don't know how you've survived this long. Before you kill her, you should worry about yourself first."

After saying that, Jiang Feng led Cui Ying and the others away from his residence, leaving him with a puzzled look in his eyes.

Even after they reached the gate, Zhang Guo was still completely bewildered and couldn't help but ask, "This wasn't something Dugu Tuo did, so why did you warn him to be careful?"

Jiang Feng wasn't in a very good mood either, but he still recounted what had happened since he arrived in Daxing to him, and then let out a long sigh.

"The moment I stepped into Daxing City, I was used as a sharp blade. From the moment I met Daoist Yuzhen, I have been facing off against Dugu Tuo step by step. It is obvious that someone is plotting against him."

"Now that it is certain that the Empress was killed by the cat demon, regardless of whether Xu Ani was instigated by Dugu Tuo, the culprit is none other than Dugu Tuo."

The Crown Prince will use this incident to weaken the Prince of Jin's power, the Emperor will seize the opportunity to suppress the Empress Dowager's relatives, and the Dugu clan's political enemies in court will certainly not let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

"Although we know that Dugu Tuo did not do this, the mastermind behind it has already succeeded in his plan. Unless Dugu Tuo can capture Xu Ani and make her reveal the real culprit, he will be powerless to reverse the situation."

Zhang Guo suddenly realized: "I see. Let's continue to find the real culprit and clear Dugu Tuo's name."

Jiang Feng looked at him like he was an idiot: "What does his life or death have to do with us? Or do you think Dugu Tuo shouldn't have died?"

"He drove cat demons to steal property, kill innocent people, traffic people, run casinos, and force women into prostitution. Every single one of these acts was heinous!"

This bastard has caused so many people to be separated from their families and have their homes destroyed!

Even if he miraculously survives this time, I'm going to kill him. And you want me to help him? Are you out of your mind or am I crazy?

Zhang Guo was silent for a moment, then suddenly realized: "That's right, these are all court intrigues; we common folk shouldn't get involved!"

Jiang Feng nodded at him with satisfaction: "That's the right way to think. Let's go find the real culprit!"

Zhang Guo: "???"

Jiang Feng raised his head expressionlessly, gazing intently at the sky.

"They've all schemed against me, do they expect me to pretend nothing happened?"

No matter what kind of god, Buddha, demon, or monster they are, if they dare to scheme against me, I will make them pay the price!

……

Inside the Eastern Palace, Xu Ani lay limply in the arms of Crown Prince Yang Yong, nuzzling affectionately against his chest.

"Your Highness, Ani has arranged everything as you said. If you break your promise, Ani will have no choice but to die to repay Your Highness's kindness."

Yang Yong put down his wine glass, his face slightly flushed, and gently raised his hand to stroke Xu Ani's cheek.

"Ani, we are both pitiful people who are unloved by our uncles and maternal grandmothers. If I were to betray you again, how would I be any different from a beast..."

I have already made arrangements. You are now Lady Xu of my Eastern Palace, born into the Xu family of the East Sea. No matter who investigates, that is the case.

However, it would be best if you did not leave the palace in the near future, to avoid any unforeseen complications.

Xu Ani smiled brightly and gave him a light kiss on the cheek, saying contentedly, "If Your Highness does not betray me, Ani will certainly not betray Your Highness!"

Yang Yong pulled her into his arms, looked at the heavy snow outside the palace, and said with a carefree expression, "Who knows what the future holds? Let's drink and get drunk together, and not waste this beautiful day!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch hurriedly walked in.

"Your Highness, Li Gang, the Crown Prince's tutor, requests an audience!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yong's face showed a hint of impatience, and he looked down at Xu Ani in his arms.

Xu Ani quickly stood up: "Your Highness, important matters are at hand, I shall take my leave now."

Yang Yong said helplessly, "What a disappointment. You can go now. I want to see what this pedantic scholar has come here for."

After Xu Ani left, someone led Li Gang into the main hall.

Li Gang performed the kneeling ceremony, then stood up excitedly and said, "Your Highness, the Court of State Ceremonial has already determined that the Empress Dowager's illness was caused by Dugu Tuo's use of the Cat Demon Technique!"

His Majesty has ordered that Dugu Tuo be imprisoned and tried at a later date!

Yang Yong looked utterly astonished: "Ah, how could this be? Mr. Li, things have come to this, what should I do?"

Li Gang said solemnly, "Your Highness, as the Crown Prince, you should follow the ways of the sages and act with forgiveness and righteousness. I implore Your Highness to submit a memorial to plead for mercy for Dugu Tuo, and beg His Majesty to punish Dugu Tuo leniently!"

Yang Yong readily agreed: "That's only right!"

After their conversation, Li Gang left the Eastern Palace with a smug look on his face.

Watching Li Gang's departing figure, Xu Ani approached Yang Yong with a worried expression: "Your Highness, this Master Li..."

Yang Yong laughed and said, "Don't pay any attention to him. Even Buddhism and Taoism know that religious affairs cannot be established without the support of the ruler. Do you think he wouldn't know that?"

"It's nothing more than my father using Buddhism to suppress Confucianism, leading to its current decline. He wants to use me as a pawn to re-establish the banner of Confucianism."

After Yang Yong finished speaking, he sighed slightly: "Alas, if I had other help, how could I have taken such a risky step to scheme against my mother?"

Ani, now we are like oil being poured on a raging fire, our day of destruction is not far off.

Xu Ani's eyes gradually sharpened: "Your Highness, do not worry. As long as Prince Jin is eliminated, and you ascend the throne, this situation can eventually be changed!"

Yang Yong laughed loudly: "Do your best and leave the rest to fate! Let's drink together and get drunk!"