Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 288: Xu Ping’an’s Plan

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"How is it bright and aboveboard to walk away?" Qin Mu asked with a look of surprise on his face.

Li Qingyi also curiously looked towards Xu Ping’an.

"Let’s go, we’ll talk back at home." Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

Soon, the three of them arrived at Qin Mu’s residence.

As soon as they sat down, Qin Mu was somewhat impatient.

"Do you really plan to walk out in the open?" Qin Mu asked curiously.

"Yes, since sneaking around is useless, then it’s better to go out in the open." Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

"Then why don’t you leave with us? Do you plan to fight them to the death?" Qin Mu asked with a helpless look on his face.

He had come to understand, that by leaving in such a way, Xu Ping’an was practically seeking death.

It looked like Xu Ping’an was preparing to have a final showdown with them.

This was simply seeking death.

This caused Qin Mu to feel somewhat disappointed.

He had originally had high hopes for Xu Ping’an, but he didn’t expect Xu Ping’an to give up so soon.

Was such a person really worth his effort to form an alliance with?

Li Qingyi’s brows were tightly furrowed; she didn’t believe that Xu Ping’an was someone who would give up so easily.

Xu Ping’an must have other plans he hadn’t mentioned yet.

Seeing the look of disappointment in Qin Mu’s eyes, Xu Ping’an suddenly burst into laughter.

"Do you feel disappointed, thinking I plan to go on a suicide mission?" Xu Ping’an asked with a laugh.

"Isn’t that the case?" Qin Mu inquired.

Xu Ping’an laughed again: "Actually, I haven’t finished speaking. Although I plan to leave openly, I don’t plan to go alone."

Qin Mu was taken aback, looking at Xu Ping’an with bewilderment.

"What does that mean? You have other help? People from the Refining Alliance?" Qin Mu asked in surprise.

Xu Ping’an shook his head with a smile.

Qin Mu was even more puzzled. If Xu Ping’an did not intend to ask for the Refining Alliance’s help, then who would he seek out?

He didn’t seem to know any other powers in the Imperial City, did he?

"If you don’t plan to find people from the Refining Alliance, then who do you plan to find? Do you know other people?" Qin Mu pressed.

"Of course, there is someone - Tenth Princess Qin Hanshuang," Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

"Tenth Sister? How is that possible? How would she lend you a hand?" Qin Mu exclaimed in surprise.

Xu Ping’an laughed again: "Ninth Highness, I remember someone telling me that there seems to be a great enmity between the Tenth Princess and the Noble Consort."

"Yes, Tenth Sister’s mother was killed by the Noble Consort, so you want to use Tenth Sister to deal with the Noble Consort? But why would Tenth Sister help you?" Qin Mu commented.

He understood, Xu Ping’an was planning to exploit the enmity between Qin Hanshuang and the Noble Consort.

But Qin Hanshuang wasn’t foolish; why would she choose to help Xu Ping’an?

"She indeed has no reason to help me, but what if I say I could help her eradicate all of the Noble Consort’s minions? Wouldn’t she be very tempted?" Xu Ping’an suggested with a smile.

"If that’s the case, then she indeed might be interested." Qin Mu nodded.

Although they couldn’t kill the Noble Consort, if they were able to eliminate her trusted followers, with Qin Hanshuang’s personality, she would definitely be very willing to do so.

"But removing the Noble Consort’s trusted followers is easier said than done, isn’t it? The Noble Consort is sure to send a lot of people to kill you this time. First of all, among the Noble Consort’s underlings, there are six Seventh Rank experts and even one Eighth Rank out in the open."

"Add to that her relationship with the Tiankui Sect, which could send at least four Seventh Rank experts. She shouldn’t be able to move the forces from the General’s residence as that would require a military command, so this time, there might be ten experts of Seventh Rank or above who could be mobilized," Qin Mu said.

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Xu Ping’an nodded, which was pretty much what he had expected.

This time, Consort Hua might deploy more than ten Seventh Rank Experts.

But how easy would it be to kill so many strong warriors?

Seventh Rank Experts are not easy to kill.

If Qin Hanshuang could kill so many experts by herself, she would have done it already.

"How much do you know about Qin Hanshuang’s forces?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"Not much, but I think they should be about the same as Consort Hua’s because I heard that before her mother died, she left behind some fiercely loyal followers for her," Xu Ping’an said.

"Hmm, a total of nine Seventh Ranks, but over the years, two have died protecting Qin Hanshuang, so the number of Dead Soldiers around her decreases with every one used. You want her to take action to help you, but it’s very hard, very hard. And even if Qin Hanshuang agrees, her people might not be enough," Qin Mu said.

Xu Ping’an nodded, seven, huh?

That should be enough.

"If you want to persuade Qin Hanshuang to deploy her trump cards, then you must at least ensure the death of more than six experts for her, which is almost impossible. As for..." Qin Mu looked at Xu Ping’an, leaving some words unsaid.

Xu Ping’an smiled, knowing what Qin Mu wanted to say.

What he meant was that Xu Ping’an himself did not have the prowess of a Seventh Rank, and even if he could contend with one or two Seventh Ranks, it was unlikely that he could significantly affect the overall situation.

"Actually, your idea might be workable. I have four Seventh Rank experts and one Eighth Rank on my side. If we add my forces, we might be able to battle them, but the likelihood of capturing them is almost impossible," Qin Mu sighed.

Without sufficient victories, Qin Hanshuang would not take action.

Li Qingyi had been quietly listening as well. She understood too that as Qin Mu said, it was indeed very difficult for Xu Ping’an to borrow Qin Hanshuang’s power.

"Don’t worry, I’ll persuade Qin Hanshuang. In a while, I’ll go to the Princess Mansion. There’s no need for Ninth Highness to have experts accompany me. However, I would like Ninth Highness to keep an eye on that Eighth Rank Strongman for me, just to ensure he doesn’t take action," Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

Qin Mu looked at Xu Ping’an, somewhat skeptical, but still said, "If you really can convince Qin Hanshuang, I will have someone watch the Eighth Rank Strongman and prevent him from having the opportunity to act."

"Good, then I’ll leave it to Your Highness," Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

Qin Mu waved his hand dismissively, but his curiosity was piqued.

How would Xu Ping’an persuade Qin Hanshuang?

Did he truly have the confidence to kill so many of Consort Hua’s experts?

Xu Ping’an did not offer any explanation but instead walked in the direction of the Princess Mansion.

Meanwhile, as Xu Ping’an headed towards the Princess Mansion, every move he made was reported to Consort Hua.

"You’re saying he has gone to seek out Qin Hanshuang?" Consort Hua said with a hint of surprise.

"Yes, my report says that he went to the Princess Mansion alone. Your Highness, do you think he could be seeking the Tenth Princess’s help to deal with us?" the palace maiden Dead Soldier said anxiously.

"Hmph, even if he does find that dead girl Qin Hanshuang, so what? That dead girl has but a few battered soldiers at her disposal. Qin Hanshuang is not a fool; she won’t easily help Xu Ping’an. If she dares to interfere, then I’ll have her last bit of men stay outside the city for good," Consort Hua said disdainfully.

"But if Tenth Princess teams up with Ninth Prince, it might not be easy for Your Highness to handle," the palace maiden said.

At this, Consort Hua’s face also turned grave.

Her side had six Seventh Rank experts openly, and four in secret, adding up to ten.

As for the Eighth Rank Strongman, that was definitely impossible to deal with, as Qin Mu also had an Eighth Rank at his side, which she knew.

So, if Qin Hanshuang and Qin Mu truly joined forces to protect Xu Ping’an, relying solely on her was certainly not going to cut it.

"Send a message to my sister, have her bring over five Seventh Rank Experts. All ten of my people will make a move, a full fifteen. I refuse to believe that Xu Ping’an can’t be killed," Consort Hua said with a cold huff.

The palace maiden was instantly shocked at hearing this.

Fifteen Seventh Rank Experts was indeed not a small number.

To dispatch so many powerful beings just to kill a Fifth Rank was shocking news.

But indeed, if fifteen experts made a move, even if Qin Mu and Qin Hanshuang’s people combined their forces, they wouldn’t be able to save Xu Ping’an.