CHAPTER 377: CHAPTER 337: TREASURES STIR EMOTIONS, HUMAN GREED IS INSATIABLE

Shen Wuzheng glanced at him and then said, "My sister had people escort us to Duke Sheng, and during these days, we have also been under the care of the Duke’s people. I thought, going over there empty-handed seems a bit inappropriate."

Yu Wenye’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Shen Wuzheng’s words were very polite and tactful, but as a noble family’s descendant, he understood the meaning behind them—

Although Duke Sheng holds a high position, and Mr. and Mrs. Shen have long been deposed and exiled, clearly incomparable; however, after all, the two families are considered old family friends, and while official ranks may differ, personal relations should be equal; but now, with Mr. and Mrs. Shen going to seek refuge with Yu Wenquan, they are at a complete disadvantage, even if Duke Sheng doesn’t mind, there is inevitably some disparity in the minds of Mr. and Mrs. Shen.

If left unattended, over time, the Shens’ hearts would surely be very tormented.

And for Duke Sheng, it is also difficult to treat such former acquaintances equally.

It’s not because people’s feelings are cold, but because people’s hearts are subtle.

Therefore, Shen Wuzheng wanted to make some arrangements in advance, which is what he meant by not going over empty-handed.

Yu Wenye said, "Then your purpose here is—"

Shen Wuzheng said, "I plan to take Wanggang Village as a gift."

"...!"

"...!"

Once again, the whole pavilion fell silent.

But this time, even Yu Wenye was somewhat moved, frowning as he looked at him, and Shang Ruyi was even more dumbfounded, staring at Shen Wuzheng for a good while without speaking, but instead turning her head to look around, at this picturesque place, seeing only them and Mu Xian and others standing by the carriage, prudently and cautiously observing this picture’s scene.

Only then did she look back at Shen Wuzheng, incredulously saying, "Brother, you—alone?"

Shen Wuzheng nodded.

He said it so nonchalantly, his expression staying calm, as if this was just stooping down to pick up a fallen leaf at his feet.

But Wanggang Village!?

This is currently one of the most powerful factions among the rebel armies, with tens of thousands of followers, and just seeing the mountainous terrain of this village upon arrival shows how easy it is to defend and hard to attack here. Not to mention him alone, even back when the court wanted to capture Wang Quyi, they dispatched countless generals and soldiers, almost all of whom were lost in the encampment behind this mountain.

How could he possibly do it alone?!

Just thinking of this, Shang Ruyi’s mind suddenly sparked, and she abruptly thought of something, turning back to look at Yu Wenye.

And in Yu Wenye’s eyes, there was also a glimmer of cold light.

He said to Shang Ruyi, "It seems the one who thought like me, we have found them."

Shang Ruyi turned her head again to look at Shen Wuzheng.

Shen Wuzheng looked at the two of them face each other, and hearing Yu Wenye’s remark, his elegant brows slightly furrowed, revealing a trace of shadow, yet he remained calm, saying, "You two are here, are you also—"

There was no need to finish the sentence, just looking at their expressions said it all.

At this time, Shang Ruyi felt a bit bewildered, everything happening in front of her was too shocking, she almost couldn’t come to her senses, after a while, she finally cleared her thoughts somewhat, looking at Shen Wuzheng, softly saying, "Brother, the map of the Left General’s Tomb, did you give it to the people of Wanggang Village?"

Shen Wuzheng raised his eyebrows slightly, "You know too?"

Shang Ruyi quickly nodded.

Facing her puzzled gaze, Shen Wuzheng smiled slightly and calmly said, "The map of Li Wen Yang and Wu Qian, indeed, I gave it to them."

"...?"

These two names were somewhat unfamiliar to Shang Ruyi, but standing behind her, Yu Wenye had already escorted her to sit beside him, and then he said, "Li Wen Yang is the sixth leader of Wanggang Village, joining Wang Quyi shortly after his rebellion started, a cunning and treacherous villain; Wu Qian is the eighth leader, said to be quite skilled."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi suddenly understood, this was what the teahouse owner had mentioned about those two earlier.

Shen Wuzheng also glanced at Yu Wenye, without responding to him, he simply said to Shang Ruyi, "When I arrived in this area, I’ve been trying to find a way. Just so happened to encounter these two, Wu Qian had a subordinate with him, Li Wen Yang was alone, they seemed to be completing some tasks separately and coincidentally returned at the same time. I figured out how to give each of them a map, and waited in this area after they met and returned to Wanggang Village, waiting for the outcome."

"Outcome?"

These two simple words, yet Shang Ruyi immediately understood.

Yu Wenye’s eyes also flashed with a cold light, he solemnly said, "Treasures move people’s hearts, and human hearts are never satisfied."

"..."

"You used these two maps to incite them against each other?"

Shen Wuzheng nodded.

Yu Wenye asked, "What was the outcome?"

Shen Wuzheng raised his hand, pointing to a dense forest opposite, saying, "Wu Qian and his subordinate’s bodies are in there."

"...!?"

Hearing this, Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi exchanged a surprised glance.

Although they had never met Wu Qian and Li Wen Yang, from the just disclosed situation, Wu Qian was highly skilled, with a subordinate, while Li Wen Yang was alone. If they really harbored evil intentions to seize multiple maps, it should have been Wu Qian and his subordinate attacking to kill Li Wen Yang.

Why did they end up dead?

Could it be that Li Wen Yang was so formidable that he could take on two at once?

Seemingly sensing their surprise, Shen Wuzheng calmly stated, "Although Wu Qian had a subordinate with him, once he obtained the map, even the closest person became someone to beware of."

Yu Wenye suddenly understood.

He said, "Wu Qian’s wariness towards his subordinate instead caused discord between them; and Li Wen Yang, he took advantage of this discord between Wu Qian and his subordinate to win over Wu Qian’s subordinate?"

Shen Wuzheng nodded, then said, "They conspired to kill Wu Qian. Although Wu Qian was highly skilled, he couldn’t handle two people under these circumstances, especially when one was his own subordinate."

Shang Ruyi said, "Then Wu Qian’s subordinate—"

Halfway through speaking, she also halted.

In fact, the answer had already become obvious.

Li Wen Yang would not have won over Wu Qian’s subordinate to share the two maps with him. After conspiring to kill Wu Qian, that subordinate was naturally no longer needed.

So, Wu Qian and his subordinate ended up dead in that dense forest one after the other...

Yu Wenye withdrew his gaze from that dense forest and looked back at Shen Wuzheng, his eyes deepening. He said, "There was a story in ancient times about two peaches killing three warriors, involving the calculation of human hearts; with just two maps, you succeeded in killing these two, equally impressive."

Shen Wuzheng calmly replied, "You’re too kind."

"..."

"In such chaotic times, without wealth to rely on and no armor to protect you, seeing through human hearts is crucial to survive."