To the First Emperor of Qin: The state has decreed this!

Chapter 287 The Substitute Has Been Chosen!

Xiang Liang swallowed hard. Although his mind was a complete mess, he could see the immortal master's calm and composed demeanor.

He dared not question further, and could only steel himself and respectfully bow, asking for guidance:

"Immortal Master, your insight is profound. I am but a fool, unable to fully comprehend the great Dao of Heaven and Earth."

"May I ask, Immortal Master, what is the first step to breaking this deadlock?"

Hearing Xiang Liang press for specific action steps.

Ji Dan cried out inwardly in despair!

Seeing that he couldn't escape by just bluffing, cold sweat broke out on his back again, and he hurriedly resorted to his cheap tricks:

"Ahem... the first step will definitely be to confuse the issue and launch a feint!"

"Lord Xiang could secretly dispatch a group of assassins to pose as bandits and outlaws along the passes and through the mountains from Shangdang to Kuaiji, robbing passing merchants and caravans!"

"In this way, we will surely completely confuse the local officials of the Qin Dynasty and the Black Ice Guard, diverting their attention from Shangdang County!"

At this point, Ji Dan paused, then added:

"Secondly, to achieve this substitution, we must find an extremely suitable and powerful 'stand-in' in Shangdang County to perfectly transfer the heinous crime of stealing coal onto him!"

The words had barely left his mouth!

Xiang Yu, who had been listening impatiently for a while, suddenly raised his thick, dark eyebrows!

"absurd!"

Xiang Yu snorted coldly, suddenly stood up, and strode towards Ji Dan:

"Even a centurion in our army understands such a crude and simple smokescreen and the principle of finding a scapegoat!"

"If that's the case, why did you have to be so mysterious and spout so much nonsensical nonsense just now?"

Seeing Xiang Yu charging towards her in a rage, Ji Dan was so frightened that she almost fell over. Her face turned deathly pale, and she even stopped breathing!

Finished!

This scoundrel is about to make his move!

"How dare you! Yu'er, show no respect to the Immortal Master! Step back!"

A loud shout suddenly rang out!

Suddenly, Xiang Liang stood up and grabbed Xiang Yu, who was about to go berserk.

Then.

Xiang Liang's tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed!

Not only was he not angry!

Instead, their gazes toward Ji Dan became increasingly fervent and awe-inspiring!

"Immortal Master, you have been frightened. It is my fault for failing to properly guide you. Yu'er is naturally impetuous. I beg your forgiveness!"

Xiang Liang bowed respectfully to Ji Dan, then turned and loudly ordered towards the door:

"Guards! The Immortal Master has exhausted himself deducing the secrets of heaven. Quickly help him back to his room to rest! Treat him well and do not neglect him in the slightest!"

Xiang Yu's eyes widened, and he was about to question, "Uncle! This kind of charlatan..."

"Shut up! I told you to step back!"

Xiang Liang turned around abruptly, glared fiercely at Xiang Yu, and forcefully shut him down.

As Ji Dan was helped to her feet by the servants, she felt her legs go weak, like noodles.

Only after walking out of the main hall and out of the sight of the Xiang family uncle and nephew did Ji Dan dare to exhale a long breath, feeling completely exhausted.

They survived!

I finally managed to fool them again!

……

Once Ji Dan's figure had completely disappeared.

Inside the lobby.

Xiang Yu, who had been holding back his anger, could no longer contain himself and slammed his fist on the table.

"Uncle! Why are you protecting that liar? His schemes are utterly unoriginal!"

"Snapped!"

Xiang Lianghao patted Xiang Yu on the shoulder, took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his voice, and said in a deep voice:

"Yu'er! You're so foolish!"

"Do you really think that the Immortal Master's cryptic words just now were just a way to create mystery?"

Xiang Yu was taken aback: "Isn't that right?"

"Completely wrong!"

With his hands behind his back, Xiang Liang analyzed with extreme excitement:

"The Immortal Master is truly a divine being! He indeed possesses extraordinary abilities that transcend heaven and earth!"

"His words just now actually contained a hidden meaning!"

Xiang Liang turned his head, staring intently at Xiang Yu, and lowered his voice, saying, "Think carefully about what the Immortal Master just said about the principles of 'Yin and Yang in harmony' and 'Tai Chi Bagua'! In this world, nothing can exist in isolation; Yin alone cannot produce life, and Yang alone cannot grow!"

"The immortal master is giving us guidance!"

"He clearly calculated that this shocking case of illegal coal mining in Shangdang County was not something our Xiang family of Jiangdong was fighting alone!"

A flicker of apprehension crossed Xiang Liang's eyes. He took a deep breath and said, "In Shangdang County, there has always been another force secretly colluding with me to orchestrate this coal smuggling operation! This is what the Immortal Master referred to as 'the union of Yin and Yang'!"

"This matter is of utmost importance, and to be on the safe side, I didn't even tell you before! But the Immortal Master... he actually uncovered my secret cooperation with that force without leaving his house... no! Without leaving the brothel!"

Upon hearing this!

Xiang Yu felt as if struck by lightning; his double pupils jolted, and he gasped in shock, exclaiming in astonishment:

"What? Uncle, we actually have a secret ally in Shangdang County that I didn't even know about?"

"good!"

Xiang Liang nodded heavily, feeling increasingly terrified as he thought about it, and he was filled with utter admiration for the immortal master.

"The immortal master never steps out of his room, yet he can see through the undercurrents of the world's affairs at a glance!"

"His second half of the sentence, telling us to 'find a substitute,' was absolutely brilliant!"

Xiang Liang's eyes gradually turned sinister, and he sneered:

"Since the Immortal Master has already put it this way, there's no need for us to hold back any longer."

"That pawn in Changzi County... I was hesitant to use it, but now it seems it can indeed serve as an excellent substitute and be put to great use!"

"This time, let this pawn bear the brunt of Qin's wrath for us!"

Hearing Xiang Liang's words!

Xiang Yu's face lit up with wild joy!

"So that's how it is! It turns out everything was part of the Immortal Master's ingenious plan and my uncle's strategic brilliance!"

Xiang Yu suddenly clasped his hands in a fist salute, his tiger-like eyes gleaming, but then he frowned slightly and asked hesitantly:

"However, Uncle, since that force can stand on equal footing with you and jointly manage such a momentous situation, its strength and foundation must be quite formidable!"

"How can we shift the blame while ensuring that we don't expose the whereabouts of the Xiang family of Jiangdong?"

Hearing his nephew's question.

Xiang Liang put his hands back behind his back, a cold smile slowly creeping onto his lips:

"Yu'er, you're right. There are countless heroes in this world, and our ally in Shangdang County... or rather, that woman who controls a vast underground force, is no ordinary person, with her deep cunning and ruthless methods!"

"If we use those clumsy methods of forging letters and making accusations in secret to frame her, we really won't be able to deal with her. Instead, we'll easily make things worse and get ourselves into trouble."

At this point, Xiang Liang coldly snorted, enunciating each word clearly:

"But! Don't forget, the massive amount of coal smuggled out ultimately originated from her!"

"As long as Black Ice Guard follows the investigation down the mine line, the source will inevitably point to her!"