Rebirth and Reversal of Fortune

Chapter 418 Competing for and Protecting the Secret Treasure

As the clues become clearer, the competition for the treasure intensifies.

Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu had just returned to the Marquis's residence with the yellowed ancient book, and before they could even study it carefully, the residence was surrounded by various forces.

"Xiao Ling, hand over the ancient book, and I'll spare your life!" a martial arts master shouted outside the mansion.

"General Xiao, a wise man submits to circumstances. Hand over the goods, and everyone will be better off." A powerful court official also joined in the pressure.

Xiao Ling stood on the city wall of the Marquis's residence, looking down at the menacing crowd below, his expression grim.

"You think you can take something from me so easily?"

Su Jinxiu stood by, looking worried: "Husband, with so many enemies, what should we do?"

Xiao Ling comforted her, "Madam, don't be afraid, I have a plan."

Meanwhile, various factions began scheming against each other in order to be the first to obtain the ancient books.

The various martial arts sects fought fiercely for the opportunity to storm the Marquis's mansion first.

"You dare to try and steal from us? You don't want to live!"

The powerful figures in the imperial court were also secretly gathering their own people, preparing to seize the opportunity to act.

The emperor in the palace also learned of this and became very interested in the ancient book in Xiao Ling's hands.

"By imperial decree, summon Xiao Ling to the palace and present the ancient books."

Xiao Ling was caught in a dilemma. If he went to the palace to present the ancient books, the emperor would inevitably suspect that he had hidden them. If he did not go to the palace, he would be disobeying the imperial edict.

Just then, an advisor from the Marquis's residence offered a plan.

"General, why don't we take advantage of the conflicts between the various forces, let them kill each other, and then we can reap the benefits?"

Xiao Ling thought this plan was feasible, so he began to secretly sow discord among the various parties.

In an instant, the struggle between the various forces intensified, and the situation became increasingly chaotic.

However, this also put enormous pressure on the Marquis's residence.

"Master, the defenses of the Marquis's residence are about to crumble!"

Xiao Ling was extremely anxious and kept thinking of a solution.

Just as the Marquis's mansion was about to be breached, Xiao Ling suddenly discovered a hidden passage in an ancient book that seemed to reveal the true location of the treasure.

"Madam, perhaps we have found the key to breaking the deadlock."

Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling realized the potential dangers of the treasure and decided to protect it from falling into the hands of those with ulterior motives.

Looking at the ancient book in his hand, Xiao Ling said to Su Jinxiu with a solemn expression, "Madam, if this treasure falls into the hands of villains, it will surely cause a bloodbath."

Su Jinxiu nodded and replied, "Husband, we must protect him."

However, their decision only complicated the situation further. Upon learning of Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu's intentions, the various forces coveting the treasure launched an even more frenzied attack on the Marquis's residence.

"Xiao Ling, you're refusing to listen to reason and now you're going to suffer the consequences! Today is the end of the Marquis's mansion!" a powerful minister roared.

The guards of the Marquis's mansion fought desperately, but the enemy surged in like a tide, and the mansion gradually fell into a predicament.

"Master, we can't hold out much longer!" A guard ran in, covered in blood, to report.

Xiao Ling gritted his teeth and personally led a group of trusted men to charge at the enemy.

Su Jinxiu organized people within the mansion, ready to move the secret treasure at any time.

Just then, an imperial decree arrived from the palace, ordering Xiao Ling to immediately deliver the secret treasure to the palace, or else he would be charged with treason.

"What should we do?" Su Jinxiu was extremely anxious.

Xiao Ling knew that once the treasure was handed over to the emperor, there was no guarantee that the emperor would not be misled by its power and do things that would harm the country.

“Madam, we cannot obey the Emperor’s decree,” Xiao Ling said decisively.

However, disobeying the imperial edict is a grave crime, and the Marquis's mansion may suffer utter destruction as a result.

Meanwhile, some martial arts factions, in their quest for the secret treasure, began to create chaos in the capital, plunging the people into panic.

"The world is going to be in chaos!"

Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu faced immense pressure, having to deal with external attacks while also appeasing the people.

In order to find helpers, Xiao Ling secretly contacted some loyal and righteous people who were willing to protect the treasure with him.

"General Xiao, we are willing to fight alongside you!"

However, the enemy's methods became increasingly cruel. They even kidnapped some of Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu's relatives to threaten them into handing over the secret treasure.

"Xiao Ling, your family is in our hands. If you don't want them to die, hand over the treasure!"

Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu were caught in a painful choice.