Blood sedge

Chapter 1174: Lieutenant General Zhang Xiong (Part )

"Killing General Sui Zuo?" Xie Xuan waved his hands in fear and trepidation, "General Zhang, please don't joke. Killing a Mongolian general is tantamount to treason. Our small Xianwang Mansion cannot afford such a serious crime."

"If you're not deliberately trying to shirk responsibility, why bother pretending?"

"Why pretend? I just despise those groundless rumors." Xie Xuan defended himself seriously, "With the status and position of General Sui Zuo, how could he die at the hands of bandits as the rumors say? There are 5,000 soldiers and horses, which are enough to capture a city if they are commanded properly. Which sect in the world has such means? Therefore, although I have heard about it, I just think it is a joke. If General Zhang hadn't told me today, I would rather die than believe such nonsense."

"If the rumors are true, General Zhang should know that the main culprit who set up an ambush to kill General Sui Zuo and openly challenged Mongolian authority was Jin Fuyu of Jinjianwu. He should also understand that this farce this morning was clearly a trick by Jin Fuyu, who intended to frame Liu Xunyi for the death of General Sui Zuo." Xunzhen judged the situation and took the opportunity to speak to test Zhang Xiong's true intentions. "If that's the case, why didn't General Zhang ask Jin Fuyu for the crime, but instead attacked us without asking any questions? Could it be that... General Zhang intends to put this blood debt on our heads?"

"Catch the thief and seize the stolen goods!" Lei Zhen echoed angrily.

"Don't talk nonsense! I, Xie, absolutely do not believe that General Zhang is such a shameless villain who bullies the good and fears the evil." Xie Xuan pretended to be dissatisfied and refuted Lei Zhen, then turned his secretive eyes to Zhang Xiong, who had a livid face, and bowed his hands slowly to apologize, "I don't know the rules, General Zhang, please be magnanimous and don't argue with us."

"Jin Fuyu is Jin Fuyu, and Liu Xunyi is Liu Xunyi. Whether General Sui Zuo's death is related to Liu Xunyi, I will investigate it in detail after I take him back to the general's mansion. It is not your turn to point fingers." Perhaps because he felt guilty, Zhang Xiong changed the subject and said, "Sui Zuo was the general of Xijing appointed by the Khan. His death shocked the court and the public. It is of great significance. Therefore, we must thoroughly investigate any person who is related to this matter and any clues, and never let them go. Whether it is Jin Fuyu, Liu Xunyi, or anyone else, the same applies."

"So?" Hearing that Zhang Xiong was going to take Liu Xunyi back, Xiao Zhirou appeared in front of Zhang Xiong like a ghost, catching him off guard and making him take two steps back in shock, "You want to take Liu Xunyi away?"

"It's just a routine matter. No one can show favoritism." Zhang Xiong was shocked by Xiao Zhirou's erratic and strange movements. His tone was no longer as arrogant as before. "If it is found that Liu Xunyi has nothing to do with Sui Zuo's death, I will not wrongly accuse a good person."

"Bullshit!" Xu Heng scoffed at Zhang Xiong's high-sounding promise. "When it comes to the means of interrogating prisoners, the Xianwang Mansion is no less capable than the General's Mansion. Once we enter your territory, don't you have the final say on right and wrong? Bullshit about finding out the truth. It's obvious that you want to torture people into confessing!"

"you……"

"What do you mean by 'you'? It's not your fault that you don't know the rules as a newcomer, but you rashly ran to the Xianwang Mansion to arrest someone without asking clearly. That's your own fault!" Ling Qingyin said fiercely, "My master has already given you enough face. Now you are shameless!"

"I think he is just being too arrogant. He won't accept my toast and will be punished with a drink!"

With Xie Xuan's tacit approval, Ling Qing and Xu Heng sang the same tune to show their power and intimidation. At the same time, hundreds of men in black armed with swords quickly gathered outside the meeting hall, completely blocking the retreat of Zhang Xiong and his men.

The sudden change made Zhang Xiong's face pale. He looked around silently, his eyes gleaming with brilliance, and I wonder what he was thinking?
"In the past, I only heard that the Jianghu forces in the Central Plains should not be underestimated. Today, I have personally experienced it. I am a lieutenant general in the general's mansion and have been ordered to arrest someone. You are just a bunch of ruffians. How dare you openly resist? You are so brave!" Whether it was out of anger or eagerness, the muscles on Zhang Xiong's face began to tremble uncontrollably when he spoke, "The Khan has always disdained to be distracted by the Jianghu ruffians, but I didn't expect that you not only didn't know how to restrain yourself, but also went further and further. First, Wang Xutong died unclearly, and then Sui Zuo and 5,000 soldiers were slaughtered. What? You plan to kill me as well? Do you really think that the court can tolerate your rampant behavior? Do you really think that the Khan can't do anything to you?"

"You're still talking so much nonsense when you're about to die..."

"If you have the guts, do it!" Zhang Xiong did not give Xu Heng a chance to continue shouting. He suddenly drew his sword from its sheath, pointed it at the solemn Xie Xuan, and said word by word, "I don't believe you dare to massacre me and my soldiers in broad daylight. If any of us dies here today, I guarantee that within three months, Luoyang City will be invaded by a large army and no one will be left alive. By then, not only will the Xianwang Mansion be destroyed, but the entire Luoyang City and even the people of the city will be destroyed with you!"

Facing Zhang Xiong's blatant threat, Xie Xuan remained calm, and there was no change in his expression.

"Xie Xuan treated me politely, why did General Zhang keep pressing me?" After a moment of silence, Xie Xuan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, and then spoke faintly, "There is a saying that goes 'If someone respects me one foot, I will respect him ten feet'. Since General Zhang has already made up his mind, even if Xie Xuan talks a lot, it will probably be in vain. However, the General's Mansion has its own rules, and the Xianwang Mansion has its own rules. If I swallow my anger today, how can I gain a foothold in the martial arts world in the future? As for what you just said... maybe it can scare others, but it can't scare Xie Xuan."

“Give it a try!” Zhang Xiong smiled nonchalantly and put the knife directly on Xie Xuan’s neck. “No need to be brave, just go ahead.”

"Akio!"

Seeing Xie Xuan's face gradually darken, Su He, who was full of thoughts, was shocked and quickly spoke to dissuade Zhang Xiong from his provocation: "This is Luoyang City, not Mobei Camp. You'd better control your bad temper. Xianwang Mansion is a giant in the martial arts world. Everyone present here is a well-known hero. Your behavior in Mobei Camp is not applicable here. I advise you to think twice before acting!"

Su He's move seemed to be speaking for Xie Xuan, but in fact he was protecting Zhang Xiong's life. He knew very well that a ruthless and decisive hero like Xie Xuan was far from being comparable to the ordinary soldiers in the Mobei camp. Zhang Xiong's usual method of suppressing others was more than enough to deal with ordinary people, but it had no effect on Xie Xuan.

The soldiers in the camp were forced to obey the law and military discipline, and would rather die than disobey Zhang Xiong's orders. But Xie Xuan really dared to slap him to death.

Su He understood this part clearly, but Zhang Xiong, who had just arrived, was at a loss as to the answer.

"Su He, shut up!"

As expected, Su He's kindness not only did not earn Zhang Xiong's gratitude, but instead angered him: "I never expected you to help me, but you shouldn't hold me back, and don't encourage others to lose your own prestige!"

"you……"

"Valley Master!"

At the critical moment, a deep voice came from outside the hall, which immediately eased the tense atmosphere on the verge of collapse. Then, Tang Afu and Pan Yuyin came in hurriedly.

Seeing the tense situation in the hall, Tang and Pan were stunned.

Similarly, when everyone saw the two of them, they all showed surprise on their faces.

As everyone knows, since Liu Xunyi went into seclusion, Tang Afu and Pan Yuyin stayed in the inner court almost all day, and had not seen most of the people present for a long time. How could they not be surprised to see them at this time?

"Ah Fu?"

When she saw Tang Afu, Xiao Zhirou first thought of Liu Xunyi who was still in seclusion, so she no longer cared about the arrogant Zhang Xiong, and hurriedly approached him, asking anxiously: "Is Xunyi in trouble? His injury..."

"Master Xiao, don't worry. Brother Liu is safe and sound, and his injuries have healed."

Pan Yuyin gave Xiao Zhirou a reassurance, which gradually calmed her anxious mood, and then said, "Then what are you doing..."

"Liu Xunyi has come out of confinement!"

Tang Afu's words stirred up a thousand waves, and immediately the people present broke the silence and gathered around to ask what was going on. Even Xie Xuan, who was in the center of the vortex, turned his slightly excited eyes away from Zhang Xiong and cast his eyes anxiously at Tang Afu who was surrounded by the crowd.

"Liu Xunyi has come out? When?" Xunzhen did not gather around Tang Afu like the others, but quietly pulled Pan Yuyin aside and asked in a low voice, "Where is he?"

"Just now... less than half an incense stick of time." Pan Yuyin said, "Brother Tang told him that the troops of Luoyang General's Mansion surrounded Danfeng Garden, and Master Xiao and you might be in trouble, so Brother Liu brought us here."

"Come together?"

Hearing Pan Yuyin's answer, Xunzhen subconsciously looked outside the meeting hall.

"For some reason, Brother Liu suddenly changed his mind halfway through the journey, said a few words to Brother Tang, and left in a hurry."

"This……"

"What's going on?" Finally, Pan Yuyin's voice attracted the attention of Xiao Zhirou, Xie Xuan and others. Xie Xuan ignored the blade on his neck and urged Tang Afu in an almost commanding tone, "Hurry up and tell me!"

Tang Afu ignored Xie Xuan's harsh words and explained to Xiao Zhirou, "On the way here, I told Liu Xunyi about Sui Zuo's death and what happened this morning. When he learned that someone from Luoyang General's Mansion was looking for him by name, he..."

"How is he? Did he flee for fear of being convicted?"

Before Tang Afu finished speaking, Zhang Xiong, who had a bad feeling, rushed up to him and shouted, "The monk can escape, but the temple cannot! Even if Liu Xunyi flees to the ends of the earth..."

"Escape?" Tang Afu sneered at Zhang Xiong's self-righteousness, "You think too highly of yourself! Do you think you are worthy of Liu Xunyi's escape?"

"How dare you! I am..."

"You don't have to introduce yourself. I'm not interested in knowing." Tang Afu interrupted the angry Zhang Xiong without any courtesy and said contemptuously, "Judging from your arrogant demeanor, you must be the one in charge. It's just right! Liu Xunyi asked me to bring you a message."

"Bring it to me?" Zhang Xiong was startled, his face showing alertness, "What did you say?"

"He asked you to take Sui Zuo's body and go back to where you came from."

"Asshole!" Liu Xunyi's rebelliousness made Zhang Xiong furious, "Who does he think he is? What qualifications does he have to order me around? Tell him to get out and see me right now!"

"You should go see him!" Tang Afu ignored Zhang Xiong's frenzy and turned his gaze to Xiao Zhirou who was hesitant to speak. It seemed that this sentence was not only a response to Zhang Xiong's criticism, but also an answer to Xiao Zhirou's confusion. "After all, he has fulfilled your wish and went alone to Luoyang General's Mansion to seek justice."

……