Embers of Sword

Chapter 363: Cause and effect, who can escape?

The bamboo leaves swayed as Meng Kejian knelt on one knee with an expression of great respect.

In the distance, the Yuanzhou cavalry responsible for besieging Mount Qixia were also ordered to rush over. All of them knelt down, and a murderous aura overflowed from them.

All of the above things reveal the identity of this scholar in blue.

The youngest Supreme Pillar State of the Dali Dynasty, and the common leader of the cavalry of Yuanzhou, Yuzhou, and Wuzhou.

Chen Chong.

"General, by your order, the Qixia Mountain cavalry siege has been completely withdrawn."

Among the Yuanzhou cavalry, a commander spoke in a low voice.

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Venerable Bai Yu's expression changed again.

Prince Jiangning, who was sitting on horseback, also lost his patience.

Xie Zhi then dismounted, bowed politely, and then frowned and asked, "General Chen, what is the purpose of withdrawing the defense from Qixia Mountain?"

The scholar in blue sat in front of a bamboo table, his eyes fixed on the empty cup in front of him.

The wine has been finished.

A little bit of wine scattered on the ground was blown away by the wind, and the aroma of Zuixianniang's wine echoed in the woods.

Several cavalry commanders who were familiar with this aura had strange expressions on their faces, lowered their brows and remained silent.

"Just before this, Chen and Xie Zhen made a bet that if Xie Zhen could finish five cups of 'Drunken Immortal Wine', Chen would let him leave Qixia Mountain."

Chen Chong's fingers brushed lightly.

The porcelain cups made a crisp cracking sound and the bamboo table was broken into pieces. The Drunken Immortal Wine was finished, the bet was settled, and the porcelain cups could no longer be used, so they shattered to the ground with a crackling sound.

"How could you do that?"

Venerable Bai Yu couldn't help but speak, anxiously saying: "You let Xie Zhen go?!"

"presumptuous!"

A low and cold voice sounded behind Venerable Bai Yu.

Meng Kejian, who was kneeling on one knee, stood up coldly at this moment. He put one hand on the shoulder of Venerable Bai Yu, not hiding his murderous intention at all: "You dare to be disrespectful again?"

"I……"

Venerable Bai Yu took a deep breath and realized that something was wrong.

He was used to running rampant in Jiangning on weekdays. After all, Xie Zhisui's influence in Jiangning was no less than that of Chen Chong in Yuanzhou. But this was Li Country, and the Qixia Mountain Iron Cavalry was densely packed and countless. Even if Jiangning and Nalan Xuance had a deal beforehand, Chen Chong's personal soldiers were here. If someone really took the lead, these soldiers could do anything.

There is no need for Chen Chong to even take action himself.

As long as the Cage Immortal Formation is formed, these cavalry will charge and kill us!

"It's because I didn't discipline him strictly enough."

Jiangning King Xie Zhisui also felt something was wrong and quickly apologized on behalf of his lord: "General Chen is young and promising, please don't take it to heart."

"No problem."

Chen Chong waved his hand.

He said calmly, "I know why you are angry. Jiang Ning gave Nalan Xuance a big gift not long ago, so in your opinion, this ambush at Mount Qixia as a return gift should not end so hastily..."

King Jiangning said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "That's the truth."

"No, that's not the reason..."

"Your gift has been delivered to Nalan Xuance."

Chen Chong smiled slightly and said, "So killing Xie Zhen... should be done by him."

Prince Jiangning frowned, he had heard these words not long ago.

It is obvious that Meng Kejian dared to make such remarks before because he had received instructions from Chen Chong.

Is this a reminder to myself that I haven't done enough?

"I heard that Jiang Ning gave Nalan Xuance a thousand thunder and fire talismans, a thousand sets of fine iron armor, and ten talisman arrays carefully carved by the Taoist sect."

Chen Chong lowered his eyebrows and said slowly: "National Master Nalan is the descendant of Xuanwei Island who is proficient in Taoist talismans. He has no use for this Thunder and Fire Talisman given to him, and the fine iron armor will eventually be given as a reward to other families. As for the compilation of talisman arrays, he even despises it... The National Master has already exhausted all his energy, how can he have the energy to study these things?"

"what do you mean?"

Prince Jiangning spoke upon hearing this.

"Collect people's money and eliminate disasters for them."

Chen Chong said calmly, "But if you don't accept money, it doesn't make sense to do things for others. The Three States Iron Cavalry won't receive a penny of the gift you gave to Nalan Xuance."

"These are nothing..."

The veins on Prince Jiangning's forehead throbbed, and he lowered his voice and asked, "If you really want it, why don't you let me know in advance?"

Since he could give a gift, he could make friends with Nalan Xuance.

So sending a second copy is nothing.

As long as Xie Zhen is ensured to die here, King Jiangning would be willing to make another cut!
"If I tell you this, the prince may not believe it... Chen actually believes in fate."

Chen Chong raised his head and said calmly, "If the prince wanted to give these things, he would have given them to you long ago. Sincerity is the key to success, why do you need to know?"

"you……"

Xie Zhisui was very angry.

He had nothing to say. After keeping a low profile over the years, his realm had improved a lot.

But the young Confucian general in front of him is able to capture and kill the powerful demon Yin Shen.

It's impossible to argue with him logically.

If I use my fists, I'm no match for him.

Xie Zhisui had no choice but to swallow this loss.

King Jiangning took a few deep breaths and finally calmed down. He said in confusion, "Letting Xie Zhen go would be fine... But Nalan Xuance has been planning for many years. This time he decided to kill the Fanyin Temple delegation in Qixia Mountain, which is a formal declaration of war with Buddhism. Now that things have come to this, how can you let go of the little monk next to Xie Zhen?"

He saw the previous ambush very clearly.

Miaozhen, a Buddhist disciple from Fanyin Temple, stepped forward to protect the little monk in the golden light array carriage.

That little monk is the "core figure" of this mission!
"If you let it go, you let it go."

Chen Chong remained calm and said, "An hour later, the cavalry is still there. If they can escape from Qixia Mountain, can they also escape from Liguo?"

He stretched out his five fingers and turned them slowly.

Turn your hand and clouds will appear; turn it again and rain will fall... These words do sound a bit arrogant, but as the leader of the cavalry of Yuanzhou, Yuzhou and Wuzhou, Chen Chong does have the qualifications to be so arrogant.

"That's fine."

King Jiangning looked at the sleeping Junshan Zhenren and said coldly, "No matter what, capturing a Taoist Zhenren in this battle is also a merit. I wonder if this person can be handed over to Xie for disposal?"

"No."

Chen Chong shook his head and refused decisively.

"Xie Zhen drank six cups of wine here with me. I promised him that I would protect Junshan."

He said lightly: "So...you can't take this person away."

At this point, even if the relationship was completely torn apart, King Jiangning realized that his so-called "national teacher and distinguished guest" was nothing in Chen Chong's eyes... He laughed in anger and couldn't help but said in a cold voice: "It seems that you are deliberately trying to disgust me today. Well, well, I have seen your methods... I will tell Nalan Xuance the truth about what happened today. From now on, the cooperation between Jiangning and Dali will be questioned."

"random."

Chen Chong waved his hands and didn't care at all.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Before you leave, I have something to advise you—"

Meng Kejian chuckled and said, "Xie Zhen just escaped from Qixia Mountain. He can't get far. If you really want to kill him, why don't you do it yourself? You can be a spectator watching the show all day long. Although you can watch the fire from the other side of the river without getting hurt, what if the fire burns along the river? It's better to take the risk and reach out. Even if you end up with nothing, at least you have experienced true happiness."

"..." Prince Jiangning glanced at Meng Kejian indifferently.

He turned over and sat on the horse again, with Venerable Bai Yu holding the reins. The two men felt that it was hopeless to protest, so they admitted their defeat and left the bamboo forest of Qixia Mountain.

……

……

Soon, silence returned to the place.

The Yuanzhou cavalry knelt behind Chen Chong.

The bamboo forest rustled.

Chen Chong sat alone in the night, flipping through a book. Meng Kejian picked up a lantern to illuminate the way for his master, but his expression was very subtle... After the King of Jiangning and his servant left, the general changed the book to read. It was the love story between the national teacher and the Taoist nun that was circulated in various regions of Da Chu.

"Ajian."

Chen Chong called out affectionately, and said with a smile: "You said... Is there a next volume for this story?"

Meng Kejian was a little puzzled: "General, what does this mean?"

Chen Chong slowly closed the book in his hand.

"I heard that Tang Fengshu was trapped in the back mountain of the Taoist sect. I don't know if it's true or not..."

Chen Chong said regretfully, "If she becomes the second 'Yan Xie' and is trapped for ten years, then I think this story will end here."

"Not necessarily."

Meng Kejian smiled and said, "Chen Jingxuan is a very important person. He has officially taken charge of the library and will soon take over as the Grand Master of Chu. If nothing unexpected happens, he will officially become Nalan Xuance's rival... How could such a hero allow his beloved woman to be trapped in the Taoist sect? The new 'Top Ten Heroes in the World' will be announced soon. I guess Chen Jingxuan will definitely take the top spot. If he tops the list, he will definitely put pressure on the Taoist sect."

The great Taoist Chongkan is indeed powerful.

But even he would have to think twice before considering the word "bookstore".

Speaking of which.

Meng Kejian paused, bowed, and asked hesitantly, "General...are you really not going to care about Xie Zhen?"

He had previously taken Xie Zhisui and his servant for a tour around Mount Qixia, following Chen Chong's military order.

In fact, this military order also caught Meng Kejian by surprise.

Logically speaking, this ambush should have been carried out with lightning speed, not giving the Fanyin Temple delegation any time to react!

All those who resist and flee will be killed without mercy!

However... when he threw the talismans of the Cage Immortal Formation, the general suddenly changed his mind, which led to the subsequent watching of the show and subsequent developments.

"If he says one hour, he should be given one hour."

Chen Chong smiled and said, "We are only halfway through now... Don't worry, he can't escape too far."

These words made Meng Kejian feel a little more at ease.

It seems that the general is not really willing to let Xie Zhen go.

"...The general must be cherishing talents?"

Meng Kejian looked at the broken porcelain cup on the bamboo table and said with emotion, "Did Xie Zhen really drink six cups of 'Drunken Immortal Wine'?"

He knew that the Immortal Drunken Wine that the general loved to drink was also the Intestinal Piercing Powder in the hands of the hook and clamp master.

Those whose Taoism hearts are unstable will have their sea of ​​consciousness collapsed after drinking one cup.

The general's heart is as firm as a rock, and he remains unmoved by the Chuanchang Powder...

There was no one else in the army who could drink with him.

Even if I drink slowly, I can only drink two and a half cups at most. If I drink more, I will be drunk.

"Cherish talent?"

Chen Chong shook his head. There was no trace of pity in his eyes. He said coldly, "Ajian, you are wrong. A genius like Xie Zhen from Chu State is exactly the biggest enemy of Dali... Yan Xin and Nalan Xuance have put together a 'Fangyuanfang' over the years. The original intention was to let the two countries work together for development, but now there are more and more gaps. I think it won't be long before Fangyuanfang will be separated. By then, there will be a war between Chu and Li. If a sword genius like Xie Zhen can rise, it will affect the flow of luck in the entire national war. If Buddhism declines, Dasui Sword Palace should also decline. If Xie Zhen becomes the next 'Zhao Chunyang', Dasui Sword Palace will be able to continue to survive."

Meng Kejian was completely stunned when he heard this.

He didn't expect that the general would give such an answer.

If that's the case, why did you let Xie Zhen go before?
"Chi chi chi——"

At this moment.

The void portal is burning with flames.

A burly figure, holding a spear, walked out of the gate, covered in blood.

It was Du Yunzhong.

"General!"

Du Yunzhong stepped out of the door and immediately knelt down to pay his respects. His voice was as deep as thunder, echoing among the bamboo forest: "According to your instructions, I did not use my full strength... Miao Zhen found an opportunity, escaped and headed towards the Fanyin Temple!"

Meng Kejian was stunned again.

"it is good."

Chen Chong just spoke calmly and responded without much reaction.

After Du Yunzhong arrived, the two battalions of cavalry responsible for the battle of Qixia Mountain also rushed to the bamboo forest. They were all stained with blood. The sergeant reported the results of the battle. The Fanyin Temple convoy was completely destroyed and Qixia Mountain was being blockaded... Twenty-one people were killed so far, and there were still remnants of the Buddhist sect at large. This blockade and killing was expected to last for three days.

"Thank you for your hard work today."

Chen Chong stood up and patted Du Yunzhong on the shoulder in a comforting manner. He said softly, "Go down and take a good bath to wash off the Buddha's blood on your body."

Du Yunzhong took the order and left.

Meng Kejian's eyes were full of doubt. He followed Chen Chong with a lantern in his hand and couldn't help asking, "General, did you deliberately let Miaozhen and Miyun go?"

The scholar in blue robes hummed softly.

"Didn't Nalan Xuance say..."

Meng Kejian said in a hoarse voice, suspiciously: "Destroy Buddhism?"

"Yes."

The scholar in green robes said calmly: "If we want to quell the civil strife in the Dali Dynasty, we need to cut off the support of the Buddhist sect for the Ninth Prince... In fact, Miaozhen and Miyun are not the key."

In the Dali Dynasty, it is not only Yuanzhou that is in conflict.

Except for the rich place like Qianzhou.

Due to the struggle for imperial power, other states were in considerable chaos… The fight between the Crown Prince and the Ninth Prince spread to every corner of this vast dynasty.

In a sense.

This is also the struggle between Nalan Xuance and Buddhism.

"what do you mean……"

Meng Kejian's pupils contracted, and he uttered those two words carefully: "...Zen Master?!"

Chen Chong nodded.

The two words "Zen Master" seem to carry a thousand pounds of weight.

Meng Kejian continued to lower his voice: "You are now only one step away from breaking through the threshold of Yangshen. At this juncture, why bother to provoke such a person... If the Zen master is still alive, won't this cause and effect be found on you?"

“Who can escape the words of cause and effect?”

Chen Chong said calmly, "If he really finds me, then he finds me. Someone has to step forward... Sacrificing oneself for the country, quelling the chaos, and dying for it, is a worthy death."

"I really can't see through you, sir."

Meng Kejian was worried and muttered to himself, "Today's killing at Qixia Mountain is actually a declaration of war against Fanyin Temple... If Miaozhen is released and Miyun is released, how will the general end it?"

Chen Chong shook his head and smiled.

(End of this chapter)