Embers of Sword

Chapter 413 Reunion

The "fire" in Jiangning lasted for half a month and finally came to an end.

A divine message came from the Renshou Palace, where a large formation was built.

The Xie family of Jiangning was deprived of their "hereditary succession", demoted in rank and fined in salary.

This punishment is quite severe.

But for those princes and heroes who were "watching the show", it was still a bit regrettable... The only descendant of the Jiangning Xie family had died in the Northern Expedition of the Dayue Kingdom. Now that the Renshou Palace has deprived the Xie family of their "hereditary succession", it seems a bit unnecessary.

However, this is also an extremely important signal.

The Xie family had only been in power for a few decades, and with the great luck of Xie Xuanyi becoming the leader of the sword art, Xie Zhisui rose to prominence. It took only half a century for the Jiangning Xie family to go from being a poor noble family to a king of a different surname in Dachu. During this half a century, the Xie family had established "deep friendships" with the four holy places and the princes of the court.

But this "deep friendship" came quickly and faded quickly.

Half of it was due to Xie Xuanyi.

Back then, Xie Xuanyi was too popular.

If he is still alive.

So now, the Xie clan's ancestral hall has a genius swordsman in the Yangshen realm.

The other half comes from "holy favor".

The vast majority of the holy land families actually don’t understand why the Xie family is so favored.

But they don’t need to understand why…

If the Xie family falls, there will be another Xie family.

Whether it is the Xie family or the Li family, they only need to be responsible for "making friends" and maintaining "relationships".

Now, the imperial edict issued from Renshou Palace is a signal.

The divine favor has its limits.

Nowadays, the world is at peace, and it is normal for Fangyuanfang to trade with each other, and for the nobles of Chuli to trade with each other... Even among the royal family of Dachu, many people have transactions through "Fangyuanfang".

Therefore, the transaction between Xie Zhisui and Liguo Fangyuanfang was actually nothing.

Even if he really cooperated with Nalan Xuance, it would not make Renshou Palace so angry.

All the major holy places are speculating.

What is the real reason why Xie Zhisui incurred the wrath of the Holy One?

……

……

"Sir, the imperial edict has come down."

Black Scale Guard Sang Zheng, holding a thick book, suppressed his excitement and quickly stepped into the library, eager to report to Chen Jingxuan about the holy wrath that had been brought down from Renshou Palace.

Now, people in the four regions of Da Chu are talking about it.

Everyone wants to know whether Renshou Palace will take any other actions after this severe punishment.

The library is exceptionally quiet today.

Sparks from the red furnace jumped, emitting a faint fluorescent glow.

Sang Zheng stopped in surprise. The golden thread of the [Hunyuanyi] that usually spread across the ceiling of the library was now hanging down like a waterfall, forming a semicircle that covered and wrapped the jade table, like a sky-high screen.

Chen Jingxuan's figure was hidden behind the screen.

Sang Zheng put down the case file and told every detail of the news about Renshou Palace.

There was not much joy in Chen Jingxuan's voice.

"understood."

Sang Zheng sighed softly.

He was not surprised by Chen Jingxuan's reaction. The gentleman was always like this, neither happy nor sad, and never surprised by anything.

"Sir, this time... I'm afraid there's no chance for the Jiangning Palace to recover, right?"

Sang Zheng lowered his voice and said slowly: "As soon as the Holy Message from Renshou Palace came out, the Qin family's guests who stayed in Jiangning left one after another. It won't be long before other holy places and noble families will also react."

After the Qingzhou rebellion.

The Da Chu family has a different surname, Wang, so only the Qin and Xie families are left.

The Qin family's guest official left Jiangning and refused to plead for him, which was also a very important signal.

There is almost no room for reversal for Jiang Ning’s crime.

Next.

All the major families and sects will cut ties with it.

And this is exactly what Chen Jingxuan wants to see.

The best punishment for Xie's ungratefulness is to kill King Jiangning directly!

But before killing him, let him lose everything and return to the state where he had nothing.

"It's still early."

A calm voice came from behind the screen: "How is the situation at the Dao Sect?"

"Taoism..."

Sang Zheng was a little distressed.

In the past few days, many things planned by the gentleman have gone smoothly.

Master Xie Shan successfully escaped from the country and completed his diplomatic mission.

The Xie family of Jiangning brought disaster upon themselves and were powerless to save the situation.

Qian San took over the Chu State Fangyuanfang and, with the help of this case, moved from behind the scenes to the front stage.

Only one thing is not going well.

"I am here to deliver the visiting card in your name."

Sang Zheng said helplessly: "But the Taoist sect doesn't seem to be willing to give the bookstore face. I visited the Taoist sect three times, but all failed... I didn't get to see any of the masters, let alone the 'Chongkan Great Immortal'."

There was no movement behind the screen.

Sang Zheng paused and added: "However, the visiting cards were accepted after three visits to the Taoist sect."

"Who collected it?"

"Yuqingzhai, Shangyi."

Sang Zheng said in a deep voice: "Just yesterday, I deliberately asked her about the whereabouts of 'Master Tang'...Master Tang did go to the back mountain and has not come out since then."

"Sir, there is one more thing."

Sang Zheng thought for a moment and said cautiously, "I feel that the atmosphere in the Taoist sect seems a little strange now... The disciples of the Seventh Chamber do not seem to be as harmonious as they appear on the surface."

Yuqingzhai was responsible for receiving him during his visits to the Taoist sect.

In the past, the relationship between the library and the Taoist sect was good.

But since last year, the relationship between the two has subtly changed.

No, to be precise, it was from the appearance of "Xie Zhen" that... a crack began to appear in the relationship between Taoism and the library.

First was the Xuanshui Competition.

Xie Zhen defeated Xie Sheng in person, and Xianghuozhai suffered a great loss.

After that, the Dayue Kingdom went on an expedition to the north, and Xie Sheng and Fang Hang died one after another. The mastermind behind this was suspected to be Xie Zhen.

The Supreme Master Li Chen even came to the Imperial City to investigate the case in person.

Although the matter was finally "left unresolved".

But everyone knew in their hearts that Li Chen had already blamed "Xie Zhen" for this.

"Don't worry about this."

Chen Jingxuan said softly: "You have worked hard these past few days, go back and have a good rest. Three times is the limit. Since you have already visited the Taoist sect three times... then the attitude that should be conveyed has been conveyed."

"Yes."

Sang Zheng spoke respectfully, with a hint of expectation in his heart.

Is this a preparation to use courtesy before force?

Although Taoism is a huge organization, it has a history of thousands of years.

But Sang Zheng was not afraid at all.

He knew that these three visiting cards were all sent for "Master Tang".

There are constant rumors in the imperial city now, and many people have heard the news that "Tang Fengshu" is trapped in the back mountain.

Some people waited and watched, while others took advantage of the situation and mocked Chen Jingxuan for bullying the weak and fearing the strong. He had received a favor from Tang Fengshu in Qingzhou, but now he dared not speak up for him.

These words reached Sang Zheng's ears.

Mr. Imperial Master and Mr. Master of the Zhai are a match made in heaven!
Now that the master is in prison, how can the master just sit there and watch? He wanted to speak up for the master several times, but considering the overall situation, he finally held back.

No one knows his husband better than he does.

Worry about the world before you worry about yourself.

Then enjoy the happiness of the world.

The gentleman sits in the library, holding the thread of destiny, and always has to consider "all living beings" first. Even if he cares about Master Tang, he has to stabilize the overall situation first.

"Sir, I am not tired of doing this job! If you have any tasks, please tell me at any time!"

Before leaving, Sang Zheng bowed again.

The voice behind the screen remained calm: "Okay."

After Sang Zheng left.

The library returned to calm, and on the other side of the screen where countless golden threads of destiny intertwined, Chen Jingxuan lay on the floor of the library in a large letter shape, looking blankly at the ceiling.

It was hanging ten feet high in front of me.

Countless golden threads interweave, crisscross, and cut apart, forming a chaotic and complex starry sky.

This scene was beyond comprehension for him. He pondered over it for a whole day, without drinking a drop of water or sleeping all night. As a result, his clothes were disheveled and he looked completely unmannerly.

This was the reason why he did not show up to meet Sang Zheng earlier.

"Jiangning" was a war without the smoke of gunpowder. Logically speaking, this great victory was worth celebrating.

But Chen Jingxuan just couldn't be happy.

Logically speaking, after these recent troubles are resolved, the general trend of energy attached to itself should see a rebound.

But the reality is not so.

[Hunyuanyi] The golden threads are entangled and the hexagrams are in chaos.

Chen Jingxuan stared for a long time but couldn't see clearly where it was pointing.

This is a terrible thing.

No matter whether the hexagram indicated "good luck" or "bad luck", it would not cause Chen Jingxuan to fall into such a situation...

But the hexagram is full of chaos.

Even though he cast his own destiny into the [Hunyuan Instrument] and consumed his life span to perform divination, he still got nothing.

Since practicing the art of monitoring the sky, Chen Jingxuan has never encountered such a situation.

All of a sudden.

He was a little flustered.

……

……

The imperial city is exceptionally lively today.

Firecrackers blasted, gongs and drums roared, Xining Street was paved with red silk, and Yuanqing Building was packed with people.

The Qin family entertained their distinguished guests and set up a grand banquet.

The reason is simple. The "second young master" of the Qin family, who had been learning skills from a master since he was young, finally returned after completing his studies.

There are three young masters in the Qin family.

The eldest son, Qin Baihuang, is the head of the Equipment Refining Department and has considerable qualifications for equipment refining.

The second son, Qin Qianlian, became a disciple of Changshengzhai and learned Taoism from Master Yuanjin "Cao Yue". He has been practicing Taoism for more than 30 years.

As for the third son, Qin Wanyang... he had died in the Northern Hunt.

The Qin family is powerful and is the most powerful family among the four regions of the Da Chu Dynasty.

This was the first king of a different surname to be granted the title of "hereditary without change" by the ancestors of Da Chu. Qin Zu was even more meritorious, reaching the top early and being responsible for guarding the martial arts fortune of Da Chu. Even if a martial arts immortal met such a "top figure", he would bow his head respectfully and salute.

The Qin family has such a strong financial background that even if they have kept a low profile over the years, they still cannot escape public discussion.

Qin Zu once left a family commandment.

During the peaceful years, the head of the Qin family is not allowed to take charge of the Jiazi year.

At most every sixty years, the position of the head of the family will have to be replaced.

Now, the "Jia Zi Year" is almost here, and the successor to the position of the head of the Qin family has not yet been decided.

In fact, this matter has already sparked countless discussions...

Qin Baihuang, who holds the high position of "Head of the Equipment Refining Department" and seems to have unlimited advantages, is not favored by everyone.

Fang Yuanfang had provided relevant information ten years ago.

Fangyuanfang’s intelligence forecast at that time.

If nothing unexpected happens, the position of the head of the Qin family will be passed to the third son, Qin Wanyang.

the reason is simple.

The Qin family is a "martial arts family". Thanks to the protection of ancestor Qin, the heads of the family in all generations have attached great importance to "martial arts practice".

No matter what.

The eldest son, Qin Baihuang, doesn't like "cultivation" at all, and devotes all his attention to the art of refining weapons.

In the eyes of the Qin family, the art of refining weapons is just a minor art.

And the second young master...did not proceed according to the clan's plan.

Although Qin Qianlian was gifted, he was not interested in the "Qin family's body-building technique". He fled the imperial city at a young age, entered the Taoist sect, and became a disciple of Changshengzhai.

If any of these two young masters had been willing to practice the art of body refining, the third young master would not have been born.

Ten years ago.

Qin Wanyang is young, but he has already shown an outstanding aptitude for body training.

Following this trend, there will be no suspense about who will be the successor to the position of the head of the Qin family.

Unfortunately.

These three young masters died in the Northern Hunt.

The eldest son is still obsessed with the art of refining weapons, so the only candidate of the Qin family is the second son, Qin Qianlian.

When Qin Qianlian returned to the city this time, the Qin family held a grand banquet, as if to declare their attitude.

……

……

But the irony is.

This banquet was held to entertain many dignitaries in the imperial city and powerful people from all over the country.

But the protagonist was not there.

Every floor of Yuanqing Building was packed. After the Qin family's invitations were sent out, countless people arrived early and looked forward to it. However, from morning to night, from sunrise to sunset, they were unable to see the true appearance of the second young master who had been practicing Taoism away from the imperial city for thirty years.

Qin Qianlian didn't come at all.

Sunset.

In the secret room of the Equipment Refining Department, there were sounds of hammering and chiseling, and sparks flew everywhere.

The scalding sword blade fell into the icy water, and billowing smoke surged out. Qin Baihuang, wearing talismanic armor, was busy forging the sword. He suddenly stopped his palm movements, frowned, and turned back.

The secret room's heavy iron door was opened at some point in time.

A "young man" in white clothes and white hair stood in front of the door.

Young people are no longer young.

But perhaps because of practicing the "Changshengzhai Technique", his face is extremely rosy, like a boy of seventeen or eighteen years old, with red lips and white teeth, and his eyes are clear, but his pupils are as black as ink.

If you look closely, you will find that there is no joy, anger, sorrow or happiness in his eyes.

Yes, just indifference.

"Finished?"

Qin Baihuang manipulated the armor and slowly took out the slender sword from the ice water. He looked at it expressionlessly, threw the sword into the abandoned sword-making furnace, and said quietly: "I heard that the whole imperial city is very lively today. You are the protagonist, you shouldn't leave so early, right?"

"It seems that my brother still cares about me."

Qin Qianlian smiled softly and said, "I wasn't even there, so how can I leave?"

"Not there?"

Qin Baihuang glanced at the talisman sundial on the ground. This cast iron secret room was closed to the outside, and the change of day and night could not be seen clearly. However, due to the development of the talisman, there was a tiny projection of the talisman of the blazing sun above the secret room. This projection fell on the sundial, and the time could be clearly distinguished.

The sun is setting now.

"Although I haven't been back for a long time, there are still many old friends in this imperial city."

Qin Qianlian said softly: "Before meeting you, I met many people."

"for example?"

Qin Baihuang said coldly.

"For example, Chen Jingxuan."

Qin Qianlian smiled and said, "When I came back from the Dao Sect, the first person I met was him."

He has lived in the imperial city since he was a child, and the people he is most familiar with, besides Qin Baihuang, are Chen Jingxuan.

"You should meet him."

Qin Baihuang was not surprised: "Jingxuan has always thought of you over the years."

The three spent their childhood together.

At that time, there were no worries, no troubles, and no intrigue.

"Is it?"

Qin Qianlian said calmly: "Why do I feel that he doesn't welcome me very much... But it doesn't matter, I still went to meet other people."

"..."

Qin Baihuang was silent.

The two remained silent for a long time.

"Why didn't you ask this time?"

Qin Qianlian said expressionlessly: "I went to see that stupid brother who died inexplicably. He was such a useless person. How could someone be so cowardly? After he died, he only left a tombstone, not even a corpse."

(End of this chapter)