Embers of Sword

Chapter 414 Two Halves
The secret room of the Equipment Refining Department was silent as the flying sparks fell to the ground and gradually disappeared.

After the light and fire burned out.

In the dark secret room, there were only two brothers who had been reunited after a long separation.

But there was no harmony or joy at this moment.

"His death was an accident."

Qin Baihuang took off his mask and said with a complicated expression: "I have already investigated... Dayue Country was hunting in the north, and it happened that Wucai City was heading south. Wan Yang died at the hands of the demon tribe."

"Is it?"

Qin Qianlian said dimly: "But I heard that it was Xie Zhen who killed him."

The Taoist community is now divided into two factions regarding Xie Zhen.

One faction stands on the side of the Supreme Master Li Chen.

These people believed that the deaths of Xie Sheng, Fang Hang, and Qin Wanyang were all caused by Xie Zhen.

The other faction stands on the side of Yuqingzhai.

The Dayue Kingdom was hunted in the north, and Yuqingzhai was able to escape the disaster thanks to the help of Xie Zhen.

"..."

Qin Baihuang was silent.

"I know that you have a good relationship with Chen Jingxuan and Xie Xuanyi."

Qin Qianlian put his hands behind his back and said coldly: "But as the eldest son of the Qin family, you should always stand in front of the interests of the family. Just because Xie Zhen is Xie Xuanyi's disciple, you let him go?"

"I have my own judgment on the truth of this case."

Qin Baihuang was too lazy to continue the topic: "If you came to see me today just to say these... then you can leave now."

He stretched out his hand and pulled out the second hot iron bar from the sword-making furnace.

Chi Chi Chi!
Gently shake your wrist.

The iron bar, which had already solidified into a embryonic form, made a crisp sound and at the same time emitted a golden and blazing fire all over the ground.

The room is full of light.

Qin Qianlian sighed softly.

He looked at the man in black armor and covered with treasures in front of him, shook his head, and said with regret: "Brother, during the years I have been practicing hard in the Taoist sect...you wouldn't have been hiding in the basement of the weapon refining department, studying these useless things, right?"

The expression on Qin Baihuang's face gradually became gloomy.

He slowly moved his head and stared at his disrespectful brother.

next moment.

Qin Qianlian suddenly moved, his white hair and white robe fluttering in the wind. In just a moment, he arrived in front of Qin Baihuang.

"boom!"

A loud roar erupted in the huge quiet room.

Qin Qianlian raised his hand at an incredibly fast speed, his sleeves fluttering, and a snow-white palm was aimed at Qin Baihuang's chest.

The Qin family is the martial arts family with the richest heritage in the Da Chu Dynasty.

But unfortunately, the two legitimate sons of the current head of the family are not interested in martial arts.

Qin Baihuang is obsessed with refining weapons, while Qin Qianlian pursues Taoism.

Although it is said that "there is no high or low in Taoism", if a real fight comes, the art of refining weapons... is indeed inferior.

The moment Qin Qianlian moved, the heart-protecting mirror on Qin Baihuang's chest began to vibrate.

The head of the Weapon Refining Division, who had long sensed the ill intentions of the visitor, grasped the iron bar with his backhand and swung it down without hesitation. This was originally a simple attack, but as he retreated and pulled horizontally, Qin Baihuang's black armor began to emit a dull low hum, and the scales seemed to burst out with life. The ground under his feet was sunken and broken, and a dark spider web spread out. In the Great Chu Imperial City, the status of the monks in the Weapon Refining Division is quite high. Whether it is the royal family or the holy land family, they will be treated with extremely high standards of etiquette... The reason is very simple. The Weapon Refining Division provides Da Chu Imperial City with a considerable amount of treasures. These monks may not have a high level of cultivation, but the treasures they wear are all top-grade.

"Boom."

Amid the roar, time seemed to slow down.

Qin Baihuang frowned.

He looked at the scene in front of him in disbelief. The "hot iron bar" he held in the palm of his armor should have hit Qin Qianlian's arm like a whip.

But the contact moment.

The hot iron bar pierced through the white clothes and sleeves.

Sparks flew all over the ground like rain, and Qin Qianlian's sleeves seemed to turn into nothingness and passed through the blocking frame.

The palm gently pressed on Qin Baihuang's chest armor.

"boom!"

The force exerted by five fingers does not seem to be very great.

But Qin Baihuang's eyes went dark.

He heard the sound of the breastplate on his chest shattering into pieces. No... not only the breastplate, but the entire set of black scale armor was shattered by this palm!
Boom.

He was knocked flying heavily, and his back hit the iron wall of the secret room of the Equipment Refining Department.

Sparks were falling from the sky with crackling sounds.

The secret room returned to darkness.

The white clothes and white sleeves fluttered and fell.

Qin Qianlian shook his sleeves and said expressionlessly: "I told you a long time ago that weapon refining is the most useless thing... Do you believe it now?"

Qin Baihuang covered his chest.

The darkness in front of my eyes gradually faded away, and my Qi sea surged, but there was not much pain.

Although I don't want to admit it.

But... the strength of this palm should be restrained.

"Don't worry, I only used 30% of my strength."

Qin Qianlian looked at his brother lying on the ground and said with disdain, "It's fine that you don't practice martial arts, but you are so lazy even in basic training. After so many years, you only have a shabby cave. With this level of cultivation, how can you take on the position of the Qin family's patriarch?"

This armor can be considered sturdy.

But once broken.

How can a mere Cave Heaven Realm withstand the next killing move?
"The Patriarch of the Qin Family..."

Qin Baihuang leaned against the iron wall, rubbing his chest. After a long time, he let out a long, playful sigh.

Qin Baihuang slowly raised his head, looked at his brother, and said with a sad look: "So you met me today for this matter, right?"

"..."

This time it was Qin Qianlian's turn to remain silent.

"Today is a good day for you to return to Beijing."

Qin Baihuang stared at Qin Qianlian's handsome face and said with emotion: "You ignored the grand banquet at Yuanqing Tower and came to visit me, your elder brother who is ignored by everyone... It's really unexpected. You don't want to show me a warning and make me give up the next 'family head election'?"

"good."

Qin Qianlian had no expression on his face and said calmly: "You'd better give up on your own initiative."

"That's what I originally thought."

Qin Baihuang sneered.

"To be honest, I never cared about the position of 'Patriarch of the Qin Family'..."

He slowly exhaled a breath of foul air and said sarcastically: "During the years that you have been practicing in the Taoist sect, I have been here studying my weapon refining skills. Whether it is the martial arts or other avenues... I am not interested."

Qin Qianlian frowned.

"You probably don't quite understand the troubles of the 'eldest son'."

Qin Baihuang said with a fake smile: "Ancestor Qin attached great importance to blood inheritance, and the position of the head of the family is only passed on to the eldest son. As your elder brother, I have had to do many things unwillingly since I was young... If you were to be the 'eldest son', no matter how much you like Taoism, it would be meaningless. You would never have the chance to leave the imperial city."

Qin Qianlian realized it then.

It turned out that after joining the Equipment Refining Division, Qin Baihuang had almost never left the Imperial City. In a sense, he and Chen Jingxuan were both "watchers" destined to stay in the Imperial City.

All freedom has a price.

Qin Baihuang was able to immerse himself in the art of refining equipment in the Equipment Refining Department.

Because he paid the price.

Sacrifice one freedom in exchange for another.

"No wonder."

Qin Qianlian also sneered and said sarcastically: "...I like Jiang Miaoyin from Dasui Sword Palace, but I only dare to write a letter to express my feelings."

This is also a joke.

Spread by countless people.

He was also ridiculed by countless people. Qin Baihuang, the eldest son of the Qin family, was indeed just a "fun" in the eyes of many people.

"Is it funny?"

Qin Baihuang raised his eyebrows and said calmly, "A gentleman loves a beautiful lady. Over the years, I have only written love letters to Miss Miaoyin. Even if she rejected me, so what? Is there anything wrong with liking someone?"

Qin Qianlian was speechless for a moment.

"No matter what your purpose is for coming here today..."

Qin Baihuang held onto the iron wall with one hand and stood up with difficulty.

The heavy armor on his body broke into pieces and fell to the ground, revealing the black shirt underneath.

He chuckled and said, "I have to thank you."

"?"

Qin Qianlian narrowed his eyes.

Qin Baihuang said in a hoarse voice: "I have been staying in this crappy weapon refining department for a long time, and it is really boring. I have always wanted to do something interesting... You gave me a good idea."

“If no one wants something, no matter how precious it is, it’s not good.”

"But there are so many people who want it, even if it's a tasteless chicken rib, people still want to grab it."

……

……

Grand Banquet at Yuanqing Tower.

Jiang Qihu sat on the top floor, surrounded by dignitaries. Some time ago, he was ordered to go to southern Xinjiang to preside over matters related to "demon extermination". He was extremely busy, but not long after, he was hurriedly ordered to return to the Dachu Imperial City... The reason was that the head of the Imperial City Department, Yuan Jimo, "evaporated in broad daylight", and the entire Imperial City Department was in chaos.

The news of the Qujiang assassination case was kept strictly confidential.

But paper cannot contain fire after all.

Those responsible for assassinating the Fanyin Temple delegation included not only the Commissioner of the Imperial City Department, but also Xiaoyou Zhenren from Yinshan Mountain in southern Xinjiang, and the scattered soul of "Chixian".

The news of Yuan Jimo's death had almost spread among all the prominent families in the Da Chu Imperial City.

Because this case really cannot be brought to the table.

Since Renshou Palace did not issue an imperial edict, everyone could only "pretend to be ignorant while knowing the truth."

But these people knew one thing clearly in their hearts... the head of the Imperial City Division was dead, so there would always be a next head. Now that "Yuan Jimo" was dead, the head should naturally be Jiang Qihu. This only descendant of the Jiang family was first-class in both cultivation realm and command ability. He had Qingzhou as his back, a clean family background, and a family full of loyal heroes.

This banquet was supposed to be to welcome the second young master Qin Qianlian.

But Qin Qianlian has not been there for a long time.

So everyone clinked glasses and toasted Jiang Qihu with wine. For a moment, the scene became quite strange.

Jiang Qihu had wanted to leave a long time ago.

Unfortunately.

Now that I am in a high position, I have no freedom.

In the Da Chu Imperial City, there are some rules that he has to abide by... Mainly, the guest should follow the host's wishes. The patriarch of the Qin family, who was sitting in the main seat, didn't seem to care at all about his young master's "lateness". He kept offering cups and actively inviting him to drink. He really couldn't refuse, but after a moment, Jiang Qihu's expression suddenly changed.

Ruyi makes people tremble.

A message came from the Black Scale Guard "Sang Zheng" who was in charge of guarding the library.

The second son of the Qin family, Qin Qianlian, who was supposed to appear in Yuanqing Tower, suddenly visited the library.

The first half of the sentence.

A piece of cake.

After hearing the second half of the sentence, Jiang Qihu could no longer sit still.

The second half of the message from Sang Zheng was: After Qin Qianlian left, the master opened the library formation and refused entry to outsiders.

Jiang Qihu is carefree.

But his thoughts are quite delicate.

Qin Qianlian is a member of the Taoist Changshengzhai, which is the "zhai" that Jiang Qihu pays the most attention to. Ten years ago, Yan Xie, the most proud disciple of Changshengzhai, failed in the competition with Chen Jingxuan for the [Hunyuan Instrument], was punished for using a forbidden weapon, and was expelled from the Taoist sect not long ago. There has been no definite news about him since then.

There are rumors that Yanxie has come to the imperial city.

However, Jiang Qihu did not find any evidence after private investigation.

He always doubted.

Yan Xie came to the imperial city for the position of "National Master" that he lost that year...Now, Mr. is only one step away from being officially conferred the title of "National Master".

This is just one step away.

In the eyes of many people, it is just letting things take their own course.

But Jiang Qihu would never allow any accidents to happen.

After receiving this message, Jiang Qihu felt upset for no reason.

He had a vague sense of foreboding.

"My Lords, my Elders, my Brothers, my Colleagues—"

Jiang Qihu took a deep breath, stood up, drank the cup, and said sincerely: "The Imperial City Department has been busy recently, and there has just been an urgent message... Jiang is really unable to drink with you all, please forgive me and go first."

After this was said, no one else could say anything more.

Jiang Qihu left in a hurry.

He rode his horse all the way to the library, and soon arrived at his destination.

I saw formation patterns rising up around the library, and Sang Zheng was squatting in front of the formation with a complicated expression.

"Master Jiang, you are finally here."

When Sang Zheng saw Jiang Qihu, his eyes lit up.

"Qin Qianlian didn't go to Yuanqing Tower for the meeting, but came to the library instead?"

Jiang Qihu dismounted and whispered, "Tell me in detail, what did he say when he came to see you, sir?"

"Master Jiang, this is really strange."

Sang Zheng said sincerely, "Just today, the Holy Message from Renshou Palace came down, and I came to report that the master asked me to have a good rest... Everything has been settled in the past few days, and I should be happy, but the master doesn't seem to be very happy, and even a little worried. I was thinking whether I should ask the master for more tasks and share some troubles, so I left for a while and turned back. By chance, I ran into Qin Qianlian and his men coming here."

"With people?"

Jiang Qihu looked serious: "...Who?"

"I didn't see it clearly."

Sang Zheng smiled bitterly and said, "At that time, I hadn't even stepped into the library yet, and the door was closed, and then the formation rose. About half a cup of tea later, Qin Qianlian left, but the library formation was not closed. I squatted here, waiting for a long time, and I couldn't wait any longer, so I sent the message."

"Isn't it some thief?"

Jiang Qihu couldn't hold back any longer after hearing this.

He walked quickly.

The Ruyi Order vibrated rapidly, and ripples spread out in the surrounding formations.

The formation pattern of the library was arranged by the master himself... In fact, for "absolute confidants" like Jiang Qihu and Sang Zheng, they would not be blocked by the formation if they wanted to force their way in.

only.

The two of them respect the gentleman enough and never take the initiative to break into the battle.

At this moment, Jiang Qihu was worried about his master's safety, so he walked quickly forward, came to the door, drew out his long sword, and was about to break the door with his sword.

"Click..."

At this moment, the pressure of the formation dissipated automatically.

The library door opened automatically.

Jiang Qihu stared at the scene in the hall.

Countless golden lights were flying.

[Huanyuanyi] Divine clouds scattered, dividing the library into two halves with a green jade table as the boundary.

At the Qingyu table, Chen Jingxuan was holding a teacup that had grown cold at who knows when, looking pale and haggard.

Over at the Qingyu case.

A woman in Taoist robes, holding a whisk in her hand, stands calmly, her hair fluttering in the wind.

The rays of light fell, illuminating her and making her look extraordinary.

……

……

(This chapter has been slightly modified, you can refresh it.)
(End of this chapter)