Embers of Sword

Chapter 426 Disease

The hall was silent.

Everyone was looking at Zhou Zhiren.

Zhou Zhiren looked at Xie Xuanyi calmly.

"Master Zhou."

A guest official from the True Hidden Peak coughed twice, looked around, and stepped out to smooth things over: "We all know that you are thinking about Xiao Xie... but the Imperial City has already issued a sacred decree. I'm afraid it's not a good idea to openly disobey it, right?"

"Nothing wrong."

Zhou Zhiren said calmly, "Ten years ago, a tragedy happened in Beihai. I don't want to see a second tragedy happen. Do you want to see Xie Zhen get killed in Southern Xinjiang?"

"…I don't think so."

The guest official was a little embarrassed. He muttered a few words under his breath and sat down silently.

Ten years ago.

Before the decision to close Dashui Sword Palace was finalized.

The elders from all the peaks were arguing fiercely over the matter of Xie Xuanyi.

There are radical war factions who advocate setting up a sword formation in the North Sea to support Xie Xuanyi and capture all the evil cultivators in Yinshan at the same time!
There are also those who are afraid of war and suggest that the overall situation should be given priority and that there should not be a direct conflict with the royal family!

Although Dasui Sword Palace is proud of Xie Xuanyi.

But Dasui Sword Palace... does not live just for this one person.

Behind this huge sect, there are many small sects and small families that depend on it.

Xie Xuanyi rubbed his eyebrows.

He also didn't expect that the eldest senior brother would come halfway through this "celebration banquet".

The eldest brother's style of doing things is still as "domineering" as ever.

Is he planning to imprison himself in the Sword Palace?
"I do have important business to go to the Imperial City."

Xie Xuanyi smiled bitterly. He knew that with Zhou Zhiren's character, a head-on confrontation would not make the other party retreat.

"Is it important?"

Zhou Zhiren's expression was calm. "What an important matter! Tell me... If you can't give me a reason that is convincing enough, come back to Xiaochong Mountain with me after the banquet. As for the pressure from the Imperial City's Imperial Edict, don't worry. The Sword Palace will solve it for you."

At this moment.

Xie Xuanyi's heart trembled slightly for no reason.

Almost at the same time, the sound of swords wielding were heard from the top of a distant mountain.

A disciple from the True Hidden Peak came to the main hall panting and whispered, "Report! Someone outside the mountain wants to see you!"

"……oh?"

Several elders from the main hall looked at each other with some surprise.

It's already night, and usually no one would ask to see me at this time.

Moreover, Zhenyin Peak is holding a celebration banquet... It is a festive and lively time, and if the visitor is an ordinary person, he will be dealt with by other disciples.

"Who?"

Zhou Zhiren frowned and looked back at the disciple.

"The Black Scale Guard of the Great Chu Imperial City, Sang Zheng."

Without waiting for the disciple to speak.

A tall figure wearing black scale armor slowly walked into the hall. The sword music stopped again. Everyone looked at the Nine-Scale Black-Scale Guard who served the owner of the library. If the person who came was him... then it made sense. During the period when the Dashui Sword Palace was closed, only the library maintained correspondence all year round. Chen Jingxuan and Xie Xuanyi had a deep friendship, and Jiang Qihu and Jiang Miaoyin were even biological siblings. Only people coming from the library would not be turned away by the disciples of the Sword Palace.

"Guard Sang?"

Xie Xuanyi was also a little surprised.

He didn't expect that the visitor to the library was such a coincidence.

And...looking at Sang Zheng's solemn expression, it seems that he really has something important to report.

"Little Master Xie, would it be convenient for you to come out and talk?"

Sang Zheng spoke in a low voice.

"..."

Xie Xuanyi felt somewhat helpless and looked at Zhou Zhiren.

Zhou Zhiren frowned.

"This must be Master Zhou of Xiaochong Mountain, right?" Sang Zheng bowed to Zhou Zhiren and said softly, "If Master Zhou is willing, you can also come here and move."

After saying that, Sang Zheng left the main hall.

Two wisps of sword energy followed closely behind.

Everyone in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment. The most important protagonist was gone. Should the banquet continue?
I watched Zhou Zhiren go away and waited for a while, but there was no sign of him returning.

Si Qi felt relieved and breathed a long sigh of relief.

"What are you standing there for—"

He knocked on the table, looked at the guest elders who were fidgeting around him, and laughed softly, "Keep drinking! You can't escape the fine anyway, so drink while you can... Keep playing music and dancing!"

……

……

Sang Zheng left Zhenyin Peak and headed straight for the gate of Dashui Sword Palace. His steps were so fast that they turned into a rainbow of light.

Outside the mountain gate, the disciples in charge of reception looked nervous.

Not far away is a Spark Portal that opens from the Imperial City. It costs a large amount of Yuanshi to open this portal once, and it is very valuable. Normally, it is only used in emergencies.

"What's going on here?"

When Xie Xuanyi saw this scene, his heart skipped a beat.

Sang Zheng sighed, looked around, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Zhou Zhiren immediately understood.

He flicked his sleeves and whispered to several disciples, "Okay, you can go back now."

The disciples guarding the mountain gate were ordered to leave.

Sang Zheng took out a sound-isolating scroll and whispered, "I'm sorry that I can't speak openly in the hall... The Imperial Master is ill."

"sick?"

Xie Xuanyi was stunned.

Zhou Zhiren's expression also became solemn.

"No wonder there has been no movement on Ruyi Ling in the past few days."

Xie Xuanyi frowned and said, "After the Jiangning incident calmed down, there has been no news from the library... Why did he fall ill? How is his condition?"

"I don't know either."

Sang Zheng smiled bitterly and said, "Perhaps it's because he's been too tired these days... The Imperial Master has been bedridden these days, and has not seen anyone except Master Jiang. Today, he suddenly sent a message, wanting to see Young Master Xie."

"what happened?"

Xie Xuanyi said with a strange look: "It sounds like a dying will..."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Zhou Zhiren scolded him in a low voice and sighed softly: "Young Imperial Master, you have to deal with so many things every day. How hard it is! The lineage of those who monitor the sky, observe the stars at night and handle state affairs during the day... All divinations are based on fate..."

Speaking of which.

Zhou Zhiren changed his face to a gentle one, and asked slowly: "Guard Sang, how is your master's condition now? Does he need an elixir? Xiao Chongshan refines medicine all year round. If it is convenient, I will go to the imperial city with you and open the furnace to make the elixir myself."

"Mr. Zhou Shan is kind-hearted. Mr. Sang Zheng appreciates this."

Sang Zheng said respectfully: "Sir, you only want to see Little Master Xie now... I have told you in advance, so you don't need to trouble the other masters of the Sword Palace."

This statement came out.

The atmosphere at the mountain gate became strange.

Xie Xuanyi looked at Zhou Zhiren with an expression of "what should I do?"

Zhou Zhiren was also helpless.

What is this thing called?

He had just announced in front of everyone at Zhenyin Peak that Xie Zhen was not allowed to leave Dasui Sword Palace.

Soon after, the Black Scale Guards from the library arrived at the mountain gate.

And... Sang Zheng gave a reason that he couldn't refuse at all.

The young imperial teacher is seriously ill and wants to meet Xie Zhen.

How could he stop it?
"In that case..."

Zhou Zhiren hesitated for a moment, took out a pill box from his arms, and said helplessly: "Xiao Xie, you go to the library with Guard Sang and check on Mr. Chen for me... Take this 'Soul-Fixing Pill' with you."

"This is a good treasure."

Xie Xuanyi looked at the pill box and chuckled, "The ninth-grade elixir can calm the mind and clear away distracting thoughts."

"It's not a treasure."

Zhou Zhiren shook his head and said, "If it's useful, send me a message and I'll go refine it." "There's no time to lose, the teleportation array is almost up."

Sang Zheng reminded in a low voice: "Little Master Xie... shall we set off now?"

……

……

As I stepped into the Spark Portal, the teleportation array pattern twisted.

The familiar light sandalwood scent fills my mouth and nose.

With one step forward, the void shattered like a mirror, and Xie Xuanyi had already arrived in the imperial city. The teleportation portal was not far in front of the library.

Xie Xuanyi immediately spotted Jiang Qihu, who was sitting in front of the library door holding a long sword.

"Master Jiang."

Xie Xuanyi walked up and greeted him: "Why are you keeping watch here?"

"Sir, please lie down. I am uneasy. The only thing I can do is to keep watch here."

Jiang Qihu looked a little pale, and it was obvious that he had been worried a lot during this period.

He glanced across the portal.

Sang Zheng sent the person there, and without staying for too long, he turned into a black shadow and left.

Outside the library, only Jiang Qihu and Xie Xuanyi were left.

"Brother Xie."

Jiang Qihu slowly stood up and asked in a low voice, "Do you know... who I saw a few days ago?"

"Who?"

Xie Xuanyi raised his eyebrows.

"Tang Fengshu!"

Even though there was no one here, Jiang Qihu still chose to inform through telepathy.

"???"

Xie Xuanyi looked surprised.

Tang Fengshu?
If the information he has is true, Tang Fengshu should be held captive in the back mountain of the Taoist sect. Would the great Taoist Chongkan be kind enough to release her?
“Isn’t that outrageous?”

Jiang Qihu had a complicated expression and told the truth about what happened that day.

He sighed and said in a distressed tone: "I thought this was a good thing... After I caught Master Tang and Mr. Wang meeting that day, I also asked Bai Huang to drink with me. But I didn't expect that Mr. Wang would be bedridden from the next day, as if he had a serious illness. I have never seen Mr. Wang like this, not talking, not drinking, not sleeping."

Benhu asked in annoyance, "Tell me, what did Master Tang say to you that made you so sad and upset?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuanyi also fell silent.

After a long time.

He patted the stupid tiger on the shoulder and whispered, "Don't think about that. Have a good rest. I'm here for you."

"……Um."

Jiang Qihu took a deep breath.

Although he had only known Xie Zhen for a short time, for some reason, he trusted this young man in his heart.

The gentleman has been bedridden these days.

Except for himself, no one else can be seen.

The only person I want to see is Xie Zhen.

Come to think of it...

Mr. Xie, there should be a way to cure his illness, right?
……

……

Jiang Qihu was reluctant to leave, still holding a long knife, sitting in front of the library to keep watch.

Xie Xuanyi pushed open the wooden door and stepped into this sacred place that was once entwined with golden threads and reflected the light of the sky. The golden threads of the Hunyuan Instrument were still entwined, but they were less glorious, and the whole library seemed much darker and more depressing... The candlelight flickered, and this library, which was like spring all year round, seemed a little cold at the moment, and the flames in the red stove were shriveled and jumping.

It seemed that the owner of the library was indeed ill, and very ill.

Xie Xuanyi stood in front of a screen woven with gold thread.

He looked through the screen.

On the other side of the screen, a skinny figure was half leaning against the screen, seemingly reading a book.

The rustling sound of papers flipping echoed in the huge library.

"Thanks."

Xie Xuanyi sat cross-legged in front of the screen. He glanced at the jade table, where a fruit plate was placed. Xie Xuanyi didn't bother to be polite with Chen Jingxuan. He directly picked up a round and plump red date, took a big bite, and asked in a vague voice: "How did you know that there would be such a play in Dasui Sword Palace tonight?"

If Chen Jingxuan hadn't sent someone.

Then he would probably be detained in the Sword Palace.

Although the final outcome is still possible, it is inevitable that many troubles will arise.

"what are you saying?"

Chen Jingxuan's voice sounded a little confused: "What's going on at Dasui Sword Palace tonight?"

"Almost got it."

Xie Xuanyi couldn't help but laugh: "Others don't know about this kind of thing... How could you not know? My senior brother wants to hold me in the Sword Palace tonight, how could you not know?"

"Just a coincidence."

Chen Jingxuan whispered: "I just want to see you."

"Stop pretending."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "It's ok to trick that stupid tiger, but it's not enough to trick me."

"..."

There was silence behind the screen.

After Xie Xuanyi finished eating the red dates, he clapped his hands and said calmly, "I believe that coincidences do exist in this world, but I don't believe that such coincidences will appear here with the Sky Monitor."

"Oh?"

Behind the screen, only one word was uttered in a casual tone.

That skinny figure.

Slowly raised his head.

He just stared at Xie Xuanyi through the screen, as if waiting for what would happen next.

"You want to hear why I say that?"

Xie Xuanyi chuckled and said, "Actually, there aren't that many reasons. I'm different from you. I don't pay much attention to evidence when I do things. I trust my first instinct more."

“Sometimes, the heart lake may not be accurate.”

A faint voice came from behind the screen: "You should have seen Qi Hu guarding the door just now."

"Jiang Qihu told me everything."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "Tang Fengshu showed up a few days ago. She came to see you."

Without waiting for Chen Jingxuan to speak.

Xie Xuanyi stroked his chin and said slowly: "Logically speaking, the story of the young national teacher and the Taoist master has come to an end... Someone should be sad, should be seriously ill, or even bedridden. This should be what most people think, but I don't think so."

"..."

There was silence again on the other side of the screen.

"From what I know about you."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "The 'bedridden' these days is just an excuse. You are not sick at all."

Xie Xuanyi took a step forward, stretched out his palm, and gently pressed it on the screen.

When Jiang Qihu came to see the master, he didn't dare to get too close, for fear of disturbing his rest.

Not to mention crossing the screen.

At this moment, the thousands of golden threads woven into the screen were torn inch by inch by the sword energy.

"His."

Xie Xuanyi tore open the screen and took another step forward.

He saw Chen Jingxuan behind the screen.

The young imperial teacher's face was as pale as ever, but he was indeed not sick. At this moment, he was lying on a bed woven with golden thread. Tianming Jinxian was holding the love story that was spread all over the imperial city, and slowly turning the pages. In his palm, he was holding a half-eaten apple.

"……All right."

Chen Jingxuan raised his head, with a bit of helplessness in his eyes: "Xie Xuanyi, I can't hide it from you. So you really just guessed the truth based on your feeling, or is there something wrong?"

“Mostly by feel.”

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "But you did make a mistake. You shouldn't have taken the apple before meeting me."

(End of this chapter)