Embers of Sword

Chapter 435: Pretty Wife

Chapter 435: Pretty Wife
Soon, it was time to head south.

Young geniuses gathered in the Imperial City. They learned from each other and communicated with each other in the past few days, making the Imperial City very lively.

The matter of "exorcising demons" sounds serious.

However, the atmosphere within the major sects was quite relaxed... After all, this was different from the Northern Hunt, and this time, almost all the holy land sects had sent the "mainstay" of the Yin Shen Realm to lead the team to eliminate the demons.

This time we went south, we had only one target to attack.

The three major sects have surrendered.

Now the families of the Da Chu Holy Land have gathered together to attack a paper man... Isn't this simple?
This trip southwards seems somewhat similar to the hunting trip northwards not long ago.

The special envoy of the Imperial City Department was ordered to dock the treasure ship at the southern outskirts of the Imperial City. The noble families from the various holy places took their seats and set off together.

Before noon, many young people had gathered on the treasure ship.

Although this demon-suppression campaign was organized by the Da Chu royal family and responded by the major holy land families, in a sense, the real "main force" was actually the small sects and clans that were affiliated with the holy land families. There were a total of more than 2,000 cultivators who went south from the imperial city, and the core descendants of the holy land families accounted for less than one-tenth of them.

In the eyes of the top leaders of the major sects.

This is not a war.

At best, it can only be considered an experience.

"Do you know that Fairy Shang of Yuqingzhai has already figured out the 'Dao Rule'... It won't be long before she can enter the Yinshen Realm!"

"As expected, he is ranked seventh on the Tianjiao list. However, Wu Zong's senior brother seems to be even more powerful. It is said that he has already condensed into a divine fetus."

"Hiss... It's so terrifying. Their promotion to Yin God should be a foregone conclusion, right?"

"Nonsense! Once they are promoted, they will be able to condense the Dharmakāya in a year at most!"

The treasure ship was bustling with activity and discussions were everywhere.

Recently, the most popular figures in the Da Chu Imperial City are Wu Zong, Yuqing Zhai, and the three saints of Qiantian Palace.

Because of the great Northern Hunting disaster.

Wu Yue, Shang Yi, and Yuwen Zhong formed a deep friendship.

After the three met in the Imperial City, they had a private fight. Although the result of this fight was not reported... Fangyuanfang moved Yuwen Zhong up two places, ranking him tenth on the Tianjiao Ranking. As for the other two, there was no change.

"but……"

Talking about this, a young monk whispered: "Compared with Xie Zhen, are they still a little worse?"

"That's natural."

Another young cultivator said with pride: "Little Master Xie was sent to Liguo as an envoy and defeated Nalan Qiutong... He secured the top spot for our Great Chu! I heard that Nalan Xuance's favorite disciple is no match for Little Master Xie!"

Suddenly, an exclamation was heard from the treasure ship.

"coming!"

Everyone looked at it intently.

I saw a stream of sword energy coming from the distant sky. The person who came was wearing a black shirt and had an ordinary appearance, but his temperament was quite extraordinary.

"Is this Little Master Xie Shan?"

Many young girls who looked up felt disappointed.

I heard that Xie Zhen is a disciple of Xie Xuanyi, the Xuanyi swordsman back then. He was not only extremely talented, but also extremely handsome.

Xie Zhen's reputation today is no less than Xie Xuanyi's back then—

just.

With his appearance, there is really nothing special about him.

During the previous discussion on the treasure ship, Xie Zhen was almost praised as a "celestial being". Now that they have actually seen the real him, it is inevitable that people feel a little disappointed.

"shallow!"

A fellow disciple criticized her: "As a practitioner, you cultivate the inner path. How can you only focus on the outer appearance? How can you attain the path if you think like this?"

"But the skin is also important..."

The girl felt a little aggrieved, but the next moment she said expectantly, "Maybe Young Master Xie is just too handsome, so he relies on magic tools to cover his face?"

"Junior sister...I'm afraid you will be disappointed."

The senior brother patted the junior sister on the shoulder and consoled her: "How can there be such a perfect person in this world? Little Master Xie looks like this."

Ever since Xie Zhen showed up, all the major sects have sent people to thoroughly investigate his files. It turns out that this black-robed disciple has been hiding in the library as a secret agent for ten years, and he has always looked the same and has never changed.

……

"Thank you, Lord Mountain!"

"Thank you, sir!"

The special envoy of the Imperial City Bureau was maintaining order on the treasure ship and checking identities when the sword light fell and landed right next to Jiang Qihu.

Immediately afterwards, voices of respect were heard one after another.

There are not only law enforcers from the Imperial City.

There are also the children of noble families on the treasure ship.

"People's hearts are fickle, and the world is fickle."

Jiang Qihu sat on the horse, looked around, and said with some emotion: "I remember not long ago, when you participated in the Northern Hunt, these people looked down on you..."

“It’s not what it used to be.”

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "Because of fear, so respect."

In his previous life, he had seen too many scenes like this.

During the past few days of retreat at Chen's residence, I have received countless visiting cards. How many people really want to visit me? And how many people hide a heart of despicable people under their hypocritical appearance?

"rational."

Jiang Qihu nodded, and then solemnly instructed: "Be careful when you go south this time."

"nature."

Xie Xuanyi asked, "How is your master these days?"

"much better."

Jiang Qihu smiled and said, "Before you came, the gentleman had no appetite. After you came, he finally wanted to eat something."

"He has been fasting for a long time."

Xie Xuanyi, who knew the truth, didn't care: "Don't worry too much, you won't starve to death if you don't eat."

Jiang Qihu didn't dare to say that.

"It is said that deep love does not bring longevity... The life span of the Sky Monitor is already short, and being involved in such a debt of love is probably only adding insult to injury."

"I don't dare to think too much about the rest. I just hope that you can recover soon."

He murmured regretfully: "It's a pity that until now, I haven't seen Master Tang again."

"correct."

Benhu suddenly remembered something and said seriously, "Guard Sang came to greet me specially. The Imperial City Bureau has carefully screened the treasure ship heading south this time, and there will definitely not be any accidents like last time... It's a pity that the Imperial City Bureau is short of manpower now, so I have to stay here and can't go south. Otherwise, I would have taken the same treasure ship with you."

Last time.

The treasure ship Jiageng that Xie Zhen was on was filled with evil cultivators from southern Xinjiang!
This time, it will definitely be peaceful!

"It doesn't matter."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "If the situation from last time happens again, it may not be a bad thing."

The original purpose of this trip was to go south to eliminate demons.

Xie Xuanyi had long disliked those evil cultivators... Even if Yinshan wagged his tail and begged for mercy, he was not going to let Bai Gui go.

"No no no."

Jiang Qihu shook his head repeatedly.

He looked serious and spoke meaningfully: "There is still a so-called... It's almost time to leave, you should go quickly."

……

Only after Xie Xuanyi boarded the ship did he understand what Jiang Qihu meant.

This treasure ship is not big.

But on the treasure ship... there were only female monks, and there were many familiar faces.

"Xiao Xie Shanzhu, long time no see."

A cold voice sounded.

Ye Qinglian stood in front of the railing of the treasure ship with her hands behind her back, her clothes fluttering in the wind.

"...Valley Master Ye."

Xie Xuanyi was stunned for a moment, then his expression became complicated.

Looking around, this not-so-big treasure ship was full of disciples from Baihua Valley. At this moment, a harmless laughter was heard on the treasure ship. Everyone's eyes were focused on a pretty girl in white with a blushing face, standing there, neither standing nor sitting.

Yuan Yi only visited Chen's house once.

Although Xie Xuanyi had deliberately instructed Sang Zheng, Yuan Yi never came a second time afterwards.

"Have you finished your homework today?"

Ye Qinglian's voice echoed in the treasure ship. The disciples quickly stopped laughing and went back to their rooms to practice.

Yuan Yi felt relieved and gave him a grateful look.

Ye Qinglian stood at the highest point, looking out at the cavalry under the treasure ship.

"Xie Zhen, what did Jiang Qihu tell you?" Ye Qinglian said in a sad voice, "Don't we need to check the treasure ships before heading south? Why hasn't this guy come yet?"

As per usual.

The Imperial City Envoy needs to check all treasure ships.

But this stupid tiger checked for a long time, but he didn't check the ship he was on...

The last time there was chaos in Qingzhou, she accompanied Jiang Qihu to drink all night.

That night the two talked about everything.

But after one night, this guy never contacted me again!
What's going on?

Ye Qinglian contacted him several times in private, but this guy always made excuses to shirk. The Imperial City Department was indeed busy, but it shouldn't be so busy that he couldn't say a word or meet him, right? Now, taking the opportunity of exorcising demons, Ye Qinglian brought his disciples to the Imperial City...but in the end, he still didn't see Jiang Qihu!
This guy is clearly avoiding me on purpose!

"..."

Xie Xuanyi felt a headache and didn't know how to respond. He had actually heard the story about these two people a long time ago.

It wasn't that Xie Xuanyi deliberately asked.

But the imperial city is only this big.

On the night when the Qingzhou rebellion was quelled, Jiang Qihu and Ye Qinglian were drunk and did not return home. Everything that should and should not be known was known.

Some people said that the two adults were just drunk and were watching the tide in the Tide Viewing Pavilion.

Some people also said that after that night, the two adults had a deeper spiritual collision.

"The young imperial teacher has been ill these days."

Xie Xuanyi sighed and pretended to be serious and said, "Master Jiang and I are discussing Mr. Chen's condition."

"Bullshit."

Ye Qinglian said coldly: "I clearly saw him laughing. If we were discussing Chen Jingxuan's condition, would he be able to laugh out loud?"

Xie Xuanyi supplemented: "That's because Mr. Chen's condition has improved a lot..."

"Don't give me the cold shoulder, you know what I want to ask—"

Ye Qinglian asked faintly: "Is he deliberately avoiding me?"

"If Master Ye cares so much about Lord Jiang, why doesn't he go and ask him in person?"

Xie Xuanyi said: "Anyway, he is here. If he doesn't want to see you, you can see him."

"I don't."

Ye Qinglian thought of the indifference she had felt a while ago, and a surge of anger welled up in her heart.

She said unhappily, "I have sent him messages several times, but he never replied! He didn't even show any sign of gratitude when I came to the Imperial City to meet him this time. Could it be that I am doomed to fail? If he doesn't see me, I will go to Yuping Peak to complain after the demon-slaying mission is over, and ask his sister to punish him!"

“…I support that.”

Xie Xuanyi quickly agreed.

"You're not a good person either!"

Ye Qinglian suddenly said, "After Beihai, there was no news... Jiang Miaoyin was in tears and sat on Yuping Peak for so long."

"???"

Xie Xuanyi was stunned, and his heart went blank.

Exposed yourself?
"I know that was your master's doing, but the dead are the greatest. I can't scold Xie Xuanyi anymore."

Ye Qinglian whispered: "But what kind of master, what kind of disciple, this saying is always true. The timid Chen Jingxuan taught a timid Jiang Qihu... Xie Xuanyi, who has no conscience, can only teach..."

"Stop it, stop it."

Xie Xuanyi quickly called a halt.

Who can bear to be scolded twice for just one sentence?

"Uncle Qinglian, I call you Uncle—"

According to seniority, Ye Qinglian can really be considered as Uncle-Master Xie Zhen, who is from the same generation as Xie Xuanyi.

"Humph."

Ye Qinglian was not very grateful.

But Xie Xuanyi's next words changed her attitude.

"actually……"

Looking at the boat full of disciples from Baihua Valley, Xie Xuanyi had already guessed what kind of greeting Sang Zheng and Jiang Qihu were trying to express.

These people in the bookstore are reliable, but they are also unreliable!
Is it a kind intention to arrange myself here?

Is this still peaceful?
Xie Xuanyi would rather travel with a whole ship of evil cultivators from Southern Xinjiang, which would make him feel more intimate and comfortable.

now.

A thought flashed through Xie Xuanyi's mind, and he slowly said, "In fact, in our previous conversation, Master Jiang actually mentioned Master Uncle..."

"Oh?"

Ye Qinglian became interested and raised her eyebrows, "He mentioned me? What did he say?"

Xie Xuanyi pretended to hesitate.

"Don't be fussy."

Ye Qinglian had no patience: "You are Xie Xuanyi's disciple, how can a swordsman act like this?"

This was exactly the reaction that Xie Xuanyi was satisfied with.

Xie Xuanyi said quickly, "Lord Jiang said that unfortunately he was too busy with the affairs of the Imperial City Office to leave. Otherwise, he would definitely take this ship with me and go south together."

For this trip south, how the major holy land families would board the treasure ship was all determined by the Imperial City Department.

The head of the Imperial City Department, Yuan Jimo, has died. Now the power of the entire Imperial City Department has fallen into the hands of Jiang Qihu.

Therefore, Xie Zhen’s trip to Baihua Valley must have been arranged by Jiang Qihu.

"Ok?"

Ye Qinglian's expression improved a lot: "Did he really say that?"

"It's true."

Xie Xuanyi said sincerely: "Xie Zhen's every word is true, I can swear on my soul."

"Oh... that doesn't have to be the case."

Ye Qinglian waved her sleeves and felt much better.

"Too."

She lowered her eyes and murmured softly, "Yuan Jimo died so suddenly. Now the entire Imperial City Division needs him to shoulder all the responsibility... He also needs to bear the pressure from Renshou Palace alone. He really has no time to get away, let alone meet me. Maybe I'm overthinking and blaming him wrongly."

There is no peace inside the Imperial City.

Yuan Jimo and Jiang Qihu represent two forces.

One is the will of Renshou Palace.

One is the support from the old members of Beijun.

Even though Yuan Jimo is dead, the will of Renshou Palace still exists.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the "Northern County Will" represented by Jiang Qihu can only temporarily control the situation. Unfortunately... after this period of turmoil passes, everything will be the same as before. Renshou Palace will never let the power fall into the hands of these people in Northern County.

……

"I shouldn't have come today!"

Jiang Qihu was sitting on horseback, checking the treasure ships one by one.

He could feel that half an hour ago, a pair of eyes had been fixed on him.

He didn't even dare to look him in the eye.

If you ask Benhu what is the thing he regrets most this year.

That was the dinner I had with Ye Qinglian at Guanchao Pavilion.

damned!
I don't know who leaked this news, and it spread all over the streets, causing Qin Baihuang to laugh at me every time they met...

People all said that he and Ye Qinglian fell in love with each other over time.

Jiang Qihu had no way to defend himself.

When he was young and practicing, the person Jiang Qihu hated the most was Ye Qinglian.

This guy relies on his age.