Embers of Sword

Chapter 743 Barrier
Although the snow has stopped, the city walls are still covered in a blanket of white.

"Mr. Xie."

As dawn broke and a pale light appeared on the distant sky, Chu Guo pressed his hands against the snow-covered city wall and said nervously, "You sent me back to Chu Kingdom before, and then you never showed up again... Is it because of the old case of 'Moon Concealment Realm'?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi remained silent.

Chu Guo was very clever and immediately guessed the reason.

After leaving the country, Xie Xuanyi never saw the young man again.

He gave the boy his personal sword, "Spring Breeze and Wild Grass," which symbolized the feelings between the two to some extent.

Although the time spent cultivating in Peach Blossom Spring was short.

But the bond between teacher and student, and the gratitude for his guidance, are genuine.

At that time, Xie Xuanyi was still burdened with the crime of "traitor," and the mystery of the Moon Hidden Realm had not yet been solved. Parting ways at that time was the best choice for the two of them.

Now, everything has settled down.

"Yes."

Xie Xuanyi said softly, "Your father and I... used to be very good friends. I shouldn't see you too much before the truth about the Moon Hidden Realm comes to light."

"Now there's no need to worry about that anymore."

Chu Guo said sincerely, "I will always remember the great kindness of the master who taught me swordsmanship."

Xie Xuanyi shook his head and revealed a relieved smile.

He reached out and gently patted the boy's head.

"Where is your sister?" Xie Xuanyi asked.

After the battle at Renshou Palace ended, Chu Yin disappeared without a trace.

Xie Xuanyi had never been interested in court affairs; all he knew was that the throne of Da Chu had changed hands.

"She has been trapped in the capital for years, and now her greatest wish is to see the outside world."

Chu Guo grinned and said, "I traveled abroad a year ago. I heard from you that you went to Lijing recently."

"Leaving the country?"

Xie Xuanyi raised an eyebrow: "They really are a family... Your sister is quite bold, daring to travel to Li Kingdom all by herself?"

This is due to the blessing of the dragon vein.

The royal bloodline of the Da Chu imperial family is extremely noble.

Cultivators who bear the blood of the emperor can cultivate at a speed several times faster than ordinary cultivators... Chu Guo is a good example. He cultivated swordsmanship for two years and ascended the throne for one year. Despite being troubled and entangled by many trivial matters, he still quickly cultivated to the "Foundation Building Realm". He was only one step away from being able to control Qi.

This speed is comparable to that of the young prodigies of the major sects.

From this perspective, Chu Yin's realm can only be above Chu Guo's.

After all, she grew up in the imperial city. Even if she had to pretend to be stupid to avoid being noticed, she should have reached the Cave Heaven Realm in the next two years by secretly cultivating with the help of the imperial blood.

only……

Even for someone of Chu Yin's status, reaching the Cave Heaven Realm in cultivation is still not considered a safe bet.

"Rest assured, her identity file has been completely sealed by the library and has never been leaked."

Chu Guo smiled and explained, "Apart from someone like you, almost no one knows that she is my older sister."

these years.

Chu always presented himself as a man to the public.

The spies in Dali only knew that Da Chu had secretly brought back a prince from within the territory of Dali and reinstated him to the throne.

They had no idea where the original "little emperor" had gone after he left. Of course, they would never have imagined that this "little emperor" was so audacious as to abandon the perfectly good territory of Da Chu and dare to set foot outside the country without permission. They would never have imagined that this "little emperor" who had been performing mime with the Empress in the capital for ten years was actually a girl.

"Abandon the throne and travel the world..."

Xie Xuanyi lowered the curtain and smiled, "This young emperor has exceeded my expectations."

This is something that so many people dream of but can't have.
Chu Yin left without hesitation.

"The throne...is regarded as a treasure by many, but there are always some who discard it like trash."

Chu Guo smiled and said, "To her, the imperial city is the biggest cage in the world; she just wants to see the light outside."

"And what about you?" Xie Xuanyi asked again.

"For me..."

After thinking for a long time, Chu Guo said seriously, "The imperial city is a medicine pot."

"Medicine pot?"

Xie Xuanyi was stunned for a moment, not expecting such an answer.

“When we were in Yuanzhou, I wandered around with Lao Zheng. Lao Zheng always had a medicine pot tied to his waist.”

Chu Guo's tone held a hint of sadness: "Everyone talks about 'saving lives with a gourd,' but actually, no matter what kind of gourd you hang, you can't save lives... because the medicine in the gourd will eventually run out. Old Zheng and I ran our stall for ten years, saving countless people, but in the end, Pingzhi City still fell. There are countless doctors like us, yet we couldn't even save a small place like Yuanzhou. Studying medicine can't save lives."

"However... perhaps becoming emperor would be possible."

The young man paused, then changed the subject. A breeze blew across the distant sky, dispelling the gloom and illuminating the pupils of his dark eyes.

Those eyes were as clear as a lake, reflecting a bright radiance.

Chu Guo wanted to save people.

The imperial city was like the medicine pot hanging at his waist.

The water in this pot flows to the four borders of Da Chu, and the water in this pot flows to all the people under heaven.

"I have investigated many cases over the past year."

The young man looked up at Xie Xuanyi, his voice utterly earnest: "Let's start the investigation from Lingqu City in the Southern Frontier... Sir, you entrusted the 'Zong Bi Case' to me."

Xie Xuanyi remembered this case.

On the eve of the campaign to eliminate the demons in the southern border, he was in Lingqu City when Yuchi Youde, the Left Guard Commandant, risked his life to report on the case to him.

Zong Bi, the lord of Lingqu City, colluded with evil cultivators from the southern border to abduct infants.

This case involves the Imperial City Guard and points to Renshou Palace... At the time, the situation was tense, and even if Xie Xuanyi used his soul-stealing technique to bring Zong Bi under his command, he was unable to launch an investigation.

Later, with the collapse of Renshou Palace and the annihilation of the evil cultivators in the Southern Frontier, Xie Xuanyi no longer needed to investigate the case.

but.

This is a great opportunity for "Chu Guo" to practice.

Clearly, this was at Chen Jingxuan's behest.

Although Xie Xuanyi only spent a short time with Chu Guo, he could sense the changes in the young man.

There are countless "young people" in this world, harboring lofty ideals and full of enthusiasm... but less than 10% of them can persevere.

Of those ten percent, only one percent know how to put these ideals and aspirations into practice.

With only a 10% chance... and a stroke of luck, success is possible.

Chu Guo two years ago.

But that's only the very first ten percent.

The current Chu Guo is different.

"I am very pleased to see you today."

Xie Xuanyi looked at the young man, hesitated for a long time, and said seriously, "You have changed very little... but you have also changed a lot."

The original intention remains unchanged, but the temperament has changed.

"Sir... is this a compliment?"

Chu Guo looked a little embarrassed and scratched his head shyly, just like he had back in Peach Blossom Spring. "Of course."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "Chu Guo... should be a good emperor."

"nature!"

The young man narrowed his eyes and readily agreed, "I won't let Mr. Xie down!"

The easiest thing in the world is to become an "emperor," sitting on the dragon throne, issuing orders, and commanding all the people under heaven—any one of them can do it.

The most difficult thing in the world is to be an "emperor," having all the affairs of the world under one's watchful eye, working diligently and cautiously as if walking on thin ice.

Being a "good emperor" is very, very difficult.

……

……

As dawn broke, Chu Guo left Zhenhaitai.

For this young emperor of the Great Chu, tonight's journey is not an option; he cannot linger.

Although the beast tide crisis has been resolved, Zhenhaitai is, after all, located on the frontier... It has been confirmed that there are "spies from the demon kingdom" near the city lord's mansion. If martial law remains in place after dawn, the demon kingdom will surely gather even stronger forces to launch the next attack.

Some risks are worth taking. Some risks are unnecessary.

Xue Zhu left with Chu Guo, and the martial law at the City Lord's Mansion was lifted. Xie Xuanyi stood alone on the Zhenhai Platform, a familiar voice sounding beside him.

"Why didn't you say a word when you left the Ice Soul Cave?"

With the battle over, the officials stationed near Zhenhaitai have all returned home.

But Zhao Tongtian did not leave.

Firstly, as a "Yang Shen Realm" being on this front, he needs to confirm the safety of Zhenhaitai, ensuring that at least today they won't face a second wave of demons.

Secondly, as the head of the Great Sui Sword Palace, he wanted to say a few words to Xie Xuanyi, this younger generation.

"Upon hearing of the fighting in the north, I rushed here."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "Didn't we just run into each other? Was the head of law firm worried that something might happen to me?"

Leaving the Ice Soul Cave, participating in the Battle of Jiayong Pass, and then turning around to Zhenhai Terrace, it took a total of twenty hours.

All of this happened too fast; there was really no need to send a message.

"I already know about what happened at Jiayong Pass."

Zhang Lu approached Xie Xuanyi and stood with his hands behind his back: "If you had sent the message immediately, Yuwen Bo would have had an easier time."

Upon receiving the summons, Zhao Tongtian will rush to the western border immediately.

By then.

He would then take Yuwen Bo's place and fight against the Dead Phoenix.

"it's the same."

Xie Xuanyi laughed and said, "In the battle at Jiayong Pass, the dead phoenix could not threaten me... Palace Master Yuwen did not even have to make a move before he scared it away."

"Different."

Zhao Tongtian spoke with a serious expression: "The intelligence from Tianhuang Palace has been flawed. Yuwen Bo was injured in Shifang City. If this information had reached Dead Phoenix's ears immediately... would the battle at Jiayong Pass have been so easy?"

"...?"

Xie Xuanyi's expression froze slightly.

"In the battle of Shifang City, the Great Ape Mountain's 'Hun Sheng' appeared and fought with Yuwen Bo. They went back and forth, and the Dragon Appearance Treasure Technique of Qiantian Palace was broken by the Great Ape Mountain's Ruyi Golden Body."

Zhao Tongtian waved his sleeve, using his divine sense to conjure up a scene of battle.

on the screen.

A golden-haired cultivator and a white giant ape are locked in a fierce battle.

The golden-haired cultivator was none other than Yuwen Bo.

The sight of the giant white ape caused Xie Xuanyi's pupils to contract.

It was that being who single-handedly breached the Junfeng City fortress in the realm of divine travel—

The Holy Prince, who had advanced to the Yang God Realm, sat between the giant ape's eyebrows!

"What is the background of this Hun Sheng?" Xie Xuanyi asked.

"You're interested in it?"

Zhao Tongtian glanced at Xie Xuanyi: "This old fellow is a mountain spirit serving the 'Holy Emperor'. The Holy Mountain of the Great Chu Dynasty has a powerful demon that guards the mountain, and the Demon Kingdom also has one. Although they are both demons, their bloodlines are of different purity... which has led to the distinction between high and low status. Demons whose bloodlines are not pure enough need to improve their bloodline through secret treasures and demonic arts in order to advance."

Xie Xuanyi knew about this.

Yazi is a good example.

Because of "Xuanming", Yazi's bloodline was enhanced, further unlocking its secrets.

"Increasing the number of bloodlines is no easy task."

Zhao Tongtian paused, then continued, "The bloodline secrets of the Yangshen Realm are even more difficult to open. This 'Hun Sheng' was able to advance only because he received guidance from the previous Holy Emperor... Opening a bloodline secret at this level requires a great price. And the price he paid was to become the 'mountain spirit' of Great Ape Mountain."

To cultivate oneself to become a Great Venerable is to be extremely noble.
The existence of a Yangshen Realm cultivator is enough to dominate the world and establish a sect!
But Hunsheng became the "mountain spirit" of Great Ape Mountain.

"Those ambitious demons would rather be stuck in the Yin God Realm for their entire lives than bow down and beg to exchange for the secrets of their bloodline."

Zhao Tongtian sneered, "However, 'Hun Sheng' is clearly not the kind of ambitious great demon. Perhaps for him, being able to advance to the Yang God realm and follow the Holy Emperor is the best choice."

There is more than one Yang God on Mount Dayuan.

However, anyone who advances through their own strength will have a higher status than a "Hun Sheng".

Mountain spirits and mountain lords.

This is equivalent to a "master-servant" relationship.

"No wonder……"

Xie Xuanyi let out a soft sigh of realization. Hun Sheng was a follower of the Holy Emperor, no wonder he appeared with the Holy Prince during the battle of Junfeng City. After the Holy Prince condensed his Dao, he obtained the Great Ape Mountain's supreme treasure, the "Spirit Yang Staff." After refining it, he would become the new Holy Emperor of the Great Ape Mountain.

This sage will naturally serve the new generation of holy emperors.

In addition, Xie Xuanyi also understood why Ya Zi respected him so much.

In the Demon Kingdom, cultivation is generally practiced through bloodline inheritance. This level of guidance is truly a "life-saving grace." The Primordial Saint only obtained the bloodline secrets for advancing to the Yang God realm by following him for a lifetime…

Ya Zi was enlightened after only meeting Xuan Ming once.

Xuanming did not make Yazi swear any oath, nor did he make any demands...

Such a great kindness is truly beyond repayment.

"Although Hun Sheng broke the 'Dragon Appearance Treasure Technique,' he himself was not much better off. His injuries were more severe than those of Yuwen Bo."

Zhao Tongtian paid little attention to Xie Xuanyi's low sigh and continued, "But this battle was a gain for Great Ape Mountain. They gained access to many of Qian Tian Palace's trump cards and also figured out the true strength of the strongest warriors on the western front of the Great Wall in the northern border of Da Chu..."

Xie Xuanyi sorted out his thoughts and said, "You mean, Great Ape Mountain didn't hand over this information directly?"

"good."

Zhao Tongtian said, "The Demon Kingdom seems to be working together, but there should still be some internal apprehension. At least there is a rift between the Heavenly Phoenix Palace and the Great Ape Mountain."

If Great Ape Mountain and Heavenly Phoenix Palace cooperate... there's no reason why Dead Phoenix wouldn't know about Yuwen Bo's injuries.

If we have this intelligence to support it.

In the battle of Jiayong Pass, no matter what, this female deity would try to fight it out.

With the strength of the dead phoenix, as long as it doesn't fight to the death, it won't be left on the frontier.

This way.

Xie Xuanyi, Yuwen Bo, Ya Zi... If she could severely injure any one of these three great cultivators, it would be considered a great victory!
(End of this chapter)