Embers of Sword

Chapter 749 Taking the blame
Xie Yueying is a smart person.

She didn't show much surprise when she heard this.

A gentle breeze blew by, causing the straw hat and black gauze to flutter.

After a moment's thought, the woman in white cautiously inquired, "Sir, this matter of entering the realm of transcendence... should be unknown to anyone yet, right?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi crossed his arms, smiled without saying a word, but gave Xie Yueying an encouraging look, signaling her to continue.

"This is just another guess."

Xie Yueying honestly said, "Yueying is just an ordinary mortal. Even if I had the chance to meet you in the past, it was just a chance encounter. You wouldn't come all the way to Xining just for this... So what happened tonight must just be a coincidence. You said before that I was lucky, but in my opinion, my luck tonight is divided into two parts."

"Ok?"

Xie Xuanyi smiled.

"Part of it is meeting seniors."

Xie Yueying said with a lack of confidence, "Another part was a breakthrough in the heat of battle. Yueying herself didn't expect to have the opportunity to comprehend the 'Way of Annihilation'..."

This is the supreme power of the Dao principles in the world.

For the past three hundred years.

Only a handful of people have comprehended the Dao of Annihilation: Luo Lie, the sect leader of the One-Sword Sect; Venerable Lotus; and Xie Xuanyi.

Every possessor of the Path of Annihilation is a powerhouse at the "Ten Heroes" level. If Venerable Lotus hadn't died under the siege of the Demon Kingdom, he would now be one of the top powerhouses in the Great Chu Dynasty!
Good luck doesn't favor fools.

Xie Xuanyi shook his head and said gently, "Comprehending the 'Principle of Annihilation' is not luck, it's your skill."

"So... the senior made a move."

Xie Yueying said, "I know... Senior wanted me to stay in Li Kingdom because you wanted to take me in. Senior must have something important to do by secretly entering Li this time, right?"

The battle at Baoyue Tower put Xie Yueying in an awkward position.

These days, she finds it difficult to settle down anywhere.

Return to Jiangning?

The Xie family is now defunct in name only. Those old fogies are using her as a bargaining chip, and Xie Yueying will no longer work for them.

As for other places to go...

If Xie Yueying did not reveal the "Dao of Annihilation," she would be just an ordinary female cultivator. If she went to a remote place and found a desolate mountain, she might be able to live as a wandering cultivator who was ignored by everyone. However, if she did use the "Dao of Annihilation," it was hard to say whether it would bring her more fortune or more disaster.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

The murderous intent displayed by the Marquis of Xining's residence tonight is enough to illustrate this point.

"senior……"

Xie Yueying pleaded cautiously, "Actually, I'm fine with going anywhere. If you're willing, it would be best if you could take me with you. I will definitely be careful and won't cause you any trouble!"

"You guessed it right."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly, "I do have important business to attend to in Li this time. Nalan Xuance's Iron Curtain covers the nine provinces of Li, and the turmoil in Xining City has more or less attracted the attention of the Hook Pliers Master... Getting entangled with these people is no easy matter. That is why I want you to stay in Li. If you dare to leave the country at this time, I will not have time to take care of you, and you will surely die."

Xie Yueying looked serious and pursed her lips, clearly somewhat nervous.

She had long heard of the infamous reputation of the "Hook Pliers Master".

He acts ruthlessly and uses any means necessary.

The assassins raised by Nalan Xuance were even more ruthless than the Tan Yiwei when it came to killing!
Xie Yueying had no doubt what Xie Xuanyi said...

If I were to leave the country rashly, I would surely die on the way!

"Senior, regarding the matter of Baoyue Tower... weren't you being a bit too lenient?"

Xie Yueying thought about it and was somewhat confused.

In her view, the best way to erase her actions was to kill everyone who saw her!
With Xie Xuanyi's abilities, killing that Yin spirit from the Xining Marquis's mansion would be effortless.

Now that guy's life has been spared...

Marquis Xining is also in league with the Crown Prince. It won't be long before everything that happened at Baoyue Tower tonight is compiled into a case file and sent to Nalan Xuance. At that time, the entire Hook and Pliers organization will know that a young cultivator in Chu Kingdom has comprehended the Dao of Annihilation. This cultivator will either surrender to Dali or die in Dali; there is no third possibility!

"Do not."

Xie Xuanyi patiently explained, "Tonight, the Baoyue Tower must not be stained with blood."

He kills spirits as easily as slaughtering chickens or dogs.

But sometimes, not everyone... needs to be killed.

"What do you mean?" Xie Yueying asked earnestly.

Xie Xuanyi laughed and said, "Did I display even the slightest bit of my supernatural power tonight?"

"…Never."

Xie Yueying paused, then thought back carefully.

Xie Xuanyi appeared at Baoyue Tower, and all he did was grip the hilt of his sword.

Xie Xuanyi asked again, "Besides you, does anyone else know my identity?"

"...No."

Xie Yueying vaguely understood the meaning behind Xie Xuanyi's words.

Killing the Yin God worshipper from the Xining Marquis's mansion might seem to erase the cause and effect, but if this matter reaches Nalan Xuance... the impact will only be greater than it is now. With the Iron Curtain shrouding the borders of the Li Kingdom, a "Great Perfection" expert has appeared within its borders, recklessly killing a powerful Yin God under the Crown Prince's command!
Those hook-and-pinchers will only become more insane.

Xie Yueying didn't know what Xie Xuanyi was going to do next... but it was clear that this incident would definitely alert Nalan Xuance!

"However, the incident at Baoyue Tower still happened in the end."

Xie Yueying gritted her teeth and said, "Even if Marquis Xining chooses to wait a while to observe the situation, this case file will eventually be sent to the Grand Preceptor's Mansion of Li Kingdom."

Once Nalan Xuance decides to investigate, these matters should finally come to a conclusion!
"so……"

Xie Xuanyi said leisurely, "The guy who appeared at Baoyue Tower tonight must have been 'selected'. And you, staying in Lijing, must have a 'place' to go."

Xie Yueying was stunned.

She noticed that Xie Xuanyi kept looking up to observe the moonlight.

Xie Xuanyi is not a very patient person.

The reason I made an exception and chatted with Xie Yueying for so long tonight is that this young girl is indeed quite talented. At such a young age, she has already comprehended the "Dao of Annihilation". Even Xie Xuanyi felt a sense of regret for her talent.

Another reason is that he was waiting for someone.

"It's almost time."

Xie Xuanyi spoke.

next moment.

Under the bright moon, a figure in a straw raincoat suddenly appeared—

The figure, riding a long sword, moved like a rainbow, with a majestic aura. In an instant, it arrived on the wilderness, splashing up waves of dust!
"Brother Xuanyi, it's been a long time!"

After landing, the figure in the straw raincoat burst into laughter, stepped forward, and opened his arms to embrace Xie Xuanyi warmly.

"..."

Xie Xuanyi had never accepted such a warm welcome.

He silently took a step back.

In this regard.

The figure in the straw raincoat only paused slightly, then withdrew his arms and crossed them, showing no embarrassment. He asked with a smile, "Ahem... I don't think I'm too late, am I?"

The newcomer was none other than the young master of the One-Sword Sect, whom he had met once half a year ago.

Luo Hai!

As the saying goes, no fight, no friendship... After the battle at the Great Sui Sword Palace, Luo Hai gave his personal token to Xie Xuanyi.

"You're not too late."

Xie Xuanyi sighed: "Didn't I tell you to keep it down?"

"rest assured."

Luo Hai waved his hand and said seriously, "I am already located near Xining City. No one will notice me crossing the void this time."

"Including 'that thing'?"

Xie Xuanyi stretched out his hand and pointed to the sky.

"The Iron Curtain?"

Luo Hai looked up, grinned, and said, "Nalan Xuance's Iron Curtain only monitors suspicious individuals... This thing consumes a lot of vital energy, and to monitor constantly, it also requires a large amount of divine sense. How bored and restless must this guy be to think of using the Iron Curtain to monitor me?"

[Iron Curtain] can certainly monitor figures at the level of the Ten Heroes.

However, the One-Sword Sect and the Crown Prince Party have always had a good relationship... Luo Hai, this newly promoted Yang God, rarely goes out and almost never gets involved in trouble.

It can be said.

This is someone who has been added to the whitelist by the "Iron Curtain".

"That's good."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuanyi smiled and said meaningfully, "Young Master Luo, there is something... I would like to ask you for a favor."

……

……

After half a stick of incense.

Luo Hai circled Xie Yueying a few times, scrutinizing this seemingly ordinary woman in white.

The great potential has not yet been fully unlocked.

His breathing was slightly disordered.

From the perspective of "Yang Shen", this is not considered a particularly talented prospect.

However... at this moment, amidst the swirling grass clippings in the void surrounding Xie Yueying, several faint sword energies lingered.

The void was torn apart by the sword energy.

A faint black color seeped out, as dark as ink... These sword energies looked very immature, but they exuded a chilling aura that was captivating!
"Upon entering the grotto-heaven, he comprehended the 'Principle of Annihilation'..."

Luo Hai couldn't help but exclaim, "What a coincidence... This young girl has just comprehended the 'Dao' and you just happened to run into her?"

"It's just such a coincidence."

Xie Xuanyi calmly said, "What's even more coincidental is that she's a member of the Xie family of Jiangning..."

"Interesting, interesting."

Luo Hai couldn't help but tease, "These days, is the 'Way of Annihilation' worthless? Another person has already comprehended it so quickly?"

in the past.

In a hundred years, there may not be a single person who comprehends the "Way of Annihilation".

However, in the past century, four such figures have already emerged.

One of them... happened to be Luo Hai's father, the current sect leader of the One Blade Sect.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yueying simply lowered her head silently. Her feelings were complicated, and she felt somewhat like she was in a dream.

Xie Xuanyi, Luo Lie, and the Lotus Venerable—these names are legendary.

How could I have one day been qualified to be compared with these people?

"Brother Luo, this is the matter I need to ask of you."

Xie Xuanyi spoke in a hoarse voice.

Unbeknownst to anyone, a faint sadness flickered in his eyes.

In fact.

Once upon a time, there was a young woman who was quite talented in this field.

Yuan Yi.

If Yuan Yi were still alive...

After she advances to the Cave Heaven realm, she might be able to comprehend some fragments of the "Principles of Annihilation".

"I would like to ask you to temporarily take her under your command."

Xie Xuanyi looked at Xie Yueying, "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. I would like to ask you to protect her, and if possible... it would be best if you could also guide her in her cultivation."

"Tsk..."

Clearly, the young master of the One Blade Sect was extremely pleased with these words. He sighed and said with a smile, "Who would have thought that the famous Xie Xuanyi would ever need to ask for help?"

Just the next moment.

A wisp of invisible sword energy swept out, forming a Dao domain that enveloped the two of them.

The rest of the conversation could only be heard by Xie Xuanyi.

Luo Hai changed the subject, his tone becoming serious, and said, "But what makes you think that just because you asked, I have to help you?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi remained silent.

"Thank you, brother. I, Luo Hai, am not a fool."

Luo Hai said meaningfully, "You traveled all the way from Chu Kingdom, and the One Blade Sect received no news at all... You deliberately avoided the Iron Curtain and infiltrated Xining City, didn't you? When you saw a girl of the same lineage and with such talent, your first thought was to ask someone to take care of her. What you're about to do must be very important, right? What could be so important?"

Having said that, it's quite clear.

Luo Hai had already guessed roughly what Xie Xuanyi would do next.

In his opinion.

Some things don't need to be made too explicit.

"Of course, it's to kill the crown prince."

But to everyone's surprise, Xie Xuanyi spoke directly without any intention of hiding anything.

Kill the crown prince.

These three words are used lightly and casually.

"???"

Luo Hai was shocked and stunned beyond words.

Xie Xuanyi calmly said, "Many people want to kill the Crown Prince... Is it so shocking that I want to kill him?"

During the Southern Frontier Incident, Xie Xuanyi was tricked by the Crown Prince of Li Kingdom.

If he hadn't been the Crown Prince of Li Kingdom, he wouldn't have been trapped in the sacred and spiritually resonant Zhanjiao Mountain.

In a sense.

The Crown Prince bears half the responsibility for Yuan Yi's death.

Even if the country were not so rife with factional strife, Xie Xuanyi would still make the same choice.

Killing the crown prince was both a grand undertaking and a personal motive.

"you……"

It took a long time for the young master of the One Blade Sect to recover.

Luo Hai said hoarsely, "Xie Xuanyi, you're truly a genius. Aren't you afraid I'll turn on you and betray you by saying all this to me?"

Xie Xuanyi shook his head: "Brother Luo is not that kind of person."

"We've only met once."

Luo Hai smiled wryly: "You dare to gamble on something like this?"

Xie Xuanyi... of course he's not that kind of person.

The reason he dared to send a message to Luo Hai was that he had made ample preparations.

“This is not a gamble.”

Xie Xuanyi shook his head and said softly, "Didn't I say before that what I'm going to do... many people want to do it? As for those who want to kill the Crown Prince, they'll only be happy to hear that I'm joining them. How could they betray me?"

"!!!"

This time.

Luo Hai's expression could no longer be described simply as shock.

The One-Sword Sect has a good relationship with the Crown Prince Party.

His father, Luo Lie, was even on friendly terms with Nalan Xuance.

In this factional struggle, the One-Sword Sect contributed greatly. Several times when their attempts to destroy Buddhism encountered resistance, it was the One-Sword Sect's experts who stepped in to wipe out the remaining Buddhist forces!

Anyone can come and see.

The One-Sword Sect are all the Crown Prince's right-hand men!

"Don't worry, this information didn't come from Chen Jingxuan, and no one knows about it yet."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "If you really want to know where this information came from, then help me adopt this girl under the Yidao Sect, and also help me take responsibility for what happened in Xining City tonight."

(End of this chapter)