Liver into a martial arts legend: starting with Embroidered Spring Blade

Chapter 88: Jianghu Vendetta, the Sword Manual of Exorcism? [27]

Xu Panxing glanced at Gao Yaozhi, who was visibly ashamed and angry, and said in a deep voice, "Master Jiang, Yaozhi is the daughter of my father's old friend and also my younger sister. Isn't it a bit too much for you to be so frivolous and humiliating?"

"is it?"

Jiang Xuan remained unmoved. He glanced at Yaozhi with a sneer and said, "I thought she was just an ordinary flower girl. I didn't expect she had such a relationship with Lord Xu. No wonder she looked down on me, a nobody from a humble family!"

Xu Panxing frowned and said, "Master Jiang, Yaozhi is young and naive. Her words were indeed a little offensive, but your words and actions are also a bit excessive. You must know that the most important thing for a girl is her reputation..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I met her once before on the pleasure boat and thought she was just an ordinary flower girl. I thought she wouldn't take it seriously. After all, I've experienced this kind of thing many times. But I didn't expect that she was actually Mr. Xu's younger sister. I'm really sorry."

Jiang Xuan said sorry, but his face showed no regret. He turned to look at Yaozhi and said calmly, "Miss Yaozhi, please forgive my rudeness."

"You..." Yaozhi gritted her teeth, wishing she could stab this scoundrel to death with a sword.

You pinched me so hard, and all it takes is an apology?

Xu Panxing frowned, but thinking of Jiang Xuan's purpose, he suppressed his anger, reached out to stop Yaozhi, and said in a deep voice: "Master Jiang, let's talk business first!"

"What do you think of the plan Yaozhi discussed with you just now?"

"No way."

Jiang Xuan said calmly, "Her arrogant attitude, is that what you call a negotiation? And I've never seen such a stupid plan!"

"You..." Yaozhi widened her eyes and was about to get angry again.

"Yao Zhi!"

Xu Panxing shouted, then looked at Jiang Xuan and said in a deep voice, "Then I wonder what Sir Jiang thinks is wrong with this plan?"

"Since your goal is just to obtain the official register, then what is the purpose of letting her go? To attract the attention of the eunuch party?"

Jiang Xuan glanced at Yaozhi and said coldly, "Or do you not trust me to bring back the real imperial seal? If that's the case, then why are you asking me for help?"

"And they asked me to go to the Northern Pacification Office to ask for permission to investigate this case?"

"Master Xu, since you are also the prince's man, and we are both commanders of the five core schools, why don't you go and ask for the investigation yourself, but let me go?"

"If the eunuch party suspects you, won't they suspect me?"

"Or did you intend to make me the scapegoat?!"

Jiang Xuan stared at Xu Panxing coldly.

"This……"

Hearing this, Xu Panxing frowned, not knowing how to respond.

Could it be that, yes, we just don’t trust you and want to make you a scapegoat?

After pondering for a moment, he nodded and said, "Master Jiang, I was indeed not thoughtful enough on this matter."

"But the reason why Lord Jiang was allowed to go is because Lord Jiang has a clean background. He has no connection with either the Eunuch Party or the Donglin Party. The Eunuch Party would never think that you are the prince's man."

"Secondly, it's because of Lord Jiang's talent for solving cases."

"This case has such a huge impact that Wei Zhongxian has even dispatched Han Yao, the Chief of Criminal Investigation from the Eastern Depot, to come to the Northern Division to oversee the case. This shows how seriously he takes this matter."

"Master Jiang has solved many major cases before. If you investigate, most of the others will probably not object."

"I just overlooked one point. This case really shouldn't be investigated by you, Lord Jiang, personally at the Northern Division. Doing so will certainly make the eunuch party suspicious of you."

"This incident is Xu's fault. I would like to apologize to Lord Jiang."

Jiang Xuan remained silent.

Xu Panxing continued, "I think it would be better if I went to the Northern Department in person tomorrow and pretended to ask about this matter casually. Then I would recommend you to Cui Yingyuan and Han Yao to investigate in Hangzhou Prefecture. What do you think, Lord Jiang?"

Jiang Xuan glanced at Gao Yaozhi and said calmly, "What about her? Since she already knows where the Imperial Household Registration Book is, what's the point of her going there? Are you afraid that the eunuchs won't be able to find her?"

"I found the Imperial Household Registration Book, I must go!"

Gao Yaozhi said coldly: "I just don't believe you!"

"Yao Zhi!"

Xu Panxing shouted angrily, then looked at Jiang Xuan, took a deep breath, and said, "Okay, Lord Jiang can go alone on this matter. The imperial eunuch register is hidden in the ancestral temple built by the eunuchs for Wei Zhongxian."

As he spoke, Xu Panxing's tone became more serious. "I hope Lord Jiang can live up to the prince's trust and bring back the real imperial seal."

"This matter concerns the prince's important plan, and there is absolutely no room for error!"

"If things go wrong, Lord Jiang will have to explain it to the prince himself!"

Explain your mother!

Jiang Xuan sneered, said nothing, stood up, pushed the door open and left.

"Master Xu!"

Watching Jiang Xuan leave, Yaozhi turned back and looked at Xu Panxing with gritted teeth: "Do you really believe that he can bring back the real imperial register?"

"What else can we do?"

Xu Panxing said in a deep voice, "We have no one to trust in the Jinyiwei. We can only rely on him for this matter. If I let you go, it means I don't trust him. How could he let it go?"

After saying this, Xu Panxing turned around, his eyes icy, and said, "When I get the Imperial Household Registration Book back and help the prince successfully inherit the throne, I will have my own way to deal with him!"

"You're just an ant-like person. Do you really think that just because you've luckily solved a few cases and gained the favor of the eunuch party and been promoted to a thousand households, you can be compared with me?"

Gao Yaozhi also gritted her teeth and said, "When the time comes, I will definitely chop off his hand with my own hands!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Panxing subconsciously looked down at Gao Yaozhi, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

Jiang Xuan couldn't be blamed for this.

Just look at your pair of weapons, even I can't help but feel uncomfortable, let alone that guy.

……

After leaving the courtyard, a hint of murderous intent appeared in Jiang Xuan's eyes.

After this incident, he had already seen the attitude of Prince Xin's Mansion towards him.

It all comes down to a question of background.

Even though he solved many major cases and demonstrated extraordinary abilities and strength, he was promoted to the rank of Right Captain.

But in the eyes of these "big shots" with prominent family backgrounds, he was still no different from Lu Wenzhao, Ding Baiying and others before him. They were all small figures with no background and were pawns that could be sacrificed at any time.

Even a woman who had fallen into poverty and become a prostitute dared to look down on him, let alone others.

"Then let's see who will have the last laugh!"

Jiang Xuan turned around, took a deep look at the secluded courtyard, then used his luck and skills to quickly rush back home.

"Master, are you back?"

When he arrived at the yard and opened the door, he saw Cheng Shifei still practicing the standing meditation. When he saw him come back, he shouted happily.

Seeing him sweating profusely and still struggling, Jiang Xuan felt a little better. He nodded and walked forward, saying, "Rest for a while before continuing your training."

"It's okay, I just rested, I can still hold on for a while!"

Cheng Shifei shook his head and then asked curiously, "Master, what did you do outside?"

Jiang Xuan didn't respond. After a moment's silence, he said, "I might have to go on a long journey these few days. During this time, you should continue to practice the standing meditation. When I come back to check, if you pass, I will start teaching you the internal Qi training."

Upon hearing that he could practice internal energy, Cheng Shifei's eyes lit up and he nodded quickly: "Yes, Master!"

Jiang Xuan nodded, then walked straight into the house. After calming down a little, he walked into the yard, found a clean place, and meditated and practiced.

……

The next day.

Jiang Xuan went to the yamen to work as usual.

As expected, someone from the Northern Pacification Office came just at noon, and Cui Yingyuan asked him to go to the Northern Office.

Jiang Xuan calmly agreed, then called over Xu Longqing, Ding Xiu, and Pei Xing, instructing them, "The three of you, get ready. Follow me out of the capital tonight on an errand."

"Yes, sir!" Although the three of them had doubts, they did not ask any more questions and immediately turned around to make preparations.

Jiang Xuan called back the other people in the office and told them that everything should remain the same during his absence, and then went straight to the Northern Division.

When we arrived at the Beisi Yamen, we saw Cui Yingyuan, Xu Panxing and others already waiting there.

There was also a man in the crowd wearing a white flying fish suit and a black cloak, with a proud look on his face.

Jiang Xuan recognized that this person was none other than Han Yao, the Chief of Executions of the Eastern Depot.

One of Wei Zhongxian's lackeys.

Seeing Jiang Xuan coming, Cui Yingyuan didn't waste any words and asked directly, "Captain Jiang, you've heard about the deaths in the past few days, right?"

Jiang Xuan nodded slightly. "I heard that all the deceased were stabbed in the chest, with the Yutang acupoint under the ribs pierced. It must have been done by the same person."

Cui Yingyuan nodded and said in a deep voice: "After investigation, the Northern Division suspected that this incident was done by the Donglin Party, but the murderer has not been caught."

"But the purpose is probably to build a shrine for the factory owner in Hangzhou."

"Captain Xu recommended you to me, asking you to go to Hangzhou Prefecture, investigate the situation, find the Shengci Workshop Book, and bring it back to the Factory Master. Can you do it?"

Jiang Xuan glanced at the expressionless Xu Panxing and said with a cupped hand, "I will do my best."

"Okay!" Cui Yingyuan nodded. "Then you should take your men and set off tonight. Remember, this matter should not be made public. Whatever you find out, we'll tell you when you come back."

"Yes, I understand." Jiang Xuan nodded.

"Wait a minute!"

At this moment, Han Yao, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly asked, "Captain Jiang, how many men are you planning to bring?" Jiang Xuan said, "Since we only need to investigate the situation regarding the construction of the ancestral temple in Hangzhou Prefecture and retrieve the imperial workshop register, I can just take two or three men."

Han Yao nodded, and then said: "In that case, let's add one more person."

As he spoke, he shouted to the outside of the door, "Wen Lianggong!"

Jiang Xuan frowned and looked back, only to see Wen Lianggong, dressed in the uniform of the general flag, walking in from outside.

"I am Wen Lianggong, your humble servant, and I pay my respects to you all, my Lords!"

Wen Lianggong saluted respectfully, somewhat afraid to look Jiang Xuan in the eye.

Han Yao said calmly, "I think this man is talented, so I transferred him from his previous position to the East Factory. This time, I'm letting him accompany you, Captain Jiang, to do this job. He'll get some credit and also shut up the others."

Han Yao looked at Jiang Xuan and said, "Captain Jiang, do you have any objection to this?"

Jiang Xuan looked at Wen Lianggong deeply and nodded, "Since it is Master Han's request, Jiang will naturally give you this honor."

Han Yao nodded with satisfaction.

At dusk, five fast horses left the capital from the south gate and galloped towards the south.

……

Among the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty, Hangzhou Prefecture is located in the territory of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commission on the southeast coast of the capital. The distance is more than two thousand miles, and even if traveling by fast horse, it will take at least ten days.

The purpose of going to Hangzhou this time was to find out what kind of trouble the eunuch party had caused in order to build the ancestral temple, and why the Donglin Party fought back fiercely, resulting in frequent deaths in the court.

By the way, bring back the ancestral temple building book.

Therefore, being too high-profile may easily alert the enemy.

So Jiang Xuan and his four companions disguised themselves and traveled day and night, riding fast horses all the way without causing any trouble. In just seven days, they entered the territory of Jiangnan.

On this day, the five people arrived at Changzhou Prefecture. As it was getting dark, they decided to go to Changzhou City to rest for a night so that they could arrive at Hangzhou Prefecture the next day.

This place was not far from Changzhou City, so the five people slowed down their horses and walked slowly forward.

The setting sun shines on the forest road like gold, which has a unique charm and beauty.

Jiang Xuan led Xu Longqing in front, while Ding Xiu, Pei Xing and Wen Lianggong followed behind.

As they walked, Xu Longqing glanced at Wen Lianggong behind him and whispered, "Sir, wasn't he with Captain Pei before? How did he end up transferring to the East Factory?"

During the days outside the capital, Wen Lianggong rarely spoke, just silently following Jiang Xuan and others.

After learning that he was the person sent in by Han Yao, Xu Longqing and others realized that this guy was most likely sent by Han Yao to monitor them, so they spoke very carefully.

"It's simple. I just want to keep climbing."

Jiang Xuan looked calm and didn't say much.

People like Wen Lianggong are similar to An Jianqing. They are both the kind of people who will do anything to gain power.

This guy used to be Xu Panxing's man from the Houso. During the Beizhai case, Jiang Xuan was ambushed and killed by Ding Baiying. Wen Lianggong happened to pass by and saved him once. Therefore, Jiang Xuan let him participate in the encirclement and suppression of Ding Baiying, and promoted him to the general flag.

After seeing Pei Lun's talent for solving cases, Wen Lianggong clung to Pei Lun and switched to his service.

Who would have thought that a year later, Jiang Xuan had been promoted to the rank of Qianhu of the Right Office, and Xu Longqing and Lu Jianxing, who were at the same level as him, had also been promoted to the rank of Baihu, but he was still patrolling the streets all day in the Front Office, so he felt a little unbalanced.

I don't know when he got in touch with Han Yao and mobilized the East Factory.

Jiang Xuan could guess these things without asking.

A typical traitor who follows whoever has more power.

Unfortunately, he made the wrong choice every time.

When he was transferred to the Northern Division before, he had asked for his opinion, but he felt that his chances of making meritorious service were greater following Pei Lun, so he refused.

Now that he saw that he was in power, he felt unbalanced and turned to the East Factory.

Does he really think that he will be valued if he goes to the East Factory?

What a mindless idiot.

But Jiang Xuan was too lazy to say more. Everyone has their own choice.

I have already repaid the favor I showed him before and also given him the opportunity, but he just couldn't seize it.

Now that he has joined the East Factory, he has chosen to part ways with Pei Lun and himself.

The friendship we had in the past ended here.

This trip to Hangzhou was only for official business. He was ordered by Han Yao to come and monitor him, so there were some things that he should naturally be on guard against.

Upon hearing this, Xu Longqing shook his head and didn't ask any more questions.

In this quiet atmosphere, five people rode their horses and walked slowly towards Changzhou City which appeared in their sight.

But at this moment, a burst of loud horse hoof sounds suddenly came from a fork in the road not far away.

It sounded like there was more than one person, and there was faint sound of rampant laughter and scolding, and the noise was getting closer and closer.

Several people frowned slightly and looked back.

I saw five or six figures riding horses on the dirt road in the distance. The man in the front was covered in blood and looked in a miserable state.

The four or five people chasing from behind were all aggressive, holding long swords and shouting and cursing.

"Changzhou is just ahead, you little bastard! I wonder where you can get to!"

"You son of a bitch, damn it, when I catch you, I'll make sure you have a taste of my power!"

……

Hearing the scolding, Jiang Xuan shook his head, retracted his gaze, and said, "The vendettas in the martial arts world have nothing to do with us. Let's go and don't meddle in other people's business."

Xu Longqing and others nodded, said nothing more, and continued to move forward.

Once you leave the capital, the world of martial arts is everywhere.

During the past few days of traveling south, they have seen similar gang feuds many times and have long been accustomed to it.

In the current Ming Dynasty, civil unrest is raging everywhere. The imperial court can't even take care of itself, so how can it interfere in the affairs of the underworld?

Not to mention the fights among people in the martial arts world, sometimes even accidentally killing one or two innocent civilians is a common occurrence.

As long as the matter is not too serious, the local authorities will generally make a big deal out of a small matter and handle it in a low-key manner.

As Jinyiwei, they naturally understood these unspoken rules.

Hoof-clack, hoof-clack...

The sound of horse hooves was so dense that the man being chased in front soon reached the fork in the road, passed Jiang Xuan and his companions from the side, and continued to run towards Changzhou.

Jiang Xuan and the others took a casual glance and found that the man was quite young and handsome, but his body was covered in blood and even his face had marks from sword cuts, making him look very embarrassed.

After a while, the group of people chasing him caught up. The three leaders were not very old, about 20 or 30 years old, riding their horses side by side.

But the path was not wide to begin with, and Jiang Xuan and his companions occupied half of it. The remaining half was only wide enough for two horses to pass through. As this group of people were chasing them, they had to slow down and pass through in teams of two.

"Humph!"

The leader glanced at Jiang Xuan and his companions unhappily as he passed by them.

But catching up with people was the most important thing, so they didn't cause any trouble. They quickly passed several people and disappeared into the woods ahead.

Seeing these people acting so arrogantly, Xu Longqing frowned and said, "Sir, judging from their accents, they should be from Shu. Why would they come to Jiangnan?"

Generally speaking, unless it is a special profession like a bodyguard, you need to escort goods everywhere.

Otherwise, ordinary underworld forces would rarely stray too far from their own sphere of influence.

After all, we are all gangsters. If you go to someone else's place, people will think you are trying to seize their territory and a fight will definitely break out.

From Shu to Jiangnan, it almost spans half of the Ming Dynasty.

"Since it's a vendetta, it's not surprising that they chased him this far."

Jiang Xuan shook his head, not caring about the rudeness of those people, and continued to ride forward.

But before they had gone far, they suddenly heard the sound of fighting from the woods ahead. The sounds of weapons clashing became one and the faint sounds of shouting, roaring and screaming were accompanied by each other.

Judging from the voices, it seemed like they were the ones who had just been chasing the young man.

Everyone frowned.

But there was only one road leading to Changzhou City, which had to pass through the fighting location, so they couldn't take a detour.

"Be careful."

Jiang Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly, gave a few instructions, and rode his horse into the forest.

Soon, everyone arrived at the fighting site.

In the dim forest, a few horses were standing scattered in the middle of the road, and three or four bodies were lying on the road ahead. They were the people who had just chased the young man.

The last person had been stabbed in the chest by a hunchbacked man. Blood was oozing from the corner of his mouth. He stared at the hunchback intently, saying word by word, "My...master...will not...let...you go..."

Before he finished speaking, the hunchback drew out his hunchback sword and sneered, "If I were afraid of your master, I wouldn't have taken action!"

The young man who had escaped before was now lying on the side, leaning against a tree and gasping for breath. He watched the hunchback kill the last man, but there was no relief or happiness on his face. Instead, his face was full of despair.

"hey-hey……"

After the hunchback finished off the last man, he turned back to the young man and said with a chuckle, "My dear grandson, it's worth it that I've come all this way and waited here for so long. I finally have you here."

"The Sword Manual of Exorcism was snatched away by Yu Canghai, Zuo Lengchan, and Yue Buqun, but I, your grandfather, can't?"

(End of this chapter)