I became a prince in a martial arts world.

Chapter 98 Tour of Daxing Prefecture

"Alright, I suppose Master Zongjian is of advanced age and high moral character; he wouldn't stoop so low as to embezzle my pills." Wang Yu pointed at Zongjian, then said to Zhang Baihu, "Tell me."

"Yes!" Zhang Baihu bowed and immediately replied, "This subordinate led men to investigate along the river and indeed found a buried path. The path is not long and seems to have been recently opened. There are wheel tracks on the path, as well as a piece of paper that was accidentally torn by tree branches."

At this point, Zhang Baihu pulled out a piece of scrap paper from his sleeve. Although it was only the size of a palm, the words "府" (fu, meaning government office) and "封" (feng, meaning seal) were still visible on the front and back. It was the seal that the Prince of Zhenxi's Mansion had affixed to the large chest.

"We followed the path down and found a river hollow by the river. The riverbank was messy, with traces of a small boat stranded. Although the river was frozen, I tested it and found that the ice layer within a three-zhang radius was much thinner than the surrounding area."

Commander Zhang said, "The thieves must have used ice boats on the river to transport the treasure to the other side!"

Shangshan Prefecture is located on the other side of the river.

Most of the Hexi Circuit is located north of the Yellow River. The Linchuan and Shangshan Prefectures on the south bank are mountainous with little land. Further south, crossing the mountains, lies the Sichuan region of Sichuan. Therefore, these two prefectures have a very low profile and no major martial arts sects exist. They are mostly inhabited by wandering martial artists or small forces.

It was only in recent years, when Zhong Yulei's skill reached the Innate Realm and he founded Dulong Fortress, that he gained some fame in northern Sichuan. However, he was still not in the eyes of a major power like the Great Vajra Temple. Therefore, when Hong Hai counted the top knife masters, he was not included.

But as soon as the mention of the treasure going to the south bank of the Yellow River came into everyone's view, Dulong Fortress, the largest power in Shangshan Prefecture, immediately came into view.

Hong Yue immediately said, "Zhong Yulei?"

Honghai frowned. "The current evidence only tells us that the treasure went to the south bank, but it's not certain whether it's Zhong Yulei. Junior brother, you shouldn't make rash accusations."

When Zhong Yulei was young, he had traveled to both western Sichuan and western Hebei. Hong Hai had met him before. He was a straightforward and generous person with a magnanimous style. He didn't seem like the kind of person that Hong Hai knew.

Moreover, he has a family and a business; how could he dare to rob the emperor's treasure and offend the Great Vajra Temple?

Wang Yu said calmly, "I heard that Zhong Yulei has recently taken in a lot of refugees who fled from the north of Sichuan. I wonder how much land he owns in Shangshan Prefecture and how much savings he has."

The moment those words were spoken, all four were astonished.

Ordinary martial arts practitioners might not think too deeply about this, but the Great Vajra Temple is no ordinary martial arts sect. In particular, the Sumeru Courtyard deals with land and money all day long, so it understands the implications all too well.

Dulong Fort is a force that Zhong Yulei established in recent years. How much land and property does it have that it needs to recruit so many refugees?

"What does he want to do?" The magistrate of Daxing Prefecture stared wide-eyed at Wang Yu. Why are you only telling me now that it's so important?

Hongyue curled his lip, "You're also recruiting refugees in the Northwest."

Wang Yu rolled his eyes. "I still have 50,000 troops!"

Zongjian stopped Hongyue, saying, "Now that we've discovered someone has sent the treasure to the south bank, let's go to Dulong Fort to investigate."

Wang Yu sat down again, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "The rest is none of my business. Also, now that the Great Vajra Temple has been cleared of suspicion, Master, don't forget to give me the elixir."

Zong Jian raised his white eyebrows. "Isn't Your Highness going to Dulong Fortress?"

Wang Yu snorted. "In my opinion, the evidence is already sufficient. Why go to Shangshan Prefecture? There might even be danger."

Zong Jian was speechless, thinking that Wang Yu was indeed as unreasonable as ever, and had concluded that Zhong Yulei was the mastermind based on just a few clues.

"But what if it isn't?" Zongjian asked rhetorically.

Wang Yu straightened up again, his eyes burning. "Master, would you like to make a bet with me? I'll bet another Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Pill."

"Amitabha!" Zongjian clasped his hands together and shook his head. "Greed, anger, and ignorance are the three poisons of Buddhism. Gambling involves all three, which is a major precept of Buddhism. This old monk will not do it."

To be honest, Zong Jian also felt that Zhong Yulei was highly suspicious, so he wouldn't gamble!

Therefore, the magistrate of Daxing Prefecture immediately sent a letter to Shangshan Prefecture, and also dispatched capable constables to investigate the vicinity of Dulong Fort. Master Zongjian also sent two monks of the Hong generation with several monks of the Fa generation to investigate, and to gain experience in the martial arts world.

As for Wang Yu and his group, they did not return to Longshan Prefecture, but instead moved to Daxing Prefecture to await news.

On the third floor of the best restaurant in Pingxing County, two men watched as groups of people headed straight south.

"They've found traces of the riverbank," the man in blue said in a deep voice.

"Zhong Yulei is careless in his dealings and hasn't cleaned up his mess." The man in blue said sarcastically, "He even let us watch the spectacle of the Great Vajra Temple and the Prince of Zhenxi's Mansion, while he himself has exposed his own backside."

At this point, the man in blue looked at the man in green and said, "I told you Zhong Yulei is ambitious but incompetent, not a good partner."

The man in blue snorted, "Apart from Zhong Yulei, the others are all ugly and deformed."

The man in blue said calmly, "Then let's see if he can get past this hurdle. If he can't, you and I will go to Jiangnan to see what kind of person Jiang Sihai is."

The man in blue nodded. "Alright, but before we go to Jiangnan, there's one more thing I need to do."

The man in blue chuckled and asked, "Are they the beautiful concubines of the Prince of Zhenxi?"

The man in blue robes grinned lewdly. "I heard that Zhao Yu is a womanizer in the capital. I wonder if he's ruined himself. Those two women he saw on the street yesterday were both virgins."

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The man in blue shook his head. "I advise you not to cause any trouble. They are accompanied by Wei Gutong and his wife. Even the sect leader might not be a match for them combined. If we go up there, we'll just be courting death."

The man in blue laughed and said, "Of course I won't make a move in front of them. Gu Tong Ziyu is protecting Zhao Yu, so I will wait until they are alone before I make my move."

The man in blue said indifferently, "Then you can wait a little longer. I guess Zhong Yulei won't survive this ordeal. I'll go back and prepare some things first, and we'll meet at Hangu Pass."

The man in blue nodded. "Alright!"

Meanwhile, Wang Yu and his group arrived in Daxing Prefecture to await news.

With nothing else to do, Wang Yu would accompany the three women to stroll around the streets, and Li Yunxiu would also take a rare break from official duties to enjoy this leisurely holiday.

Daxing Prefecture was the capital of Hexi Circuit, far more bustling and prosperous than Longshan Prefecture. Taverns, teahouses, brothels, gambling dens, and music halls were everywhere. Many great music theorists lived here. Wei Gutong and his wife often came here and were very familiar with Daxing Prefecture.

So the two of them also acted as guides for the group, leading them on a tour of various parts of the city.

"It's a pity it's the dead of winter. If it were spring or summer, the scenery outside the city would be even more magnificent. Willows by the river, ancient ferry crossings, and the flowing wine of Nanshan Mountain would all be elegant and refined activities," Wei Gutong said.

Wei Gutong led everyone to a music hall where he had met a master of the zither. He invited everyone to have tea and listen to music, and also paid them a visit.

"Mr. Wei, Mrs. Wei, it's an honor to have you here. I'm so sorry I didn't greet you sooner." A middle-aged woman walked over with a smile.

Wei Gutong laughed and said, "I'm still a little nervous, wondering if Master Cai will have time to entertain us."

Cai Wuqi chuckled and said, "Mr. Wei, you're making fun of me. You're a free spirit with friends all over the world, while I'm stuck in a secluded place in the prefecture, finding it hard to find a kindred spirit. I've been counting down the days until I see you two."

Yan Ziyu smiled and said, "We came to Daxing on business this time, but we can't stay long. We've come to see everyone first, and we'll visit you in person after the New Year."

Cai Wuqi naturally saw Wang Yu and his party as well. A young nobleman, accompanied by two old guards and three beautiful women, clearly a person of high status.

"If they're not from Daxing Prefecture, could they be wealthy young masters from the capital? Mr. and Mrs. Wei are a distinguished and upright couple; to have them by one's side, they must be descendants of famous officials, right?"

Cai Wuqi was pondering whether she should ask when the young nobleman cupped his hands and said, "Zhao Yu greets Lady Cai."

"Zhao Yu?" Cai Wuqi was taken aback upon hearing this, then instantly realized, "Zhao Yu, the Prince of Zhenxi?"

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow. "Does Master Cai know me?"

Cai Wuqi's expression instantly returned to normal, and she nodded with a smile, "I deeply admire Prince Zhao for his great victory over the Black Qiang cavalry in the Western Regions and for providing porridge to refugees in the Northwest."

At this point, Cai Wuqi's gaze swept over Wang Yu and landed on a composed and elegant woman with bright, star-like eyes. She bowed and said, "Greetings, Prince Zhenxi, and greetings to all the princesses."

Li Yunxiu bowed in return, "I have long heard of Cai Dajia's famous performance of 'Seven Phoenixes' in the capital, but unfortunately I have never had the chance to see it."

Cai Wuqi smiled and said, "That was ten years ago."

Yan Ziyu smiled and said, "We first met Master Cai ten years ago in the capital."

Cai Wuqi led everyone to a private room on the second floor of the music hall, where she personally accompanied them. They could watch the music and dance performances in the main hall of the music hall, and also enjoy tea and conversation undisturbed.

"Your Highness Zhao has come to Daxing Prefecture, is it because of the theft of the Loulan treasure?" Cai Wuqi asked with a smile.

Wang Yu asked in surprise, "Has the news spread this far? How come everyone knows?"

Cai Wuqi laughed and said, "The Loulan treasure is known throughout the world. The prince donated all of what he obtained to the court, and his reputation for benevolence and righteousness spread throughout the world. However, some thieves bribed the government cooks to drug him and stole the treasure."

The news of the Loulan treasure had already spread among the Shuntian Army. The Xionglue Army besieged Pingxing County a few days ago and then camped outside the county for several days. The emperor's decree was sent to the Daxing Prefecture government, and it could not be kept secret from the officials and wealthy merchants in Daxing Prefecture.

This matter involves the magistrate of Daxing Prefecture, the Prince of Zhenxi's Mansion, and the Dajingang Temple. The origins of this story include the Loulan treasure, the Shuntian Army, and the Black Qiang cavalry. Going further back, there was the Loulan Incident and the execution of the Minister of Rites decades ago. It is truly a legendary tale.

Cai Wuqi's music hall in Daxing Prefecture welcomed and saw off many guests, including officials' sons and wealthy merchants. Of course, he had heard about these things.

She just hadn't expected that Wei Gutong and his wife would be following the Prince of Zhenxi.

After all, according to the opinions of various guests, the reputation of the Prince of Zhenxi was truly terrible; he was known for his hedonistic lifestyle, indulging in eating, drinking, and merrymaking—

The reason why the Prince of Zhenxi's Mansion distributed porridge to relieve refugees in winter, severely damaged the Black Qiang cavalry in the Western Regions, and was willing to return the treasure to the imperial court, was, according to everyone, all because of Li Yunxiu.

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