“Knock knock…”
The knocking sound rang out twice, but there was no response from inside. Xu Qi An listened carefully for a moment and caught the faint sound of even breathing.
The sun’s already up and she’s still sleeping. How carefree can this woman be… Xu Qi An muttered to himself. He pressed his palm against the door, and with a push of his qi, the latch automatically opened.
Stepping into the room, he found it clean and tidy. The windows were tightly shut, and on the round table, four teacups were placed upside down, with one right-side up containing some unfinished tea.
Facing the door, a screen hung with a skirt, clothes, and a light pink camisole embroidered with plum blossoms.
She must have bathed last night, then fallen into a deep sleep without putting away her clothes and undergarments.
This is the original underwear of Great Shang’s number one beauty. If this were in my era, it could be sold online for a lot of silver… no, soft currency… Xu Qi An searched around the room but didn’t see the Spirit Book fragment. Following his sense of the magical item, he finally found it being used to prop up a table leg.
Suddenly feeling the urge to show her what a whip technique is… Xu Qi An tenderly retrieved the Spirit Book fragment and tucked it into his chest.
This woman had no idea how precious this small jade mirror was. It contained all of Xu Qi An’s life savings.
Thinking of this, he turned his head to look at the woman sleeping on her side on the bed. Her sleeping posture was quite ladylike, with a touch of a princess consort’s grace.
When she wakes up, it’ll be a different story.
Time passed minute by minute. There was a water clock by the dressing table. The woman on the bed occasionally mumbled, sometimes restlessly twisting her body, or furrowing her brow as if having an unpleasant dream, kicking her feet in protest.
She wasn’t sleeping peacefully.
Time ticked away until it reached the beginning of the Si hour (9:00 AM). She finally murmured and slowly opened her eyes.
Then, Xu Qi An saw the princess consort’s delicate body suddenly stiffen, then gradually relaxed. He held a teacup, took a sip, and smiled at her, “Awake?”
Seeing him, a flash of joy passed through the princess consort’s eyes. She propped herself up, pretending to be nonchalant:
“Why are you back? Heh, you’ve come to your senses, right? The Northern Border King is in third grade, and no one in all of Great Shang is more powerful than him. It’s good that you know how to avoid danger.”
She paused, her tone softening slightly: “Just let the court handle this matter. There’s no need for you to show off.”
The princess consort had tossed and turned last night, unable to sleep, which of course had nothing to do with her worrying about Xu Qi An being killed by the Northern Border King…
Xu Qi An said flatly, “The Northern Border King is already dead.”
The princess consort froze like a statue.
“I… I don’t believe it…” She stared hard at Xu Qi An.
“This isn’t something worth joking about,” Xu Qi An said impatiently. “A prince being killed is such a big deal, why would I lie to you about it?”
The princess consort stared at him blankly, trembling as she asked, “Re-really?”
Xu Qi An nodded.
He saw the princess consort’s long eyelashes tremble, and a teardrop rolled down, followed by two, three, four more… Tears fell like pearls from a broken string.
She was crying for her freedom.
Xu Qi An thought to himself that he wasn’t that close to her, so he coldly watched Great Shang’s number one beauty sob.
After she finished crying, Xu Qi An offered a concluding comfort: “You’re free now. The Nine States are vast, you can go wherever you want, just like Mundo.”
She sniffled and wiped her tears, but didn’t forget to ask, “Who’s Mundo?”
Xu Qi An couldn’t be bothered to answer such a trivial question.
While eating breakfast, the princess consort, having regained her composure, furtively asked in the room with just the two of them, “Was it you who killed him?”
Xu Qi An shook his head: “The Northern Border King was so strong, how could I have beaten him? A mysterious expert appeared and killed him on the spot. The members of the delegation can testify to this. You’ll know more later.”
The princess consort let out an “Oh,” also feeling it was unlikely that Xu Qi An had done it. She was an intelligent and rational woman, not like those ignorant girls in the capital who blindly worshipped Constable Xu.
Although the Northern Border King was arrogant and ruthless, his cultivation was undiscounted and far superior to the current Xu Qi An.
She munched on a scallion pancake, her small hands oily, her bright eyes lingering on Xu Qi An’s head: “How did your hair grow back?”
“I always had hair.”
“You didn’t.”
“I did.”
“You…”
The princess consort was tapped with chopsticks by Xu Qi An and wisely changed her tune: “You did.”
Thanks to Shen Shu’s power, Xu Qi An’s hair had finally regrown. If a third-grade martial artist could regrow severed limbs, hair was nothing.
This was something that greatly pleased Xu Qi An, and what pleased him, even more, was that he had always protected his bald head well, wearing a fur hat so others didn’t know about his hair growth situation.
I’ll keep wearing the fur hat outside for a while, then I can take it off… I’m still that long-haired young man. Xu Qi An thought happily.
After breakfast, he sat at the dressing table. In the mirror was Xu Qi An restored to his original appearance: sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, a high nose, thin lips, and a somewhat rugged jawline, exuding a handsome and masculine beauty overall.
He was a completely different type of handsome compared to the fair-skinned Xu Er Lang and the picturesque Nangong Qianrou.
The princess consort sat on the edge of the bed, swinging her feet, watching him tie his hair, and asked, “What should I do now?”
Xu Qi An, braiding his hair, replied in a detached tone: “I told you, go wherever you want.”
Sensing that Xu Qi An didn’t want to take care of her, she said somewhat petulantly: “Lend me another ten taels of silver. I want to return to the Mu family in Jiangnan. When I have money later, I’ll find someone to return it to you.”
“Clank!”
Xu Qi An placed a silver ingot on the table.
So decisive… The princess consort bit her lip, put on a stern face, and pocketed the silver. Then she silently packed up her few dirty undergarments, slung the small bundle over her shoulder, and announced:
“I’m leaving.”
“Go on then!” Xu Qi An nodded.
The princess consort gave him a long look, then suddenly turned and ran out of the room.
After running out of the inn, she walked alone towards the city gate, passing through the bustling crowds, the markets, and the long streets. The city wasn’t large, and she soon reached the gate.
However, looking at the wide city gate, the princess consort suddenly became timid. It didn’t seem like a path to freedom; the world outside was so dangerous, people’s hearts so complex.
At thirteen, she had been sent to the palace by her family in exchange for high official positions and rich salaries.
She had lived in the layers of palace chambers for many years and then was given to the Northern Border King by Emperor Yuanjing, living in the prince’s mansion for twenty years.
She longed for freedom, longed to be unfettered, but when freedom was within reach, she suddenly realized she couldn’t survive outside.
She was like a golden canary in a cage; twenty years of living in luxury had made her lose the ability to fly in the free sky.
Although she could return to her “maiden home,” that would just be being sold again by her parents. No, most likely, as soon as she returned home, she would be sent back to the palace by her clan members the next day.
She stood there blankly for a long time. Then she was no longer blank, but the light in her eyes gradually extinguished.
The princess consort lowered her head, looking at her toes, her shoulders thin, her silhouette frail, like a homeless little girl.
At this moment, a man’s sigh came from behind: “Little Aunt, I’ve been thinking, and I feel I should still take you with me.”
The princess consort didn’t turn around out of stubbornness.
Xu Qi An walked in front of her and squatted down without saying a word.
Hearing this, the princess consort glared at his back, her lips curling slightly upwards. She spread her arms and fell onto his back.
Outside the city, Xu Qi An carried her on his back as he sprinted along the official road. At this moment, he somewhat missed his beloved little mare.
“I’m very troublesome,” the princess consort said softly in his ear.
The warm breath on Xu Qi An’s earlobe made him frown involuntarily. The earlobe was Xu Bai Piao’s sensitive spot, a secret only Fuxiang knew.
At least you’re self-aware… Xu Qi An asked, “Does Emperor Yuanjing know about your appearance?”
The princess consort shook her head: “But he knows I have a magical item that can change my appearance. I’ve snuck away several times, and he must know about it. But he’s never seen me look like this.”
She thought for a moment and added, “The guards at the prince’s mansion have seen me like this.”
Xu Qi An didn’t respond, lost in thought.
Although the Northern Border King was dead, the princess consort was still a hot commodity. Emperor Yuanjing would not ignore her, even though the entire delegation believed she had been kidnapped by the barbarians.
But those maids know that I finally found them. Of course, they don’t know that I defeated the barbarian strongman and rescued the princess consort. But the fact that they could survive and return to the capital safely is itself a suspicious point.
Although it can’t be used as evidence that I rescued the princess consort, as long as there’s suspicion, Emperor Yuanjing will send people to investigate. They won’t even need to monitor secretly; they’ll investigate openly.
So the princess consort can’t return to my mansion with me. But she can be kept outside.
The capital has a population of three million; it’s impossible to search every household. Moreover, there are no clues indicating that I brought the princess consort back to the capital.
The best solution is to keep her outside, not far from the Xu mansion, but not too close either.
After considering the details, Xu Qi An nodded with satisfaction, feeling it was a very stable plan.
Then, he inevitably became confused for a moment. Why am I going to such lengths for an old auntie?
When did I fall under her spell?
Xu Qi An didn’t head towards Chu State City, planning to meet up with Zheng Xinghuai first and bring him to Chu State City.
Now that Chu State city was destroyed, as the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Chu State, he needed to deal with the aftermath, and also tell him that the Northern Border King had fallen, so he no longer needed to hide.
On the way, he deliberately asked Golden Lotus Daoist to block the Heavenly Alliance members and started a private chat with Li Miaozhena, asking her whereabouts.
Unsurprisingly, he was scolded by the Celestial Sect Saint and then informed of the news of the Northern Border King’s demise.
Xu Qi An expressed “great shock,” exclaiming that it was impossible. He fully demonstrated the qualities a “shock party” should have.
This made Li Miaozhena feel a bit smug, and she was no longer so angry about him standing her up.
Then, Xu Qi An asked her to leave Chu State City under the pretext of finding “Constable Xu who is on his way” and meet up at the valley.
By noon, Xu Qi An finally arrived at the valley with the princess consort. The day he bid farewell to Zheng Xinghuai, he had found an inn in a nearby county to accommodate the princess consort. The two places weren’t far apart.
…
In the cave, a bonfire blazed. Li Han and Zhao Jin, the two buddies, were roasting pheasants, rabbits, and fresh fish they had hunted.
The tall and thin Shentu Baili sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, regulating his breathing.
The stout Wei Youlong was polishing his big cleaver, saying in a deep voice:
“I wonder how Constable Xu and the Flying Swallow Heroine are doing. Que Yongxiu and the Northern Border King are brutal and vicious. If they discover any clues, it could bring disaster. And if something happens to them, we might be traced.”
The spearman Tang Youshen, with his military background, swept his sharp gaze towards the cave entrance, then withdrew it, hugging his long spear and resting with his eyes closed.
Zheng Xinghuai waved his hand, his voice soft but tone certain: “It won’t happen. Even if they find nothing, they won’t be targeted by the Northern Border King and Que Yongxiu.”
The beautiful young woman asked, “Why is Lord Zheng so sure?”
Zheng Xinghuai said: “The Flying Swallow Heroine roams the jianghu, meddling in affairs. To have gained such a big reputation while remaining unharmed, she’s certainly not reckless. As for Constable Xu, solving one big case might be luck. But case after case, it’s enough to prove his ability.”
Everyone nodded slowly.
Whether it was the Flying Swallow Heroine or Constable Xu, they were outstanding figures who gave people a sense of security. They were the type of people you could entrust with matters and feel completely at ease, without worrying day and night.
At this moment, Shentu Baili suddenly opened his eyes, his voice low and urgent: “Someone’s coming.”
Li Han and Zhao Jin instinctively dropped their prey and grabbed their weapons, rushing out of the cave with the others.
A man and a woman approached together.
The man was handsome and masculine, with an extraordinary bearing. It was none other than Constable Xu Qi An. As for the woman, they only glanced at her and ignored her. Her footsteps were unsteady as she tottered alongside Constable Xu.
Of ordinary appearance, slightly out of breath from the quick pace, she was an utterly unremarkable woman.
The Provincial Administration Commissioner Zheng came forward, cupping his hands in greeting: “Constable Xu.”
The martial artists behind him were surprised. Constable Xu had vowed to go to Chu State City to investigate the case just two nights ago, yet he had returned today.
This place was hundreds of li from Chu State city. There wasn’t enough time for a round trip.
Xu Qi An didn’t waste words and got straight to the point: “I’ve received news that the Northern Border King has fallen in Chu State city. I’ve come to take you there.”
A bolt from the blue!
Zheng Buzhengshi’s face suddenly stiffened, his eyes slowly widening and his mouth gradually opening, showing Xu Qi An what true mastery of shock looked like.
The gathered martial artists exchanged silent glances, each seeing disbelief in the others’ eyes.
“Is… is it possible the information received was incorrect…” Zheng Buzhengshi stepped forward, his expression complex, simultaneously hoping the news was true while convinced that Xu Qi An must have received false information.
Shentu Baili and the others remained silent, but they too thought the Buzhengshi’s words made sense.
It’s absolutely true, I killed the Northern Garrison King with my own hands… Xu Qi An nodded with a smile: “There’s no mistake. It’s true.”
Thump thump, thump thump… Zheng Buzhengshi heard his own frantic and intense heartbeat.
“Lady Feiyan will be here soon. She knows what transpired,” Xu Qi An said, passing the buck.
The group then returned to the cave, waiting anxiously.
The Princess Consort sat obediently beside Xu Qi An, nibbling on a chicken leg. The Great Qi’s foremost beauty was trying her best to play the role of an insignificant bystander.
On the way here, she had learned of Zheng Xinghuai’s identity from Xu Qi An and understood that his family had died in the city massacre.
Although she had no emotional attachment to the Northern Garrison King, they were still husband and wife in name. The Princess Consort felt guilty towards Master Zheng.
Half an hour later, Li Miaozhen arrived at the valley, descending on her flying sword and landing lightly.
She surveyed the crowd already waiting at the cave entrance, nodding slightly, then paused briefly on the plain-looking Princess Consort.
“Lady Feiyan, Constable Xu said… said… the Northern Garrison King fell in Chou Prefecture?” Zheng Buzhengshi strode forward, staring intently at her.
Li Miaozhen confirmed: “Yes, his body is still in Chou Prefecture.”
She then briefly recounted the battle that had taken place in Chou Prefecture.
After listening, Zheng Buzhengshi nodded slowly. His bloodshot eyes swept over the crowd as he said softly, “This official… this official would like a moment alone.”
He cupped his hands, turned, and slowly walked back into the cave.
A few seconds later, heart-wrenching sobs echoed from within.
Xu Qi An sighed, then heard Li Miaozhen’s voice transmission: “Who is she?”
“A woman with a tragic fate. As it happens, I have a favor to ask of you. The Blood Massacre of Three Thousand Li case is settled, and you needn’t worry about the aftermath. Could you escort her back to the capital? Remember to keep a low profile, and it’s best to find an inn to rest first, waiting for my return to the capital,” Xu Qi An replied via voice transmission.
Li Miaozhen didn’t respond, scrutinizing the Princess Consort for a moment before transmitting with a pout:
“A woman with a tragic fate, so you’re taking her back to the capital to settle her? This woman does have a good child-bearing figure, but since when did you become so indiscriminate?”
Miaozhen, I don’t mean to belittle you, but without her bracelet, she could confidently say: Everyone present is trash compared to me!
Sensing Li Miaozhen’s displeasure, Xu Qi An didn’t respond, merely cupping his hands.
He then turned to the Princess Consort and said quietly, “She’s a relative of my concubine’s family. You can trust her. Go back to the capital with her first and follow her arrangements.”
Hearing this, the Princess Consort frowned slightly. It was the first time she’d heard that Xu Qi An had a concubine, but considering his status and position, and the fact that he was a frequent visitor to brothels, wasn’t it normal for him to have a concubine?
“Mm!” She nodded coldly.
……
Three days later, after traveling day and night without rest, Zheng Buzhengshi finally returned to Chou Prefecture after more than a month’s absence.
The gray-haired Zheng Xinghuai climbed the city walls step by step. He saw that the once-prosperous Chou Prefecture had been reduced to ruins, with rubble and broken walls everywhere, the land scarred and desolate.
Half of the northern city wall had collapsed, and the western gate had been smashed.
Over twenty thousand soldiers were scattered throughout the city, each busy with their tasks. Some were searching for food, grain, and other supplies. Although the city was severely damaged, goods stored in cellars were well-preserved, and many supplies could be found in the collapsed ruins.
Some soldiers were building houses to serve as temporary barracks, providing temporary shelter for the more than twenty thousand troops.
Some soldiers were repairing the city walls.
Some soldiers were burying bodies – those of comrades, city residents, and even barbarians and demon clan members.
These tasks had been proceeding in an orderly manner for three days.
“History books will surely record this event, warning future generations. At the same time, they will record the crimes of the Northern Garrison King, leaving him infamous for generations to come,” said Censor Liu, appearing beside him. The delegation had learned from Li Miaozhen about Zheng Xinghuai’s escape from death and understood that the Zheng Xinghuai they had seen in the city was an impostor.
It must have been the work of that Third-Rank Shaman; otherwise, it couldn’t have deceived the Fourth-Rank Yang Yan.
“Will the court really convict the Northern Garrison King?” Zheng Buzhengshi asked softly.
“Victory is achieved through struggle,” Censor Liu replied, enunciating each word.
At this moment, Xu Qi An, along with Yang Yan, Captain Chen, and others, climbed the city wall. The case’s lead investigator, Constable Xu, said gravely, “Next, we’ll return to the capital to convict the Northern Garrison King and bring this case to a close.”
“But before that, Buzhengshi Zheng might want to offer a few cups of thin wine to the souls of the city,” he added.
Centurion Chen Xiao stepped forward, holding a wine jug.
Zheng Buzhengshi took the jug and once again gazed out over the city below. Before the memorial service, he wanted to take a moment to reflect on the first half of his life.
……
Zheng Xinghuai was born in Zhangzhou, renowned as one of the Great Qi’s two major granaries. But his family was very poor in his youth, barely getting by on his mother’s earnings from washing clothes and doing embroidery work for wealthy families.
Young Zheng Xinghuai most looked forward to harvest time when he could glean wheat ears from others’ fields.
With a basket of gleaned wheat ears, he and his widowed mother could have porridge for three days. He couldn’t take too much, or he’d be beaten severely.
After the harvest, winter was the hardest to endure. Every winter, his hands and feet were chapped from the cold. Yet his mother, even in winter, would wash clothes by the frozen riverside for a few copper coins.
His widowed mother saved bit by bit, eventually gathering enough for his tuition fees and the silver needed to enter the Imperial Academy.
Zheng Xinghuai entered the Imperial Academy at 16 and studied hard for ten years. In the 19th year of the Yuanjing era, he achieved the honor of being listed on the golden roster as a second-class graduate.
He rushed back to his hometown without delay, wanting to share the joy with his mother, to bring her to settle in the capital, to bring glory to the family name, and to make all those who had spoken coldly of them in the past look at them anew.
But what he saw was his mother’s low grave mound.
His widowed mother had passed away many years ago but never told him. The family letters had been written on her behalf by clan members, as that ordinary woman who had toiled all her life didn’t want to affect her son’s studies.
Zheng Xinghuai knelt before his mother’s grave for a day and a night.
Zheng Xinghuai’s official career was not smooth. Because he was too rigid and unwilling to go along with corruption, he offended the Prime Minister of the time and was demoted to an eighth-rank county magistrate in Chou Prefecture on the northern frontier.
At first, he didn’t like Chou Prefecture because of its harsh climate and the fierce local customs. The rigid Zheng finally learned his lesson, spending all his savings to curry favor with acquaintances, hoping to be reassigned back to the capital.
Until one year, when barbarian cavalry came to raid, plundering for dozens of li.
Afterwards, Zheng Xinghuai was sent to comfort the people and inspect the situation. He walked along the field ridges, seeing the young crops trampled by iron hooves; he walked along the official road, seeing the corpses left behind after being partially devoured by the barbarians; he went into the mountains, seeing the people who had narrowly escaped, looking at their impoverished and weather-beaten faces.
Zheng Xinghuai thought of his mother who had passed away many years ago.
Later, when that Prime Minister retired, his classmates and friends in the court worked to have him reassigned back to the capital.
But by then, Zheng Xinghuai no longer wanted to leave Chou Prefecture, because he had poured all his energy and heart into this land.
He worked so hard, often staying up all night to handle government affairs, as if doing so could make up for what he owed his mother.
Time flew by, and eighteen years passed in the blink of an eye. He had given most of his life to Chou Prefecture, only to end up alone and bereft.
“Fame and fortune are but a piece of paper, nothing more than ashes scattered in the dust…” Zheng Buzhengshi was overcome with emotion and wept.
The wine poured down, splashing up dust.
……
No one spoke for a long time, until Zheng Xinghuai’s emotions stabilized. The Deputy Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review cleared his throat and said:
“Que Yongxiu has already fled to escape punishment, and the Northern Garrison King has been executed, but their crimes have not yet been announced to the world. Buzhengshi Zheng is a key witness and must return to the capital with us. But with Chou Prefecture in this state, the current northern border needs someone to stay behind and manage the situation…”
Censor Liu frowned and analyzed: “Three hundred and eighty thousand civilians of Chou Prefecture have died tragically. The aftermath is simple to handle; we only need to settle these twenty thousand or so soldiers. As for other prefectures and counties, they can remain as they are, needing no special attention. The barbarians and demon clans, having just experienced this great battle, are already frightened out of their wits. They fear that mysterious expert and won’t invade the border again in the short term. Perhaps not for many years.”
Zheng Xinghuai pondered for a moment, then looked at Yang Yan: “Scholars don’t command troops. This official is skilled in handling government affairs but is an amateur in managing the military. Constable Yang, you have the highest cultivation among us and experience in commanding troops. You can both manage and intimidate the soldiers.”
Yang Yan nodded and said calmly, “Alright.”
The boss is actually an upgraded version of Zhu Guangxiao, taciturn but diligent and very reliable… Xu Qi An had not interjected from beginning to end.
Because everything he wanted to say had already been said by these civil officials.
“Oh, right,” he suddenly remembered something: “We should bring the Northern Garrison King’s body back to the capital. He’s the main character in this case; even in death, he must be brought back to the capital.”
“Of course,” Zheng Buzhengshi nodded.
The Northern Garrison King’s body had to be brought back to the capital one way or another.
In this case, killing the Northern Garrison King was only the initial conclusion. Determining the nature of the case would be the perfect finale.
Seeing that the matter had been discussed, Yang Yan looked at Xu Qi An and said in a deep voice, “Come with me.”
Boss, your serious expression and arrogant tone are just like my middle school homeroom teacher… Xu Qi An still obediently followed him.
The two walked along the city wall for some distance before Yang Yan stopped, turned around, and said:
“When the Northern Garrison King sacrificed the city’s residents, I saw their souls converging into the ground below. There seemed to be some kind of formation underground. But when I went to dig later, I found nothing even after digging three feet deep.”
Souls converging into the ground? What kind of operation is this? Wasn’t the Northern Garrison King’s city massacre for refining blood pills?… After listening, Xu Qi An’s first reaction was:
Miaozhen, I need you!
For knowledge gaps related to souls, seeking out Li Miaozhen was the right move. If Li Miaozhen’s skills were insufficient, that was fine; there was still the cunning old Daoist Master Jinlian.
Yang Yan gazed at him and asked, “Do you have any leads?”
The advantages of having a wide network are obvious. I should continue to expand my connections in the future. Oh right, I still haven’t given the small jade sword carved with butter to Military Sister… Xu Qi An’s thoughts wandered, but he said in a deep voice:
“Boss, wait a moment. I need to use the latrine.”
Yang Yan knew he possessed a fragment of the Earth Book. After all, he had single-handedly taken down that Daoist Master Zilan.
Xu Qi An descended from the city wall and found a secluded corner. He took out the Earth Book fragment and, using the identity of Number Three, sent a message: [Daoist Master Jinlian, I have something to discuss with you privately.]
Late at night, the members of the Heaven and Earth Society who saw this message felt uneasy.
Recently, for some unknown reason, that female Daoist Li Miaozhen had been requesting to block out everyone else every other day. Now Number Three was following suit.
A few seconds later, Daoist Master Jinlian replied: [What is it?]
[Three: Where’s Miaozhen? She can join the conversation.]
…Daoist Master Jinlian sighed and sent: [Miaozhen, you can send messages now.]
[Two: What do you want? If you have something to say, say it. If you have gas, let it out.]
What’s going on? Why so angry? Xu Qi An sent: [You seem unhappy. What’s wrong?]
Li Miaozhen: [Hmph, what’s the deal with this woman? She’s practically treating me like a maid. Anyone who didn’t know better would think she was the Princess Consort. That entitled attitude is infuriating.]
Are you a great prophet like Zhong Li? Xu Qi An sent a message to comfort the Holy Maiden: [Don’t take it personally. She’s used to it.]
That foolish Princess Consort might not be doing it intentionally. She had been a princess consort for half her life, living in luxury with maids at her beck and call. Many of her daily habits couldn’t be changed overnight.
Unless Li Miaozhen kept correcting her like he did.
Li Miaozhen: [If you have something to say, say it. Don’t disturb my meditation.]
Clearly still angry… I should try to appease her… Xu Qi An sent: [I don’t think you need to work so hard. With the talent of our Lady Feiyan, you only need to put part of your energy into cultivation to surpass your peers.]
Li Miaozhen sent: [Hmph, I think you’re trying to deceive me.]
Her mood improved slightly.
Xu Qi An: [What does Daoist Master Jinlian think?]
Daoist Master Jinlian: [I think you two have no respect for me at all.]
Like a noisy classroom suddenly quieted by the arrival of the teacher, Xu Qi An and Li Miaozhen didn’t dare continue their idle chat. The former brought the topic back, explaining the situation:
[It’s like this: When the Northern Garrison King sacrificed the people of Chou Prefecture, Yang Yan saw with his own eyes the souls of the people converging into the ground, but afterward, he couldn’t find any trace of it.]
Li Miaozhen replied: [Were there any remnants of a formation?]
Yang Yan didn’t mention it, so there probably weren’t any… Xu Qi An replied: [No.]
Li Miaozhen fell silent.
In the silence, Daoist Master Jinlian sent: [From what Miaozhen told me a few days ago, the experts involved included the Earth Sect Patriarch and the Shaman God Cult. Heh, they’re all strong in the realm of Yuanshen. A formation may or may not be necessary.
[Hmm, although Daoists and the Shaman God Cult practice ghost cultivation, they generally don’t collect so many souls. Unless they’re refining soul pills.]
Having an elder is like having a treasure; Daoist Master Jinlian is indeed experienced… Xu Qi An sent: [Soul pills? What are they, and what are they used for?]
Daoist Master Jinlian sent: [They have many uses, such as strengthening the Yuanshen, serving as material for pill refining, crafting magical treasures, repairing incomplete souls, nurturing spiritual consciousness for artifacts, and so on. It’s possible that the Earth Sect Patriarch needs soul pills. Also, the resentment and killing intent generated from the city massacre, such great evil in the world, would be a great tonic for him.]
So, the Earth Sect Patriarch cooperated with the Northern Garrison King for soul pills? Xu Qi An nodded in realization.
[Three: If that’s the case, will he continue to massacre cities? The Earth Sect Patriarch is Second-Rank, after all.]
Xu Qi An asked worriedly.
[Nine: Heh, he wouldn’t dare. He’s only a step away from the Heavenly Tribulation. In… his condition, he wouldn’t dare to face the tribulation. So you don’t need to worry about him slaughtering living beings, unless he has a death wish.]
Xu Qi An immediately felt relieved.
Ending the communication, he returned to the city wall.
Yang Yan immediately looked over.
Xu Qi An pondered and said, “I just remembered, those souls were probably refined into soul pills. It’s very likely the payment for the Earth Sect Patriarch’s cooperation with the Northern Garrison King.”
Are soul pills the “greatest evil” the Earth Sect Patriarch mentioned? Yang Yan nodded slowly.
He was present at the scene, and although from a distance, he heard clearly.
Next would be determining the nature of the Chou Prefecture massacre case, pinning the appropriate crimes on the Northern Garrison King and Que Yongxiu. This would surely face obstacles… Yang Yan said:
“If you have any issues, consult Lord Wei. Listen to his opinions more, and don’t be rash or impulsive anymore, understand?”
After a pause, he said in a low voice, “If Lord Wei feels this matter cannot be defied, you must not try to be brave.”
Xu Qi An looked at him without speaking.
……
Early May, early summer.
An official ship from Chou Prefecture broke through the waves, slowly entering the capital’s territory, finally docking at the capital’s pier.
The delegation stood on the deck, gazing at the bustling, enthusiastic pier, filled with emotions.
When they left for Chou Prefecture, it was late spring. Now, as they returned to the capital, it was early summer.
The events that had transpired during this time would be enough for an ordinary person to boast about for a lifetime.
As the delegation members breathed a sigh of relief, their eyes burned with determination.
They were bringing earth-shattering news to the capital.
The Great Qi no longer had a Northern Garrison King.