Li Lingsu turned sideways, carefully examining Miao Youfang before cautiously taking a step back. “What are you plotting?”

Miao Youfang wore an aggrieved expression and replied indignantly, “What kind of talk is that? Guardian Yuan and I are old acquaintances. I knew him back when I was running around the Southern Borders with Commissioner Xu.”

“You and I are also companions who’ve traveled the jianghu together. Out of the goodness of my heart, I introduced him to you, yet you suspect the worst of me.”

Li Lingsu exclaimed in surprise, “Oh my, haven’t seen you for days and now you’re speaking all fancy. Hanging around with that scholar really has changed you.” Through their earlier conversation, he knew that Miao Youfang had been serving as Xu Xinnian’s deputy and guard during this time.

The Holy Son then said irritably, “You were acting just like that scoundrel Xu Qi’an earlier.”

If that’s the case, wouldn’t I also be able to attract heavenly beauties… Miao Youfang maintained a straight face and said, “Guardian Yuan is a demon from the Southern Borders. He has a simple nature and never lies. Moreover, he possesses a special divine ability.”

Having originated from the common streets and roamed jianghu for many years, Miao Youfang’s ability to lie through his teeth had reached perfection.

Li Lingsu immediately became interested. “What divine ability?”

Miao Youfang said mysteriously, “This Guardian Yuan can know everything under heaven. He knows everyone’s secrets crystal clear. Including the most unspeakable things in your heart – he knows them all perfectly well.”

Hearing Miao Youfang’s words, the officials and generals from Qingzhou who had suffered from the “monkey’s torment” showed complex yet expectant expressions.

That rascal Miao Youfang was being cunningly malicious. He deliberately said this to guide the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Son into recalling his most unspeakable inner thoughts, thereby letting Guardian Yuan peek into the Holy Son’s mind.

This couldn’t be called utterly unconscionable – it could only be called completely inhumane!

However, having learned from previous experience, these generals and officials who had retreated from Qingzhou felt a tiny bit… anticipatory in their hearts!

When you’ve fallen into a pit before, you rather hope others might fall in too.

Along with their anticipation came some disappointment, because the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Son practiced the Supremely Forgotten Emotions.

Such a person, with a mind as still as water, wouldn’t have anything interesting to dig up.

This fellow Miao Youfang is full of nasty schemes… Li Lingsu’s eyes flickered as he smiled and said, “I don’t believe it! Unless you prove it to me.”

Having traveled with Xu Qi’an in jianghu for so long, they had spent enough time together to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Based on his understanding of Miao Youfang, this guy had ill intentions.

But the Holy Son had traveled far and wide for years and seen much of the world. He truly didn’t believe such a person could exist.

Seeing Li Lingsu fall into the trap, Miao Youfang was overjoyed and eagerly said, “Guardian Yuan, quick, show him what you’re capable of!”

Guardian Yuan nodded slightly, his clear blue eyes looking at Li Lingsu, and said, “Miao Youfang’s heart tells me: Quick, reveal Li Lingsu’s most shameful secret, let him lose face in front of everyone, just like when we discovered and exposed his private meeting with that woman from Wanhua House who could be his mother.”

“‘If you won’t let me be your lover, then I’ll be your son.’ Even now when I think of these words, I still find them hilarious, hahaha…”

The scene instantly fell silent, the previously lively atmosphere becoming so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone at the feast quietly put down their wine cups, staring at Li Lingsu and Miao Youfang in shock.

That woman from Wanhua House… Xiao Yuenu’s expression darkened.

Miao Youfang froze, wearing an expression of complete surprise, as if he had planned with an ally to deal with an enemy, only for the ally to turn around and skewer both him and the enemy with one sword.

He had wanted to see Li Lingsu lose face but hadn’t expected to become a laughingstock himself.

Li Lingsu’s pose of holding his wine cup became rigid. He felt as if his “clothes” were being stripped away layer by layer, from inside to out, from body to soul, being stared at nakedly by the dozens of people present.

How could he, the dignified Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect, ever show his face in jianghu again?

What’s the point of living anymore… The Holy Son’s face turned bright red, then gradually pale.

Guardian Yuan’s blue eyes glanced at Li Lingsu, then looked toward Miao Youfang: “Miao, let’s perish together!”

Guardian Yuan exclaimed in alarm, showing concern: “Miao Youfang, let me give you some advice – run quickly!”

Damn it, you haven’t even told us what Li Lingsu’s most unspeakable secret in this life is, oh, though perhaps it’s this very moment… Miao Youfang tossed aside his wine cup, as a martial artist’s crisis awareness sent him danger signals.

Urging him to flee quickly.

With two “whoosh” sounds, Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu vanished from the prefect’s mansion.

The scene remained silent for several seconds before Yang Gong forcefully coughed and said with a dry laugh, “Let’s drink, let’s drink, those were all just jokes to liven up the feast.”

The former officials and generals of Qingzhou all chimed in, saying “Let’s drink, let’s drink.”

They were thoroughly satisfied.

The fourth-rank experts of the Martial Arts Alliance showed slightly confused expressions, as if they partially understood but hadn’t fully grasped the situation.

Meanwhile, Li Miaozhen and the other Heaven and Earth Society members stared wide-eyed in amazement.

The words Guardian Yuan had just spoken were exactly what Li Lingsu had said when meeting privately with Master Rongxing of Wanhua House.

Such shameless, brazen words might be fine when said in private, but to have them exposed before so many people – if I were Li Lingsu, I might have already drawn my sword to commit suicide… Chu Yuanzhen thought secretly.

To think that the dignified Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect would have a tryst with a woman old enough to be his mother. The elders of the Heavenly Sect might not care, but Li Lingsu will surely become a laughingstock of jianghu, a legendary figure. Ah, Senior Brother, better achieve Supreme Forgetting of Emotions quickly, hahaha… Li Miaozhen laughed wildly in her heart.

Master Hengyuan pondered for a moment before saying, “Could this Guardian Yuan have mastered the Buddhist Mind-Reading?”

Hearing this, Guardian Yuan looked over and pressed his palms together: “This guardian once spent some time in Buddhism.”

Master Hengyuan nodded slightly, and Chu Yuanzhen asked, “Buddhist Mind-Reading?”

Hengyuan explained, “Mind-reading is a Buddhist secret technique that can understand others’ inner thoughts. However, its limitations are extreme – this technique is almost ineffective against practitioners of the same rank.”

Everyone suddenly understood why Guardian Yuan hadn’t read Li Lingsu’s mind earlier but instead read Miao Youfang’s.

Li Lingsu was an outstanding fourth-rank practitioner of the Dao School, even slightly stronger than Guardian Yuan.

“Yuenu has something unclear and wishes to ask Guardian Yuan and Flying Swallow Heroine,” said Xiao Yuenu.

Upon hearing that Mind-Reading was ineffective against those of equal rank, she no longer hesitated and rose gracefully, drawing everyone’s attention.

Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen exchanged glances, having a good idea of what was coming.

The women of Wanhua House placed great importance on their reputation. The more likely they were to attract criticism, the more careful they were about their conduct.

Back then, Xiao Yuenu’s method of dealing with Liu Hongmian was to frame her as being loose with her virtue.

The women of Wanhua House could marry, but only with the sect’s permission – they couldn’t freely pursue romance.

Now, as the House Master, upon hearing that the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Son had secretly formed a relationship with a beautiful married woman from her sect, Xiao Yuenu certainly couldn’t ignore it.

“What do you want to ask?” Guardian Yuan silently watched this woman who would be considered a top beauty among humans.

“Earlier you said that the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Son Li Lingsu and a disciple of my Wanhua House… had an unusual relationship?”

“Miao Youfang said that not me,” Guardian Yuan deflected the responsibility.

Xiao Yuenu didn’t care about these details and asked sternly, “Did Miao Youfang mention which disciple, what her name is?”

Guardian Yuan shook his head: “Miao Youfang didn’t say. Hearing your tone of interrogation, it seems there’s something improper about this. What’s wrong with romance between men and women? Aren’t you in love with Commissioner Xu?”

Xiao Yuenu’s beautiful face changed slightly, her voice rising: “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Guardian Yuan looked toward Fu Jingmen and spoke truthfully: “When that gentleman asked you earlier if you regretted not marrying Commissioner Xu, you told him to shut up, but your heart told me: ‘I didn’t refuse at the time either.'”

The surrounding people’s thoughts buzzed like flies – he usually didn’t pay attention, but when he heard certain sensitive words, he would take notice.

Like “Commissioner Xu”!

The chiefs and masters of the Martial Arts Alliance looked at Xiao Yuenu in surprise, their complex gazes seeming to say: We never thought you were this kind of person, Xiao Yuenu.

The face of House Master Xiao, covered by a thin veil, instantly turned bright red. As a woman, her embarrassment and awkwardness now matched Li Lingsu’s from earlier.

At the feast, everyone let out a long “Oh,” watching Xiao Yuenu with teasing gazes.

Heroes love beauties, and beauties love heroes too. What girl wouldn’t like a rare talent like Commissioner Xu?

“Hmph!”

Xiao Yuenu stormed off, her skirts flying, walking extremely fast.

Didn’t he say he couldn’t read the minds of those at the fourth rank… Chu Yuanzhen turned his head, casting a confused look at Master Hengyuan.

Li Miaozhen’s gaze followed Xiao Yuenu’s retreating figure until she turned through the archway and left the courtyard. Only then did the Flying Swallow Heroine withdraw her gaze, picking up her teacup for a sip while thinking disdainfully:

Hmph, another woman coveting Xu Ningyan, it’s so annoying.

The White Ape Guardian started, his clear blue gaze turning toward Li Miaozhen, involuntarily reading her mind:

“Your heart tells me: Hmph, another woman coveting Xu Ningyan, it’s so annoying!”

“Pft!” Li Miaozhen spat out a mouthful of wine.

“What nonsense are you talking about?!”

She too experienced the bitterness her senior brother had felt in his heart, her cheeks burning hot. Despite her heroic bearing, she suddenly showed traces of charm.

Chu Yuanzhen secretly glanced sideways at Li Miaozhen – so she does have feelings for Xu Ningyan… No, no, I can’t think about this anymore. As Confucius said, isn’t it a pleasure to learn and practice in due time…

The White Ape Guardian lost interest and withdrew his gaze, not looking at Chu Yuanzhen.

Ah, even Flying Swallow Heroine… The fourth-rank members of the Martial Arts Alliance’s expressions immediately grew complex.

Although Xiao Yuenu was called the First Beauty of Sword Province, with a first-class figure and bearing, the martial artist of the Martial Arts Alliance’s dream lover was Flying Swallow Heroine Li Miaozhen.

Few wanderers of jianghu didn’t admire Flying Swallow Heroine.

“Ahem!”

As the host, Yang Gong had to step forward to warm up the atmosphere, smiling as he said, “Let’s drink, let’s drink. Guardian Yuan meant no harm. His innate divine ability matches perfectly with the Buddhist Mind-Reading, causing his abilities to go out of control – he couldn’t help it.”

The White Ape Guardian still had some survival instinct and said sincerely, “I’m sorry…”

Suddenly changing topic: “Commissioner Yang’s heart tells me: Today’s feast is really interesting, making all these usually high and mighty figures lose face one after another.”

Yang Yan, Jiang Luzhong, and other Golden Gong bearers, along with the fourth-rank experts of the Martial Arts Alliance and Chu Yuanzhen’s group, silently stared at Yang Gong.

The smile on Yang Gong’s face gradually froze, like a still landscape painting.

…

The feast ended early. With several people serving as cautionary tales, no one dared to continue eating, because the distance between being a “dignified figure” and becoming a “laughingstock” might only be one glance from Guardian Yuan.

Sacrificing Li Lingsu and a few others was enough – they were all people of status, no need to court disaster.

The Heaven and Earth Society members’ lodgings were arranged in the same courtyard, with rooms adjacent to each other.

Not long after the feast dispersed, Chu Yuanzhen and the others sensed Li Lingsu return, dragging a badly beaten Miao Youfang.

“Brother Li, I was also tricked by that monkey head. We should unite against the common enemy – let’s eat monkey brains tonight!”

Miao Youfang tried to redirect the disaster.

Li Lingsu didn’t respond. Li Miaozhen opened her window and said:

“Good, one pair of chopsticks each!”

Miao Youfang looked over at the sound, his eyes brightening.

He saw an alluringly beautiful woman in the room, wearing a white dress. Her features were as delicate as a painting, exquisitely defined, with a bewitching charm that was like poison to men.

Susu had recently broken through in her cultivation. Her abilities had advanced, transforming her from a ghost skilled in enchantment to a fierce ghost proficient in both enchantment and combat.

In her spirit form, she was powerful, but once merged with a physical body, she became just an ordinary woman with strong spiritual energy.

This was the real reason for Susu’s hesitation, certainly not fear of having her depths tested by that Xu fellow.

“I feel like I’ve seen this sister somewhere before,” Miao Youfang said with a snicker.

“Don’t bother thinking about it, she’s Xu Ningyan’s concubine,” Li Miaozhen said bluntly.

“Oh, greetings, Master’s Wife.”

Miao Youfang’s attitude became extremely respectful.

Li Lingsu sat at the stone table in the courtyard and called out loudly:

“Junior Sister, Brother Chu, come out for a moment.”

Li Miaozhen closed the window and opened the door to enter the courtyard. On the other side, Chu Yuanzhen opened his door and walked into the courtyard wearing a cyan robe.

Li Lingsu patted the stone table, gesturing for them to come sit, and said excitedly:

“That stinking monkey can see through people’s hearts. Even transcendent beings can fall into the gutter if they’re not careful.”

Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen were startled:

“Really?”

“If you don’t believe me, ask Miao Youfang.” Li Lingsu kicked the surnamed Miao.

The great hero Miao Youfang, being adaptable and willing to sell out his master, immediately said:

“Back in the Southern Borders, Commissioner Xu repeatedly fell for the monkey’s tricks.”

Chu Yuanzhen’s heart stirred: “So?”

Li Lingsu excitedly rubbed his hands:

“We should take revenge! Revenge on Xu Ningyan, revenge on Daoist Golden Lotus, revenge on Asura. The monkey is our means of using their methods against them.”

Miao Youfang sneered:

“Commissioner Xu understands Guardian Yuan well, he won’t fall for it.”

Li Miaozhen’s eyes sparkled:

“But Golden Lotus Daoist and Asura don’t know! Given that scoundrel Xu Ningyan’s character, he definitely won’t warn them. He’ll help things along. We can at least get our revenge on Golden Lotus and Asura first.”

Chu Yuanzhen clapped lightly:

“Excellent!”

Miao Youfang interjected:

“The monkey belongs to Senior Brother Sun – you’ll have to ask if he’s willing to sell.”

Li Lingsu urged: “Then quickly find Sun Xuanji. I can’t stay in this place another day.”

The Holy Son could no longer face the high-ranking officials of Xunzhou.

In another room, Hengyuan sat cross-legged on the bed, listening to the discussion in the courtyard. His brows furrowed slightly, feeling something wasn’t quite right – hadn’t the Heaven and Earth Society been different before?

Who had started this trend of wanting everyone to lose face?

…

Sun Xuanji walked along the cobblestone path. The desolate garden was silent, pavilions still, and the distant upturned eaves of buildings had already gone dark.

He entered the garden and unerringly found Guardian Yuan curled up and hiding in the darkness of the artificial mountain.

The White Ape Guardian was initially alert, but upon seeing it was Sun Xuanji, immediately relaxed.

His blue eyes stared at Sun Xuanji, directly reading Senior Brother Sun’s thoughts, then answered:

“I sensed hostility from all directions, afraid that while sleeping someone would cut off my head to make monkey brains, so I hid… I didn’t say anything, I only spoke some truths… Haven’t offended anyone, at least not all fourth-rank experts…”

“Don’t randomly read the minds of those above the third rank? Don’t worry, Senior Brother Sun, I definitely won’t read the minds of second-rank experts. I may not be able to control my divine ability, but I’m not tired of living – I absolutely won’t provoke second-rank experts.”

Sun Xuanji nodded with relief; in that case, he could still protect this monkey.

…

Late night.

The Provincial Administration Office of Qingzhou was brightly lit.

After retreating from Xunzhou City on the Yongzhou border, and following a series of tasks including reorganization and counting casualties, the generals of the Yunzhou army finally had time to gather here for discussion.

“General, the casualty count is complete. Attack Battalions One through Six, all six thousand troops were completely wiped out…”

“General, we lost twenty-one cannons and six crossbows, and the Second Battalion of the Elite Corps was annihilated…”

“General, of the three hundred men in the Martial Battalion, one hundred and sixty-two were killed, eighty severely wounded…”

“General…”

Qi Guangbo leaned back in his chair, silently listening to the generals report their units’ casualties.

In today’s battle, the Yunzhou army suffered heavy losses, with total casualties exceeding ten thousand. Such a rate of attrition was heart-wrenching.

The only consolation was that the Attack Battalions were irregular troops, not Yunzhou’s core army. They were recruits who gradually enlisted after taking Qingzhou.

The Martial Battalion wasn’t core troops either, but their losses hurt more than the core troops’ because it was full of skilled jianghu experts.

Among these people were many fourth–, fifth–, and sixth-rank experts – the elite force in siege warfare.

But this time, there were simply too many fourth-rank experts among the Great Feng defenders.

“Alas!”

Ge Wenxuan sighed:

“This defeat has greatly impacted our troops’ morale.”

Hearing this, the generals thought of the dejected mood among their subordinate soldiers.

Morale was very practical – victory brought high spirits, and defeat brought despondence.

Normally it wouldn’t matter much, as victory and defeat were common in warfare, but the problem was that they were defeated by Xu Qi’an.

The Xu surname thundered across the Central Plains, his reputation too resounding.

When winning battles, they weren’t afraid, but once defeated, the soldiers’ morale would plummet. They would think their opponent was Commissioner Xu, and Commissioner Xu was invincible.

Especially now that the Yunzhou army was no longer the same army that had left Yunzhou, having absorbed jianghu martial artists, Qingzhou refugees, and displaced people from various places, making its composition very complex.

Among them, those who held Xu Qi’an in awe were countless.

Today, someone was beheaded on the spot for saying “Commissioner Xu is invincible, we can’t win,” charged with undermining army morale.

Qi Guangbo took a sip of tea, his tone still steady:

“Let me tell you something – the Earth Sect Daoists have been completely wiped out.

“Today Qingzhou was attacked by experts. Including the Sect Leader Black Lotus, all of the Earth Sect’s leadership was killed, with only a few junior Daoists who were away surviving by luck.”

The generals present changed expression upon hearing this.

After returning to Qingzhou, they had learned through their various channels about the great battle at the Criminal Investigation Commission during the day, but they truly didn’t know about the complete annihilation of the Earth Sect Daoists.

Black Lotus was a second-rank transcendent – how could he die just like that?

In an instant, the gloom in everyone’s hearts grew heavier.

Qi Guangbo, seemingly feeling the blow wasn’t heavy enough, continued:

“Today’s battle was a trap set by Xu Qi’an. He used the coup in the capital and Prince Ji Yuan’s safety to lure the Imperial Mentor and us to attack Yongzhou. Then he came forward to occupy the Imperial Mentor and Garuda Bodhisattva.

“His followers were responsible for killing Black Lotus, weakening our transcendent combat power.”

Yang Chuannan frowned deeply:

“Who killed Black Lotus?”

This was the key question.

Ji Xuan said through gritted teeth:

“The Buddhist second-rank Arhat and third-rank Vajra, Asura!”

The already heavy atmosphere in the great hall grew even more silent, the generals looking at each other with unsightly expressions.

Our side lost one Black Lotus, while their side gained a second-rank expert. This rise and fall instantly closed the gap.

Qi Guangbo finally showed a grave expression:

“Do you understand now? This is Xu Qi’an! He solved a dead end that even the Imperial Mentor thought was unsolvable. He is Wei Yuan’s successor, the chess piece cultivated by the Director, a formidable figure.

“This man cannot be compared to Yang Gong. If you think the upcoming battles will be like Qingzhou, you’ll eventually die on the battlefield.

“If you don’t want to die, then gather your spirits!”

The generals fell silent.

Ge Wenxuan inexplicably thought of Xu Qi’an’s background, of the grudges between him and their teacher.

Today, how did their teacher view this eldest son?

Anger? Hatred? Regret? Or… was there perhaps a hint of fear?

Xu Qi’an had reached the second rank.

In single combat, a second-rank wizard was no match for a second-rank warrior. That abandoned pawn, originally meant to be just a vessel, had grown into a peerless warrior that even their teacher would find difficult to defeat.

Of course, if their teacher had home-field advantage, such as fighting in Qingzhou, that would be a different matter.

Bang!

Ji Xuan suddenly slammed the table, his voice and expression severe:

“What does second rank matter? Today three second-rank experts were still suppressed by Garuda Bodhisattva. When the White Emperor returns to the Nine Provinces, with two first-rank experts joining forces, who in Great Feng could stand against us?

“There’s no need to boost others’ courage while dampening our spirit. Let that Xu bastard be arrogant for a few more days!”

Prince Ji Xuan’s state of mind seemed somewhat off – today’s battle appeared to have dealt him quite a blow. Well, he had always thought he had caught up to Xu Qi’an… Yang Chuannan understood in his heart and silently sighed.

Ji Xuan’s words rekindled the generals’ beliefs and confidence.

Right, with two first-rank experts joining forces, how could Great Feng resist without the Director?

At this moment, a soldier outside the hall called loudly:

“General Ji, the scouts brought back an item, saying it’s for you.”

The military leadership in the hall all looked toward the sound. Ji Xuan frowned and said:

“Bring it in!”

The soldier entered carrying a square wooden box, respectfully placing it on the table, and reported:

“A scout team was intercepted at the Yongzhou border. The Great Feng troops left one survivor and had that sole remaining scout bring this back, saying it was for you.

“There’s a formation on the box – we couldn’t open it.”

Ji Xuan frowned, pressing his palm against the box’s surface. Applying slight force, he indeed felt the formation’s resistance.

He applied a bit more force from his palm, pushing the formation to the brink of collapse. During this process, his martial artist’s danger sense didn’t activate.

This indicated that opening the box wouldn’t be dangerous.

With confidence in himself and trust in Xu Pingfeng, who was practically invincible within Qingzhou’s borders, Ji Xuan’s palm swept across the box’s surface, forcibly erasing the formation.

“Click!”

He opened the wooden box.

Inside the box was a human head, its skin greenish, bloodshot eyes bulging, an expression of terror frozen on its face. The features were four or five parts similar to Ji Xuan’s.

Ji Yuan!

That Xu fellow dared to kill Prince Ji Yuan… The generals instantly fell silent as cicadas in winter, carefully watching Ji Xuan.

What they saw was a face twisted with grief and rage, like that of a wild beast.

Ji Xuan had only one brother, born of the same mother, two years younger than him.

Because they were both born to concubines, the brothers had no concerns about “succession struggles” and were extremely close since childhood.

After their mother’s death, Ji Yuan became Ji Xuan’s only family. For people like them, fathers weren’t family, other brothers and sisters weren’t family – they were all just pieces in a game.

Now, his only family was gone.

“Xu Qi’an!!”

Ji Xuan’s shrill roar echoed, like both a wail and a roar of rage.

…

Two streets away from the prefect’s mansion, in another residence – this was where Xu Qi’an would temporarily stay.

It had originally been the mansion of a wealthy Xunzhou merchant who, upon learning that Qingzhou had fallen, fled Xunzhou in terror with his wealth, servants, and women, abandoning the mansion.

After all, at such a critical time, even the finest mansion couldn’t be sold.

The east room was brightly lit. Luo Yuhen sat cross-legged on the soft bed, meditating in cultivation.

“Creak~~”

Suddenly, the outer room’s door was carefully pushed open, and a figure sneaked in stealthily.

Luo Yuhen opened her eyes, her long straight eyebrows slightly furrowing, and said coolly:

“If you have something to say, say it outside, then leave. Don’t disturb my cultivation.”