[Four: Now?]
Number Four, Chu Yuanzhen, was the first to respond.
Daoist Jin Lian transmitted a message: [Nine: No, not now. The Nine-Colored Lotus needs half a month to fully mature. During this final stage, it’s at its most vulnerable and can’t withstand any damage.
Unless the Earth Faction wants to destroy it, they won’t attack at this time. However, in half a month, we’ll inevitably face a great battle.]
Number Two, Li Miaozhen, transmitted: [Have the Earth Faction’s demonic cultivators discovered your hideout?]
Daoist Jin Lian replied: [There’s a close connection between the Black Lotus and the Nine-Colored Lotus. Usually, I can conceal the link between them, but with the lotus seeds nearing maturity, I can no longer mask their aura. Just now, a nine-colored radiance shot into the sky, and the Black Lotus must have sensed it.]
Black Lotus? Is that what the Earth Faction’s leader is called? Huh, are all the Earth Faction’s cultivators named after colored lotuses? I wonder if there’s a White Lotus… Xu Qi An was learning about the Earth Faction leader’s title for the first time.
Black Lotus, are you the Godless Buddha?
He sat at the table, muttering a joke only he could understand, then chuckled to himself, feeling a bit lonely.
Chu Yuanzhen transmitted: [This also means the Earth Faction’s demonic cultivators will be better prepared, which is very unfavorable for us.]
At this point, the usually quiet Number Five, Li Na, responded: [Who cares? No matter how many people come, I can still smash them into meat paste.]
Seeing this, Xu Qi An felt the need to remind them and wrote:
[Three: I heard from my elder brother that when he was in Chu Province, he saw the Earth Faction leader participating in blood pill refinement. It was a clone, yet its strength was subtly at the Third Rank. If another clone like that comes to fight for the Nine-Colored Lotus, I think we might as well give up on the lotus in advance.]
Ah, pretending to be Er Lang is quite embarrassing. No, what’s truly embarrassing is that Li Miaozhen and Daoist Jin Lian know my identity… Xu Qi An wanted to cover his face, feeling his social death deepening.
The Heaven and Earth Society members were alarmed. If the Black Lotus leader could indeed deploy a Third Rank clone, even if it barely reached that level, it would be enough to sweep through all of them.
Daoist Jin Lian transmitted: [Black Lotus gained enormous benefits from the Chu Province massacre. That Third Rank clone was likely created then. Although the clone was destroyed afterward, he must still have some power left, perhaps enough to create another clone of equal rank.
However, you needn’t worry. I’ve recovered now, and as long as Black Lotus doesn’t come in person, I can handle him. Hehe, he won’t come in person, I can guarantee that.
You’ll have to deal with the other Lotus cultivators from the Earth Faction.]
What makes you so sure Black Lotus won’t come in person? And Daoist Jin Lian, are you really that strong? The Black Lotus clone was Third Rank after all… Xu Qi An frowned.
Hmm, back then, Daoist Jin Lian had sneaked back to the Earth Faction to steal the Nine-Colored Lotus, and after being wounded by the Black Lotus leader, fled to the capital. Looked at this way, is Daoist Jin Lian stronger than I imagined?
Even surpassing the Fourth Rank?
Seeing Daoist Jin Lian’s confident guarantee, the Heaven and Earth Society members relaxed.
Chu Yuanzhen transmitted: [The Chu Province massacre taught us that the Prince of Huai colluded with Black Lotus. Following this logic, could Emperor Yuan Jing also be in cahoots with the Earth Faction? We must guard against this possibility.]
That’s right, how did I not think of this? If Emperor Yuan Jing intervenes, it will introduce a huge variable… Li Miaozhen’s heart skipped a beat.
As expected of Chu Yuanzhen, the other intellectual heavyweight in our group, voicing my concerns… Xu Qi An nodded slightly.
We’ll just smash them all flat… Li Na thought carelessly.
Numbers Six and One continued to lurk, not transmitting any messages.
Daoist Jin Lian responded: [This matter can be easily handled. Number Three, please inform your elder cousin and ask for his assistance. Firstly, it will increase our fighting power, and secondly, Wei Yuan won’t stand idly by.]
Good idea!
Chu Yuanzhen’s eyes lit up.
Although Xu Ning Yan was only a Sixth Rank warrior, with his Vajra Divine Technique at small completion and Confucian magical arts, he could exert combat power far surpassing an ordinary Fourth Rank.
Most crucially, Xu Ning Yan was a martial artist. The killing techniques of martial artists were the most formidable among all systems.
Their endurance was also top-notch.
Apart from having a limited range of techniques, an inability to handle complex situations, and a lack of group attack skills, they had no other weaknesses in any aspect.
Hmm, when Daoist Jin Lian initially chose me as the holder of the third Earth Book fragment and later used me as a bridge to reach an understanding with Lord Wei, was it to utilize the Night Watchmen at a critical moment?
Xu Qi An suddenly thought of this detail and considered it highly likely.
Only then would it fit Daoist Jin Lian’s image as an old schemer.
Daoist Jin Lian, don’t you feel ashamed saying such things… Li Miaozhen remained silent. She sat at the table, her eyes complex.
She knew Number Three’s true identity, and now, watching Xu Qi An and Daoist Jin Lian put on this act, the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Faction felt very embarrassed.
[Three: Alright, Daoist. I’ll inform my elder cousin. However, if Wei Yuan agrees to help, I’m afraid you’ll have to share more of your lotus seeds.]
[Nine: No problem. The Nine-Colored Lotus matures once every sixty years, producing fourteen seeds each time. I can only spare two more seeds. I hope you can convey this to your elder cousin and have him inform Wei Yuan.]
[Three: Understood. With my low cultivation, I won’t join the fray, but my elder cousin is incredibly brave and will surely assist you in guarding the lotus seeds.]
[Nine: Hehe, two talents from one family.]
These two… Li Miaozhen silently covered her face.
…
After the group chat ended, Xu Qi An, as expected, received a transmission from Daoist Jin Lian: “How’s your cultivation progressing?”
Xu Qi An replied: “I could use a good, intense battle. I might even break through and advance to the Fifth Rank in the heat of battle.”
Daoist Jin Lian: “Excellent. A Fifth Rank martial artist truly comes into their own, able to face group attacks without fear.”
Xu Qi An: “Daoist, let’s not discuss that now. Black Lotus is in league with Emperor Yuan Jing. If he learns that I’m an Earth Book fragment holder, Emperor Yuan Jing will know too. If they join forces afterward, I’ll be in big trouble. How can I temporarily sever my connection with the Earth Book fragment?”
If Black Lotus didn’t know he was an Earth Book fragment holder, the level of hostility wouldn’t be too high.
Most importantly, that day in Chu Province, Black Lotus learned that the mysterious powerhouse was an Earth Book fragment holder. So if Xu Qi An were to participate in the battle to protect the lotus seeds, he would only have two options:
First, conceal everything about “Xu Qi An.”
This approach had significant drawbacks. He couldn’t use the Black Gold Saber, couldn’t unleash the Heaven and Earth Slash, couldn’t use the Vajra Divine Technique. And Shen Shu had already fallen into slumber.
How could he protect the lotus seeds if he couldn’t use any of his skills?
Second, severs his connection with the Earth Book fragment.
This way, Xu Qi An’s presence in Sword Province could be explained as an invitation from Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen. It wouldn’t be due to his identity as an Earth Book fragment holder.
Clever people might even speculate that when Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen helped him intercept the Imperial Guard that day, it was because they had reached a private agreement, exchanging that help for Xu Qi An’s assistance in guarding the lotus seeds in the future.
In comparison, the second method was better.
Daoist Jin Lian remained silent for a long time before transmitting: “When you arrive in Sword Province, I’ll help you sever the master-servant relationship. The secret techniques of the Earth Book can’t be passed on, I hope you understand. Of course, if you’re willing to become my disciple, this won’t be a problem.”
Hehe, why don’t you first check with my four teachers at the Cloud Deer Academy to see if they agree? Xu Qi An’s mouth twitched.
Why does everyone want to be my master?
On the contrary, the one who has been a true master to me has never had such thoughts and even refuses to take me as an adopted son…
The next day, Xu Qi An got up when the sun was high in the sky. Carrying a wooden basin, he came to the courtyard and saw the Princess Consort sitting in a chair with messy hair, squinting in the sunlight.
He glanced at the utterly ordinary-looking “Number One Beauty of Great Feng” without saying a word, and went about his business, preparing to wash his face and brush his teeth.
Seeing this, the Princess Consort quickly ran into the house, came out with her own wooden basin, and crouched beside him, pouring the remaining half bucket of water into her basin.
Then she soaked and wrung out a white face towel, carefully wiping her face.
Xu Qi An turned his head to look at the woman beside him, asking incredulously: “Were you waiting for me to fetch water?”
The Princess Consort, still wiping her face, glanced at him sideways and hummed: “Is that not allowed?”
Xu Qi An put down his pig bristle toothbrush and cupped his hands towards her in a salute.
…
Leaving the Princess Consort’s small courtyard, Xu Qi An returned to the Xu mansion and fetched his beloved mare, riding it to the Night Watchmen’s office.
Arriving at the office, he tossed the reins to the guard at the gate and walked straight in. The guard instinctively caught the reins, then suddenly remembered that Xu Silver Gong was no longer a Silver Gong. He opened his mouth to say something to Xu Qi An’s retreating back but ultimately remained silent.
Along the way, many familiar Silver Gongs and Bronze Gongs nodded to him, but no one came forward to greet him. This wasn’t because they were being snobbish, but because showing too much enthusiasm might lead to someone secretly reporting them to His Majesty – that’s the kind of thing Night Watchmen did.
Only Wei Yuan didn’t need to worry about Emperor Yuan Jing’s mood. Even though Xu Qi An was no longer a Night Watchman, their bond remained.
Thus, he soon met with Wei Yuan on the seventh floor, in the familiar tea room.
“Lord Wei, Daoist Jin Lian of the Earth Faction asked me to relay a message. The Nine-Colored Lotus is about to mature, and he hopes you can lend a hand. He’s offering two lotus seeds as compensation,” Xu Qi An said, respectfully cupping his hands as he had done before.
He didn’t explain what the Nine-Colored Lotus was, because someone of Wei Yuan’s knowledge couldn’t possibly be unaware of it. Wei Yuan was one of the most erudite people Xu Qi An had ever met, far surpassing even the scholarly Princess Huai Qing.
“One seed is enough. I’ll send Qian Rou to help, but only her. No other Night Watchmen will be involved,” Wei Yuan said gently.
He then stood up, gazing into the distance, and asked in a deep voice, “Where?”
“Sword Province.”
“Sword Province…” Wei Yuan mused. “I’ll have someone give you some information about the Martial Arts Alliance later. With the Nine-Colored Lotus maturing, the Sword Province Martial Arts Alliance, being the local power, won’t remain indifferent. They might even try to seize it.”
Xu Qi An nodded, then asked, “Lord Wei, have you ever heard of someone named Su Hang?”
“Su Hang…” Wei Yuan frowned, repeating the name a few times. “It sounds familiar, but I can’t quite recall. Why are you asking about this person?”
“He was a Jinshi in the 29th year of Zhen De. In the 14th year of Yuan Jing, he was demoted to serve as the prefect of Jiang Province. The following year, he was executed for corruption and bribery. He’s the father of a friend of mine. I promised her I’d help investigate the truth behind her father’s execution,” Xu Qi An explained.
“Is there a problem?” Wei Yuan asked.
There was nothing unusual about a high-ranking official being executed for corruption and bribery. Similar cases of officials falling from grace occurred during every imperial examination.
“I learned from a secret source that this man was brought down by a joint effort of the Prince’s faction, Duke Cao, and numerous noble clans,” Xu Qi An said.
Wei Yuan thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Your information is incorrect. I don’t recall such a figure from over twenty years ago.”
Lord Wei doesn’t know… Xu Qi An’s pupils contracted slightly, his thoughts suddenly churning.
He felt as if he had grasped something, a flash of insight that quickly vanished. In the end, he chose to remain silent for now, waiting to gather more clues and formulate more theories before discussing it further with Wei Yuan.
“Lord Wei, I’d like to check this person’s records in the archives.”
“Alright, I’ll give you a written authorization.”
…
The three-day deadline arrived quickly. In a private room at a restaurant, Xu Qi An waited for a quarter of an hour before Chief Constable Chen and the Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicial Review arrived. Both were dressed in casual clothes and had made simple disguises.
The Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicial Review took two dossiers from his robes and handed them to Xu Qi An. “One is from the 14th year of Yuan Jing, the other from the 15th year.”
Xu Qi An opened the dossiers and read them carefully.
14th year of Yuan Jing dossier: Grand Secretary of the Eastern Palace Su Hang accepted bribes, and shielded subordinates who embezzled disaster relief grain, causing countless disaster victims to starve to death. Demoted to Jiang Province.
15th year of Yuan Jing dossier: Grand Secretary of the Eastern Palace Su Hang again accepted bribes. Someone went to the capital to file an imperial complaint. After a thorough investigation by the court, he was found guilty and executed!
Su Hang was actually a Grand Secretary… So the “Su faction” mentioned in Duke Cao’s secret letter referred to this? Xu Qi An returned the dossiers to the Deputy Chief and then looked at the one handed over by Constable Chen. There wasn’t much difference between them.
“Deputy Chief, how long have you been serving in the court?” Xu Qi An raised his wine cup in a gesture.
“Twenty-five years,” the Deputy Chief also raised his cup and took a sip.
“Then why don’t you recognize Grand Secretary Su Hang?” Xu Qi An questioned.
The Deputy Chief’s face suddenly stiffened. He held his wine cup, staring blankly. Indeed, why couldn’t he remember a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet? Why did he have no impression of someone like Su Hang?
Xu Qi An didn’t ask further, instead inviting the two to drink and eat. In those days, there was no need to worry about drinking and driving rules. Even if he got dead drunk, he could just slump onto his mare, and she would trot him back to the Xu mansion.
After the meal, Xu Qi An didn’t see the Deputy Chief and Constable Chen off, just watching them open the door and leave.
Slightly tipsy, Xu Qi An lounged in the big chair, one hand on the table, fingers rhythmically tapping. He was deep in thought.
“Both the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice have records, but the Night Watchmen’s office doesn’t. Based on the timeline, Lord Wei hadn’t taken control of the Night Watchmen’s office yet. He truly came to power after the Battle of Shanhai Pass… And Su Hang died 23 years ago, while the Battle of Shanhai Pass happened 20 years ago.
“Su Hang was a Grand Secretary, but neither the Deputy Chief nor Lord Wei remembered him. Not just them, I asked Duke Cao’s soul again, and he doesn’t remember Su Hang either. And then there’s that strangely missing character in the secret letter…”
Four words floated in Xu Qi An’s mind: Concealing Heaven’s Machinations.
Instinctively, he thought: Is this related to the Supervisor?
But he vaguely felt this guess lacked evidence and corresponding logic… As he pondered, he leaned back in the chair and dozed off.
A quarter of an hour later, he woke up.
“Huh? Did I fall asleep? Did the Deputy Chief and Constable Chen leave?” Xu Qi An rubbed his brow, talking to himself as he stood up:
“This Su Hang case is troublesome. There are no clues at all. I shouldn’t have promised Su Su. It’s just because she’s so beautiful, otherwise I wouldn’t bother racking my brains…”
He seemed to have forgotten everything from earlier, stretching lazily as he left the private room.
…
At dusk, in the imperial bedchamber.
The old eunuch, with a feather duster draped over his arm, quickly stepped over the high threshold and entered the chamber.
“Your Majesty, there’s an urgent matter…”
Emperor Yuan Jing had just taken his medicine and was sitting cross-legged, utilizing the medicine’s effects to cultivate. He didn’t respond.
The old eunuch didn’t dare disturb him further and waited anxiously for a long time. Finally, Emperor Yuan Jing finished his cultivation and opened his eyes, saying coolly, “What is it?”
The old eunuch took a note from his sleeve and handed it to Emperor Yuan Jing.
Emperor Yuan Jing took it, unfolded the note, and glanced at it. A light flashed in his deep pupils.
“Nine-Colored Lotus seeds, capable of transforming all things…”