After Mo Xiuyao left the Murong family mansion, Ye Li finally breathed a sigh of relief. As they left, Mo Xiuyao’s sword-like eyebrows were tightly knitted, clearly troubled.

“Xiuyao, what happened?” Ye Li asked softly. Mo Xiuyao frowned and recounted what he had heard at the Murong mansion.

He hadn’t heard much, as the wariness of Murong Xiong kept him from getting too close. But Murong Xiong’s words “You’re Lin Yuan” were heard crystal clear. Perhaps because Murong Xiong was confident in his unmatched martial arts, he hadn’t bothered to lower his voice. Ye Li was also surprised at this revelation, “Ren Qining is a descendant of the previous dynasty… could he and Tan Jizhi be brothers?” They were close in age, but the previous dynasty had fallen two hundred years ago – for two royal survivors to suddenly appear simultaneously seemed rather strange.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head, “Impossible. If they were brothers, they wouldn’t both be called Lin Yuan. Besides, when Ren Qining mentioned Tan Jizhi, his tone was extremely disdainful.” If they were blood brothers, even if dissatisfied, he wouldn’t use such a tone – Ren Qining’s manner deemed Tan Jizhi lower than a servant.

“Looks like we need to thoroughly investigate this previous royal family,” Ye Li smiled. Mo Xiuyao nodded in agreement, “Let’s go tell your brother about this.”

Upon hearing the news brought by Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, Young Master Qingchen showed no panic. Seeing Young Master Qingchen’s calm and composed manner, the Prince of Stability suddenly felt he had meddled unnecessarily.

Ye Li looked worriedly at Xu Qingchen, “Brother?”

Xu Qingchen smiled and said, “Don’t worry, one Ren Qining can’t affect the bigger picture.”

Mo Xiuyao embraced Ye Li, resting his chin on her shoulder as he smiled, “Ren Qining seemed quite confident though. Young Master Qingchen doesn’t want to marry their Miss Murong, but now a royal descendant has come willing to marry her?”

Xu Qingchen carelessly tapped the table’s edge, his smile as serene as pear blossoms, “Does Ren Qining have the ability to face the threats of Xiling, Da Chu, Li City, and the King of Hell Palace?” Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, clearly ready to argue, “What if he does?” Xu Qingchen barely lifted his eyelids, saying flatly, “If he had such ability, he could directly raise his banner to restore the dynasty. Why would he need to marry Murong Mingyan?”

Mo Xiuyao helplessly rubbed his nose – talking with clever people was just frustrating, “Then what do you think he’ll do?”

Xu Qingchen said, “Transfer the Murong family’s assets as quickly as possible, save what can be saved.”

Ye Li asked, “Will Murong Xiong accept this outcome?” Murong Xiong’s temperament seemed stubborn and fierce – how could he accept such a result? Even if the Murong family was preserved, they would likely be stripped of several layers of skin.

Xu Qingchen said, “Ren Qining isn’t a god. If the Murong family doesn’t want to be destroyed, they can only accept his proposal. This person… though not a concern this time, Your Highness… you should pay close attention to him in the future. I have a feeling he’ll be ten or a hundred times more troublesome than Tan Jizhi.”

Mo Xiuyao had never truly taken Tan Jizhi seriously, especially now that Princess Anxi had ascended the throne and Shu Manlin had been killed – Tan Jizhi was probably hiding somewhere like a drowning dog. However, since even Xu Qingchen had noticed this person, Mo Xiuyao naturally wouldn’t take him lightly.

Lowering his brow in thought, Mo Xiuyao frowned and said, “We’ve had people search throughout Da Chu, Xiling, and even Nanzhao. We couldn’t find a single trace of this Ren Qining – this person seems to have appeared out of thin air. If he’s so confident he can save the Murong family, he must control significant forces, so how could we find nothing?”

Ye Li pondered for a moment before speaking, “If it’s not that our investigation wasn’t thorough enough, then… he’s simply not in any of the territories we searched.”

Mo Xiuyao started, “Not in Da Chu or Xiling… could it be the Northern Barbarians? No, the Northern people are xenophobic, and Central Plains people can hardly survive beyond the border. Then…”

The room fell silent for a moment, and the three looked at each other, saying in unison: “The Northeast!”

The northeastern part of Da Chu, like other border regions, was called barbarian territory by Central Plains people, known as the Northern Territory. Originally, many small tribes gathered there fighting among themselves – Da Chu had no interest in managing it, and the Northern Barbarians lacked the ability. The Northern Territory’s terrain wasn’t like the Northern Barbarians’ vast grassland plains, but rather densely forested mountains.

Since the Prince of Stability’s mansion separated from Da Chu, in recent years the various barbarian tribes in the Northern Territory seemed to have gradually unified and begun encroaching on Da Chu’s borders. In the past, Mo Xiuyao would have had his eye on that region, but since severing ties with Da Chu, his attention naturally focused more on the Northwest and surrounding national borders. What happened to Da Chu was no longer his concern or responsibility.

“Investigate!” Mo Xiuyao said sternly.

“Your servant obeys,” came a voice from the shadows. Mo Xiuyao’s face darkened, “If Ren Qining dares to lead barbarians into the pass… I’ll make his Lin family die without descendants!” Regardless of Mo Xiuyao’s opinions about Da Chu, even if Da Chu changed dynasties right now it wouldn’t concern him. But the prerequisite was that Central Plains people would change the dynasty. Generations of education had instilled a deep-rooted rejection of foreign tribes. As the saying goes, those not of our kind must be of different hearts – when Central Plains people ruled as emperors, common folk lived their lives happily, but if foreigners ruled it would be completely different.

Ye Li gently patted Mo Xiuyao’s arm, and his dark expression gradually softened. Looking at Xu Qingchen, he smiled apologetically, “I lost my composure, Brother Xu, please don’t take offense.”

Xu Qingchen smiled faintly, “Your Highness is too kind, I’m not happy about it either.” Xu Qingchen had received an orthodox traditional education since childhood and was even more resistant to foreign tribes than Mo Xiuyao. Therefore, the Xu family never intermarried with foreign tribes, and even in their friendship with Princess Anxi, when the time came to act, Xu Qingchen never showed a moment’s hesitation.

“Should we inform Da Chu about this?” Xu Qingchen looked at Mo Xiuyao, asking with some hesitation.

Mo Xiuyao gave a light snort, “Send someone to tell that fool Mo Jingqi – whether he believes it or not is none of my concern.” Xu Qingchen nodded in agreement.

“Since Young Master Ren is so confident, Xu would like to see just how fast he can be. Someone, notify the King of Pacifying South’s heir and Palace Master Ling – we move tomorrow!” Xu Qingchen’s smile turned cold.

“Your servant obeys!”

Once faces were truly shown and action began, things naturally moved extremely quickly. The King of Pacifying South issued a decree directly sealing all of the Murong family’s shops throughout Xiling. Originally, the King of Pacifying South had disagreed – this would inevitably cause major disruption to Xiling’s economy and people’s livelihoods. But when Young Master Qingchen smiled pleasantly and said, “Then does Your Highness want to wait until Ren Qining has emptied the entire Murong family before taking action?”

The King of Pacifying South had no choice but to accept Young Master Qingchen’s proposal to move early. If Ren Qining truly was a descendant of the previous dynasty, then it wasn’t just Da Chu or the Prince of Stability’s mansion that had a grudge against him. Xiling had played a major role in the previous dynasty’s fall.

“Xu Qingchen!” Outside the Murong family mansion, Murong Xiong and the Murong family head stared at the ethereal figure before them, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads. Murong Mingyan’s tears flowed continuously, her gaze full of deep resentment.

Xu Qingchen’s smile was cultured and elegant as he clasped his hands respectfully to those present, “Elder Murong, Family Head Murong, Young Master Ren.” Ren Qining’s expression was gloomy – he had made many secret arrangements these past days but hadn’t expected Xu Qingchen to move so quickly.

Looking again at the King of Pacifying South and Ling Tiehan standing beside Xu Qingchen, he smiled and said, “Young Master Qingchen is truly extraordinary. I heard Palace Master Ling and the King of Pacifying South had quite some grudges, yet now they can stand together – presumably, this is also Young Master’s achievement?”

Xu Qingchen smiled and said, “All the world’s bustling is for profit, all the world’s striving is for gain. Young Master Ren flatters me.” Xu Qingchen spoke very straightforwardly – they were after the Murong family’s vast wealth. What could you do about it?

The Murong family head stepped forward, pointing at Xu Qingchen as he said harshly, “Young Master Qingchen, our Murong family has treated you well, aren’t you afraid of heaven’s punishment for acting this way?”

Xu Qingchen sighed helplessly and said, “Family Head Murong, please understand. Although this one has deep ties with the Prince of Stability’s mansion, there’s no reason to sell myself for them. However, if this causes difficulties for the Northwest, that would indeed be my fault. Therefore… this is unavoidable, Family Head Murong must be magnanimous.”

The Murong family’s head’s chest heaved continuously with anger, looking as if he might cough up blood at any moment. Beside them, Ling Tiehan and Lei Tengfeng couldn’t help lowering their heads to hide their laughter. They knew the whole story – Xu Qingchen’s words were very refined and pleasant, but to Ling Tiehan and Lei Tengfeng’s ears it meant: I don’t want to marry your granddaughter, but you insisted I must. You threatened to cut off the Northwest’s business if I didn’t, so I had no choice but to destroy your Murong family.

“Outrageous!” Murong Xiong roared, flying towards Xu Qingchen who stood at the front.

This time, Murong Xiong had been fully confident in his return to the jianghu – with his reputation and martial arts, people should have revered him and followed his every word. Being chosen to marry into the Murong family should have been considered a great favor and blessing. He never expected to encounter the ungrateful Xu Qingchen. Now not only had the marriage failed, but the Murong family was also in danger.

Ling Tiehan and the King of Pacifying South’s expressions changed as they both stepped forward to block Xu Qingchen, each striking out with a palm. The guards behind Xu Qingchen had already pulled him back more than ten steps. As the three people’s four palms met, powerful energy burst in all directions. People standing around couldn’t withstand it and retreated in succession. Ling Tiehan and the King of Pacifying South each stepped back twice, watching as Murong Xiong flipped and landed. Ling Tiehan coldly laughed, “Elder Murong has been famous for decades, is attacking someone who doesn’t know martial arts considered an achievement? Could it be that the title of world’s number one expert was undeserved?”

“How dare you!” Murong Xiong roared, striking out at Ling Tiehan with a palm without hesitation.

Ling Tiehan didn’t know he had just struck Murong Xiong’s sore spot. Though Murong Xiong had won the title of world’s number one back then, he truly had no confidence in Ren Qining’s grandfather Lin Fuqin – it was just that Lin Fuqin hadn’t fought him or competed with him. Now hearing Ling Tiehan’s words, it seemed like he knew the truth from back then and was mocking him.

In reality, Murong Xiong was overthinking it. Even though Ling Tiehan was now ranked among the world’s four great experts, he knew there were always greater heights to reach – there might well be stronger existences in the jianghu than them.

The world’s number one expert wasn’t someone to be trifled with. Even though Ling Tiehan’s martial arts had improved after his recent duel with Mo Xiuyao, he still had no chance of victory against Murong Xiong. Compared to Ling Tiehan who was under Murong Xiong’s intense focus, the King of Pacifying South who was only supporting from the side seemed much more relaxed. He even had the leisure to study Ling Tiehan and Murong Xiong’s martial techniques.

Similarly watching the battle from the side, Leng Liuyue and the Sickly Scholar grew anxious seeing Ling Tiehan in dire straits. Leng Liuyue raised her sword, intending to rush in and help. Standing beside her, Xu Qingchen stopped her first, “Palace Master Leng, you going up now would be useless.” In battles between experts of this level, anyone who wasn’t of equal rank would only be cannon fodder.

Glancing at the King of Pacifying South who was watching the excitement from the side, Xu Qingchen called out clearly, “Your Highness, can you defeat Elder Murong alone?”

The King of Pacifying South started, his heart jolting as he finally leaped forward to join the battle between Ling Tiehan and Murong Xiong. True, he had a grudge against Ling Tiehan – if he could let Murong Xiong kill Ling Tiehan and then kill Xu Qingchen, that would naturally be best. But unfortunately, once Ling Tiehan died, he would become Murong Xiong’s next opponent. Since that was the case, better to deal with this greatest threat first – his grudge with Ling Tiehan wasn’t recent, yet hadn’t they all been living peacefully? With the King of Pacifying South’s joining, Ling Tiehan immediately felt relieved. Together they could fight Murong Xiong on roughly equal terms.

On the side, Ren Qining’s expression was gloomy. After scanning the battlefield, he too leaped into the fray. This time without Xu Qingchen’s reminder, Leng Liuyue and Lei Tengfeng moved simultaneously to engage Ren Qining. Thus, all the major figures capable of fighting were now engaged. At the Murong family’s signal, their people and Ren Qining’s men charged forward, while the King of Hell Palace members and the King of Pacifying South’s Golden Guards behind Xu Qingchen couldn’t show weakness and advanced as well. As the forces clashed, the Murong family mansion instantly became a scene of bloody carnage.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Murong Mingyan watched the chaos before her, walking step by step toward Xu Qingchen as she asked harshly. Her martial arts weren’t particularly strong but weren’t weak either. As she walked, neither side’s forces tried to stop her, and she managed to reach Xu Qingchen.

Xu Qingchen lowered his gaze, looking at her calmly as he said, “Miss Murong, I said we weren’t suitable. Miss Murong shouldn’t try to force matters.”

Murong Mingyan said tearfully, “So… so because I tried to force you to marry me, you destroyed my family? Young Master Qingchen… Young Master Qingchen, people say you’re refined and elegant with the bearing of an immortal, but you’re so ruthless!”

Xu Qingchen smiled, “I’ve disappointed Miss Murong – Xu Qingchen is no immortal.” Moreover… who said immortals weren’t heartless? People worship them, but who has ever seen immortals show a trace of mercy?

“If that’s the case, then die!” Murong Mingyan’s expression changed as she cried harshly. A cold light flashed in her hand as a dagger stabbed straight toward Xu Qingchen’s chest. Xu Qingchen’s expression remained calm, not even his gaze showing any fluctuation as he watched the dagger stop inches from his chest. Murong Mingyan’s eyes closed as she collapsed to the ground. The guard standing beside Xu Qingchen reported calmly and respectfully, “She’s not dead.” Xu Qingchen looked down at the unconscious Murong Mingyan and nodded, as people nearby came forward to drag her aside.

Though Leng Liuyue and Lei Tengfeng’s martial arts were considerable, they were far from being matches for Ren Qining who had won first place at the Martial Arts Conference. Before long, Lei Tengfeng was kicked away first, and without him, Leng Liuyue naturally couldn’t hold on alone. Her specialty wasn’t swordplay but rather lightness skills and hidden weapons, and after several exchanges, she was forced into a defensive position by Ren Qining. The Sickly Scholar stood to the side watching the combatants nervously, deeply regretting his insufficient martial arts but being unable to help. At this point, Leng Liuyue and Ren Qining were too close for him to even use poison to assist her. The King of Hell Palace specialized in assassination – in straightforward face-to-face combat, they were always at a disadvantage.

Xu Qingchen frowned at the battle situation before him and waved his hand. Four black shadows flashed past, surrounding Ren Qining as Leng Liuyue took the opportunity to retreat from the battle circle. With these four joining, the situation immediately reversed. Though individually none of them could match Ren Qining in martial arts, or even Leng Liuyue, when they attacked simultaneously with moves that targeted vital points without any flourishes, their coordination as perfect as if practiced thousands of times, Ren Qining suddenly found himself overwhelmed.

Leng Liuyue coughed lightly, wiping blood from her lips as she praised, “The Prince of Stability’s Qilin Guards truly live up to their reputation.” Having encountered the Prince’s guards before, she naturally could tell these four were completely different from regular guards. It took just a moment’s thought to understand their identity.

Xu Qingchen was also satisfied – Li’er was right, since they could take down one of the four great experts Mu Qingcang, dealing with Ren Qining naturally wouldn’t be difficult.

With Ren Qining temporarily contained, attention turned to Murong Xiong’s battle. Leng Liuyue and the Sickly Scholar had watched Ling Tiehan and Mo Xiuyao’s duel days ago – compared to that, the current battle between these three wasn’t as spectacular. Though they couldn’t see the techniques in that duel, they could feel the sword’s energy and fighting spirit within it. But these three’s movements weren’t particularly fast – at least they could be seen clearly – and though their techniques weren’t particularly exquisite, every strike was deadly, sword energy crossing everywhere in truly lethal combat.

Ling Tiehan and the King of Pacifying South had their issues, so their coordination wasn’t particularly smooth. How could the experienced Murong Xiong miss this? Finding an opening, he first struck Ling Tiehan away with a palm, then focused entirely on the King of Pacifying South, who could only last a hundred or two hundred moves before being defeated.

Murong Xiong coldly looked at Ling Tiehan and the King of Pacifying South – one sitting, one standing, both seriously injured – and laughed coldly, “You young ones dare to challenge this old man?!” Ling Tiehan glared at him coldly. True, they were seriously injured, but Murong Xiong wasn’t unscathed either. It was just that his injuries weren’t as severe as theirs.

Murong Xiong ignored the situation with Ren Qining, instead turning to look at Xu Qingchen with a cold smile, “Young Xu, how do you see things now? Relying on these two to destroy my Murong family – you’re thinking too highly of yourself.”

Xu Qingchen remained unhurried, smiling faintly, “Elder’s martial arts are indeed stronger than this junior expected. However… does Elder think that at this point, the Murong family can still survive? Can the Murong family overcome the King’s three thousand Golden Guards or Xiling’s million-strong army?”

Murong Xiong’s expression changed as he said, “Before the Golden Guards and million-strong army arrive, you’ll all be dead!”

Ling Tiehan laughed, “Who knows who’ll die? Elder Murong, at your age, you should be enjoying a peaceful retirement – getting involved in these matters is meddling too much.”

Murong Xiong stared at Ling Tiehan with cold laughter, while the King of Pacifying South stood to the side, looking thoughtfully between Ling Tiehan and Xu Qingchen.

Murong Xiong threw back his head in long laughter, pointing at Xu Qingchen, “This old man wants to see how the world-famous Young Master Qingchen saves his own life!” Stepping forward, Murong Xiong easily avoided Ling Tiehan and the King of Pacifying South blocking his path as he lunged toward Xu Qingchen. This strike was one Xu Qingchen could not possibly dodge – not just Xu Qingchen, but even the guards before him including Leng Liuyue found it difficult to even move under this overwhelming pressure. Ling Tiehan’s expression changed, “Qingchen!”

A white figure flashed like a startled swan from behind, a sword light instantly splitting the sky. The biting sword energy materialized like a substance cutting down through the air. Leng Liuyue and the others immediately felt the pressure lift and hurriedly retreated, while Xu Qingchen was simultaneously carried further back by two guards. Where Xu Qingchen had been standing now stood a tall, outstanding white figure, with snow-white hair and a sword gleaming cold in his hand.

“Mo Xiuyao!”