202: Chapter 71 The Xie’s Compensation 202: Chapter 71 The Xie’s Compensation For the delegation from Jiangning staying at True Hidden Peak, this night was undeniably a long one.
The Law Enforcers from Golden Turtle Peak had the small mountain sealed off tight…
Chief examiner Qi Lie personally came to search the residence of the Prince Jiangning.
The most critical part was,
they indeed found important evidence.
The Sword Qi Ceremony was a major event.
Disciples of True Hidden Peak guarded the mountain gate and recorded every visitor, even those high-ranking nobles who wished to enter the Da Sui Sword Palace had to register…
The registered number of people in the Prince Jiangning’s delegation was one hundred and three.
Now, after checking, there were only one hundred and two left.
There was one person missing, without a trace.
If it were only a matter of one person less, it actually wouldn’t prove much…
After all, the Jiangning Xie Family was a prominent household with numerous followers, and the Xie Family couldn’t possibly keep them all under control.
However, as the Law Enforcers investigated,
someone among the delegation had an impression of this missing “guest”.
In these few days, this guest of the Xie Family was just locking himself in the room, and he arrived in a solitary carriage, holding a huge and heavy black box.
Nobody knew what was inside the black box.
After breaking in and conducting a search,
Qi Lie personally dismantled the talisman on the black box.
Although the box was empty… it still carried the scent of “Primordial Fire” from the back of Lotus Peak.
The assassination attempt had just occurred, and the scene of the Primordial Fire Explosion was still vivid in memory.
This one investigation,
almost confirmed the identity of the assassin—
Most importantly, since the end of the competition in the Xuanshui Cave Heaven, Prince Jiangning had been in a coma, unable to respond to Qi Lie’s questioning.
Daoist Zhu, the Pavilion Master of Incense Fire House, was unable to refute anything.
In fact, as soon as the mountain was sealed, he immediately sensed something wrong and hurriedly investigated the guest from the Xie Family…
only to find no information whatsoever.
Xie Sheng’s trip to the Sword Palace was marked by extravagance as he casually took in over ten guests.
As long as they were somewhat capable, willing to submit, and presented a certain sincerity, they could follow the Jiangning delegation into the Da Sui Sword Palace.
Who would have thought it would be such a maniac, infiltrating the Sword Palace with the delegation and attempting an assassination during the Xuanshui Ceremony!
This investigation tonight,
even Daoist Zhu started to doubt whether the “Primordial Fire Explosion” really had anything to do with His Highness the Prince.
Once the investigation results came out,
those important figures staying over received compensations from Golden Turtle Peak.
Had not last night’s incident occurred, they would have already left by now, and Qi Lie would have visited personally, bearing gifts as both an apology and to forge good relations.
In the end,
only the Jiangning delegation remained, detained on the spot at True Hidden Peak.
“If the Jiangning Xie Family does not explain this assassination attempt,” said Qi Lie coldly, “gentlemen, you may not leave the Sword Palace.”
Qi Lie left with those words, his sleeves flapping as he departed.
…
…
“So Qing Sun really sneaked into the Sword Palace with the Jiangning delegation?”
This long night was finally coming to an end.
Dawn was approaching.
The noise outside Lotus Peak grew louder.
The results of last night’s investigation, with Jiang Qihu’s Ruyi Order for transmitting messages, were delivered into the small courtyard.
Xie Xuanyi respectfully brewed a cup of tea for his master and curiously asked, “Is this a coincidence, or a conspiracy?”
“Qing Sun is from the Imperial City’s office, acting on the Holy Empress’s orders to infiltrate Da Sui,” said Zhao Chunyang, who did not directly answer the question but replied with a smile, “To avoid drawing attention, one must blend into a large delegation…
The reason for choosing ‘Xie Family’ wasn’t because they are close with the Imperial City, but rather because Xie Sheng was too ostentatious.
To infiltrate the delegation, one only needs to offer a pledge of allegiance and some minor bribes.
Who would want to reveal their identity for such a mission?”
Xie Xuanyi could not help but chuckle at this.
Although he had more or less guessed that the assassination was related to the Jiangning delegation…
he did not anticipate such an exquisite coincidence.
Behind the Jiangning Xie Family stood Wu Zhexian.
And the Jade Talisman given to Qing Sun by the Holy Empress also led to Wu Zhexian.
The investigation results of Golden Turtle Peak, in the end, amounted to nothing more than a standoff between the higher-ups of the Sword Palace and Prince Jiangning… Facing this startling “coincidence,” what could Prince Jiangning say?
What could he deny?
Whether or not Xie Sheng orchestrated the assassination became irrelevant.
The truth had settled like dust.
“There are always some coincidences in this world, with such good timing that they cover up the truth,” said Zhao Chunyang meaningfully, “If the Holy Empress had informed of the identity behind the Jade Talisman, perhaps Qing Sun would have chosen a different delegation… But now what’s done is done.
The matter of Qing Sun has been suppressed by the Holy Empress, but the assassination case is not yet over.
Golden Turtle Peak needs a conclusion, and Da Sui Sword Palace owes the world an explanation.
The blame can only fall on Jiangning.”
Xie Xuanyi asked, “How do you plan to handle this?”
“It’s not about how I plan to handle it,”
Zhao Chunyang shook his head gently and said warmly, “but you.”
“…”
Xie Xuanyi was slightly bewildered.
“You are the victim of this assassination attempt.”
Zhao Chunyang stood up and patted his disciple’s shoulder, “Think carefully about what price the Xie Family should pay… The nature of this assassination attempt is extremely vile.
As long as you press the issue, whatever conditions you put forward, the Jiangning Xie Family probably won’t object.”
The next moment,
there was a knock at the door outside the courtyard.
Turning slightly, Xie Xuanyi saw Daoist Zhao Chunyang, who had been wearing a lotus robe, had vanished into thin air.
The courtyard, which had experienced a great battle,
also instantly returned to “normal,” showing no sign of the chaos.
…
…
“Mr.
Xie, your little courtyard… it’s too quiet,” said the visitor.
The visitor was none other than Jiang Qihu.
This simple-minded tiger had stayed in the Sword Palace all night, continuously sending messages via the Ruyi Order.
For Xie Xuanyi, the night had been long, having undergone an assassination, met with his master, confided in Miao Yin, and he had hardly had any time to rest.
But for Jiang Qihu, last night was equally “spectacular.”
The law enforcers of Golden Turtle Peak almost turned the Jiangning delegation’s residence upside down, initially those dignitaries who stayed over just wanted to watch the excitement.
But they did not expect.
The clues of the assassin in the murder case were directly locked onto——
This excitement turned into a situation that couldn’t be wrapped up.
“Last night, Qi Lie brought people to the Prince Jiangning’s residence and went ‘crazy with killing’, aren’t you curious at all?”
Jiang Qihu was beaming with excitement, hurriedly saying, “Quick, look at the message I sent you with the Ruyi Order!”
“…I was too tired last night, took a nap.”
Xie Xuanyi smiled, saying, “I just saw the message from the Ruyi Order, is the identity of the assassin already locked down?”
“Tsk, not just that…”
Jiang Qihu’s face was full of excitement as he animatedly described the scene: “You didn’t see it, the once imposing Jiangning delegation, wilted like frostbitten eggplants last night, their aura utterly dimmed.”
He didn’t doubt the truth of Xie Zhen’s words for a second.
Xie Zhen had just experienced an assassination attempt, and then triumphed at Xuanshui Cave Heaven.
Indeed, he should take a good rest last night.
Watching Binghu’s exuberant demeanor, Xie Xuanyi couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing.
“My visit to the courtyard isn’t just for this matter.”
Jiang Qihu briefly described the situation of last night and whispered, “The master has asked me to convey a message to you.”
“Oh?”
Xie Xuanyi raised an eyebrow.
Binghu sincerely said, “The master says congratulations, and he also said…
thank you.”
Jiang Qihu understood the first part, but he didn’t know.
Why would the master say “thank you” to Xie Zhen?
Perhaps because of taking over Xuanshui Cave Heaven…
Xie Zhen is Xie Xuanyi’s disciple, and Xie Xuanyi is the master’s close friend and confidant.
“…”
Xie Xuanyi fell silent.
He remembered the meeting in the Illusion Realm of the Ruyi Order book tower and shook his head, “It’s nothing, it’s what I should do.”
“The master told me, once the investigation of the assassination is concluded, the Jiangning Xie Family will surely come to apologize.”
Jiang Qihu spoke earnestly, “Xie Sheng is after all the Princely Heir, Jiangning paid an immeasurable price to elevate him to the altar…
Losing to you at Xuanshui Cave Heaven is one thing, but the Xie Family will definitely not allow an assassination to utterly destroy Xie Sheng’s future.
It won’t be long before the delegation sends someone to visit.”
It must be said, although Chen Jingxuan was located in the Imperial City, he was always paying close attention to his own.
This hint was very timely.
Xie Xuanyi had already heard the increasingly close miscellaneous noises outside the door…
With sunrise, the time had come when many could leave the Sword Palace, yet many of the overnight guests had not left but chosen to stay instead.
They wanted to know.
What the final investigation results of the assassination case would be like.
What the negotiation between Xie Zhen and the Xie Family would result in.
“Even though you are now the new master of Xuanshui Cave Heaven and a disciple of Lotus Peak, the Sword Palace will take care of this trouble for you.”
Jiang Qihu took a deep breath and said seriously, “But my visit this time is to tell Mr.
Xie…
no matter when, the book tower will always stand behind you, the master hopes you won’t be too ‘merciful’.
To settle this matter, the Xie Family should be willing to pay a substantial price.”
“Merciful?”
Xie Xuanyi smiled and shook his head.
The word “merciful” was somewhat amusing to him.
It had been a long time since he heard someone use these two words in relation to himself.
The sounds outside the Lotus Peak courtyard grew louder and more chaotic, ultimately quieting down suddenly.
“Thud.
Thud.”
Someone stood at the gate, gently knocking on the courtyard door, producing a dull sound.
The entire world went silent.
Xie Xuanyi sat in the wicker chair and indicated to Jiang Qihu that there was no need to rush, simply to sit honestly in front of him.
Just watching the knocking sounds outside the courtyard door coming to a peaceful halt.
Xie Xuanyi said indifferently, “Don’t worry…
the word ‘merciful’ has nothing to do with me.”
The first knock on the door.
Xie Xuanyi didn’t pay it any mind.
Outside came a respectful greeting.
“I am ‘Daoist Bai Yu’ , a Guest Elder from the Prince Jiangning’s mansion, specially here to visit Young Master Xiao Xie’s residence.”
Daoist Bai Yu?
Xie Xuanyi slightly narrowed his eyes, conjuring a rough image in his mind.
He knew that this Daoist Bai Yu must be one of the two Yin God Guardians by Prince Jiangning’s side.
These two guardians, following the orders of Prince Jiangning, were responsible for ensuring Xie Sheng’s safety…
so this visit, Daoist Bai Yu must be following the order of Prince Jiangning to negotiate before things escalated completely, to see what price needed to be paid to calm things down.
Following Daoist Bai Yu’s speech.
Countless gazes fell upon the Lotus Peak courtyard door.
At this moment, within a radius of several miles, one could hear a pin drop.
Daoist Bai Yu’s expression became uneasy, as a distinguished Yin God Guardian personally visiting, he surely shouldn’t be unable to even enter the door, right?
No matter where he went, no matter who it was, they should give him some face!
But as time went by, the door remained motionless.
After a long while, an indifferent voice finally responded.
“Never heard of it.”
“Not seeing.”
(PS: Brothers are truly fierce, charging into the top hundred.
Not much to say, there will be another update tonight.
Shall we push it a little harder, continue the boost tomorrow?)