222: Chapter 5: Little Mountain Master, Little Monk_2 222: Chapter 5: Little Mountain Master, Little Monk_2 There was a stack of storybooks on the table.
Xie Xuanyi glanced at it, the cover of the storybook carefully illustrated with a beautiful Taoist nun holding a horsetail whisk, her expression cold and indifferent.
It was clearly distributed from the Imperial City.
“I’m sorry, I’m not very interested in this story…”
He looked outside the room and said indifferently, “Thank you for your efforts in preparing this, since you have something to say, why stand outside the door?”
Gently flicking his sleeve.
The door suddenly opened.
Outside stood a young woman in a deep bow, clad in white with black hair, somewhat intrusive to onlookers.
Of course, what made her appear most mysterious was the pure white mask that was revealed when she rose.
This woman wore a ghastly white mask, concealing her facial features.
Judging by her figure alone, she was slender, yet paired with the mask, it inevitably bore a ghostly and sorrowful air.
“Master Xie, I am truly sorry to disturb you at midnight.”
She gently began, “Fangyuan Block has been awaiting your presence for quite some time.”
Fangyuan Block?
Xie Xuanyi disliked beating around the bush.
His interlocutor got straight to the point, which indeed suited his own temperament.
He waved his sleeve, signaling her to come in and talk.
The woman in white took a step forward, and the door automatically swung shut.
“Fangyuan Block really has its reach across the heavens.”
Xie Xuanyi chuckled, “How did you know I would come to Cai Pu City?”
“It’s not that Fangyuan Block has its reach across the heavens, but rather that Master Xie’s movements are quite conspicuous.”
The woman smiled and said, “These days, the news of Da Sui Sword Palace dispatching ‘Sword Qi Orders’ has already spread across the four regions.
It’s not just Da Chu, even Nanli has heard rumors…
At this juncture, your departure from the Sword Palace to explore the fate of Qi could hardly go unnoticed by Fangyuan Block.”
Xie Xuanyi immediately understood.
The Da Sui Sword Palace distributing Sword Qi Orders indeed made a significant stir, bound to draw the attention of various powers.
Due to observing the mountain-sea spirit, he followed the trail of these spiritual currents.
Naturally, he was discovered by Fangyuan Block.
“At this point, anyone with clear eyes can see that Master Xie’s journey is headed to the Imperial City, and the inevitable route is through Cai Pu City.”
The woman smiled and said, “Fangyuan Block has a favorable business deal to discuss with Master Xie, thus we disturbed you late at night, please forgive us.”
“A favorable business deal?”
Xie Xuanyi raised an eyebrow and settled back in his seat.
He did not immediately inquire about this business deal but instead picked up the storybook and softly asked, “How should I address you?”
Throughout the journey to Cai Pu City, Xie Xuanyi’s Heart Lake remained calm.
Having just initiated a probe.
It was clear that she was a revered Yin God and bore no ill will towards him.
It was out of this respect,
that this meeting had been arranged.
“Fangyuan Block comprises four minor block masters, and I am one of them.”
The woman spoke softly and slowly, “Out there, they all call me ‘Mistress Xue’, but you need not address me that way.”
“Miss Xue.”
Xie Xuanyi, not one to mince words, asked directly, “Was the ‘Sword Qi ringing the bell’ business done by you?”
Mistress Xue was taken aback.
She shook her head earnestly, “That business was conducted by ‘Master Mu’…
He always operates within Jiangning Territory and has excellent relations with the Xie Family.
Even the Master of Incense Fire House was introduced by him; I am not involved in that business, and I do not have much association with Master Mu.”
“That’s good.”
Xie Xuanyi discerned the implication and smiled, “Although I am not one to haggle over it, doing business…
also depends on the person involved.”
He picked up the storybook, asking meaningfully, “It is said that Fangyuan Block conducts a vast amount of business from Nanli to Da Chu, there must be a reason for this.
What is the meaning of placing this storybook on the table tonight?”
“To cast a brick to attract jade.”
Mistress Xue earnestly explained, “My visit to Cai Pu City to meet Master Xie was arranged by the chief of the larger block.”
“The chief of the larger block?”
Xie Xuanyi narrowed his eyes.
The chief of Fangyuan Block, an extremely mysterious character.
To conduct business to this extent…
was no trivial person, both in intellect and tactics, he was top-notch.
Mistress Xue respectfully said, “The chief of the block said that a quick-witted person like you, once showing the identity of Fangyuan Block and seeing the storybook, would understand the meaning of ‘casting a brick to attract jade.'”
Xie Xuanyi sighed softly.
This storybook…
he was well aware of it.
Countless people in the Imperial City were following it.
It was the love story of Great Chu National Master Chen Jingxuan and Taoist Pavilion Master Tang Feng Shu…
Although the identities of the two were not explicitly mentioned in the booklet, the hints were throughout the text.
The author of this booklet was Qin Baihuang, and the one who leaked it was Jiang Qihuang, both of whom were closely trusted by Chen Jingxuan.
It was bound to be popular throughout the streets and alleys for a reason.
Naturally, there was a reason for that.
And at this moment, connecting Lord Xue’s appearance with the storybook…
the reason behind it was self-evident.
“You even engage in such business?” Xie Xuanyi said helplessly.
“No business is too big or small; Fangyuan Pavilion only looks at the profits,”
Lord Xue said with a smile, “But this deal didn’t make the Pavilion Leader any money; he just found it interesting and lent a hand…
The printing and distribution required a lot of funding, all of which were advanced by Fangyuan Pavilion.”
“This news getting out might not be too good for Qin Baihuang.”
Xie Xuanyi chuckled, “This guy is so close to you; he hasn’t committed treason, has he?”
“Master Xie is joking,”
Lord Xue still smiled, “Within the Great Chu Imperial City, there are many who are close to Fangyuan Pavilion…
Writing a few stories isn’t really a big deal.”
“So, what did you want to discuss with me?”
Xie Xuanyi slowly began.
“Many things,”
Lord Xue said softly, “With Beihai Ling shattered, a great era is upon us, and naturally, Fangyuan Pavilion must be involved.
With the Northern Hunt approaching, the Pavilion Leader hopes you can secure ‘first place’…
Of course, if Master Xie is agreeable, the Pavilion Leader also hopes that after the Northern Hunt, you could continue to take down ‘Sword Champion’ and ‘first on the Heavenly Pride List.'”
…
The smile gradually faded from Xie Xuanyi’s face.
Listening to Lord Xue’s tone,
it seemed that the head of Fangyuan Pavilion was quite certain that he could take this so-called first place if he wanted.
“Interesting,”
Xie Xuanyi looked at the woman in white before him, with a smirk that was not quite a smile, “Is this something I can take if I feel like it?”
“I don’t know Master Xie, but I do know the Pavilion Leader,”
Lord Xue calmly said, “If he thinks you can, then you probably…
really can.”
Xie Xuanyi lifted the storybook in his hand again.
The implication was clear.
What was the connection between these two…
“Although Qin Baihuang is the head of the Refining Department, he has always been criticized by the Qin Family for practicing ‘mechanism arts,'” Lord Xue slowly said, “Some time ago, an elder of the Qin family emerged and battled Zhao Chunyang…
After this battle, both Zhao Chunyang and the Qin ancestor announced their seclusion.”
“Since then, the Qin Family began to ‘shake,’ as the elder’s seclusion led to an early power struggle for the next Family Head,”
This was not hard to understand.
For Da Sui Sword Palace, all disciples were willing to believe that Sect Leader Pure Yang’s seclusion was a good thing.
But for the Qin Family,
the seclusion of the ancestor was not necessarily good news.
After that battle, the dragon vein, which had supported the martial luck near the Great Chu Imperial City, began to tremble.
The Qin ancestor had lived a long time…
Although people did not want to think of the worst possibility, it inevitably existed.
“In theory, Qin Baihuang should succeed as the next Qin Family Head.”
Lord Xue sighed, “But unfortunately, his nature is rebellious, does not follow rules, and has been out of the Qin Family’s control over the years, leading to other sons having a ‘chance for ascension’ now.”
“Interesting…”
Xie Xuanyi said, “So the previous help from the head of Fangyuan Pavilion for Qin Baihuang was because he saw potential in him attaining the position and becoming the new king of the Qin Family among the Great Chu?”
“I’m not clear about the Pavilion Leader’s intentions,”
Lord Xue earnestly said, “But before this trip, the Pavilion Leader specially instructed that he hopes to form a good relationship with you.
Fangyuan Pavilion is ready to bet heavily that you can reach the top of this session’s ‘Heavenly Pride List.’ If you make it, Fangyuan Pavilion is willing to offer a one-sided Divine Soul Contract, and the Pavilion Leader will make every effort to help you resolve any ensuing troubles.”
“Sorry, I can’t discuss this deal,”
Xie Xuanyi shook his head and laughed, “If I’m not mistaken, agreeing with Fangyuan Pavilion would inevitably mean fighting a bunch of unknown people bloody…
If possible, I’d prefer peace.
Besides, if I run into trouble, why would I need you?”
Behind him stood Da Sui Sword Palace!
“Sword Palace is powerful, but not so much that it can solve any trouble,”
Lord Xue smiled slightly, unsurprised by the response.
She said meaningfully, “Meeting tonight was just to present a modest gift.
Master Xie need not rush to refuse, business can be humane…
the Pavilion Leader hopes you will consider it carefully.
This is a long-term deal; even if you want to talk slowly after returning from the Northern Hunt, there’s no rush.”
Xie Xuanyi slightly frowned, unsure of the true meaning of these words.
“Master Xie,”
Lord Xue moved back, her white robe fluttering with the wind.
Eventually, she receded into the darkness, leaving only a white mask.
She bowed again, saying sincerely, “It won’t be long before we have another ‘meeting’ opportunity.”
…
…
(At the beginning of the month, asking for votes~~~)