557. The National Teacher has a Message

The moment the dragon ley detached from its host, Jingxin seemed to sense something and looked up at the rafters.

The others looked up one after another and saw this half-transparent, half-tangible Dragon Qi. Unlike the scattered, fragmented streams of Dragon Qi, the nine crucial streams could be seen with the naked eye.

When the dragon ley was in its complete form and was extracted from underground, countless civilians in the capital had witnessed it.

But after finding a host, the Dragon Qi became invisible.

Xu Qi’an had already been prepared. Through his robe, he lightly tapped the Earth Book fragment hidden at his abdomen. His lips moved as he recited an incantation.

That Dragon Qi, which tried to dash out of the house and escape, was drawn in by an invisible force. It let out a silent roar and, unwillingly, plunged into the Earth Book fragment.

To outsiders, it simply looked as if the Dragon Qi had automatically chosen Xu Qi’an as its host.

The stream of Dragon Qi from Chai Xian fused immediately with another stream inside the Earth Book fragment. Its length didn’t change, but it became much more solid.

At the same time, Xu Qi’an’s ‘radar’ range multiplied several times. Now, he could cover a third of Xiangzhou City.

It’d be ideal if I could cover a third of Xiangzhou prefecture…

He muttered unrealistically, then looked at Chai Xian and sighed.

For Chai Xian, patricide and slaughtering the innocent, especially the family of Er Ya, meant the truth was unbearably cruel. When he awoke to the fact that he had done all of this himself, the will to die took root in his heart.

But for Xu Qi’an, split personality was not a crime committed with intent and could not be judged lightly. Yet, Chai Xian really was the one behind the small village massacre. Killing as a madman was still killing, the resulting harm would not change.

He did not forgive Chai Xian simply because of his illness.

Because of this complex mindset, Xu Qi’an did not stop Chai Xian from committing suicide.

Chai Lan threw herself over Chai Xian, crying hoarsely.

Good and evil will be repaid, cause and effect come full circle… Xu Qi’an then looked at the other culprit and asked,

“Chai Xing’er, who is your superior?”

Chai Xing’er shook her head:

“I don’t know. Subordinates do not know the identity of their superior. That is the rule of the Tianjigong. Superiors and subordinates communicate through letters, and if there is urgent business, they use carrier pigeons.

“There are carrier pigeons in the manor. If you want to know who my superior is, you can track the pigeons. I never tried to discover my superior’s identity, but I suspect the pigeons are not sent to my superior’s actual dwelling.”

Subordinates do not know their superior, but the superior almost certainly knows which subordinate is gathering intelligence in which area… Xu Qi’an mused:

“No other way of urgent contact?”

Chai Xing’er shook her head.

This prevents secret agents from falling into enemy hands and being completely uprooted with wide-reaching consequences. The drawback, though, was that intelligence could easily be delayed… Xu Qi’an continued,

“Tell me about the Tianjigong.”

“There are nine ranks of secret agents. I’m a fifth rank investigator. My subordinates are two fourth rank investigators, both in Zhangzhou. I don’t know the subordinates of my subordinates. That’s also the rule of the Palace, you only know your direct subordinates.”

Chai Xing’er did not hold anything back. Under the force of the precepts, she spoke truthfully.

They’re all small fry, not worth the time and effort to round up, only Chai Xing’er’s superior is worth my involvement… Thinking this, Xu Qi’an glanced at the Buddhist monks.

No good, I must leave Zhangzhou quickly. Vajra Du’nan could appear at any time, and perhaps even an Arhat. It’s not safe to stay here.

“How did you become a secret agent for the Tianjigong?”

Xu Qi’an asked the final question. He was mainly curious about how these agents were cultivated, and how they were so utterly loyal as to kill themselves without hesitation.

In this, Duke Wei and the Unfilial Son were both leaders in their field.

Duke Wei was dead, he could not be asked again. The Unfilial Son, on the other hand, would love for him to ask, so that he could chide him with ‘a father’s sword in hand, laid heavy on his wandering son.’

Xu Qi’an could only use this roundabout approach.

Hengyin put his palms together and said, “One shall not lie.”

The time for the precept’s effect had passed and it would need to be reapplied.

Chai Xing’er was deeply resistant, but her mouth was honest: “It was ten years ago, before I had left home, merely the eldest daughter of the Chai family. That year, in the height of summer, I was cultivating in the courtyard, when suddenly I heard someone laugh and say, ‘This little girl has good talent…’”

“That was my first time meeting the Palace Lord. He was dressed in snow-white robes, standing openly in the courtyard, while the maids around seemed not to see him at all.”

The Unfilial Son?

Xu Qi’an frowned. For someone of Xu Pingfeng’s status and position to visit a Jianghu family like the Chais was illogical. It was even more impossible for him to show up just because Chai Xing’er had talent.

Chai Xing’er continued, “I asked who he was, and he said he’d come looking for treasure.”

“Looking for treasure?”

Chai Xing’er nodded:

“The Chai family’s ancestor was originally a slave in the Southern Marches. As a boy, his entire family was massacred by enemies, and he was sold to the Southern Marches as a slave. After finishing his studies, he returned to Xiangzhou and built the family we have today.

“To this day, few know why the Chai family was wiped out, or why our ancestor was sold to the Southern Marches.”

She paused, and her expression became grave:

“The Chai family originally served as tomb guardians, watching over a very ancient burial mound. Later, for reasons unknown, they abandoned this duty and founded a clan in Xiangzhou. The reason our family was annihilated then was because someone coveted that tomb.

“In theory, the Chai family’s duty as tomb guardians should have been unknown. Perhaps a traitor in the family revealed it. These are matters from more than a hundred years ago, and I do not know the details.”

A tomb?!

Xu Qi’an’s tomb phobia began to rise again.

The underground complex outside Yongzhou City had left him deeply traumatised.

“And then? Did Xu…” Xu Qi’an cleared his throat, “Did that white-robed man enter the tomb?”

The Buddhist monks around him also appeared interested and listened patiently.

Chai Xing’er shook her head, “The Chai family only possessed half the tomb’s map; the other half was held by the corpse Gu tribe of the Southern Marches. The Palace Lord only took our half of the map. What happened afterwards, I do not know.

“After that, I became a secret agent for the Tianjigong. All of my current achievements and cultivation are due to years of training from the Palace.”

If Xu Pingfeng cared for this tomb, what was inside must be extraordinary. Half the map was in the hands of the corpse Gu tribe, so Xu Pingfeng had not yet entered the tomb?

And if the map was with the corpse Gu tribe, did that mean the map had originally been in the hands of the young Chai ancestor?

If so, how could he have ended up sold as a slave in the Southern Marches? That doesn’t make sense… After some thought, Xu Qi’an asked, “Do you know anything else about the tomb?”

“Its existence is known only to the Chai clan leader. If not for the Palace Lord, I wouldn’t have known this secret, either.”

“Why did he tell you this secret?”

“The Palace Lord said that in order to open the tomb, the fresh blood of the tomb guardian was needed as a medium.”

So, Xu Pingfeng had cultivated Chai Xing’er of the Chai family as a secret agent, treating her as a mere game piece… Xu Qi’an asked no further and turned to Jingxin and Jingyuan.

“Soon, the superior from the Tianjigong will come to Chai Manor. Masters, be on your guard.”

He summoned the Stupa tower into his palm. Its first level’s gate opened, and a surging vortex sucked in Chai Xing’er, imprisoning her in the second level.

Then, pressing a hand to Li Lingsu and Hengyin’s shoulders, he turned into shadow and left Chai Manor.

The inner hall fell silent.

Jingxin gazed out at the deep night beyond the door. He pressed his palms together and recited a Buddhist prayer.

They didn’t kill us… The Buddhist monks exhaled a sigh of relief, feeling both thankful and confused.

“Senior Brother Jingxin, what should we do now?” a monk asked.

Jingxin glanced at the still-unconscious Jingyuan and said quietly,

“Junior Brother Jingyuan needs time to recuperate, so let us remain in Chai Manor and wait for Senior Uncle Du’nan to arrive.”

With that, he swept his gaze over Chai Lan. He must also ensure the safety of the Chai family, this was the Buddha Son’s condition for sparing them.

Yet this was something only the wise understood between themselves; it did not need to be spoken aloud.

…

Outside the city, under the pitch-black night sky, Xu Qi’an, Li Lingsu, and the puppet Hengyin walked onto the official road, braving the biting cold wind.

The Holy Son kept his head down, troubled by heavy thoughts, and did not say a word.

Xu Qi’an stared ahead and sneered,

“To be neither entangled nor troubled by emotions, only by reaching a state where one stands apart and looks down serenely can one truly supremely forget emotion. You said Li Miaozhen was following a heretical path, willing to forsake the masses for a single person, yet what about you?”

Li Lingsu jerked his head up, opened his mouth as if to argue or explain, but in the end fell silent.

After a while, he said in a low voice, “I don’t know.”

Xu Qi’an put himself in his shoes and realised that, were it him, he would have been similarly conflicted, so he refrained from mocking him further.

Li Lingsu asked, “Senior, how do you plan to deal with Xing’er?”

Xu Qi’an replied bluntly, “Let us go over the case from the beginning. Why do you think Chai Xing’er invited heroes from all walks of life, as well as the authorities, to convene a Demon-slaying Assembly?”

Li Lingsu was a smart man. “To control Chai Xian and contain the murders.”

“Exactly. She incited Chai Xian to kill Chai Jianyuan. Afterwards, Chai Xian escaped Chai Manor and went on a killing spree in Xiangzhou, most likely beyond her expectations, not part of her plans.

“Perhaps seeking to make amends or unwilling for things to escalate, she then convened the Demon-slaying Assembly. In other words, this assembly was never in her original plan.”

Chai Xing’er’s plan was in fact quite simple: use the secret of his parentage to provoke Chai Xian into killing Chai Jianyuan, avenging her husband’s death. Afterwards, she would threaten Chai Xian with Chai Lan and keep him under control.

But that night, Chai Xian broke out of Chai Manor, and although he was held back, the ensuing string of murders went beyond Chai Xing’er’s plan. To contain the worsening situation, she called for the Demon-slaying Assembly.

This case was more troublesome than any Xu Qi’an had investigated before.

“I also want to learn more about the Tianjigong. Furthermore, if I get the chance, I must explore that great tomb in the future,” said Xu Qi’an.

Li Lingsu waited a moment but, hearing nothing further, frowned and said, “So?”

I have given her a stay of execution… Xu Qi’an said, “Your little sweetheart will not die for now.”

That great tomb would surely be perilous. In the future, Chai Xing’er could be used as a tool. If she was to die there, it would be her fate. If not, he would cripple her cultivation and have Li Lingsu take her back to Heaven Sect for life imprisonment.

With a complicated expression, Li Lingsu breathed out and changed the topic, “Though the Buddhists are detestable, at least they have some standards. The Chai family should be safe.”

Xu Qi’an grunted in acknowledgement. Suddenly, he stopped, his expression peculiar, as he reached into his robe and drew out a talisman.

In the darkness, the talisman glowed faintly.

Immediately afterwards, Li Lingsu heard a soft, melodious female voice:

“Where are you?”

…

At the border of Qingzhou and Yongzhou, in a small town, the cold wind swept through the streets, making a mournful, whistling sound.

Qihuan Danxiang, clad in colourful garb and dark-skinned, entered a filthy, urine-reeking alley. He crouched down at a hole in the wall and opened his hand.

A big, grey rat scurried out of the hole and leapt into his palm.

Qihuan Danxiang tilted his head, as though listening to something, then after a moment put the rat back into the crevice, straightened up and said,

“My friend tells me that fellow passed by here just now.”

Under the moonlit night, six silhouettes stood on the eaves lining both sides of the alley.

In the middle was a young man with a gentle smile, who gave an impression of warmth and courtesy.

He laughed, “Worthy of being a Dragon Qi host, the fortune is overwhelming, always slipping through our fingers. Yuanshuang, see which way he fled.”

Xu Yuanshuang’s pupils flashed with clear light. She gazed into the distance and saw a golden flash vanish in the far southeast.

“He’s headed for Yongzhou,” she said coolly.

Old Daoist Jiaoye squinted and shaded his eyes, smiling,

“That guy isn’t very strong, but he’s a master of all sorts of underhanded tricks, a rogue who’s survived in the Jianghu. Things are heating up in Yongzhou with the Martial Assembly, he likely wants to use others to get rid of us.”

On their way to Yongzhou, they had encountered a Dragon Qi host. That person’s cultivation was weak, only eighth rank, at the Refining Spirit stage.

Yet his instincts were razor-sharp, and he had so many tricks up his sleeve that it gave people headaches; every time he barely escaped from their clutches.

Liu Hongmian from Wanhua Tower twisted her waist and said with a teasing smile, “Isn’t this perfect? Our trip to Yongzhou may prove even more profitable than we thought.”

She glanced at Ji Xuan, who was silent and pensive, and flirted,

“Young City Lord, why so preoccupied? Shall I help you dispel your worries tonight?”

Ji Xuan gave a wry smile, “Dear sister, don’t tease me. Everyone knows of your reputation as a venomous beauty, Liu Hongmian. That said, Yuanhuai is still a pure lad, perfect for you to train.”

Xu Yuanhuai’s face was set and cold.

Liu Hongmian swept her gaze over the beautiful young woman, covering her mouth as she laughed, “I just fear someone might tear us to shreds.”

Xu Yuanshuang gave a cold snort.

Ji Xuan said, “I was just wondering if the National Teacher has another trick up his sleeve.”

Everyone looked at him.

“Be it Buddhism, the Sitianjian, or the Church of the Warlock God, for this adventure collecting Dragon Qi, every group has a third-rank expert involved. Only we do not. With the National Teacher’s intellect, do you think he failed to notice this?”

Ji Xuan stroked his chin, “I don’t believe he doesn’t have a backup plan.”

…

Xu Qi’an gripped the talisman and replied, “Heading for Yongzhou.”

He opened his mouth, as if to say more, but in the end said nothing.

“Arrive at Yongzhou city in three days.”

“Alright…”

The talisman’s glow faded.

Here we go, the National Teacher is coming to sleep with me… Xu Qi’an thought with mixed feelings.

“Senior, who was that just now?” Li Lingsu was surprised at how alluring the woman’s voice had been.

“Just a plain-looking woman,” Xu Qi’an replied, putting on airs in front of the Holy Son.

What a shame, I guess Xu Qian’s tastes are unique, indifferent to beauties, preferring mediocre-looking women… Li Lingsu simply replied, “Oh,” and did not pursue the matter.

Why did he stop asking? I haven’t even started showing off yet… Xu Qi’an also grunted, lowered his head, and hurried on his way.

After all, forced explanations did not fit Xu Qian’s character.

Anyway, the National Teacher would arrive in three days; there would be time enough to show off then, and let that scoundrel from Heaven Sect see what a true high-quality beauty looked like.

557. The National Teacher has a Message

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