Remould the Glory of Sword Art

"Right, there's one more thing."

Now that the matters in Lichao City had concluded, there was no need to conceal the night raid incident in Tai'an City.

Xie Xuanyi laid out the affairs of "Yi San" in their entirety.

Xu You, serving as the Deputy City Lord of Tai'an City but colluding with the Demon Country, was naturally a man whose death was not regrettable.

But what was truly worrisome was…

In Qing State of the Northern County, who knows how many "Xu Yous" there are.

"The case is already closed."

Chen Jingxuan said calmly, "You need not worry about being followed by the Imperial City's Fly Eye… I have already taken care of all related case files."

"I'm naturally not worried about 'Fly Eye'."

Xie Xuanyi shook his head and said, "What are you planning to do with those people from the Demon Country?"

The Battle of Poisoned Wine had allowed the Demon Country to plant a batch of secret agents in the northern part of Da Chu.

These secret agents communicated with the Demon Country through the 'Soul Jade Rings'. In fact, behind the scenes, the Erosion Sun Swamp had played a role in stirring up the situation in Lichao City.

"They are hiding in the shadows… they naturally need to be eradicated one by one."

Chen Jingxuan's expression showed helplessness, his eyes carrying a hint of weariness, "But right now, Da Chu is facing internal strife and external threats, there are too many troubles to deal with. I can only proceed in order, and the latent dangers left by the Battle of Poisoned Wine will also be largely eradicated after this incident…"

Chu Lin, symbolizing 'blood and light,' was removed.

The demon cultivators who participated in the Tide Sacrifice, although they self-immolated, would still leave behind clues of destiny.

The Imperial City's authorities would be ordered to investigate thoroughly.

The secret agents of Erosion Sun Swamp would suffer a major blow—

It's very likely that for a long time in Qing State of the Northern County, they would not be able to make any significant moves.

"That's true."

Xie Xuanyi took a slender object from his bosom and said calmly, "This is a token of the Demon Country that I acquired after killing 'Jia Liu'. Dragon Wood Venerable inflicted me with 'Jade Datura' poison… Would it be of any help to you in Qing State?"

Halfway through the conversation, Chen Jingxuan understood the gist of it.

This token was indeed very important.

To the Demon Country.

Bai Ze's finger bone was a relic with the lineage of a great saint. For the sake of the arrangements in Lichao City, they had already sacrificed many secret agents…

If the finger bone were used as bait.

Perhaps it would continue to lure out the Demon Country's secret agents within the borders of Qing State.

The Little National Master shook his head, "You keep it."

To him.

Only Chu Lin counted as a thorn in his side.

The other 'secret agents' in Qing State might need to be dealt with, but this was already sufficient for the Imperial City's authorities.

"This is a good item."

Xie Xuanyi spoke indifferently, "Does the State Preceptor really not want it?"

"Bai Ze's finger bone can resonate with the bloodline of Bai Ze Secret Tomb… In a sense, this finger bone is the 'key' to Bai Ze Secret Realm!"

Chen Jingxuan said with a hint of sarcasm, "It's just that the marks of the Dao in 'Beihai Ling' have been completely erased by the Author of Dao. Erosion Sun Swamp most likely suffered a setback in 'Beihai Ling' back in the day; hence they conceived this plan, trying hard to find this piece of finger bone. Unfortunately, it's of little use now."

Indeed.

Before entering the tomb, Xie Xuanyi had felt the 'resonance' coming from the finger bone.

Beihai Ling was indeed a secret realm left by Bai Ze.

But…

All the rules within had been changed by the Author of Dao!

As a result, the Bai Ze finger bone had not been of any use from the beginning to the end.

Imprisoned for countless years, the Author of Dao harbored intense hatred towards the great saint Bai Ze. If Bai Ze's finger bone were taken out in front of certain critical array patterns, it might even have an adverse effect.

Upon reflecting on this.

Xie Xuanyi found it to be quite ironic.

"You'd better keep this finger bone."

Chen Jingxuan smiled and said, "It is said that Bai Ze left behind many secret realms full of treasure. What if you come across another one?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuanyi no longer stood on ceremony and kept the finger bone.

"I reckon you won't leave the Imperial City."

Xie Xuanyi said, "This finger bone is indeed useless to you."

Chen Jingxuan poured the last cup of tea.

He shook his head and said, "Mr. Xie, who says I won't leave the Imperial City?"

...

...

"Master of World Pavilion, Lord Jiang, Young Valley Master Ye, the remnants of the Chu Family have all been dealt with."

In the City Lord's Mansion of Lichao City.

The former City Lord now stood respectfully before the three Yin Gods.

The most exalted among them was naturally Tang Fengshu, the Master of World Pavilion.

As an entity on the peak of Yin God, just one step away from reaching the Yang God, she was revered wherever she went…

Once a cultivator reached this realm, there was no longer any need for the identity of Taoist to bolster one's presence.

It was the Taoist sect that needed her.

However, at this moment, Tang Fengshu lounged idly, never thinking of getting involved in the aftermath of Lichao City's case.

The female Pavilion Master was currently engrossed in a folk-fabricated storybook, even pulling Baihua Valley's Young Valley Master Ye Qinglian into a discussion.

"Little Lian, what do you think this Mr. Ning should do after the sky falls down?"

Ye Qinglian glanced briefly at it and muttered softly, "How can you like such unsubstantial stuff?"

"I find it interesting."

Tang Fengshu raised her eyebrows and countered, "Life is already so dull. Without even this small pleasure, what's the point? Surely you don't only read cultivation books in your everyday life?"

"…"

That single comment left Ye Qinglian speechless.

She was only a few years younger than Tang Fengshu, and when it came to the length of cultivation, they did not differ much.

But their realms in cultivation…

Were vastly distinct.

It wasn't that Ye Qinglian was weak, but that there was a considerable gap between individuals.

If she only read cultivation books every day, then what was Tang, a Pavilion Master who loved to read storybooks, not focused on the right path?

"Don't bother with her."

Jiang Qihu noticed Ye Qinglian's dejection and earnestly comforted, "Those who don't train regularly and still possess such strength... Over these many years, I've only seen two of them."

The other was Xie Xuanyi back in the day.

With those words said,

Ye Qinglian felt even more distressed.

"Three lords,"

the City Lord of Lichao City said helplessly, "Forgive my forwardness, but all remnants of the Chu Family have been captured. How should they be dealt with?"

The "remnants of the Chu Family" caught at that moment

were not the Array Pattern Masters responsible for engraving during the chaos in Lichao City.

In fact, most of those "Array Pattern Masters" had already been nearly wiped out... The identities of these people had been investigated by the Imperial City, and it turned out that not many were truly born of the Chu Family.

For a long time,

Chu Lin, the You Hai King, had kept himself separate from the "Chu Family."

Though he was a king of different surname in Qing State, he spent most of his time idling amongst mountains and waters… He scarcely did anything to invigorate his clan, but with such a well-connected "Prince" and a rather solid family foundation, the Chu Family managed to become a powerful household in the domain of Qing State, after many years of expenditure.

"The riot in Lichao City this time, the 'rioters' involved in the inscription and assassination, nearly all came from South Border,"

the City Lord said in a deep voice, "The You Hai King somehow established a connection at some point... Through the Broken Bandit ship, he brought these Evil Cultivators to Lichao City."

Ye Qinglian recalled the event.

That night when the You Hai King held a grand feast at the Wave Viewing Pavilion, all eyes were drawn to it, leaving the streets deserted—

That must have been the night!

Under the name of "You Hai King," those South Border Evil Cultivators, pretending to be guests of the Chu Family, infiltrated Lichao City smoothly.

The so-called strict eight-hundred-mile ban of Qing State was indeed tight and meticulous.

But ultimately, it missed connecting one dot.

North Sea.

"These people boarded a ship from North Sea and were then sent to Lichao City,"

muttered Ye Qinglian, "Chu Lin had long planned how to proceed…"

This discovery was quite ironic.

Was it that Chu Lin already knew that the outcome was bound to fail, so he had drawn a clear line with the Chu Family in advance?

"Keep the Chu Family remnants detained for now,"

Jiang Qihu said solemnly, "The case of Qing State still requires a thorough investigation."

After receiving the command, the City Lord of Lichao City did not step back, he did not even move.

He gave a deep bow and said, "Lord Jiang, by imperial command received from the Imperial City, they have ordered me... to execute any Chu Family bloodline members on capture immediately."

"Execute?"

Ye Qinglian frowned.

This command was brief, but it carried an intense scent of blood.

"Whose command is it? How dare they override my orders to you?"

Jiang Qihu's voice became stern.

"...Imperial City Office, Chief Seat."

When the City Lord of Lichao City mentioned this title, he tried to control his voice, but it still trembled uncontrollably.

Jiang Qihu was immediately silent.

Ye Qinglian opened his mouth, hesitating to speak.

"Heh."

There was deathly silence throughout the City Lord's mansion, except for Tang Fengshu, who was flipping through documents, whose sudden chuckle was the only sound that broke the stillness.

The meaning behind it went without saying.

"That lord stated that all persons related to the Chu Family of Qing State will be detained,"

the City Lord of Lichao City continued with a look of helplessness, "As the You Hai King Chu Lin has committed an unforgivable 'crime of treason', his crime merits the execution of his entire clan, to be carried out immediately…"

"Absurd,"

Jiang Qihu's face turned ashen with rage, "The unrest in Lichao City has just been quelled, the files of the Qing State case have not been presented yet. These Chu Family 'remnants' must be interrogated thoroughly. How is it his turn to deal with this when my master has not even spoken yet?"

The City Lord of Lichao City looked troubled and quietly reminded, "If Lord Jiang could, please have the State Preceptor issue a command."

"I'm on my way!"

Jiang Qihu laughed angrily and was about to get up, only to be pulled back down by a hand.

Tang Fengshu, who had been reclining in his chair, placed one hand on Jiang Qihu's shoulder. Without much exertion, he managed to pin the hefty tiger in place.

"Why the trouble?"

Tang Fengshu glanced at the City Lord of Lichao City and indifferently said, "You reply to the Chief Seat saying that Master of World Pavilion needs to verify the 'remnants'' identities, and to wait one day before proceeding with the execution."

The City Lord paused.

"Wait one day…"

For someone of Tang's stature, one day was certainly no issue.

But what after one day?

"The chaos in Qing State, from beginning to end, has been the Library's arrangement,"

Tang Fengshu declared expressionlessly, "I don't know how many years of life that Mr. Chen has bent to set up this game, but now that the storm has passed and all is well, the Imperial City Office wants to intervene. Where is the justice in that?"

Jiang Qihu's expression darkened.

He knew.

It was because of his master's clever planning that he got involved, which led to the current predicament.

"Master Tang, you only asked for one day,"

Ye Qinglian asked with a furrowed brow, "What will happen after that one day?"

"After that one day, someone will take care of the mess in Qing State,"

Tang Fengshu resumed his book, speaking faintly, "I've already submitted a paper on his behalf once, surely I don't have to wipe his ass clean too, do I?"

"???"

Ye Qinglian was struck dumb, his expression extremely complicated.

Rough as the words may be, they were not without reason.

But such words... were too crude.

Was the famous Master of World Pavilion truly such a person?

She looked to Jiang Qihu, who seemed none too surprised by this.

Jiang Qihu whispered, "Now you understand why everyone in the Imperial City says... she's not a match for my master, right?"

…

…

(PS: There will be a third update today as a bonus for reaching 1k monthly tickets~)