Li Yue's Conspiracy

After taking a seat by the window upstairs, Lin Xiao asked curiously, "Princess Mingyue, what is the Hidden Dragon Rankings?"

Ji Mingyue patiently explained, "The Hidden Dragon Rankings are a list recording the geniuses of our entire Wu Kingdom."

"Normally, they are updated once a year. Of course, if someone on the Hidden Dragon Rankings achieves something astonishing, they will be updated at any time. The rankings are compiled by Heaven's Secret Pavilion."

"Besides the Hidden Dragon Rankings, there are also the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings."

"The Heavenly Ranking records the Void Shattering Realm overlords of the age. However, those overlords have not acted for a long time, so whether their rankings hold any reference value is still debatable."

"The Earthly Ranking records Great Grandmaster Realm experts. Though Great Grandmaster Realm experts do not act that often either, there are still traces to follow, so it retains some reference value."

"The Human Ranking records master-level experts. This one is comparatively accurate."

"Many matters in the martial world are handled by master-level experts."

"For example, when conflicts arise between two sects, or when they contend for profit and the like, the master-level experts from every side will step forward."

"Take your fight with the White Lotus Saintess last night. Although the White Lotus Saintess was not at her peak when she encountered you, Heaven's Secret Pavilion will have professional personnel analyze it and assign you the most suitable ranking."

After hearing Ji Mingyue's explanation, Lin Xiao gained some understanding of the Hidden Dragon Rankings.

"This Heaven's Secret Pavilion is rather interesting. Are they afraid the martial world is too peaceful, so they have to stir up some trouble?"

Ji Mingyue covered her mouth and smiled. Lowering her voice until only she and Lin Xiao could hear, she said, "Then you are mistaken. It truly is not Heaven's Secret Pavilion that wants to do this. After all, no one is a fool. Anyone with a mind can figure out what Heaven's Secret Pavilion is up to after thinking about it. But let me tell you a secret: Heaven's Secret Pavilion was actually forced by our Wu Kingdom to do this."

"If the martial world is not in chaos, it is the imperial court that gets a headache. The goal is to muddy the waters of the martial world, so they have no energy left to target the court. Only then can the court focus on dealing with those enemy states."

Lin Xiao nodded slightly. If it had been ordered by the imperial court, then it was no surprise. Only the imperial court liked using such insidious methods.

Of course, this was also a method commonly used by those in power—sowing discord and setting one side against another, keeping them in mutual balance.

"Oh, right, we have not talked about you yet. Stability Prefecture is no good place. I have heard people say that place is extremely chaotic, and the imperial court's influence there is very weak. If you do not want to go, I can enter the palace now and speak to Your Majesty. I believe Your Majesty will rescind the order."

Lin Xiao shook his head. "No need. Since Your Majesty has sent me to Stability Prefecture, there must be a deeper reason."

"Besides, if I shrink back whenever I encounter trouble, Your Majesty will be disappointed in me as well. Even if Stability Prefecture is a dragon's pool and tiger's den, I still have to venture into it."

Ji Mingyue nodded. "You are right. I can help you for a time, but not for a lifetime. Still, as I said before, if the day ever comes when you truly face difficulties, you may come find me. I will forever remember that you saved my life."

The two chatted idly for a while, and the food and wine were soon brought up.

After leaving the restaurant, Ji Mingyue said, "I have to go back. When are you leaving for Stability Prefecture?"

"Probably tomorrow morning. I need to go back and pack."

"Alright. Then I will not see you off tomorrow. May you have a smooth journey."

After they parted ways, Lin Xiao headed home. He needed to pack before leaving for Stability Prefecture the next morning.

Elsewhere, within the Divine Constable Office.

Li Yue had been lying in bed for an entire day.

Ever since he woke from his coma that morning and learned that his dantian had been damaged, affecting his future martial path, he had remained there without speaking or eating. All the vitality he once possessed had vanished.

The damage to his dantian had dealt Li Yue an enormous blow.

In a world where martial strength reigned supreme, losing the chance to become strong meant that one could only be an ant.

Even now, Li Yue felt that everyone's gaze upon him carried a trace of mockery.

Once high above the rest, he had now become a laughingstock. The gap was something he found difficult to accept.

As he carefully recalled the battle from last night, he suddenly realized that Lin Xiao must have set him up.

"Lin Xiao, I will not let you off."

"Since I have become like this, I will not let you have it easy either."

After saying that, he abruptly sat up from the bed, went to the Six Doors' pill chamber to obtain a bottle of forbidden medicine, then turned and left.

The forbidden medicine Li Yue had requested was a pill known as the Essence Burst Pill.

It was a pill that could temporarily suppress one's injuries and forcibly restore one to peak condition.

However, its side effects were enormous. After taking it, one's martial foundation would be completely destroyed, and irreversible injuries would remain. This medicine was generally used by those carrying out missions. It could sustain a brief period of peak strength, allowing them to fight desperately and kill their enemies in return, or to escape with their lives.

Li Yue made his way to a brothel.

Inside one of the rooms were three men, each with an arm around a woman as they indulged themselves.

When they saw Li Yue push the door open and enter, the three froze for a moment before hurriedly pushing the women away and saying politely, "Constable Li, what wind has blown you here today?"

Li Yue stepped forward, and the coldness in his eyes frightened the three women into hastily fleeing the room.

"You want to enter the Six Doors, do you not? I can help you, but you must do something for me."

The three exchanged glances, each seeing delight in the others' eyes.

"Constable Li, please give us your orders. As long as you can let us enter the Six Doors and serve the imperial court, we will certainly do whatever it is."

"Help me kill someone."

"Who?"

"Lin Xiao."

"Is that the Jinyiwei who has recently been making the biggest splash in the capital?"

The three all frowned slightly. Killing a Jinyiwei Banner Officer would bring them no small amount of trouble if they were found out.

Seeing their hesitation, Li Yue continued, "I know your concerns, but rest assured. We can carry this out without a ghost knowing or a god noticing."

"That Lin Xiao should be leaving for Stability Prefecture tomorrow to take up his post. Once he leaves the capital, find any desolate mountain or wilderness and kill him. No one will discover it."

The three felt that Li Yue's plan was sound. One of them said, "Constable Li, I have a friend as well. He recently came to me saying that he also wants to serve the imperial court. Could you arrange something for him?"

Li Yue frowned. "Let me make this clear: the imperial court is not a place that keeps idlers. Not just any stray cat or dog can enter. If your friend lacks ability, he will be thrown out even if he enters the Six Doors."

The man gave an embarrassed laugh. "Constable Li, you misunderstand. My friend is an expert. He says he is a lay disciple of Shaolin Temple. He has just turned forty this year and has already reached the Innate Realm."

A trace of disdain surfaced in Li Yue's eyes.

Reaching the Innate Realm at forty? His martial talent was simply trash.

Among the prodigies on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, which of them had not casually broken through to the Innate Realm before thirty? There were even quite a few who broke through in their teens.

He was only twenty-one this year and had already reached the peak of the Acquired Realm. If not for his damaged dantian, he might have had hopes of breaking through to the Innate Realm this year.

Thinking that he might never be able to make another breakthrough in the future, Li Yue's hatred for Lin Xiao grew even more intense.

He had encountered Lin Xiao only twice in total. The first time, his credit had been stolen.

The second time, his dantian had been damaged. If he could not get rid of Lin Xiao once and for all, the heart demon in him would never dissipate for the rest of his life.

Although he despised the man inwardly, having one more Innate Realm expert to help was still a good thing.

"Fine. Bring him here. Once the matter is done, I will fulfill everything I promised you."