Trouble (1)

The two of them slipped away from the crowd and went to a pavilion draped with a white veil Yang Diagram, where they sat down.

"Speak up, what's so hard to say? Let me make this clear first, if you can't give me a straight answer today, don't blame me for turning hostile!" Xue Ji said coldly.

"Young Master Xue, do you know that after careful investigation, I found that several of Princess Yongxiang's personal guards were members of the Secret Teaching?" Zhang Rongfang looked around and lowered his voice.

"Secret Teaching!?" Xue Ji was taken aback. "You really mean it? Is this true!?"

"Absolutely true!" Zhang Rongfang said solemnly, "Later, when I borrowed General Shangguan Lian Yue's power to wipe out a fleet of Secret Teaching, I saw a Secret Teaching master who looked exactly like the personal maid who served the princess before she was killed!"

He unconsciously clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He lowered his head.

"When I saw this scene, I was also incredulous. I wanted to report it to the authorities. But then the maid mysteriously disappeared and was never seen again. After that, I realized that the waters behind this were far too deep for a mere External Medicine Super Grade like myself to handle."

"Are you sure you mean it?!" Upon hearing this, Xue Ji's young face furrowed.

"Many people witnessed this at the time. If you investigate carefully, young master, you will find out. Even if I wanted to lie, it would be as difficult as climbing to heaven," Zhang Rongfang said sincerely.

"I will verify it myself. You better not be lying to me, otherwise..." Xue Ji's voice turned cold again.

"Young Master Xue" Zhang Rongfang hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"What else do you want to say?" Xue Ji frowned. A grown man, speaking and acting so indecisively.

He was increasingly convinced that Zhang Ying could not possibly be the murderer who killed the princess.

With his limited cunning, he's utterly spineless. Where would he find the guts to lay a hand on the princess?

The princess is Three Voids Expert. If they were to actually fight, she would probably be killed instantly before she could even touch this ordinary External Medicine.

"Young master, think it over carefully." Zhang Rongfang sighed. "I am only in my thirties this year. Even if I have great talent, how much stronger can I be?"

Now, I have been in this Citong for two years. The waters here are deep and the forests dark; it's hard to describe. When you conduct your investigation, young master, please prioritize your own safety."

"You mean!?" Xue Ji's heart skipped a beat. Yes, this young Daoist priest was only in his thirties, and it was said that he had already reached the Nascent Soul stage in his Nascent Soul Realm cultivation of Civilian Skill.

No matter how talented this person is, even if they start cultivating from the womb, it's impossible for them to be very skilled in martial arts.

So why did that person say that the princess's death was related to the Daoist Daozi the Great Dao Sect?

This is somewhat like pushing someone out as a shield.

Besides, those people even dared to lay a hand on a princess, let alone him.

If he does discover any troublesome Taboo, he could indeed be in great danger.

"Exactly!" Zhang Rongfang nodded. "Actually, Princess Yongxiang is now considered a traitor, so we cannot allow a large-scale investigation."

If, sir, you encounter a situation that you are truly unable to handle, you may secretly send someone to the Aloeswood Palace, and this humble Daoist will do his utmost to assist you.

Xue Ji stared intently at Zhang Rongfang with a solemn expression.

"I'll first verify the clues you provided. If they're true, I'll apologize to you! If they're false, don't think that just because you're Daozi of the Great Dao Sect, I can't do anything to you."

"Alas, everything I have said is true." Zhang Rongfang was filled with sorrow. He did not refute it, but instead showed concern in his eyes.

"In any case, young master, you must be careful. There will certainly be many obstacles and dangers along the way."

He was not lying.

Princess Yongxiang was indeed not killed by him.

Indeed, there were spies from the Secret Teaching among the maids and guards around him.

That Han Jia did indeed appear during the last encirclement and suppression.

All of this is true.

As long as Xue Ji investigates, he will eventually find it.

After hearing all this, Xue Ji's previous arrogance vanished.

That was just his disguise.

His original intention in coming here was to provoke Zhang Ying and, with the help of his secret friend, to investigate Zhang Ying's background and see if he was suspected of murdering the princess.

Unexpectedly, despite repeated provocations, the other party did not retaliate but instead provided important clues.

At this moment, Xue Ji had a vague feeling that he might have really made a mistake in the suspect.

There's no way Zhang Ying could possibly kill a princess at the Three Voids Realm.

There must be a bigger mastermind behind this case.

"Whether what you say is true or not, once I verify it, the truth will come out!"

He immediately snorted, stood up, and strode away.

Before long, the many soldiers that Xue Ji had brought also left.

The Aloeswood Palace has returned to its former An Ning.

Zhang Rongfang sat upright in the pavilion.

With the arrival of the Western Sect Grandmaster, the situation for the Xue Family Father and Son is becoming increasingly dangerous.

He picked up the Mare Milk Wine on the table, took a small sip, and fell into deep thought.

He had foreseen this day when he killed Kong Xiang.

If it were anything else, he could seek help from his master, but this was something he had to bear alone.

The Xue Family Father and Son held a prestigious position, were protected by experts from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion, and were accompanied by many skilled military officers.

It seems serious, but it's just a minor ailment.

The focus is still on the Western Sect; even a Grandmaster has arrived. Zhang Rongfang was pondering the possible course of action of the Western Sect.

Suddenly, a slender figure quietly approached from one side of the pavilion.

"Daozi." The person who came was Zhang Zhenhai.

She now serves as a close attendant in the Aloeswood Palace under a different identity.

At this moment, she was dressed in a tight black outfit, with a high ponytail, a black mask, and a row of Silver Flying Dagger strapped to her thigh.

He also carried a long Long Single-edged Blade on his back.

Just standing to the side, her curvaceous and sexy figure was accentuated by the tight-fitting clothes, revealing her curves even more.

Fortunately, she was wearing a Dark Cloak over her clothes.

Ever since Zhang Rongfang mentioned it to her, she has only shown herself dressed like this in front of Zhang Rongfang.

Zhang Rongfang looked up and smiled at her.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

"Why is Daozi being so lenient with Xue Ji?" Zhang Zhenhai, puzzled. "He could have easily dealt with it by handing it over to his subordinates and secretly teaching them a lesson. Why is he doing this?"

"Because it's not worth it." Zhang Rongfang shook his head slightly. "Now that the army is passing through and experts from the Western Sect have arrived, we must be extremely careful. We cannot make any rash moves."

"I understand. But seeing Xue Ji so arrogant," Zhang Zhenhai said through gritted teeth.

Seeing Zhang Rongfang being humiliated like this, she felt a burning anger rising within her.

"It's alright." Zhang Rongfang's expression was calm. "Don't worry. As for the Western Sect, the Xue Family Father and Son are just minor matters. Once we've tested their strength, we can resolve them. The troublesome ones are the Western Sect, but they can't stay here for long."

"Zhenhai understands." Zhang Zhenhai lowered his head.

"Wait a little longer, wait a little longer." Zhang Rongfang lowered his head, looked at the wine in his glass, and said nothing more.

*** Huang Jing Mountain.

Two members of the Rebel Sect, disguised as herbalists, began their ascent up the mountain path from the foot of the mountain.

They were skilled fighters placed nearby by the Rebel Sect to patrol the surrounding area and ensure its safety.

However, during their patrol, the two did not notice at all that there were two tall and burly figures in the distance, quietly watching them as they disguised themselves as herbalists and walked into the mountains.

"According to local intelligence, martial arts practitioners are often seen coming and going here. In addition, Huang Jing Mountain is vast and deep. If the Rebel Sect wants to hide here..."

They're either hiding inside the city, or they're only in this area. Or they're somewhere much further away.

"Could you be more precise? Huang Jing Mountain is huge. If we have to search bit by bit, we don't have that much time," another person asked in a deep voice.

"There's another way. If Princess Yongxiang was also proven to have been killed by the Rebel Sect, then some of them would definitely have Purple Mark on their bodies from killing members of the Royal Bloodline," one of the people who answered earlier.

"Unless someone from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion comes, or a member of the Imperial Clan comes themselves, we can't do it," another person shook their head.

The light shone down, gently illuminating the person's face.

This man was none other than a burly monk draped in Black Red-lined Kasaya. He was also Kong Ding, the expert from True Buddha Temple who had been dispatched by the Western Sect to investigate Kong Xiang's death.

"There is another way."

"What method?" Kong Ding looked at the other party.

"Finding the local leaders should be the fastest way to locate the Rebel Sect. And in Citong these days, information is readily available, so there aren't many people suitable for us to visit."

"That's one way to do it," Kong Ding nodded slowly.

Since they were unfamiliar with the area, they naturally needed to find someone who was familiar with the place to make things easier.

Watching the two 'herb farmers' slowly disappear into the depths of the forest, he turned around.

"Zhang Ying Daozi of the Great Dao Sect is here and serves as the Guardian. Let's go find him directly."

"Yes, Uncle-Master."

The two immediately stopped looking around and turned to head in another direction from Citong City.

The Aloeswood Palace is not located within the city, but rather in the suburbs.

Before long, the two arrived at the foot of Chen Xiang Mountain, one after the other.

Instead of rushing up the mountain, they respectfully found the Greeting Daoist at the foot of the mountain, introduced themselves, and informed the Daoist priest.

Soon, a new Daoist priest arrived and led the two up the mountain.

At the Mountain Gate Aloeswood Palace, Kong Ding saw a person leading several Daoists waiting Mountain Gate.

He carefully examined the leader.

The man was over two meters tall, with long black hair and a Purple-black Daoist Robe adorned with various floral, tree, and cloud patterns.

He wore Clear Flower White Jade Daoist Crown on his head, and although he appeared to be a robust man, he had a gentle demeanor.

From a distance, Kong Ding and the other person exchanged a glance.

"This humble monk Kong Ding. Is that Zhang Ying or Dao Child Zhang from the Heavenly Treasure Palace ahead?"

Kong Ding touched the ground with his feet, and his body suddenly shot out at high speed, arriving in front of Zhang Rongfang and the others in the blink of an eye.

A distance of tens of meters, reached in a flash.

It was a lightness and speed that was completely at odds with his imposing, towering physique.

It looks alright from a distance, but up close, it gives the impression of a rhinoceros dancing on a knife's edge.

Zhang Rongfang felt a chill in his heart, but on his face he showed a suitable expression of amazement.

"So you are Grand Initiation Master of the Kong Generation from True Buddha Temple. My apologies for my lack of respect. I am Zhang Ying, with the Daoist Title Heaven and Earth. I have met you, Grand Initiation Master."

He stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Heaven and Earth?" Kong Ding, his two slightly yellowish-brown eyes scanning Zhang Rongfang up and down.

They moved quickly and stealthily.

"That's quite an impressive Daoist Title," he said with a smile.

"Perhaps back then, Master also had high hopes for the younger generation, but now..." Zhang Rongfang revealed a helpless expression at the right time.

He looked at the person behind Kong Ding.

"Who is this Grand Initiation Master?"