It Was Worth It Even If I Died

Xiang Yuan understood. The Demonic Beings referred to the Southern Border, and the Heavenly Sect referred to the Heavenly Sword, Heavenly Saber, and Heavenly Martial families, which had split into three. The court intended to employ a strategy of "driving tigers to swallow wolves," making these disobedient top powers fight amongst themselves.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his mouth dry. He stammered, "You've said so much, is... is this something I should be hearing?"

"It's fine. Everyone knows. The Demonic Beings and the Heavenly Sect aren't foolish; they've long seen through the court's intentions. Anyone can sow discord, but in the end, it depends on how skillful the methods are," Xiao He chuckled.

Xiang Yuan dared not listen further. Meeting Xiao He for the first time, he felt the man was a lunatic, and one who wasn't afraid of death.

Master, oh Master, this road below the mountain is too difficult. A slight misstep leads to a fate worse than death. If you can hear me, please recall your disciple back to the mountain immediately. The tranquility of the mountain is more suited for cultivating immortality.

Xiang Yuan shook his head repeatedly. He had brought an umbrella on a rainy day, so why was this path so terrifying?

"Does Little Yuan Brother think your elder brother has gone mad?"

"Mm."

"Your elder brother thinks so too."

Xiao He nodded, his wild demeanor returning. "This path is fraught with peril, offering no chance of survival. But if we can stir up the world's affairs, our deaths will be worth it, brother."

"Don't talk nonsense. Who's your brother!"

"Hehehehe, Little Yuan Brother, since you've boarded this pirate ship, you can only follow your elder brother to the end."

"The sea of suffering is boundless; turn back to the shore!"

"There's no turning back; the path behind is cut off."

Xiao He burst into laughter. "Your elder brother has revealed his identity to you and leaked the court's secret grand plan. If you don't comply, your elder brother..."

He dropped his smile, narrowed his eyes, and said coldly, "Will have no choice but to kneel until you agree."

He spoke the most ruthless words with the most pathetic tone.

Xiao He was also helpless. He had many methods, but these methods couldn't be used on fated individuals. After much thought, he realized that even the most resolute woman fears persistent pursuit, and a widow fears a cat's meow. Only by pestering relentlessly and shamelessly could he succeed.

Furthermore, Xiao He was intrigued by Xiang Yuan's mysterious master. It would be a waste not to cling to such a powerful figure.

"Speaking of which, Little Yuan Brother's lineage is profound. I haven't had the chance to ask?"

"Enlightened in a dream."

"So you are a venerable monk from the Great Awakening Temple. My apologies, my apologies."

Xiang Yuan remained silent, and Xiao He didn't press further. He continued, "The world only knows Brother Xu's background from a eunuch family, unaware that his elders joined the Imperial City Department long ago. He followed in his father's footsteps; his family is full of loyal martyrs, generations of loyal subjects. Your elder brother respects him the most."

Xiang Yuan fell silent upon hearing this. This statement spoke volumes of hardship, making it difficult for him to connect it to Xu Jixian, who had wet himself that night.

"Then, sir, is your identity as the county tutor also a disguise?"

"Indeed."

Xiao He laid everything bare, hiding nothing. "Your esteemed master entered the Martial Path through literature. After mastering his skills, he offered them to the imperial family. He was ordered to arrive at Fengxian, hiding his identity under the guise of a tutor and schoolteacher. His understanding of the Southern Border far surpasses your elder brother's."

As soon as he finished speaking, he became indecent again. "Your esteemed master is still at the academy. He is a gentleman and feels ashamed to see you. Gentlemen are the easiest to bully; you can extort a hefty sum from him."

Does he even need to say that!

"Shameless! Xiang Yuan is not like you; I am not a despicable rat."

"Hehe, Little Yuan Brother is joking again. That night, when you fought with Qingyan, your elder brother saw your ugly face. You are clearly the same as me, a hypocrite who calls himself a gentleman but is actually base, just more deeply hidden..."

Xiao He spoke animatedly. Seeing Xiang Yuan's face darken, he quickly changed his tune. "Ahem, your elder brother is being petty. You and your esteemed master are both gentlemen. It was clearly he who felt ashamed and, seeking release, actively gave you benefits. You couldn't refuse. Considering his difficult position, you pretended to accept the gift to ease his mind."

That's more like it!

Xiang Yuan nodded. "Sir is a gentleman and cannot be deceived, but... what about Sima Qingyan?"

"Your elder brother has leverage over her; she has no choice but to comply," Xiao He said proudly.

Doesn't that mean he can do whatever he wants!

Hearing his confident tone, Xiang Yuan was extremely curious. "What leverage do you have? The Sima Clan is, after all, a regional power. She has many elders; how could they let you control her?"

"What if the person your elder brother is controlling is precisely one of her elders?" Xiao He countered with a smile.

"I don't understand."

"Her father, Sima Changhui, is colluding with the Southern Border tribes. That smuggling route wouldn't be possible without his assistance. Connecting with the powers in Dezhou within the Six Doors, White Cloud Manor, and Forget Sword Manor—this case is no small matter," Xiao He chuckled sinisterly.

Xiang Yuan suddenly understood. Xiao He held the evidence and wasn't afraid of Sima Qingyan not complying.

He could already picture it in his mind!

A dark and windy night, in a dilapidated temple where one couldn't see their hand in front of their face, Xiao He was aggressive, and Sima Qingyan resisted indignantly. Xiao He, holding the evidence of her crimes, was unfazed, rubbing his hands as he approached.

Heh heh, Qingyan, you wouldn't want your father's charges of corruption to be confirmed, would you?

Unacceptable! Master never said his fated person would be so despicable!

Seeing Xiang Yuan's disgusted expression, Xiao He burst into laughter. "Little Yuan Brother, your intentions are impure. Earlier, your elder brother spoke rudely, but you, a surface gentleman, became lascivious upon seeing Qingyan's beauty. You are clearly more debauched than I am."

Xiang Yuan abruptly stood up. "Then I'll leave?"

"I was wrong."

Xiao He immediately hugged his leg and changed his tune. "Your elder brother's petty heart has acted up again. Clearly, Little Yuan Brother is benevolent, wanting to save Qingyan from hardship. Your elder brother is the one who is lecherous and lustful."

"You are quite sincere," Xiang Yuan slowly sat back down.

"Brother Xiao, do you want me to hand over Sima Changhui's evidence of guilt to you?"

Xiao He smiled fawningly and then said, "Don't misunderstand, brother is a scoundrel. I've been holding onto the evidence, and I can't guarantee I won't have ideas about Qingyan. You're different. You're a gentleman. Even if you take the evidence, you won't do anything to Qingyan."

Sima Qingyan is truly pathetic, sold out by Xiao He in an instant.

"I'm just curious, not lustful."

Xiang Yuan wasn't interested in Sima Changhui's evidence of guilt, nor did he want to get involved with this connection. He continued, "Sima Qingyan's martial arts are extraordinary. She clearly comes from a prestigious sect. How does she know the techniques of the Yellow Springs Dao?"

"I had her practice it for a greater purpose."

Xiao He briefly explained his plan, holding the reins of control. "Her martial arts aptitude is outstanding. While practicing her own sect's methods, she can still manage the Yellow Springs Dao techniques. She's neither righteous nor evil, and she's sinking deeper and deeper. Even if her father finds a way to clear her name, she won't escape my grasp."

Truly the act of a villain!

Xiang Yuan shook his head. In his opinion, Sima Qingyan was a filial daughter, merely hindered by her corrupt and law-breaking father.

"Brother Xiao, I sincerely invite you. I've laid all my cards on the table. When are you planning to join the Imperial City Department and serve the country with me?" Xiao He threw out a map carved onto a dagger.

Xiang Yuan fell silent for a long time. Associating with Xiao He would inevitably involve the Southern Border, a place fraught with danger. As a steady person, he was unwilling to get involved.

But he had a reason to go to the Southern Border. His martial uncle had buried some treasures to the east and some divine skills to the west. If he didn't retrieve them, someone else would eventually dig them up.

This was his martial uncle's legacy, and it had long been his!!!

Since he had to go to the Southern Border sooner or later, joining the Imperial City Department was indeed a viable option. From the sound of Xiao He's words, the Xiao family's intelligence network was spread throughout the Southern Border. With their intelligence, he could avoid many wrong turns and dead ends.

However, the easier something was to obtain, the less it would be cherished. To prevent Xiao He from digging a trap for him and making him a scapegoat, he couldn't agree so readily.

"Brother Xiao?!"

"Let's take our time. I need to think about it further."

"I knew it, Brother Xiao isn't someone who settles for mediocrity. This is like me; we both want to stir up the world!" Xiao He revealed a wild look, and at first glance, he even had a certain charismatic charm.

Xiang Yuan didn't respond and instead asked, "County Lieutenant Qin... is he one of your men too?"

"Brother Xiao is astute. However, like Qingyan, he still thinks I'm a Six Doors secret agent."

As expected, it was all a script from the beginning.

Xiang Yuan sighed, regretting even more that Xiao He had deceived him, but also admiring Xiao He's cunning and patience. He curiously asked, "The Imperial City Department has a large presence in Fengxian County. Where is its headquarters located?"

"Brother Xiao has been there."

"Yulin Academy?"

"Xu Residence."

"..."

"Brother Xiao still remembers the dry well in the backyard of the Xu Residence? That's where it is."

Xiang Yuan was utterly convinced. If his guess was correct, the female ghost he encountered that night, Widow Wang, and the black-robed figure from the Yellow Springs Dao were all lured there by Xu Jixian's schemes.

The black-robed figure was truly pathetic, charging into a dragon's den alone, mistaking two cunning individuals for simpletons, and still thinking he had the upper hand.

So, which side was the villain?

"Damn it, I almost forgot. I've prepared a small gift at the Xu Residence. Brother Xiao, come with me tonight. I guarantee it won't be worse than that trash from the Demon Man!"

Xiao He gritted his teeth as he uttered the latter half of the sentence, then said mournfully, "I'll also call Master Xian. You can scold him properly. Remember, he's sensitive about his reputation."

Brilliant!

Xiang Yuan's eyes lit up, and he indignantly said, "Don't talk nonsense. My teacher is acting under your orders. How could I resent him?"

"Brother knows. I'll add fuel to the fire for you then."

"Hmph, you have no idea."