Hengyuan's secret

[Two: Why are you making so much noise in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?]

Even through the "screen" of the ground book, one could sense the dissatisfaction of the Flying Swallow Heroine. She was probably sitting at the table, wearing a robe, looking somewhat languid and unhappy as she checked the message.

On the other side, Chu Yuanzhen instinctively felt that Li Miaozhen's attitude was somewhat inappropriate. After all, the relationship between Xu Cijiu) and Li Miaozhen was not at the point where they could joke, scold, or criticize each other at will.

Moreover, Li Miaozhen was staying at the Xu Residence. However, Li Miaozhen was too free-spirited and impulsive, and inevitably lacked experience in dealing with people.

[Four: Huh, Master Hengyuan hasn't responded.]

After waiting a while longer, Hengyuan, number six, still did not respond. Given Hengyuan's earlier statement that someone was lying in ambush around the health center, everyone immediately realized that something was wrong.

Xu Qi'an sent a letter saying: [Hengyuan is in trouble. He's involved in a major case. Emperor Yuanjing has sent people to hunt him down, not just for revenge, but most likely to silence him.]

Involved in a major case, murder to cover up a witness, and it involves Emperor Yuanjing?!

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were taken aback, not understanding why Number Three would make such a judgment and say such a thing.

Chu Yuanzhen sent a message: [Number 3, what exactly is going on with Hengyuan? Have you discovered something?]

He voiced the question that puzzled everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society. No one spoke. The impatient female knight, the gluttonous Little Blackie, the high-ranking Number One, and the Golden Lotus Daoist who was spying on the screen were all waiting for Number Three to explain.

[Three: It's not something that can be explained in a few words. The urgent thing now is to go to the health center in the outer city to check on the situation.]

[Two: Okay!]

Immediately, Xu Qi'an put down the book of earth, grabbed a robe and put it on, saying, "I'm going out for a bit, you can come with me."

Zhong Li nodded, got up from the small couch, put on her embroidered shoes as slippers, and followed him out.

The rain pattered on the roof tiles, dripping softly down the eaves. When lightning flashed, it resembled a swaying pearl curtain; when the cold wind blew, it slanted in like flying petals and shattered jade.

A shallow layer of water had accumulated in the courtyard, and the rough raindrops pounded down, creating a misty spray.

Facing the damp air, Xu Qi'an saw Li Miaozhen, dressed in a feathered Daoist robe, standing quietly under the eaves at the other end of the courtyard.

Their eyes met, and without exchanging a word, Li Miaozhen threw out a flying sword, which hovered in the courtyard. The three of them leaped up and stepped onto the flying sword.

The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect made a hand seal, and her flying sword "whooshed" through the rain and soared into the sky.

As long as the Censor-in-Chief tacitly approves, there will be no problem for them flying over the capital.

Soon, they flew over the inner city and arrived at the outer city. Li Miaozhen pushed off with her toes, pressed the tip of her sword down, and thrust it diagonally towards the south of the city.

Li Miaozhen did not land rashly, but circled low for a while and asked, "How is it?"

"Safe for now."

Xu Qi'an responded.

He didn't detect any hostility for the time being, either because the people lying in ambush nearby had controlled themselves well and hadn't looked up, or because they had already left.

Li Miaozhen analyzed seriously, "They may have hidden themselves, perhaps even laid a trap, waiting for us to arrive."

Xu Qi'an frowned. "That possibility cannot be ruled out. Emperor Yuanjing knows that we are in cahoots with Hengyuan, and we must guard against the strategy of besieging the enemy's stronghold and attacking their reinforcements."

"Encircle and attack reinforcements?"

Li Miaozhen exclaimed, "Your description is wonderful! You truly are worthy of this. You shall lead the charge. Your invincible strength is so formidable that even a fourth-rank master's 'intention' would find it difficult to break through."

Xu Qi'an nodded in deep agreement. "You'll cover for me from above."

The two analyzed the situation for a while, then smiled at each other.

Just then, they heard Zhong Li whisper, "There are no ambushes below, no martial artists."

Xu Qi'an and Li Miaozhen's expressions froze.

I almost forgot that Zhong Li is Warlock, skilled in the Qi-Watching Technique. Sigh, it's all because of the weakness she usually displays, which left such a deep impression on me, "Xu Qi'an said with a sigh.

Li Miaozhen thought the same thing. She stopped circling and landed in the rain. The street was uneven and dilapidated, and the low houses on both sides looked desolate and broken in the rain.

The health center was closed.

Xu Qi'an squinted and scanned the surroundings. Just as he was about to say, "There are no signs of a fight," he heard Zhong Li and Li Miaozhen say in unison, "Someone is dead."

His heart sank.

The three of them jumped over the wall and entered the health center.

The courtyard, overgrown with weeds, was pitch black, with raindrops pattering down. Inside the east hall, a dim, yellowish light shone through the windows.

The three approached and saw a simple wooden bed set up in the hall, with a corpse covered by a white cloth, its body emaciated.

Xu Qi'an could tell at a glance that it wasn't Hengyuan, but that didn't put him at ease.

An old clerk sat beside the corpse, his head bowed in dejection, his aged face deeply lined with sorrow and helplessness.

Xu Qi'an had visited the health center many times and knew him. This old official's surname was Li. He was also an elderly man living alone, but he was in good health and had been assigned to work at the health center.

"Old Li, what happened?"

Xu Qi'an deliberately made loud footsteps to attract Lao Li's attention, but Lao Li was still startled and trembled visibly, as if he had just been frightened.

"Xu, Xu Yinluo"

Upon seeing Xu Qi'an, the old clerk's cloudy eyes shone with hope.

He was immediately overjoyed, and stood up shakily, excitedly saying, "Why is Xu Yinluo here?"

Xu Qi'an grasped his hand and asked again, "What happened?"

Upon hearing this, the old clerk became excited again and said, "In the afternoon, some neighbors came to tell us that someone outside was looking for Master Hengyuan and was carrying his portrait."

"I told Master Hengyuan to go out and avoid the situation. At dusk, a group of mysterious people broke into the health center. They couldn't catch Master Hengyuan, but they asked me some questions about him and then left."

"Who knew that after dark, they came back and forcibly took the elderly and children from the health center to the door, threatening that if Master Hengyuan didn't return, they would kill one person every fifteen minutes."

At this point, the old clerk burst into tears. "Old Zhang was unlucky. His throat was slit by those people. He suffered terribly when he died, struggling on the ground, and blood splattered everywhere."

"Later, Master Hengyuan returned, and they arrested people and left. We don't know where they went. I don't know whether Master Hengyuan is alive or dead."

Li Miaozhen's face had turned ashen.

"Did you get a good look at those people?" Xu Qi'an asked.

"They were wearing black robes and masks, so their faces couldn't be seen," the old clerk said mournfully.

The Prince of Huai's Secret Agent!

Xu Qi'an and Li Miaozhen exchanged a glance. Since they had expected this, they were not surprised, but rather angry.

Without a doubt, if Hengyuan hadn't shown up, everyone in Yangshengtang would have been killed.

"We all underestimated the ruthlessness of the Prince of Huai's spies," Xu Qi'an said in a low voice.

A bunch of cold-blooded beasts.

No matter what, human life should not be treated like dirt, killed without a second thought. Especially when it was a lonely old man.

"I'm going to kill them all."

Li Miaozhen forced out the words through gritted teeth. "My master once said that a person who doesn't respect life doesn't need to have their life respected either."

Xu Qi'an was silent for a moment, then said, "How are the others? Hmm, that child in the backyard?"

The old clerk nodded. "They were all a bit frightened, but they're fine. They'll be alright after a good night's sleep."

There will definitely be grief and sorrow afterward, but no one ever cares about the feelings of these widows, orphans, and lonely people.

"We'll stay here tonight. You're getting on in years, you should go back and rest."

Xu Qi'an escorted the old clerk back to his room and returned to the East Hall. Zhong Li and Li Miaozhen stood in the hall, neither of them speaking, the atmosphere somewhat deathly silent.

The situation is very bad right now.

Hengyuan was taken away by the Prince of Huai's secret agents, and his fate was sealed.

The Earth Sect's most precious treasure, the fragment of the Earth Book, fell into the hands of Emperor Yuanjing, who was found to be colluding with the Earth Sect's evil cultivators.

They might even be able to extract information about members of the Heaven and Earth Society from Hengyuan. Of course, Hengyuan wouldn't confess, but the Earth Sect has ways to make him confess, such as killing someone to summon their soul.

Once Xu Qi'an's identity as the holder of the Earth Book fragment is revealed, the leader of the Earth Sect will realize that the mysterious powerhouse who appeared in Chuzhou is none other than Xu Qi'an.

Emperor Yuanjing would probably guess that the sealed artifact related to Buddhist School beneath Sangbo is on Xu Qi'an.

In an instant, the pressure surged forth.

Xu Qi'an wiped his face and said in a deep voice, "Miaozhen, tell them that Hengyuan has been taken away, and his fate is unknown. The fragments of the Earth Book have also fallen into the hands of Emperor Yuanjing."

Li Miaozhen nodded, took out the fragment of the Earth Book, and informed the members of the Heaven and Earth Society about the matter.

[Part 4: Things indeed took the worst possible turn.]

Chu Yuanzhen sent a letter filled with emotion.

[5: So what do we do now?]

Even Lina, who wasn't very bright, sensed that this was tricky.

No one answered her. They didn't even know if Hengyuan was alive or dead, and besides, their opponent was the emperor.

In the case of the massacre in Chuzhou, the opponent was also the emperor, but the "allies" included civil and military officials, the supervisor, and Zhao Shou of the Cloud Deer Academy.

The situation was different. At that time, it could be said that they were riding the wave of the tide. Emperor Yuanjing went against the tide, so he lost.

This time, it's only the Heaven and Earth Society.

In the frustrating silence, Master Jinlian suddenly sent a message: [I sensed something and discovered that the fragments of Hengyuan's Earth Book are nearby.]

Xu Qi'an's eyes suddenly lit up.

Master Jinlian didn't say who "you" referred to, but Xu Qi'an knew it was them.

"Yes, I was confused. I underestimated Master Hengyuan. Since he was determined to exchange himself for the lives of the people from the Health Preservation Hall, he certainly wouldn't be carrying the fragments of the Earth Book with him." Xu Qi'an quickly looked at the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect:

"Miaozhen!"

Li Miaozhen opened the sachet at her waist, releasing wisps of green smoke that drifted outwards from the Yangsheng Hall, searching for fragments of the Earth Book.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a wisp of green smoke returned carrying a mirror, which was gently placed on the table. The smoke drifted to Li Miaozhen's face and twisted as if seeking praise.

"I'll give you double the Yin Qi tomorrow."

Li Miaozhen made a promise, then opened the sachet, opened her mouth, and let out a silent shriek.

In an instant, wisps of green smoke, as if summoned, surged back and entered the sachet.

"Hengyuan threw the fragment of the Earth Book into the weeds by the roadside, not far from the Health Preservation Hall," the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect said, relaying the message to the other fragment holders.

Master Jinlian sent a message: [Very good. Gentlemen, I believe we should now discuss this further.]

[One: That's exactly what I meant.]

Number One replied quickly, clearly indicating that he/she had been closely monitoring the situation.

Chu Yuanzhen then sent a message: [Number Three, you discovered this matter. Shouldn't you tell us the specifics?]

Xu Qi'an hesitated for a moment, then used his finger as a pen to write: [Do you still remember when Master Hengyuan broke into the Pingyuan Earl's residence and killed him? I was the one who saved him back then.]

This happened last year, before the Sangbo case, so everyone remembers it.

[Part 4: Is Emperor Yuanjing's recent actions against Hengyuan related to this matter?]

Li Miaozhen looked up in surprise and glanced at Xu Qi'an.

[Part Three: I learned through a secret channel that the Yazi organization, manipulated by the Earl of Pingyuan, is actually loyal to Emperor Yuanjing.]

[One: Impossible!]

Number One directly refuted his words, using only three words, his attitude resolute.

[Four: Although I dislike Emperor Yuanjing, I don't believe he was the mastermind behind the human trafficking ring, because there's no need for him to be.]

Who was the emperor?

At the pinnacle of power in the entire court, who else had more power than him? No one. The Censor was stronger than him, but in terms of power, it must be admitted that the emperor held the greatest power.

Leaving aside ordinary people, even for royalty and nobles, the emperor had the power to decide their life and death.

Does the Emperor, the supreme ruler, need to traffic people?

I know this is unbelievable, like Jack Ma having to steal electric bikes to maintain a decent life, Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

He continued to send the letter: [Brother Chu, you are a scholar, but your thinking is still not sharp enough. Emperor Yuanjing must have had his reasons for doing this.]

[Nine: What's the reason?]

This time, it was Master Jinlian who asked the first question; he seemed quite curious as well.

[Part Three: I don't know the specifics, but I do know that the Ya Zi organization regularly sends a batch of living people into the palace. How long this process has lasted is currently unconfirmed, but it has certainly been many, many years.]

He did not stop and continued to deliver the message:

[The Earl of Pingyuan believed he had a handle on Emperor Yuanjing, and his ambition swelled. He wanted to gain more power and status, so he cooperated with the Liang faction and killed Princess Pingyang.]

[In this case, Emperor Yuanjing knew everything, but he chose to protect the Earl of Pingyuan. Until the Earl of Pingyuan became unruly and attracted Wei Yuan's attention. To prevent the matter from being exposed, Emperor Yuanjing devised a plan: he used the case of Princess Pingyang to kill the Earl of Pingyuan and silence him.]

Li Miaozhen suddenly looked up, her beautiful eyes wide open, her face showing extreme shock, indicating that she had guessed what would happen next.

[One: You mean that Hengyuan became a tool in His Majesty's hands and killed the Earl of Pingyuan.]

Apart from Lina, the members of the Heaven and Earth Society are all above average in intelligence.

Of course, Lina's combat strength is also above average; she is the Little Tyrant of Southern Frontier, with strength that can uproot mountains and an aura that can overwhelm the world.

[Four: So, Emperor Yuanjing's plan to silence Hengyuan, using the Prince of Huai's spies, is flawed. If he wanted to silence him, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?]

[Three: No, you're wrong. Even murder to silence a witness depends on timing and necessity. Consider this: who is Hengyuan? Just a martial monk from Qinglong Temple. In the case of Princess Pingyang, he's merely a pawn, insignificant. Is it necessary to kill a pawn who doesn't know the inside story?]

[Four: But now, Emperor Yuanjing feels it is necessary to kill him to silence him.] Chu Yuanzhen sent a letter.

[Three: That's right, so what made Emperor Yuanjing decide to kill them to silence them? Everyone, think about what Master Hengyuan has done recently.]

Block the Imperial Guards and the Lotus Seed Protector of Jianzhou!

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were startled.

[Three: Master Hengyuan is getting too close to you, and too close to my elder brother. Who is my elder brother? He is Wei Yuan's confidant. There is no case in the world that he cannot solve.]

In the Chuzhou massacre, Emperor Yuanjing actually revealed a lot. At this time, he discovered that Master Hengyuan was with you, and he became worried and suspicious, so he decided to kill people to silence them.

[As for his motive for killing to silence witnesses, I speculate that Master Hengyuan, while investigating the whereabouts of his junior brother Henghui, learned some important clues that he himself may not have realized, but Emperor Yuanjing feared he would reveal them.]

[One: What you said makes sense, but I still have two questions. First, why would His Majesty secretly plunder the city's inhabitants? Second, the palace is heavily guarded, and every interaction is recorded. The palace is a complex web of power struggles, with spies from various factions, including the Imperial Censor, the Grand Preceptor, Wei Yuan, and others.]

[It's not something His Majesty can simply send in at will, let alone a certain number of people.]

To put it bluntly, it's just that the transportation channels are unreasonable. Xu Qi'an frowned.

At this moment, Lina sent a message: [That's easy, just dig a secret passage.]

That silly girl hit the nail on the head.

The Earth Book chat group suddenly fell silent.

If it's a secret passage, the Earl of Pingyuan would definitely know, but the Earl of Pingyuan is dead. Who else would know? A minor leader in the Yazi organization? If that's the case, Duke Wei Duke Wei, you're too terrifying. Hmm, not necessarily. A secret passage must be extremely well-hidden. How could the Earl of Pingyuan let his subordinates know? Xu Qi'an pinched his brow and sent a message:

[Our current concern isn't Emperor Yuanjing's secret, but rather what to do about Master Hengyuan?]

No one answered him, because everyone felt there was no solution.

In the silence, Daoist Jinlian transmitted a message: [First find out where he is. As for his safety, don't worry too much. Hengyuan won't die.]

What makes you so sure?

The members of the Earth Book chat group were all asking themselves the same question.

[Nine: This involves a secret of Hengyuan, which I cannot reveal without his permission. But I can tell you that it is the reason why I chose him as the holder of the Earth Book fragment.]

[Of course, we should still contact him; just because things are fine now doesn't mean they won't be in the future.]

If that's the case, then I'm not worried about my identity being exposed in the short term, and I won't have to leave the capital with my family. Xu Qi'an breathed a sigh of relief and sent a letter:

[Leave this to my elder brother. The Nightwatchers are in charge of patrolling the streets, and the records of the Prince of Huai's spies entering and leaving today can be checked.]

Master Jinlian added: [Find a way to lure out the Prince of Huai's spies, kill them outside the city, and then have Miaozhen summon their souls for interrogation.]

After a few more words of discussion, the Heaven and Earth Society concluded this long meeting.

After daybreak, Li Miaozhen and Xu Qi'an returned to the inner city. The latter went to the Nightwatchers's office and asked Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao to check the entry and exit records of the inner city and the imperial city the previous day.

They agreed to go to the brothel to listen to music the next day before leaving the Nightwatchers's office.

Xu Qi'an rode his beloved little mare back to the manor, then left alone. He changed his clothes and appearance at a brothel before leaving. After several detours, he arrived at the courtyard of the widow, Mu Nanzhi.

I knocked on the Heavenly Gate, but no one answered.

After knocking for a long time, footsteps finally came from the courtyard.

"Squeak!"

The courtyard gate opened, and the princess stood on the threshold, her face bare, her hair disheveled, and her eyes still sleepy.

"Knocking on the door so late, is there a lover in the yard?" Xu Qi'an snorted.

The princess rolled her eyes at him.

Xu Qi'an stepped into the courtyard, he was suddenly drawn by a faint Spiritual Qi. He looked in astonishment at the water vat in the courtyard.

The water in the jar was clear, with a shallow layer of silt. A small section of lotus root was half-buried in the silt, growing fine roots.

It really came to life.

P. S.: I have to go to work tomorrow, so I'm going to sleep now. This chapter is a little over 5,000 words, which makes up for the shortness of the previous chapter.