Heaven and Earth Society Members: Senior Brother Sun, Is This Monkey for Sale?

Li Lingsu turned to the side, carefully scrutinizing Miao Youfang, then cautiously took a step back and said:

What kind of scheme are you plotting?

Miao Youfang looked aggrieved and said indignantly:

"What are you saying? Protector Yuan and I are old acquaintances. I met him when I was working with Xu Yinluo in the Southern Frontier border region."

"We've known each other since we were travelers on the martial arts world, and I kindly introduced him to you, but you judged me with your petty mind."

Li Lingsu exclaimed in surprise:

"Oh my, it's been a while. You've even picked up a few literary phrases now. It's really different working with a junior scholar."

Through their conversation during the day, he learned that Miao Youfang had been acting as Xu Xinnian's deputy general and bodyguard during this time.

After saying that, the Holy Son said irritably:

"You looked exactly like that bitch Xu Qi'an just now."

"Then wouldn't I also be able to seduce a beauty of unparalleled grace?" Miao Youfang said without batting an eye.

"Protector Yuan is a demon from the Southern Frontier Demon Race clan. He is simple-minded and never lies. In addition, he possesses a Divine Ability."

Born into a street ruffian and having spent many years in the underworld, Miao Youfang's ability to lie through his teeth is unparalleled.

Li Lingsu immediately became interested:

"What kind of Divine Ability?"

Miao Youfang said mysteriously:

"This Protector Yuan knows everything under heaven; he knows all of everyone's secrets. He even knows the things you find hardest to talk about."

Upon hearing Miao Youfang's words, the officials and generals on the Qingzhou side, who had suffered greatly from the "monkey's torment," revealed complex yet expectant expressions.

Miao Youfang is a cunning fellow. He said this on purpose to guide the Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect to recall the most unspeakable thing in his heart, so that Protector Yuan could glean the Holy Son's inner thoughts.

This cannot be said to mean that Miao Youfang was utterly devoid of conscience; it can only mean that he was completely inhuman!

However, having learned from past mistakes, these generals and officials who retreated from Qingzhou harbored a sliver of hope!

Once you've fallen into a pit, you'll think that others might fall into it too.

While there was anticipation, there was also some dissatisfaction, because the Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect cultivated the Supreme Forgetfulness.

Such a person, with a tranquil mind, will not produce anything interesting.

Miao Youfang is a wicked fellow. Li Lingsu's eyes darted around, and she smiled:

"I don't believe you! Unless you prove it to me."

Having spent so much time with Xu Qi'an when they were traveling the world together, he knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. Based on his understanding of Miao Youfang, he was certain that the guy had no good intentions.

But the Holy Son had traveled extensively and seen a great deal, and he truly did not believe that such a person existed in the world.

Seeing that Li Lingsu had fallen into the trap, Miao Youfang was overjoyed and couldn't wait to say:

"Protector Yuan, quick, show him your power!"

Protector Yuan nodded slightly, his clear blue eyes looking at Li Lingsu, and said:

Miao Youfang's heart told him: Quickly, quickly tell Li Lingsu's most shameful thing, make him embarrass himself in front of everyone, just like when we found out about his secret rendezvous with that woman from Wanhualou who could be his mother and exposed him on the spot.

"Since you don't want me to be your lover, then I'll be your son. I still find that line hilarious, hahahahaha."

The scene fell silent instantly; the once vibrant atmosphere became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The people at the table silently put down their wine glasses, staring in astonishment at Li Lingsu and Miao Youfang.

Xiao Yuenu, the woman from Wan Hua Lou, frowned.

Miao Youfang was stunned, completely caught off guard. It was as if he had agreed with his ally to fight the enemy together, only for his ally to turn around and strike him with a sword, tying him to the enemy.

He wanted to see Li Lingsu make a fool of herself; he never imagined he'd become the clown himself.

Li Lingsu froze on the spot, holding his wine glass. He felt as if his "clothes" were being peeled away layer by layer, from the inside out, from body to soul, being stared nakedly at by dozens of people present.

How can he, a dignified Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect, possibly have the face to show in the martial world in the future?

"What's the point of my life?" The Holy Son's face flushed red, then gradually turned pale.

Protector Yuan glanced at Li Lingsu with his azure eyes, then looked at Miao Youfang:

"You surnamed Miao, let's die together!"

Protector Yuan was greatly alarmed and asked with concern:

"Miao Youfang, this protector gives you some advice: run away quickly."

Damn it, you still haven't told me what the most embarrassing thing in Li Lingsu's life is? Oh, maybe it's this very moment. Miao Youfang threw down his wine cup, his martial arts senses sending him a dangerous signal.

He was urged to escape quickly.

With two quick "whoosh" sounds, Miao Youfang and Li Lingsu disappeared from the prefectural government compound.

A few seconds of silence followed, then Yang Gong coughed forcefully and chuckled dryly:

"Let's drink, let's drink! I was just joking, just trying to liven up the party."

The officials and generals of Qingzhou echoed the sentiment, saying, "Let's drink!"

Completely satisfied.

The fourth-rank masters of the Martial Alliance looked slightly bewildered, as if they understood but didn't fully comprehend it.

Li Miaozhen and the other members of the Heaven and Earth Society were dumbfounded, their faces filled with astonishment.

The words that Protector Yuan just said were the same sweet nothings that Li Lingsu and Master Rongrong of Wanhua Tower exchanged during their secret rendezvous.

Such shameless and despicable words are one thing to say in private, but to be spoken publicly in front of so many people... If I were Li Lingsu, I probably would have already drawn my sword and committed suicide. Chu Yuanzhen thought to himself.

The dignified Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect actually had an affair with a woman old enough to be a mother. The elders of the Heavenly Sect might not care, but Li Lingsu would probably become a laughing stock and a legendary figure in the martial arts world. Sigh, hurry up and forget your feelings, Senior Brother, hahahaha. Li Miaozhen laughed wildly in her heart.

Master Hengyuan pondered for a moment and said:

"Could this Protector Yuan have attained the Buddhist School ability to read minds?"

Upon hearing this, Protector Yuan looked over and clasped his hands together in prayer.

"This Dharma Protector once spent some time in the Buddhist School."

Master Hengyuan nodded slightly, and Chu Yuanzhen asked:

"Buddhist School telepathy?"

Hengyuandao:

"Telepathy is a secret Buddhist School technique that allows one to read the minds of others. However, it has significant limitations; it is almost ineffective against opponents of the same level."

Everyone suddenly realized why Protector Yuan hadn't read Li Lingsu's thoughts earlier, but instead had read Miao Youfang's.

Li Lingsu was an outstanding figure among the fourth-rank Daoist School, even surpassing Protector Yuan.

"Yuenü has a question and would like to ask Protector Yuan and Lady Flying Swallow."

Upon hearing that his mind-reading ability was ineffective against those of the same level, Xiao Yuenu no longer hesitated, gracefully rising to her feet and attracting everyone's attention.

Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen exchanged a glance, and they roughly understood what was going on.

The women of Wanhualou valued their reputation highly, and the more likely they were to attract controversy, the more careful they became about their conduct.

Xiao Yuenu's original tactic against Liu Hongmian was to frame her for being promiscuous.

Women of the Wan Hua Lou (Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion) can marry, but only with the sect's permission; they cannot freely choose their partners.

Now that Xiao Yuenu, as the head of the sect, has heard that the Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect has secretly married a beautiful woman in the sect and is exchanging gifts privately, she certainly cannot sit idly by.

What do you want to ask?

Protector Yuan silently gazed at this woman, who should be considered one of the most beautiful women among humans.

"You just said that Li Lingsu, the Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect, has an extraordinary relationship with my Wan Hua Lou disciple?"

"It was Miao Youfang who said it, not me," Protector Yuan shifted the blame.

Xiao Yuenu ignored these details and asked in a deep voice:

"Did Miao Youfang say which disciple he was, and what his name was?"

Protector Yuan shook his head:

Miao Youfang didn't say anything, but judging from the girl's accusatory tone, it seemed there was something wrong. What's wrong with love between a man and a woman? Don't you like Xu Yinluo yourself?

Xiao Yuenu's expression changed slightly, and her voice rose a few decibels:

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Protector Yuan looked at Fu Jing and spoke frankly:

"That gentleman just asked you if you regretted not marrying Xu Yinluo, and you told him to shut up, but your heart tells me: I didn't refuse back then."

He was initially indifferent to the whispers of those around him, like flies buzzing around, but he would pay more attention when he heard certain sensitive words.

For example, Xu Yinluo!

The leaders and sect masters of the martial arts alliance looked at Xiao Yuenu with surprise, their complex expressions seeming to say: I never expected you to be like this, Xiao Yuenu.

The young master Xiao, whose face was covered by a thin veil, blushed instantly. As a woman, her shyness and embarrassment at this moment were no less than those of Li Lingsu just now.

At the table, everyone let out a long "Oh," looking at Xiao Yuenu with mocking eyes.

Heroes love beauties, and beauties love heroes. Tell me, which girl wouldn't be attracted to a prodigy like Xu Yinluo?

"Snort!"

Xiao Yuenü flicked her sleeves and left, her skirt billowing as she walked away quickly.

"Isn't he unable to see through the mind of a fourth-rank official?" Chu Yuanzhen turned his head and cast a bewildered glance at Master Hengyuan.

Li Miaozhen's gaze followed Xiao Yuenu's retreating figure until she turned through the archway and left the courtyard. Only then did the Flying Swallow Heroine withdraw her gaze, pick up her teacup, take a sip, and think disdainfully to herself:

Hmph, yet another woman eyeing Xu Ningyan. She's driving me crazy.

The white ape protector was taken aback, his clear blue gaze falling on Li Miaozhen, his mind uncontrollably reading her mind:

Your heart tells me, "Hmph, yet another woman eyeing Xu Ningyan. She's so annoying!"

"Pfft!" Li Miaozhen spat out a mouthful of wine.

"What nonsense are you spouting?!"

She understood the bitterness in her senior's heart, and her cheeks burned. Despite her heroic spirit, she also exuded a touch of charm.

Chu Yuanzhen secretly glanced at Li Miaozhen; she indeed had feelings for Xu Ningyan. No, she couldn't think about it anymore. Confucius said, "To learn and at due times to practice what one has learned, is that not also a pleasure?"

The white ape protector withdrew his gaze, losing interest, and refused to look at Chu Yuanzhen.

Ah, even the Flying Swallow Heroine's expression suddenly became complicated among the fourth-rank martial arts alliance members.

Although Xiao Yuenü is known as the most beautiful woman in Jianzhou, with a first-class figure and temperament, the martial artists of the Martial Alliance secretly dream of the Flying Swallow Heroine Li Miaozhen.

Few chivalrous figures in the martial arts world do not admire the heroine Fei Yan.

"Cough cough!"

As the host, Yang Gong had no choice but to step in and warm up the atmosphere, smiling as he said:

"Drinking, drinking. Protector Yuan didn't mean any harm. His innate supernatural power is perfectly compatible with the Buddhist School Divine Ability of telepathy. However, he was forced to let his Divine Ability get out of control."

The white ape protector still had some will to survive, and said with a sincere expression:

"Feel sorry."

Suddenly, the tone shifted. "Governor Yang's heart tells me: tonight's banquet was truly interesting, making these usually high and mighty figures feel ashamed and embarrassed."

Yang Yan, Jiang Luzhong, and other Golden Gong members, along with fourth-rank martial arts masters from the Martial Arts Alliance, and Chu Yuanzhen and others, all watched Yang Gong in silence.

The smile on Yang Gong's face gradually froze, like a silent landscape painting.

The banquet ended early. Having learned from the mistakes of the others, no one dared to continue eating, because the difference between a "big shot" and a "laughing stock" might just be a glance from Protector Yuan.

Sacrificing a few people like Li Lingsu is enough; they're all prominent figures, there's no need for them to be so reckless.

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society lived in the same courtyard, with their rooms adjacent to each other.

Not long after the party ended, Chu Yuanzhen and the others noticed that Li Lingsu had returned, carrying Miao Youfang, who had a bruised and swollen face.

"Brother Li, I also got tricked by that monkey. We should unite against him. Let's eat monkey brains tonight."

Miao Youfang attempted to shift the blame eastward.

Li Lingsu did not respond, so Li Miaozhen opened the window and said:

"Alright, one chopsticks per person!"

Miao Youfang looked in the direction of the sound and his eyes lit up.

He saw another beautiful woman in the room, dressed in a white dress, with exquisitely beautiful features and a captivating charm that was like poison to any man.

Su Su recently broke through her cultivation barrier, and her cultivation has improved. She has transformed from a seductive ghost skilled in charm into a fierce ghost skilled in both charm and combat.

In her ghost form, she possesses immense power, but once she merges into a physical body, she becomes merely an ordinary woman with strong spiritual power.

That's the real reason Su Su hesitated; it certainly wasn't because she was afraid of being measured by the man surnamed Xu.

"I feel like I've seen this older sister somewhere before," Miao Youfang chuckled.

"Don't even think about it, she's Xu Ningyan's concubine," Li Miaozhen said bluntly.

"Oh, hello, Madam."

Miao Youfang was very respectful.

Li Lingsu sat at the stone table in the courtyard and said loudly:

"Junior sister, Brother Chu, come out for a moment."

Li Miaozhen closed the window, opened the door and went into the courtyard. The door on the other side opened, and Chu Yuanzhen, wearing a blue robe, walked into the courtyard.

Li Lingsu patted the stone table, gesturing for them to come and sit down, and said excitedly:

"That stinky monkey can read minds; even a casualty like Chaofan could easily capsize in the gutter."

Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen were taken aback:

"Really?"

"If you don't believe me, ask Miao Youfang." Li Lingsu kicked the man surnamed Miao.

The chivalrous Miao Youfang was flexible and adaptable, even capable of betraying his master, and immediately said:

"Back in Southern Frontier, Xu Yinluo also fell for the monkey's tricks many times."

Chu Yuanzhen's heart skipped a beat. "So?"

Li Lingsu rubbed her hands excitedly:

"We must take revenge! We must take revenge on Xu Ningyan, on Daoist Jinlian, on Asuluo. The monkey is our means of repaying them in kind."

Miao Youfang sneered:

"Xu Yinluo knows Protector Yuan well; he won't fall for it."

Li Miaozhen's eyes sparkled:

"But Master Jinlian and Asuluo don't know that, given Xu Ningyan's despicable character, he would never warn them. Instead, he would go with the flow and let us at least take revenge on Jinlian and Asuluo first."

Chu Yuanzhen clapped his hands lightly:

"Good!"

Miao Youfang chimed in:

"The monkey belongs to Senior Brother Sun; you'll have to ask him if he's selling it."

Li Lingsu urged, "Then hurry up and find Sun Xuanji. I can't stay here for another day."

The Holy Son is too ashamed to face the higher-ups in Xunzhou.

In the other room, Hengyuan sat cross-legged on the bed, listening to the discussion in the courtyard. He frowned slightly, feeling that something was amiss. The Heaven and Earth Society hadn't always acted this way, had it?

Who started this trend of wanting everyone to lose face?

Sun Xuanji walked along the cobblestone path. The desolate garden was silent, the pavilions were still, and the houses with upturned eaves in the distance had long since turned off their lights.

He entered the garden and found Yuan Hufa huddled in the shadows, hiding in the artificial hill.

The white ape protector, who had been on high alert, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that it was Sun Xuanji.

Her azure eyes gazed intently at Sun Xuanji, directly reading his thoughts, and then she replied:

"I felt hostility from all sides, and I was afraid that someone would chop off my head and make monkey brains while I was sleeping, so I hid. I didn't say anything; I just told the truth and didn't offend anyone, at least not all the fourth-rank officials."

"Don't try to read the minds of experts above the third rank? Don't worry, Senior Brother Sun, I definitely won't try to read the minds of second-rank experts. I just can't control my Divine Ability, but I'm not tired of living, and I would never provoke a second-rank expert."

Sun Xuanji nodded in relief; in that case, he could still protect this monkey.

late at night.

The Qingzhou Provincial Administration Office was brightly lit.

After withdrawing from Xunzhou City on the border of Yongzhou, and after a series of tasks such as rest and counting the number of dead, the generals of Yunzhou Army finally had time to gather here to discuss matters.

"General, the casualty count is complete. The entire 6,000-strong siege battalion, from the first to the sixth, has been wiped out."

"General, we have lost twenty-one artillery pieces, six ballistae, and the entire Second Battalion of the elite infantry has been wiped out."

"General, of the three hundred men in the military camp, one hundred and sixty-two have been killed, and eighty are seriously wounded."

"Great General"

Qi Guangbo leaned back in his chair, listening silently to the generals report on the casualties of their respective units.

In the daytime battle, the Yunzhou army suffered heavy losses, with total casualties exceeding ten thousand. Such a level of attrition was truly heartbreaking.

The only saving grace was that the siege battalion was a miscellaneous army, not the core force of Yunzhou. It consisted of new recruits who were gradually added to the ranks after the capture of Qingzhou.

The martial arts camp wasn't part of the elite forces, but its losses were even more heartbreaking than those of the elite forces, because the martial arts camp was full of highly skilled martial arts masters.

These people included many fourth, fifth, and sixth-rank officials, representing the elite force in the siege warfare.

But this time, there were far too many fourth-rank experts in the Great Feng garrison.

"Well!"

Ge Wenxuan sighed:

"This defeat has had a tremendous impact on the morale of our troops."

Hearing him say this, the generals couldn't help but think of the low morale of their soldiers.

Morale is a very real thing; you have high morale when you win, and you're dejected when you lose.

It wouldn't have been a big deal in itself; victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. But the problem was that it was Xu Qi'an who defeated them.

The man surnamed Xu is renowned throughout the Central Plains; his name is too famous to be underestimated.

When they win a battle, they are not afraid, but once they lose, the morale of the soldiers will plummet, and they will think that the opponent is Xu Yinluo, and that Xu Yinluo cannot be defeated.

Especially now, the Yunzhou Army is no longer the same army it was when it first left Yunzhou. After absorbing Jianghu people, Qingzhou refugees, and disaster victims who fled from various places, its structure has become very complex.

Many of them held Xu Qi'an in awe.

Today, someone was beheaded on the spot by his superiors for saying, "Xu Yinluo is invincible and cannot be defeated," on the grounds that he was causing unrest among the troops.

Qi Guangbo took a sip of tea, his tone remaining calm:

"I have something to tell you: the entire army of Daoist priests from the Earth Sect has been wiped out."

"Today, Qingzhou was attacked by powerful figures. All the high-ranking members of the Earth Sect, including the Daoist leader Black Lotus, were killed. Only a few junior Daoists who were out and about survived."

The generals present changed their expressions drastically upon hearing this.

Upon returning to Qingzhou, they learned through their own channels that a major battle had taken place in the Provincial Judicial Commissioner's Office during the day, but they were unaware that the entire Dizong Daoist army had been wiped out.

Black Lotus was a second-grade transcendent being; how could she die so suddenly?

In an instant, the gloom in everyone's hearts grew even heavier.

Qi Guangbo seemed to feel that the blows weren't enough, and said:

"Today's battle was a scheme set up by Xu Qi'an. He used the coup in the capital and Ji Yuan's safety to lure the Grand Preceptor and us into attacking Yongzhou. Then he was responsible for restraining the Grand Preceptor and the Bodhisattva Gara Tree."

"His henchmen are responsible for eliminating Black Lotus and weakening our extraordinary combat power."

Yang Chuannan frowned:

Who killed Black Lotus?

That's the crux of the problem.

Ji Xuan gritted his teeth and said:

"A second-rank Arhat in Buddhist School, and also a third-rank Vajra, Asura!"

The already tense atmosphere in the hall grew even quieter, and the generals looked at each other, their expressions grim.

One of our Black Lotuses died, while the opponent gained a Second Rank cultivator. With this shift in power, the gap was quickly closed.

Qi Guangbo finally revealed a solemn expression and said:

"Do you understand now? This is Xu Qi'an! He turned around a dead end that even the Imperial Advisor thought was unsolvable. He is Wei Yuan's successor, a chess player trained by the Supervisor, and an absolutely formidable figure."

"This person is not comparable to Yang Gong. If you think the upcoming battle will be like the one in Qingzhou, then you will die on the battlefield sooner or later."

"Those who don't want to die, better pull yourselves together."

The generals fell silent.

For no apparent reason, Ge Wenxuan thought of Xu Qi'an's background and the complicated relationship between him and his teacher.

How does the teacher view this eldest son today?

Anger? Hatred? Regret? Or... even a sliver of fear?

Xu Qi'an has reached the second rank.

In a one-on-one fight, a second-rank Warlock is no match for a second-rank martial artist. That abandoned child, originally intended as a vessel, has grown into an unparalleled martial artist that even his teacher finds difficult to defeat.

Of course, if the teacher has the home-field advantage, such as if the battlefield is in Qingzhou, then that's a different story.

Bang!

Ji Xuan slammed his hand on the table, his voice sharp and stern:

"So what if they're second-rank? Today, three second-rank experts were still suppressed by the Bodhisattva of the Gara Tree. When the White Emperor returns to the Nine Provinces, and two first-rank experts join forces, who in the Great Feng can stop them?"

"There's no need to boost others' morale and diminish our own. Let that bastard surnamed Xu be arrogant for a few more days."

Young Master Ji Xuan seemed a bit off; today's battle appeared to have dealt him a significant blow. Indeed, he had always believed he had caught up with Xu Qi'an. Yang Chuannan understood, and sighed silently.

Ji Xuan's words rekindled the faith and confidence of the generals.

That's right, with two first-rank officials joining forces, how can the Great Feng resist without its supervisor?

At this moment, a soldier outside the hall shouted:

"General Ji, the scouts have brought back an item, saying it's a gift for you."

The high-ranking military officers in the hall all looked in the direction of the voice. Ji Xuan frowned and said:

"Bring it here!"

A soldier carried in a square wooden box, placed it respectfully on the table, and reported:

"A scout squad was ambushed and killed on the border of Yongzhou. The Great Feng spared one survivor and had him bring back this, saying it was for you."

"There's a magic array on the box; we can't open it."

Ji Xuan frowned, placed one palm on the surface of the wooden box, and exerted a little force. Sure enough, he felt the formation rebound.

He exerted a slight force in his palm, squeezing the array to the brink of collapse. During this process, the martial artist's sense of crisis did not activate.

This means that opening the box is not dangerous.

Confident in himself and trusting Xu Pingfeng, who was virtually invincible in Qingzhou, Ji Xuan swept his palm across the surface of the wooden box, forcefully erasing the array.

"Click!"

He opened the wooden box.

The box contained a human head, its skin bluish, its bloodshot eyes bulging, and its expression of fear frozen on its face. Its eyebrows and eyes bore a four or five-point resemblance to Ji Xuan.

Ji Yuan!

The Xu fellow killed Young Master Ji Yuan, how dare he? The generals instantly fell silent, cautiously glancing at Ji Xuan.

What they saw was a hideous, sorrowful face, like that of a wild beast.

Ji Xuan had only one younger brother, a full brother from the same mother, who was two years younger than him.

Because they were both born out of wedlock, the two brothers had no worries about the "battle for the crown prince" and had a very good relationship since childhood.

After their mother's death, Ji Yuan was Ji Xuan's only relative. For people like them, their father was not a relative, nor were their other siblings; they were all just objects of power struggles.

Now, his only remaining relative is gone.

"Xu Qi'an!!"

Ji Xuan's mournful roar echoed, sounding like a wail or a furious roar.

This mansion, located two streets away from the prefectural government compound, will be Xu Qi'an's temporary residence from now on.

Originally the residence of a wealthy merchant in Xunzhou, the man fled Xunzhou in terror after learning of the fall of Qingzhou, abandoning the house with his valuables, servants, and female relatives.

After all, at this critical juncture, even the best houses won't sell.

The east room was brightly lit, and Luo Yuheng sat cross-legged on the soft bed, meditating in meditation.

"Squeak~"

Suddenly, the door to the outer room was carefully pushed open, and a figure sneaked in furtively.

Luo Yuheng opened his eyes, his long, straight eyebrows furrowing slightly, and said calmly:

"If you have something to say, stand outside and leave afterward. Don't disturb my meditation."

P. S.: I'll correct the typos tomorrow, going to sleep now. These two chapters are long enough, aren't they? Even the donkeys in the production team aren't as diligent as me.