Chapter 88: Ancient Sword of a Thousand Years

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“Oh? What happened to him?”

Li Qingqiu asked, his expression unchanged. Every time he saw Li Sifeng’s destiny, he would feel worried, fearing that the boy would go astray. So, when he heard Xue Jin mention Li Sifeng, his heart sank.

Xue Jin took a deep breath and said, “He is currently in Dongling Prefecture pursuing a divine sword. This sword is called the di xuan sword, an ancient sword with a thousand-year history. It is said that whoever obtains it can gain the power to dominate the Martial Forest. For this, he has not hesitated to get involved in a major grudge. I tried to persuade him, but he cursed at me and told me to return quickly to report the mission and not to bother with him.”

“di xuan sword? Do you know what major grudge it is?”

Li Qingqiu asked, following up. After the battle of Guzhou Prefecture, Li Sifeng had been very envious of Xu Ning’s Lightning Guiding Flag, but Li Qingqiu had not agreed.

Li Qingqiu did not completely doubt the divine Sharp Weapons in the Martial Forest. The cold abyss saber of the Devil Sect Protector was quite extraordinary before. Although it wasn’t a Magical Artifact, it contained a special cold Qi, which might be related to its material.

The cold abyss saber was known as the Demonic Saber. Li Qingqiu did not give it to his Disciple but kept it in his room, waiting for someone destined to wield it.

“It involves two major Aristocratic Families. One is the Pei Clan, who are immensely powerful in the current Dynasty, the Family of the current Imperial Censor. The other is an ancient Aristocratic Family with a Legacy of several hundred years, surnamed Di, the Di of ‘Emperor.’ It is said that the di xuan sword was forged by their ancestor. Now that the di xuan sword has reappeared in the Jianghu, the Di Clan is investigating, and some in the Pei Clan are also interested in the di xuan sword. Both sides are searching for this sword, leading to many conflicts. Hall Master Li seems to have a close connection with one of the parties. I’m not sure of the specifics, I just saw him talking privately with a mysterious person.”

Xue Jin relayed everything he knew, then added, “I think so-called divine weapons are external objects. Practicing martial arts within the Qingxiao Sect can also lead one to the pinnacle of the Martial Forest. The di xuan sword is rumored to be incredibly powerful, but I feel there might be someone orchestrating something behind it.”

After hearing this, Li Qingqiu actually breathed a sigh of relief.

Is that all? It’s just a side quest, let him cause trouble.

Although Li Sifeng’s cultivation has not yet reached the Nourishing Origin Realm Fourth Layer, he is close. His innate talent is not weak; he just can’t calm down to cultivate diligently.

Li Qingqiu nodded and said, “I am very satisfied that you could tell me this. You may go and rest now.”

Xue Jin nodded, bowed to Li Qingqiu, and then left.

Li Qingqiu stood up and paced in the courtyard, pondering another matter.

The new Prefect of Guzhou Prefecture!

He couldn’t pretend not to know that this person was plotting against the Qingxiao Sect. This matter couldn’t just be let go.

He had to think about how to handle it.

Simply killing him would be easy, but a new Prefect would arrive. His intuition told him that the new Prefect’s plotting against the Qingxiao Sect was definitely at someone else’s instigation.

Alternatively, he could coerce him with the Soul Capturing Incantation, just like with Jia Yi.

But what if this person preferred death over submission? He would still have to kill him. Moreover, a Prefect is not a small figure like Jia Yi. No one cared when Jia Yi’s personality drastically changed, but a Prefect is different. Even if he submitted to Li Qingqiu, he might expose the existence of the Soul Capturing Incantation to the person behind him.

The Soul Capturing Incantation was a trump card for Li Qingqiu, used to solve some difficult problems, so he had not passed this incantation down.

Li Qingqiu did not dwell on the problem alone. That evening, he once again summoned the Hall Masters and told them about the matter.

“We cannot directly kill the Prefect. The imperial court usually doesn’t interfere with Martial Forest grievances, but a Prefect holds a high position. If he were to die at the hands of the Qingxiao Sect, the imperial court would surely dispatch a large army to flatten Qingxiao Mountain.”

Zhang Yuchun quickly said, fearing that Li Qingqiu would once again speak of eliminating someone.

Li Qingqiu gave a wry smile and said exasperatedly, “I didn’t say I was going to kill him.”

Yang Jueding said, “The Prefect went to such great lengths to plot against us, which means he doesn’t want to directly confront us. This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly.”

Li Qingqiu smiled, “I’m just telling you about this. You all solve it. If you can’t, then I’ll make a move.”

He had also figured it out that afternoon. Since he couldn’t think of a better solution, he might as well let others do it.

If things really fell apart, at most, they would just replace the Prefect.

He couldn’t defeat a thousand armies, but taking the head of an enemy general amidst a thousand armies would definitely be as easy as taking something from his pocket. As the Qingxiao Sect grew stronger, his apprehension towards the Dynasty also weakened.

“I’ll take responsibility for this. Later, I might need to trouble Hall Master Zhu.” Zhang Yuchun immediately agreed, turning his gaze to Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan nodded slightly and replied, “Hall Master Zhang, you’re too kind. We are all working for the School, so why speak of trouble?”

“Second matter, do you know about the di xuan sword?” Li Qingqiu asked.

Although he had confidence in Li Sifeng’s strength, he was still his Junior Brother, so he had to care somewhat.

Everyone shook their heads; even Yang Jueding had not heard of it.

“The di xuan sword is an ancient sword forged by the Di Clan. It is also known as the Demonic Sword and the Divine Sword, possessing incredible power. It once helped their ancestor ascend to the imperial throne and establish a Dynasty. I don’t know much about it, only having read about it in an ancient book,” Zhu Yan explained.

Li Sijin asked in surprise, “It’s both a Demonic Sword and a Divine Sword?”

Zhu Yan nodded, “Some used it to save the country, while others used it to slaughter the Martial Forest. Hence, it has both a good reputation and a bad one. Why does the Sect Leader mention it? Has it reappeared in the Jianghu?”

Li Qingqiu did not hide anything, recounting how Li Sifeng was pursuing the di xuan sword and mentioning the Di Clan and the Pei Clan.

“That kid just wants to be lazy, hoping to become the Martial Forest’s best without practicing,” Jiang Zhaoxia frowned, his tone displeased.

Yang Jueding, however, was curious about the Di Clan, marveling, “Aren’t these Di Clan people afraid of committing a taboo? They still dare to use ‘Di’ as their surname.”

Zhang Yuchun pondered, “This matter can be big or small. If Senior Brother is worried, you can set up a mission in the Experience Hall for Disciples to investigate the di xuan sword. Perhaps they can meet up with Sixth Junior Brother and look out for each other. Many Disciples in the School want to venture into the Jianghu and gain experience.”

Li Qingqiu praised, “That’s a good idea.”

Many Disciples felt their martial arts were complete, and some found life too boring, all wanting to venture into the Jianghu.

Li Qingqiu thought this was a good thing: it could save food, free up resources for new Disciples, and incidentally promote the name of the Qingxiao Sect.

The number of Disciples continued to grow, but true Geniuses had yet to be seen.

Only with more Disciples would the probability of Geniuses appearing be greater.

Moreover, Disciples venturing out might even trigger dao lineage prompts. He was already wishing for more fortune and Legacy rewards.

Perhaps some fortune could be discovered by the Disciples.

Thus, Li Qingqiu discussed the Experience Hall mission with everyone in detail. With Li Sifeng absent, the Experience Hall could only rely on their collective efforts to develop… Guzhou Prefecture. After more than half a year of repairs and population movement, the Prefectural City was no longer dilapidated, though it had not regained its former prosperity.

Inside the Prefectural Governors Mansion.

The new Prefect, Fan Xi, was entertaining a distinguished guest in a small pavilion. He nervously poured tea for the other party.

The person sitting opposite him wore a black robe and an evil ghost mask. In the sunlight, he looked like a fierce ghost, making Fan Xi’s forehead break out in cold sweat.

Fan Xi’s figure was slightly plump, and he was over fifty years old with graying hair and beard. At this moment, he didn’t look like a Prefect at all.

“Mysterious Duke, why have you graced us with your presence?” Fan Xi asked cautiously.

He had come from Zhengyang Imperial City, and before becoming Prefect, he already knew the Mysterious Duke. He had even witnessed the Mysterious Duke’s methods. In his eyes, the Mysterious Duke was even more terrifying than the current Son of Heaven.

The Mysterious Duke picked up the teacup in front of him, admiring it while saying, “Didn’t Prefect Fan write back saying that the Qingxiao Sect has many experts and is difficult to deal with? So this official personally came to assist you.”

Fan Xi flinched in fright and quickly explained, “Mysterious Duke, it’s truly not this official making excuses. This official is new here and still needs to cultivate my direct lineage. On my very first day, the city’s General gave me a harsh warning. The Crown Prince stands behind him, and this official truly cannot offend him. I can only proceed slowly. Under such circumstances, this official indeed has no manpower to deal with the Qingxiao Sect.”

“However, this official has not done nothing. I once asked the Dongling Prefect for assistance. He dispatched Nine Absolutes Sect experts to assassinate the Sect Leader of Qingxiao Sect. Not only did they fail, but now the Nine Absolutes Sect has also been annihilated by the Qingxiao Sect…”

Mentioning this, Fan Xi still felt lingering fear.

During this time, he was afraid that the Qingxiao Sect’s experts would raid the Prefectural Governors Mansion at night to kill him, causing him to lose sleep every night. Even hiring many Martial Forest experts didn’t give him a sense of security.

The Mysterious Duke leisurely said, “The Qingxiao Sect is indeed difficult to deal with. Trying to assassinate the Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect is even more foolish. Others might not know, but you should be clear how high the Devil Emperor’s martial arts are. To be able to kill the Devil Emperor, the Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect’s martial arts are among the top in the world.”

Fan Xi smiled bitterly, “This official also didn’t expect the Dongling Prefect to be so foolish.”

“This official has brought two people for you. Their martial arts were already not inferior to the Devil Emperor’s, and after consuming Immortal Pills, their martial arts are even stronger. As long as you can find a way to invite the Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect to the Prefectural Governors Mansion, they can kill him. Once the Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect is dead, just find any excuse to destroy the Qingxiao Sect.”

The Mysterious Duke said casually. He put down his teacup and snapped his fingers. Immediately after, Fan Xi saw two figures leap over the courtyard wall, transforming into streaks of afterimages as they arrived beside them.

Both newcomers wore tight black clothes, evil ghost masks, and bamboo hats. From their build, they seemed like the same person.

So fast!

Fan Xi was shocked by the two men’s movement techniques.

He quickly bowed in gratitude to the Mysterious Duke, then asked, “Since there are these two peerless experts to assist, why have you come in person, Mysterious Duke? With your tokens, this official would certainly treat them well.”

The Mysterious Duke stood up and said, “This official has other matters to attend to. Solving the Qingxiao Sect issue is a test for you. You must prove your ability to be a Prefect. Your Majesty is also watching you; don’t disappoint him.”

“This official will definitely do my utmost and never disappoint Your Majesty.”

Fan Xi raised his hand in a salute and said solemnly.

The Mysterious Duke walked out of the small pavilion with his hands clasped behind his back. Fan Xi wanted to see him off, but seeing the Mysterious Duke raise a hand to stop him, he could only give up and stood watching the Mysterious Duke depart.

Fan Xi muttered to himself.

The Mysterious Duke has worked for His Majesty and hasn’t left Zhengyang Imperial City for thirty years. What is the purpose of his visit this time?

For some reason, he always felt that the Mysterious Duke was hiding a secret, and it was very likely that His Majesty had not dispatched him.

Continuing with the fourth update!

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