Catching Monsters

Chapter 292 Meteorite Appears in the Capital

One after another, battle reports from the front lines arrived in the capital in dense, overwhelming volumes.

Soon, news about the front lines began to spread throughout the capital.

The Zhenchi Army, the Tianqi Army, and the 50,000 troops led by the Marquis of Weiwu besieged the Hu people in Quexian Town.

With their food supplies dwindling, the Hu people opted to have all their cavalry take ample rations and break out from the north.

The remaining Hu army had become expendable, and the Zhenchi Army, Tianqi Army, and Weiwuhou Army launched an attack simultaneously.

The attack on Quexian Town lasted for three days and three nights.

A great victory.

"The Hu people numbered about nine thousand cavalry, broke through the blockade of Marquis Weiwu, and quickly fled towards Jianchi Pass."

"The remaining Hu army had neither cavalry nor provisions. Despite being hungry and cold, the army advanced in unison and successfully captured Quexian Town."

"Of the approximately 170,000 Hu troops, 130,000 were annihilated, and 40,000 were captured."

Inside the Imperial Study, Feng Yu respectfully relayed the good news from the front lines to Xiao Yuzheng.

Xiao Yuzheng did not show much joy on his face. He just sighed and said, "The Hu cavalry are the elite of the elite. The fact that they could not be completely wiped out in one go is a great hidden danger."

Hearing what Xiao Yuzheng said, Feng Yu, standing to the side, instead flattered him, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! The 200,000-strong army of the Hu people has been completely wiped out. This is a great achievement for all time..."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy appeared on Xiao Yuzheng's face, and he slowly said, "At the very least, the Wanyan tribe is finished."

"The grasslands are likely to fall into a long period of internal strife."

"I can now focus my main efforts on dealing with the bandit problem in the southwest."

Although the imperial court has always claimed that the problem was merely a banditry and nothing to fear.

In reality, those bandits had already occupied three provinces, and the officials and dignitaries of those three provinces had all been killed by this group of bandits.

Even with an army of 400,000, they were unable to wipe them out after such a long period of time.

"Wang Longzhi has been leading troops for so long, but he still hasn't completely quelled the banditry."

"Send him back to the capital. I want to have a good talk with him."

"Yes."

……

The streets of Beijing were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and firecrackers were set off constantly during the day, creating an atmosphere just like during the Spring Festival.

People took to the streets to celebrate the great victory at the front.

Inside the Sanqing Temple.

Jiang Yun was sitting in front of the stove in the kitchen, starting a fire, while Xu Suwen, wearing an apron, was chopping vegetables and cooking.

"After this battle, how much reward do you think Xiao Gang will get?"

As Jiang Yun started a fire, he asked curiously.

Xu Suwen lowered her head to chop vegetables, and said with a smile, "This is not something we need to worry about..."

"Of course I'm worried! Xiao Gang said before that after the war, His Majesty's rewards will all be used as your dowry."

Upon hearing this, Xu Suwen's smile widened even more: "Dream on! Do you think His Majesty can just give away the things he bestows upon others so easily?"

"It's done! It's done!"

"Master! I've done it!"

Suddenly, Qin Shujian stumbled in from outside the door, almost falling to the ground.

"What have you become?"

"I have reached the eighth rank of the Daoist realm!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's expression showed slight surprise, and he asked, "Really?"

It hasn't been that long, and besides, I haven't even taught them much...

Qin Shujian's talent was indeed stronger than he had imagined.

"Move aside." Qin Shujian excitedly pulled Jiang Yun aside, then extinguished the fire in the stove and threw in some firewood.

Then, he took out a yellow talisman, took a deep breath, and chanted:

"The true fire of Samadhi, flowing light for ten thousand miles. Illuminating heaven and earth, shining brightly in all directions. Rivers and seas boil, demons and monsters hide. The Southern Dipper descends with its energy, the flowing light of Samadhi."

"Refine the embryo to change its nature, refine the soul to ensure its health. All demons perish, riding the smoke to fly away. So be it!"

Then he threw the yellow talisman into the stove.

"Wait!" Jiang Yun's expression changed.

In an instant, flames shot up from the stove, melting the iron pot instantly.

"Who told you to use the Samadhi True Fire to light the fire in the kitchen..."

Qin Shujian widened his eyes and retorted, "Master, you didn't say that the Samadhi True Fire was that powerful."

"Master, Master's wife, you two continue cooking..."

Xu Suwen said with a dark face, "The pot is all burned, what are you still cooking? Go to the restaurant and buy a table of food."

"Yes, Master's wife."

Taking off her apron, Xu Suwen frowned and couldn't help but say, "Your eldest disciple is truly talented. How long has he been cultivating?"

"Nonsense, how could my apprentice's talent be lacking?"

Just then, Wen Chen rushed over, panting heavily.

"Master, Master!"

"What's wrong with you now? You've reached the eighth rank too?" Jiang Yun asked, looking at him.

Wen Chen shook his head repeatedly, took a deep breath, and said, "Pilgrimage guests have arrived! Pilgrimage guests have arrived!"

Jiang Yun was slightly taken aback: "You're not joking with your teacher, are you?"

Sanqing Temple has been open for some time, but it has never had any visitors. Of course, one reason is that Jiang Yun has been busy with other things recently and hasn't had time to promote it.

On the other hand, Jiang Yun did not want to use the Sanqing Temple as a tool for making money.

"Quickly, welcome them in."

Soon, a young man in his late twenties, dressed in brocade and silk, slowly walked in, his eyes taking in the Sanqing Temple.

He slowly asked, "Which one of you is in charge?"

"I am Jiang Yun, a humble Taoist priest. May I ask what brings you here, young master?"

The young master closed his folding fan and said slowly, "Come and see. I heard that your Taoist temple doesn't worship the Taoist deity?"

Jiang Yun frowned slightly. Could this person be here to cause trouble?

"We worship the Three Pure Ones, the founders of Taoism, and we also spread the Tao of the Three Pure Ones."

The young master nodded slightly and pointed to the main hall: "I'll go take a look."

After saying that, he walked into the Sanqing Hall with his hands behind his back.

Jiang Yun and Wen Chen quickly followed.

After entering the Sanqing Hall, the young master curiously examined the statues of the Three Pure Ones and slowly said, "Jiang Yun, right? Tell the person next to you to leave. I have something I want to talk to you about."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's heart stirred slightly. He looked at the person in front of him, then turned to Wen Chen beside him and instructed, "You go out first."

"Yes." Wen Chen glanced at the young master with some disappointment. He had been excited for nothing; it turned out the young master wasn't a pilgrim after all.

Jiang Yun's gaze fell on this person, and he asked, "Since you are not a pilgrim but have come to see me, why don't you speak frankly and ask what it is?"

The young master slowly said, "My name is Xiao Jingfu, but many people also call me the Fourth Prince."

Upon hearing the other party's identity, Jiang Yun was slightly startled, but still respectfully clasped his hands in greeting: "I greet the Fourth Prince."

Xiao Jingfu sighed softly and said, "The reason I'm speaking to you privately this time is because of my sixth brother."

“My sixth brother is currently imprisoned in the palace by our father and cannot leave. As his older brother, I feel heartbroken.”

“I know you two have a long-standing feud,” Xiao Jingfu said, staring at Jiang Yun. “Can you help him?”

Jiang Yun: "???"

Is this guy crazy? He knows he has a conflict with the Sixth Prince Xiao Jingqi, yet he still wants me to help Xiao Jingqi?
"The matter of the Sixth Prince is not simple..." Jiang Yun's heart stirred slightly, and he slowly said, "He colluded with the Hu people, which is a heinous crime. How could a mere Jinyiwei centurion like me help him?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingfu shook his head helplessly and said, "I know this principle too. Well then, I can only pray for my younger brother in front of the Three Pure Ones and see if he can get through this calamity."

After saying this, Xiao Jingfu knelt on the prayer mat and earnestly bowed to the statues of the Three Pure Ones. He then took out a thousand taels of silver notes and put them into the donation box.

After doing all this, Xiao Jingfu said no more and quickly left the place.

After Jiang Yun saw him off and watched him leave in a carriage, she frowned deeply.

He quickly found Xu Suwen in the backyard and told her about Xiao Jingfu's situation.

Upon hearing this, Xu Suwen also showed a strange expression: "Huh, why is Xiao Jingfu here asking you for help out of the blue?"

“That’s right.” Jiang Yun nodded, then said strangely, “I also feel something’s strange…”

"Xiao Jingfu and Xiao Jingqi have a grudge, didn't you know?" Xu Suwen rolled her eyes at Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun was slightly taken aback.

Xu Suwen then said, "Xiao Jingfu's birth mother is Consort Xian, and Xiao Jingqi's birth mother is Consort Huan."

"According to secrets in the capital, of course, it's just hearsay."

"The two concubines, Xianfei and Huanfei, caused a great deal of trouble in the harem in their struggle for the emperor's favor."

"Later, in a fit of anger, Consort Huan secretly poisoned Consort Xian, killing her."

"It was later discovered that Consort Huan was responsible for this, and His Majesty had her executed."

"That's why the Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince have never gotten along."

"Now that the Sixth Prince is in this state, the Fourth Prince should be overjoyed. Why would he let you save him?"

Hearing Xu Suwen's words, Jiang Yun also felt something was strange. There must be something fishy about what was going on if the master was acting abnormally.

What exactly is this person trying to do?
Soon, Qin Shujian brought back wine and dishes from outside.

The three of them, along with Xu Suwen and Ao Yu who lived in the Sanqing Temple, sat at the table. Qin Shujian looked at Jiang Yun curiously and asked, "Master, can I join the Embroidered Uniform Guard now?"

"Okay." Jiang Yun nodded and said, "Tomorrow morning, you will report to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and work under Qi Da."

Upon hearing this, Wen Chen's eyes were filled with envy.

"By the way, Master, I was buying food at the restaurant just now and I overheard people talking about something that was just announced today, that it will be auctioned in the capital."

"The owners of major auction houses are all rushing to find this person, wanting to put this item on their auction houses for sale."

"They said this thing was called something like meteorite?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's eyes lit up slightly. A meteorite?
Ao Yu asked with some curiosity, "What is a meteorite? Can stones be sold?"

……

Inside the luxurious carriage, Xiao Jingfu sat with an exceptionally alluring maid lying beside him.

The maid's slender fingers gently stroked his thigh as she asked, "Your Highness, did you see the woman I mentioned inside?"

The maid exuded a faint demonic aura, clearly indicating that she was a demon.

Xiao Jingfu shook his head slightly and said slowly, "After I went in, I only saw Jiang Yun and his disciple, not the demoness Ao Yu you mentioned."

Upon hearing this, the maid said softly, "Your Highness should find an excuse to wander around inside; perhaps you'll find Lord Ao Yu there."

"I received news from my family that Lord Ao Yu has been missing for a long time, and we must find him as soon as possible."

Xiao Jingfu smiled and said calmly, "No rush, we can find another opportunity to go in and take a look later."

Upon hearing this, the maid nodded gently in agreement, her eyes filled with tenderness as she asked, "Your Highness, I recently heard that there's a treasure at the auction house called the Meteorite. I really like it. Could you buy it for me?"

Xiao Jingfu didn't take it seriously: "A meteorite? I'll have someone ask around later. No matter which auction house it is, I'll have someone send it to my residence first."

(End of this chapter)