Catching Monsters

Chapter 546 The Location of the Holy Tomb

Many of those present, like Ji Jingchuan, were of noble status, but their children and grandchildren had died from Gu poison.

They went to court today, intending to challenge Jiang Yun, the garrison commander of the Eastern Garrison, in the imperial court.

After all, this guy has the antidote, but he's unwilling to use it to save people.

However, Ji Jingchuan's status was the most prestigious, and many people hid behind him, hoping to use this Duke of Chen to teach Jiang Yun a lesson.

Ji Jingchuan's expression was solemn, but he didn't know how to continue.

Jiang Yun slowly stepped forward, staring at Ji Jingchuan, and asked, "Lord Chen, since you are interested, I have another version of the story."

"The evil monk Hongguang from the Western Regions led over a hundred women to the capital to seduce high-ranking officials and nobles."

"Those who were harmed by the Gu poison yesterday evening were all poisoned by this evil monk Hongguang."

"As a result, Hongguang, because of some personal grudge against me, spread the word that he could exchange my head for the antidote."

“Your grandson and those people came to visit, and Prince Fu even held a long sword, wishing he could chop me in half with one stroke.”

"I'll trade my life for the antidote."

"Your grandson's life is a life, but isn't my life also a life?"

"They all want to kill me, how could I hand over the antidote to cure their illness?"

Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Ji Jingchuan frowned deeply but could not speak. He was highly respected and had great prestige in the army.

However, he was not an unreasonable person. After listening to Jiang Yun's words, he sighed slightly.

Unexpectedly, a nobleman who had also lost his son behind him couldn't help but say, "You are a vicious man. They only had this intention, but they didn't harm you in the slightest."

"Your antidote is just a matter of nodding your head, and it can save more than forty lives."

"You are far too vicious and petty."

Jiang Yun looked at the nobleman and asked, "Who are you?"

The nobleman stepped forward and said coldly, "Earl Guanying!"

"Uncle Guanying, right?" Jiang Yun nodded and said calmly, "You may not know me well. I'm notoriously petty and vicious. You'd better watch out in the future."

Guan Yingbo's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly looked at Xiao Yuzheng above him, saying, "Your Majesty, this Jiang Yun is far too audacious. He actually threatened me in the court. I beg Your Majesty to punish him severely."

After saying that, Guan Yingbo immediately knelt on the ground.

Jiang Yun turned around and looked at Xiao Yuzheng above, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."

Xiao Yuzheng sat down, glanced at the many ministers present, and asked, "Is there anyone else who has a different opinion? Please stand up and say it."

In the imperial court, those who could stand up were none other than the powerful and wealthy who had lost sons and grandsons.

The number wasn't large, only eight people.

The Duke of Chen was the leader among them.

As for everyone else…

He was pondering whether, with so many official positions suddenly gone, he could advance further and fill a more lucrative vacancy.

Or they might be thinking about how to appoint more trusted confidants and secure better positions for them.

Who cares what happens to those who died yesterday?

Seeing that no one stepped forward for a long time, Xiao Yuzheng coughed lightly and said slowly, "Yesterday, I was also extremely shocked by the deaths of Prince Fu, Zhao Yuming and others."

"But everyone should not misunderstand the main contradiction. The root of everything is the evil monk Hongguang."

"Jiang Yun, obey my command."

Jiang Yun hurriedly stepped forward and knelt on the ground: "Your humble servant is here."

"Immediately search for Hongguang's whereabouts, spare no effort to find him, and bring him to justice."

"Yes." Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun quickly nodded.

This is the advantage of being a favorite of Xiao Yuzheng; with just a few words, he completely ignored Jiang Yun's threat to Guan Yingbo.

"Alright, go and do it." Xiao Yuzheng waved his hand, signaling Jiang Yun to leave.

Jiang Yun quickly stood up, turned and left. After Jiang Yun disappeared from the court, Guan Yingbo hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Jiang Yun just threatened me..."

Although Earl Guanying held a title, it was inherited from his ancestors, and by his time, the family had declined considerably.

If Jiang Yun, a powerful commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, wanted to cause him trouble, he really didn't have a good way to deal with him.

Xiao Yuzheng glared at Guan Yingbo and snorted coldly, saying, "You still have the nerve to say that you can accept women from the Western Regions if they come to your door?"

"What if these women from the Western Regions are spies from the Western Regions? Show me, why have so many people in the court accepted those women from the Western Regions?"

Xiao Yuzheng couldn't vent his anger on Duke Chen, but Earl Guanying stepped forward on his own.

Guan Yingbo lowered his head and was subjected to a barrage of insults from Xiao Yuzheng.

After giving a scathing scolding, Xiao Yuzheng finally said, "The current vacancy is for Minister Yan."

Upon hearing this, Yan Hua, the Minister of Personnel, hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your humble servant is here."

"Compile a list, fill in the gaps, and send it to my study. That will conclude the matter."

After saying this, Xiao Yuzheng flicked his hand and strode away.

……

"My lord, we have sent many people to search both inside and outside the city. Every house has been searched one by one. It shouldn't be long before we find Hongguang's whereabouts."

Inside the Dongzhenfusi Yamen, Jiang Yun sat in his study, while Qi Da made him tea.

Jiang Yun nodded and said in a deep voice, "That guy has so many women with him, it won't be easy for him to hide."

Zida asked in a low voice, "Speaking of which, sir, if we find it, what should we do? Should we really take down Hongguang?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun shook his head: "Find him first, then we'll talk about it. To capture him, His Majesty will have to send another expert."

Just as the two were talking, there was a knock on the door of the study. Jiang Yun glanced at the door and said, "Come in."

"Sir, there is a friend of yours outside who wants to see you."

"bring it here."

The newcomer was none other than Tuoba Anyi, who was still dressed in a black robe, his head down, acting furtively.

"Then I'll go out and take care of my business first." Seeing this, Qi Da quickly got up and left. After Qi Da left, Tuoba Anyi entered the room and sat down, and said in a low voice, "Brother Jiang, how have you considered things?"

"We can't delay! The Sacred Tomb is about to open!" Jiang Yun smiled and handed him a cup of tea. "Brother Tuoba, don't worry. The Sacred Tomb is about to open? How did you know?"

"This." Tuoba Anyi took out a secret report and said in a low voice, "At this point, I won't hide it from you anymore."

Do you know why our Tuoba family possesses half a map of the Sacred Tomb?

Hearing this, Jiang Yun was indeed curious and waited for Tuoba Anyi to say something.

Tuoba Anyi took a deep breath and said, "Our Tuoba family's ancestor was the first saint to find the sacred tomb and become a saint."

"Thinking back to the past, our Tuoba family was once a royal family of the Central Plains, but it declined later." Tuoba Anyi paused and slowly said, "One branch of my ancestors drifted to the Northern Hu, and then gradually developed into a powerful tribe on the grasslands."

"And this half of the map has been kept in our Tuoba family ever since; it is a family secret."

"Our Tuoba family, though living on the grasslands, always keeps the matter of the sacred tomb in mind."

"I've racked my brains trying to find the other half of the map, waiting for the Holy Tomb to open, and then I can obtain the opportunity within the Holy Tomb."

After Tuoba Anyi finished speaking, he whispered, "I know much more about the Holy Tomb than others. Brother, we are sworn brothers."

"As long as you get the other half of the map, we can join forces and the Holy Tomb will belong to both of us brothers."

As he said this, a glint appeared in Tuoba Anyi's eyes.

Jiang Yun was also tempted; if he could obtain the opportunities within the Sacred Tomb…

However, Jiang Yun did not reveal any flaws on his face. Instead, he frowned slightly and said, "Brother Tuoba, since you know so much about this Sacred Tomb, how long until it opens?"

"Within seven days," Tuoba Anyi said through gritted teeth. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be in such a hurry. The Zhou royal family should have a map to the Holy Tomb."

"If you manage to get it, we can head over there first."

"At the very least, we can enter about half a day earlier than others."

Jiang Yun chuckled and said, "Brother Tuoba, aren't you afraid that I'll take all the things you told me to the Sacred Tomb with me and leave you behind?"

“I have the other half of the map. If you don’t take me with you, there will be a lot more trouble.” Tuoba Anyi’s eyes flashed, and he said in a deep voice, “Brother, this is the real matter…”

"Also, I heard that a map was leaked before, apparently from you, brother."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun slowly said, "That map is fake. You don't need to worry about it. The real one is in His Majesty's hands."

"You go back first. I will report this matter to His Majesty. Everything is up to His Majesty to decide."

Tuoba Anyi opened his mouth slightly and whispered, "Brother, why are you such a blockhead? Once you get the opportunity from the Holy Tomb, you can become emperor yourself."

"When the time comes, you will unify the Zhou Kingdom, and I will unify the grasslands. We brothers will then divide the world equally!"

Jiang Yun glanced at him and said, "His Majesty has been kind to me. I am a man of great loyalty and affection. Besides, I have no interest in being emperor."

Upon hearing the words "most loyal and righteous," Tuoba Anyi's lips twitched. He took a deep breath and whispered, "Give me a reply as soon as possible. You know where I live."

Seeing Tuoba Anyi leave, Jiang Yun understood that the guy was really anxious.

After a moment's thought, he instructed Qi Da to continue searching for the monk Hongguang, and then headed back towards the palace.

Upon arriving outside the Imperial Study, Feng Yu quickly led him inside. Xiao Yuzheng's face was ashen, clearly indicating that he was not in a good mood.

"You're here? You have news about that evil monk Hongguang?" Xiao Yuzheng looked up and glanced at Jiang Yun as he entered.

Jiang Yun shook his head and said respectfully, "The men below are still searching. I've come for another matter..."

Then, Jiang Yun quickly explained why Tuoba Anyi had come to find him.

After listening, Xiao Yuzheng closed his eyes, his expression not looking good.

"What do you think of this matter, Feng Yu? If Tuoba Anyi is right, the Sacred Tomb will open in seven days."

Feng Yu stood aside and said without hesitation, "No matter when it opens, the opportunity in this sacred tomb must be obtained by someone trusted by His Majesty."

"The best outcome would be for the eldest prince and the eighth prince to obtain them."

Hearing Feng Yu's words, Xiao Yuzheng nodded slightly. If he obtained that opportunity, he would have a very high chance of becoming a saint.

If it falls into the hands of outsiders or ambitious individuals, it could ultimately overthrow the Xiao family's rule.

“We need to prepare in advance.” Xiao Yuzheng looked at Jiang Yun and asked, “Do you think that if we capture Tuoba Anyi, we can force him to hand over the half of the map he has?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun frowned slightly, shook his head, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's unlikely. If torture could work on him, he would have handed over the map last time."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng stood up and paced back and forth. He said to Feng Yu, "Inform Jing Zhi and Jing Qing that they are also preparing to enter the Sacred Tomb. Whoever obtains the opportunity of the Sage will be able to ascend the throne."

"I will send out the best guards of the Tongyou Guard to escort them into the Holy Tomb."

Xiao Jingzhi was a scholar, while Xiao Jingqing, although he had practiced some martial arts since childhood, was no match for the experts who entered the Sacred Tomb.

There is a very high chance that the two of them will die inside the sacred tomb.

But right now, we can't worry about that.

"Yes." Feng Yu nodded solemnly without hesitation.

Then, Xiao Yuzheng looked at Jiang Yun and said, "Jiang Yun, you're a clever and reliable guy. You're also entering the Holy Tomb this time. Choose one of the two princes to be your guard, understand?"

"Your subordinate obeys." Jiang Yun nodded solemnly, but then asked, "As for Tuoba Anyi?"

"Inform Tuoba Anyi that you are willing to cooperate with him."

"After making some preparations, we will set off ahead of schedule tomorrow for the location of the Holy Tomb."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun and Feng Yu quickly turned and left.

After the two left, Xiao Yuzheng slowly took out the Imperial Seal from a finely crafted iron box and said, "Shadow, infuse it with magic power."

"Yes."

The voice of a dark figure could be heard in the air.

Soon, a surge of magical power was injected into the Imperial Seal.

However, nothing unusual happened with the Imperial Seal of the State.

Xiao Yuzheng took out a dagger, cut his finger, and dripped a drop of royal blood onto the Imperial Seal.

Instantly, the Imperial Seal of the State shone with a faint red light, and the inscription on its bottom slowly transformed into a small map.

The final location on this map is the site of the Holy Tomb.

(End of this chapter)