Embers of Sword

Chapter 577 Twenty-Four Hours (Part Twenty-Three)
"Your Excellency?!"

The tattered strips of black robe fluttered in the air.

The noisy and bustling Imperial City Division dungeon fell into dead silence in an instant, as everyone witnessed this chilling scene.

Chi Chi Chi!
Jiang Qihu's vital energy burned in the air, turning the torn black robe into ashes.

"..."

Yuan Jimu, his face grim, took several steps back to create distance.

He immediately took out a second black robe from the treasure of the cave and put it on again.

But it's too late.

Jiang Qihu wasn't the only one who saw that scene.

Sang Zheng and his men from the Northern Commandery, along with a group of secret agents from the Imperial City Guard, all witnessed it.

The spies originally tasked with resisting the Black Scale Guards were stunned for a moment... They stared at Yuan Jimo with fear and suspicion in their eyes. What was the story behind this patched-up skin? Over the years, the Imperial City Guard had interrogated criminals from all four borders and had learned a great deal about sorcery. Some evil cultivators in the Southern Frontier could take human skins and possess corpses to resurrect their souls.

Jiang Qihu's angry shout just now successfully quelled the chaos in the Imperial City Guard.

now.

These spies secretly wondered if the Chief was really an "imposter".
"My lies are deceiving the public!"

Yuan Jimu suppressed his anger and coldly said, "What are you standing there for! These thieves have trespassed into the dungeon; they deserve to die!"

This command.

In the past, the spies would have taken action long ago... but this time the effect was very minimal.

The spies looked at each other, unsure of whom to believe.

"Idiots! A bunch of idiots!"

Yuan Jimu's forehead veins bulged as he roared, "Last night I was handling case files and dispatching personnel at the Imperial City Guard. Isn't that enough to prove my identity... Do you really want to see that person from Renshou Palace come in person?"

Last night, Yuan Jimo entered the dungeon to investigate the secret agents, and he was extremely familiar with it.

Everything he did was normal.

Especially the killing of the bronze-boned ones.

With his bronze body destroyed, he served as a warning to others. Who in the Imperial City Guard would dare to disobey or rebel?

Now Jiang Qihu has stepped forward.

This... is what Jiang Lie instructed his son to do before he left.

The Jiang family is a renowned family in the northern border region.

Jiang Lie was a valiant general during the reign of the Supreme Emperor. The Jiang family is full of loyal and courageous men who value relationships highly. Now that Yuan Jimu wants to use the "Qingyang City case" to smear Chen Jingxuan, the Jiang family naturally cannot sit idly by. Jiang Lie's counterattack strategy is actually very simple: if this matter is to be blown up, it must be blown up into the open!
Since the person at Renshou Palace is unwilling to come forward.

So, after Jiang Qihu returned to the capital, he caused chaos and forced Renshou Palace to intervene.

The incident in Qujiang convinced Jiang Lie that there must be something fishy about Yuan Jimo, who was now in the dungeon.

He instructed Jiang Qihu to return to the dungeon, tear off his robe, and reveal his true identity to everyone… Although this plan could not cure the root of the problem, it would at least plant a seed in the hearts of the Imperial City's spies. This was the most cunning and scheming organization in the entire Great Chu, and every spy there was a master strategist.

In the Qujiang case, all the secret agents and spies dispatched by the Imperial City Guard were killed.

The first seat returns after several months...

This whole thing is suspicious.

Now that Yuan Jimu's "broken body" has been revealed to the public, it won't be long before the news spreads like wildfire throughout the capital.

Is this mending technique an evil sorcery?
Would Da Chu allow an "evil spirit" to become the head of the Imperial City Guard?

If it weren't for this incident, Yuan Jimu's return would have been a "natural" thing.

Nothing that happened in Qujiang matters anymore.

Anyway, a certain person who had died has reappeared in the public eye and has regained control of the entire Imperial City Guard.

Now, no matter what, Da Chu has to give an explanation for this matter.

……

……

“Jiang Qihu… I don’t have time to play such low-level tricks with you.”

The dungeon fell silent once more.

Yuan Jimu's eyes were cold; he had already realized that something was wrong.

He stopped speaking and instead chose to transmit his voice.

"How long do you think this turmoil in the dungeon will last?"

Yuan Jimo transmitted his voice, "Without the permission of Renshou Palace... would I be able to appear here?"

"..."

Jiang Qihu naturally knew that this farce was destined to end in nothing.

But so what?
What he needs to do now is stall for time.

……

……

At this very moment, in the distant suburbs of the imperial city, shrouded in green mountains and thick fog, a carriage was moving slowly forward, its hooves covered with swiftness talismans but not being propelled.

A scholar in a blue robe was driving his carriage slowly toward the imperial city.

Rumble.

A faint tremor of sword energy echoed from the ceiling.

Chen Jingxuan raised his head, and a stream of sword light suddenly fell from above the thick fog, landing directly in front of the carriage.

"Young Master Chen".

The newcomer bowed; it was none other than Jiang He, the elder of the Jiang family, who had just finished dealing with the trivial matters of Qingyang City.

"Elder Jiang."

Chen Jingxuan smiled and returned the greeting.

"Young Imperial Advisor Chen certainly has refined tastes..."

Jiang He couldn't help but sigh when he saw the carriage.

He quickly stepped forward, took out a jade slip, and said in a deep voice, "Since you left the capital yesterday, the library and the Imperial City Guard have all been shaken. In addition, Qingzhou has also suffered a great disaster."

This jade slip contains detailed case files compiled by the Jiang family.

This was the second line of action that Jiang Lie began to arrange—

Now that it has been determined that Chen Jingxuan is the ultimate target of this turmoil, Jiang Qihu only needs to stall Yuan Jimo.

The Jiang family dispatched dozens of disciples to search the paths leading to the Daoist capital city using teleportation portals, jade talismans, and communication tokens… They eventually pinpointed Chen Jingxuan's location. Jiang He personally came to meet him and deliver this invaluable information. However, he never expected Chen Jingxuan to travel so slowly. According to the intelligence the Jiang family had received, Chen Jingxuan had arrived at the Daoist sect the previous night. They didn't know what secret talks he had held there, or what he had experienced. After leaving the Daoist sect, the carriage had slowed its journey to its slowest speed. At this rate, it would take a long time to return to the capital city.

The situation in Qingzhou and the capital has changed drastically.

This brilliant and resourceful young imperial advisor is still on his way... unhurried and oblivious to the impending calamity.

"..."

Chen Jingxuan silently looked at the jade slip handed to him.

As the celestial observer, he can monitor the nation's fate through the [Hun Yuan Yi] and examine the destiny of others by sacrificing his lifespan.

He was almost omnipotent, except for his own destiny.

This is actually somewhat ironic.

Chen Jingxuan hesitated for a moment before accepting the jade slip.

Jiang He kept his eyes fixed on the young Grand Preceptor's face. He saw neither panic nor disappointment on Chen Jingxuan's face, as if the chaos caused by Carp Tide City's forgiveness was just a small ripple.

"Qingzhou...the Chu family..."

Chen Jingxuan simply smiled.

He handed the jade slip back and asked sincerely, "How are the people of Qingyang City?"

Jiang He paused for a moment.

"Qingyang City... the casualties were not too heavy, and the situation has been resolved."

Jiang He asked with a strange expression, "Young Master Chen, aren't you worried about the Imperial City Guard's investigation into you?"

This upheaval has already stirred up a huge wave within the imperial city.

According to the imperial edict, the Imperial City Guard should close the case at Chenshi (7-9 AM).

Next, all the major families and holy sites will have to show their stance, and it is said that some officials have already sent impeachment petitions to the palace.

What follows will be an unprecedented storm.

"..." Chen Jingxuan hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

During his brief silence, Jiang He couldn't help but sigh and say, "Jiang Qihu has already gone to the Imperial City Guard to confront Yuan Jimo... The old man has used all the connections in the Jiang family, so the case files and information should be able to be suppressed for a while. What you have done for the Imperial City over the years is obvious to all, so Renshou Palace won't necessarily have to take action... Have you had a conflict with 'that person' these days? Why don't you bow your head and admit your mistake?"

"...Elder Jiang."

Chen Jingxuan smiled bitterly, unsure how to explain.

A gentle breeze blew.

As the carriage curtain swayed, a glimpse of a figure inside the carriage was revealed.

"This is... Master Tang?"

Jiang He caught a glimpse of the person in the carriage and seemed to be deep in thought.

He seemed to vaguely understand something.

Imperial city, Taoist sects, chaos, impeachment...

Everyone knows that the young national advisor and Master Tang have a close relationship. Their love story has even been compiled into a booklet by Fangyuanfang and spread throughout the entire Li Kingdom.

This should have been a beautiful story.

However, the Taoist master Chongkan did not agree.

Thus, this beautiful story gradually changed its reputation... Although Jiang He didn't know the specifics of the relationship between Chen and Tang, he knew Chong Kan, the Great Master, whose methods were quite ruthless. There are no wars without a cause in this world. If this wave of attacks against Chen Jingxuan was orchestrated by Chong Kan, then everything seemed to make sense.

"Young Imperial Preceptor Chen..."

Jiang He lowered his voice and asked with concern, "Was your trip to the Daoist sect successful?"

"It went pretty well."

Chen Jingxuan lowered his eyes.

For him, being able to take Tang Fengshu away was a success.

"That's good."

These words, however, took on a different meaning in Jiang He's ears.

The elder of the Jiang family breathed a sigh of relief.

In his view, if the Great Master Chongkan was willing to let go of his attachments, then this impeachment storm would naturally pass without incident.

"It seems this is all coming to an end."

Jiang He smiled casually, "Tonight is truly a sleepless night... The Jiang family couldn't find you, so they sent people to the Carp Pavilion. Who knew that the old Grand Preceptor was also in seclusion and refused to see guests? We thought something terrible was going to happen, thank goodness... I'll send a message to Ah Hu right away and tell him not to worry."

If Chen Jingxuan cannot be found, the Jiang family will face immense pressure.

Jiang He took out the Qingzhou token, intending to send a message.

"Thank you for your hard work. Please convey my thanks to the old man when you get back."

Chen Jingxuan said sincerely, "Also... how about I send a message to Jiang Qihu?"

Jiang He was stunned for a moment.

"Alright."

He handed over the Qingzhou magistrate.

……

……

The standoff in the dungeon did not last long.

Jiang Qihu's Qingzhou Token trembled slightly. Before he left Qingzhou, the old man had told him that if anything progressed, he would be contacted with the Qingzhou Token.

"Qihoo, it's me."

Jiang Qihu took out the signal token.

A familiar, gentle voice swept into my heart, calming me and bringing me peace of mind.

"……gentlemen."

Jiang Qihu took a deep breath, his nose feeling slightly sore.

Hearing that voice means... everything he did was worthwhile.

"Let Sang Zheng leave the dungeon."

The voice on the other end of the line was very calm and methodical, and began issuing commands.

Although the jade slip sent from Qingzhou did not mention the specific arrangements for Jiang Qihu to return to the capital to report, Chen Jingxuan had already guessed the scene in the Imperial City Division's dungeon at this moment.

"Those disciples from the Northern County, although they hold the title of 'Commander,' still have a special status. Try to avoid conflicts with the Imperial City Bureau's spies."

"Next, the Qingyang City case file will be finalized according to procedure, the case will be closed, and it will be sent to Renshou Palace."

Jiang Qihu listened silently to the instructions in the message.

He was somewhat confused.

He understood the purpose behind the gentleman's previous arrangements.

But once the case of Qingyang City is closed, the imperial city will soon face a storm of attacks against the library.

He was just about to speak.

"Don't worry, it's all over."

Holding the Qingzhou Token, Chen Jingxuan looked up at the dawn breaking through the dark clouds and said gently, "Next... deliver your Qingzhou Token to that person on the other side."

"..."

Jiang Qihu's expression was complicated as he glanced at Yuan Jimo not far away.

"My husband has something to say to you."

The Qingzhou token was thrown out, drawing an arc in the air.

Yuan Jimu, with a gloomy expression, took it.

He originally intended to speak first and reveal that Jiang Qihu had led his men to forcibly break into the Imperial City Bureau's dungeon, in order to threaten Chen Jingxuan.

But once the Qingzhou magistrate was in hand...

Chen Jingxuan's indifferent voice struck my heart like a still lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

"You probably don't want the matter of the Yin-Yang Mirror to become common knowledge, do you?"

Yuan Jimo's pupils suddenly contracted.

He stared in disbelief at the ancient bronze token in his palm.

"Believe me, killing those spies from the library that you've imprisoned tonight... won't bring you any benefit whatsoever, it will only cause you unnecessary trouble."

Chen Jingxuan's voice continued, still cold and calm: "The Book Pavilion is different from the Imperial City Division. The Book Pavilion's true 'spies' are often hidden in the midst of the masses. Those who can be seen by the Imperial City Division's spies and put on the list... are all people I specially prepared."

If someone else had said these words...

There is indeed an element of bluffing involved.

But... given what Chen Jingxuan said, one has no choice but to believe it.

"What do you want to say?"

Yuan Jimo's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

"Let them go."

Chen Jingxuan said, "I don't want to see sacrifices... If this is a war, then sacrificing one person is enough. Why drag other innocent people into it?"

"..."

Yuan Jimo did not respond.

He gazed at the prisoners in the dungeon corridor.

Releasing these people meant nothing to him; if the Imperial City Guard could arrest them once, they could arrest them again.

However, given his personality, once a war begins, it will be a fight to the death.

"I know what you want... why go through all that trouble?"

"There's no need to arrest any more spies connected to the library. These people are all capable of sacrificing themselves for Da Chu in the future; they are important pawns. Even if they are not used by me, you can still use them."

"I have already persuaded the Jiang family."

"There's no need to send those impeachment petitions that were drafted long ago to the palace."

The voice from the Qingzhou magistrate's side continued to ring out.

Chen Jingxuan said calmly, "At the beginning of the 9-11 AM, I will return to the capital. I will relinquish all the responsibilities of Qingyang City, Fangyuanfang, the library, and the position of 'Imperial Preceptor'."

(End of this chapter)