Embers of Sword

Chapter 600 Forming Formation to Meet the Enemy
"This...is this your trump card?"

The North Sea surges and waves rise and fall.

Further north of Xingping town lies a vast expanse of reed marshes stretching for dozens of miles. A carriage stopped beside the marshland, and a woman in a Taoist robe rested with her eyes closed inside. Chen Jingxuan led Mo Long to the end of the reeds, where snow-white reed leaves fluttered in the wind. It was indeed a beautiful sight that would make anyone who saw it marvel.

However, along with the fluttering reeds, talismans were also being tossed from Chen Jingxuan's sleeves.

Mo Long stood at the end of the reeds, looking at the talismans suspended in all directions, like golden scales, connected to each other, forming a solid golden barrier, covering an area of ​​a hundred feet, all contained in this golden array... Many people thought that Master left the capital out of despair, but Mo Long knew that Chen Jingxuan was not someone who would give up easily.

Based on Mo Long's understanding of Chen Jingxuan.

The gentleman always plans carefully before acting; every action and word is the result of meticulous and thorough consideration. Since he has chosen to leave the capital, he must have devised a detailed and comprehensive escape plan... After the meeting at the inn in Xingping City, Mo Long had seriously considered the actions the gentleman might take.

He had assumed that the gentleman would cross the North Sea directly to the Demon Kingdom.

only……

He never expected it.

Chen Jingxuan will settle in this reed marshland leading to the North Sea and form an array.

"It's beautiful here."

Chen Jingxuan did not answer Mo Long's previous question. Instead, he swung the talisman while gazing at the distant scenery.

This place is indeed beautiful.

The sea and sky merge into a vast expanse of blue, with occasional glimpses of snow-white reeds drifting by amidst the clouds and mist.

"gentlemen."

Mo Long gave a wry smile: "I don't quite understand what you mean."

"It's beautiful here, and there are very few people."

Chen Jingxuan said softly, "If someone dies here... they probably won't be discovered, right?"

Mo Long paused for a moment.

"If you were the one who banished me from the capital, what would you do?"

Chen Jingxuan suddenly looked at Mo Long and asked a question.

"of course……"

Mo Long spoke without hesitation, but paused slightly and lowered his voice: "Kill you."

He immediately put himself in the shoes of the "enemy".

But after realizing what he had done, he still used polite language.

"good."

Chen Jingxuan nodded, and said with a hint of self-deprecation, "This is a battle with no chance of survival. Once you're involved, there's no reason to retire easily. The reason we didn't make a move in the capital earlier wasn't because they didn't want to kill me... but because they weren't entirely confident."

Chen Jingxuan knew that in this turbulent situation targeting him, Yan Xie, who was openly playing against him, was actually just a puppet.

The one who truly manipulated him was Chongkan, the Holy Empress.

Chen Jingxuan also knew that although he was quite influential in this chaotic situation, he was still no match for Qin Zu or the Great Sui Sword Palace... Therefore, eliminating such an obstacle as himself was not the top priority for the other party.

only……

The dust will eventually settle.

Once the "big trouble" is resolved, given Chongkan's personality, will he really let himself off the hook? Will he really let Tang Fengshu off the hook?

"If the enemies are those two..."

Mo Long gritted his teeth and said with difficulty, "Leaving the capital should be a good thing."

The undercurrents during this period were subtle.

But Mo Long was, after all, a Yin spirit, and he vaguely guessed who the master's enemy was.

Such a "big shot" is indeed someone that even the library cannot afford to offend.

"Are you trying to ask me why I didn't go further north...?"

Chen Jingxuan suddenly spoke up, revealing Mo Long's thoughts.

"Yes."

Mo Long didn't hide anything and said frankly, "Sir, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. As long as you live, all the brothers in the library will obey your orders. I heard that a great battle has just broken out in the Southern Frontier. The Palace Master of Qiantian Palace personally killed Xie Xuanyi, and Little Sword Immortal Xie fled north."

"Escape north..."

Chen Jingxuan smiled.

He shook his head and said softly, "Only the loser flees north. Do you think I've already lost?"

Mo Long paused for a moment.

"I understand... Given your style, fleeing north is definitely not an option you would consider..."

Mo Long took a deep breath and said excitedly, "So you're planning to form a battle formation in Beihai to meet the enemy? There are still quite a few brothers in the Book Tower's secret service... Do you need me to go and gather those spies from Beijun?"

"No need."

Chen Jingxuan smiled.

He shook his head and said gently, “Every living being has its own tribulations. My tribulation is one I must overcome. You are the only one who should know that I have come to Xingping. I trust you, and this matter must not be known to anyone else... Not only in Beijun, but not even in the capital city.”

"gentlemen……"

Mo Long's expression was complicated.

Chen Jingxuan put it very tactfully, saying that all living beings have their own tribulations, and that his own tribulations would ultimately be his to overcome...

He's not stupid.

He knew that his husband did not want innocent brothers to be implicated.

If he wasn't mistaken, the upcoming battle in the North Sea would very likely involve Yang God level experts. Mo Long was also a cultivator, and he knew how vast the gap was between Yang Gods and mortals—a disadvantage that numbers couldn't overcome… But if Chen Jingxuan were willing to speak, a single command would summon countless "fly eyes" and countless "spies" willing to rush from all directions to offer their lives!
"In the next few days, you only need to do the following."

Chen Jingxuan suppressed his smile and earnestly instructed, "Notify the Xingping City Lord's Mansion to place this area under martial law and prevent any unauthorized personnel from entering. Tell them that the demonic energy in the North Sea is chaotic... and the martial law can be maintained for a longer period."

"Martial law..."

Mo Long remembered these words: "Anything else?"

"Also, don't go near the North Sea."

Chen Jingxuan said solemnly, "If I live, you will hear my news. If I die, your journey to the North Sea will be in vain. Do not lose your life for pointless 'loyalty.' This is not a request, but an order."

"……gentlemen……"

Mo Long's expression subtly changed; he sensed something was wrong.

He originally thought that the master had formed an alliance at Beihai to fight to the death.

But now he feels...

Sir, are you not actually confident of winning this battle?

"besides--"

After a moment's thought, Chen Jingxuan made a decision.

He casually plucked a snow-white reed leaf from the sky, gathered his vital energy with his fingertips, and slowly carved several names on the reed leaf.

"If I die in the North Sea."

Chen Jingxuan said in a heavy voice, "Help me deliver this reed leaf to the Jiang family of Qingzhou, to the patriarch Jiang Qihu."

"Lord Jiang, I know..."

Mo Long subconsciously replied, "The current Deputy Chief of the Imperial City Guard..."

The words stopped abruptly.

Mo Long suddenly realized that the gentleman was not referring to "Jiang Qihu of Da Chu Imperial City", but rather "Jiang Qihu of Qingzhou".

These two identities seem to be no different.

However, upon closer examination, one will discover significant differences.

gentlemen……

This is arranging "funeral affairs"!
"The names of all the Yin God Realm secret agents of the library are engraved on this reed leaf, belonging to the city. Over the years, only I have known about them. Like you, they only contact me."

Chen Jingxuan calmly said, "Jiang Qihu is my student and also my most trusted 'family member.' If I am gone, and you are still willing to serve Da Chu, the Jiang family will do everything in its power to ensure your future... If you do not wish to get involved in the conflicts and want to retire, Qingzhou will also take care of things for you..."

Under the command of Shulou, there are nearly ten Yin God Venerables. These people are scattered throughout the four realms of Da Chu... Mo Long is just one of them.

In today's world, even in the Daoist sects, top sects like the Great Eagle Sword Palace, with their Yin Spirit Realm cultivation, they could enjoy extremely high treatment and a very high status... but these people chose to remain "nameless".

These people are arguably the most valuable asset of the library.

There was only one reason why they stayed in the library: Chen Jingxuan.

Mo Long looked at the gaunt man in the blue robe.

He opened his mouth, but his throat felt dry and hoarse.

A thousand words are stuck in my throat.

He wanted to say something, but when the words reached his lips, he couldn't utter a single one.

Although he cultivated to the realm of Yin Spirit.

But amidst such a massive and complex undercurrent of impact, we remain insignificant, not even qualified to contribute a meager amount.

Chen Jingxuan waved his sleeve.

Mo Long slowly turned around, preparing to leave.

Just then, Chen Jingxuan couldn't help but call out, "Mo Long..."

Mo Long's body suddenly froze.

"It has been sixteen years and three months since you joined the library."

Chen Jingxuan lowered his eyes and slowly said, "A hero like you could have made a name for yourself in the Great Chu Dynasty and been highly respected, but you were willing to remain unknown in the small town of Xingping and live a life of seclusion... I have wronged you all these years."

He tucked his hands into his sleeves and bowed deeply, almost touching the ground.

Mo Long stopped in his tracks.

"Hey..."

With his back to Chen Jingxuan, Mo Long waved his hand and grinned, "Why say such things? It's our honor to serve you, sir..."

The sandstorm was very strong.

The reed leaves are as white as snow.

Mo Long didn't dare to look back and quickly left the reed marsh.

This world has returned to tranquility.

The Taoist woman, who had been feigning sleep with her eyes closed, opened them again. She jumped off the carriage and stepped into the great array formed by golden talismans.

Tang Fengshu, holding his whisk, examined the gleaming golden array of runes and asked with narrowed eyes, "Have you finished dealing with the trivial matters in Xingping? Are you preparing to fight here?"

Chen Jingxuan nodded and asked, "What is it?"

"This is indeed a nice place."

Looking at the stretch of white mudflats that stretched for miles, Tang Fengshu said softly, "It looks... somewhat familiar... Have I been here before?"

"Master Tang must not have been here before."

Chen Jingxuan smiled and said, "However... it looks familiar, which is normal."

"Oh?" Tang Fengshu raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

"Ten years ago, Xie Xuanyi disappeared after jumping into the sea during a battle in the North Sea. Disciples from various sects were dispatched to the North Sea to search for him. Among these people, some wanted to confirm Xie Xuanyi's 'life or death,' while others wanted to find Xie Xuanyi's 'chronic illness'..."

Chen Jingxuan slowly said, "Of course, the Book Pavilion also sent people there. I once used the [Hun Yuan Yi] to perform divination, and the endpoint of the golden thread of destiny that spreads out is this reed marsh."

Tang Fengshu's eyes lit up.

She suddenly remembered it.

Back then, the Taoist sect also sent disciples to investigate...

She certainly didn't believe Xie Xuanyi was dead, but unfortunately, many forces couldn't find anything after their investigation, and with the Sword Palace closing its gates, she had no choice but to accept the news of his death.

Back then, the library sent her a copy of the investigation file.

The case file mentioned this reed, and it was also accompanied by a divinely drawn image.

therefore.

Although I've never been here before, I feel a strange sense of familiarity.

"Back then... what did you find out?"

Tang Fengshu no longer believed that Chen Jingxuan knew nothing.

these years.

The world was kept in the dark.

But this guy is definitely not completely unaware!
"I did find some clues."

Chen Jingxuan calmly said, "After Xie Xuanyi committed suicide by jumping into the sea, his 'Sickly Flying Sword' once traveled alone for more than ten miles..."

"how is this possible?"

Tang Fengshu frowned: "If Xie Xuanyi is dead, his natal flying sword will probably lose its consciousness along with him. Even if he were still alive, he wouldn't be able to traverse more than ten miles with the sword..."

"To this day, I still don't know how this phenomenon came about."

Chen Jingxuan smiled: "But I remembered the destination the flying sword reached..."

"here?"

Tang Fengshu was taken aback.

"……Um."

Chen Jingxuan said softly, "Back then, everyone thought Xie Xuanyi was dead, but only I knew that he was very likely still alive. The traces of the flying sword captured by the [Hun Yuan Yi] are the evidence."

His identity and position are too important; his every move is watched by countless people.

and so……

Chen Jingxuan had never been here before.

But today is different from the past.

He is "free".

"Is this why you brought me here?" Tang Fengshu asked with a hint of resentment.

Chen Jingxuan did not deny it.

"In my opinion, this is a place of miracles. Perhaps Xie Xuanyi was able to survive back then because his flying sword once reached this place."

He nodded and said earnestly, "The world is full of wonders. Even in a situation where there is no chance of survival, a miracle can happen. Perhaps such a miracle can happen to us too?"

There was a slight pause.

Chen Jingxuan continued to explain, "Before leaving the imperial city, I used the [Hun Yuan Yi] to examine your destiny line and performed a divination. The divination results showed that this mudflat is an extremely auspicious place for you."

"……interesting."

Tang Fengshu chuckled to himself.

She found the man in front of her to be adorably cunning.

The celestial observer cannot use divination to spy on himself, so Chen Jingxuan used the [Hun Yuan Yi] to cast a divination for him before leaving the Taoist sect to pick him up, and then tied it to himself?
"You should know who our next opponent is..."

Tang Fengshu looked at the man in the blue robe in front of her and said sincerely, "Given Chongkan's personality, he will probably personally chase after us to Beihai."

"of course."

Chen Jingxuan calmly said, "If you want to kill us, only Chongkan himself can do it."

Even so, you still think...we can survive?

Tang Fengshu tilted his head slightly.

"Believe me."

With utmost seriousness, Chen Jingxuan asked, word by word, "We will win."

……

……

(The next update will be after midnight. It will still be 4,000 words. If you can't wait, you can go to sleep first.)
(End of this chapter)