Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 593 Lord Zhao, you said you were willing to serve this Marquis?

If Zhang Yuan really acts so recklessly, he will never go far.

In the Eastern Territory, he merely cultivated an image of being unrestrained and ruthless, making everyone believe he was a warrior.

"Elderly families and the martial arts world, those aren't entirely unacceptable..."

How many things in this world can be measured by good and evil?

With a soft whisper, Zhang Yuan's figure disappeared into the Spring Mountain Painting.

"Master Hou."

"Mr. Faceless has already left the city."

A warm sound rang out from outside the carriage.

Wen Liu, acting on Zhang Yuan's orders, sealed off the city of Donghan County, but at this moment he appeared in front of Zhang Yuan's carriage.

That's normal, because this place is outside the city of Donghan County.

After traveling thousands of miles, Zhang Yuan's carriage finally arrived at the capital of Donghan County.

In the prefect's residence.

Acting Prefect Liu Peiyuan waited anxiously.

These days, news keeps coming in.

None of the messages were what he wanted to hear.

"Chen Wu, the captain of the Wuwei Yamen, led the Xuanjia Guard to block the nine rivers and eighteen sluices. They have already captured thirty-two smuggling merchant ships and seized tens of thousands of prohibited items such as military equipment."

"Cao Jiada, the magistrate of Yushui County, led 8,000 private soldiers from 13 prominent families, including the Lu and Zhao families, to wipe out more than 50 mountain strongholds around Duanhun Gorge, killing and capturing more than 10,000 bandits and seizing a million taels of gold and silver."

"Elder Yue Qingcang of the Mountain Sect led 1,200 martial artists from the Eastern Border to sweep through eleven sects of all sizes in Donghan County, uncovering evidence of treason, and handing over hundreds of sect disciples to the Black Ice Guard."

"Chen Jiuyue of the Cold Crow Sword Sect, carrying the order of the Marquis of Qingyang to thoroughly investigate Taoist temples, led elites from dozens of sects in Donghan County. They have already sealed off more than forty Taoist temples of all sizes and captured three hundred cultivators who were in contact with Taoist sects in other regions."

"The border troops, consisting of thirty-two guards and fifty-four battalions, are all guarding their posts carefully. Apart from investigating the aristocratic families and spies from the Three Kingdoms, there has been no unusual activity."

Each report made Liu Peiyuan's face turn paler.

He knew that when the Marquis of Qingyang arrived in the capital of Donghan County, it would be the day he was imprisoned.

In fact, when Marquis Qingyang walked out of Broken Soul Gorge, he understood that the situation was hopeless.

What's most infuriating is that he couldn't find Prefect Zhao Defang at this time.

Even several of Zhao Defang's close confidants seemed to have vanished into thin air.

"The Marquis of Qingyang personally led three hundred black cavalrymen, heading towards the prefectural capital. They were already three hundred li away."

At the door of the study, the guard who reported the incident had a solemn expression, tinged with panic.

The Marquis of Qingyang's actions were so drastic, almost tearing the entire Donghan County apart. As a guard of the Prefectural Governor's Office, how could he not know that his Lord Liu's power was already doomed?

Liu Peiyuan waved for the reporting guard to leave, stood up, hesitated for a moment, then clenched his fist and walked out of the study.

A moment later, a figure dressed in a gray scholar's robe, looking like an ordinary scholar, quietly walked out of the back gate of the prefectural governor's mansion, carrying a book box on his back.

After wandering through the streets and alleys several times, the scholar exited the city through the south gate.

Ten miles outside the city, looking back at the majestic city, the scholar's face showed a complex expression, and he sighed softly.

"Wealth and glory are fleeting, and some things cannot be forced."

"Perhaps this is fate..."

Who else could this voice and this figure be but Liu Peiyuan, the acting prefect?
After standing there for a moment, just as Liu Peiyuan was about to turn and leave, a voice rang out.

"Brother Liu, since you're willing to give up this wealth and glory, why not leave your life behind as well?"

Liu Peiyuan trembled and looked up at Zhao Defang, dressed in a martial robe, holding a long sword, his body radiating killing intent, standing by the roadside.

Beside Zhao Defang stood several martial artists dressed in black robes and with their faces covered by black cloths. Their qi and blood essence swirled around them, transforming into layers of blood-red light and shadow.

Innate realm.

A master of killing at the Innate Realm.

"The people from Tingyu Tower?" Liu Peiyuan's gaze fell on those people, a hint of sarcasm on his face. "You were originally going to be placed next to Qingyang Marquis, but you were all wiped out by the Black Ice Guard."

"Now there are only a few people left, like stray dogs."

"Whatever benefits Zhao Defang gave you, I will give you ten times that amount."

The martial artists stood still, motionless.

Zhao Defang's expression turned into a light smile, and he shook his head: "Brother Liu, at a time like this, you still want to use divisive tactics. Your scheming skills have truly penetrated to the bone..." "You may not know, but I am the master of Tingyu Tower. Tingyu Tower, the holy land of assassins that spans the Three Kingdoms, was founded by my grandfather."

The smile on Zhao Defang's face slowly faded, and his eyes revealed a cold glint: "If it weren't for the fact that my Tingyu Tower has too many dirt on those aristocratic families, do you think these old foxes would be willing to listen to me obediently?"

The longsword was slowly drawn from its sheath, its blade pointing at Liu Peiyuan, and a hint of resentment appeared on Zhao Defang's face.

"The only thing I didn't expect was that Marquis Qingyang was strong enough to kill three Grandmasters."

"Now the three kingdoms of Zhao, Wei, and Qi are all intimidated, and no one in the Eastern Jianghu dares to make a move."

A pale blue light shimmered on the sword's edge, and Zhao Defang's aura turned chillingly cold. The killing intent in his eyes solidified into a tangible form.

"Today, I'll borrow Brother Liu's head as a pledge of loyalty; I think Marquis Qingyang will be pleased."

"Brother Liu, as long as you die, I will continue to serve as the Prefect of Donghan County and devote myself to serving Marquis Qingyang."

As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared from the spot.

Liu Peiyuan subconsciously unleashed the vast power surrounding him, transforming it into streaks of golden patterns.

The power of the Great Way, the master of Confucianism and Taoism.

"Thorn-"

The swirling patterns covered in golden characters were pierced by the longsword and shattered inch by inch.

Zhao Defang, who presented himself as a civil official, actually pierced through the protective aura of a Confucian and Taoist master with a single sword!

At Liu Peiyuan's waist, a blue jade pendant shattered, and the aura of righteousness emanating from it dissipated.

Confucian treasure.

Zhao Defang's sword was pressed against Liu Peiyuan's chest, but it could not advance an inch.

Liu Peiyuan used two fingers to trap Zhao Defang's sword.

"You, you're not Liu Peiyuan, you—" Zhao Defang exclaimed in surprise, her eyes wide.

Liu Peiyuan's power as a Confucian and Taoist master was derived from the power of Confucian treasures; he was not a Confucian scholar-official at all!

As soon as Zhao Defang finished speaking, Liu Peiyuan's fingers trembled slightly.

"when--"

The longsword in his hand shattered, and Zhao Defang staggered backward.

His face changed color, from flushed to pale, then to deathly white. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.

He looked at Liu Peiyuan, who was still standing there, his eyes filled with horror.

To be able to shatter the sword in his hand so easily and injure him, one must be at least at the peak of the Cave Profound Realm!

How could Liu Peiyuan, who usually practices Confucianism and Taoism and is physically weak, possibly have such martial arts skills?
Just as the few Tingyulou assassins standing at the back were about to step forward, several dark blades appeared, piercing through their backs and chests.

From the moment Zhao Defang made his move until he was defeated and his accompanying assassins were all killed, it had only taken three breaths.

Looking at the figures in black, Zhao Defang gave a bitter smile.

People from the Heavenly Guard.

"The Heavenly Guardians, what a Heavenly Guardians they are," Zhao Defang sighed softly, slumped to the ground. "I underestimated Marquis Qingyang..."

His gaze fell ahead, where a wooden cart slowly approached and stopped a few feet away.

A voice slowly rose from within the frame.

"Lord Zhao, you say you are willing to serve me?"

Marquis Qingyang!
Zhao Defang was stunned at first, then quickly knelt down on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly to the vehicle frame.

"I am willing to serve you, my lord, I am willing to serve you..."

As he looked up, the roar of warhorses came from the direction of the county town, and squads of soldiers galloped towards him.

The two leaders were dressed in blue and red official robes, their sleeves billowing in the wind.

Liu Peiyuan was appointed acting governor of Donghan Commandery.

Zhao Defang, Assistant Prefect of Donghan County.

Standing in front of the carriage, Zhao Defang was stunned. The one who came to greet the Marquis of Qingyang was the real Liu Peiyuan, but who was this Zhao Defang?

Who is this Liu Peiyuan standing in front of me?

(End of this chapter)