Minglong

Chapter 250 Past Events (Revised)

wow~
The prison cell door opened, and Shen Cang raised his hand in a polite gesture:
"Thank you, sir."

Xie Jinhuan straightened his robes and walked out of the cell, following Shen Cang to a guardhouse outside the corridor, where an oil lamp was lit.

The middle-aged man, dressed in a scarlet official robe, stood with his hands behind his back in the room. He was as plump and fair-skinned as ever, but he had grown a beard, which made him look more scholarly despite his military background. His demeanor was also quite different from before. If you hadn't lived with him since childhood, you would hardly recognize him.

The young constable with a youthful face and large breasts stood beside him, who had been flattering him and saying nice things, but when he saw him come in, he quickly introduced him:
"Young Master Xie, this is Lord Guo Deng, the Chief Justice, a relative of the Empress Dowager. He is an upright and kind-hearted man. You may speak freely about any grievances you may have."

Xie Wen saw Xiao Deng, who had grown up and was almost unrecognizable, and was filled with mixed emotions. However, given his current special status, he still treated him with the respect due to a Northern Zhou official when addressing a foreign envoy, bowing respectfully without being servile.

"Thank you, sir."

Xie Jinhuan returned the greeting with a raised hand, then glanced around, looking troubled, and said:

"The matter of Lishan is rather complicated. Too many people knowing about it might cause unnecessary trouble. May I discuss this with Lord Guo in private?"

Xie Wen nodded solemnly, gesturing for Xiao Biao to go outside and wait. Only after the footsteps faded away did a hint of excitement appear between his brows. He gently patted Xie Jinhuan on the back of the head and whispered:
"You brat! What are you doing? The place outside is in complete chaos! You hit Lü Yan, fine, but why did you have to kill Li Huaichuan?"

Xie Jinhuan was also quite helpless. He asked A Piao to keep an eye on the outside movements and took out two pieces of scrap paper from his pocket:
“I was set up. My friend and I had just arrived in Baihua County when we heard news about her father’s killer. Following the clues, we easily found this place in the Jianchuan mine. Then Li Huaichuan ambushed us at the exit, harboring murderous intent. I had no choice but to act. Lü Yan arrived almost immediately afterward…”

Xie Wen knew his son wasn't that reckless. He took the note, examined it, and, drawing on his years of experience as a county magistrate, analyzed it briefly. His brow furrowed.
"Judging from the situation, the person who orchestrated this scheme wants to shift the blame for the blood feud at Crescent Moon Manor onto the Empress Dowager, causing you to misjudge the situation. They just don't know about your relationship with the Empress Dowager..."

Xie Jinhuan shook his head: "More than that. I came here to conceal my whereabouts, yet the other party was able to spread accurate information over a wide area and lead me to Jianchuan. This shows that their connections are spread throughout the Southern Frontier, Daqian, and Northern Zhou, and they are high-ranking officials. At first, I didn't believe that there was such a powerful force, but Li Huaichuan appeared in time, and Lü Yan arrived later. Even if they didn't kill me, they still managed to trap me and make it impossible for me to establish myself in the North by relying on laws, morality, and principles. I still can't prove myself. I don't believe any of these coincidences."

"..."

Xie Wen didn't believe that any force could be so powerful and influential. If such a force existed, it certainly wouldn't be a simple heretical sect; it would have to be one of the immortals who survived the chaos of the witchcraft cult.

The specifics were beyond Xie Wen's comprehension; he simply couldn't fathom them. He then said:
"These matters need to be discussed with the Empress Dowager. Father and the Empress Dowager will definitely believe you, but this is a really difficult matter to handle. Li Huaichuan is a descendant of meritorious officials. Even if he wanted to kill and steal treasure, he would die in his own home, leaving no evidence. As for Lü Yan, his past actions were perfectly legitimate. He probably doesn't even know that he was tricked by the sorcerer into targeting you. No one in the Northern Zhou court will believe that you were framed by the sorcerer. If all else fails, you'll have to return to the Southern Dynasty to avoid the storm..."

Xie Jinhuan shook his head: "If the other party dares to set a trap for me, I must find out the truth. If I slink back, it will only confirm that I murdered for money. I can handle this matter, but I need the Empress Dowager's help."

"I've already given the word, we should hear back soon..."

After discussing the current situation, Xie Wen began to examine Xie Jinhuan's body again, finding him covered in battle wounds, which pained him greatly. He then glanced up and gestured towards the distant cell:

"That girl, is that you..."

Xie Jinhuan certainly couldn't say it was his wife, so he said softly:

"Using the pseudonym Hua Ruyue, currently a friend of the martial arts world."

at present……

Xie Wen nodded slightly, understanding her identity—the woman he was still pursuing in the martial arts world.

The Southern Dynasty delegation had arrived in Yanjing two days prior. Xie Wen, having heard that an old acquaintance had also come, had taken a peek at the delegation while being received at the Ministry of Rites. He found a large group of women—Princess Wanyi, Qingmo, Zisu, and Duoduo—and didn't know who his future daughter-in-law was. He intended to subtly inquire, but then heard hurried footsteps outside.

stomping on...

Xie Wen immediately stood up straight, adopting the serious demeanor of a diplomatic conversation.

Xie Jinhuan, whose posture and demeanor had been slightly altered at the age of three, instantly regained his cold and extraordinary air. Looking outside, he saw Shen Cang quickly approach the door, cupping his hands in greeting:

"Lord Guo, a distinguished person requests to speak with Young Master Xie. Please accompany me, Young Master Xie."

Noble person?

Xie Wen was initially curious about who this high-ranking official was, meddling in at such a time, but he quickly realized what was going on and hurriedly raised his hand:

"Thank you, sir."

Seeing this, Xie Jinhuan figured it must be the red-haired elder sister herself who had come, so he didn't delay and quickly followed her out...
-
After the snow cleared, a full moon hung above the brightly lit city.

Four female guards dressed in brocade robes and carrying swords stood outside a hall behind the Ministry of Justice. The hall was brightly lit inside, but the doors and windows were tightly closed.
Xie Jinhuan was led to the courtyard gate, where Shen Cang stopped. He entered the courtyard alone, and the female guard standing at the gate did not say anything, but simply raised her hand to open the gate.

squeak~
Inside the room, one can see the painting of the Seven Heroes in the central hall, but it's unclear whose office it is. A shadow can be seen through the inner door.

Xie Jinhuan entered the room and glanced around. He saw a woman dressed in a beautiful phoenix dress and wearing a golden hairpin, standing alone in front of a painting. She was extremely tall and her long hair, which was tied up, was as black as ink. She exuded an air of nobility from head to toe that made her seem untouchable. However, she was not as delicate as the landlady. Instead, she seemed very strong and upright, with a straight back like a sharp sword or a towering pine tree.

?

Xie Jinhuan remembered the golden-armored elder sister, who had red hair. Seeing this scene, he was momentarily confused. To avoid mistaking his patron, he stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant Xie Jinhuan, may I ask who you are?"

Click~
The door behind him then closed.

The woman standing before the painting turned around, revealing a face as white as jade. Her eyes were kind yet held a sharp edge, and her voice carried the oppressive force of someone accustomed to a position of power.
"It's been three years, and you've grown so much."

Upon hearing the voice, Xie Jinhuan finally confirmed the identity, took a few steps closer, and looked slightly puzzled:
"Why does the Empress Dowager's hair look different from the last time I saw it?"

Empress Dowager Guo walked lightly toward the tea table, and halfway there her whole person changed—her hair, which was tied up in a bun, turned wine red from the roots, her facial features also changed subtly, becoming more three-dimensional, her black eyes showed a faint bluish-green tinge, and her skin was also whiter than that of a normal woman.

Although the changes were minor, she instantly became a hundred times more radiant. Her exotic charm, with red hair, blue eyes, and breasts bigger than her head, was fully displayed, while retaining her inherent nobility. Her aura was at least four meters tall...

If she were to wear a sheer, off-the-shoulder skirt, revealing her long, white legs and snow-white skin, and with her hair loosened, she would truly be a queen of the Western Regions…

Xie Jinhuan blinked, quite surprised:
"What kind of supernatural power is this?" Empress Dowager Guo gestured for Xie Jinhuan to sit down.

"It's just a smokescreen, used to conceal one's identity."

Xie Jinhuan sat down in front of him, somewhat puzzled:
"Isn't my sister Empress Dowager Guo?"

Empress Dowager Guo kept her gaze fixed on Xie Jinhuan. Although they were somewhat acquainted, this was indeed their second formal meeting. She responded:

"I am naturally the Empress Dowager of the current dynasty, but my background is more complicated than you think. You should be able to recognize my identity through some opportunity, so I will not hide it from you..."

In order to quickly get to know each other, Empress Dowager Guo briefly recounted her past to Xie Jinhuan.

Around the time of Emperor Zhongzong of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, a member of the Guo clan in Cangzhou, who was serving as the chief secretary of the Anxi Protectorate, unexpectedly found a baby girl while providing disaster relief. His wife adopted her as her goddaughter and named her "Meiren" (Beautiful Woman).

Although Guo Meiren was born in the Western Regions, she was treated as her own daughter from a young age. She was also intelligent and quick-witted, and showed extraordinary talent at a young age. Before she was sixteen, she was already invincible in the army. After that, she bid farewell to her parents and went out to travel around.

While seeking opportunities at Phoenix Tomb in the Southern Frontier, she accidentally fell into a rift valley and was imprisoned underground for sixty years. When she finally emerged, it was sixty years later, when Phoenix Tomb reopened. Her parents had already passed away, and the world had changed beyond recognition. Evil spirits rose up in all directions, marking the early stages of the Witchcraft Rebellion.

Fortunately, when she was trapped underground, she did not give up on herself. She devoted herself to practicing and searching for a way to escape. When she came out of the mountain, she had become the Northern Zhou Goddess of War, who was ranked at the top of the mountain!

Although her parents are no longer alive, they often taught her in her childhood that "when in a high position, one should worry about the people; when in a remote place, one should worry about the ruler." She was also saved because of her parents' compassion for the poor people of other ethnic groups.

Therefore, she unsurprisingly embarked on the path of "bringing peace to the people," returned to the Northern Zhou Dynasty, began to eliminate evil spirits in various places, assisted the court, and even became the female leader of the Northern Jianghu.

But just as the situation was gradually being stabilized through the joint efforts of all religions, a piece of bad news came from the south.

Sikong Shitang had a disciple whose talent was so high that it amazed her, but he was devoid of righteousness and evil, and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He secretly studied the soul-refining techniques of the Corpse Witch Sect and Ghost Cultivators, and should have been expelled from the sect.

Despite his many evils, the Corpse Ancestor never betrayed his teachers. The reason why the Rebellion of the Witch Cult was named the 'Rebellion of the Witch Cult' rather than the 'Rebellion of the Demonic Path' was because although the Corpse Ancestor was involved in demonic cultivation techniques, he never betrayed his cult from beginning to end.

On the contrary, Sikong Shitang was the one who initially taught his disciples that "to make witchcraft stand at the top of all religions, to walk the path of cultivation with an iron will, and that compassion cannot lead an army and emotions cannot accomplish anything," but in the end he chose the righteous path and betrayed his former ideals and ambitions.

When faced with his apprentice who had surpassed him, Sikong Shitang was reluctant to punish him. He claimed to be cleaning up the sect, but in reality, he hid in the Hundred Thousand Mountains of Southern Xinjiang.

By the time the righteous path learned of this news, the Corpse Ancestor had already emerged from seclusion, standing before the world with an invincible presence.

Sikong Shitang was clearly somewhat sentimental. At first, he was reluctant to clean up his own sect, and then he didn't want to kill millions of people. As a result, he not only harmed millions of people, but also his proud disciple. That's why his Dao heart collapsed after the war, and he disappeared completely.

But the Corpse Ancestor was different. He was determined and decisive. Even when he was besieged by the Three Immortals of the Northern Territory, Ye Ci, Qixia Zhenren and other geniuses, and betrayed by his own master, he still tried his best to gain the upper hand.

But human power has its limits.

She fought back alongside the leaders of various sects, and in the final battle at Dragon Bone Beach, she defeated the Corpse Ancestor and sealed him into the Demon-Suppressing Mausoleum.

However, she was also injured by the demonic sword that had condensed millions of wronged souls. Although she survived, she was already showing signs of demonic possession, and it was impossible to suppress it.

To prevent chaos in the world, she resolutely chose to dissolve her own body, that is, to end her own life and go to the underworld to accompany her parents.

But before the corpse dissolution, in order to prevent any more cultivators from causing trouble for the world, she planned to take Shang Lianbi away. After all, this fellow Daoist was strong and good at surviving, and the Corpse Ancestor at least had some faith. This grandson only sought immortality and was a natural cultivation machine.

Unfortunately, due to his damaged physique, he couldn't win the fight and only managed to severely injure Shang Lianbi.

This was considered excessive at the time, since Shang Lianbi had never made any major mistakes and had indeed contributed to the righteous cause; he was simply afraid of losing his life.

But she didn't care. After it was all over, she disintegrated and ascended to heaven, returning her flesh and spirit to the world, thus settling all grudges.

She thought she was really dead, and thus became one of the martyrs of the witchcraft rebellion.

But unexpectedly, the Vermilion Bird Mausoleum reopened 60 years ago, and she woke up again!

She didn't understand the reason at all, only that her body seemed to have turned into a shadow. Her true body was always in the Vermilion Bird Mausoleum, and she could no longer practice her skills. As long as she left the Vermilion Bird Mausoleum, her body would continue to weaken.

Therefore, she could only stay in the Vermilion Bird Mausoleum to recuperate and search for a way to return to normal. As a result, more than 20 years ago, the witchcraft calamity occurred in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and Guo was also involved in it.

She was once a descendant of the Guo family, and now she is the ancestor of the Guo family.

Because of her contributions during the witchcraft rebellion, the Guo family became a prominent family in the Northern Zhou Dynasty. The current young emperor and the short-lived Emperor Ai were both descendants of her relatives.

Upon discovering signs of impending doom for the Northern Zhou dynasty, she did not forget her parents' early teachings. She left the mountains and returned to the Guo family, entering the palace as the eldest daughter of the Guo family to rule from behind the curtain as Empress Dowager, thus purging the Northern Zhou court.

But over the course of three hundred years, the Northern Zhou had accumulated deep resentment, and she was not a true deity. Even with all her efforts, she could only maintain a semblance of peace.

The reforms damaged the interests of powerful families, and many wealthy and noble families were secretly plotting to force her to step down.

The vassal kings, fearing that the Guo family would usurp the throne, were also putting pressure on her.

Most importantly, she thwarted the evil Taoist's plans in Northern Zhou. For years, the evil Taoist had been using the guise of the "Red Witch Cult" to commit atrocities and smear her.

Judging from the rumor that "the country perished because of the Red, and demons descended upon the Zhou land," the person behind the demonic path seems to have some suspicions about her identity and even attempted to assassinate her several times to test whether she was the reincarnation of the Valkyrie.

Once her identity is exposed, she will definitely be targeted by enemies like Shang Lianbi. Back then, she resolutely performed a self-dissection, which also tricked the old demon without scallions into shedding a lot of tears, and returned all the opportunities she had stolen to her.

Given Old Demon Mei Cong's personality, if he found out she wasn't dead, he'd probably strip her naked to mend her wounded heart...

(End of this chapter)