Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 199: Times have changed
Both female leads were taken away, so they couldn't drink any more wine.

Lu Xingzhou also took A Nuo to the Demon Suppression Division to participate in the "autopsy" as the person who was assassinated and also an alchemist.

Of course, someone with this identity wouldn't normally be able to participate in an autopsy, since he has another special identity... The screams of pain from when Editor-in-Chief Sheng was dragged back and beaten were still ringing in everyone's ears. Whether this blond guy is killed or tortured is the Chief's business; others only know that he has a high probability of becoming the Chief's son-in-law...

Upon closer inspection, there was indeed no identity information. Logically, a third-grade sword cultivator should be able to be listed on the Heroes Ranking and be considered a powerful figure, but no one recognized this person, let alone listed him.

The so-called "reclusive old monster" isn't like that. Those are basically once very famous masters who either asked the Demon Suppression Bureau to remove their names from the mortal world, or they lived in anonymity for a long time and were eventually erased from the mortal world as if they had died of old age. But this person is clearly not like that; he exists directly outside of cognition.

Lu Xingzhou examined her for a long time: "It is very difficult to reach the third rank without anyone recognizing you... because this is not something that can be achieved by sitting at home and cultivating diligently. It requires high-intensity training. Moreover, long-term training in secret realms is not very effective. Dugu Qingli trained in Hanchuan from a young age, and no one recognized her. Even the Imperial Preceptor believed that she needed to experience the human world to reach the third rank, and thus her brilliance shone in the world. After all, experiencing the human world inevitably involves social interaction and achievements that become known to others, making it difficult to remain unknown... that is the third rank."

"There are some low-key people who may not be well-known, but that doesn't mean no one knows them at all. We will try posting notices to see who has seen them."

“Another possibility is that the training ground is abroad, in another country or within the territory of the demon race.” Lu Xingzhou picked up his brush, drew a portrait, and put it away: “If I go abroad, I’ll ask about it when I have the chance.”

So the absence of clues is itself a clue; sooner or later, something will come out.

However, given that the Demon Suppression Division has reported this result to the Emperor, it's hard to say what Gu Zhanting will think.

Yesterday, Lu Xingzhou brutally beat Huo Heng at the Misty Rain Pavilion, right in front of Prince Jin, Gu Yicheng. Today, Lu Xingzhou was assassinated. Most people would only think that either the Huo family secretly harbored assassins, or it was Prince Jin. Judging from the area where the man last fled, Prince Jin is more suspicious than the Huo family.

Whoever it is, they will probably plant a seed of doubt in Gu Zhanting's heart.

Raising assassins is different from raising bodyguards... This kind of thing is generally a taboo for kings.

Lu Xingzhou looked towards the area designated for royalty, his face expressionless.

He knew it wasn't the Prince of Jin.

From the moment he entered the Demon-Slaying Domain, this person harbored the intention to frame Gu Yicheng; at least, the Pill Academy still questions his alignment with Chen Yu. His assassination attempt immediately after the conflict with Prince Jin makes the implications even clearer.

Even Lu Xingzhou himself didn't think he was worth assassinating by a third-rank assassin, so who else would think highly of him?
—This would both eliminate Shen Tang's right-hand men and make the Prince of Jin, who currently seems to be the most likely to rise to power, suspicious of the emperor. Wouldn't that be enough to achieve two goals at once?

"A commoner who has been deposed and confined to his residence, a boy whose cultivation is still in its early stages, and several minors... Ha."

Don't forget that so-called deposed commoner, whose reason for being deposed was the massacre of the Tianxing Sword Sect and his attempt to kill his own sister, Shen Tang.

“This trip to the capital was worthwhile, it was quite interesting.” Lu Xingzhou picked up A Nuo and left the Demon Suppression Division: “Next time we come, our strength will be different, and it might be even more fun.”

"Will you come with Sister Shen Tang next time?"

"I don't know... Theoretically, Shen Tang is still in self-exile and wouldn't dare to show his face easily. But times change, who knows?"

At this moment, Pei Qingyan also felt the sigh of the changing times.

He even took a bamboo stick at home and made Pei Chuyun stretch out her little hand to be hit. This was the first time he had ever tried to hit his daughter.

Before the lash could even be applied, a subordinate rushed in from outside: "Prime Minister Pei, the Prefect of Dongjiang has requested a proposal to restore the Xia Prefecture seat. His Majesty wishes that Prime Minister Pei and the relevant departments discuss this first."

Pei Chuyun perked up her ears.

Dongjiang Commandery and Xia Prefecture.

Seeing her daughter's expression, Pei Qingyan was furious: "Go to solitary confinement yourself, I'll talk to you about it tomorrow!"

After saying that, he threw down the board, turned around, and left with his subordinate: "What exactly happened?"

“Xia Prefecture was once the seat of a prefecture and even a state, and held a very high position. A hundred years ago, the spiritual energy suddenly became increasingly scarce, leading to population migration and a significant decline in its status. The prefecture seat was taken over by the neighboring Dongjiang River, and Xia Prefecture was downgraded to a county.”

People in Xiazhou know about this, but people elsewhere may not. Pei Qingyan had heard of it but hadn't paid it any mind: "So what?"

"The Prefect of Dongjiang said that since he took office, he has noticed that the spiritual energy in Xiazhou has become denser day by day, and today it has the appearance of a major prefecture. In the past month or two, many people from the surrounding areas have begun to migrate to Xiazhou, just like the return flow in the past. In comparison, Dongjiang is much worse, after all, Dongjiang was originally just a large county, barely enough to be a prefecture seat."

Due to the existence of spiritual energy in the earth's veins, the reason for the formation of cities in this world is quite straightforward: people are willing to go where the spiritual energy is abundant. Furthermore, places with denser spiritual energy are more likely to produce treasures. The original low-grade medicinal herb bases of Xia Prefecture might very well become mid-grade medicinal herb production sites—that would be a completely different story. The Dongjiang Prefect's hasty proposal stems from his desire to relocate to a place with denser spiritual energy for work and cultivation, and to enjoy a more direct supply of resources—a very straightforward reason.

"Since he took office?" Pei Qingyan recalled for a moment, his expression somewhat strange: "The case of the former Dongjiang prefect's demons... was solved by Lu Xingzhou and Sheng Yuanyao."

Pei Chuyun, who was propping up her ears, was speechless.

Actually, Pei Chuyun was nearby at that time. The next day was the Battle of Red Cliffs. It's a pity that her name wasn't even in her father's story.

Pei Qingyan pondered for a moment, then asked, "What is the source of the spiritual energy in Xia Prefecture? Why has it suddenly become so abundant?"

"It's a problem with the entire Xiazhou ley lines. It should have been like this in the early years, but later it got blocked for some reason, which led to its downgrade. Now that the blockage has been broken, the entire ley lines have been revitalized."

"There must be a core element, right?"

"It's said to be Danxia Mountain. People in Xiazhou are saying that the Tianxing Sword Sect has struck gold. They acquired an ordinary medicinal mountain, but now it's become a sacred mountain. In the past six months, the cultivation level of the Tianxing Sword Sect has skyrocketed. Sect Master Shen Tang and Sword Peak Hall Master Zhang Shaoyou have reached the middle stage of the third rank. Protectors Qin Buwang and Zhao Guishan have broken through to the third rank. Tang Yunzhong and many others have reached the fourth rank. Now there are countless new disciples, and the sect is at its peak."

Pei Qingyan's heart skipped a beat.

While his subordinates were clueless about who Shen Tang of the Heavenly Sword Sect was, Pei Qingyan knew everything.

I had initially thought that Princess Chaohuang's journey to Xia Prefecture was a form of exile, a way to distance herself from the world's turmoil. But unexpectedly, times have changed, and Xia Prefecture is no longer what it used to be. Princess Chaohuang has actually amassed such power that it is now even stronger than the Heavenly Sword Sect of yesteryear, truly a phoenix soaring through the heavens.

I wonder what Your Majesty thinks...

Furthermore, how much does this have to do with Lu Xingzhou? Judging from the timeline, Lu Xingzhou hadn't even gone to Beijing yet, right? And what about Lu Xingzhou and Shen Tang—are they actually in that kind of relationship...?

Thinking of this, Pei Qingyan turned around and glared at her daughter.

Why don't we let you have contact with this blond guy? Don't you know what's going on? Haven't you ever seen someone eager to be a lackey?
“I am aware of this matter. The spiritual energy is recovering, the population is returning, and the resources are abundant... It also has the foundation of a large prefecture with a vast territory. The prefect's request to upgrade the prefecture and change its capital is a routine administrative consideration, and I have no objection. However…” Pei Qingyan paused and sighed, “His Majesty may not agree. We will have to see what His Majesty himself thinks.”

The subordinates were somewhat bewildered. Why would the emperor be so concerned about something like this? If the prime minister thinks it's acceptable, then it's acceptable. What's there to argue about?

“The aura of Xiazhou is complete.” Ye Tinglan stood on the star-gazing platform, gazing into the direction of Xiazhou, and muttered to herself, “I wonder if it has formed too early and aroused Gu Zhanting’s vigilance.”

The white-haired old man who had been discussing Yuan Muyu with her that day said, "A third-rank power that has grown in strength is not something His Majesty can resolve on a whim. Last time, we were caught off guard by the Tianxing Sword Sect incident and were suddenly attacked. This time, with us holding them back, it won't be so easy for the Emperor to act against the tide again."

"Hmm..." Ye Tinglan said in a low voice, "It's not that easy... especially since Shen Tang is no longer fighting alone. Someone can help Yama Palace rise to the top, and the Heavenly Sword Sect won't be any worse off."

Old man: "?"

Ye Tinglan suddenly said, "I will be away from the capital for a while, and I will temporarily entrust the affairs of the National Observation Hall to you. If there are any important matters, please contact me promptly via Fu Tongxun."

The old man asked, "Where is the sect leader going?"

"Taking disciples on trials. It can take anywhere from a month to half a year."

It's normal for a sect leader to take his disciples out for trials, but the old man was puzzled: "Does the sect leader really consider the students of the Pill Academy as his disciples?"

“He’s different,” Ye Tinglan said. “Besides, I also want to see Shen Tang today and see if her appearance has changed.”

The old man was silent.

Back then, Gu Zhanting also had a promising and ambitious appearance, but things can change.

Your appearance reflects your heart; when your heart changes, your appearance changes too.

Shen Tang used to have a very good appearance, and the sect leader thought highly of him. At the same time, he couldn't stand the infighting within the royal family, so he gave him a helping hand.

But times have changed. Shen Tang, who never held power before, was a kind and gentle princess who treated everyone well. Now, facing hardship and having wielded power, is she still the same?
(End of this chapter)