Tumor Sword Immortal

Chapter 35 Poisoning
Perhaps because there were more people attending the class, today's lesson on physical health lasted significantly longer than yesterday's.

However, the effect was only so-so.

Pei Xia's so-called methods of "absorbing qi" and "split life" are quite difficult to understand.

As a result, many students who were initially enthusiastic lost patience as they listened.

Even if you listen to it all, it's still difficult to truly understand its meaning; you just skim through it and only vaguely understand it.

Another group felt that Pei Xia's account was too far removed from the Twelfth Realm of Martial Arts, and that he was deliberately hiding his true abilities and trying to fool everyone with fake stuff.

Overall, the classroom atmosphere was somewhat subdued.

This is also a good thing for Pei Xia. As soon as today's lecture ended, many students shook their heads and left, probably not bothering him again in the future.

Only a few people remained, still pondering Pei Xia's words.

This includes Xie Huan.

As he said yesterday, Young Master Xie came to listen to the lecture on time again today.

Perhaps because there were too many people, he didn't argue with Pei Xia anymore.

I listened very carefully the whole time.

Before leaving, he even stood up and bowed to Pei Xia.

Pei Xia was startled: "What?"

“The law should not be sold cheaply, and the way should not be easily passed on,” Xie still looked at him with obvious displeasure, but he pursed his lips and exhaled, still indicating, “You can be so magnanimous, I acknowledge your magnanimity.”

Pei Xia never backs down just because someone apologizes or says nice things: "Oh, weren't you a love rival?"

Xu Shangxin nudged him from the side.

Xie was neither angry nor did he deny it: "She is kind, intelligent and beautiful, and I like her. As for her and you, it's just an arranged marriage by others. Unless she really likes it, I will not give up."

Young Master Xie opened his mouth without any regard for others, and didn't even lower his voice.

Xu Shangxin, who was listening nearby, grimaced.

Watching Xie leave, she nestled close to Pei Xia and whispered, "If things continue like this, won't it turn into that kind of scenario?"

Pei Xia winked at her: "Which one?"

"It's all about jealousy and fighting, which escalates and gets more and more intense, eventually dragging the Pei and Xie families into it, with all sorts of conspiracies and schemes, until one of the two families is finally destroyed."

Xu Shangxin spoke with a straight face.

Pei Xia looked at her as if she were an idiot: "Read less storybooks."

"No way?"

"Will not."

"why?"

It wasn't because of Xie Huan's character, Pei Xia took out a cigarette from her pocket: "He doesn't have that ability."

Xie Huan is different from Pei Xia.

Pei Xia is Pei Xi's only son, and now he is the head of the household. Although he has not entered the court, his word is law in his own family.

Xie Huan was just one of Xie Zu's three sons, and was clearly not valued.

Pei Xia lit a cigarette: "Studying in Beishi City, becoming an official at the Imperial Academy, and pursuing scholarship at Honghu Academy—if Xie Zu, such a big shot, really had the intention to make arrangements, why would he come to Jiangchao? And that bodyguard of his is only at the Zhen Gang Realm; he probably can't even beat Xie Zu himself. With that, how much do you think his father values ​​him?"

Xu Shangxin nodded repeatedly as she listened: "That makes sense."

Pei Xia exhaled a puff of white smoke, squinted his eyes, and reached out to tap her elbow: "Keep talking, but don't stop using your hands."

Xu Shangxin hummed twice, then picked up the wooden sword provided by the martial arts school and began practicing Pei Xia's sword and saber techniques.

Could it be him?
Pei Xia sat down on the ground, asked herself the same question, and then shook her head.

He did initially have doubts about Xie Huan.

It's quite strange that Xie Zu's son would be attracted to Xu Shangxin; you can't simply explain it as "the girl is very beautiful." Someone like him, with the environment he grew up in and the education he received, should theoretically look down on someone of Xu Shangxin's lowly birth. This prejudice might even affect his judgment of beauty and ugliness.

So his elaborate pursuit of Xu Shangxin might be for the purpose of getting in touch with the Prime Minister's residence. In addition, given that he was not valued in the Xie family, there might be a possibility that he was colluding with outsiders.

No, it's impossible.

Murdering the prime minister would do him no good, and besides, he hadn't even achieved his goal of getting in touch with Xu Shangxin.

It can only be said that Xie is perhaps an atypical second-generation official.

Pei Xia took a puff of his cigarette, then turned his gaze to Li Er and Liu San, who were slacking off in the corner as always.

At the academy, these two people got along very well with Xu Shangxin.

Pei Xia wouldn't easily dismiss them as just another roadside street just because their names are casual.

According to Xu Shangxin, Li Er's family suddenly became rich, and if he were a traitor, it's true that a large sum of money would come quickly.

However, such illegal income cannot withstand scrutiny, especially at Beishicheng Academy, where it is more likely to arouse suspicion, so it is actually unlikely.

Where is Liu San? It is said that he is a merchant from out of town who has just settled in Beishi City?
That's quite a good excuse. People, money, and social connections will be investigated, but as long as you're careful enough, you can still create that kind of background.

Could it be him?

Pei Xia glanced at Xu Shangxin beside her: "Hey, I see you're having a good time at the academy. Do you usually bring your classmates back to your home to play?"

Xu Shangxin was concentrating on practicing her swordplay, trying her best to keep her wrist steady, and didn't pay attention to him for the moment.

After finishing that move, she turned the hilt of her sword: "Who do you think I am, that I would dare bring people back to the manor?"

"Back when Lao Pei was around, your status must have been pretty good."

"So how could I possibly cause trouble for the master?"

Pei Xia nodded. Indeed, after she took her back to the Prime Minister's residence to make up for the money and return Lu Li last time, trouble ensued.

Unless absolutely necessary, she would never bring a male classmate home.

Pei Xia flicked his cigarette ash: "By the way, I remember you used to call Lao Pei 'Dad,' so why have you started calling him 'Master' lately?"

Xu Shangxin was just about to continue practicing her swordplay when she heard these words, and her hands visibly paused for a moment.

He then mumbled a reply: "None of your business."

Xu Shangxin did not bring anyone back to the mansion, which means that unless they sneaked in secretly, this so-called academy spy had no way of contacting Pei Xi.

So, is it possible to infiltrate?

It's unlikely. The inner city is inhabited by the wealthy and powerful, with many high-ranking officials, and is extremely guarded.

Especially since it is close to Luoshen Peak, the control of the Holy Palace is even stronger, and ordinary escape techniques are difficult to use.

Pei Xia flicked her cigarette and exhaled.

Either a sorcerer is behind it, or it's poisoning.

It's unlikely that Su Shi would be the culprit. As a spy, she would be too conspicuous. A simple investigation by the Insect and Bird Bureau or the Holy Palace would expose her.

But if poisoning was to be carried out, there had to be a route, from the academy to the Prime Minister's residence—the only possible path…

Xu Shangxin is still the best.

He smacked his lips and couldn't help but look up at his older brother.

The girl practiced swordsmanship very diligently, but her long hair made it a little inconvenient.

When Pei Xia turned her head, she saw Pei Xia with a wooden sword between her legs and a hair tie in her mouth, trying to tie her hair up.

Her long black hair was tied up, revealing her smooth, fair nape.

Turning around and meeting Pei Xia's gaze, she pouted with her mouth still holding the hair tie, "Mmm?"

"What else can I look at?" Pei Xia grinned at her, "Look at my handsome older brother!"

(End of this chapter)