Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 901 Justice Strikes
For a cultivator to personally assassinate a high-ranking official would involve too much karma and come at too high a price; it would be unwise.

Perhaps it would be better to let him find himself in a situation where he is exhausted and unable to take care of himself.

The name "White Lotus Sect" is just right.

Believe it or not, as long as these leaflets appear, you must manage them, investigate them thoroughly, and take full responsibility.

It might even... cause the central government to once again doubt and scrutinize your governance capabilities!
As for the potential unrest and panic among the people as a result... what is there to fear?
With the good reputation of Baoantang in Jiangnan for many years and its tangible measures to benefit the people, it is natural that the people's hearts can be gradually calmed and appeased.

Xu Xuan stood on the north bank, gazing southwards, a cold smile curving his lips.

Next, there may be several more places in the south where "white lotus flowers bloom".

This is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation and eliminate several local power brokers who are usually in the way but whom we can't directly take action against.

This title is truly... incredibly useful.

He casually tossed out a magical butterfly, which stirred up boundless waves in Jiangnan, while he himself continued his journey north.

In fact, this was not the first time he had set foot in the territory of Guangling County.

About a year ago, before the Great Compassionate Dharma King intended to invade Wu County, he first subdued the Golden Cymbal Dharma King who was entrenched in Jiangbei.

The powerful centipede demon was ordered to gather a large number of mountain spirits, water monsters, and demons in the north, and march south to attack Qiantang.

At that time, it was Xiaoqing who personally led the Taihu Lake navy to set up a defensive line at the Hangou Canal, a tributary of the Yangtze River, and successfully stopped the group of demons.

The two sides fought a fierce battle at Hangou, the river water was stained with demon blood, and corpses piled up like mountains.

It is said that even now, the fish and shrimp in the Han Canal are exceptionally plump because they have consumed the flesh and blood imbued with demonic power...

But this time, Xu Xuan's journey north was not to slay demons and monsters.

He came to rescue people.

At the entrance to the Guangling Prefectural Governor's residence, the gatekeeper saw a scholar in a blue robe stop, exuding an extraordinary air, yet he dared not be negligent and, as was customary, stepped forward to inquire:
"Who is coming?"

"Xu Xuan of Qiantang".

Even when they arrived in the North, the "Holy Father" still insisted on using courtesy before resorting to force.

After all, it's not our own territory, so who knows what kind of officials are here?
It's always safer to spend more time dealing with these "insects" and figuring out their true nature before taking any action.

Inside the study, the Prefect of Guangling was delighted to hear that it was Xu Xuan, the renowned scholar from Jiangnan, who was skilled in both poetry and calligraphy, who had come to visit.

The other party came to pay his respects as soon as he crossed the river, which shows that this young man is very knowledgeable about the rules of officialdom and knows how to be accommodating.

"Someone, please let Young Master Xu in."

Upon meeting Xu Xuan in person, the prefect was impressed by his handsome appearance and composed demeanor, and he nodded to himself, uttering polite phrases such as "a man of exceptional appearance" and "a young talent."

As is customary, he would naturally test the knowledge of this talented scholar from the south, discussing classics, history, philosophy, and literature, as well as poetry and prose.

This was the standard procedure for talented scholars traveling for study: mutual flattery, mutual praise, leaving behind a few beautiful stories, and exchanging gifts. The host and guests were all happy, wasn't that elegant?
However, after only a short conversation, the Prefect of Guangling began to break out in a cold sweat, and he could barely hold his teacup.

Xu Xuan's "good communication skills" are maxed out, especially his "heartfelt" conversations that can strike at the soul and touch people's hearts.

As the saying goes, "There are no fixed formations in warfare, just as water has no fixed shape." One who can adapt to the enemy's changes and achieve victory is called a master strategist.

Looking back, he struggled to survive in humble circumstances, maneuvering among various forces. He relied on a comprehensive set of rhetoric techniques that combined "using others' strength against them, being sarcastic and cunning, being arrogant and domineering, luring the enemy out of their hole, delaying tactics, spreading rumors, eliminating the root of the problem, and appealing to their emotions and reason" to carve out a path to survival in the cracks.

Now that the balance of power has shifted, he can finally abandon those low-level, struggling techniques and use some more "advanced" methods.

So, in the study of the Prefect of Guangling, Xu Xuan began by saying:

"Just the other day, Mr. Yu mentioned to the younger generation that you were..."

The closed mouth is again:

"Oh, right, Old Shen also said that if it weren't for..."

Even unintentionally interspersed:

Professor Sheng commented on this matter with considerable disdain, feeling that if you had…

Interspersed among these are numerous seemingly real yet illusory "opinions" from the core power circles of Luoyang.

It's a mix of truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, yet so detailed that it's impossible not to believe it.

When you go out, your identity is given by yourself.

Scholars generally prefer not to discuss these backgrounds and connections, partly because they value their reputation and public image, and partly because their family background is well-known and requires no further explanation.

Xu Xuan, on the other hand, was completely different.

He had no airs of a noble family background; despite coming from a poor family, he was able to introduce himself without any reservations.

However, they only mentioned other people's "family backgrounds," and each one was more illustrious than the last.

From the crushing force of moral high ground to the precise pressure of legal provisions, and then to the layered intimidation of connections and background...

After this series of combined attacks, the governor of Guangling felt a shock, a second shock, a third shock... his heart was filled with turbulent waves.

He wasn't without backing either; the Prefect of Xuzhou was a relative by marriage, and he was considered a prominent figure in the Guangling region.

But at this moment, compared to the resounding names Xu Xuan mentioned, they were simply... insignificant!
What is meant by "local cliques"? What is meant by "academic cliques"? What is meant by "truly overwhelming power"?
Xu Xuan's performance today was truly remarkable, even bordering on unbridled!

Even the most notorious playboys in Luoyang rarely displayed such a bold and unrestrained style, openly revealing all their cards.

But the "Holy Father" is capable of doing it.

The bag that the Stone King was carrying contained letters bearing various prestigious seals; this was his confidence.

“Open the docks and properly resettle the gathered refugees, sending them to Jiangnan. This shouldn’t be too difficult, right?” Xu Xuan said calmly.

The prefect immediately straightened his back, his face filled with a sense of duty and righteous indignation: "Young Master Xu is so public-spirited and has the well-being of the people at heart. I admire you! Leave this matter to me. Even if the prefecture blames me in the slightest, I will take full responsibility and handle this matter perfectly!"

Right there in the study, at that very moment, several decrees were issued, and things were indeed handled very well.

As the governor of a prefecture, one can be bad, but not incompetent; one must still have some ability.

After finishing, he gave the fierce young man a look: It wasn't a big deal, why did you have to go to such lengths?

Xu Xuan naturally knew that this matter was not a big deal; a simple order would suffice.

But... the refugees shivering in the cold wind by the dock can't wait any longer; every moment of delay might cause some of them to give up.

That's why I only increased the intensity a little, because I was afraid you wouldn't do your best.

The Father is a kind-hearted man who cannot bear to see the poor suffer.

With this "minor matter" resolved, the atmosphere in the study immediately eased, and the ensuing conversation became much simpler and more relaxed. While enjoying the tea and snacks prepared by the prefectural governor's office, the two chatted casually about the local customs, traditions, and anecdotes of officialdom in Guangling Prefecture and the surrounding counties.

At this moment, Xu Xuan, who no longer used his power to intimidate others, reverted to his gentle and simple scholar demeanor. His words and actions were like a spring breeze, which greatly eased the prefect of Guangling's tormented state of mind.

He even harbored a slight ambition that "perhaps I can also advance further" because he had just come into contact with "high-level developments".

That's how Song Youde fell into the trap back then; in the end, it was greed that got him into trouble.

In high spirits, the prefect offered what he considered a very friendly suggestion:
“Young Master Xu, if you wish to continue north to Luoyang, the journey is long, and while bandits are not a major concern, they will inevitably disturb your peace.”

“I can send a team of elite troops from the prefectural commandant to escort you on your journey. In my humble opinion, you might as well head west first, pass through Linhuai Prefecture, and then turn north. This route would be safer.”

detour?

Xu Xuan caught this crucial information.

Luoyang is clearly located in the northwest of Guangling County. Whether you go north and then west or west and then north, you will eventually reach it.

But the other party specifically emphasized "go west first" and "cannot go directly north"... there's a lot more to this than meets the eye.

"Why is that?" Xu Xuan put down his teacup, a perfectly measured look of curiosity on his face.

At first, the governor of Guangling hesitated and seemed extremely unwilling to discuss the reasons in detail.

After being pressed repeatedly, he lowered his voice and said, "This matter... is known only to you, me, and heaven and earth!"

Xu Xuan chuckled upon hearing this; it didn't sound like the first time the Prefect had used such rhetoric.

However, he still cooperated by keeping his mouth shut, saying that he was the most discreet person and that it was okay to talk about it.

"Alas~~" The prefect sighed, leaned forward, and lowered his voice even further, "It's not that I intentionally concealed anything, but... the area north of Guangling is not peaceful right now."

oh~~~
Xu Xuan's eyes lit up instantly.

Not peaceful?
He just loves things to be chaotic! Tell me more, tell me more quickly!

The undisguised excitement on his face left the governor of Guangling speechless.

You, a seemingly weak and frail scholar, why do you act like a cat smelling fish when you hear "things are not peaceful"?
Sure enough, although scholars may be physically fragile, nine out of ten of them harbor a wild heart.

The prefect has seen many such people, so he's not surprised. Who wasn't someone who yearned for excitement when they were young?
So he stopped being coy and whispered, "People from above have arrived. It's said that the Jia family of Luoyang is in charge, and they've sent a lot of skilled men. They're currently secretly searching for a... divine object in the Huaiyin, Gaoyou, and Xuyi counties. As for what exactly they're looking for, someone of my rank has no way of knowing."

"All I know is that the higher-ups have given strict orders that we local officials must not get involved, and must even assist in blocking the news and preventing any leaks."

But as for "blocking information"...

If the prefect knows, the local powerful families will surely know as well. And if the powerful families know, then the magistrates of the nearby counties will naturally be unable to keep it a secret.

The county magistrates all knew about it, so how could the local powerful gentry not have heard about it?

Even many江湖人士 (jianghu figures, people from all walks of life) and 各教九流人物 (jiàojiàn jiǔliú wéi, people from all walks of life) came over, drawn by the scent.

This news essentially shut down a lonely person.

The prefect's performance was merely an attempt to justify his efforts. He added, "The area over there is now a chaotic mix of people, with undercurrents surging. It is hardly a safe place. Among the refugees stranded on the north bank of the Yangtze River, some are people who fled from those three counties. They have suffered an undeserved calamity."

After all, it's somewhat unrealistic to expect those who come down from "above" and are on secret missions to be considerate and kind to ordinary people.

Especially when Xu Xuan heard that the one in charge of this matter was actually the "Jia family of Pingyang", a cold smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

He had many dealings with prominent families in Luoyang, such as the Xun family of Yingchuan and the Jia family of Pingyang, but none of them were very pleasant.

Moreover, it's a feud, a blood feud.

The former governor of Xin'an, Jia Ning, died at his hands.

The death of the emperor's favorite concubine's younger brother, a highly regarded member of the Jia family, not only triggered the "Sacred Father's Calamity" targeting him, but also indirectly brought to light the bizarre existence of Venerable Kasyapa, forcing him to embark on his first extremely dangerous journey to the underworld.

Ultimately, this series of troubles can all be traced back to the Jia family's fault!
Since there's an old grudge, there's no need to rush to Luoyang.

Xu Xuan changed his mind instantly.

Let's go north first and see what the Jia family is up to with all this fuss.

If we could lend a hand, cause them some trouble, or even... take the opportunity to settle some old scores, wouldn't that be wonderful?
He immediately declined the Guangling prefect's offer to send troops to escort him, and, with the Prince of Shi in full view of the prefect and his officials, spurred his horse and rode westward, making it clear that he intended to detour through Linhuai.

However, they immediately changed direction as soon as they left the territory of Guangling County.

Using the terrain as cover, they silently disappeared without a trace, and then stealthily moved into Gaoyou County, the core area of ​​this incident.

In Xu Xuan's mind, if bad guys were going to such lengths to do something, it couldn't be anything good.

As a "good person," one must take the initiative to nip these bad things in the bud!
On the way, Xu Xuan kept moving while discussing things with the silent Stone King beside him.

"Old Shi, what kind of magical object is the Jia family searching for by going to such lengths to seal off three counties? They're making it all so mysterious."

Shi Wang silently took a few steps forward, and based on some past professional sensitivity, gave a suggestion in a deep, muffled voice:
“Young master, Huaiyin, Gaoyou, Xuyi… these three counties, though seemingly scattered, are actually all surrounding one place—Hongze Lake.”

He paused, his rock-like face turning to Xu Xuan, his tone unusually grave:

"So... young master, are you still going?"

Xu Xuan abruptly stopped, his eager expression vanishing instantly, replaced by a hint of hesitation as if to say, "Should we turn back and head to Luoyang instead?"

There was no other reason than that one of the "generous" gifts from the Dragon Lord pointed to the trial opportunity of "the ancient ruins at the bottom of the Huai River," which happened to be located in the vicinity of Hongze Lake.

The enemy may have originally only been plotting a small scheme, but once Xu Xuan gets involved, it might be transformed into a deadly "big dungeon" through a series of coincidences and entanglements of cause and effect!
But... I can't just let it go unpunished!

The debt owed to Jia Ning, the Prefect of Xin'an, and the series of troubles that followed, are all firmly attributed to the Jia family.

As a "partner of justice," how could I back down in the face of an impending crisis or a little doubt?
He hesitated for less than half a second, then a surge of heroic spirit welled up in his heart, and he raised his head and recited:

"It is what my heart desires, even if I die nine times, I will never regret it!"

Having finished reciting, his earlier hesitation vanished instantly. With a wave of his hand, he was brimming with fighting spirit:

"Go, go, go!"

Shi Wang watched silently as his young master instantly completed his mental preparation and became resolute once again.

He didn't speak, but he could clearly feel the young master's "broad" mind.

Despite knowing that the opportunity he feared most was nearby, and despite sensing that the road ahead was fraught with danger, he still resolutely went there for the sake of "ruining good deeds."

This, perhaps, is true magnanimity.

　Making 10,000 a day is just too difficult, I can't keep going.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)