Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Chapter 220 Achieving Mastery of Celestial Immortal Ascension (Two Chapters Combined)

Therefore, the Dragon Shock Society must stop it!

Moreover, this secret passage suddenly became incredibly important. If they were to launch a sudden attack through this passage at the crucial moment when Song Yuanyi was breaking through his cultivation barrier, they could cause him to suffer a qi deviation, fail in his attempt, or even—die on the spot!

Li Fu pondered to himself.

"When internal energy cultivation reaches its highest level, one can indeed be free from all diseases and prolong life."

With my current skill level, barring any unforeseen circumstances, living past 120 years old is not impossible.

In this way, it is not impossible for martial arts to reach an unbelievable level and attain immortality—although no one has ever been heard of actually achieving it.

Why is the Jinglong Society in such a hurry, even risking exposing their collusion with the Canal Gang, just to get the map as soon as possible? Do they really think that official has a sliver of hope of breaking through the barrier?

Or is it merely a precaution, to nip any possibility in the bud?

In any case, Li Fu seems to have inadvertently touched upon one of the most deadly secrets in the world.

The embroidered-clothes constables acted swiftly and quickly brought the situation under control.

Jiang Yunbo, who was seriously injured and unconscious, was tightly bound with a specially made cowhide rope, fed with a poison, and guarded by a special person. At the same time, Zuo Yuncheng, who was still breathing, was treated. The other captured members of the canal gang were escorted together.

The constable ordered his men to leave quickly, in case the Canal Gang and the Dragon Shock Society had any backup plans, and also to cover up the matter.

Back in the backyard of the Yanzhou government office.

The constable invited Li Fu to a quiet room, dismissed everyone around him, looked at Li Fu with a complicated expression, and spoke with a hint of weariness in his voice.

"Brother Li, you deserve great credit for successfully solving this tax silver case, recovering the tax silver, and thwarting the plot of the Jinglong Society and the Canal Gang."

"I will depart for the capital first thing tomorrow morning. Once I return, I will report back truthfully and request commendation for you."

"So urgent?"

Li was caught off guard.

"The imperial court awaits the Six Doors' report."

The constable returned with his wound bandaged, but he was still pale. His injuries had not healed and he was leaving early tomorrow morning without a moment's rest.

Li Fu knew it was that official waiting to report back; the map of the secret passage was of great importance, and without a result, the official would likely remain uneasy.

But how many people in the world dare to keep the emperor waiting?

"However—Brother Li, the matters behind this case are far too significant."

The Zuo family's ancestral secret of plotting rebellion, the Jinglong Society's schemes, the involvement of the Canal Gang, and even—some words involving the palace—are all beyond the scope of ordinary cases.

From today onwards, regarding the details of this case, especially what Guo Zhugui said last night on the river, concerning the palace, I hope—”

Li Fu calmly interrupted before the other could finish speaking.

"Don't worry, Commander."

I will not publicize what I heard and saw last night.

The constable's expression calmed down slightly, and he nodded: "Constable Li is a man of great principle, and I trust you."

Li Fu thought for a moment and said, "There is one more thing I would like to ask the constable to consider."

Zuo Yuncheng risked great danger to atone for his sins and cooperate with the imperial court; his actions are worthy of pity.

His son, Zuo Ji, was completely unaware of this family's secret plot to rebel, and was kept in the dark all along.

Although his wife, Liu Ying'er, was an orphan adopted and raised by the Jinglong Society, she was not free to do anything against her will and had not done anything evil.

"While Zuo Yuncheng's crimes are certainly unforgivable, could we perhaps show leniency towards his son, Zuo Ji, and his daughter-in-law, considering his efforts to atone for his crimes and his willingness to sacrifice himself?"

A hint of surprise and emotion flashed across the constable's eyes.

"Brother Li is kind-hearted and actually pleaded for this complete stranger who is suspected of treason."

Zuo Yuncheng's cooperation has indeed helped solve the case.

Regarding this matter—after I return to the capital, I will do my best to appeal to the court and explain the intricacies of the situation.

However, the final decision rests with His Majesty, and I dare not make any guarantees.

Li Fu knew that this was the most he could do within the scope of the constable's authority, and said.

"Thank you very much, Officer."

The following morning, the two briefly exchanged some follow-up matters, such as the escort of Jiang Yunbo and other important criminals, the handover of tax silver, and the release of irrelevant persons. The constable and his entourage then set off with the secret map to return to the capital to report.

At the entrance of the government office, carriages and horses were already prepared.

Jiang Yunbo was locked in a specially made iron cage prison van. He looked listless, and although his severed arm had been bandaged, his face was ashen.

The other important prisoners were also placed under guard.

The escort team consisted of elite constables in embroidered uniforms brought by the constable commander, as well as some reliable local constables.

The constable mounted his horse, gave a slight bow to Feng Shaoting, the prefect of Yanzhou, and his officials who were seeing him off, then looked deeply at Li Fu and said with clasped hands, "Brother Li, take care."

See you again in the capital.

Li Fu has made a great contribution this time, and it is a foregone conclusion that he will enter the headquarters of the Six Doors and become a Detective in Embroidered Robes.

Li Fu returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Have a safe journey, Commander."

The sound of horses' hooves rose, the wheels of carriages rumbled, and the procession slowly set off, traveling along the official road towards the capital, eventually disappearing into the dust and morning light.

"That looks like a high-ranking official from Kyoto."

"I heard that's the head constable of the Six Doors?"

"This tax silver case was solved in just two or three days. He truly deserves to be called the world's most famous detective."

"I heard that our purple-clad constable Li from Yanzhou also made great contributions. The constable commander said that he made great contributions and must request the court to reward him."

The onlookers and yamen runners gradually dispersed, discussing the tax silver case and saying how quickly it was resolved.

Li went to the stone steps in front of the Independent Government Office and looked in the direction where the procession had disappeared.

On the surface, this case of the theft of tax silver that shocked Yanzhou has been settled: the tax silver has been recovered, the main culprit has been arrested, the accomplices have been detained, and the innocent have been released.

But few people know that the lost hundreds of thousands of taels of tax silver were never the key issue. Behind it all was a turbulent undercurrent, a breathtaking affair, involving secrets and taboos that were far more deadly than a mere few hundred thousand taels of tax silver.

And an even greater undercurrent is likely brewing.

However, that has nothing to do with this tax silver case.

Just as Li Fu's thoughts began to stir, a passage from the Heavenly Book naturally appeared before his eyes.

[The great hero unravels the mystery surrounding the theft of tax silver in Yanzhou, uncovers the hidden truth behind it, and prevents the innocent from being wrongly accused. He will be rewarded with the Great Perfection of Celestial Immortal.]

In an instant, the subtle and profound sword techniques, mental methods, energy circulation methods, and even the brilliant, fierce, and seemingly otherworldly sword intent surged into Li Fu's mind like a sudden enlightenment!

The White Cloud City Lord's ultimate skill, the Celestial Immortal Flying Technique, which he relied on to dominate the world, was completely mastered by Li Fu in an instant, reaching the pinnacle of its mastery!

Li Fu closed his eyes and concentrated. This "Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens" technique emphasizes the perfect fusion of all spirit, will, inner strength, and sword moves, unleashing astonishing and devastating power in an instant. The sword intent is brilliant and dazzling, unlike anything that can be found in the mortal world, and is incomparably sharp.

"The intensity of its sword intent and the fierceness of its sword momentum are perfectly matched with the Shaoshang Sword, which is the most powerful sword energy among the Six Meridians Divine Swords and has the earth-shattering power."

"Using the Shaoshang Sword to activate the celestial flying immortal, its power will surely be multiplied."

Li Fu felt a surge of powerful sword intent within his chest, threatening to burst forth from his body.

He slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting glimpse of a sword flashing in his pupils before returning to calm. His martial arts had advanced to a new level, yet he remained composed, his eyes showing little emotion, only a greater clarity.

Recalling the words of the Heavenly Book, "Do not let the innocent suffer injustice and harm."

Strictly speaking, the Zuo family father and son cannot be considered entirely innocent.

According to the laws of the imperial court, Zuo Yuncheng was guilty of carrying out his family's secret plot to rebel, and he failed to report it. His crime was inescapable, which goes without saying.

His son, Zuo Ji, may seem innocent, but the crime of treason is an unforgivable crime that would implicate one's entire family, regardless of the dynasty or even the reign of a benevolent ruler.

As for Liu Ying'er, as a member of the Jinglong Society's rebels, she should also be executed according to the law.

Only the youngest grandson of the Zuo family, who was still in swaddling clothes and knew nothing of the world, could be given leniency according to the laws of the court.

He pleaded for Zuo Ji and Liu Ying'er only because he had promised Liu Ying'er at the time.

Those truly innocent people, such as the镖局镖师 (bodyguards and镖师) and 趟子手 (escorts) and 兵马司 (military officers and soldiers) who were implicated in the tax silver case and imprisoned, have been released because the facts of the tax silver case have been investigated and the case has been solved.

Therefore, regardless of whether the court will ultimately let Zuo Ji and Liu Ying'er go, Li Fu has already fulfilled the several requirements of the Heavenly Book, such as finding out the truth and preventing innocent people from being harmed.

Li Fu turned around, preparing to return to the government office, when he noticed that Prefect Feng Shaoting, along with several subordinates, was also watching the arresting officer's team depart. However, when he looked at the team escorting the prisoners, his smile seemed somewhat stiff.

Seeing Li Fu looking over, Feng Shaoting met his gaze and said with a smile, "Officer Li has once again made a great contribution. He is truly a promising young man and worthy of admiration."

Having seen off the Commander-in-Chief, I have prepared a small feast in the back hall to celebrate Officer Li's victory. I wonder if Officer Li would do me the honor of joining us?

Li Fu's gaze lingered on Feng Shaoting's face for a moment, then he seemed to remember something and casually asked a question.

"You're too kind, Lord Feng."

Speaking of which, during the investigation by the Chief Constable, it seems that the usually inseparable, taciturn but imposing bodyguard who was always by Lord Feng's side was nowhere to be seen.

But is there other official business?

Feng Shaoting remained expressionless and smiled.

"Officer Li was referring to my retainers and guards."

He was aloof and disliked socializing. He often had a cold expression and his eyes were devoid of any warmth. He was hardly presentable when welcoming imperial envoys.

Furthermore, since he held no official position, constantly accompanying the official in the government office might attract criticism.

Because the constable arrived with his men, I've had him rest at home for the past few days and haven't taken him with me.

He spoke so sincerely that those who didn't know the truth would believe it to be true.

"I see."

Li Fu spoke in a flat tone, without asking any further questions, as if it were just a casual greeting.

He remembered Jiang Yunbo's words when they fought, trying to recruit him.

Jiang Yunbo boasted that their canal gang was powerful and wealthy, controlling the canal transport from north to south, with hundreds of thousands of members under their command. He claimed that even many high-ranking officials in the imperial court had secretly joined the gang. At the time, Jiang Yunbo didn't take it seriously, but now it seemed to be true, just like the Prefect Feng beside him—

The internal energy cultivation methods practiced by people in the martial arts world are different. To ordinary people, their breathing techniques may not be noticeably different, but to martial arts masters, they are different.

Even from a distance of more than ten steps, a martial arts master can discern a person's skill level and the school or sect of their internal energy from their footsteps and breathing.

Li Fu's internal strength had reached a state of perfection. Although he didn't have extensive experience in the martial arts world, he could recognize the breathing patterns of that master from the Canal Gang. The patterns were deep and almost silent, and he was very familiar with them.

"Last night on the warship, the skilled member of the shipping guild who, amidst the chaos, quietly slipped into the water and disappeared with the map—"

Li Fu could vouch for it; it was almost certainly the same person who was Feng Shaoting's bodyguard and retainer, known as the Dead Man's Sword, who was almost always by his side.

"Judging from this Prefect Feng, who used to roam the Jianghu in his early years, he is no longer a simple official appointed by the imperial court. He has probably secretly joined the Grand Canal Gang and may even hold a high position."

Last night, the Canal Gang assisted the Dragon Shock Society in kidnapping Zuo Yuncheng and piecing together a map of the Forbidden City's secret passage. Given the gravity of such an operation, to ensure its success, Feng Shaoting should have dispatched trusted experts to provide support and coordination.

However, the identity of the dead swordsman was sensitive, and he never showed himself. In the end, seeing that the situation was hopeless and there was no way to save him, he had no choice but to grab the map and jump into the water to escape.

From the fierce battle last night to the farewell to the constable today, Li Fu had many opportunities to expose Feng Shaoting's collusion with the canal gang in front of the constable leader, and even reveal that the map may have been taken away by his confidant.

But he never did so and was happy to see things develop as they would.

The rumors that the current government is attempting to break through the so-called limits of heaven and man and pursue unheard-of martial arts realms may shake the minds of martial arts practitioners, making them unable to control themselves and unable to believe it.

Li Fu didn't care. He possessed the Heavenly Book, and a path to heaven was already laid out before him. He just needed to walk his own path.

He hadn't forgotten that he still had two major reward missions from the Heavenly Book to complete.

"First, by destroying the Dragon Shock Society, one can obtain the complete Tathagata Palm technique."

Secondly, if one can overthrow the dynasty and elect a new emperor, or assist a commoner emperor to bring peace to the land, one can obtain the ultimate longevity technique left behind by Guang Chengzi, the immortal teacher of the Yellow Emperor!

Each one of them is a martial art that shakes the mountains and rivers and is unimaginable.

"After the Canal Gang obtains the map, will they share it with the Dragon Shock Society?"

Will they seize the moment when that official is in seclusion, at the crucial moment of his breakthrough, and launch a swift and decisive attack?

Many thoughts flashed through Li Fu's mind.

"Whether they succeed or not, it doesn't seem like a bad thing to me."

"If they succeed, the emperor will be in trouble, the throne will be vacant, and the court will be in turmoil—that would be the time for me to seize the opportunity to change the emperor and bring order to the country more quickly."

"If they fail, that high and mighty official who regards the people as mere pawns will surely be enraged and will spare no effort to crush the Jinglong Society and the Canal Gang—"

Then I can use the power of the imperial court to more effectively strike at the Jinglong Society, and even destroy it.

"Either outcome, it will be good for me."

Therefore, for now, all we need to do is wait and see, sit back and watch the tigers fight, wait for the canal gang to make their move, and see how things develop and what kind of outcome it will ultimately lead to.

Li Fu already had a plan in mind.

Feng Shaoting's connection must not be exposed, otherwise it will prematurely reveal that the Canal Gang has obtained the map, and it may still be useful in the future.

He ultimately declined Feng Shaoting's invitation to a banquet, casually mentioning that he needed to organize case files and rest.

Feng Shaoting didn't insist. After exchanging a few polite words, he told Constable Li that he must be tired from solving the case and should get some rest before leaving.

"Lord Li, there is a letter for you."

Back in his office at the government office, Li Fu had just sat down when a yamen runner brought him a letter, explaining that it was a private letter to him.

Li Fu took it, unwrapped the sealing wax, and pulled out the letter.

The handwriting is upright and elegant, exuding a familiar feel.

The inscription reads: "Jiangnan Seven Stars Linked Docks, Wishing you a smooth journey."

The letter mentioned two old stories, and an invitation was also included with it.

>