Stone Fairy!

Everyone was shocked. What on earth was going on?

Logically speaking, shouldn't Xie Tian be lying in a hospital bed waiting to die?

Now that he can get out of bed on his own, it seems he'll be fully recovered soon.

Looking at everyone's expressions, Xie Tian realized he had overheard their words from afar and felt a chill run down his spine.

Xie Tian looked at the generals with an imposing gaze: "What? Since when do we need to hold meetings at my Xie family mansion? Is there no room left in the city lord's residence?!"

The men immediately cupped their hands and said, "Your subordinates will take their leave now."

The generals retreated as if granted a pardon.

Silence fell over the hall.

at last,

Xie Zong stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "The recovery of the patriarch is a blessing for the Xie family and for Yunmei City."

"We... were just worried about the affairs of the city and acted hastily. Please forgive us, Master."

Xie Tian looked at him without saying a word.

Xie Zong maintained his clasped-fist gesture, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"That's enough." Xie Tian finally spoke, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger. Although he was furious, his body couldn't withstand too much strain for the time being.

"You may step back now."

These four words were like a pardon, and everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.

Xie Zong turned around first, his steps much faster than when he came, followed closely by Xie Qi. An and Xie Cheng exchanged a glance and also hurriedly left.

The elders and managers of the collateral branches all bowed their heads and filed out one after another, afraid of staying even a moment longer.

In the blink of an eye, the entire hall was empty.

Xie Ning opened his mouth, his voice hoarse: "Father, you..."

Xie Tian raised his head, looked at his daughter, and the sternness in his eyes turned into a gentle, apologetic smile.

"Thanks to you for bringing this Taoist priest back." Xie Tian turned to look at Daozhen standing by the door, his eyes full of gratitude.

He saved me.

Xie Ning followed her father's gaze.

Dao Zhen stood by the hall door, his white robes gleaming faintly in the morning light, his expression serene.

When Daozhen saw Xie Ning looking over, he smiled slightly.

Xie Ning's eyes reddened again. She walked up to Dao Zhen, bowed respectfully, and her voice choked with emotion.

"Thank you, Michizane."

Daozhen smiled and shook his head: "You also deserve credit for this."

Xie Ning didn't think deeply about the meaning of those words, simply taking it as Daozhen's humble remark.

In the following days, a somber atmosphere enveloped the Xie residence.

Xie Tian's appearance was like a sharp blade, cleanly and decisively severing those restless thoughts.

Xie Tian's injuries healed very quickly; the vitality contained in that elm seed far exceeded Dao Zhen's expectations.

Every morning when Xie Tian woke up, he could feel that his body was a few times stronger than the day before, and even his old, hidden injuries were gradually melting away.

By the seventh day, Xie Tian's complexion was no different from that of an ordinary person. If Xie Ning hadn't seen him on the verge of death, she would have almost doubted that the incident had never happened.

During this period, Xie Tian displayed his ruthless methods.

First, there was the Xie family. Everyone involved was summoned by Xie Tian for a talk that day, but no one knows what the conversation was about.

All that is known is that many important positions in the Xie family have been filled by new people, and a group of Xie family members who were originally marginalized have been promoted.

Then a thorough investigation was also conducted within the military.

As for that band of bandits, they were wiped out in less than half a day after Xie Tian intervened.

However, the results of the interrogation infuriated Xie Tian.

That band of outlaws were not outlaws at all.

They recruited men from nearby refugees and bandits, and secretly transferred a batch of armor and weapons from the army, disguising themselves as bandits and setting up camp outside the city.

Their goal was to tie down the military forces in the city.

Xie Zong also secretly colluded with the generals defending the city, deliberately delaying and responding passively, which allowed a mere thousand or so bandits to besiege the city for several days.

In this way, Xie Zong had a reason: bandits were rampant outside the city, and the army needed someone in charge. Xie Ning, a young girl, couldn't handle the situation, so he had to hand over the military orders and let him take charge.

Xie Tian showed no mercy and drew blood immediately.

In a short time, the Xie family was purged, and those who had been restless before were now well-behaved.

Deep within the Xie family mansion, in a secluded courtyard.

This villa is larger and more exquisite than the one Daozhen lived in before.

Several ancient pine trees stand in the courtyard, with stone tables and benches beneath them. Next to them is a small pond with clear water, where a few koi carp swim leisurely among the water lilies.

Xie Tian, ​​Xie Ning, and Dao Zhen were sitting at the stone table in the courtyard.

Sunlight filtered through the pine needles, scattering golden fragments across the ground. A gentle breeze rustled the pines, creating soft whispers, and the pond water rippled with delicate waves.

Xie Ning picked up the teapot and poured tea for the two of them.

The experiences of the past few days have made her much more mature. The girlish naiveté between her brows has faded considerably, replaced by a composure beyond her years.

Xie Tian picked up the teacup, gently blew away the foam, took a sip, then put the cup down and looked sincerely at Dao Zhen.

"I am truly grateful to you, Daoist Master." Xie Tian's voice was not loud, but every word was filled with heartfelt gratitude.

"If it weren't for the Taoist priest's intervention, I, Xie, would already be nothing but a skeleton."

"I will remember this kindness forever, and I will do my utmost to serve you in the future."

Daozhen picked up his teacup, took a sip, smiled, and didn't respond to the conversation. Instead, he looked up at Xie Tian.

"What are your plans next, Lord Xie?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Tian's smile faltered slightly, then turned into a long sigh.

In the past few days, he has already discussed his future plans with Daozhen and Xie Ning.

Now, when the topic is brought up again, the unease that has been weighing on my heart resurfaces and I can't suppress it no matter what I do.

"I thought my trip to the capital to report on my duties was just a routine matter," Xie Tian said slowly, his gaze falling on the tea leaves floating in his cup.

"But after I arrived in the capital, I realized that things were not so simple."

His voice lowered.

"There are rumors that the Crown Prince has died of illness."

Xie Ning paused slightly, looked up at her father, her eyes filled with shock.

Xie Tian continued, "Originally, I didn't quite believe it. I've met the Crown Prince before; he's strong and healthy, so it's unlikely he would suddenly die."

"But after I arrived in the capital, several princes received me in private."

"His words were all an attempt to win her over."

Xie Tian's tone became even more somber. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. The tea had cooled down and tasted slightly bitter.

"On my way back to the city, I was ambushed and killed."

Daozhen's gaze shifted slightly.

"I didn't have a complete idea of ​​where those people came from."

"But there's one of them whose technique I recognize." Xie Tian's voice turned cold.

"It is a secret and mysterious book unique to the royal family."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

"Someone doesn't want me to come back." Xie Tian paused.

"Therefore, it is highly likely that the Crown Prince has indeed passed away."

Xie Ning's breathing paused slightly.

The death of the crown prince means that the position of heir apparent is vacant. The princes, who already had their own ambitions, now have no more scruples.

The emperor was bedridden for many years, and the court had long been controlled by the princes and various factions.

With the crown prince's death, the balance is broken, and the struggle for the throne will become fierce.

Yunmei City, as an important town in the Northwest, with strong troops and abundant supplies, will inevitably become the target of contention among various forces.

Xie Tian let out a long breath.

"Now that the emperor is bedridden for years and the crown prince has passed away, several princes have their own ideas, and several nobles are also restless."

Xie Tian's gaze fell upon the heavy sky beyond the courtyard wall: "Yunmei City is located in the northwest and is the gateway to the heart of the Central Plains. Whoever controls Yunmei City controls the gateway to the northwest."

"I'm afraid this world will soon descend into chaos."

Xie Ning listened quietly, looking at her father and then at Daozhen, a complex emotion welling up inside her.

Just two weeks ago, she was only thinking about slaying demons and upholding justice.

Now, however, she has to start thinking about these important matters concerning the nation and the world.

Xie Tian looked at Daozhen with sincere eyes and asked, "Daoist Master, what do you think we should do?"

Daozhen held his teacup but did not answer immediately.

He lowered his head slightly, looking at the tea leaves floating in the cup, as if he was thinking about something.

After a while, Daozhen raised his head and looked at Xie Tian.

"I don't know much about these things," Daozhen said calmly.

"However, I once saw a sentence in the collection of books in a Taoist temple."

Xie Tian leaned forward slightly.

Daozhen gently placed the teacup on the table and said, word by word:

"Build high walls and store up plenty of grain."

Xie Tian paused for a moment, then repeated it to himself.

"Build high walls and store up plenty of grain."