Chapter 59: Chapter 40: As the Wind Rises_1

Translator: 549690339

Several days later, Changan City, Tai Chi Palace.

“What?”

“Yang Gong’s Treasure is actually in Changan?”

Li Yuan, who had ascended the throne after Emperor Yang of Sui’s abdication, looked astonished at Li Xiuning who had just returned from Yangzhou.

Li Xiuning nodded and said in a deep voice, “Given by Golden Jade Hall, such a clue should not be without basis.”

“Besides, I’ve heard rumors in the Martial World that only a Goguryeo demoness knew the location of Yang Gong’s Treasure, and now that she’s been killed by the Underworld Queen Zhu Yuyan, the secret of the treasure only remains with her two adopted sons.”

“These two individuals are somewhat related to Xu Qingyang. Now that they’ve sold the clue through Golden Jade Hall, it’s likely they want to draw Zhu Yuyan to Changan to take revenge at the opportune moment. It’s logical and reasonable, so it’s not likely to be a falsehood.”

“A demoness?”

“Zhu Yuyan?”

“Xu Qingyang?”

Listening to Li Xiuning’s description, both Li Yuan and Li Shimin frowned.

“That’s great!”

Only the fourth son, Li Yuanji, shouted excitedly, “Since the treasure is in Changan, what are we waiting for? Let’s immediately send people to search, inside and out. I refuse to believe we can’t find it.”

Li Jiancheng, the Crown Prince, also spoke excitedly, “Father, it is said that possessing either the Heshi Jade or Yang Gong’s Treasure can grant one the world. Now that Yang Gong’s Treasure has appeared in Changan, it’s clear that Father is truly the one destined to rule!”

Looking at the excited Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, as well as the also stirred up Li Yuan, Li Shimin and Li Xiuning were both speechless. They exchanged a glance and then spoke out.

“Father, we need to discuss this matter thoroughly.”

Li Xiuning stepped forward, his voice tense, “The clue to the treasure was publicly sold by Golden Jade Hall for ten taels, it’s now widely known. All the major powers of the world will surely gather in Changan.”

“Gather in Changan?”

“They dare?”

“Do they think our Li Tang is made of mud?”

Hearing this, Li Yuanji started to bluster again.

Li Xiuning didn’t pay attention to the two, simply saying to Li Yuan, “There’s also a message within the clues that the Holy Relics of the Demon Sect’s Evil Emperor are hidden in the core of the treasure. Thus, Evil King Shi Zhixuan,

Underworld Queen Zhu Yuyan, as well as the eight grandmasters of the Demon Sect, and forces from all sects will surely act upon hearing this news and gather here.”

“Demon Sect?”

“What nonsense Demon Sect…”

“Silence!”

When Li Yuanji wanted to continue ranting, he was sternly cut off by an imposing Li Yuan.

Unlike Li Yuanji, who had been pampered from a young age and ignorant of affairs in the Martial World, Li Yuan, as the leader of the Li Dynasty, was acutely aware of the significance of the words “Martial World,” “martial arts community,” and “Demon Sect.”

In this world where martial arts flourished, and extraordinary beings transcended common folk, Grandmasters with the power to dominate battlefields and command armies at will were a terrifying force to behold.

Thus, though the Imperial Court was positioned above the Martial World, it could not fully dominate it. Even a ruler must show due respect to Grandmasters.

Take the three Grandmasters for example, each one was a pillar supporting their nation. Martial Artist Bi Xuan was a general honored by the Turkic Khagan, and the sword master Fu Cailin was revered as divine in Goguryeo, leading them to repel the Great Sui’s forces time and again.

As for the wanderer Ning Daoqi, though he didn’t concern himself with the matters of the Central Plains dynasties, his existence was a key reason why foreign martial artists did not dare to invade the Central Plains lightly.

Such was the awe of Grandmasters.

Within the Demon Sect, there was also a Grandmaster-level expert, namely, the Evil King Shi Zhixuan!

A single Evil King was already not to be underestimated, let alone adding eight grandmasters of the Demon Sect. If they were all to enter Changan…

Thinking this, Li Yuan’s scalp began to tingle.

Although his Li Dynasty was the strongest of the four great noble families, this strength was confined to military and political matters. When it came to martial arts…

Well, speaking of martial arts, his Li Dynasty had many experts too, and even Li Yuan himself was a top-notch expert not inferior to Yuwen Sect’s leader Yuwen Shang.

But “top-notch” depends on who you’re comparing with!

Li Yuan acknowledged that he was not a match for the likes of supreme Grandmasters such as Song Que, Ning Daoqi, or Shi Zhixuan.

If it were just Shi Zhixuan, that could still be manageable, but with the current situation, would there only be one Shi Zhixuan?

And in Yang Gong’s Treasure, there was the Demon Sect’s ultimate relic, the Evil Emperor’s Holy Relics!

“It’s not just Shi Zhixuan and the other masters of the Demon Sect that we need to be wary of, the Heavenly King Wu from Xuzhou must not be underestimated,” added Li Xiuning, applying more pressure.

“As everyone knows, Golden Jade Hall is the business of the Heavenly King Wu of Xuzhou. He got the clue, knowing full well where the treasure lies, yet he did not claim it for himself; instead, he announced it to the world,” he continued.

“What does he intend by doing this?”

“Could it be those two young men insisted on it?”

“Impossible. If Xu Qingyang agreed to kill Zhu Yuyan for them, they would certainly willingly offer up the clue to the treasure. It makes no sense for them to do this.”

“Therefore, there’s only one possibility!”

Li Xiuning said gravely, “It’s the intention of the Heavenly King Wu. This is all his setup. He wants to use Yang Gong’s Treasure and the Evil Emperor’s Holy Relics to attract the world’s top fighters to gather in Changan!”

“What?” “This…”

Li Xiuning’s analysis shocked everyone present.

“Xu Qingyang!!!”

Li Yuan, suddenly alert, was even more astonished, “What does he want to do?”

“I don’t know.”

Li Xiuning shook his head and said in a heavy tone, “But one thing is for sure, his ultimate goal is definitely not as simple as just Yang Gong’s Treasure or the Evil Emperor’s Holy Relics. He must have a scheme, as for what that scheme is…”

Saying this, the Princess known as the “Female Zhuge” could not help but furrow her brow.

What was he plotting?

What in all of this was worth his scheming?

Could it be that he wished to use this opportunity to seize Chang’an, to overthrow the foundation of the Li Tang dynasty?

Impossible!

Even with Yang Gong’s Treasure and the Sacred Relic of the Evil Emperor, even if it attracted all the top experts to gather in Chang’an, so what?

Could it be that all the top experts in the world would follow his orders, march into Chang’an, and overthrow the Li Dynasty?

It didn’t make sense, not at all!

Li Xiuning was deeply troubled, for the first time in her life feeling that her intelligence was insufficient.

Li Shimin’s brows were tightly furrowed, and Li Yuan and the other two were also silent.

Ultimately, it was Li Shimin who broke the silence, “No matter what this man’s intentions are, such actions are a sign of ill-will, and the well-intended do not come. We must take precautions to guard against any unforeseen events.”

Although this approach was conservative and defensive, there was no better plan at the moment, and Li Xiuning agreed, “What second brother said is extremely true. The key lies with this Xu Qingyang. We just need to be particularly wary of Xuzhou and this person.”

“Xuzhou is still manageable. Xuzhou is far from Chang’an, even if they send troops to march westward to attack us in Guanzhong, they must pass through Luoyang, Sishui, Hangu, and Dongtong among other places. It is almost impossible for them to reach Chang’an.”

Li Shimin said with a grave voice, “The key still lies with this person. I’ve heard that this Heavenly King Wu’s martial skills are unfathomable, nearly on par with the Lingnan Heaven Blade. If he were to act rashly and invade on his own, we might have difficulty resisting!”

After speaking, he turned to Li Yuan, “Your Majesty, could we invite a few Grandmasters to counter this man’s sharp edge?”

“A few Grandmasters?”

At Li Shimin’s words, Li Yuan felt quite helpless and said with a wry smile, “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

Grandmasters, what are Grandmasters?

They are the supreme powerhouses of this world!

Looking at the entire world, the number of people capable of this is merely the count of one’s fingers, at least publicly it is so.

Although the Li Tang had many forces supporting it, the idea of inviting several Grandmasters at once…

Li Shimin also understood the difficulty, but still urged Li Yuan, “Your Majesty, this Xu Qingyang is no ordinary threat. From being a starving beggar, he has risen to his position today in a mere eighteen years.”

“In terms of martial skills, strategies, cunning, and methods, he can truly be called the foremost person of this age, even surpassing Song Que, who once resisted the Emperor of Sui alone and governed Lingnan independently.”

“Facing such a person, no estimation would be an exaggeration. If we cannot defeat him in one fell swoop but let him return to the mountains, we would leave endless troubles for the future. Thus, your child boldly asks, Your Majesty, to please Invite several Grandmasters to capture this person.”

Li Shimin spoke with genuine concern and sincerity.

“This…”

Li Yuan was also somewhat hesitant, “Let your father think about it more!”

As the most powerful and influential monarch in the world at that time, Li Yuan did indeed have the means to invite several Grandmasters.

But the price that would have to be paid… he really did not wish to accept it. Seeing this, Li Shimin did not speak further, only silently clenched his fists.

Meanwhile, within the Demon Sect, the Yinkui Sect…

“What?”

“Yang Gong’s Treasure is in Chang’an?”

“The Holy Relics are there too, and the news has even been spread?”

The Leader of the Yinkui Sect, the Underworld Queen Zhu Yuyan, looked at the disciple Venvan who came to report, with a mix of shock and anger.

“Yes!”

Venvan nodded, “This message should have been given to the Golden Jade Hall and released with the approval of Xu Qingyang.”

“Xu Qingyang!”

Zhu Yuyan’s expression turned cold as she said icily, “Issue the order, gather the entire sect, and follow me to Chang’an.”

“This…”

Venvan was startled and quickly advised, “Master, I’m afraid this is a trap set by Xu Qingyang to aid those two in their revenge. If you go, you’ll be falling right into his trap.”

“I can’t worry about that now. The Holy Relics must not fall into anyone else’s hands.”

Zhu Yuyan’s expression was icy, “What’s more, after this news has been spread, he will surely come as well.”

Venvan’s eyes sharpened, looking at Zhu Yuyan, who was full of hatred in her eyes, and quickly bowed his head, saying no more.

Elsewhere, in Lingnan, the Song Sect!

Under the bright moonlight, a man stood with his hands behind his back in the training field.

His temples were frosted with age, indicating he was past his prime, but there was not a trace of decline. On the contrary, it added to his noble air of a high-ranking family, the scholarly grace of an academic, formidable and unattainable. Along with his well-proportioned figure and commanding presence, he exuded the aura of a Grandmaster of the dao of the blade. It was the Leader of the Song Family, the Lingnan Heaven Blade—Song Que!

“Treasure?”

“Relic?”

“Chang’an”

“Xu Qingyang?”

Muttering these words, he suddenly laughed and turned around, his eyes sparkling like morning stars, exuding an awe-inspiring radiance. Song Zhi stepped forward, tentatively asking, “Brother, this matter…”

“You stay and guard Lingnan. I will take a trip to Chang’an!”

Song Que smiled lightly and left with ease, leaving Song Zhi behind, unsure what to do.