Chapter 128
Chapter 128: An Early Departure
Cang Yin Yue naturally followed beside Li Mu Sheng. Ahead, Yu Jin instinctively turned back to glance at her.
Yet, his eyes were immediately drawn to the verdant Imperial Dragon Divine Sword in her hand.
Very few had ever laid eyes upon the Imperial Dragon Divine Sword. Yu Jin certainly did not recognize it, but the blade reminded him vividly of flawless jade, unusually exquisite. He wondered what material could have forged such beauty.
As his gaze settled upon the sword’s surface, he felt its restrained sharpness and intense aura pressing forward. [This must be an extraordinary blade.]
Sensing Yu Jin’s stare, Cang Yin Yue frowned slightly. With a swift, elegant swirl of her sword, she sliced off a piece of cloth from her garment and firmly wrapped up the eye-catching Imperial Dragon Divine Sword.
Realizing his inappropriate stare, Yu Jin coughed softly to cover his embarrassment and quickly asked, “Young lady, your sword seems quite exceptional. May I ask which master smith created it? Does it have a name?”
Before Cang Yin Yue could reply, Li Mu Sheng glanced coolly at Yu Jin and said indifferently, “It’s called the Imperial Dragon Divine Sword. I gave it to her.”
Hearing this, Yu Jin froze momentarily, startled, and immediately fell silent, quietly leading the way onward.
The Imperial Dragon Divine Sword was the Great Li kingdom’s treasured divine artifact. Even among the imperial family, few had ever seen it. Naturally, such a sword could never realistically appear in Cang Yin Yue’s hands.
Yu Jin assumed his disrespectful gaze had offended the Eighth Prince, prompting this intentionally cold response. Quietly, he warned himself to stop being so curious, lest he unknowingly invite disaster one day.
Soon afterward, Yu Jin led Li Mu Sheng and Cang Yin Yue into Commander Fu Qi Wen’s hall.
Seeing them arrive, Fu Qi Wen, busy writing amid towering stacks of paperwork, rose from his desk and greeted Li Mu Sheng with a respectful bow. “I apologize for troubling Your Highness to come here. Unfortunately, my duties are too numerous, and I simply couldn’t get away.”
Li Mu Sheng waved dismissively, glancing around the hall. He had to admit, the Commander of the Heavenly Brocade Guard truly had a troublesome job. If he had to handle this overwhelming pile of paperwork every day, he wouldn’t last a minute.
“What do you need me for, Commander Fu?” Li Mu Sheng asked directly. This suffocating place reminded him of his former days buried beneath books, preparing endlessly for examinations. Even with martial dao abilities at their peak, he wanted nothing more than to leave immediately.
Without hesitation, Fu Qi Wen plainly explained, “I have an inconvenient request, Your Highness. I’d like you to set off today for Fallen God Peak in Lan Province, earlier than planned.”
Li Mu Sheng slightly furrowed his brow, glancing at Fu Qi Wen with uncertainty. “Has something gone wrong with your plans?”
Fu Qi Wen nodded gently, reaching out to pull a secret letter from the corner of his cluttered desk and handing it to Li Mu Sheng. “This confidential message arrived from our agent in Sheng Province. It states clearly that Sheng Province’s Provincial Governor Zhu Zi Ming and Deputy Commander Mei Yan of the local Heavenly Brocade Guard have close ties with Fallen God Peak.”
Li Mu Sheng scanned the secret message briefly and then asked, “Commander Fu, do you expect me to capture these two?”
Fu Qi Wen shook his head, replying, “Our agents haven’t gathered sufficient evidence yet, but I believe there’s truth behind their report. If it proves correct, these two defectors could seriously jeopardize our operation against Fallen God Peak.”
Li Mu Sheng raised the letter in his hand. “Commander Fu, speak plainly. Our goal is Fallen God Peak. If this matter is quick, I might help. But if it wastes time, I’m not interested.”
Fu Qi Wen studied Li Mu Sheng deeply, pausing briefly before shaking his head. “Rest assured, Your Highness. Sheng Province neighbors Lan Province, making it a natural stop on your journey from the Imperial Capital to Fallen God Peak. You only need to lend us assistance along the way.”
Then he elaborated further, “Sheng Province’s Deputy Commander Mei Yan has a unique identity. He’s the Queen’s younger brother, not only royal family but also the son-in-law of Mu Tian Xing, Martial Saint of Yu Ming Mountain. Frankly, besides myself, no one else in the Heavenly Brocade Guard has the authority to deal with him.”
After considering briefly, Li Mu Sheng nodded. “I understand. You’re planning to use my royal status to keep Deputy Commander Mei Yan in check. That shouldn’t be a problem.”
Relieved, Fu Qi Wen quickly bowed again. “Initially, I did not wish to trouble Your Highness. But after we dispatched orders secretly mobilizing the Heavenly Brocade Guard toward Lan Province, Sheng Province’s branch alone has failed to respond. This matter must be investigated.”
He added reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Your Highness. The Mei family’s foundation lies entirely within Shang Yang City. Mei Yan, as the Queen’s brother, wouldn’t dare lay hands upon you, whether for his elder sister’s sake or for the Mei family itself. Additionally, I’ll send the Headquarters’ Right Deputy Commander to accompany you. He’ll inform you of the Sheng Province situation in detail and ensure your safety completely.”
Li Mu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing briefly at Fu Qi Wen.
The Right Deputy Commander held one of the highest positions within the Heavenly Brocade Guard, second only to Fu Qi Wen himself. His martial dao cultivation was undoubtedly strong. Sending someone of such high rank alongside Li Mu Sheng could signify either significant concern for Sheng Province or another hidden intention.
However, Li Mu Sheng didn’t dwell on this suspicion. If the matter proved easy, he wouldn’t mind lending a hand. But if it turned troublesome or consumed too much time, he’d promptly abandon it and continue toward Fallen God Peak.
…
Leaving Fu Qi Wen’s hall, Li Mu Sheng returned to his courtyard with Cang Yin Yue.
Following Fu Qi Wen’s advice, they should set out tonight for Sheng Province. Only by resolving Mei Yan and the Provincial Governor’s situation could the Heavenly Brocade Guard confidently proceed against Fallen God Peak.
“Miss Cang, you don’t need to accompany me this time. Stay in Shang Yang City and find the remaining Heavenly Revelation Secret Treasury key for me,” Li Mu Sheng instructed gently as Cang Yin Yue packed his belongings.
Cang Yin Yue nodded softly in agreement.
Although she disliked remaining in the Imperial Capital, her current strength might not help much in Li Mu Sheng’s matters. Staying behind to search for the key seemed more practical.
Li Mu Sheng sighed lightly. He had originally planned to visit the Second Prince’s mansion tonight to acquire another of the Heavenly Revelation keys. However, plans inevitably changed. It would have to wait.
Still, the key wouldn’t disappear. He could easily retrieve it once he returned.
Just then, a guard’s urgent footsteps sounded outside, followed by a quick announcement:
“Your Highness, the Third Prince has already entered the residence. He’s currently on his way here.”