Chapter 138
Chapter 138: You Will Know
Hearing this, Millenary Commander Wu Shang’s brows knitted together deeply as he questioned in puzzlement, “Could there be another hidden force within the court scheming to strike against Fallen God Peak?”
Yet, Hu Rui An still shook his head and answered, “That possibility is very slim. Though the court’s various divisions do act independently and sometimes overlap, they would surely communicate clearly beforehand when dealing with a mighty Martial World power like Fallen God Peak. It would be unthinkable to waste considerable manpower duplicating each other’s efforts.”
Hu Rui An’s words were quite clear. He implied that the situations at Six Gates and Shadow Spy Division were likely the same as that of Heavenly Brocade Guard. Each group probably had its own plans targeting the Four Great Sects, but the target certainly wouldn’t be Fallen God Peak.
At that moment, Cao Gao Shan pondered briefly, his eyes falling on the half-piece jade pendant in Hu Rui An’s hand. He suggested, “I think solving this matter isn’t actually too complicated. According to that White Sand Gang leader, Alliance Under Heaven instructed them to seize this jade. Clearly, the Alliance is involved. Given that the messenger was also from the imperial court, finding out who in the court has been plotting against Alliance Under Heaven would reveal the messenger’s true master.”
Hu Rui An glanced at Cao Gao Shan but again shook his head. “This approach sounds workable, but Alliance Under Heaven is the most complicated Martial World force in Great Li. They have absorbed countless smaller sects. Perhaps the messenger originally infiltrated one of these minor sects before joining the Alliance later. Or maybe Alliance Under Heaven simply discovered the messenger’s secret and took the chance to seize the jade pendant map. There are just too many possibilities. It won’t be easy to investigate quickly.”
At this point, Li Mu Sheng scanned the faces of Hu Rui An and the others, raising his brow slightly and waving his hand dismissively, saying, “Why are you all so tangled up about this jade pendant? How does it matter to us?”
He then fixed his gaze firmly upon Hu Rui An and continued, “Lord Hu, perhaps you could simply answer two questions for me. First, does Fallen God Peak need to be destroyed? Second, will the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s plans against Fallen God Peak stop just because of something that messenger said?”
Upon hearing this, Hu Rui An frowned slightly and fell silent for a moment.
Eventually, he placed the jade pendant down gently and nodded slowly. “Your Highness is indeed correct. Although there may be hidden complications regarding the messenger, the Heavenly Brocade Guard neither needs nor is able to consider those factors at this moment.”
As Hu Rui An spoke, he lifted his head and gazed deeply at Li Mu Sheng. This prince, who had just recently been acknowledged, had maintained a remarkably calm and carefree demeanor even as they faced the deadly journey toward Fallen God Peak. His straightforward and decisive approach also made Hu Rui An reconsider his initial impressions of him.
Still, Hu Rui An’s lingering doubts about Li Mu Sheng remained strong.
Wu Shang and the others also snapped back to clarity after Li Mu Sheng’s questioning. Although this matter was indeed peculiar, they had clearly overthought things. Right now, there was only one true priority before them—destroying Fallen God Peak. Nothing else truly mattered.
“I’ll keep this half jade pendant for now,” Hu Rui An said, picking it up again. “The half map engraved on it could perhaps be matched against our own Heavenly Brocade Guard’s map. It might prove useful when we attack Fallen God Peak later.”
Wu Shang and the rest nodded in agreement, finding no issue with this decision. After all, anything useful for their mission was welcome.
Li Mu Sheng quietly observed all of this but paid it no mind. Such trivialities meant nothing to him.
Meanwhile, Murong Xiao Ya, who had sat quietly at the table like an invisible presence, finally mustered the courage to look at Li Mu Sheng and softly asked, “Um… Your Highness, I have a question that’s been troubling me deeply.”
Li Mu Sheng glanced at the shy young lady sitting across from him. Her voice was so soft it was almost drowned out. Though Murong Xiao Ya seemed timid, he didn’t ignore her. Instead, he gently nodded and encouraged, “Miss Murong, please speak freely.”
Murong Xiao Ya blushed slightly, glancing briefly toward Shangguan Qing Qing outside the Qi barrier, biting her lip nervously. “I’m very curious. Why does that young lady call Your Highness the ‘Number One in the World’? Is there some special reason?”
At this, the attention of Hu Rui An and the others immediately shifted toward Li Mu Sheng. This was a question they had secretly wondered about but could never ask due to their positions. Now Murong Xiao Ya had voiced their inner curiosity.
As everyone waited expectantly for his reply, Li Mu Sheng simply raised an eyebrow lightly and said, “Miss Murong, your questioning skills could use some improvement. Let me suggest another possibility. Perhaps Qing Qing calls me ‘Number One in the World’ simply because that is precisely what I am.”
At these words, Murong Xiao Ya, Hu Rui An, and the others stared blankly for a moment. Recovering herself, Murong Xiao Ya studied Li Mu Sheng closely before quickly lowering her head shyly again. Yet, in that brief instant, a flicker of astonishment passed through her eyes.
Hu Rui An coughed quietly, removed the Qi barrier surrounding them, and instructed Wu Shang, “Um… Go hurry the inn attendants to bring the food quickly. After we rest and eat, we can continue on our journey.”
Wu Shang quickly nodded in agreement and, casting a discreet glance at Li Mu Sheng, swiftly left the room.
Cao Gao Shan, the coachman, said nothing, though his eyes stayed locked thoughtfully on Li Mu Sheng’s figure. His mind drifted back to that shocking blade strike that had split the street in Shang Yang City amidst the pouring rain. Suddenly, a thought surged within him: [Could it be… that it was actually Your Highness who made that strike?]
Previously, Cao Gao Shan had firmly believed that behind Li Mu Sheng stood a hidden Martial Dao master, someone he couldn’t sense. Yet, after this conversation, that certainty began to waver slightly.
“Your Highness,” Shangguan Qing Qing whispered to Li Mu Sheng immediately after the barrier was gone, “was the intelligence my senior brother provided useful?”
Li Mu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing subtly toward Hu Rui An and the others, and replied lightly, “It was somewhat helpful.”
With that, he turned to look at Shangguan Qing Qing, whose presence was ever courageous and spirited, and gently nodded.
Indeed, his loyal admirer possessed insightful eyes, offering him the emotional support he preferred. Everyone else seemed lacking by comparison.
Thinking this, Li Mu Sheng lost all interest in Hu Rui An and the others and turned to chat warmly and casually with Shangguan Qing Qing instead.
Qin Hao, standing quietly behind, observed this scene with growing unease. To his eyes, perhaps his junior sister hadn’t been possessed by evil spirits after all. Yet, seeing Shangguan Qing Qing gaze at Li Mu Sheng with such fervent admiration and joy, he began to suspect an inappropriate bond had formed between the two.
[Junior Sister truly has grown up during this journey. Clearly, she’s fallen in love, yet she pretends it’s all about meeting the greatest swordsman. Such elaborate excuses!]
With a twitch at the corner of his eye, Qin Hao decided that ignorance was bliss. He clasped his fists respectfully and withdrew, stepping down onto the bluestone street below to attend to unfinished tasks.
“Your Highness, I must be blessed by fate to meet the greatest swordsman again so soon!” Shangguan Qing Qing’s heart soared happily. As soon as food and wine arrived, she boldly lifted a wine jar and drank three full bowls of strong liquor without pause.
Li Mu Sheng squinted approvingly, raising a thumb in praise. Then he asked, “Young lady Qing Qing, what are your plans next?”
“My senior brother and I plan to wipe out the White Sand Gang,” Shangguan Qing Qing answered confidently, her high ponytail bouncing lightly behind her. “Afterward, we’ll return to our sect and prepare to battle the Alliance Under Heaven to the death!”
Hearing this, Li Mu Sheng arched an eyebrow suspiciously. “Does your Heavenly River Blade Sect even know they’re about to start a war with the Alliance Under Heaven?”
Shangguan Qing Qing waved her hand dismissively. “They certainly don’t know yet. But once my senior brother and I return and inform them, they’ll know!”
Li Mu Sheng’s eyelid twitched slightly. He stared strangely at this spirited young woman, who had just casually burped after her hearty drink.
[Those poor souls at Heavenly River Blade Sect! Meeting disciples like you two must be punishment for their past life’s sins.]
Still, Li Mu Sheng rubbed his chin thoughtfully and advised, “If the Alliance truly moves against your Heavenly River Blade Sect, and you find yourselves outmatched, just tell them you’ve joined the Heavenly Brocade Guard. Perhaps they’ll hold back.”
Shangguan Qing Qing blinked in confusion, clearly puzzled by his words. After all, an immense martial power like the Alliance Under Heaven cared nothing for the Great Li Dynasty’s authority, let alone the Heavenly Brocade Guard.
Li Mu Sheng didn’t bother explaining further. Instead, he called Hu Rui An over, took a seal badge from the Heavenly Brocade Guard, and casually handed it to Shangguan Qing Qing for safekeeping.
Today’s events in the town couldn’t be concealed. Even if the Alliance Under Heaven decided to act, it would still take time. By then, he and the Heavenly Brocade Guard would have already dealt with Fallen God Peak. Once news of that spread, even the arrogant Alliance would reconsider carefully before offending the Heavenly Brocade Guard.
Without further questions, Shangguan Qing Qing happily put away the badge. After all, a gift from the future Number One of the Blade Dao was worth treasuring, useful or not.
…
Time together was fleeting. After food and drink, Shangguan Qing Qing, a loyal admirer, parted reluctantly from Li Mu Sheng. She still had to join her senior brother in defeating the White Sand Gang.
Although Qin Hao didn’t wish to interrupt the reunion of two seemingly lovesick souls, Shangguan Qing Qing insisted on helping, fearing he couldn’t manage the gang alone.
Li Mu Sheng waved farewell, watching as the two rode away.
Now he faced yet another dull journey ahead. Luckily, refining and improving the Azure Dragon Cang Ming Scripture would keep him from boredom.
After resting briefly at the inn, Hu Rui An and the group mounted their horses and resumed their journey by carriage. Inside the carriage, Li Mu Sheng, Hu Rui An, and Murong Xiao Ya sat silently, as usual.
But soon Li Mu Sheng noticed something odd—Murong Xiao Ya seemed different, secretly glancing at him repeatedly. Li Mu Sheng chose not to confront her, merely sighing lightly as he stroked his chin.
[I knew it. Such a handsome man as myself—no young lady could resist forever. Eventually, their hearts falter. It’s unavoidable.]
…
Thus, Li Mu Sheng and his companions traveled peacefully toward Lan Province. Another day passed uneventfully.
At the early hours of dawn, Yin hour, Shang Yang City was cloaked in darkness. Silently, a modest carriage slipped unseen from the Great Li Imperial Capital, avoiding all watchful eyes.
Inside, Fu Qi Wen lifted the curtain, gazing back at the city behind him, immense as a slumbering beast. His deeply lined face fell into thoughtful silence, heavy with emotions. Eventually, he sighed softly.
“I hope there will still be a day I return.”
Then, turning forward, he resolved never to look back again.
From this moment, neither Third Prince Li Zhu nor the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s matters concerned him. His only goal now was to eradicate Fallen God Peak!
…
Shortly after Fu Qi Wen left, in the main headquarters of the Heavenly Brocade Guard, Zeng Hai, weary and disheveled, suddenly jolted awake from restless dreams.
Panicking, he quickly peered beneath his bed, breathing deeply in relief upon seeing the pale, slightly rotting corpse still there. Sweat soaked his back.
Just moments before, he’d dreamed Li Zhu’s corpse had vanished. Menacing people stormed in, accusing him of murdering the Third Prince. Despite his pleas, they dragged him away to a horrible, torturous death. Such nightmares plagued him nightly, each more terrifying than the last.
At that moment, his hand touched a small note beneath him. Curious, he grabbed it, holding it up to the faint moonlight from the window. His heart instantly leaped with excitement, almost shouting aloud in relief.
“The Commander has finally left! Now I can finally get rid of this cursed corpse!”
In a flurry, Zeng Hai dove under the bed, pinched his nose shut, and dragged Li Zhu’s body out. For days, he’d hidden and guarded the body in fear. The constant dread nearly drove him insane. He was desperate to rid himself of this nightmare, believing discarding the corpse would end his troubles once and for all.
On dark, deserted streets during curfew, Zeng Hai carried the wrapped corpse from the Heavenly Brocade Guard headquarters straight toward the Third Prince’s residence. But when he arrived near the mansion, he saw it brightly lit, guarded by patrols.
Panicked, Zeng Hai hesitated briefly, then decisively threw the corpse into a dark alley and sprinted away without looking back.