Chapter 142
Chapter 142: Giant Deer River
Ji Song narrowed his murky eyes as Sir You Shan slowly spoke, “Ever since that Eighth Prince was brought back to the Imperial Capital, Cang Yin Yue, whose martial dao cultivation was previously below the Grandmaster Stage, surprisingly captured a fugitive whose strength was comparable to a Great Martial Grandmaster.”
“Not long after, Cang Yin Yue was captured and imprisoned by the experts of Marquis Cang Yuan’s estate, but on the very same night, tragedy struck both Marquis Cang Yuan’s household and Concubine Ji’s quarters.”
Upon hearing these words, Ji Song’s brow furrowed deeply. He was about to speak, but Sir You Shan seemed to anticipate his thoughts and continued, “One might call these events coincidences, but perhaps they’re not coincidences at all.”
“There’s another matter almost no one knows about. Heaven’s Secrets Pavilion had an informant in Floating Boat City who witnessed that Eighth Prince arriving there. Someone even personally saw him display extraordinary martial dao strength.”
“When I learned of this, I sent people to investigate further, only to discover, to my astonishment, that the leadership in Floating Boat City had already secretly changed hands. Both the City Lord and the Vice City Lord had mysteriously vanished.”
At this, Sir You Shan gazed intently at Ji Song’s aged, weathered face and sighed gently.
“Sir Ji, I have a feeling. Perhaps all of that Eighth Prince’s previous arrogant behavior wasn’t due to ignorance or folly, but because he had hidden support we know nothing about.”
Ji Song’s expression fluctuated rapidly as he stared at the middle-aged man before him.
“Are you implying, Sir You Shan, that the one who killed my daughter is this Eighth Prince?”
Sir You Shan lightly nodded, then slowly shook his head.
“I’m not saying he’s the murderer, but he definitely has something to do with it.”
Ji Song fell silent instantly. He knew Sir You Shan, the master of Heaven’s Secrets Pavilion, was no ordinary person. Though lacking the Heaven’s Secrets Elder’s terrifying prophetic powers, Sir You Shan’s insight and instincts regarding complicated matters were unmatched.
Thus, if he said such things, they weren’t groundless speculations but based on substantial certainty.
At this moment, Ji Song’s body jolted abruptly. Within an instant, he appeared utterly lost and shaken. His throat trembled as he spoke:
“Then… when I allowed Zhu’er to create trouble at the Heavenly Brocade Guard, it was actually me who led him to his doom…”
Sir You Shan glanced at him and sighed again heavily.
“If I had known earlier, I would have stopped the Third Prince at all costs. Perhaps then, this tragedy could have been prevented.”
As these words left his lips, a wave of uncontrollable grief and regret overtook Ji Song. His frail body shook and almost fell from the chair.
Seeing this, Sir You Shan quickly reached out to steady him, though he himself struggled to find words of comfort.
After some time, Ji Song appeared to regain composure. He slowly raised his head, gazing deeply at Sir You Shan. When their eyes met, Sir You Shan was momentarily stunned.
In the murky gaze of this elder, whose life was nearing its end, he saw a flash of desperate madness and determination.
“Please, help me kill him!”
Ji Song abruptly stood and knelt toward Sir You Shan, but Sir You Shan quickly held him firmly.
“I have nothing left but this aging body. My only wish is to avenge my two daughters and Zhu’er, or else I cannot rest in peace!”
Ji Song spoke each word with clarity, gripping Sir You Shan’s hand tightly, like a drowning man clutching his final lifeline.
Sir You Shan remained quiet for a moment, then gently helped Ji Song rise. He sighed softly and said in a gentle voice:
“I owe Sir Ji great kindness, and You Shan will remember it. I promise to help.”
“But whether I succeed or not, I cannot guarantee—I can only do my best. Please forgive me, Sir Ji.”
Hearing this, Ji Song swiftly lifted his head and deeply bowed with utmost solemnity.
“Just your promise alone is enough for me!”
…
Hooves thundered and wheels turned swiftly, raising clouds of dust along the way.
Li Mu Sheng and his companions journeyed steadily toward Lan Province, encountering no significant obstacles. Half a day’s travel would bring them to Sheng Province.
Though Fallen God Peak lay within Lan Province, its influence spread throughout the regions of Lan, Yuan, Zi, and Sheng. Among the hundreds of martial sects in these vast lands, it was an uncontested titan, a supreme power.
Even now, as they neared Sheng Province, Li Mu Sheng and his party clearly felt Fallen God Peak’s unparalleled prestige.
For instance, whenever travelers met disciples of Fallen God Peak, clad in Cloud Peak Dark Robes and wearing mountain-tapping boots, whether ordinary citizens or martial artists, they all respectfully stepped aside.
When Fallen God Peak disciples dined or lodged at inns, neither the owners nor attendants dared ask them for payment. They accepted whatever payment was given—whether generous, minimal, or nothing at all—with humble smiles and no complaints.
In short, throughout this region, an unwritten rule was clear: Fallen God Peak held absolute priority.
Even officials and constables from Great Li’s government never dared provoke a disciple of Fallen God Peak.
Li Mu Sheng quietly observed these things along the journey. Although he saw no outright abuse by Fallen God Peak’s disciples, he understood clearly why Great Li’s imperial court wanted to act against them.
No matter how one looked at it, the disciples’ arrogant, nose-in-the-air demeanor was undeniably irritating.
“Hm… fortunately, I’m always humble and never look down upon others,” Li Mu Sheng reflected, feeling quite pleased with himself.
Had Fu Qi Wen overheard this internal remark, however, he would surely have protested with vigorous disagreement.
“Halt!”
Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, leading at the front, abruptly pulled their horses to a stop. Cao Gao Shan quickly halted the carriage behind them.
“Young master, the road ahead seems blocked. Allow me to check the situation first.”
Wu Shang immediately reported back before swiftly dismounting and heading forward to investigate.
Meanwhile, noisy voices, mixed with the impatient snorts of horses and donkeys, echoed from ahead.
Murong Xiao Ya lifted the carriage curtain and peered out, finding the road ahead completely blocked by pack mules burdened with goods and traveling merchants. She frowned slightly but said nothing, letting the curtain fall as she resumed staring off into space.
At this moment, Hu Rui An unfolded a silk map in his hands. His brow creased in mild concern.
“The Giant Deer River is just ahead. It seems we’ll soon pass through Deer Slaying Manor’s territory.”
Hearing this, Li Mu Sheng glanced curiously at Hu Rui An, noticing the uneasy look on his face. A hint of suspicion entered his expression as he asked aloud:
“Lord Hu, is there something special about Deer Slaying Manor?”