svetikya Chapter 21 Xu Qingya: I did it for love...
Chapter 21 Xu Qingya: I did it for love...
"This is fucking exhausting!"
Xu Qingya returned home and went straight to sleep.
So much has happened these past two days; I've only slept for less than two hours since last night.
First, he fought Mu Qingxia, then drank, chatted, discussed martial arts, and talked about love with Yang Yan. In the morning, he helped Ding Dian shift the blame, and then he had to deal with Zhuge Zhengwo and Liu Qingci...
Although the gains were huge, the losses over the past two days were considerable. Even Doubao was a little tired, biting half a bone and quietly lying by the bed.
I don't have time to look at things like the Wei Family Sword Manual, the Mysterious Void Sword Technique, or the Divine Illumination Skill right now. I need to get some sleep first, so I don't end up reading the wrong thing later.
That night, the capital was quiet and peaceful.
Su Mengzhen, Lei Sun, and others beat their chests in frustration.
In the end, it was still too late!
Ding Dian told Zhuge Zhengwo about the Liancheng Secret Manual, saying that from now on, anyone who searches for the Liancheng treasure is provoking the imperial court and can be treated as a traitor.
As two of the most powerful underworld families in the capital, Su Mengzhen and Lei Sun were two or three levels more sensitive to the political situation than Huo Xiu, Shangguan Jin Hong, and other powerful figures.
The late emperor's perverse policies led to chaos and disorder in the martial arts world of the Central Plains. Liu Dinghuan has been on the throne for more than three years and has been working to stabilize the court, without taking any action against the martial arts world for the time being.
Three years later, the court situation stabilized and the border wars subsided. Liu Dinghuan finally had time to deal with the chaotic world of martial arts, especially the most unruly ones.
The so-called "108 Green Robes Buildings," with 108 people on each floor, is a force that has been planted with countless spies by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot, all waiting for their meal to be served.
Under these circumstances, Su Mengzhen and Lei Sun dared not offend the imperial court. One wrong step and they could very well go from being underworld tycoons to being used as a warning to others.
Of course, this was exclusive information for the two of them, and they wouldn't casually disclose it to outsiders. They were eager for someone to offend the imperial court and see what the court had accumulated over the past three years.
……
The Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion consists of four buildings.
The White Tower, which is in charge of intelligence and files, is headed by Yang Wuxie, who has a photographic memory. All the books in the White Tower are in his mind.
The leader of the elite squad, "Red Mansion," is named Shi Wukui. He is brave, loyal, and has the strength of a water buffalo in his arms, capable of lifting bronze cauldrons.
The "Yellow Tower," which manages the storeroom and ledgers, is headed by a man named Hua Wucuo, who is skilled in bookkeeping and accounting.
Finally, there is the central hub of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion, the "brothel" that issues orders. The manager in charge of the brothel is named Yu Wuyu, who is equivalent to Su Mengzhen's steward.
At this very moment, Su Mengzhen, the notorious underworld figure known as "Red Sleeve First Blade" who controlled 40% of the capital's criminal underworld, stood inside the White Building, listening to Yang Wuxie's report.
"Young master, we have news!"
"read!"
"Xu Qingya, 21 years old, is a disciple of Ximen Changhai, the leader of the Que Dao Sect. He has a humorous personality, likes to keep pets, and especially likes rare and exotic animals."
"Is that all?"
"According to the investigation, Xu Qingya grew up in the deep mountains and forests, and had never shown his face before his official debut. Last night was his debut battle!"
What martial arts is Xu Qingya skilled in?
According to Tian Boguang's confession, Xu Qingya used the Five Tigers Severing Door Blade technique to capture him, and had already comprehended the true meaning of Tiger Fiend, defeating Tian Boguang with a single strike.
Based on the damage to the Ling Mansion, it can be inferred that Xu Qingya comprehended a unique sword intent from the Spring and Autumn Sword Technique. This sword intent is extremely refined and pure, possessing the ultimate destructive power.
There is also evidence suggesting that Xu Qingya's lightness skill was no less than that of Zhui Ming, and based on his birthplace, it is estimated that he accidentally obtained the inheritance of the "Heavenly Pool Divine Palm."
"What is his purpose in coming to the capital?"
"Currently, it seems Xu Qingya's purpose is to hone his martial arts skills, but based on certain clues, it can be inferred that Xu Qingya is very close to the Six Doors and may have some designs on them, possibly involving someone!"
"Human? Why human?"
"If it is an item that is worth scheming against by someone like Xu Qingya, it must be a rare treasure that is unparalleled in the world. How could it be placed in the Six Doors?"
Such treasures are either hidden in the Divine Marquis's Mansion, the Imperial Palace, or the mansion of a king of equal stature.
Who would hide treasure in the Six Doors?
Following this line of thought, it can be inferred that Xu Qingya is looking for someone, a prisoner, imprisoned deep within the Six Doors prison, someone that is difficult for outsiders to see.
Xu Qingya first used Tian Boguang to test the waters, then took the initiative to help Zhui Ming solve the case and befriended the Four Great Constables.
It seems he'll make his move soon...
Yang Wuxie was like a machine, giving his analysis with a blank expression and a dry tone. Su Mengzhen was already used to this, but a problem arose!
"Whom is Xu Qingya looking for?"
At the same time, Lei Sun, the head of the Six and a Half Hall, who controlled another 40% of the underworld forces in the capital, asked his trusted lieutenant Di Feijing the same question in the secret room of the Six and a Half Hall's core, "Broken Board Gate".
Regarding Lei Sun's question, "Humble Dragon" Di Fei gave a decisive answer: "Xu Qingya is looking for Dongfang Qingmu! He wants to find his third martial aunt, Ximen Ruoshui, through Dongfang Qingmu!"
Lei Sun stretched out his left hand, which had only two fingers, and rubbed his bald head. He looked simple-minded, but those who knew Lei Sun well knew that this was a habit he had when thinking about problems, which helped him stay cautious.
Lei Sun suffered two major defeats in his life. One was when he ambushed Zhuge Zhengwo, but was counterattacked by Zhuge Zhengwo and forced to lose three fingers to save his life. The other was when he accidentally killed an important figure and was forced to become a monk to avoid disaster.
Rubbing his bald head with the severed finger is a way of reminding himself not to forget the two defeats, to remain calm, not to be blinded by profit, and not to lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains.
"Second brother, I've heard a rumor that the founder of the Four Directions Sect once encountered the mythical beast Qilin and used its scales to forge Qilin Jade, which possesses the extraordinary ability of immortality."
"The legend of dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns may not be unfounded. Xu Qingya's ugly horse is a unicorn, and the little red bird that Qin Nanqin gave to Xu Qingya is a descendant of the Vermilion Bird. Golden-haired lions have appeared on some overseas immortal islands with abundant spiritual energy."
However, there are only descendants of dragons, phoenixes, and qilin in the world. No one has ever seen these mythical beasts. Since ancient times, how many people who pursue immortality have had a good outcome?
Even assuming, hypothetically, that real dragons and phoenixes truly exist in the world, these auspicious beasts, imbued with the spirit of heaven and earth, are the darlings of the universe, and killing them would inevitably bring disaster.
Instead of pursuing some so-called true dragon or phoenix, we should scheme against the Four Directions Sect's "Four Directions Profound Technique." Besides, our current target should be the Exquisite Pavilion...
Di Feijing did not directly refute Lei Sun, but instead offered a more comprehensive plan. Lei Sun laughed and said, "The old emperor shouts 'Long live the emperor,' but in reality, he was poisoned to death by the elixir of immortality, and the vast empire is in grave danger."
"I'm just an ordinary person, all I want is to live a life of passion and excitement. I've always considered the idea of immortality a joke. But, second brother, could we use this as bait to test Xu Qingya's martial arts?"
Why test Xu Qingya?
"I'll face him sooner or later!"
Why did my elder brother make enemies for no reason?
"Because you think about things from the perspective of the interests of the martial arts world, from the perspective of interests, Xu Qingya will not offend the Six and a Half Hall casually. But if you think about it from the perspective of a swordsman, what is cut with a knife is the number one sword in the world!"
I must defeat all of them—my Unyielding Blade, Su Mengzhen's Red Sleeve Blade, Long Chengbi's Snow and Wind Blade, the Demonic Sect's Divine Blade Slash, and Bai Tianyu's Extinction Cross Blade—from beginning to end. Only by defeating them all can I become the undisputed master of the martial arts world!
Xu Qingya wouldn't challenge Li Xunhuan to a duel because Li Xunhuan doesn't understand 'martial arts' at all. If he wants to become the undisputed leader of the swordsmanship, this is the only way he can do it!
Lei Sun declared confidently, "After decades of navigating the turmoil of the capital, my swordsman's edge has long been dulled. But with Xu Qingya's fledgling Magpie Blade, I'm confident I can take him down!"
Di Feijing said calmly, "Brother, I thought your reason was to seize Linglong Pavilion."
Lei Sun asked, "What do you mean?"
Di Feijing chuckled: "Ever since Yang Miaozhen was defeated by Li Ruohai, Linglong Pavilion has lost its strongest backer. Fairy Jinghong is unwilling to be swallowed up by us, so she will definitely seek a strong ally, preferably an outsider."
"Why should Xu Qingya help Fairy Jinghong?"
"He probably did it for love..."
"..."
Lei Sun rubbed his bald head, thinking that Di Feijing was teasing him. No one would have guessed that Lei Sun, who was infamous for stabbing people in the back, was actually a devoted and loving man with a deeply unforgettable past...
Unrequited love!
"Second brother, why don't you guess who Fairy Linglong really is? What does she look like?"
"I never would have guessed!"
"Is there anything you can't guess?"
"Because there's no need to guess!" Di Feijing looked down at his teacup. "She is... Yang Yan!"
"..."
Lei Sun sighed, thinking to himself, "I'm so talkative. If I had nothing better to do, I could have gone and picked up some manure! Why did I have to challenge Di Feijing to a battle of wits? I always get intellectually crushed by him!"
Su Mengzhen is analyzing Xu Qingya.
Lei Sun is considering how to acquire Linglong Pavilion.
What are Xu Qingya and Yang Yan doing?
Yang Yan was doing the accounting, organizing last year's ledgers.
When Xu Qingya woke up in the morning, she saw Zhui Ming's ambiguous smile and instinctively wanted to run away. However, Zhui Ming was well prepared, and Xu Qingya had nowhere to escape.
"Brother Xu... listen to me... since ancient times, one should not trouble two masters for one matter. The Liancheng treasure was entirely your doing, so you should see things through to the end!"
"I...I freaking..."
"Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the Six Doors!"
"this one?"
What do you want?
"I want a beauty, do you have one?"
"Hmm...yes! I guarantee there will be beautiful women accompanying you on the way, absolutely stunning beauties!"
Zhuiming gritted his teeth and agreed.
Xu Qingya said, "Third Brother, I want to visit someone in the Six Doors prison. Could you make an exception?"
"Who?"
"Dongfang Qingmu, my third aunt, Ximen Ruoshui, is a guardian elder of the Sifang Sect. She has gone missing unexpectedly. Dongfang Qingmu might know some clues. I want to go and ask her."
"Leave this to me!"
"Third Brother, I have another question."
"What's the problem?"
"Why are you the one investigating the Liancheng Treasure? The treasure is related to poetry and sword manuals. Logically, it should be Brother Sheng or Leng Si... Brother Cui, who's older, me or Leng Xue? I'm twenty-one this year!"
"Your fourth junior brother is a year older than you!"
"Oh! Why isn't it Fourth Brother Leng going?"
"Because I'm best at poetry!"
"hehe!"
Xu Qingya looked at Zhui Ming with disdain!
"Awoo~~"
Doubao also showed a disdainful expression!
"Squeak~~"
Tangdun'er followed suit, joining in the disdain!
"Slurp slurp~~"
Of course, aged liquor wouldn't miss this great opportunity!
Zhui Ming: Uncle, it's too dangerous to work on cases with Xu Qingya. I want to apply for workers' compensation...