Embers of Sword

Chapter 129: Asking for the Sword
"Uncle Qi, are we going back like this?"

In front of Xie Zhen's residence, a few golden sword lights slowly rose up, and a law enforcer from Jin'ao Peak looked a little surprised.

I don't know who spread it...

On the first day of the Sword Qi Ceremony, the news that Xie Zhen had obtained the Lotus Jade Token spread like wildfire.

Because of this incident, many people who came to worship the mountain were discussing it, and many people were questioning whether the Sword Palace's disciple-accepting ceremony was fair!

After all, the opening of Dasui Sword Palace was a grand event that shook the entire Dachu Dynasty.

This kind of thing happened on the first day of the ceremony.

It can be said to have a "bad influence".

So after confirming the news, the law enforcers from Jinao Peak came hurriedly -

But no one expected that they would leave in such a hurry.

The entire law enforcement process, from the moment he stepped into the mansion to the end, took less than half an hour.

Ninety percent of the time.

It was Uncle-Master Qi Lie, who was alone, talking to Xie Zhen.

The other law enforcers were really confused. After coming with such a grand momentum, were they going to leave with nothing?

Qi Lie did not look back and stepped onto the flying sword first. His actions were the answer.

Head back home and return to Jinao Peak.

"Uncle Master——"

The young disciple who had spoken earlier could not help but ask, "If we go back like this...how are we going to explain to the outside world?"

"Explain..."

Qi Lie glanced back at the disciple and said calmly, "Does Jin Ao Peak need to give them an explanation?"

The disciple was speechless for a moment.

"Jin Aofeng is in charge of the Sword Palace's criminal law, and has always been fair and strict..."

Qi Lie had a blank expression on his face: "We only need to give an explanation to the Sword Palace Criminal Law and the Lord Chief Lawyer. As for those people outside, our leaving Xie Zhen's mansion now... is an explanation."

Jin Aofeng left.

This means...it was legal for Xie Zhen to obtain the Lotus Jade Order.

"Uncle Master."

The disciple asked quietly, "What did you talk about with Xie Zhen alone? Is it inappropriate for us to do this? Will it damage the reputation of Jin Ao Peak?"

Qi Lie suddenly spoke up and read out the disciple's name: "Luo Ji, do you know that when the Jiangning Luo family sent you to Dasui ten years ago, Jin'ao Peak should not have accepted you."

Luo Ji trembled all over when he heard this.

"The Luo family is not a big family, and your qualifications are not top-notch."

Qi Lie said slowly, "I was the one who advised the Chief Law Officer that you have good character and should not be missed. You should be accepted into the Mountain Gate... That's why you were able to join the Sword Palace."

Luo Ji's face turned pale, and he murmured in a low voice: "Master, your kindness is great, and I will remember it forever."

"In the past ten years, the Luo family has gradually gained some reputation in Jiangning. I can understand that you want to repay the favor. But you have to understand that you are the law enforcer of Jin'ao Peak, not a guest of the Xie family in Jiangning..."

Qi Lie lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Starting tomorrow, I will punish you to stay in seclusion in the back mountains for a year. Only after you have cleared your sword heart can you return to Jin'ao Peak."

"Yes……"

Luo Ji said in a trembling voice: "Disciple obeys your command."

"I know that the delegation under the command of Prince Jiangning sent a lot of gifts to Jin'ao Peak today."

Qi Lie said calmly: "I think when the delegation gives you gifts, they will definitely tell you... I have accepted a complete set of 'Golden Sky Mysterious Thunder' magic swords from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

The law enforcers following Qi Lie looked at each other in bewilderment.

Indeed, today the Jiangning delegation sent some "gifts" to the Jin'ao Peak law enforcers.

Naturally they would refuse.

But after the delegation brought up the matter of Qi Lie accepting gifts, the reasons given by these ordinary law enforcers to refuse no longer seemed valid.

Even the examiner accepted the gift. If they didn't accept it, wouldn't they be making things difficult for the examiner?
"I did accept this set of magic swords, but I didn't accept it for myself."

Qi Lie lowered his eyes and said, "This set of magic swords is what the Xie family owes to the Chief Lawyer. I have presented it... After tonight, I will clarify the matter and inform the Sword Palace of the whole story. Since Qi is the chief examiner of this Sword Qi Ceremony, I will not accept any gifts from anyone. Regardless of whether you have accepted the items from the Jiangning delegation today, you must return them all after tonight."

"……Yes."

"……Yes."

The law enforcement officers all looked solemn.

These golden rays of light shuttled through the clouds on the top of the mountain and gradually disappeared into the night.

In the Dashui Mountains, the gazes that were directed towards the law enforcers of Jin'ao Peak were gradually withdrawn.

In front of a small courtyard at the foot of Lotus Peak, Xie Xuanyi moved a wooden recliner and sat leisurely under the night sky, watching Qi Lie and the disciples of Jin'ao Peak leave.

He closed his eyes, listened to the chirping of insects in the mountains, and enjoyed the long-lost quietness of being alone.

He knew that the tranquility of tonight was destined to be short-lived.

Soon, the Ruyi Order in his arms began to vibrate. Xie Xuanyi knew it was sent by Jiang Qihu without having to look.

Benhu was anxious: "Brother Xie, are you okay?"

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "Very good, those people from Jinao Peak just left."

The matter of the Lotus Jade Order spread throughout the Dasui Sword Palace, and the news that Jin'ao Peak came to investigate caused even more uproar.

Everyone was waiting to see Xie Zhen make a fool of himself.

But they were all to be disappointed.

Xie Xuanyi told Benhu the news of Jin Aofeng's departure, of course hiding some details that were inconvenient to talk about. Benhu did not pursue it too much, but said worriedly: "I heard that the Crown Prince Jiangning of Zhenyin Peak held a banquet tonight and invited many young talents on the Fangyuanfang roster."

"Wait." Xie Xuanyi asked with a smile: "You don't seem to be worried that my Lotus Jade Token will be taken away?"

"This jade token was given to you by Huang Su. Your meeting with Huang Su was arranged by the master." Benhu's logic was unusually clear this time: "Since it was arranged by the master, there is nothing to worry about."

"..."

Xie Xuanyi had nothing to say but to laugh it off. "I'm worried about 'Xie Sheng'."

Jiang Qihu said in a deep voice: "It seems that you two have a grudge after the clash at the mountain gate. Now the news in Dasui Sword Palace has spread like wildfire. It is said that you want to compete with Xie Sheng for Xuanshui Cave Heaven."

"Oh?"

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "What they said is not wrong. I do want to take over Xuanshui Dongtian."

"Is this part of the plan?"

Jiang Qihu was stunned for a moment, frowned and asked: "After all, the Jiangning Xie family is a wealthy family of Dachu, and Xie Sheng has countless people behind him... Do you need me to transfer the Qingzhou Iron Cavalry? If necessary, the old man can also come to Dasui."

"Why is it so?" Xie Xuanyi said helplessly: "It's just a small matter, there's no need to alarm others."

"It's a bit too thin for you alone, isn't it?"

"One person is enough."

Xie Xuanyi said this, knowing that Benhu was still worried, so he added according to the old rules: "I have the master behind me."

This approach has always worked.

But it seems to be ineffective at this moment.

"I know you are powerful, but no matter how powerful you are, I cannot be your sword..." Jiang Qihu sighed and said anxiously, "As far as I know, the banquet of Prince Jiang Ning is gathering heroes. In a few moments, I am afraid he will come to you to ask for your sword!"

Ruyi Ling fell into silence.

"Can you hear it?" Jiang Qihu asked, "Why is there no movement?"

Xie Xuanyi, who was lying on a wooden chair with his eyes closed, hummed softly, with a hint of apology in his voice: "I'm sorry, Master Jiang... The wind tonight was a bit noisy, and it made me a little sleepy. I almost fell asleep just now."

"Why aren't you anxious at all? According to the rules of Dasui Sword Palace, if you come to ask for a sword, you must get a response. If this group of people really come to find you, what will you do?"

Jiang Qihu said in a worried voice: "If I were only at the Cave Heaven Realm, I would have gone to your mansion long ago... If I take action tonight, those venerables behind Jiang Ning will also take action."

"Master Jiang, Brother Jiang, Master Jiang, I know the rules."

Xie Xuanyi said quietly, "Young people are fighting, and peers are asking for swords. Others should not interfere. You are already old, and you are a great figure of the Yin God Venerable. If you get involved at this moment, you will not only lose face for the Jiang family, but also for the library."

Jiang Qihu gritted his teeth and said, "What are you going to do? I'll ask Ye Qinglian to send some people to your house!"

"Don't do that. It's better not to bother Baihua Valley with such trivial matters."

Xie Xuanyi said helplessly: "Master Jiang, have you forgotten who saved them once in Beihai Mausoleum?"

Jiang Qihu was suddenly stunned.

He then realized...

On the surface, the intelligence he received seemed to indicate that the situation was indeed serious. Many young talents had gone to Xie Sheng's residence tonight. If all of them came to ask for the sword from one person, it would definitely be a huge trouble.

But he ignored it.

Xie Zhen cannot be judged by common sense.

To this day, no one knows what exactly happened in Beihai Mausoleum.

The case files of the Qingzhou Rebellion concealed most of the details of the Beihai Mausoleum.

The incident of Xie Xuanyi killing the evil cultivator from southern Xinjiang was only mentioned briefly.

The four cave gods of Baihua Valley died tragically at the hands of the evil cultivators in southern Xinjiang.

And those evil cultivators from Southern Xinjiang...all died at the hands of Xie Zhen alone!
"Etc., etc!"

Through the Ruyi Order, Jiang Qihu had heard the increasingly clear sound of breaking through the air. It was obviously the sound of a flying sword. He spoke anxiously again: "Xie Zhen... You should know the rules of sword fighting at someone's door, right?"

Xie Xuanyi sat on a wooden chair, quietly looking at the dark sky in the distance.

After the golden sword energy flowed away.

Direction of Zhenyin Peak.

Another sword flashed over.

One, two, three, four, dozens of them...

I haven't seen such a lively scene for a long time.

It has been a long time since anyone dared to ask him for the sword.

He picked up the vibrating Ruyi Order, put it into his lapel, and said softly, "Master Jiang, I'm sorry, I have to leave you for a while."

Jiang Qihu, sitting in front of the waterfall on the top of Yuping Peak, scratched his head.

He looked at the extinguished Ruyi Order and murmured, "This is bad."

"Bad?"

Jiang Miaoyin stood under the huge waterfall and reached out to touch the sword fish swimming between heaven and earth.

When she heard this, she turned around and looked at her brother whom she hadn't seen for a long time, and asked calmly: "It's just a simple sword-asking question. No one will die. What's the big deal?"

“…That’s why it’s bad.”

Jiang Qihu's expression was extremely complicated.

If I remember correctly.

This young man named Xie never leaves anyone alive.

All the enemies that had fought against each other in Beihailing in the past were killed! No one was spared!

He clasped his hands together, muttered quietly, and prayed in his heart.

"I hope you have taught Xie Zhen the rules of swordsmanship..."

"I hope no one will die at the foot of Lotus Peak tonight..."

Jiang Miaoyin saw this scene.

The woman in the snow-white veil hat suddenly became interested. She gently put down the sword fish in her hand, slowly moved, and sat down opposite her brother.

"Qi Hu, I have nothing to do tonight, so you can talk to me."

Jiang Miaoyin asked seriously: "What kind of person is Xie Zhen?"

(End of this chapter)