The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

"Don't worry, Lin Yu is dead, so this matter is completely over."

"Whether you stay in Yangxu Mountain to rebuild the Xuan Yang Sword Sect or leave Yangxu Mountain to start a new life, no one will bother you."

Chu Xiu turned around and spoke to Ning Qingshuang and her daughter.

"Lu Wushuang begs Your Excellency to take me in. I am willing to serve as your servant to repay your life-saving grace!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Wushuang suddenly knelt down in front of Chu Xiu, raised her tear-stained, pitiful face, and pleaded with him.

"Ning Qingshuang is willing too!"

Ning Qingshuang was stunned for a moment, then knelt down as well.

Regardless, she now only has Lu Wushuang as her daughter.

Wherever Lu Wushuang is, she will protect Lu Wushuang's safety.

"I don't need to be a slave or maid."

"If you really have nowhere to go, you can come to my Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters."

"You can become members of my Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters."

Chu Xiu pondered for a moment, then looked at Ning Qingshuang and her daughter and said.

No matter what, it was because of him that Ning Qingshuang and her daughter were schemed against and ended up with only the two of them left in the entire Xuan Yang Sword Sect.

"Thank you, Lord Marquis, thank you, Lord Marquis..."

Upon hearing Chu Xiu's words, Ning Qingshuang and her daughter were overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.

They had never expected that Chu Xiu would actually take them in, and their gratitude was beyond words.

"You don't need to rush to my Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters. You can come after you've taken care of everything at the Xuan Yang Sword Sect."

Chu Xiu stood with his hands behind his back and spoke calmly.

"Yes."

The faces of Ning Qingshuang and her daughter showed sadness as they spoke respectfully.

Chu Xiu took a step forward and disappeared from Ning Qingshuang and her daughter's sight.

"Farewell to the Marquis."

Ning Qingshuang and her daughter shouted in unison.

Half an hour later.

The sky began to darken, and night fell.

The night was like spilled ink, and the moon was like cold frost.

The entire residence of the Minister of Rites was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

The servant from the Wang family of Taiyuan arrived at the study deep inside the Ministry of Rites' residence, his face showing panic as he said, "Master, something has happened!"

Click...

The study door was pushed open, and Wang Hao, the Minister of Rites, walked out, his brows furrowed as he looked at the Taiyuan Wang Clan's retainer and said, "Failed?"

"Reporting to your master, we have failed!"

"Chu Xiu has returned to the capital alive!"

"Our people should already be dead..."

The Wang family retainer from Taiyuan took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice.

"It seems I underestimated Chu Xiu!"

Wang Hao remained silent for a long while before saying in a deep voice, "This matter won't implicate us, will it?"

"Reporting to the master, we won't be implicated!"

"I specifically sought out the newly emerged reclusive sect, Wuxiang Zen Temple, and asked them to help."

"This Wuxiang Zen Temple, though called a temple, is actually an incredibly terrifying assassin organization."

"On the surface they are monks, but in secret they are all ruthless killers."

"They'll take any mission, as long as you can afford it. They'll even take assassins at the Xuanxian realm."

The Wang family retainer from Taiyuan shook his head and said.

"That's good."

"If that's the case, why worry?"

Wang Hao nodded slightly and said calmly.

"So, you're still not cautious enough!"

"Since this Wuxiang Zen Temple possesses assassins at the Xuanxian realm level, you should ask an assassin at the Xuanxian realm level to take action personally."

After a pause, a glint of light flashed in Wang Hao's eyes, and he said calmly.

"Master, assassins at the Xuanxian realm level are too expensive..."

The Wang family of Taiyuan hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Any price is worth it if it can kill Chu Xiu!"

Wang Hao said coldly, "Tell Wuxiang Temple that I can pay more!"

"As long as Chu Xiu can be killed, I can accept any price!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The Wang family of Taiyuan spoke with utmost respect.

Wang Hao nodded slightly and turned to walk into the study.

The Wang family retainer from Taiyuan bowed to Wang Hao and then quickly left.

Prince Qi's Mansion.

Yang Yun, the steward of the Qi Prince's mansion, arrived outside the pavilion and bowed to Prince Murong Yu, who was playing chess inside, saying, "Your Highness, Wang Hao's plan has failed."

"Just as I expected."

"Wang Hao is indeed more trouble than he's worth."

"If he really had the ability to kill Chu Xiu, he would have done so long ago."

"There was no need to wait until now."

Murong Yu sighed and said.

"Your Highness, what should we do next?"

After considering for a moment, Yang Yun asked Murong Yu.

"Even if the demons of the Heavenly Demon Sect are captured alive by Chu Xiu, it will not have any impact on me."

"The demon from the Heavenly Demon Sect who made the move was just carrying out a mission; he wouldn't know who ordered him to do it."

"However, since Wang Hao's plan has failed..."

"Then let's proceed with the second plan."

"Chu Xiu would never have imagined that I never had any hope for Wang Hao from the very beginning."

Murong Yu smiled slightly and said to Yang Yun.

Upon hearing this, Yang Yun's expression turned solemn, and he said respectfully, "Yes, this old servant obeys!"

Murong Yu picked up a chess piece carved from white jade and remained silent.

Yang Yun bowed and turned to leave.

The headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The study of the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Swish!

Lin Huaiyu appeared out of thin air outside the study of the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, bowed and said, "Reporting to the Marquis, the interrogation has been completed!"

"Oh?"

Chu Xiu pushed open the door and walked out of the study, looking at Lin Huaiyu with interest, and said, "Was this done by Wang Hao? Were the other group sent by Prince Qi?"

"Reporting to Your Lordship, I was unable to extract any information from them..."

"Please punish me, Your Excellency!"

Lin Huaiyu's face showed deep shame as he knelt down before Chu Xiu and whispered.

"Speak, what did you find out during the interrogation?"

Chu Xiu frowned and looked at Lin Huaiyu, asking a question.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, neither the demons of the Heavenly Demon Sect nor the other man in black know who ordered them to assassinate Your Excellency."

"The demons of the Heavenly Demon Sect have not yet spoken."

"However, given some time, I will surely be able to get him to reveal some information about the Heavenly Demon Sect."

"As for the other man in black, Your Excellency would never guess that he is a monk..."

Lin Huaiyu said with a solemn expression.

"Monk?"

A strange light flashed in Chu Xiu's eyes as he said in surprise.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, to be precise, this person is a monk from Wuxiang Temple."

"This Wuxiang Temple is a secluded sect that emerged after the Great Conflict began."

"No one knows what kind of strength Wuxiang Temple possesses, and even the location of its mountain gate is shrouded in mystery."

"However, one of my subordinates discovered that Wuxiang Temple is a genuine Buddhist temple."

"However, this Buddhist sect is also an assassin organization."

"Wuxiang Temple is known for its willingness to kill anyone who can afford the price!"

Lin Huaiyu solemnly said, "This time, someone asked Wuxiang Temple to kill the Marquis."

"Wuxiang Temple?"

"Can you find out where the Wuxiang Temple's branch office is located in the capital?"

Chu Xiu raised an eyebrow and asked Lin Huaiyu.