Leaving Cuiwei Residence, everyone hung their heads, dejected.
Their imposing and mighty aura upon arrival was completely gone.
Xie An, with his two lifetimes of experience, was relatively calm. After all, he had thoroughly studied the history of feudal dynasties for thousands of years in his previous life and knew what the feudal officialdom was like.
However, when Xie An looked at Wen Zaiqing, he immediately felt that this young idealist seemed to have aged ten years suddenly, even walking with a shaky gait.
The most affected was Chen Qinglang.
The dignified master of the Tiger Wolf Gate, with decades of accumulated ambition and pride, was instantly crushed.
He clutched his severed arm, allowing the cut to continue bleeding, pushed away everyone's support, and staggered away, walking step by step in the surprised gazes of countless villagers, like a lost traveler.
Xie An stood by the pier, quietly watching that desolate figure receding into the distance.
...
Chen Qinglang left.
Taking Awei and Xiaoqing, he boarded a carriage and left Shuideng Town.
Xie An went to see him off, but Chen Qinglang only left a sentence, "Take care of yourself."
That night, Xie An received news: Chen Qinglang had resigned from the position of master of the Tiger Wolf Gate, taking Xiaoqing and Awei, and left Qingwu County.
No one knew where they went.
Xie An knew, however, that a major figure in Qingwu County had fallen.
After the news spread, the entire Baiyu Hall exploded, and everyone was in a panic.
Such a Corpse Refining Hall... it was so powerful that it was suffocating.
Being on the front line of resisting the Corpse Refining Hall, they naturally had fluctuating thoughts and knew that they were hitting a stone with an egg.
Xie An said, "I need to go to the county town. You... first go to the county town to buy a set of houses as a retreat. Notify your families to move to the county town as soon as possible. As for the rest, we'll talk about it when I get back. Remember, the Tiger Wolf Gate hasn't issued an order, so don't run away. Moreover, keep your movements small and don't let your subordinates know."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They were all incense masters and chief stewards of the Tiger Wolf Gate. If they rashly ran away, the Tiger Wolf Gate would not spare them, even before the Corpse Refining Hall could.
Giddy up!
Xie An led the horse over and galloped away from the hall.
Before heading to the county town, Xie An went to the Chen Family Martial Arts School and found his two beloved disciples. He gave Han Li two hundred taels of silver and asked him to buy a large house for himself in the county town. He also planned to move his two disciples over to live there in the future. He also notified Chen Lei and Chen He.
After that, Xie An also went to the Li Residence to find Chunlan and asked Chunlan to inform Madam Li.
After completing all of this, Xie An finally rushed to the county town.
Even Chen Qinglang and Wen Zaiqing were like this, so what was he, a small hall master... even trying to do?
He had to prepare a way out.
...
"Brother, I respect you."
Tang Family Fortress, dining table in the living room.
Xie An toasted Tang Zhengyang.
Little Hongtang was sitting on Xie An's lap, eating braised pork with a smile. Tang Linshi, who was on the side, warned Little Hongtang to get off Xie An's lap several times with "fierce" eyes, but Little Hongtang pretended not to see it.
Tang Linshi had no choice but to give up.
Tang Qingyun and Tang Qingfeng didn't care much about this detail and ate and talked freely.
After the meal, Tang Qingfeng forcibly picked up Little Hongtang and handed her to Tang Linshi to take her away.
The atmosphere in the living room suddenly became much more solemn.
Tang Zhengyang handed the gifts that Xie An brought to Tang Qingfeng to put away, "Fifth Brother, you only need to come in the future. There is no need to prepare these gifts. It makes us feel like outsiders."
Xie An said, "Big Brother has taken care of me for many years. I am grateful in my heart, so a little token is still necessary."
Tang Zhengyang smiled and let it go, "Just this morning, Chen Qinglang came to the door to say goodbye to me. I saw that he had a severed arm and was decadent and depressed. I have heard a little about the situation in Shuideng Town. What exactly happened?"
Xie An told the story in detail, and finally did not hide anything, "I'm not hiding it from Big Brother, I came here today for this matter. I am in the position of the Hall Master of Baiyu Hall, shouldering the task of the Tiger Wolf Gate and the yamen, and assisting in defending against the demon people of Dayin Mountain. But now... a Young Master Li has suppressed Chen Qinglang and Magistrate Wen to this point. I really... have to prepare a way out."
Xie An didn't think of himself as a Jianghu hero who wasn't afraid of death, and there was nothing to hide in front of his elder brother.
Tang Zhengyang glanced at Tang Qingyun, and then said, "Qingyun has told me about your affairs. In the past two years, you have governed well. You have done a good job. You thought about saving Chen Qing at the first moment. It can be seen that Fifth Brother also wants to do things well. It's just that at this point, you really can't be pedantic and ignorant. In everything, you have to act according to your ability. It's right for you to think about a way out."
Getting Tang Zhengyang's approval, Xie An breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your understanding, Big Brother. In my opinion, the Corpse Refining Hall has just begun to show its fangs, and I'm afraid the situation will only get worse and worse. Big Brother, I... I'm worried that the entire Qingwu County will not be able to be defended."
Eh.
Tang Zhengyang sighed, "The Eternal Life Sect is, after all, the state religion of the previous dynasty, with overwhelming power. Even the trivial remnants, placed in Qingwu County... are enough to cause a catastrophe. If the Corpse Refining Hall really comes out in full force, even I... won't be able to withstand it.
By the way, you said that young master's surname is Li?"
Xie An said, "Yes."
Tang Qingfeng said, "Wen Zaiqing is a literary and martial Jinshi of the Jingtai Ninety-sixth Year, and his teacher is the prefect of Nanyang. His teacher is a fourth-rank official. He was originally sent to Qingwu County as a county magistrate at the entrustment of the prefect. Is this Young Master Li's background above the fourth rank?"
Tang Zhengyang said, "I know Wen County Magistrate's character, he is upright and unyielding, a famous idealist. Plus, he has a fourth-rank prefect as a teacher, so he won't easily bow his head even when facing ordinary fourth-rank officials, or even third-rank officials. This Young Master Li's background is probably bigger than you think."
Bigger than the third rank?
Xie An couldn't help but ask, "How big?"
Tang Zhengyang said, "The former Governor of Nanzhou, now the Prince of Huainan, his surname is Li."
Hiss!
Xie An gasped.
According to the Great Qian's convention, the Governor is generally from the second rank, but if he has other titles, he will be of the official second rank. If he also serves as the governor of several states, he will be of the first rank.
And those who have a princely title are granted nine bestowments and a false yellow axe, belonging to the super rank!
What's more, a prince of a different surname only nominally obeys the emperor's orders. In fact, he can have relatively independent taxation rights and the right to appoint and remove officials in his jurisdiction, which is equivalent to a country within a country.
No wonder...
Wen Zaiqing would collapse, and Chen Qinglang would flee Qingwu County... they had to flee!
No matter how big a Jianghu sect is, in front of the imperial court, it is just an ant.
"Big Brother is saying that this Young Master Li... is the son of the Prince of Huainan?"
Tang Zhengyang said, "That's most likely the case. Otherwise, Wen Zaiqing wouldn't be like this. Because Wen Zaiqing and the Nanyang prefect are both appointed by the Prince of Huainan. The Prince of Huainan has half of the taxation rights, the right to appoint and remove officials, and military power. For Wen Zaiqing, the Prince of Huainan is like half of his monarch."
Xie An sighed, "If the Corpse Refining Hall and the Prince of Huainan are colluding, then Qingwu County... these hundreds of thousands of people, will be gone."
Although the common people in the feudal chaotic world are humble, Xie An still instinctively cares about human life.
Tang Zhengyang rubbed his temples, "This is very unreasonable. The Corpse Refining Hall was suppressed like that back then. Master also left the Corpse Refining Hall. Where did the Corpse Refining Hall get the bargaining chips to trade with the Prince of Huainan..."
Halfway through speaking, Tang Zhengyang suddenly remembered something terrible, and his face turned pale.
Could it be... Master really didn't die?
Had he completed the Bright Jade Skill?
This...
Although Old Master Tang was awesome, he also existed in the era after Li Changchun.
Tang Zhengyang had a clear understanding of this.
If Master didn't die and personally came down... then it was definitely not a level he could participate in.
Seeing Tang Zhengyang's expression, Xie An knew that he was under great pressure, and immediately said, "Big Brother, the Corpse Refining Hall is ambitious this time, I'm afraid they are prepared. Please, Big Brother, make plans as soon as possible."
Tang Zhengyang nodded and dismissed his two sons, leaving only Xie An.
Xie An knew that Tang Zhengyang had a secret matter to explain, so he got up and took the initiative to pour tea for Tang Zhengyang, "Big Brother, just say what you have to say."
Tang Zhengyang said, "If you leave Qingwu County, Fifth Brother, do you have any plans?"
Xie An shook his head, "Not yet. I have never left Qingwu County in my life, and I don't know what the outside world is like. If Big Brother also has this intention, I am willing to accompany Big Brother."
Tang Zhengyang was very pleased to hear this, "Fifth Brother, you have a heart. But things haven't gotten that bad yet."
"What do you mean?"
Tang Zhengyang said, "Nearly a hundred years ago, the Nanyang Demon Suppression Prefecture and the Corpse Refining Hall reached an agreement, requiring the Corpse Refining Hall not to go down the mountain within a hundred years. But I don't know the other content. Do you know who the chief commander of the Demon Suppression Prefecture was at that time?"
"Who?"
"He Nanfeng, a Grandmaster of the Nanzhou Demon Suppression Prefecture. That Grandmaster is now almost one hundred and fifty years old. Now he is a staff member of the Prince of Huainan. That agreement was signed by He Nanfeng. But twenty years ago, a new chief commander came to the Nanyang Prefecture, and she was a woman. Do you know what this woman is called?"
"Please tell me, Big Brother."
"Su Yuqing."
Xie An was a little confused.
Tang Zheng Yang said, "This Chief Supervisor Su is different from He Nanfeng. He Nanfeng values benefits and has a deep mind. He doesn't care much about the lives of ordinary people. But Chief Supervisor Su is very considerate of the people's suffering. He even established a Demon Suppression Bureau in the county town. Head Constable Liu Chun and I are quite familiar. I went to see him this afternoon, and he said he knew about the situation in Shuideng Town."
Xie An understood, "Big brother thinks that this Chief Supervisor Su won't stand idly by?"
Tang Zheng Yang nodded.
Xie An asked, "But this matter involves the Prince of Huainan. Even if Chief Supervisor Su has the heart to support a collapsing building, I'm afraid she won't be able to do anything, right?"
Tang Zheng Yang said, "Do you know Chief Supervisor Su's identity?"
"?"
"The current Long Princess! A martial arts grandmaster, with a lifespan of three hundred years, she's only in her fifties. Still very young."
Xie An sat呆呆 on the seat.
A twist of fate?
"The dignified Long Princess, running to Nanyang Prefecture?"
Tang Zheng Yang said, "I don't know about that."
Xie An said, "If this Chief Supervisor Su is willing to take action, then Qingwu County should be fine. But what if..."
Tang Zheng Yang said, "Right now, we can only place our hopes on this woman."
...
Xie An left Tang Family Fort.
His mind was filled with thoughts.
He didn't like this kind of unstable life, but the matter was right in front of him, forcing him to face a choice.
Since the crisis had affected his homeland, Xie An also wanted to do his part to protect his hometown.
It's not that the Corpse Refining Hall is too perverted, it's just that his strength is not enough.
Since it involves the Prince of Huainan, naturally, he can't expect Old Master Tang to stand up and do anything. In front of the Prince of Huainan, big brother is also an ant...
"Still can't put all my hopes on a woman surnamed Su, I have to prepare a backup plan."
Xie An shook his head, swept away the distracting thoughts, turned over and got on his horse, preparing to leave.
"Is that White Feather Hall Master Xie An?"
A loud voice came, Xie An reined in his horse, looked back, and saw another burly man on horseback rushing over.
"Who are you?"
That burly man was very respectful to Xie An, and even dismounted, "I am Liu Chun, the Head Constable of the Demon Suppression Bureau. My master invites you."
Xie An was stunned.
Isn't the Head Constable the boss of the Demon Suppression Bureau?
Master... that's someone from the Nanyang Demon Suppression Prefecture.
Xie An was wary of meeting such a big shot.
Liu Chun seemed to see Xie An's hesitation, and squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying, "My master has learned about the Shuideng Town incident and specifically invites you to discuss important matters."
It's already like this, there's no way to refuse.
"Please lead the way, Head Constable Liu."
This was Xie An's first time coming to the county town's Demon Suppression Bureau.
It was a very simple place, very low-key. Apart from the two majestic stone lions at the entrance, the furnishings inside were very old. But it had all the necessary equipment.
For example, a martial arts training ground, weapon racks, stone piers, and so on.
Passing through the back hall, they arrived at the entrance of a separate courtyard. Liu Chun stood at the entrance and pointed inside, "My master is waiting for you inside. Please enter."
"Thank you, Head Constable Liu."
Don't look down on Head Constable Liu for being low-key, but he is still a seventh-rank military officer, no less than Wen Zaiqing. Moreover, with the Demon Suppression Bureau as his backing, he should not be underestimated.
The backyard was very simple. Two large camphor trees that had not been pruned were growing vigorously.
The pond next to it was also overgrown with weeds because no one had repaired it. Next to the pond was a pavilion. Inside the pavilion was a desk, and a young man in a light blue robe was sitting next to the desk reading a book, occasionally picking up a wolf毫 brush to write.
When Xie An approached and saw the young man's appearance clearly, he was greatly surprised, "Mr. Su."
Xie An had a deep impression of this Mr. Su.
He had been teaching at the Martial Arts Academy in the county town for two years.
Xie An had seen him many times when picking up and dropping off Little Red Sugar, and often listened outside. Although there was not much communication, he had a very good impression of this Mr. Su. He respected him very much.
Mr. Su did not look up, but glanced at the seat opposite him, "Sit."
Xie An took a seat and found that Mr. Su was very engrossed in writing, so he didn't disturb him. Seeing that there was a stove burning water next to him, and tea sets and tea leaves on the desk, he brewed tea out of boredom. After the tea leaves had brewed, he took the initiative to put a bowl of tea next to Mr. Su.
Then, Xie An sized up the Mr. Su in front of him.
Very familiar.
A teacher, he came two years ago...
Surnamed Su.
And Liu Chun's master...
Suddenly, a very bold idea popped into Xie An's mind: Could it be...
Once the idea appeared, it could no longer be suppressed.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this was the case...
Shua!
Xie An was so shocked that he suddenly stood up from his seat.
Hehe.
Mr. Su smiled faintly, without saying anything, he still carefully finished writing the words on the rice paper, then rolled it up and called out to the living room, "Yu He."
Then, in Xie An's extremely shocked eyes, Yu He came out.
Yu He smiled and gave Xie An a blessing, "Greetings, Master."
Then, without waiting for Xie An to answer, she picked up the rice paper rolled up by Su Yuqing, "Miss, don't worry, I'll have someone send it to Nanyang Prefecture immediately."
When she walked out of the pavilion, Yu He gave Xie An another blessing, and then left with a smile.
The courtyard was quiet.
No wonder he looked familiar... This Mr. Su was the... Miss Yu He that he had seen before.
Mr. Su sat down and glanced at Xie An for the first time, "Sit down and talk. I'm looking for you today because I feel the time is right and some things can be said openly. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
Xie An sat down cautiously, and his forehead was sweating for some reason, "Mr. Su is... Su Yuqing?"
Su Yuqing did not hide it, "That's right."
Xie An's heart was pounding.
Damn it.
Yu He's background is too big, her miss is actually the current Long Princess, and also a martial arts grandmaster!
"Chief Supervisor Su, looking for me... I don't know what your orders are?"
Su Yuqing said softly, "My predecessor, that is, the former Chief Supervisor of the Nanyang Demon Suppression Prefecture, He Nanfeng, set up a hundred-year scheme. I intend to break this scheme. However, it is inconvenient for me to come forward publicly for many things. I need a sharp sword to help me... split open Great Yin Mountain with one sword. Are you willing to be this sharp sword?"
Xie An shook his head, toughened his head, and refused under pressure, "I am unwilling."
If his ability was sufficient, or if Xie An's Bright Jade Skill was accomplished, he would naturally draw his sword for this land. But now, Xie An knew that he didn't have the strength, so he was naturally unwilling.
Although refusing Su Yuqing might make this grandmaster angry, compared to going to his death... Xie An still felt it was necessary to express his attitude.
He thought Su Yuqing would be angry after hearing this.
However, she wasn't.
This woman still looked calm and composed, picked up her teacup and took a sip, "Unfortunately, you have no way out."
Xie An's heart sank.
Is this Grandmaster Su going to force him?
Su Yuqing seemed to know what Xie An was thinking, and said, "It's not that I'm forcing you. You can naturally refuse me. You went to see Old Master Tang just now, and you also had your apprentice buy a house in the county town, which shows that you are already arranging a way out. This is also understandable. Anyone facing the Corpse Refining Hall would be like hitting a stone with an egg, and seeking a way out is not impossible.
However, everyone has a way out, except you."
Hearing that this woman had no intention of coercing him, Xie An breathed a sigh of relief, "Please enlighten me, Chief Supervisor Su."
Su Yuqing said, "Li Changchun's Bright Jade Skill is accomplished, he has rejuvenated. The Great Priest of the Corpse Refining Hall has also rejuvenated. They have their eyes on you. If I hadn't secretly taken action twice, you would have already been killed by Li Changchun."
"Have their eyes on me?"
Su Yuqing raised her head, her clear eyes staring at Xie An, "You killed two bronze corpses in Gubopo, and absorbed two strands of corpse energy. When you killed a silver corpse at Village Chief Zhao's house and absorbed five strands of corpse energy, did you feel someone tugging and competing with you for the corpse energy?"
Hiss.
Xie An took a breath of cold air, this woman... how does she know everything?
Is this the method of a martial arts grandmaster?
This is too scary.
This world is too scary!
Su Yuqing continued, "The one who was tugging and competing with you for corpse energy at that time was the Great Priest of the Corpse Refining Hall. She is a corpse refiner and has collected eight thousand strands of corpse energy. Moreover, as long as she collects ten thousand strands of corpse energy, the Corpse Refining Hall's hundred-year plan will be completed.
Or rather, this corpse energy... is also called undead energy!"
Xie An looked at the woman opposite him as if he were looking at a monster.
Su Yuqing said softly, "You are so amazing that even the Great Priest can't compete with you for undead energy. From that time on, the Great Priest had Li Changchun go down the mountain to find you. Moreover, they have already found you. They regard you as the biggest hidden danger. If you don't die, they won't give up."
Xie An didn't doubt anything.
Because he knew that what Su Yuqing said was the truth.
Xie An, who had always pursued stable development, was not only dragged into it, but also dragged into the forefront.
Su Yuqing gently took a sip of tea, "As long as you are targeted by Li Changchun and the Great Priest, it's useless for you to run to the ends of the earth. Wen Zaiqing can't protect you, Tiger Wolf Gate can't protect you, and Old Master Tang can't protect you. But I can."
