xymnovel Chapter 30 Xu Longxiang's defenses have been breached!
Chapter 30 Xu Longxiang's defenses have been breached!
At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), the Prince's mansion was still brightly lit.
Inside Zhenyue Hall, the tallow candles on the candlesticks on the four walls burned brightly, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.
The candlelight flickered in the night wind, casting long, dark shadows that added to the already somber atmosphere.
Xu Longxiang sat in the center on a tiger-skin armchair, dressed in a black outfit, with a jade belt around his waist and cloud-patterned boots on his feet.
On the long, carved mahogany table in front of him lay a secret letter.
The letter paper was made of specially made thin silk, and the handwriting was as fine as a mosquito's gnat, requiring the candlelight to be held close to see it clearly.
At this moment, Xu Longxiang was engrossed in reading, his brows furrowed slightly, his thin lips pressed tightly together, his whole being like a sharp sword about to be drawn, exuding a chilling aura.
The letter was sent by Fan Li from the capital.
A detailed report was given on the progress made over the past three days:
How did he "accidentally" meet Meng Yi, the only son of Meng Fang, the commander of the Imperial Guards? How did he present Meng Yi with the jewel-encrusted Western Region sword? How did he inadvertently bring up the murder case at Zuixianlou three months prior? And how did he imply that as long as Meng Fang "cooperated," the matter could be buried forever?
Fan Li truly lived up to his reputation as a disciple of Guiguzi; his actions were flawless, and every step he took was perfectly timed.
As expected, Meng Yi took the bait, becoming extremely grateful to Fan Li and promising to speak well of him to his father.
As for Meng Fang, although he has not yet made a clear statement, he has accepted the New Year's gifts sent by Fan Li.
A chest of gold, two chests of jewels, and three famous paintings from the previous dynasty.
"Once he accepts the gift, the matter is seven-tenths settled."
At the end of his letter, Fan Li wrote, "The remaining three points will take time to grind. But Your Highness, rest assured, within three months, I will make Meng Fang one of our men."
Seeing this, Xu Longxiang's tense lips finally relaxed, revealing a satisfied smile.
The Imperial Guard is the last line of defense for the capital. If we can control it, great things can be accomplished.
He turned the letter forward, his gaze landing on the middle few lines of text.
The smile froze instantly.
"...Three days ago, His Majesty stayed overnight at Yuxiu Palace. The following day, the Imperial Household Department generously rewarded Consort Xue with twelve bolts of silk and satin, two boxes of jewelry, and several precious ornaments. According to reports from palace informants, Consort Xue looked haggard after receiving the favor, but she responded appropriately and showed no signs of distress."
These few words, however brief, were like a poisoned dagger, piercing Xu Longxiang's heart.
Staying overnight at Yuxiu Palace...
Cheng En...
Generous reward...
Every word was magnified and distorted before his eyes, turning into unimaginable scenes.
He could almost see the girl he had cherished since childhood, the one he had personally sent into the deep palace, being pinned down by another man, enduring humiliation that was not hers to bear.
And he was the one who started all of this.
"Qingxue..."
Xu Longxiang closed his eyes and squeezed out the name through clenched teeth.
His voice was hoarse, filled with suppressed pain.
Jiang Qingxue's face appeared uncontrollably in my mind.
Not the Xue Cai Ren who is now forced to submit to his affections, but the girl from many years ago, who looked up at him under the plum tree in Tingxue Pavilion and called him "Brother Longxiang".
She was seven years old that year, and he was ten.
The first snow of winter fell in the North, and the plum blossoms in Tingxuexuan (Listening to Snow Pavilion) bloomed.
He went to find her with his newly acquired short sword, intending to teach her swordsmanship.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, I saw her wearing a moon-white jacket, standing under the plum tree, reaching out to catch the falling snowflakes.
The snowflakes landed in her palm and melted instantly.
She wasn't annoyed; she simply looked up at the falling snow, a faint smile playing on her lips.
At that moment, Xu Longxiang suddenly felt that even the perpetual ice and snow of the northern border could not compare to the purity of her smile.
"Brother Longxiang!" Her eyes lit up when she saw him, and she ran over like a little deer. "You've come to see me!"
He pulled a short sword from his pocket: "Here you go. I'll teach you swordsmanship from now on. Once you've mastered it, no one will dare bully you."
She took the sword, admiring it with delight, yet also somewhat worried: "But Father said that girls shouldn't wield swords and spears..."
"That's someone else." Xu Longxiang looked at her seriously.
"My Qingxue, do whatever you want. Anyone who dares to say a word against me, I'll break their legs."
She chuckled, her eyes sparkling: "Then you'll have to protect me from now on."
"Definitely," he solemnly promised. "I will protect you for the rest of my life."
lifetime……
Xu Longxiang clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood, but he felt no pain.
The pain in my heart is a thousand times, ten thousand times more intense than this.
He broke his promise.
Not only did they fail to protect her, they also personally sent her into the tiger's den.
The person who promised to protect her for life has now become the one who hurt her the most.
"Qingxue, I'm sorry..."
Xu Longxiang murmured softly, his voice trembling.
"Wait a little longer, wait for me... wait until I succeed, I'll definitely bring you out. Then, whatever you want, I'll give you..."
But even he himself felt that these words sounded weak and powerless.
Some things, once lost, can never be regained.
For example, chastity, for example... that heart that once trusted him without reservation.
"Your Highness."
An old, hoarse voice pulled Xu Longxiang back to reality from his painful memories.
He opened his eyes, which were bloodshot, but his expression had returned to its cold and stern state.
Sikong Xuan stood three steps in front of the long table, wearing a gray robe. His face was withered, and his eyes were sunken, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and he was looking at him with concern.
"What is it?" Xu Longxiang asked, his voice somewhat hoarse.
Sikong Xuan presented an invitation with a cyan cover with both hands: "It was sent by someone from the Qinglan Sword Sect."
Xu Longxiang accepted the invitation.
The cover is made of blue brocade and embroidered with a long sword that has been drawn from its sheath, with cloud patterns swirling around the blade.
It is the symbol of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, the Azure Cloud Sword.
Turning the pages, the bold and elegant calligraphy comes into view:
"Respectfully informing General Xu, the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Zhenbei:"
Our sect leader, Xiao Tiannan, has been in seclusion for thirty years, comprehending the Dao of Heaven, and has not yet emerged. A sect cannot be without a leader for even a day. After deliberation by the seven elders, it has been decided that the enthronement ceremony for the new sect leader will be held on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month at Tianjian Peak in Qinglan Mountain.
A special general was invited to attend the ceremony and participate in this grand event.
Respectfully submitted by Qinglan Sword Sect
After reading it, a thoughtful look flashed in Xu Longxiang's eyes.
Qinglan Sword Sect...
This name carries immense weight in the martial arts world of Qin, and even throughout the entire land of China.
When he was young, he accompanied his father, Xu Xiao, to Qinglan Mountain to seek a sword.
He was only twelve years old at the time, just beginning his journey into martial arts.
His father took him to visit Xiao Tiannan, the then sect leader, hoping that he could become a disciple of the Sword Sect.
Xiao Tiannan personally tested his aptitude, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly said:
"This child is exceptionally talented, a prodigy in swordsmanship. However, his killing intent is too strong, his sword heart is impure, and he is incompatible with our sect's methods."
In the end, Xiao Tiannan did not accept him as a disciple, but instead sent the sect's Third Elder, "Blood Sword" Li Wuhen, known for his "decisiveness in killing," to instruct him for three months.
Those three months were a crucial period for Xu Longxiang to lay the foundation for his swordsmanship.
Li Wuhen did not teach him the orthodox "Yunshui Sword Technique" of the Qinglan Sword Sect, but a sword technique called "Po Jun Qi Sha".
The sword technique has only seven moves, but each move is deadly, and every strike draws blood.
"A sword is a weapon of murder, and swordsmanship is the art of killing."
Li Wuhen said at the time, "Those who talk about sword heart enlightenment and man and sword as one are all lying. A sword is for killing people. The more you kill, the sharper the sword becomes."
These words were deeply imprinted in Xu Longxiang's heart.
Three months later, when he came down the mountain, his swordsmanship had already reached a certain level of proficiency.
Before parting, Li Wuhen gave him a sword named "Po Jun," which is the very sword he carries with him now.
"This sword has been with me for thirty years, drinking countless amounts of blood."
Li Wuhen said, "Now I pass this sword on to you. I hope you will use this sword to carve out your own path in the world."
Xu Longxiang did it.
After ten years of fighting, countless souls perished under the "Broken Army Sword," and he grew from an unknown prince to the renowned "Little Northern King" who shook the Nine Provinces.
The Qinglan Sword Sect has maintained a somewhat distant relationship with him over the years.
In particular, the Third Elder, Li Wuhen, secretly provided him with a great deal of assistance.
Several officials planted in the court and some generals in the army were all connected through Li Wuhen's connections.
Now, the Qinglan Sword Sect is choosing a new sect leader.
Xu Longxiang put down the invitation and looked at Sikong Xuan: "What's the current situation within the Sword Sect?"
Sikong Xuan was clearly prepared, and replied in a deep voice, "According to reports from our spies within the Sword Sect, the sect is currently divided into two factions."
"The faction led by the Grand Elder 'Azure Cloud Sword' Mo Wentian advocates maintaining the status quo and continuing to wait for the old sect master Xiao Tiannan to emerge from seclusion. Mo Wentian is Xiao Tiannan's eldest disciple, having followed his master for sixty years with unwavering loyalty. He believes that Xiao Tiannan will definitely be able to break through to the Land Immortal Realm and regain control of the sect."
"The other faction, led by the Second Elder, 'Flowing Cloud Sword' Liu Suifeng, believes that a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and a sect cannot be without a leader for a day. Xiao Tiannan has been in seclusion for thirty years without any news, and it is feared that he is in grave danger. They advocate that a new sect leader be elected as soon as possible to stabilize the sect."
Xu Longxiang tapped his fingers lightly on the invitation: "Which of these two factions is more likely to win?"
"At present, it seems that Liu Suifeng's faction has the upper hand."
Sikong Xuan analyzed, "Thirty years is too long. Many young disciples have never even seen the old sect master. People's hearts are restless, and Liu Suifeng is good at winning people's hearts. Over the years, he has secretly won over many stewards and true disciples."
"More importantly," Sikong Xuan paused, "Liu Suifeng is very close to certain forces in the court. It is said that he secretly accepted funding from a certain prince, but we are still investigating who that prince is."
A glint of light flashed in Xu Longxiang's eyes.
Colluding with forces within North Korea?
This is indeed useful information.
"What about Elder Li?" he asked. "Which faction does he support?"
"Third Elder Li Wuhen's attitude is ambiguous." Sikong Xuan shook his head.
"He neither publicly supported Mo Wentian nor sided with Liu Suifeng. But according to our spies, Elder Li seems to be... waiting for something."
Waiting for what?
Xu Longxiang fell into deep thought.
Li Wuhen is a smart man, and also a realistic one.
He won't bet on the wrong side for the sake of so-called "loyalty"; he will always choose the side that is most advantageous to him.
So, what is he waiting for?
Waiting for a variable?
Or... wait for someone who can change the situation?
Xu Longxiang suddenly remembered something and looked up at Sikong Xuan: "What's the situation with the Emperor of Great Qin?"