Chapter 225: Chapter 83 I am Zhang Xuan
“Okay!”
Zhang Xuan hurriedly searched through Han Qianchou’s body but found nothing.
As an emperor, everything was done by subordinates, to the extent that he didn’t even have a single Origin Note.
“A pauper…”
With a sigh, Zhang Xuan looked over, his face filled with helplessness.
“Impossible, there must be something…”
Yue Longxiao rushed over, searched again, but found nothing, and sat down on the ground in despair.
He had never married in his life, and these disciples were his emotional support. If they were to die in front of him, it would be more painful than killing him.
“Master Yue, don’t worry. I have studied the Way of Medicine a bit. Let me have a look; there might be a way…” Seeing him like this, Zhang Xuan approached.
“If Vice Hall Master Ling can heal my disciples, I am willing to be your servant forever, sparing no effort…”
Yue Longxiao looked over urgently, as if clutching at a lifeline.
“Master Yue, you flatter me…”
Zhang Xuan looked a bit embarrassed.
Frankly, the reason these people faced such affliction was because of a misunderstanding that occurred while impersonating someone else. Even if they didn’t mention it, he would not let them come to harm.
He approached them, checked their pulse, and his zhenqi spread through their meridians into their bodies.
They had indeed been poisoned, and it was a strong poison that even a Divine Soul Realm expert couldn’t contend with. However, in his presence, it was nothing. He took out silver needles, inserted them into their bodies, and his zhenqi followed into them.
Back in the Master Teacher Continent, Heaven’s Path zhenqi could eliminate all toxins, and it was no different here.
Moreover, the stronger force of Pathos of Heaven zhenqi wasn’t long in completely clearing the intense poison from their bodies.
After spitting out a mouthful of black blood, the disciples’ complexions turned from pale to rosy.
There was no need to confirm; just by their appearances, it was evident they had moved from danger to safety.
Min Jiangtao revealed a hint of confusion, wondering about something, but he didn’t ask.
Yue Longxiao approached his disciples, observed for a while, and, assured that the severe poison was completely neutralized, he finally relaxed and looked at Zhang Xuan again, bowing with his fists clasped: “Thank you, Vice Hall Master Ling, for your intervention. Should you need anything in the future, just command me. As long as Yue Longxiao can accomplish it, I will not refuse…”
“I did what I should have done…” Zhang Xuan awkwardly smiled, but as he was explaining, his face suddenly turned deathly pale, and blood spurted out: “Pfft!”
His body swayed and he fell to the ground.
“Vice Hall Master Ling…”
Yue Longxiao hurriedly helped him up, Min Jiangtao approached and checked on him: “He was already seriously injured, and the effort of healing others just now was too great. He is just low on vital energy, no serious harm, he should recover after some rest.”
“Vice Hall Master Ling did this for my sake…”
Yue Longxiao was deeply moved.
It seemed that to save his students, the Vice Hall Master had expended a tremendous amount of energy, which was why he was so weak now.
Right, the poison administered by Han Qianchou was certainly not simple; to have resolved it so quickly, he must have used some secret art.
He took out a jade bottle from his pocket, gently opened it, and placed a forge-a-grade-1 pill into Zhang Xuan’s mouth.
This pill, which could replenish energy and swiftly restore vitality, was a reward from the Wanxiang Sect for an excellent mission he had completed. He had always been reluctant to use it, but he didn’t hesitate to take it out now.
The pill dissolved as soon as it entered his mouth, and a surging strength coursed through his body, reviving Zhang Xuan.
“Thank you, Master Yue, I’m alright now…” Zhang Xuan struggled to get up, but his body was still weak, trembling constantly.
“You all can go back first. I still have some matters to handle!”
Min Jiangtao waved his hand.
After Han Qianchou and the Golden Armor Guards attacking him were killed, the City Guard didn’t dare to advance further; after all, there was a Vice Hall Master from Heaven Mandate Hall, a Sect Leader from the Wanxiang Sect, and a significant figure from the Zhou Yi Dynasty present.
“Okay, I will take Vice Hall Master Ling back to rest now…”
Yue Longxiao nodded and supported Zhang Xuan as they walked to his quarters.
As soon as they left, Min Jiangtao’s eyes narrowed, and with a flash, he appeared in front of a Golden Armor Guard.
This guard was lying motionless on the ground, supposedly dead from his attack.
Turning the man over, Min Jiangtao gently prodded with his finger. The guard coughed and slowly came to.
It was none other than Commander Hu, whom Han Qianchou trusted most.
“You…”
Seeing it was him, Commander Hu tried to muster his strength to fight back, but before he could even lift his arm, he felt a tremendous force oppress him, rendering him immobile.
“Han Qianchou is already dead…”
Min Jiangtao pointed casually, and Commander Hu turned his head and indeed saw the emperor’s corpse, his body involuntarily shuddering.
“Now, you will answer whatever I ask you.” Min Jiangtao wasn’t in the mood for niceties, gently tapping on the man’s joints.
The force wasn’t too strong, but the saber qi that entered made Commander Hu feel as if thousands of ants were biting his bones incessantly, driving him crazy.
This was a special interrogation method from the Mo Blade Sect—saber qi entered the joints, wandered in the bone gaps, and caused the interrogated to mentally collapse within a short time.
Indeed, Commander Hu couldn’t endure it for long.
“Whatever you need to ask, my lord, just ask…”
“Hmm, just how did Mo Qing really die?”
Min Jiangtao glanced over coldly.
Although Han Qianchou had openly admitted it, he always felt that something was missing; otherwise, a dignified Qingtian Emperor couldn’t possibly be so foolish as to put on an act in front of him and ultimately torment himself to death…
Most importantly, it was clear that the other party had some clandestine dealings with Yue Longxiao.
These weren’t things he could easily inquire about in front of Ling Buyang and Yue Longxiao, which is why, when he had made his move earlier, he had merely knocked the man unconscious instead of killing him.
Commander Hu clenched his teeth and earnestly replied, “Mo Qing came to the royal palace to rescue someone, clashed with the Emperor, and was publicly killed by Prince Qian Ye.”
“Prince Qian Ye? Are you talking about Han Qianye? Where is he now?” Min Jiangtao frowned.
What the other side said was indeed quite different from what “Brother Ling Buyang” had mentioned. It seemed that this “brother” was not being honest; otherwise, he wouldn’t have deliberately killed Han Qianchou right in front of him.
Indeed, Zhang Xuan’s method of silencing people by killing them, though well disguised, had still exposed flaws in front of him.
Commander Hu said, “Prince Qian Ye and Mo Qing perished together; both are dead, I personally witnessed this, it’s absolutely true… their bodies are in the Ice Cellar inside the royal palace.”
“Hmm!”
Min Jiangtao nodded and continued to ask, “You just said Mo Qing went to the palace to rescue someone. Who was he trying to rescue?”
Commander Hu said, “It was… Yu Longqing, the city lord of Baiyan City, and Lu Mingrong, the dean of Baiyan Academy, and… the consort of King Ping Yuan!”
“The consort? What exactly is going on? Wasn’t it said that Mo Qing provoked Han Qianchou by teasing her?”
Min Jiangtao was stunned.
“Of course not… It’s because the Emperor suspected that Vice Hall Master Ling Buyang had been killed long ago, and the person now is someone else impersonating him… so he captured Yu Longqing for a detailed interrogation…”
As a trusted aide of Han Qianchou and involved in the whole affair, Commander Hu knew the details very well.
It didn’t take long for him to explain in detail how Han Qianchou captured Yu Longqing and how the consort went to tip him off, followed by Mo Qing coming to rescue them.
“You mean… Brother Ling Buyang died a long time ago, and this person named Zhang Xuan has not only impersonated him but can also unleash the second realm’s Mo Dao Destiny?”
After hearing what the other side said, Min Jiangtao felt a chill
If what he said was true, this Zhang Xuan was the real boss, and they had all been played.
“This is just the Emperor’s speculation. Neither Yu Longqing nor Lu Mingrong confirmed it in person, but…”
Commander Hu paused for a moment and continued, “Master Yue Longxiao admitted it!”
“Yue Longxiao?” Min Jiangtao was stunned.
Commander Hu nodded, “Yes, about two timings ago, Yue Longxiao met with the Emperor and according to him, this Zhang Xuan is actually a highly influential figure who deliberately disguised himself as a Mandate Chaos Master. His aim was to draw more Mandate Chaos Masters out and uncover more secrets…”
“Disguised as a Mandate Chaos Master? You mean… this is a scheme among prominent figures?” Min Jiangtao’s fist clenched.
Many dignitaries in Heaven Mandate Hall were chess players skilled at the game, capable of dressing someone up as a Mandate Chaos Master to approach the opponent and gather useful information. It was indeed within their capabilities.
Not mentioning others; his teacher had done the same in the past.
If that was indeed the case, how powerful was this… Zhang Xuan?
In a flash, Min Jiangtao thought of the recent lightning tribulation and thought of the Wanxiang Sect’s Elder Ouyang.
Though he hadn’t heard of Ouyang Hai before, to become an elder at the headquarters of Wanxiang Sect, one could imagine the extent of his strength. Why would such a figure show such respect, even reverence, to a seemingly minor individual in Han Yuan City?
That sort of reverence was heartfelt and even towards the “brother’s” housekeeper “Sun Qiang,” his attitude was very cordial, with no trace of condescension.
Could it be that this implied that “Zhang Xuan’s” power was no less than his, making him a peerless figure at the same level?
If so, everything would be explained.
Realizing this, Min Jiangtao couldn’t help but shiver slightly.
A game between influential figures… his lowly position could not interfere.
Thankfully, he had been cautious, sending away the other party early and questioning alone. Otherwise, if this “Zhang Xuan” knew all this, would he be silenced to prevent him from speaking?
After some detailed inquiries, Commander Hu answered everything truthfully, including the dealings between Yue Longxiao and Han Qianchou…
“Master Yue deceived the Emperor…” Commander Hu clenched his teeth after explaining.
If not for being deceived, the Emperor wouldn’t have ended up dead.
“It’s not that he deceived Han Qianchou, but this matter is too significant. The more who know, the greater the danger… Since Han Qianchou knew about it, he had to die!”
Min Jiangtao’s eyes flashed.
In the game among prominent figures, any leakage of information couldn’t be tolerated!
Therefore, the only way out for someone with such knowledge was death… Honestly, if Yue Longxiao hadn’t killed Han Qianchou, once Han Qianchou realized, he would surely have killed Yue Longxiao!
Such matters are safer the fewer who know. No one would leave their fate in the hands of another.
“My lord, I will keep my mouth sealed…”
Upon hearing this, Commander Hu’s pupils narrowed and he just thought about fleeing when he felt a sudden pain in his throat, after which his vision darkened and his consciousness faded.
“There’s no choice; you too can only die.”
Min Jiangtao nodded, walked out of the teahouse, and cleanly slaughtered everyone dressed in golden armor who might have known about the matter.
After finishing this, he dived into the royal palace, found his brother’s corpse, and saw the traces of the battle, exactly as described by the other party, which made him involuntarily breath a sigh of relief.
Back in his “brother’s” mansion, while Yue Longxiao had already left and “Brother Ling Buyang” had not yet recovered and was resting, Min Jiangtao was about to find an excuse to leave this place fraught with dangers when he heard a cold, emotionless voice behind him.
“I reckon ‘Elder Brother Min’ already knows I am Zhang Xuan, not your brother Ling Buyang, right?”
His pupils constricted, and Min Jiangtao’s body hair stood on end.