Chapter 145: Chapter 144: The Spirit of Chivalry
Translator: 549690339
Who knows?
A casual remark from Bai Xiaosheng only made Pei Xuanjing more convinced of his own speculation. Qingxu the Taoist didn’t want to continue on this topic and asked, “So what’s the second point?”
“The second point is the Mire Sect,” Bai Xiaosheng said.
“The Mire Sect?” Qingxu the Taoist frowned.
Obviously, he didn’t like the Mire Sect faction.
True Martial Sect is not only a major force in martial arts, but also a Taoist holy land. As a current dominant figure in Taoism, it naturally stands in opposition to the Mire Sect.
Pei Xuanjing, combined with his own information, said: “The Mire Sect’s scheming in the Northwest Dao?”
“Huh?” Bai Xiaosheng glanced at Pei Xuanjing with some surprise. He had not expected Pei Xuanjing to know so much.
Even with the knowledge of Pei Xuanjing and Mire Sect’s significant feud, the latter had eliminated a small force of the Mire Sect in Northwest Dao.
But one must know that the Mire Sect is a professional force for rebellion. In the Great Ming territory, they have supported countless small forces; simply too many to list.
“It seems he has other sources of information?” A suspicion appeared in Bai Xiaosheng’s mind.
This was exactly what Pei Xuanjing wanted—to add a hint of mystery to his identity.
While numerous speculations flashed through Bai Xiaosheng’s mind, he did not stop himself. He nodded and said, “Yes, Mire Sect has arranged forces in the Northwest Dao. Based on the intelligence I’ve gathered, they have invested a considerable amount of resources and even dragged a considerable number of people into the matter, preparing to instigate an uprising in the Northwest Dao.”
“So it is indeed like that!” Pei Xuanjing thought to himself.
With this, everything could be accounted for.
In his initial simulation, the bandits he confronted wholesomely, let alone the uprising sweeping across the Northwest Dao, were all puppeteered by the Mire Sect.
However, just as Pei Xuanjing was certain of the uprising in the Northwest Dao originating from the Mire Sect, he was shocked by what Bai Xiaosheng said next.
“Initially, I saw it as a common occurrence for the Mire Sect to conduct such actions—it’s not worth mentioning, something to be ignored almost. However, upon discovering a certain event, I continued my investigation, only to find that there was a significant force backing the Mire Sect,” said Bai Xiaosheng, his face grave.
From his perspective, it should have been par for the course for the Mire Sect, a rebellious enterprise, to engage in such activities. After all, this was their bread and butter.
But during a chance occurrence, he discovered that one of the elders of the Mire Sect had suddenly emerged from seclusion and went to a place—a place beyond anyone’s imagination.
“Who is it?” Qingxu the Taoist asked.
Pei Xuanjing was also somewhat curious.
He had originally thought that the Mire Sect was the puppet master behind the Northwest Dao. He didn’t expect someone else to be involved.
“Yangzhou, Ning Fan,” uttered Bai Xiaosheng.
“It’s actually him!” Qingxu the Taoist’s expression darkened.
He had not expected it to be this person.
Bai Xiaosheng thought that Pei Xuanjing wouldn’t understand, so he began to explain.
Yangzhou, Ning Fan.
The implication lied with a person and power, the Ning King’s Residence, Zhu Chenhao, who currently governs Yangzhou as Ning King.
Ning Fan, the original Ning King, was the seventeenth son of the founding emperor.
Subsequently, when the second emperor raised an army to quell a rebellion, Ning King, by a lucky coincidence, joined the uprising. After the second emperor ascended the throne, he reassigned Ning King to Yangzhou to guard it as Ning Fan.
Due to the imposing aura of the second emperor, although he was nominally the lord of Yangzhou, the first-generation Ning King stayed out of Yangzhou’s affairs. He worked hard and lived a cautious life.
The current Ning King, Zhu Chenhao, is supposed to be the uncle of the current emperor from a generational perspective.
He is frivolous and lacks formal demeanor but is skillful in using his achievements to embellish his personality; he hoards wealth, and he is politically ambitious; he ostracizes dissent, and he damages and strikes rivals; he fishes for fame and seeks pleasure.
You can say that he possesses every ill habit that others have, and even those that others do not have.
In summary, the current Ning King has such a bad reputation that it almost tops amongst all princes. However, because he is good at pleasing the Emperor and has power, his position is also very secure.
“This is simply an absurd dream!” said Qingxu the Taoist in a cold voice.
Even if the current emperor had no heirs and might choose someone from the royal family to succeed him in the future, it would not be his turn. Even Qingxu the Taoist couldn’t have imagined that this person would dare to stage a rebellion.
Bai Xiaosheng laughed and said: “Yet this Ning King is not just dreaming but has also taken action.”
His moment of seriousness earlier was not due to the apprehension of Ning King but towards the consequence of the combination of him and Mire Sect. Once an uprising is instigated, the repercussions would be vast.
Pei Xuanjing also frowned slightly: “Isn’t there any way to stop this?”
He had no sentiments for Ning King, and the Emperor didn’t leave a good impression on him either.
To him, it doesn’t really matter who the emperor appoints. It has nothing to do with him.
But even though Pei Xuanjing was ruthless in killing, he still had a touch of compassion.
He too could imagine the tumult once the Mire Sect starts an uprising. Paired with Ning King’s revolt, it would spawn an enormous chaos, causing countless people to lose their lives and homes.
Moreover, he and the Mire Sect were already at odds. Of course, he would try his best to hinder the Mire Sect’s plans.
“Despite knowing about this, I don’t have enough evidence. Even if I convey the information to the imperial court, it probably won’t attract much attention,” lamented Bai Xiaosheng.
Given his identity, it’s easy for the imperial court to be wary of him. Without concrete evidence against Ning King, any information sent would be like a stone sinking into the sea.
Moreover, it could trigger a counteraction, warning the opposition of their potential betrayal.
According to the clues he had collected, both parties have not been collaborating for long. Many things were not yet prepared, and there was still time before the real upheaval.
The imperial court was currently troubled by the Tartar invasions on the border. If they were to act rashly now and force an uprising prematurely.
If both problems collided, it would be quite a spectacle.
Perhaps, under the push of some with ulterior motives, it could rapidly turn into a sweeping wave, spreading across the Great Ming territory.
Qingxu the Taoist also understood his concern and could only heave a helpless sigh.
“In that case, why not capture the king first? I’ll just assassinate him, and our troubles will be resolved from the root,” said Pei Xuanjing suddenly, with his chilling intent to kill bursting forth.
If the problem cannot be solved, then we should eliminate the source of the problem.
If killing the ambitious Ning King can prevent a catastrophe, Pei Xuanjing thought it would be quite a bargain.
Ending one life to save thousands of others seemed quite worth it.
He intended to kill Ning King, not for the damned Great Ming Emperor, but for the innocent people. He did not want them to be embroiled in the chaos of war and lose their lives in innocence.
“Grandmaster Pei indeed has the spirit of chivalry!” Bai Xiaosheng couldn’t help but praise him..