Chapter 80: Wu Xiang Lao Ren

Wu Xiang Lao Ren hunched his back, his rough old hand stroking the staff in his grip, and said:

"I won't hide it from Your Highness, this old man has come for only one thing—to kill!"

As he spoke, Wu Xiang Lao Ren's face twisted into a mournful expression as he fixed his gaze on Li Que:

"Not long ago, I received word of one of my disciples' death; when I arrived, I learned that the very disciple I had intended to inherit my legacy had been slain."

"So I followed the trail of clues here, to Shangyang City."

"Though I know the killer is a man and a woman, in this vast Shangyang City, finding their traces has proven difficult."

Hearing this, Li Que's gaze shifted slightly, and he nodded:

"I understand your meaning, Elder. I will have my men find the killers of your disciple—but what can you offer in return?"

In an instant, Wu Xiang Lao Ren's face sprouted three faces pressed together, speaking in unison:

"This old man will remain in Your Highness's mansion for three years. Moreover, I've long heard the capital of Da Li is rich in talent and spiritual energy; I'd like to take this chance to find a worthy disciple to inherit my legacy."

Li Que glanced at Zhe Lao seated on the high-backed chair beside him; seeing the old man give a slight nod, he rose at once, smiling as he bowed to Wu Xiang Lao Ren:

"Then I wish you success in finding a suitable disciple during your three years here."

Upon hearing this, Wu Xiang Lao Ren's faces returned to normal, revealing only the plainest, most ordinary old man's visage, smiling warmly:

"Excellent, excellent."

At that moment, a guard hurried in to report:

"Your humble servant greets both Your Highnesses. A Eunuch from the palace has come seeking Imperial Prince San, saying he has urgent news to report."

Hearing this, Li Zhu, who had just been about to congratulate Li Que on gaining another Tianren expert, stirred slightly:

"Someone from the palace? Could it be Mother seeking me?"

He then turned to the guard and ordered:

"Have that Eunuch come here at once."

The guard quickly replied and bowed before withdrawing.

Seeing this, Li Que smiled and teased:

"I suppose Noble Consort Ji has missed Third Brother so much she's finally sent for him?"

Li Zhu gave a sheepish laugh, but Wu Xiang Lao Ren's gaze had settled on Zhe Lao, his withered hands slowly raised in greeting:

"Zhe Xianren was once famed throughout the Jianghu. I never imagined that after retiring, you'd be hiding here. To meet you face to face today is truly an honor."

The gray-robed Zhe Lao waved a hand:

"You flatter me. Your Wu Xiang Divine Art has reached the pinnacle; the Wu Xiang Demon Scripture falling into your hands was no misplacement."

At these words, both Li Que and Li Zhu remained expressionless, unshocked by his demonic identity—as if they had long grown accustomed to it.

Within Prince Li Que's mansion, tolerance for Jianghu figures was extremely high; any martial expert willing to join, even those of demonic sects, was welcomed without question.

Now, in the entire prince's Jianghu retinue, at least half were from demonic sects or were wanted by righteous Jianghu clans.

At this moment, Wu Xiang Lao Ren narrowed his eyes at Zhe Lao, stroking his staff again:

"Zhe Xianren recognized my origins at a glance—your martial cultivation has grown even deeper. If you have time someday, I'd be honored to seek your guidance."

Zhe Lao's expression remained unmoved; he gave a slight nod:

"After you've avenged your disciple, I will fulfill your request—I too wish to witness the Wu Xiang Divine Art, lost to the Jianghu for so long."

"Then it's settled."

Wu Xiang Lao Ren's face stretched into an absurdly exaggerated grin, appearing profoundly unnatural.

Li Que watched all of this, yet said nothing; he always followed the principle that suppressing such Jianghu conflicts was worse than letting them flow.

More importantly, he trusted Zhe Lao—so long as Zhe Lao was present, any problem would resolve itself.

…

Soon, the departing guard returned with a Eunuch to the viewing platform.

The Eunuch bowed to Li Que and Li Zhu in turn, then whispered to Li Zhu:

"This matter is of grave importance. Your Highness, may I speak with you privately?"

Li Zhu glanced at the Eunuch, his eyes flickering almost imperceptibly toward Li Que, then frowned and said sternly:

"Second Brother is family. Speak plainly."

Hearing this, the Eunuch hesitated a moment, then finally trembled as he spoke:

"Your Highness, please accept my condolences—Noble Consort Ji… she, she has passed away."

At these words, the entire viewing platform fell utterly silent.

Li Zhu stood frozen, then snapped back to awareness—his tiger-like eyes locked onto the Eunuch before him.

He lunged forward, seizing the man's throat and lifting him into the air, roaring:

"You dare!"

The Eunuch's face swelled purple as he struggled desperately to break free, but could not move—nor could he even cry out for mercy.

Seeing the Eunuch about to be strangled to death, Li Que reacted instantly and intervened:

"Third Brother, don't act rashly—let him explain fully first."

Though he found it unbelievable that Noble Consort Ji had suddenly died, he also did not believe a Eunuch would dare lie about a noble consort's life or death.

Hearing this, Li Zhu took several heavy breaths, then calmed himself and hurled the Eunuch aside like a dead dog.

The Eunuch, now alive, coughed violently—but dared not delay, fearing Li Zhu might strike again. He scrambled up, kowtowing as he recounted everything that had transpired in Yixin Palace.

Instantly, the viewing platform fell silent once more for several breaths.

Seeing Li Zhu about to strike again, Li Que, his expression filled with doubt, suddenly blocked him:

"Under these circumstances, he dares not lie. Third Brother, you must hurry to the palace."

Hearing this, Li Zhu froze, his face turning as white as paper.

Moments later, he suddenly shot forward, racing straight toward the Great Li Imperial Palace.

Watching Li Zhu's retreating figure, Li Que's gaze shifted; he glanced at the eunuch kneeling on the ground, then turned aside and said:

"What is your view on this matter, Wu Xiang Lao Ren?"

Wu Xiang Lao Ren frowned slightly and shook his head.

"To enter and exit the Imperial Palace silently and kill someone is truly too difficult—even I cannot accomplish it."

Hearing this, Li Que narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.

"Then the killer must be inside the Imperial Palace?"

Yet Wu Xiang Lao Ren shook his head again.

"Not necessarily. Just because I cannot do it does not mean no one in this world can."

At this, the Wu Xiang Lao Ren beside him nodded and said:

"That's right. Several years ago, Bai Wuying, known in the Jianghu as the Thief Saint, infiltrated the Great Xuan Imperial Palace and secretly abducted a concubine—so secretly that the Great Xuan Imperial Palace sealed the matter, and very few know of it."

Guys, I didn't have time to write more today because of the New Year—I only wrote two chapters; I'll make up one tomorrow.

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(End of Chapter)