Chapter 649

As a descendant of Aguda, he never considered the Jin people weak. Even if he died in battle, he should be wrapped in horsehide and buried. A people who walked out of the savage forests, their bones carried a hint of bloodiness. However, Wanyan Hongxi did not know that this hint of bloodiness amounted to nothing in Ye Qin's eyes.

Ye Qin calmly said: "Even so, you are destined to fail; there is absolutely no chance of a comeback. You are incapable, and even your Great Jin state is incapable. It won't be long before the Jin state is utterly destroyed."

The fall of the Jin state is merely a matter of time; he doesn't even need to do anything, for naturally there exist those on the grasslands like wild dogs who will devour the Jin state.

"You're talking nonsense!" Wanyan Hongxi roared in disbelief, his face extremely grim: "The brave warriors of my Great Jin are not afraid of death!"

Ye Qin nodded slightly and smiled: "I believe that. But how much ability your clansmen still have is hard to say."

Alright, I'm not here to discuss state affairs with you, and it's not my place to speak on these matters. Now, as an official, I will give you a great gift!

Having said that, Ye Qin raised his right hand; a mysterious power surged forth, like blazing sunlight, endless rosy light condensing into a pearl-like radiance, which he slammed heavily upon Wanyan Hongxi.

Wanyan Hongxi stared in shock at his own body, which was undergoing a terrifying change: "You..."

Wanyan Hongxi, who originally looked like a man in his forties, instantly aged at an astonishing speed; the skin on his hands became like pine bark, his face covered in dense wrinkles, and his once upright stature gradually bent.

"What kind of sorcery is this?" he asked hoarsely in terror. In a moment, he resembled a ninety-year-old, his life hanging by a thread, likely able to last only another year and a half.

Under the enveloping Xiyang Power, Wanyan Hongxi had no power to resist; he could only await death.

He waved his hand and ordered the few guards: "Release him; after all, he's a dying man, let him go home to enjoy a few days of peace. We are preparing to retreat."

"Yes, sir!" the guards replied in unison. Afterwards, they escorted Ye Qin as they advanced into Song territory.

In this battle, the disciples of the Beggars' Sect led by Hong Qigong suffered heavy losses, nearly annihilated, which pained him greatly. "Ah, if I had known, I would not have gotten involved in Shaolin's affairs; it's truly a loss for no gain." He said regretfully.

Many Beggars' Sect disciples lacked strong martial skills; in the melee with Jin troops, many perished alongside the enemy. Seeing corpses strewn across the ground, Hong Qigong regretted deeply. He had originally followed the Qinhu people and those low-key Daoists to Shaolin in pursuit of a hint of fortune, but misfortune plagued him all the way.

"Elder Hong, everyone is greedy." Ye Qin comforted, "Everyone's fate is predetermined." After saying a few comforting words, he fell silent, for more talk would be useless.

The heavy losses in this battle were not limited to the Beggars' Sect; the Quanzhen Sect, Iron Palm Sect, and several other Qinhu sects also suffered greatly. Almost everyone was injured, none spared. Of the Quanzhen Seven Masters, only three remained.

If one were to ask who won this melee, there is no doubt it was Ye Qin. He had long disliked the Qinhu martial artists, and this time he conveniently used their strength to wear down the Jin forces.

All sects wore grim faces, licking their wounds. They were utterly unaware that Ye Qin had long known of the Jin ambush; he merely used a borrowed knife to kill. Ye Qin also felt no regret, wielding a sword with transcendent sword intent to sweep the battlefield—this too was his ability.

"Having harmed so many people, I feel no regret." Ye Qin thought secretly, "In the process of traversing the myriad heavens, not leaving some brilliance would be unacceptable; moreover, all I am doing now is to accumulate more foundation, so that upon returning to the Haoran Immortal Sect on the Qingxuan Continent, I will have the strength to contend."

Ye Qin had a clear understanding of his goals and abilities. He knew the martial world was both hard to navigate and easy to navigate; he would strive to gain some foundation so that upon returning to the Haoran Immortal Sect he could successfully achieve Foundation Establishment.

Looking at the crowd ahead, leaning on each other and staggering, Ye Qin thought: "Without their sacrifice, how could I obtain this foundation? Cultivation to become immortal, eternal life—this temptation is truly irresistible."

Once he returns to the Haoran Immortal Sect, he will have the chance to obtain the method of cultivation for Foundation Establishment, embark on the immortal path, and forever escape the suffering of reincarnation.

"Brother Qin, what's wrong with you?" Huang Rong approached Ye Qin, seeing he was deep in thought, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

This battle was a complete victory, the gains were abundant; what more could one be dissatisfied with?

Ye Qin gazed at this lively and lovely girl, smiling: "I wasn't thinking of anything; I was merely pondering how to obtain the scriptures and secret treasures of the various Daoist schools."

In fact, he was contemplating the bond between himself and Huang Rong. He cannot spend his whole life in this world; if he truly must leave, how would he bring her along? These are the problems he needs to consider.

"Brother Qin, rest assured, there will always be an opportunity." Huang Rong leaned into his embrace, speaking softly. Although she always sensed that Ye Qin hid worries in his heart, she believed he would always find a way.

In Dadu, Wanyan Honglie, upon hearing his subordinate's report, flew into a rage. "What are you saying? Prince Wanyan Hongxi went to ambush those Qinhu riffraff, only to be schemed against and aged overnight?" He bellowed.

"Your Highness, according to the scout's report, this is indeed true." The Jin troops replied respectfully.

"Take me to see the prince!", Wanyan Honglie urgently ordered. After dressing properly, he hurried to the mansion of Prince Wanyan Hongxi.

However, when he saw Wanyan Hongxi, his face instantly turned pallid. A feeling of horror and creepiness welled up in his heart. He secretly deemed Ye Qin an unbeatable existence; such a person is practically a demon, how could mortal strength oppose him?

"Uncle, please rest well; I will take my leave now." Wanyan Honglie broke out in a cold sweat. He had originally intended to send troops to avenge Wanyan Hongxi, but upon learning that Ye Qin's single strike turned his own uncle into an eighty- or ninety-year-old old man, he completely abandoned the idea. In the end, he could only slink away, daring not to provoke further.

Inside the Outer Pass Pure Yang Observatory, Chaoyang Laozu and Zhengyang Laozu stared at each other, the atmosphere momentarily awkward and solemn. Seated between them was an elder on his deathbed—none other than their younger brother, Xiyang Laozu.

"Elder brother, what should we do now?" Zhengyang Laozu suddenly asked, "That lad has mastered the Golden Crow Orthodoxy, and our younger brother has been ambushed. Only your Chaoyang Power can help him regain vitality……"

Before he could finish, Chaoyang Laozu interrupted: "Second brother, my Chaoyang Method hasn't been mastered yet; I don't even have a third of its power to spare—how can I exert it?" He too felt hopeless. Ye Qin's Xiyang Power seemed to have achieved minor success in just a few breaths, whereas the three brothers, having received the Golden Crow Orthodoxy from their ancestors, had barely entered the gate, not even reaching minor accomplishment.

"Cannot be saved!", he sighed. "Elder brother, are you really going to watch our younger brother just grow old and die before your eyes?" Zhengyang Laozu's face was grim, he said angrily, "With your strength, you could let our younger brother last a few more years. After extending the time, we can slowly think of a solution."

However, Chaoyang Laozu's face turned green. He glared and said: "Once I unleash Chaoyang Power, I will damage my origin; this affects the foundation for the future—do you understand?"

Zhengyang Laozu finally understood: it turned out his elder brother was unwilling to bear the consequences, which is why he felt fearful.

At that moment, on the southern Song border, Ye Qin gazed at the many tragic Qinhu people and lightly said to Hong Qigong: "Elder Hong, we should part ways. If anything is needed later, just send someone to notify me."

Hong Qigong nodded dejectedly, inwardly doubting whether he was a qualified sect leader. He didn't take Ye Qin's words to heart.

After parting, Ye Qin and the personnel of the Imperial City Guard mounted swift horses and headed for Lin'an Prefecture. However, before reaching Lin'an Prefecture, a guard came to report: "Sir, there is a secret report!"

Ye Qin frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Speak!"

The guard immediately reported: "Sir, the officials at court are discussing joining forces with the Mongolian grasslands to launch a campaign against the Jin. Moreover, some people wish to ally with certain Imperial Academy students to target you."

"Oh?" Ye Qin blinked, then coldly laughed, "No matter, just a bunch of jumping clowns. Once I return to Lin'an, I will take care of it!"

He fully understood the importance of his official status; once lost, many things would become troublesome. Moreover, he still needed usable subordinates!

!

Two days later, Ye Qin quietly returned to the Lin'an prefecture, sat in the rear hall of the office, and asked the few remaining wardens: "First, tell me, who plans to ally with the Mongols against the Jin?"

A warden immediately replied: "Sir, this matter was first proposed by Chancellor Jia, then supported by Grand Councilor Shi Miyuan, after discussion among the court officials, even the emperor now agrees to it."

Ye Qin nodded, not surprised, and calmly said: "Back when the Jin forces marched south and captured Dongjing Bianliang, the world's martial artists spontaneously resisted but were defeated and fled; Shaolin also closed its mountains and did not emerge; the Jin wantonly slaughtered Song people and even excavated the tombs of seven emperors and eight princes; the emperor, furious, wanting to destroy the Jin as soon as possible, is understandable."

The deep hatred of a hundred years, even if he went to lobby the interested parties, would likely fail to move the emperor. Although the Mongols are strong, after destroying the Jin they would be greatly weakened and unable to move south for a while.

After a moment, Ye Qin asked again: "Now, tell me, who wants to deal with me? Anyone who dares to move against me, I'll make them look bad!"

One's own life should always come first, even the heavenly king and old master cannot override that!

Ye Qin spoke these words ferociously; many wardens and guards involuntarily shuddered all over, looking at him as if facing a fierce demon, their spines turned cold and cold sweat poured forth.

"Yes, sir."

The warden thought for a moment, then said in a trembling voice: "According to our Imperial City Guard's spies, some court officials intend to act against you, but exactly who they are or what their plan is remains unknown for now."

After the warden finished speaking, he feared Ye Qin would flare up and scold him. Know that the Imperial City Guard used to be merely an office with a nominal establishment, similar to the Ming dynasty's Embroidered Uniform Guard, but far inferior to it, not even comparable to the Eastern and Western Depots; this is why the Guard's intelligence gathering is so poor.

Had Ye Qin not previously carried out reforms, purging many and recruiting numerous martial artists to serve in the Imperial City Guard, the Guard would likely now have no capable personnel at all. The Guard's origins were elite troops; later it only recruited from the palace army, with few possessing martial skills, which is why it has become disconnected from many affairs at Qin Lake.

Thinking this, Ye Qin sighed and said: "Alright, I understand this matter. Order your brothers to continue recruiting personnel, but be sure to distinguish spies or agents. Once the personnel arrive, monitor the suspicious individuals, and intensify investigations into Qin Lake. From now on, the Imperial City Guard cannot remain merely a nominal office; understand?"

"Yes!" the many wardens replied in unison, also feeling a bit ashamed. The Imperial City Guard only controls the palace garrison; they are unaware of many secrets, and although there are many hidden agents spread across the realm, most are powerless.

After the group of overseers left, Ye Qin slowly stood up, gazing at the bustling Facing Peace street not far away, and muttered to himself: "No matter which bastard wants to get rid of me, I'll kill him first. At worst I'll just leave this world, but I won't leave before I've stripped this world of all its resources."

Those who want to get rid of him have no idea how many trump cards he has.

However, having too much trouble is also annoying. If it weren't for the former Imperial City Bureau's corruption and incompetence, which left many loopholes in governance and investigation, he estimates that he would already know everything. "But even if it's the Facing Peace capital, ordinary people might be able to figure things out, but those officials have been in power for years, making them hard to investigate. However, they will eventually expose themselves; whatever tricks I have, I'll use them, and I can even take the chance to screw over this bunch and gain more benefits."

Normally he wouldn't find a chance to lose his temper, but now someone is willing to step forward without making excuses, and Ye Qin feels he's letting himself down.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, then summoned an office guard and ordered: "Go, mobilize all the ruffians and scoundrels in Facing Peace City to gather information for me—using them is the most suitable. Try to find out as clearly as possible, and also have the ruffians do something else…"

After Ye Qin finished giving his orders, the office guard went down to make the arrangements.

At night, the night in Facing Peace Prefecture was very quiet; although the curfew wasn't lifted, few people dared to go out and loiter. Once midnight arrived, there was hardly anyone to be seen.

At that moment, several shifty-eyed fellows sneaked under the cover of darkness to the doors of some nobles and high officials, throwing lumps of pale yellow filthy substance at their doorsteps, then immediately retreated to the next location.

"Boss, why are we helping those mysterious people? This is offense‑prone work. If those big shots find out, we're done for," a little ruffian said anxiously.

His boss was also a ruffian, just a bit smarter. He glanced at the little ruffian, gave him an annoyed stare, and said gloomily: "You idiot, who would know it was us in the middle of the night? Besides, not making money when you can is being a worthless fool. We're ruffians and scoundrels—just take the money and do the job."

The ruffian chief didn't mind; with money to be made and little chance of being caught, this deal was profitable—no reason not to do it.

Finally, the ruffian chief patted a few of his underlings on the heads and said, "Alright, work hard. As long as we sprinkle the doorsteps of those nobles' homes thoroughly, we'll have completed the mission." (End of chapter)